Bridal Shower!!

This past week my awesome sisters threw me a bridal shower!  I was really excited and it was nice to just sit back and visit with everyone!  Lots of family came out and supported and made things really fun. 

It was such an effort of love for my sisters, mom, and mother-in-law that I will always remember!!!

Here are some of the people who came...

Of course my sisters, who threw the shower - Julie and Jana.  And my wonderful mother in law!

Matching shirts!  Jana with Aunt Carole and Pauline.

My Aunt Bonnie (who I am named after!) and sweet cousin Peggy.

 

Chadburn Family! Margie, Crystal, Marilinda, Andrea

And of course sweet little Grace.  I just love her to pieces.

There is much more to blog about, in future posts!!  The wedding is THIS WEEK!  I can't believe it's really here and I am so excited to see my man and be sealed to him forever.

I will blog about my fantastic spontaneous Vegas trip - SOON!

Best Year Yet!

Today was a special day.

A few days ago my smokin' hot husband informed me that Dan & Krystal were planning on coming to see me this morning at my parents house.

Well, in the hustle and bustle of all these wedding details, I completely forgot.  So naturally when they showed up this morning, I was still curled up in my warm bed.

Little did I know, they were part of a master plan Mike had concocted to surprise me for our first anniversary.  

Mike is still in Hawaii, working hard as usual!  He has taken care of moving into a new apartment as well as several other odds and ends I have thrown at him from a distance...

 Sadly, we weren't able to be together for our big anniversary celebration.  So in lieu of some serious lovin' he sent Dan and Krystal with a huge bouquet of my absolute favorite flowers (gerber daisies), a big Dr. Pepper, Easter egg shaped Reese's, and Cadbury Eggs... All of which are some of my very favorite things on this planet!

I married the most thoughtful man ever. He could have skated by with just a card or a phone call this year, but he didn't... Which makes me love him even more.  I can't wait to be sealed forever to my best friend!!

Post #59

I feel like blogging right now, but I also feel like my creative juices are a little lacking (hence the originality of the title of this post).  That's how I roll sometimes.

Life is good!  

Busy.  Stressful.  But definitely good.  

These past few days I have been at my home sweet home in Utah!  It has been super fun visiting with all my nieces and nephews, siblings, friends, etc...  I have been home less than a week and I pretty much have a full schedule of babysitting.  

Which is definitely how I want it!  The little kids in my family are just the sweetest.  Today I got to watch my two adorable nieces Molly and Grace.  

Molly is 3.  When Mike and I moved to Hawaii, her parents explained to her that we lived by the ocean...and for some reason, she was convinced I'd be a mermaid by the time I came home to visit.  I wish I could see the world through the same lens that little kids see it sometimes!  Anyway, here is her sweet mug...

She is getting to be quite the little princess. She is so sweet and SO smart!  

She likes to give her little sister "loves" but I don't know if Grace reciprocates the feeling... :D

And Grace is just the sweetest.  She is always so happy and easy going.  Her arms are always flailing around like she is dancing the hula, its really pretty adorable.

To be perfectly cliche- they grow so fast! 

Isaac is another perfect example of growing too fast!  I went to see Grant and Marie's cute family the other day and I couldn't believe how big Isaac was!  He had a little cold at the time, but even through the runny nose he was still such a great baby.

Sadly I didn't get a picture of little Carter, but here is one his dad sent me the other week... all gangsta and everything.  He gets his thug qualities from me I'm pretty sure....

You gotta be prepared for the streets of Clearfield.

My oldest nephews have also been a blast to hang out with.  We went and got ice cream in O - town and I gave them a shark jaw from Hawaii.  Collin was super excited and said he was going to get a chain and hang it around his neck to wear all the time.  HA!  Quincy is still a little smart aleck who can kick my butt with his sports prowess.  Collin has definitely grown more out of the two... and he still has the most tender heart of any little boy I know. 

That's pretty much my life in a nutshell.  I am thoroughly enjoying these few weeks with my family... even though I miss my smokin' hot man like crazy, I know we'll be together soon enough.  

Life is good!

Wide Open Spaces

I have officially decided that I love Arizona.  Shhh... don't tell Mike.  The Arizona/Utah debate is one that is definitely still very much alive in our house and a part of our day to day lives.  My official decision that I love Arizona is by no means a concession in the debate, just a realization that he has some valid points.  I don't know if it's because I have been living on a teeny island for the past year, but I just love the wide open spaces.  Oh, and the cacti!  I love the big old cacti with lots of branches (is that what it's called?)  Something about the desert landscape is just beautiful to me!

The past few days I have been staying with Mario, Holly & baby Maxwell.  We have had such a good time just visiting and relaxing.  Holly is the young women pres. in her ward so I got to go to a mutual activity with her and see her cute ward.  Tonight Mario got off of work and we went to Texas Roadhouse... it was delish!  We have also had a great time making some Dr. Pepper cupcakes.  Yeah. You heard.  They were A - MAZING.

And baby Max.  Oh where to start with that boy.  He is such a ham... he knows how to put on a show and just loves being the center of attention.  He has the sweetest temperament and pretty much has anyone that knows him at all wrapped around his little finger...

While I have been here poor Mike has been at home taking care of the finer details of life.  You know, like moving.  HA!  I kind of laugh but I genuinely feel bad that I left him behind with all that work.  He is pretty amazing to handle all that without complaining! 

Our new apartment is WONDERFUL!  I will post some pictures of our new home when I get back to the island. SPOILER ALERT... we have a sweet pool/hot tub/sauna! :D We will be in the Moanalua 1st ward, which allegedly has many military people since we are right next to base so that will be interesting.  I will miss the Makiki Ward though, especially being in nursery there, I loved that calling.

Other items of late... General Conference was wonderful!  I absolutely loved Elder Holland's talk... He is so amazing.  One thing he said just really stuck out to me - "Tearing people down doesn't elevate your standing.  BE KIND."  It is so true, one of the most basic truths of life and yet SO SO SO hard for us to understand!

I love Elder Holland.  The bulldog of the Lord.  

I also especially enjoyed President Uchtdorf's talk about loving others and not being judgmental.  It is certainly something that I am going to work harder on in my life.  

Conference was great!!

The semester is finally winding down!  I have loved my classes this semester.  I aced my Health Care Administration test right before I came on my trip, and got a 90% on my Bio Med Core test.  I only have one more chapter test and then the final!  I have already registered for summer semester.  School is fantastic.

Last, but certainly not least, I have been busy with all the preparations for our sealing and reception.  It is finally happening and I am SO EXCITED!  I have been surrounded by such supportive friends and family who have been bending over backwards to help me plan things while I have been out of state.  It's been a little tricky, but I have a good feeling.  I am mostly just excited to be sealed to Mike FOREVER.

Oh, here is what our invite looks like

"I know your lives are busy. I know that you have much to do. But I make you a promise that if you will go to the house of the Lord, you will be blessed; life will be better for you."

—Gordon B. Hinckley