Everything is wrapping up!

        Here goes the last week of my life as a child! Super weird. Never again will I live with parents and rules! How weird is that? I'm nervous but I'm excited. Its going to be a really good semester. And I'm gonna have a lot of time to cook before I'm actually married.. which is good I need the practice.
              I've been doing a lot of reflecting this week. Its always interesting to have the opportunity to look back and see how life has shifted and how you have grown. I remember in high school always fighting with my mom. It took finally dating a boy she approved of for me to realize how much I could actually talk to her. Even though things with that boy ended in the craziest way she was still there for me, and she showed me that she'd been in my shoes. That's when I started to see my mom as my friend, not just a lady who gave me rules. I grew up with a brother who has always made everyone laugh. He was always really goofy and a little mischievous. Then he went on his mission and now he's just goofy. I know he has a good heart, probably the best heart there is. I think sometimes I lose sight of that because we are siblings and we pick on each other and when he was on his mission it was easy to picture he and I being all each other needed. I forgot that I'm a girl, and hes a boy, and we are siblings. Siblings get sick of each other, they pick on each other, and as a brother he has to be around at the moments I don't want him to be, and as a sister I have to be too emotionally involved in everything for him. I think while he was on a mission I forgot about all those natural dynamics, so its been a rough adjustment for me to make. My little sister is the coolest. She's going through a lot of growing lately so she's got those girly moods. However, in high school I told her every single thing about me. I never lied to her because I never wanted her to hear something and feel like she didn't know her own sister. I always wanted her to feel like we were open with each other and like she could tell me things. She knows my weaknesses, she knows my mistakes, and my triumphs. She knows what makes me happy, and she knows how far I have come. I will always love that bond we have, and I can't wait til she starts to realize just how much she is worth. I have always thought that is the best thing to provide for someone- a knowledge of their worth. I remember that's when I began to love being in Young Women's. I made it a goal to try to help the girls learn just how precious a righteous young woman is because I think that is a lesson that is taught less and less often today. Its funny to reflect on my relationship with Anna because although we spent so much time together young she's been gone for so long its just what is familiar. She taught me to love music, and she gave me my sarcasm. She's also taught me to be tough. To not be down for too long. I'm glad she's my older sister, and I know we will always be close.
I have always been a big reflector but these last six weeks I've been inside my own head so much trying to take everything in! I will admit I have been so stressed! Making the decision to totally let go of being a kid is scary. But in those moments I just have to remember that I'm engaged to my best friend. Who makes me laugh more than I ever have with anyone. I will always get to be like the second grader who gets butterflies when a boy looks at her when I'm married to him. 
And because of that, I know I can let go of those fears! [:

I'm really excited for Rexburg! I will be with my fiance everyday forever now. The long distance is finally coming to an end, and never coming back. The next chapter is slowly beginning!

A Weekend with the boy I love!

My fiance flew in on Friday night! I was so anxious all day. And then his flight was delayed. So Finally at about midnight I got to see him! And of course the rest of the weekend, I knew, would be pure bliss

[:

We got about a total of 11 hours of sleep over the whole weekend, minus our occasional naps. 

Saturday we got up nice and early to go to my Bridal shower! 

Then we spent 6 hours shopping and registering. It was a long day.

But it was so much fun to register with him! Everyone kept telling me he wouldn't enjoy it and it 

wouldn't matter if he was there because he's a male and won't have an opinion. But I have the best

man ever, and he spent hours just planning and picking things with me, and was just as excited as I was. And even though it hurt his color blind eyes, we picked all our colors for our home. haha. [:

He was a trooper, and made it the best day ever. I was crying on the way home we were laughing so hard. Then we took a short nap, got up and got all ready for our double date. We went with Tina and her boyfriend Colton. We couldn't go until about 10 because they work so we just went to Apple Bee's for appetizers and then came to my house and played Disney Scene it and ESPN scene it. It was fun. Especially to see them together, and have them meet my future husband. Tina is becoming my buddy who acts like a wife with me. Although she's not getting married yet we both always talk about home decor, our men, and marriage. haha. OH and cooking. I love it. And love her. So grateful she's on of the bridesmaids! I have a total of 4. Perfect number.

Anyhow, then Sunday we went to church and spent the day with the family.

Took the usual Sunday nap, made grilled cheeses, and played some checkers. 

Unfortunately Garth won once and I won once so -- we tied. 

Then Monday was another day full of stuff. 

We got up and went and picked up Ryan Powers from the dealership. 

Garth lifted and I got ready. 

Then we went to Boondocks. (We'd been wanting to go Go Carting)

We went Go carting first (And I beat him both times) --after he bragged about 

how he would annihilate me.

Then we did the bumper boats. 

This is the before picture.

 And you can't really tell but this is me soaked after

Garth is much more soaked than I am. I won 

again. haha. 

My squirt gun was angled in a way that

it just DRILLED him in the head

I was dying of laughter.

 This is us post being soaked. 

Kinda scary looking. 

Lots of mascara ran into my eyes. lol

Then we played putt putt. Garth beat me by a STROKE. Lame. 

