It's all in the perspective: Flu, pregnancy, and chubby babies

This week, everything has been put on hold. 

I can honestly say I have never felt this miserable since... that week that I went to EFY with friends and picked up a virus on the last day and went home to be bed ridden for 2 days.

That was forever ago!

The whole first trimester of this pregnancy I can probably count on one hand the number of times I got sick. 

It was hard, but not enough to take me out of work and classes for very long.

Probably the worst was the hormones. 

Anyone that has been through it knows exactly what I'm talking about. 

You know that when you have tears running down your face after you snap your hair tie trying to put your hair in a pony tail, or when the happiest moment of your week is when you find chicken biscuit crackers in the cupboard.. 

Something is a little off. 

Jon was so understanding!

 99 % of the time:)

I'll never forget this one day, that 1 %, I was about 11 weeks, and I started crying for who even knows why... 

Jon just started laughing so hard. 

Obviously that made me laugh.

But I still couldn't figure out why I was crying. 

So we can all pretend that pregnancy is just all butterflies and happy moments while you dream about what the future will be like with your kid and how awesome he/she will be etc. etc.

And there are great moments, just don't feel bad when it's not all great. 

 This week I got incredibly sick.

I think it started on Saturday, when I went to the pool to work out. 

I felt a little off the next day, and Monday I had the flu.

I couldn't take any chemical medications for fear it would harm the baby. 

This persisted for 4 days. 

I had to use nothing but warm water with honey and lemon juice to soothe my aching throat, while I used up probably 2 rolls of toilet paper and ate soup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Now that I'm feeling a little better, I can look back and say that even though it was some of the worst pain I've experienced, the experiences are some I'll never forget.

I slept very little for 2 or 3 days. I remember one of those nights, I went out in the kitchen to make a warm drink. It was 3 AM, and I was SO tired but unable to sleep. 

I went and laid on the couch so my coughing didn't wake Jon, he had waken up for me so many times in the past few nights and I wanted him to sleep.

As I laid there, I was surprised at how happy I still felt. 

I was in so much pain, but it didn't seem to matter. 

I thought about how the pain and sacrifice I felt only made me love this baby more. 

I thought about how I fell in love with Jon all over again as I watched him care for me in a way no one ever had. 

He was constantly bringing me everything making sure my bed was warm when I had the chills, and cooling me off when I had a fever. 

He talked to me about anything just so I could get my mind off the pain. 

He made me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry. 

He gave me confidence even when the future seemed hopeless.

He even went to a restaurant with me that he vowed he would never spend money on: 

The conversation went something like this when I called him on his phone- 

Me: So I was thinking we could maybe go somewhere and get some yummy soup after work. 

Jon: Yummy soup? Yummy soup?! There is no such thing as yummy soup! 

Me: Well I think some soups are yummy.

Jon: These muscles need more then just flavored water Madds! 

Me: I know they do. (I knew he was all talk, he'd go with me no matter what) 

So he killed his ego and went with me and bought me soup. 

Then we went and got him something for his muscles..

He cracks me up.

I am so grateful for him.

I am also grateful for the mini him that is on the way. 

We both hope he is the chunkiest baby in the world.

The odds are in our favor.

Psych! It's a boy:)

 We went to our second ultra sound a couple of days ago..  

It's crazy how different the 21 week and 16 week are from each other.

Even though it has only been 5 weeks, the baby looked so much bigger!

I kept thinking, "Is all that really inside of me??"  

We also found out that she is actually a he! 

It's a boy:) 

That took some mental readjustment! Everyone thought we'd have a boy, including both of us. It just felt like it would be. 

So when the technician told us it was a girl we were surprised, but excited:) 

Let's be honest everything about this pregnancy has been a surprise, so of course it's actually a boy now!  

He was moving around a ton when we went. We even saw his little hand move back and forth on the screen like he was waving.

 What a cutie. 

He must get it from me:) 

I will post the pictures soon!    

Baby Bowen: The deets.

You probably know by now that we are expecting!

