Blessed are those who need no reasons other than their love for the Savior to keep his commandments.
-Ensign, Nov. 1991, 35

pow

i have a headache. and it's late and i have to get up early tomorrow. why do i even say that? it's like me typing that for my eyes to see will somehow make me just end this thing and go to bed without really talking about anything.



GOOD IDEA.

ps. i love you

EeeekFY

You know those times when you just need to move on from something but can't? Okay I wouldn't say can't. I mean you have pretty much moved on but something is still connected with it... don't worry I'm just having a thought process here as I write this .... i AM actually 100% (k fine, 93%) moved on but I think because that something was so such a big deal to me, I am just having a sad time shutting my book on it.


and that little something is called especially for youth.


I know what a lot of you are thinking because a lot of you have actually said it to my face. Whether it is "I don't get your obsession with EFY" "You're crazy, marriage is so much better than EFY" "Why can you never let go of EFY or your EFY friends"


I've heard it all. And this is my thought:  you're all retarded.


I can love and believe in a program so much that I want it to succeed and still be the best it could be even when I'm not apart of it can't I? I owe a lot to that program. It has taught me more lessons about myself and my testimony than I can ever say. It has open my friendships to a whole new world of people. I have met some REMARKABLE youth that will change the world. I have changed my major because of the experiences that I have had with this program. It will and IS changing the world.

From 10 weeks full of teaching incredible youth 

to

a second long summer filled teaching incredible counselors

& not to mention a wonderful red bc family.

It took a lot to decline this summer. (just kidding shaun) Above I was wondering why I was still connected to it. . .I think I found my answer. It was a big part of my life and is a big part of how and why I am at the place I am now.


Along with the million things EFY gave me. I can't forget one of my most important ones:

who serenades me on the ride home with this gem which I forgot about:

"here's a riddle for you,

find the answer:

there's a reason for the world

You & I."

Good mornin'!

that man.

My glorious Format said it right in the song "Inches From Falling. . ."

I love Love
I love being in love
I don't care what it does to me

bking

Remember my trio?

I believe we're going on 6 years..

Well you all know my best friend brando. He is one of the best people I know. I turn to him for almost everything! I cherish his honest opinion and just love him and hold our friendship so high.

  (sorry boy not the best pic of you..)

He got engaged a couple months ago to the CUTEST Brittany Zollinger. Really she is perrrrfect for him. I have seen Brando through a lot of girls and never like this one. The funny part to my story is best friends think a like. Same month..same day..same time..wedding date? 3/10/12 @ 10am. woops! The one downside is not attending each other's wedding. Which actually was pretty hard to handle when we found out. But there is just something about having your own wedding that you have to be at which gets you over it pretty darn quickly! I love you Brando.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ps I don't think this was ever mentioned and I can't forget his efforts. Some time before Christmas I was always mentioning Pinterest and made SJ look at my different boards. My boy went back onto my website and looked at my "future home" board and whaaat did he get us for Christmas?

Anyone want their towel or a pair of jeans feelin' like they just came out of the dryer?

best thing ever. 

1:20.. :30.. :45..2:00.. :15... :30.. :45 OUTRAGE.

I feel like I can count on two hands all of the blog posts that were posted at Brent Brown Toyota {add this one to the list}. I have done all of my homework, read my chapter summaries twice just in case I missed something, made myself some hot chocolate at the "we treat our customers right" counter, read about whether Kim's 72-day marriage was a mistake or fake, watched the newest episode of Modern Fam, rearranged how my blog looks 5 million times {and resorted to just plain white} but the oil is STILL not all the way changed. boooo

what is the meaning of people saying the word boo? i say that so much. sometimes it has the ah crap meaning and sometimes it's like me and my boo (sick) and the other time people take it and respond to me with nicole it's not halloween. we should stop saying boo. fine, I should stop saying boo. but for the record i have never used it in the way usher refers to it.

