I can't think of a title right now...

I don't want to be one of those married people who only talks about marriage...but...I got married over 3 weeks ago, in case anyone missed the memo. It has been the very greatest blessing in my life. I love getting to hang out with my best friend everyday. We have been incredibly busy but we still have so much fun together. We closed on our house last week which has basically consumed all of our time. Well, that plus work and church. We are so excited to have a home that is all ours. It needs some work but is basically live-able as is. We are getting new carpet this week and we got the major electrical problems fixed already. We spent Saturday and Monday ripping out the nasty carpet and staples. Tomorrow I am going to vacuum up all of the dust and fuzz. Tearing up the carpet was sort of hard work but not nearly as bad as people made it sound. We were blessed to get everything done really fast because we didn't have much time to devote to pulling staples. Monday we pulled them out by flashlight and a small light as the power inside was off. I actually really enjoyed that, it will be something we will always remember. We have all of our utilities set up and should be moving in this weekend. From there we will work on the house little by little over the years. It is so surreal to me. This year has been full of so many changes. Just over ten months ago I met Jon and now we are married and own a house. Crazy. To be honest, the changes were hard at times. It has been the most incredible and happy time ever, but I would be lying if I said it was easy. It is not because of Jon that is was tough. It was just difficult trying to make so many decisions all at once. Jon has been incredibly patient, supportive, and kind. He has loved me unconditionally despite the not-so-occasional breakdown. It was a lot of change all at once but it has been the very best time of my life. I am so grateful that the Lord brought Jon and I together. We are perfect for each other in every way. I am so excited for all the many happy years to come!!! And now a little preview of our house:

yes we set up a tri-pod and posed...

We LOVE our big back yard and deck!

By far our favorite room. The living room has beautiful hardwood, a huge window, and a fireplace.

One Month??

Tomorrow is the 8th which means we have ONE MORE MONTH (from tomorrow) until we are married!!! Woah! Sometimes it seems like it is taking forever for that day to get here and other times it feels like we are so busy and time is flying. We have gotten a lot of stuff finished but still have a lot to do before the big day! We are SO happy and SO excited and are just trying to enjoy our last month of engagement!!! I am the luckiest girl in the whole world!!!!

Are you still there?

I know, I know...I have not updated in forever. Let's just say that things have been crazy. On Friday, June 24th, Jon came out for his visit to Utah. We had all sorts of fun and it was nice to show him my apartment, my work, as well as introduce him to my friends. We spent a lot of time with his sister Megan who happened to help with our ENGAGEMENT story and captured it here: www.megleanne.blogspot.com

She tells the story better than I can, but let's just say it was the best day of my life. Even over a month later I am still in shock but super excited. Wedding plans are coming along but we still have a lot to do. But let me jump back a bit.

After being engaged for a day and a half, we left on our journey back east. It was wonderful driving together but by the end I was so done with the car. We were able to take the trip fairly slow and stop and see friends who lived right on our way home. The day after getting home, I left for Florida for a week with my parents and nephew. The next week my nieces came home with us and then my sister and her baby came. The next weekend my cousins came to visit. It was a very busy first month back but I am getting into a semi-routine now.

I absolutely love my job and am starting to get sort of settled in there but will have a long way to go. It is only part-time right now but pays extremely well which helps. I have been offered another part time job as well but I am not sure how to balance the two together because of the hours and the distance...we shall see... I am still deciding if it is the right thing or not.

Life is so good. At times I have felt mentally overwhelmed from all of the changes I have made all at one time, but I am also extremely happy. I am so blessed and know things will all work out if I do my part. I am so so so very excited to marry my best friend in just a few months, I am the luckiest girl in the whole universe. And, I love the south, people are SO friendly!!

a teaser for you:



courtesy of the lovely and talented Devynn of: dbimages.ca

Padre

Today is Father's Day, and what better way to celebrate than to talk about my dad! (especially considering he is too far away to visit today).

I am thankful for my dad, espcially when we live in a world where so many people do not even know who their dad is, it breaks my heart. I am so grateful for my dad, my grandpas, my uncles, and my brothers who are now dads. My dad and I have grown very close over the years. We both love sports, epecially baseball and that has helped us build a special bond. My dad is one of the most generous and giving people in the world. He is not necessarily generous in the way of money but more with his time and his talents. Some important things my dad has taught me are 1) the value of hard work 2) the importance of keeping your word 3) how to serve others and 4) that I have the ability to do anything I want in life. I am so happy he has always believed in me and pushed me to chase after my dreams. I love you dad!

Inspired

When you get some time, perhaps on this fine Sabbath day, go here and read this: http://gateshopeandmiracles.blogspot.com/

What an incredibly sad but inspirational story. I love the following quote that is shared on the blog. I oftentimes am scared of what the future holds, but I know that through faith in the Savior and His atonement, I can conquer anything. It doesn't mean it will not be difficult, but it will be possible.

"Not one of the trials and tribulations we face is beyond our limits, because we have access to help from the Lord. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.” – Elder Paul V. Johnson

And I also love this quote. A lot.

“Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

“Christ knows how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result. “If we are His hands, should we not do the same?”

“As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.” - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

2 Weeks Notice

Plans have changed just a tad. Instead of departing ways with Utah sometime in mid-July, I will be leaving in just over two weeks. Crazy. I have lived here for 6 years now have had some wonderful times. I will definitely miss all of my friends but I am excited to move on and start new adventures. Jon is coming out to visit me in 2weeks. We had talked about how it would be nice if I could just move home when he comes, but we weren't really too serious about it. And then, we talked about it on Monday and decided why not. So I talked to my people and he talked to his people and we are cross-country road-tripping all the way home. I am beyond excited!! I am sure I will be sick and tired of driving by day one but it will be a blast! I am already getting the tunes and snacks prepared. I put in my two weeks at work and I cried, it was really hard but I know it is time. I also have been packing away and have gotten rid of 2 huge bags of junk and there is plenty more that needs to follow that route as well. I am soooo pumped for the trip back and returning to N.C.!!



I just discovered this place that is pretty close to my house in N.C. It is totally on my list of things to do this summer, along with going to the beach!! Doesn't it look so fun?

For Those Who Asked (aka Mandi)

I will be moving in about a month and a half! Crazy! I still haven't found a job yet but have some pretty good leads so I am hopeful and have faith that I will find a job soon. Now I need to get on with the packing/decluttering and all of that jazz. I have been too distracted by long phone calls and escapades with my friends but I need to really start cracking on the move stuff. I know it will creep up on me in no time.

Here is a picture of Jon and I in Colorado after hiking some of the flat irons in Boulder. The other picture we took is better of our faces but is blurry so I went with this one.