Garth and Amy's story.

Okay so first things first... I know soo many of you are waiting for me to call you or skype you and tell you all about this weekend, I'm working on it k? Just catching up on sleep and homework and trying to focus on the last two months of school! [:


 So I know you all want to know Garth and I's "story". So lets get down to business!
 I'm going to take this allll the way back to before I met him.

How it All Started

My brother, as most of you know, served a two year mission for our church in Ghana, Africa. Well Garth was there too, and ended up being one of Kyle's companions. Kyle had every single one of his companions write me, and most had joked about marriage so I really never thought anything of their comments. But when Kyle called on Christmas he told me Garth was my future husband, and that we'd be perfect. I still didn't think anything of it, I was in high school and I was dating people. My mom sent kyle some pictures of me at prom, and kyle wrote a letter to Garth on the back of my picture with "eternity" written on the top. Haha such a weird brother. Eventually, he told Garth to write me, and Garth did. I didn't write back until I got Kyle's email telling me I needed to. Then Garth wrote again, and I didn't reply. Not intentionally blowing him off! Just didn't think it was important!

  Then when Kyle flew home from his mission in February Garth flew with him and his flight connected in Colorado, had a layover, and then he went home. So I met him face to face that same day Kyle returned, but was wayy to focused on seeing my brother after two years to again, think anything of it. I noticed he was super tan, and my older sister told me I should "get him". But he was too shy to talk to me. (Still in that missionary stage). So then he tried to contact me a couple times on facebook, to which I never replied, because again--I didn't think anything of it! I know I know, I spent a lot of time totally blowing things off. I'm slow!
But finally one day Garth made a sarcastic comment to my brother that I was "shady". And so I finally wrote him. I figured being a returned missionary, I could talk to him about gospel things, and help him know that there were reasons to keep up the habits of the mission. Never really thought he'd ever have any affect on me.. haha. [;
But as time went on, my friend Emily commented about how she'd never seen me so giddy about a guy. He always joked about coming to visit me...(He's from Iowa if you missed that part). And one day I got sick of the jokes and he said "You know I could come at any moment I want right?" And I said "Notice how you haven't?" And within the next couple days he booked a flight. He likes proving people wrong.

When I met him at the airport, he shook my hand. Not a hug...a handshake. Right then I knew it was going to be an awkward weekend. Thankfully Kyle showed up and kept things from being too awkward, because they could just talk about the mission. We went on two dates that weekend, Rockies game and Elitches. Elitches, he played the piano and sang downtown, we held hands...and after that--I was pretty much a goner!

Now its been a little over a year since that weekend, and after making him wait a LONG time to be official (I'm a really slow mover guys) and a lot of prayers, and a lot of extremely happy days with him, we are now engaged. [:

So. Here's the best part: how he proposed. [:

Currently he lives about two hours away from me, and we flip flop between Rexburg and Logan every weekend. This weekend was his birthday so I was going down to Logan to spend it with him, and didn't want him to have to travel on his birthday. Friday he had to work, and then we were going out to dinner. So his sister Ana was texting me telling me that her and her husband Jonathan were going to surprise Garth with this piano audition thing. (Garth is really really really good at the piano). She told me that I needed to text her when we were getting close to being done with dinner, and then "go to the restroom" so I could leave with Jonathan, and she'd kidnap Garth, take him to the surprise audition and I'd show up to watch. Super exciting!

So we go to dinner, and Garth finishes way before the babysitter is at his house, so I'm like--stalling. Asking questions about our plans for Iowa, eating wayy more than I wanted just to give him a reason to stay, picking apart my roll bit by bit--trying to act natural and not be suspicious. Finally they're on their way so I "go to the bathroom" and run out to tell his sister where he's sitting, and then I leave with Jonathan. Well, Jonathan tells me he forgot his camera so we have to go home and get it. Its 7:50 and the audition is at 8:00 so I was a little worried, but I went along with it. Well he's a cop, so he's driving the speed limit, and its passed 8;00 now. So in my head I am super frustrated, I'm thinking we're going to miss my boyfriends audition, I'm going to be sooo mad I rode with you, but I'm trying to be nice on the outside. So I'm making small talk and trying to just be positive. But then we get to the concert hall thats on campus and Jonathan is walking around like he doesn't know where he's going, so in my head I'm like great, you could've planned this a LITTLE better so I could actually see the audition! We walk into a pitch black auditorium, and he says there's a recording thing on the other side of the stage where we need to go. So I walk with him through the auditorium with my cell phone lighting my footsteps all the while thinking, this guy has no idea where he's going.   Then all the sudden the lights flip on on the stage and Garth is there dressed up sitting at a piano. He starts playing and singing a song he wrote for me about us. In it it goes through some of our dates, and different things, its a super super cute song. Jonathan was running around taking pictures, and there was a video camera on Garth, but I didn't realize there was one on me! But at the end of the song he asked me to come on stage and thats where he told me he loved me, and then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! [:
I said yes, and his family all popped out of the curtains. It was soo perfect and cute, and the fact that I felt like I was surprising HIM and that I was the one in the "know" made it so I was totally caught off guard and not suspicious of him at all. He knows me well [:
And everything is perfect.