Have I talked about how school is amazing? I'll tell ya people always talk about how once you get through every single general you can just focus and move on to the fun part. Yes it might have taken me forever but last semester I finished my last general. AND SCHOOL IS FUN NOW. I love my major. I love learning about the mind, behavior, relationships and how those relationships affect how people act. I love sitting in class and learning about different theories, problems, or behaviors and I can think about people in my life where I can pin-point that is what they are struggling with or that is why they work that way. It is interesting because most of this stuff does seem like opinions but I am blown away from all the research and actual facts that lead to helping people. I can't wait to get out to the field and actually participate in that stuff.

I will admit the one or two downsize of it is my classes are all in the same building and at the outcast part of campus so I miss seeing my usuals. Also, I may be ignorant but I am seriously shocked by how boys just avoid me or talk to me until they see my ring. I guess I will hand it to them though--I would/do the same thing. I miss my fun group projects full of BOYS. I'll stick with the married-stay-at-home Mom's though I guess. I know that way I'll get an A +++++ {over achievers}

cheers.

The Mariachi Band

Shaun's comin' for ya

i hate gushy stuff. but i LOVE him.

 {it's not what it seems. I'm happy I promise}

here is just a look at our engagements the other day. It was so fun! Beginning, we were rushed and kind of nervous that they were all going to be awful but I like what I have seen so far. I'm excited to see the thousand others. Kristin is entertaining, fun to talk to--and all while doing what she does best. Once I get the others I'll post them because there are a lotttt more. And the poses I wanted to do :)

The recent update through pictures which is always better than a page full of words

1. The bowling alley was bombarded by the Johnsons. I am not ashamed to say that I did use the bumpers but I did get a strike or two. Nothing is so irresistible than skinny jeans, bright orange socks, and the shoes. Who knew Shaun owned his own ball. He's one of those people.

2. Sunday night is usually a game night. Well anytime we can get people together really. I couldn't pass up this picture opportunity. While Shaun was reading the instructions to a new game, Audrey was asleep and the TV was on...

3. We had to visit my best friend. We hadn't even seen her since Shaun proposed so that was unheard of. It was fun to catch up with her and say hi to her to pretty parents. I miss her. She's the  mastermind behind Sj and I. It seriously is so crazy to think back...

4. Registering was a blast. Now only if you get every single thing that you shot with that gun... I enjoyed the heart-warming corny looks people would give us as they saw us picking things for our house. 

 5. Who says you need to have floor seats to a Jazz game? I'll take birds eye view in a suite while food is served to me any day. Thank you Shaun's work!

 6. The sky was just being super great and creepy a few nights ago. I wish pictures actually did things justice these days.

7. I have been wanting to be in the same-shirt-Braves club with Ash and Becky for so many months now and Ashley came home this last time with this real winner. I of course wore it that same day. Also, working my way back to blonde..

8. Speaking of that beautiful one. We surprised her with a birthday dinner at CPK. Like I have said previously, too many things to say about this gorgeous happy girl!

A few other things worth mentioning but no pics: sold my housing contract which was a miracle. Sad to be away from those cute girls but farewell to that living space! Aunt Jeanette came into town so we got to spend day or two with her and Jenna & Joel. Ps house hunting SUCKS.


Let the new semester begin.
I love this time.

worth a smile

School starts tomorrow. I really don't know what to think! Surprisingly I feel really "thought-less" about school. More thoughts will come tomorrow I'm sure.

 

Tonight, a few different thoughts are on my mind. I have been feeling so blessed lately. I know the holidays just ended so that probably is a huge part of it but I am so thankful with everything that I have and the opportunities I experience daily. 

Since we put our wedding date up to March 10th, it has pretty much felt like it is next week which is stressful with the planning stages. I wanted to get as much planning done before school started so I didn't have to worry about most of it and honestly I have done quite well thanks to my WONDERFUL Mother. 

The only thing left really is trying to find my perfect photographer. Which really should have been one of the first things I did. I hear this hidden message in the photographer's tone when I call and talk to them: 

"MARCH 10TH!?!? That was booked 6 months ago..."

I'll find 'em. The perfect one is out there!

