we have internet!

So my life has changed dramatically in the last week and a half and now that I have internet (yayyy!!) I can start sharing it with you.  Be prepared for post overload! (hopefully)

our story

It all started, at least for me, back in 2006 as freshmen in Provo (first round).  My best friend, Kelly, lived with Jessica.  Jessica was one of Ashton's good friends from Colorado.  Obviously, I spent a good amount of time there and so did he.  I am sure we were introduced at least once.  He mostly watched Jazz games and didn't say much, but I do remember thinking he was pretty cute.  It was his smile.  He doesn't remember this, which is fine by me because my freshman year wasn't my most attractive year.

our first picture together (1/03/13)

Then in 2009 (second round), Kelsey moved up to Utah to attend BYU Salt Lake Center.  Guess who she met there?  Ashton.  And his friend Carson.  She hung out a lot with them and suggested that I meet them.  So one night we got together.  I was under the impression that we were going on a double date until one of Kelsey's then want-to-be-boyfriends showed up at our bonfire.  It was a night that will never be forgotten, but it didn't give Ashton and I a chance to really get to know each other.  To my surprise, he asked me out after that.  I thought it went well, but I didn't hear from him again.  Kelsey told me he had gotten a girlfriend.  It hurt my heart a little, but I did my thing and over the next three years dated my share of boys.

when he proposed - notice the chick-fil-a (3/09/13)

Somewhere in there we chatted maybe once or twice.  I tried to get him to come to a haunted house with me.  He doesn't like those.  Plus, by now he was back up in Centerville and I was still in Provo.

The real magic happened on November 30, 2012 (third round).  I went to the Festival of Trees with Cami and some friends.  I really went to see a tree that had been decorated for Porter and a few other cancer patients, that was the real drive behind me going.  We spent at least 30 minutes at the end watching different dance teams and it is a good thing we did, because as we were leaving, I saw Ashton.  He saw me.  I didn't know if he would remember me.  But, he did and he said my name.  We talked for a little bit and he mentioned that he no longer had my phone number.  So of course, I texted him and we decided it was time to hang out.

taking care of me and fixing my window

Our second first date was December 5, 2012.  Everything fell into place after that.
On January 14th, he asked me to be his girlfriend.  And of course I said yes!
By Super Bowl Sunday (February 3rd), Ashton asked me about my feelings on relocating/hinted to the possibility of us getting married.  That is when I knew we would.
We decided that we loved each other on March 3rd (though I knew long before that).
He proposed to me on March 9th.

We get married on May 24th.
My last day of teaching is May 30th.
May 31st, we set off for a year of adventure in Minnesota.

Random facts:

- During the summer of 2010, we literally lived across the street from each other in Provo and had no idea.

- His smile makes me melt.  Always has and always will.
- He loves sports more than me - something I was starting to give up finding in a man.
- I just checked our facebook conversations...once he called me "my friend".  Wow.
- He laughs more than anyone I have ever met before.
- Chick-fil-A has been a part of our relationship.

to my best best friend

Aubrey turns 25 today!  That's sort of a big deal.

I had a thought that went something like this earlier this week: I get married in 15 days. I am so excited to marry Ashton, but one of the greatest perks of a wedding is knowing that I get to see all my favorite people.  Aubrey will be there and that is the frosting on my wedding cake (if that makes any sense).  I couldn't imagine my big day without this girl next to me.  Prepping for the wedding and our big move has made me more nostalgic than normal (surprising right?) and as I think back on the last few years, Aubrey has been there every single step of the way - even though she has lived across the country from me for nearly three years now.  I love her more than a best friend.  I love her like my sister.  She is someone that I will keep in my life.  I am telling her right now that she has to marry a man who will be best friends with Ashton, because I can guarantee our fun adventures and trips are not going to stop now.

I went through my past Aubrey birthday posts, all of them covered in pictures of all the fun things we have done.   24th birthday.  23rd birthday.