July 10th:) 

20 weeks away!

However, not many know the confusion and the 

"What in the worlds.." 

that had to be overcome in order to come to grips with that fact. 

Now I can honestly say we are SO excited!

But let's just be honest here.. It didn't start out that way. 

Ahem. 

So, I woke up on Black Friday morning and I felt kinda sick. However, this had been the norm for the past month or longer. 

Not so sick I couldn't do anything. I just always felt a little sea sick, kinda weird. 

I never get sick, so I didn't make a big deal out of it. I barely missed any of my classes during fall semester, and kind of just ignored how I felt. 

But that Black Friday morning, something was off. 

And I know you're thinking, well duh you just had a Thanksgiving feast the night before. 

But I just had this.. feeling. Something else might be going on. Pregnancy crossed my mind for the first time that morning, but I pushed it aside. There was NO way.

Later, Jon suggested we spend the day shopping. Yes, he wanted to spend the day shopping. 

             Obviously I wasn't gonna turn that down. 

 So we shopped all day! So much fun, I love that guy. We only bought a few things but it was a blast:) 

That evening, we were in Target. It wasn't until we were heading to leave that I had this thought that I should purchase some pregnancy tests. 

Jon knew I hadn't been feeling well. But both of us didn't even think pregnancy would be the reason at all since I was on birth control and took that pill like it was my job. 

Anyway I said,

"Can we grab some pregnancy tests JUST so I can be at peace knowing that's not the reason?"

He said it was a good idea. 

So we did. 

3 positive tests later and here we are.

It took me until just a a couple months ago to stop being in denial.  

As guilty as I feel looking back,

I just couldn't shake the thought that : This wasn't supposed to happen yet. 

These feelings continued for the next month and a half until my 12 week appointment. 

When we heard the heart beat  ♥ ♥ ♥

I've been in love ever since! 

Even though we had to start from scratch on everything we had planned, we have been so blessed already to have found a plan where I can still finish my degree and even work from home in the process.  

And after a few months I'll be back to work, because Jon's school will slow down and he will just be working as an EMT twice a week.

Life is going to go on. 

Not only that, I can't shake the feeling something amazing is about to take place.

We are so excited to meet her:) 

Holidays:)

We can pretend like it hasn't been 4 months since I've updated this..

I guess you could say things got a little busy. 

It was fun decorating our first home with Christmas! Along with spending time with family, eating, throwing up (hello first trimester..), sleeping, going to Temple Square, playing games, and having more time then we knew what to do with! 

Here's just a few pictures :) 

        Elder Beeton, poster version:) Miss you Elder! 

Gamers

     

New ipod case, and nails:) 

All that partying gets to ya after awhile. 

It was so fun to talk to Michael on Christmas morning! 

He is such a stud and he looks so happy out in Virginia. A little too happy.. shouldn't he miss us a little more? Kidding.

I'm so grateful he is having a great experience in the field! I love that boy! 

The rest of Christmas day was spent at the Bowens eating yummy food and playing plenty of games! I can't thank them enough for the heated blanket, movies, and everything else they gave us! I really have the BEST in laws! So much fun! 

Since I got a new phone, all the pictures taken before Christmas, and on Christmas Eve, are on that phone! And they are not coming off very easily.

Which is a shame because my Mom got Jon to wear matching pajamas with my Dad and brother for our traditional Christmas Eve pajama party. No one will believe me.. 

Once I get the picture I'll be sure to put it up:) 

Christmas was great this year. We were so blessed to have that time to spend with our families, friends, and each other. Looking back a 3 week vacation sounds like a dream. 

It all went by too quick:) 

One way to start the day..

Thanksgiving break was amazing.

All it consisted of was eating, shopping, playing games with fam, coming up with ideas for Christmas, driving to Southern Utah and spending time with family there, going shooting, eating more, getting car sick, and writing more thank you's from the wedding. 

Jon's REALLY good with the shot gun.

I'm really not. 