I adore being engaged. I think this time is so fun! Add me to the list of crazies that get a breath of giddiness when they are able to introduce her boy as her fiance. Although the cliche' "it's so hard leaving each other at night" is true--I wouldn't really agree with that being the hardest thing. I think for me it is seeing the other person struggling with different things and not feeling like you are there as much as you could be if you were married. I wish that support system was there in full so we could help each other more. I think you are as close as you can be though, but I know I could do more. Other than that and (FINE, I'll admit) the annoying departure at night--I absolutely love it. 

The love you feel from everyone (besides a few in-denial grumps that can't ever be happy for you because they really just want it for themselves) is sensational. It has only reinstated the truth in my head about how incredible my friends and family are. 

I love my "new family." and of course the addition to my own. It hit me last week while at SJ's cooking with his brothers (under the direction of his dad--and running into the other room to get the final word/advice from Audrey just in case father was wrong) that I am in such a happy place. This is a lot of what life is about. Amidst the other important things, this is what keeps us going and brings us together. Those happy times! Are we seeking those out?  I'm so grateful for my family, soon to be two. My incredible friends that keep me on that straight and narrow but making me laugh my head off along the way. My incredible fiance who takes such good care of me. The atonement and through it, a way back to our Father in Heaven. 

Happy Sabbath..which is now Monday..

F.O.B

I never have loved/related more to the movie Father of the Bride than I do at this very moment. I would ask everyone who is currently in the making for a wedding to watch this movie. You will laugh your head off even more. This morning Mother and I had this sort of morning:




I can't believe all of this energy is going into ONE DAY. But a very special day :) TWO MONTHS FROM TOMORROW. 8 weeeeekero's. Holy cow.

Cheers.

Don't forget 2011

So I think I copied Ashy's format, but dear just know that I was already in the process but it was too long so I collaged it like you. Flattered?






Lets hear it for the year in 3 minutes: 

JANUARY

 HIGHLIGHTS: Steven brother got hitched. Random quick road trip to the George with becks. Challenge day at Payson high school. JaNae-Nae got married.

FEBRUARY

HIGHLIGHTS: Family reunion/Grandma's funeral service. Kristinky and Mark's birthdays. Mac purchase(major right?). 

March

 HIGHLIGHTS: Making Pat's face on a cake for Parkers birthday. My amazing birthday. Tangled hit the dollar theatre. Festival of colors. Scoot-scootin the canyon with some besties. 

APRIL

 HIGHLIGHTS: Old friends came home. CELINE DION CONCERT ROAD TRIP. Brittany Graduated. 

MAY

 HIGHLIGHTS: Hawaii. Fresno. No more words. 

JUNE

 HIGHLIGHTS: Sister time. Cousin Jake got married. Special family in town. Best friend Lindsey got married. Road trip to Moab. Rodeos.

EFY

JULY

 HIGHLIGHTS: 4th of july time. Harry Potter. Stadium of Fire. Moving houses.

AUGUST

 HIGHLIGHTS: Disneyland counselor trip. Getting back to real life with boyfriend. School starting. Ashley back in town.

SEPTEMBER

  HIGHLIGHTS: Summer life but starting school. Outdoor movies. New house and roommates. Liz step into marriage games. Kristine left on her adventure. Sister Farnsworth's farewell. 

OCTOBER

 HIGHLIGHTS: fully invested in the Halloween spirit. Sister Welling leaves (saddest day ever). Surprise trip to Catalina Island. 

NOVEMBER

 HIGHLIGHTS: CES firesides. Random nights of nothing-ness. Lighting of the Riverwoods. Thanksgiving with the ones I love. 

DECEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS: Kristine came back to me. Drowned ourselves in the Christmas spirit with some good festivities. Ho night. I GET ENGAGED TO THE MOST AMAZING PERSON EVER. Christmas shared with two beautiful families. 






Okay maybe a little bit more than 3 minutes.
I am going to need to look back at this blog post in a few years and remember it's happenings so I at least appreciated it! I am so blessed each year when I look back and see the wonderful new people that I have met or the different opportunities and trials I was able to go through to make me a better me today. Wish you the best for 2012.


Cheers.