So here are some pictures that:

1. Hopefully you haven't seen before on my blog

2. Show you why I love Aubrey 

3. Prove why she is my best best friend and the greatest at that.

This is just proof that we have been friends since the dorm days.  (And that the freshman 15 did me no good)

I remember the first time I came home and found her in my bed.  It was a little bit of a surprise, but it's definitely a surprise I miss.

Who doesn't watch basketball like this with their best friend?

How could you NOT want to be best friends with this?! Classic.

She brings out my "cute aggression" and loves me even when my bangs are terrible!

She wears a pink super suit..."Honey, where is my super suit?"

um...once I skated over her finger.  I still feel really bad about it...like really bad. But she has forgiven me and only brings it up once in awhile.

She loves to dance!  And has some great signature dance moves.

This is how we studied. Makes me miss study sessions in the HBLL with my best friend.

When we are excited, we tend to hold hands.  Precious right?

She is a master at Cheernastics.  I mean, she can even keep a pretty face while doing it!  That is talent.

That was pretty cool.  And not super smart.  But a good picture.

My first time to New York, I was greeted with her smiling face, posters, and balloons.  Coolest, most thoughtful best friend.

She has a pretty sweet job.

She has a wonderful heart and I love when she visits me and my classroom. 

Annual "boy trips" to support some cougar football.

It's always a good time.

I am pretty sure you must be jealous that she is my best friend by now.

Aubrey.  If I haven't told you enough, I am so grateful to have you in my life!  Happy 25th birthday!
I will see you in less than TWO WEEKS!!!

finding peace

I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

Yes, some of it might be because I didn't wake up with my alarm and had to forego my gym time, which is especially a bummer after the peanut butter oreo shake last night.  It could be because it is crunch time at work.  I am sure a lot of it is trying to find a teaching job in Minnesota and filling out application after application.  Maybe it is because my wedding is 37 days away and I still have so much to do. (Real fast though - I am getting married in 37 days!!  Ahhhhh!  I am so so happy and so ready to just be married to Ashton already!)

Most of it this anxiety though, has come from Monday's Boston Marathon bombings.  Since Monday, my heart has been filled with sadness, fear, and worry.  As I watched video clips of the scene, it didn't seem possible that it was happening here, in my home.  I have been glued to updates.  This particular article made me realize the impact of this act.  It ends by saying, "Nothing will be the same."  This is another event that will be added to history books and remembered in the hearts of Americans for forever.

Needless to say, this morning I needed some peace brought to my troubled heart.

As I have talked to Ashton, my parents, his parents, and my friends about the all that is happening around the world and within our own lives, I can't say enough how grateful I am for the gospel.  Knowing that there is more than this life, that I have a Savior, that my Heavenly Father loves me, and that we have a living prophet guiding us here, right now, fills every inch of me with hope, joy, peace, and strength.

I also want to say that there is peace to be found at the temple.  Over the last few weeks, I have been able to strengthen my testimony of the temple, of the work that happens there as well as the peace that overcomes you as you are there.  Just being on temple grounds calms the soul.

Two weekends ago, we had General Conference.  General Conference is a semiannual gathering for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in which we get to listen to Church leaders counsel and guide us.  All of the talks are available to watch or listen to here.  If you are seeking inspiration, answers to prayers, or feelings of peace and comfort, this is the place to go.

Every morning, as I get ready for work, I try to listen to at least one talk.  This morning I listened to  Elder Quentin L. Cook's "Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness." It was just what I needed. At the beginning, Elder Cook addresses the tragic Sandy Hook shootings.  He said, "Events often occur that rob us of peace and heighten our sense of vulnerability."  I really could quote the whole thing, because all of it is wonderful, so please read it.  Read it now.  Read it when your heart is sad.  Read it when you want to feel your Saviors love.

I will finish the post with one last quote from Elder Cook's talk.

"We all long for peace. Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies."

the proposal

It has happened.  I have waited for this day for as long as I can remember.

