Did I tell you that my cute cousin, Katie, is getting married?
I don't think I did.
Well she is, to the amazing Tom (who treats her like a queen), and I could not be more excited for them.
December 19 is the day.
Can't believe it!

Congrats to the lovebirds, I'm so happy for you two. Love you both!
(C took their engagement pics up at Tom's family ranch. It was the most perfect fall day, and they could not have looked better. I'm completely obsessed with the pictures. He just took their bridals/groomals this past weekend, and I'm in love with them. They are amazing.)



Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Working, spending time with C, and planning bridal showers are taking up all of my time. Life sure is grand though.

tribute

On Saturday, September 8, 2012, heaven gained another angel, and the world lost one.

My dear, dear grandmother passed away—joined her eternal companion in heaven.

She had been having some health problems for a long time, and decided it was her time to go.

She was at home, in her chair, watching TV and making family Christmas lists.

She was ready.

What a remarkable lady. I'm so blessed to be related to such an incredible woman (and to slightly resemble her quiet beauty). 

She was a nurse, a Relief Society president, a devoted mother, and a perfect grandmother. 

She used to make the most amazing tacos for us every month, deep fried, with perfect taco sauce and delicious cheese. 

She would take me to TGI Friday's for my birthday every year when I was a kid (and make all the waiter's sing happy birthday to me), and then let me pick out a toy at the local toy store. 

She made the most incredible "Super Sauce" (hot chocolate sauce) for ice cream. 

She once told me, in her jokingly hilarious way, that I should probably elope because it would save my dad a lot of money one day. 

I will never forget the time we made her eat some "Pop Rocks" because she had never tasted them before, and as soon as she got them in her mouth, she started laughing, and ended up with tears streaming down her face because she was laughing so hard. 

She always bought us something from Land's End, or L.L. Bean for Christmas (usually pjs, a towel, or a canvas tote).

She always made sure we knew how much she loved us, every minute of every day.

I felt her spirit in the sunset tonight, and last night too. Her own peaceful way to tell me that everything will be okay, and again to remind me of how much she loves me.

I will miss her immensely, but I know she is in a better place, and I know that I will see her again someday. Love you Gram, you changed my life. Thank you for being so amazing. 

fall

After reading this, I realized how much I really do love fall. Crisp air, football games, colored leaves. Gorgeous. (This picture has bad grammar, but it just made me nostalgic for fall, so I had to share.)

perfect game day shoes

Just bought these. I'm obsessed with them. They are perfect for game day. So stoked!

nerd alert

It's been awhile since I posted...sorry!
Work and love have taken over my life.
I'm fine with that though.

I bought this for myself for my birthday:

I know that I'm a nerd, it's okay.

And I had to include a picture of C, of course.

how lucky I am

 What a smart little bear Pooh is.

Truth

randoms

So I am now a full-time employee at the University Credit Union. Today was my first full-time day, and it was long, but the paycheck is definitely going to be worth it.

I may have just bought these.

One can never have too many pairs of Toms.

Yesterday was the best day off ever. The weather was perfect, I spent the whole day with C, sat and cuddled in the sun, and just enjoyed a great Memorial Day. And remembered those I love who have passed on. One in particular was very much on my mind yesterday. Can't believe it's been eight years. *cds*

C and I swam in my pool today for the first time this year. I love having a pool at my house.

This turned into a terribly random post about a lot of different things. All-in-all, life is grand.

see ya college

So I graduated. Can you believe it? I can't believe how fast time flew.

 Shaking the dean's hand.

 My sisters decided attacking me with silly string was a great way to celebrate.

 I love my family.

 Love these women.

 I'm so grateful for the support of my parents

 and my sisters.

 Love him so much.

 The amazing people in my life.

College is over. Woohoo!

dinner

Ever heard of The Copper Onion? If you haven't, you should have. It's a delicious restaurant in downtown SLC that C and I visited last Friday. It was our belated one-year celebration, and it was well worth the week-long wait. Everything we ordered was delicious, and the atmosphere there is awesome.