To see the video and/or hear the song--you'll probably have to come to my wedding reception.
And we don't have a date YET. We're waiting for him to get a track assignment from BYU-I. So be patient. [:

But there ya have it.
My fiance is the best one out there.--I know.

Learning as I go

      

    Today just feels like a day for reflection. Maybe its because I don't want to have to unpack. Or maybe its because I'm not motivated to do any homework so I'm putting it off until tomorrow. Or maybe its just simply one of those days. First we'll go over the weekend--As per usual.

 Drove to Utah with Kyle and the Roommates to visit the boy and go to Matt Eastman's farewell.

I ran into Kylee Young and her family, Anna and Becca Young, and the Eatmans. It was like a little Colorado family reunion. I quite enjoyed it. Matt will be an awesome missionary, but I definitely feel for his sisters, been there done that. 2 years is a long long time!! 

Haha. I love him. He took this himself on my phone mind you.

 This weekend was Garth's older sister's 7 year anniversary with her husband. He surprised her and took her out. While she was gone the kids wanted to surprise her too so they colored a sign that said happy anniversary and hung it up on the curtain rod by the back door. [: Whatta happy little family.

 I think I have about 6 pictures of this girl in Garth's hat. But I love her. [:

I am extremely grateful for all the growth that has occurred to get me where I am today. Mostly I'm grateful for the gospel principles I was taught at a young age that instilled in me a desire to think with an eternal perspective, and to have values and goals. The gospel has given me direction my whole life. When I was eight I knew I would be baptized by my dad without question or thought about anything else. When I was 12 I knew I entered young womens, and when I was 14 I knew that meant I could finally start attending dances. My first dance, I danced with a guy who is taller than my brother, and I was 14. I was a little worried about trying to reach his shoulders haha. But later, a guy shorter than me asked to dance 3 times and asked for my number, and called me all the time. I guess the whole short guys attracted to me started back then.

     Today I am grateful for the mother who made me stubborn and headstrong. Maybe it was through watching how she handled trials, or maybe it was just built into her personality but I'm slowly learning how like her I am. People have always commented on how independent I am, and how much I stick to what I think, and I think this trait has been one that has protected me a lot over time.

    I'm grateful for a father who taught me to be assertive and to prioritize always. He taught me that you need to have that ultimate goal in mind, and do exactly what is necessary to reach it. I will always remember him telling me that I need to remember having time. There is a time window for having a family and a time for me to be a mom. I can always have my big career later. I don't have to choose, I have time.

This is a piece of an email my dad sent me last semester and I had to share it because its just soo him and its pasted in my journal.

 "Don't try to force birdies - make a few pars to start, get your feet under you and let the game come to you.

Same thing with College in the first year. Enjoy the challenge, enjoy new experiences, and let it come to you a little bit. You don't need to force everything all at once. That's when you make bogeys!"

"As far as getting out and meeting people it is an art to meet people that don't measure up to your standards and still make them feel like you are a friend. It is important to have balance in your life -so you need to go out and meet people. That is part of the experience! You can be focused and get good grades etc and still have fun socially. If you focus on one thing only you will blow up - so find balance. Learn to prioritize and compartmentalize. ( They are 2 different things). "

He's funny, but he'll always be true to him--gotta believe that.

Basically I've been inheriting all of these traits and learning as I go how to use them. 

I started out afraid to kiss a boy, and making the boy wait til I was 16 before we dated.

I then dated someone who yelled at me a lot and didn't trust me. 