And he found what he wanted for Christmas:)

 Also it's MY Cotton On bag he is holding. He would never purchase from there.. But I love it. And hey 40% off everything, couldn't resist.

Anyway.

The problem was, no homework was included in that list, for Jon or me. 

Actually the problem was that we didn't regret it. 

But, Sunday night we were really scramblin. 

And in the midst of all my projects that are due, I forgot I have a paper due tonight in my Health 383 class. 

It's a gratitude journal, that I SHOULD have been keeping through out the whole semester. 

100 things I'm grateful for. 

And not just things like cereal or shoe laces because they keep my shoes on.

It requires 100 sentences/paragraphs on my "blessings and in depth understanding of the many opportunities I've received in my life."

And because I totally spaced, I had to come up with 100 things all in one setting.

This took WAY longer then I thought it would. 

But it also just changed my whole day.

It's amazing what you can come up with when you look at your whole life and how much you're given each day. 

For some reason the things I seem to worry about don't seem to matter so much anymore. 

Granted, I probably could have benefited from spending a few minutes each day to recognize these things. 

Now I know:) 

Happy Tuesday!

And less then 3 weeks till Christmas break! 

Frozen, Tired, and Happy

Our house does not get above 68 degrees. 

We have NO idea why.

 What I DO know is this weekend I'm going to use our leftover Target gift cards to go invest in the best heater in the world. 

I can't wait. 

Other then freezing to death, life has been great:) 

After this week, school will slow down for both of us, and we'll just have finals to start studying for. 

Which is a little less then a month away. 

On a brighter note, I can't wait to start the holidays!

This quote is a great reminder, especially around this time of year. 

 

Why is it so much easier to talk about everything going wrong then it is to talk about everything going right? 

 Instead of complaining about how freezing my apt is, I should be grateful that it gives us the excuse to use all the wonderful blankets we got from our wedding, and enjoy some hot cocoa, while we talk about anything we want, and maybe watch some Modern Family.

Instead of finding a million reasons to hate my car... 

Actually, to put this one in perspective, the other day Jon and I were driving to Sandy 

  

when he said, "When we get a new car, we aren't going to try to sell this one, I'm just gonna blow it up..."

  

It's not easy to love, let me tell ya. 

But instead of looking at ALL the reasons its the worst thing on this earth, I should be grateful that the lack of radio gives me time to think without distraction, and that the heater at least works 50% of the time, and that even thought it likes to randomly die at red lights it gets us where we need to be most of the time without using nearly as much gas as Jon's jeep..

And instead of getting upset that I accidentally hung up for the SECOND time when I got through during Christmas cash (every hour on 100.3!) 

I should just be happy for the people that do get through and win 300 $ even thought it could have been me.. 

As you can see i'm still strugglin with that one.. 

    

And overall, instead of wishing life was easier, finals didn't exist, and Obamacare would miraculously get vetoed

I will be better at  recognizing that challenges are an opportunity for growth, no lesson ever comes without being stretched to a point you've never been, and because of Christ there is always a reason to be happy.

AND knowing the majority of people wish Obamacare was vetoed makes it easier to accept that it's not going to happen. 

Well that's all for today, have a great weekend! 

Oh and THANK YOU, for all those who took the survey I posted! You guys are the greatest! 

Friday's, Birthdays, and Burglars

I can't think of a better way to start a Friday then a grey sky and rain. I bet it's just preparing the world for the last twilight movie to come out.. Kidding.

Anyway, add a five mile morning run on top of that, and you know the days gonna be good:) 

Speaking of Friday's, my Mom called yesterday to tell me a funny story. 

She was on her way out of Costco, and the lady checking her  receipt handed her a coupon book. 

"You can use this when you wait in line at midnight after thanksgiving!"

My Mom: "Oh you mean on Black Friday?" 

"Yeah, but we're not allowed to say 'Black'. It offends some people."

....

Who? 

I would like to know WHO finds that offensive. 

Because I'm friends with all sorts of people, and no one I know would be offended by that.  

Also, since when does Costco do black friday? 

Didn't even know that was a thing. 