It was the best hamburger I've ever had. This picture doesn't do it justice, but it was so good.
And, it's not even expensive. It's cheaper than Market Street, and way better.
You should definitely check it out if you're looking for somewhere to eat. It's kind of hidden, but it's right next to the Broadway Theater downtown. Go there some day, you won't be disappointed.

one

One year ago C and I started dating. One year. Can you believe it? Sometimes I can hardly believe it's been that long, and other times it feels like we've been together for much longer. It's so crazy how fast time went—it began here a year ago, and since then we have barely spent any time apart. I love it. He's my best friend, and I love him so much.

Here's to hopefully a lot more time spent with him!

we were there

We were there when the Jazz beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-90.
When Jamaal Tinsley dribbled through someone's legs and made a basket.
When Kevin Durant went 6-of-22 shooting.
When Gordon Hayward shot, and made, many 3-pointers, and played some great defense.
Devin Harris did all that too.
What a team.
We watched it happen.
And it was awesome! I love the Jazz, and I'm so glad C loved my Valentine's Day gift to him (even though he couldn't use it until today, pretty sure it was totally worth it).

(Sorry for the horrible picture quality. Neither of us brought our cameras (too heavy) so we had to resort to using our phones.)

It has been awhile since I posted, so hopefully the two people that read my blog don't mind. Sorry.

Just wanted to pop in and give a shout-out to one of my oldest and dearest friends who just got engaged last weekend! Soo excited for Samuel and Meg. And, they're getting married on my birthday—also very exciting. You can read his side of the story here, and her side of the story here. They are perfect for each other, and I couldn't be happier for my wonderful friend.

Anyway, Spring Break is next week, and even though I'm stuck here working (that's what happens when you're the newbie at work and are at the bottom of the totem pole for getting days off), it'll be a nice break from school. What are your plans for the break?

a very good reminder

Definitely something I need to remember more often.

V-day

I'm so lucky.

I just loved Valentine's Day.

Time with C,

Sushi (at Takashi, of course),

Moneyball,

Flowers.

Sure do love him.

thought

Just a little thought from a great movie.

remembering 2011

Since it's the new year, I find it nice to reflect on the great things I did during the last year.
So here's a glance back at 2011. It was grand.

I finished my time as IC Vice Pres of Lambda Delta Sigma (and bawled when I heard the sorority was disbanded)

I went to California with some friends over Spring Break

C

I decided rock climbing is actually fun

I went backpacking to Lake Blanche

and in the Uintas

Turned 21 (and went to the Bonneville Salt Flats)

Drove from Montana to Jackson Hole with my sister

Spontaneously took a short trip to Yellowstone

Love, love, loved my first row seat in the MUSS

Went to San Francisco

And had many other great adventures
(mostly involving C and a camera)

2011 was so fantastic, I can't wait to see the adventures that await me in 2012!

a good reminder

Remember back in March when I did this? It was a 21-day journey that I didn't take full advantage of. I read the challenges, but never felt like I was super into it.
Fast forward to now, when there is so much going on in my life, my head and my heart. So much more so than months ago when I first did the challenge. Which is why I decided to do it again. To invest myself in it more than I did the first time, to really pour my everything into truly coming closer to my Savior.
And you know what?
You wouldn't believe the results. Everything in my life is so much more wonderful than it was before, because I've centered my thoughts and my life on Christ. Opportunities I have been searching for for many months have finally presented themselves, (hopefully I'll get to post about these soon) and I know it is because of the change I have made in my life.
Today is Day 15: "Be Still." (Each day has a little 'theme')
"Find...the quiet place you can go to focus on the Lord. Make haste and invite the Lord into your home. How will you prepare to receive Him?" (quoted from Emily Freeman's 21 Days Closer to Christ)
I am so grateful for the chance I had to repeat this challenge and to really implement it into my life. It has been such a blessing, and every day I am grateful for that. I think it's been especially wonderful during the Christmas season to purposefully study and focus on my relationship with Christ. I cannot thank Him enough for everything He has done for me, and for sticking by my side and waiting for me to come around. I am so excited to see Him again and to thank Him for never, ever, giving up on me. I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the wonderful blessings it brings to me.

Just a thought for today

(eek. so why is saying the 'L' word so scary?!)

happiness

Thinking today about how lucky I am.

So so lucky to have him in my life.
He makes me very happy.