Now I'm dating someone wonderful, who I still made wait until I felt right about different steps in the relationship.

We've never fought the whole year we've been dating, and I am completely secure in my trust for him and his trust for me.

I started out completely running away from commitment now here I am anticipating getting to answer with yes!

I still get scared, but I'm learning as I go that its something I have to let myself dive into. When the lord is in it you have to give it your all--100% to make it fully reach its potential for happiness. I'm still working on letting myself fully dive in. [:

I started out afraid of being overly loyal. I never wanted to date someone who really cared what I did, and the last couple of boys I dated did not have any cares in the world as to what I did. Now I have full trust in who I am dating, but I still care to some extent- as does he. I care most about his happiness, but I love him, so I want to be around him as much as possible. 

I started out completely lacking in confidence in my ability to be a mother or wife. I now know exactly where I need to go for direction, and know through him, I can be perfected in all my weakness. 

I started out wanting a stay at home dad, feeling I wouldn't feel complete if I didn't have a job. I now know that I want to be home. I want to ensure that there's a spirit in my home, I want it to be clean, I want to spend time with my future children, I want to make it a place my husband looks forward to coming home to everyday. 

I started out with no faith in this thing called marriage. Now, slowly but surely, my trust for my boyfriend is teaching me that I don't have to look at marriage as just one huge trial we get through. The journey can be a hard one, but we can also do it while smiling. 

For a period of time, I wished I didn't have to think about my actions and that I could just do all the things I thought I wanted. Now I know that I have direction, and because I have direction decisions are much easier to make. I know what I want in the end result and I feel like I have less limitations with this sense of direction. 

Obviously I'm still slowly learning, but I'm not longer out there playing mail box baseball, I'm no longer being dishonest to my parents, I don't spend months on end being grounded, I've gained a little perspective with each situation I've been put in in this life and I'm grateful. Looking back I miss a lot. Maxwell, Peter, laying in the grass with Emily, drives with Anna listening to Yellowcard, golfing with my dad, blowing things up with Kyle, being best friends with African and Ben, watching lost with Steph. But life goes on, and I keep learning. Maybe one day I'll learn to let go [: --But don't count on it. Haha.

Currently Loving:

Giant Cookies and midnight casseroles 

Music that makes you smile

Currently Learning:

A lot. 

[:

Blissful

  

This is at the bonfire.

   So I know a lot of people on this planet will tell you they're in the best relationship in the world, then you'll listen to their stories all the while thinking.."Wow, what is so great about him? He's kinda a jerk." Well. When I tell you I'm in the best relationship that is present on this earth--I'm 100% honest, and pretty dang sure I'm right. [:

 Every week I smile and laugh the most on Friday afternoon-Monday morning. I have never meshed so perfectly with anyone in my life. Even just going for a walk is a blast because I spend the whole time laughing. So wonderful!!

Anyhow moving on from the sappy moment...

This weekend was a good one.
Watched bones season Finale - very satisfied
Made Apricot chicken- Very pleased with this
Soccer game- Super cold.
Delicious breakfast
Got homework done while Garth played basketball
Snow cones! (took one to the brother. Was unsuccesful in getting a "thank you")
Lunch at the pizza buffet
Dinner at Teriyaki Place with Roommates
I am Legend with Roommates
Bonfire with Garth Kyle Liala Ryan Matt Alyssa Leanda etc.
(There were half naked men there) haha.. don't ask why I included that.
Watched kyle attempt to dance to the song "teach me how to jerk" --I USED to find that dance attractive.
Went to church -- Learned all about the priesthood from all angles--super great.
Cleaned the house, made mac and cheese. With the best person ever.
Took a Sunday nap [:
Watched Friday night lights. With the best person ever.
Made Brownies (Me and garth really shouldn't be allowed to do this anymore haha)
Attended an International Dinner. Garth was super happy to be able to speak his language and eat his food. Still wants me to learn.
Attended an FHE family Dinner where Garth lucked out and got to speak Twi again with another Ghanaian.
Went for a Walk with the best person ever.
Visited Kyle...with...the best person ever.
Walked home and watched Letters to Juliette with Roommates and the best person ever.
Talked [: (With the best person ever)
Then breakfast this morning! (You know the drill.)