Speaking about all this black Friday stuff makes me SO excited for the holidays!

Yes there's Christmas music playing at my work right now.

Maybe it is just so we can be caller #10 to get Christmas cash every hour.. But I still love it. 

And I was caller #5 yesterday. 

  

So close.  

Random event of the day:

   

 Someone tried to get in to our house this morning.. 

I watched the front door handle rattle and then heard the leaves crunch as they walked off when it wouldn't open..

My first thought "Sketchy.."

Then I remembered this is Provo at 7:30 am. 

 The chances of it being a burglar or murder are pretty slim.. 

Well since I began this post, it started snowing. That was quick! 

Also, 

Happy 17th birthday to George Russell Beeton! 

 

Love you bro! 

It turns out.. Life goes on

 So it's noon, day after the election, and today has already been an interesting day..

Now, keep in mind this in no way is meant to be a "hateful" post about our President. 

I respect Obama, and I hope he'll do what's best for our country. 

This is just a short story, on how I had a change of heart. 

Last night I was, as many were, disappointed by the results of the election.

I'll admit, I was even angry.

As wrong as it was for me to feel that way, thoughts like this went through my head.. 

I remember asking over and over in a less then kind voice, 

"How could Americans be so ignorant?"

Basically I came to the conclusion (embarrassing as it is to admit..) that our nation is doomed, and I better start a food storage, maybe consider moving out of the country, and probably just forget about classes next semester because we can forget about any hope of having a career after school. 

While I was caught up in my own ridiculous thoughts, Jon listened patiently to my little rants and didn't say much. 

I couldn't figure out WHY he wasn't as put out about it as I was..

So I asked.

His response, 

"The church is still true. Nothing about God's plan for us has changed. We can't control what's happened. I mean, it could have been great for America to have a priesthood holder in the White House... But we are forgetting God still cares about us. He hasn't forgotten us, and as we look to Him, we will always have a reason to hope." 

Now, there's a wise answer..

How lucky I am to be married to someone who loves me enough to not agree with me on everything.

However, despite his answer, I was in no state to believe we were gonna be OK. 

Which, looking back, is not something I'm proud of. 

But we went and got ice cream to get our mind off of it.

Mmmmm

Well, mostly to get MY mind off of it. Also I was starving.. Being that disappointed can take a lot of energy out of ya..

Guess what? 

This morning, I woke up to my alarm, the sun had started to rise a little.. 

and I realized 

The world hadn't ended.

Life was going on.

It's STILL going on.. As we speak! 

I still get to finish up my degree, I get to celebrate the upcoming holidays with the love of my life, we both have great jobs that aren't going to go away, Jon will still apply to med school next year, we will continue to be surrounded by loving family and friends, and we will still serve our community and live everyday knowing what it means to be an American.

While (depending on how things go) our nation as a whole may suffer, the things that matter to me most will always be there.

Including this guy :)

And these amazing people

And I can always find peace here..

Today, I have been blessed with a new perspective.

Because of that I will pray for President Obama, and continue to live my life in a way that reflects my commitment to the gospel, my family, and my country.

  As I was reading in D&C this morning, I came across a good reminder of our responsibility here on earth:

  
"Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;

And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;

  

And let them also return, preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of the things which are revealed unto them.

For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe.

 And behold the Son of Man cometh. 

Amen."

May we all keep in mind our responsibility to preach the hope and joy that comes from the gospel, and love one another as we remember the one who loved and died for all, our savior Jesus Christ.

Happy November 7th!

Once a facebooker, Never a facebooker

My husband just got on his facebook for the first time in a long time.. the first thing he says:

Jon : Why am I friends with 214 people? I can't even think of 214 people that I actually like.." (anyone that knows Jon won't be surprised by this one..)

Me: Well, like em or not you're friends with them on facebook. Maybe we should update your profile picture. Since it hasn't been for over 4 years.."

Jon: What? No! What? What's my profile picture? What are all these pictures of people?

Me: That's your home page..

Jon: But I don't care..