Today, the man I love got on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

It all started like this:

A text from Ashton.  It was a nice day and he wanted to get some Chick-fil-A (a favorite for us) and eat it at a park.  I thought it was a fabulous idea.

(Quick preface.  We had previously talked about getting married, but he had only ordered the ring on Thursday and told me it that would take close to two weeks for it to be done.  So I obviously had absolutely no idea that this was coming!)

We go to Draper Historic Park and start to eat our Chick-fil-A.  He is halfway through his chicken sandwich when suddenly he puts it down.  I said something to him.  Asked if he wasn't hungry because it just isn't normal for him to not finish his Chick-fil-A.

Then he looks at me and says, "You know how yesterday you told me that I should just propose to you with anything?"

"Yes..."

"Well, this is my practice proposal.  I am going to practice."

He proceeds to take a ring pop from his pocket and gets on one knee.  Then he proposes.

A real proposal.

He opens the ring pop for me.  I was a little confused, but he really just is that cute.  So I pull out the ring pop from the package...

And then!

I see two beautiful rings attached to it!

Wow, did I ever get lucky!

Aren't they beautiful!?  He picked them out all by himself.  And he used my mom's pearl.  

Perfect, perfect, perfect!

And then I see that his parents and nephew have been walking through the park, all sneaky, and documented the entire thing.

So here is the story in pictures:

 So sweet.

 Opening the ring pop.

Gasp!

 Happy.

Happier. 

 In love.

 And then I realize how sneaky his parents had been.

So glad we will have this moment forever and ever.

May 24th can't come soon enough.

here's to beans

My baby sister is 14 years old.

Hannah is as sweet as they come.  She was the cutest little girl and has become a gorgeous young lady.  There has never been a better baby sister.  She loves us and is always so ready and willing to show us just how much.  No one can make me happier.  She is a light to everyone she comes in contact with.

Hannah grew up faster than any of us.  She can do makeup and hair better than I will ever be able to.  Her style is a unique blend of all of her sisters - she learned how to make our old clothes look fabulous.  She is my go to style consultant.

I am so proud of Hannah and who she is growing up to me.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing her sharing my passion of working with students with disabilities.  She is a peer tutor at her school and is always telling me cute stories.  She has probably come to my class more than my other siblings and has come with me to cheer on students at the Special Olympics.  She has a heart of gold. 

Oh, and she was the only sibling who would cry when I left for school.  Nothing has ever made me feel more loved.

Hannah banana, my beans, my sweet baby sister - I hope you know how much I love you.  You really are something wonderful and I am so grateful to call you my sister.  I am proud of you.  You are a bright, beautiful girl with so much to look forward to. 

p.s.  I hope you get married before you are 24 and old...haha like me. :)

p.p.s. Thanks for spending the night last night when I was too scared to sleep on my own.

xoxo - your big sister.

kindness

I was listening to the radio on my way to work this morning.  Often times they have people text in stories on some scandalous or bizarre topic, but today they were asking for stories on random acts of kindness.  It changed my morning.  There is so much good in the world that we often overlook.  People were excited to send in stories and the hosts were happy to read them.

My family was touched by the many acts of kindness we saw last year.

We also met/heard of many others whose stories touched our hearts.  A few of them were recently in the news.

Though Porter and Lexe were diagnosed with different cancers completely, they started and finished treatment close to the same time and were both diagnosed while attending Alta High School.  I haven't met Lexe, but she has been such an inspiration to me and reading this article reminded me of how amazing she is.  She won her fight and is now preparing to play soccer at the University of Arizona.

When talking about her fight she says, "Getting sick was the hardest thing, but I learned to slow down and focus on what's important, and that's family and faith.  It was difficult, but if I were promised I would get the experiences and blessings I did, I'd do it again."  Amazing right?

Read her article here.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned Zach Sobiech and his song "Clouds".  CNN recently met with Zach.  You can watch that here.  Zach is a hero.  His story melts my heart, makes me want to cry, and brings a smile to my face.

p.s. If you haven't downloaded his song "Clouds", go do it.