(All of this above was done with Garth)
Twas fantastic [:

This upcoming weekend I'm going to my good friends Farewell! Super excited!
Also its a 4 day weekend for me!! Yeah!
Then its Garths Birthday!
And then the Next Weekend is his Surprise!
(And possibly some 4 wheeling!)
And then we go to Iowa!
Back to being busy and never in my little Rexburg!

 Roommates 

 Everything a girl Needs

 He hits on me more than anyone....

 Miss him.

haha. Don't judge us. 

First things first. I have a question. Who invented college?

Like really. 

Who decided we needed more education beyond highschool? 

Why cant we just apply for a job, and be in training for a year. 

I'd rather do that than this college shin-dig. 

Who decided to invent Universities that charge up the whazoo for class?

Who ever it was... was probably a really lonely soul.

And probably always will be. 

hmph.

Second things second: (bet you've never heard that one before)

What do women crave on their period? 

Chocolate.

And Warmth.

And sometimes carbs.

SO WALA! Chocolate Gravy and biscuits. 

Throw in the fact I'm a poor college student.. and you get ghetto biscuits!

Yum. 

I made them for my Roomie. 

 Yes she DID go back for seconds.

 We were pretty excited. And Pretty gross. lol

So this weekend I was convincing myself I could be a normal college student. 

I was going to go to Sammy's, and have a blast. 

I was going to go to dinner and make it fun with--chicks. Quite a challenge.

I was going to do homework and laundry and get ALL sorts of caught up.

NOT.

haha.

Well I did go to Sammy's. And the Temple.

 You'll notice at this point someone special showed up 

in the pictures haha. Yeah. My boyfriend and I couldn't last even a stinkin week.

[: WHOOPS.

But after many frustrated conversations he came and took me back to Logan.

Where I celebrated Addison's birthday, and had two Sorbet floats.

Yummy.

Not to mention a cupcake, and chicken fettucine alfredo. 

Which was mildly cold because I waited sooo long to eat it haha.

I also indirectly met his brother and sister on a mission.

It was only mildly awkward to wave and then sit there in silence. 

 HOT.

Thats all. 

[:

He's always doing my dishes. You'd think this was a gentleman's move

but really its just him trying to annoy me. 

Don't be fooled by the cute smile. He's a schemer.

(I hope you recognize the sarcasm in that)

Here's just two pics from Logan.

BTW Garth, since I know you're stalking me. You should know that you're weird. 

And that for some odd reason I like you.

But it is super weird you read this. I try to pretend that you don't. lol 

But anyways. HI! 

[:

Torn!

Its so sunny and beautiful today I love it!! Still love Rexburg guys. And Its realllly windy but i have A KITE!!! YEAH YEAH YEAH.
Also. My life is super boring. Haha. Studying by myself in the Crossroads. its what I do.

School:
Not too much has been happening here lately!
Still up in the Burg, but I go home next week! I was extremely excited to go but not so much now. I'm getting the hang of classes though and when I need to do homework. Should be a good weekend though. Cinco De Mayo Party tonight! Temple and Exam tomorrow. AND Sammy's tomorrow night. Should be good good good. And dinner out with the roomies. Clearly trying to fill my time haha. But it should be fun none the less. i'll try to take some pics to post.

Roomies:

We have some pretty funny discussions. Most of which focus on the fact that I have a boyfriend. And that I used to hate dating and probably was going to become a nun... haha.  I could see it lol.
Nuns have the right idea. You can't be a jedi and date someone...haha. Too bad I had to meet someone wonderful.. haha.
But they're all pretty cool. Ashleigh has the BEST facial expressions. Sharlene is basically ghetto and doesn't even realize it. But I LOVE IT. And Katie is pretty relaxed. So far its been pretty relaxed. Clean check days are the best because its so spotless!!
But then Friday comes and everything tanks aha.
We celebrated star wars day yesterday!

Boyfriend:
 I don't see him for 3 weeks. lol. And I was kindly informed yesterday that I can't be invited anywhere by boys because I'm "almost" engaged so it just wouldn't be right for them to invite me places.
Super lame lol. It'll probably be good for him and I to live by each other before we get all crazy.


Currently Learning:
I really like learning about the family, and integrating the gospel into fixing problems
Life is so up and down!
Change is really difficult for me to process haha.
25 is your prime [:


Currently Hoping:
For things to slow down a bit!
And for life to relax and just be full of smiles. [:
Continued sunshine!!