Me: Well, you go ahead and tell them that.

Jon: I don't know how.

Me: Just go to write a comment..
Jon: But I don't want to write a comment.. Let's just change my picture

Me: K why don't I just do it for you?

Jon: Well I want to help pick one, how do I see your pictures? where's your page? I don't get this.

Me: You know what, don't hurt yourself. I'll do it.

He can't figure out what's so appealing about facebook. And to be honest, I love that about him. I hope he stays that way!

Now, don't get the impression that we have all sorts of time on our hands. With mid terms, projects, thank you's to finish from the wedding, volunteer hours, working, and trying to stay healthy in the process, we're lucky to see each other once a day.

But it does make the few breaks we get even better.

This is one of my breaks:) 

When I was engaged, I heard a lot of advice about marriage. 

Everything from "forgive quickly" to "Expect socks to just appear everywhere"

One thing I never heard was how quickly everything changes. 

Basically it's a brand new life. 

 And amidst all the changes, I feel like a lot of my friends don't even know Jon at all.

They knew other guys I dated, but I was so busy when Jon and I were dating that a lot of people didn't know anything about him, or us. 

So, besides not being a facebook addict, here are some things that won me over about Mr. Bowen. 

At Cali this summer

doesn't he just look so happy??  

Ok all day in the ocean can wear ya out, give him some slack. 


 

First, some background.

Jon and I both work for BYU maintenance, where we met a little over two years ago (so exciting, I know!). He does maintenance for the MTC. And I work in the main office as a secretary, where he turns in his keys each day. 

When you spend 4 hours a day answering phones, the best part of the day is when technicians or student employees bring their keys in, and you can talk to someone who isn't complaining about their tub or toilet problems.

 But, unlike everyone else, Jon rarely wanted to chat. He always looked like he was in a hurry to get somewhere. 

When I'd try to make conversation, he was always very short, always answering with "Yep" "Nope".

So, that was my first impression of Jon: Kept to himself, and a little stuck up..

I didn't find out I was way off until almost a YEAR later. When he ended up being in my ward.  (typical BYU story, I know) 

 I was having a blast living with some awesome friends, getting no sleep, and doing whatever I wanted on the weekends.

Ironically. My best friend Jenessa and I became really good friends with Jons apartment over the next few months. 

That's when I actually had a conversation with Jon for the first time. 

The first thought,

"This guy's hilarious." 

Once I figured out that he doesn't really give anyone the time of day and that it wasn't anything personal, I became good friends with him.  

No fireworks.. Yet. 

We'd stay after work and talk all the time, about anything we wanted. I'd visit him in his lab while he studied and did research, and he'd help me with anatomy. 

I quickly realized that he was super fun to be around, and I just remember being impressed with how well rounded he is.

Plus he always had some witty comeback to my sarcasm.

 But there were two things that attracted me most about him: 

1. His love for the Lord

2. His ability to always make you wonder what he was thinking 

The first one, made me adore him.  

The second one drove me crazy. 

I wanted to know his thoughts on everything that happened.

K, it sounds pathetic. But he was different then anyone I'd met, or dated. 

Looking back, I laugh at the times when Jon and I weren't friends.  I had no IDEA what I was missing! 

Also, I thank the Lord that things happened how they did, and that I am now married to the greatest man I know. 

 This isn't met to be a cheese..

Here's a few things I love about Jonathan Guy:

- He fun to be around. I have laughed harder these past 2 months then ever before.

- He's driven. Not just in the, "work your absolute hardest" kind of way. But in the "failure isn't an option" kind of way.

-  He can be so annoying. I love it. It keeps me on my feet.

 -He's incredible at sports. He's also the biggest smack talker I know. I tell him all the time that he's just asking for someone to come punch him out.

- There is hardly anything he can't fix.  Coolant leaking from the car? Done. Broken sink? Done. Broken side mirror on my car? (I ran into a garbage can.. oops) Done. 

More then anything it's his dedication to the gospel and his genuine love for truth that defines everything he does, that makes me love him more everyday. 