Then, we did all the arcade games. Which.. I beat him at. Except we tied in air hockey.

It was such a fun and somehow relaxing day. I wouldn't have had fun with anyone else

like I did with him.

We just laugh together. I love it. 

And even after being drenched and no longer having any make up on, and my hair doing its fro-ish thing. He STILL made me feel absolutely beautiful. 

Whatta Keeper!

Then we came home and watched family home videos upon Garth's request. He was pretty excited. 

We got to watch the video of my dance recital where I hated my tutu and instead of dancing I just scratched the whole time. 

Then we made Jamaican Pulled Pork. It was really different.. but we were successful. The meat was so gooood! The sauce was just a little sweet. It has orange juice, jam, and mustard in it. But it was pretty good. Then, sadly, I had to take him to the airport. I hate to see him go. But when I was walking away from the security line he yelled my name, and I turned around thinking "oh no what did we forget"

And he just yelled "You're beautiful". 

[: So glad I get to marry the best man on this planet. 

It was a really good weekend. SOON I get to see him daily in Rexburg. 

2 weeks til then!

129 til the wedding. 

Long time. But it'll go by fast.

Bridal Shower

Cambria, Barrie, Me, Sharon. 

Barrie and Sharon are the wonderful ladies that planned the perfect bridal shower for me!

I go back to school on the 5th of September and I won't be home again until about a Week before Christmas and my wedding. So we decided it would be best to try to have it now, so that is why I had it so early. So we had a shower at 9:30 am on Saturday morning. Bagels, muffins, and breakfast casserole. Made me perfectly happy because breakfast is my favorite thing. Especially poppy seed muffins, bagels, and scrambled eggs. I am so grateful for everyone who attended and made it special. It was better than I could have ever imagined, and it helped it sink in that I'm actually getting married. (:

 This was the most awkward to open in front of ladies

(thanks Jamie)

Box of Lovin from my bridesmaid Jamie Lyn

(:

We played a game where I was to fill out answers to how I thought Garth would answer questions about himself. And he did the same for me. 

I was asked things like how tall would Garth say he is, what are his favorite foods, and all sorts of fun things. He did really really well. Knows me super well!
Everyone was very impressed. [:

 We are in our wedding colors!!

Thank you everyone for such a wonderful day! And I LOVE all my gifts. 

SO exciting to be getting all these things for my future home!

Home Home Home!

Its been a while since I've been able to make a post! I've been home in Colorado now for a little over a week which means this was the first weekend in months that I haven't seen Garth. Its been kind of weird communicating over text, lots of skype, and the phone. Our schedules don't really line up very nicely so its a little more difficult to really get a chance to talk. Its my summer break so I go to bed a lot later, and wake up later too. Saturday is usually a good day because we both have a chance to be up late or sleep in, and on the same schedule.
It feels like its been much longer than a week! I met with the caterer, and the place we're having the reception. I looked into table cloths and center pieces, and I even had the lady come look at the dress. I'm planning on wearing my Mom's dress, just revamping it a little. But this week I'm going to go look at some other dresses to make sure its what I want-- being as I have never tried on wedding dresses! And I have to make sure that neckline is going to look okay. Its hard to picture what it will look like altered so I'm going to go try on some of the things she said she could do. Its all pretty exciting, and its tough! Making lots of decisions lately..which I alwayyys hate doing. Especially by myself! I also registered at just one place for a few things because we are trying to figure out the best timing for my bridal shower.. and just in case I need to be registered at least SOMEWHERE. Can't wait til Garth is here to help me make some decisions. [:
But I've been busy busy busy!

I got to visit with Tink
Spend lots of time with the Fam
(We are watching all the Harry Potters too!)
See Max and Pete a couple times

and Tomorrow I get to see Anna and Tink at our traditional Mimis date. [:
The first week day home I was so ready and excited to go to the gym and to get wedding stuff done.. only to wake up at 5 a.m. sick and throwing up. So even though I got a lot done last week THIS week is the week gym and outdoorsy stuff gets to start. I went on a bikeride last week, but it just made me sicker. Hopefully all works out.. being as I don't have a car here. -_-
So pool for the first time this year today!
And I have decided that I'm going to make a Minkee quilt.
I don't really like the look of quilts so its just going to be a strip quilt, but it will be really cute and just fun to make. Still looking for that skirt pattern my mom has, to make myself one. But we will see.
As soon as I get time and a car it will be on to the scrap booking store to scrap book my Fiance's mission! Super excited to finally be starting, got the first batch of pictures today!
I have a couple tall candle stick holders I want to make, but I don't know how much time I'm going to have for everything so, gotta take it one step at a time.
ALSO I see my best friend Thursday!! Super duper excited about that.
Hope you're all enjoying the end of your Summer Vacations!
Mine has just begun! [:

Haha So glad I'm on break. I'm loving it.
Sorry for the play by plays.. this is essentially my journal so just bare with me [:

This is who Garth uses to replace me as far as cuddling goes:

Miss this boy!