This is where I'm at these days! Good old Rexburg Idaho. Super windy and super cold, but a cute little town all the same. I like it here a lot. I like praying before every class, singing a hymn and having each class end with a testimony and "amen". Its super [: 

No where else on the planet thats like this one. Can you go to any other classes and not have to take everything taught with a grain of salt? Can your testimony and knowledge grow faster anywhere else?

No. No it can't. Thank you Rexburg for being exceptional. Sorry I left you Easter Weekend. I'll be here for a bit now [:

First things first: Isn't he just the cutest boy ever? [:

I think so too.

So it was a pretty peachy weekend. It started out a little shakey. Silly little Amy. Seems as though as soon as I make a decision that involves me progressing in life the adversary realllly wants me to stay in one spot. Kinda like my Mom... haha [; Just kidding mother. 

But yes anyhow I'll go into greater detail about the weekend since this is like my journal.

Well as sooooon as he got here its like I was FLOODED with all of these doubts and paralyzing thoughts. I felt like I didn't really know him, I was too young, I was going to miss my family etc. All of which are valad thinks to take stock of of course, but not in a doubt your own judgement sense. I was extremely uptight all day and trying to figure out how I felt. I began to kind of feel like there's no way I could tell him that I got my answer if I was still freaking out in my head, it just wouldn't be fair to him. But then I also thought If I didn't move forward I'd just panic standing in one spot. Finally I told him about how I was kind of stressing, and told him about different things I have learned in my life that I can't seem to forget or shake. He just talked to me about it and understood everything, and reminded me that if I have had those peaceful feelings I can't let myself forget them. And we just talked, although he stil didn't know WHY I was really panicking in THAT moment haha. I am just kinda a snail at this whole moving forward thing. But I'm learning slowly [: 

Anyhow the next day we went to Bountiful and the drive there was really fun and just cute. When we got there there were people taking wedding pictures at the fountain so we couldn't go to that side, but he really liked the temple. Which is good because its my favorite. So it was kinda requirment [;

But then I was like....mmm I have something to tell you. And me being shy, I was like hugging him so he wouldn't see my face. Then I told him that I "got my answer" and I guess because I wouldn't let him see my face he thought it was no. So he looked at me heart broken and said "its no??" And it was the saddest thing ever. I was like NO NO NO its yes! lol. And He got really excited. It was cute. And I liked it quite a bit. [: We mildly talked about where we will live in terms of Logan or Rexburg, and talked about price of school vs where we will be working etc. Because of the contrast in school cost we decided to just make it about what will be best for us newly wed wise, instead of about money. 

We shall see!! [: 

But yes. It was an exciting weekend. And. Probably only my stalker, Jamie, Kyle, and whoever Garth tells will reallllly know. [:

YAY!

Dear Blog

Today is Wednesday, and today is a day of cleaning, and running. It shall be super. I should probably add sleeping to that list being as I slept in. Which was also super.
This morning I woke up and made Kelsey's lunch. I made it extra filled with snacks because I know she's going to be playing golf and eating as she goes. I then woke her up and made her toaster strudles (cooked for a minute and 30 seconds, not anymore, no less) --her favorite thing for breakfast just the way she likes it. Then while she ate I helped her clean her clubs so they'd be ready for the tournament. Got her some extra Golf Balls. (Super nice ones..sorry pops). She organized her clubs in her bag just like she likes them. Then we had a little time to talk about the tournament. She was nervous so before we left we said a prayer and then I drove her to the course! It was a super simple morning which was relieving after yesterday. We were supposed to have left overs tonight but I think I'll make a casserole because I know she'll be hungry after playing Golf all day.

You see I've been playing mom all week. Its been super and has created lots of smiles --except yesterday. I imagine those terrible days happen for everyone. If I had a husband yesterday I would have told him to just make me laugh and tell me I'm awesome. Haha. [;.


Oh and last night Kelsey and I looked at wedding rings hahah.
We were bored but not tired. Haha. A girl can dream. If it makes her smile. [:

But its a new day and I'm excited for it. I have to get the house ready for her little party friday. Which I'm extremely nervous for. Its boy girl. And.. I'm such a worrier haha.
But no one is sleeping over thank goodness. My parents come home the 12th and apparently I'm picking them up but I have NO idea when they land haha.

But wish me luck!!

currently learning:
my mom is super woman.
And She puts up with a lot from this little girl lol.