Pretty sure I failed on trying not to make this cheesy. 

Oh well. He's worth it. 

Nightmares at 3 AM

This morning Jon and I were both eating breakfast at the table, when we started talking about our dreams last night. Ok ACTUALLY it started out with Jon making fun of the breakfast I was eating. It went something like this... 

Jon: Welp, that's a horrible breakfast. 

Me: Why???

Jon: You and your 50 calorie yogurt (It's 80 calories, thank you very much..) mixed with your little heart cereal made out of cardboard.

Me: First of all it's called "Heart to Heart" AND.. ( I hurried and read the front of the cereal box) It is a honey toasted oat cereal with 6 anti oxidants..

Jon: Ha, yeah.. Cardboard has 6 anti oxidants.. 

Maddie: Give me a break! No it doesn't. 

Then to make his point he literally goes on and takes a BITE out of the cereal box. (WHO EVEN DOES THAT??)

 Jon: Mmmmm (While he's chewing the cardboard) Yum 6 anti oxidants.. 

I just stared in disbelief that he REALLY just did that.. and tried not to laugh. 

Anyway. 

So after he had his roast.. Dreams came up. 

Now keep in mind Jon hardly EVER dreams, so when he said "I had a dream last night" it caught my attention really quick.. 

Until he said it was about Him "dying in a plane crash".. 

That's nice. 

He doesn't dream for a year and then when he does THAT'S what it's about. Greaaat. 

I also had a nightmare last night too. 

More like a night TERROR. 

The worst part is, I STILL don't know if it was even a dream.. 

So sometime last night I was laying in bed, when I felt someone rubbing my head. 

Yes I felt it, it was very real. 

I thought "Jon must be awake, I wonder why he can't sleep.."

When I turn to look at him, he is on the other side of the bed with his back FACING me. 

I shot up SO fast!

I could hardly breath I was so freaked out. I was scared to look to my other side, in fear I'd see something standing over me.. 

I took some deep breaths and checked the clock. 3:00 AM.

 I dozed off again. I then dreamed that I was still laying in bed... when I saw a black figure crawling out of our ceiling. (WHAT THE??) 

That's when I finally turned and woke Jon up. 

Right as I did, I heard a crash in the kitchen and saw the light of a flashlight moving around outside our bedroom door. 

That is when Jon dozed off again. 

So anyone that knows Jon knows if there was a threat, he would NEVER just doze back to sleep. 

So I knew it must have been another dream.. 

Also he doesn't remember any of that. 

Needless to say, it was a pretty sleepless night. 

Anyway, after our conversation at the kitchen table we decided I have a much more vivid imagination then he does. 

I just decided I should lay off the scary movies. 

Even though I really do love them...

I also decided I'd make these Butterfinger brownies tonight:

That should make ourselves feel better:) 

Then we'll hit the gym after.. 

And hopefully no nightmares for a while. 

Happy Friday!

The excitement of Tuesday mornings..

Life is pretty exciting right now!

And by exciting I mean not at ALL. 

Mid terms can be such a drag. 

And why are they even called Mid terms when it's only a MONTH into the semester?

Oh well. At least we're a month down:) 

Also I'm almost done with mine, so who am I to complain?

Jon's not. Poor guy. 

Anyway, I need a break from thinking about something other then the Central and Peripheral Nervous systems..

So here's an event from what otherwise would have been a pretty boring Tuesday morning.

 So I'm heading out to work, barely awake, when a cat runs into our apt. A black one.

It was kind of cute. But its annoying meow canceled out all its cuteness.. 

So I was chasing it around, trying to coax it out of the apt, before the meowing woke Jon up. (He was up late studying) 

I didn't want to pick it up, because I didn't want hair balls all over myself. 

ANYWAY I guess the meowing did wake Jon up, because next thing I know he came out slamming his shoes together and roaring like a beast. 

It worked! That thing darted out like its life depended on it. 

I just looked at Jon and couldn't stop laughing. 

He just looked so funny trying to be scary..

Well he's Mr. Grump in the mornings, so he just stared at me while I laughed my head off. I tried apologizing for laughing so hard, but I could hardly get an apology out. 

All he said was "That cat will be dead by tomorrow. I'll kill it." 

Poor Blackie. 

A Summer to Remember..

So I posted that last post at the end of APRIL, 2012. 

The plan was to keep posting through out the summer...

 School had ended, and I had moved back home for the summer! I decided I was going to work all day, party some nights, but do nothing most nights, take a break from relationships, and travel lots.

Also, I was hoping to keep up this blog just for the fun of it. 

That was the plan. 

 Until, 10 days later..

I started dating one of my best friends. Jon Bowen.

Then a month later I went on a month long trip to the East Coast.. 

I got home at the end of June, and a couple weeks later headed to Cali for a week on the beach. 

Where I got ENGAGED.

What? 

Yes. 

I was married a month and a half later, in the Salt Lake Temple. 

The summer that was supposed to be a drab, ended up being the best of my life.

 Looking back, it all seems like a dream.

Walking through the streets of New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C...

Seeing life changing Church and American history sites 

Eating some of the best pizza from NYC and Chicago

Spending time in the sacred grove, Adam ondi ahman, the Smith family log house, and many other sacred places

Catching fire flies in Missouri 

Viewing the city from the Eiffel tower 

Bonfires, fishing in the pond, scary movies and a trip to the John G. Shedd Aquarium  with my cousins in Chicago

Driving a huge motor home through the crowded streets of Philadelphia 

Riding a boat right next to Niagara Falls 

Going on the most epic shopping spree of our lives, with Annie Christine Beeton

Riding a carriage through Central Park

 Running every morning, in a total of 14 different states

Experiencing more tram rides  then I ever need to experience again 

Following the freedom trail in Boston 

Having lots of times to ponder, and reflect, knowing that it wasn't long before I was going to make some big changes in my life

And having some of the most unforgettable times with my family

All of this while knowing in the back of my mind, I could be getting married soon.. 

And I needed to start planning a wedding 

So, when there was down time in the motor home, my Mom, sister and I did nothing but plan.

The minute we got home from the trip, my amazing Mom, with the help of lots of family (Thank you everyone!) kicked into gear and soon enough things were coming together!

The weekend of August 24th is still a daze to me. 

On the wedding day, the temple was amazing, the weather was beautiful, and the peace and happiness that was felt was indescribable. 

It was all surreal.

The next night, August 25th, the reception was a blast. We even got rained out toward the end! Luckily it held off that long..

It was exactly how I've always pictured my wedding and reception being.  

Minus the rain:) 

Getting married on a sunny, peaceful, afternoon in my favorite temple, to the most amazing guy I know, with close family and friends there to enjoy the day. 


 Then the reception the next evening. Outside on a summer night, little kids running around in bare feet, yummy food and warm music, lanterns to light up the evening, and seeing all our family, friends, and neighbors we love.

It was perfect to me. 

Take a look:) 

 

 

And onto the reception 

Summer 2012 ended up being the best of my life. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people that made it that way. 

Our parents, siblings, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins, and friends. Jon and I will forever appreciate your examples and love towards us.

Also, a lesson I've learned..

You never know what is just around the corner.



(All photos were taken by Claire Marika, who is incredible! Find more at http://clairemarika.com)

Never thought I'd Do This

NEVER thought I would.

I always thought blogs were for people who wanted to make their life look more exciting then it really is.

That came out a lot meaner then I hoped it would.  

If you're out of the house, married, maybe even with kids, and just wanted to keep distant family/friends updated, then I totally see the point.

But now, I admire all bloggers out there.

IT'S NOT EASY.

Mostly this won't be updates on my life.

Instead it will just be thoughts.

I figure in less your one of my super good friends, or part of my family, you won't really care enough about my life to actually read whole paragraphs on it.

And if you really do, ask.

And i'll tell you.

But maybe something I say can be of value to anyone out there, whether we're close or not.

I guess we'll find out.