Going to the chapel and we're...

So much has happened in the past couple days! Our engagements were posted on the Gallery photography blog so go take a look! Then today I went and picked up my WEDDING DRESS!!! I also...

bought the garter

 finalized the cake at GRANITE BAKERY

tried to decide what to do about my veil...

decisions, decisions. Thank goodness we have almost three weeks until the bridals to finalize everything to do with my outfit. 

We still need to...

order Jer's wedding band

finalize my wedding jewelry

decide on my hair

finalize the flowers

alter my going away dress

register for a few forgotten items at Target

order linens for the reception

figure out what pictures go where in the reception

get the brooch for my wedding dress

find an apartment to live in once married

and more that I can't remember right now....

here's to the next month and a half of insanity and fun to finish up!!! 

Tulip Festival 2010

Today Jared and I drove down to Thanksgiving point and spent almost two hours walking around the Secret Garden and taking pictures of all the beautiful tulips. There were thousands of variations of tulips and colors. Some of the most amazing color combinations in the flower beds. So glad we got to go! It was amazing and I loved it! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Picnic's and bugs

This past Saturday Jer and I went to Antelope Island and were going to go on a short bicycle ride before having a picnic. Well that was the plan. Before the bugs came though. It must have just been the season or something but they were everywhere and after one short trip out of the truck I was not getting out for anything. It was still pretty, but I strongly dislike bugs and wasn't subjecting myself to that.

It was really cool driving around looking at the animals and scenary. We just ate the picnic in the truck, but the bugs ruined our plan to go bicycle riding. Hopefully when it gets warmer we can do it again but in a different location so as to avoid bugs. Because I can't stand bugs.

Besides the bugs it was a very lovely time, and watching the sunset was very romantic. It's nice to be home and having lots of time to spend with Jer!

Loads of Lace

Who knew that lace cost so much? I completely agree with my parents in the fact that paying $150 dollars for a veil is RIDICULOUS. We thought buying and making our own would be cheaper....boy were we wrong.

But that's ok, because its a very special thing for me. Oddly enough you would never guess that my dad sews. He made my trek dresses, my Halloween costumes, and now is going to make my wedding veil. He made my mothers veil, and my step sister Amy's. I am trusting him with this important thing, and I know its going to be absolutely beautiful!

My parents and I took a trip this morning out to the HUGE Joanne's in SLC where we bought the lace for my wedding veil.

 (can you believe that's 75$ worth of lace???)

Needless to say, we enjoyed the trip. Just not the cost.

Engagements, Announcements, Registered

After going and taking our engagements this morning in the rain, Mom, Jer, and I went and got the announcements finalized. And after that Jared and I went and got registered at Target. 

That was, well, quite the experience. 

But we are now officially registered at Kohls and Target. 

Hallelujah! 

The engagements will be done WEDNESDAY and they will be on Gallery's blog. I'll be sure to post a link for everyone to see! Wedding plans are moving forward smoothly, and thank goodness!

Home Sweet Home

SOOOO happy to be HoMe! I live for days like this. Playing with Max (my puppy), having Jer come over, going on walks with my best girl friend (and maid of honor) Emily, going to the mall, and going to a play at PMT.

Although he has arthritis, is going blind and deaf, I love him dearly. I will miss him a lot when he's gone. He is still my little shadow as long as I stay on the main floor, and has been since I was 7. I love my little buddy.

 

This disaster is my room post moving from college. I am avoiding cleaning it. As you can see I just shoved the clothes on my bed far enough over so I could sleep on a small strip. Jer, my good fiance came over and helped me clean. Then he slept on my bed while I went walking with Emily.

(Isn't he handsome?)

While my fiance was sleeping on my now clean bed, I went and got my nails done. Then we headed out to gateway to find him a new shirt for our engagements the next day.

Then off to our last show at PMT. 42nd street which was very good! I love being back HOME!!!

...HOME...

I am HOME from my sophomore year of college. 

Thank goodness.

More to share later.

Finals...Finally

As of yesterday we are officially two months away from getting MARRIED!!!!!!! I am currently in the midst of finals (2 down, 2 to go). As soon as I am done with finals, I get to move home and fully focus on wedding planning without feeling guilty! Today I took my nutrition final and took some pictures along the way.

The beautiful trees have bloomed, the aroma is filling the air, and the birds are gaily chirping. But all the students are frowning, mumbling while flipping through flashcards, and carrying backpacks bigger then they are.

The infamous JSB (not the regular testing center), is where three of my finals are. And I hate taking tests there. There is no leg room, no elbow room, and the writing desks are tiny! But with earplugs, juice, and two seats to yourself its do-able.

(the flash cards from my first two finals)

(see how many there are?)

I just need to make it to Tuesday night and all will be well. Then I'll be home and be able to enjoy the last two months until I get married!!!!!

Euphoria

Today after one of my chem reviews I just got so home sick and finally yielded to Jared's pleadings to come home just for a couple hours. So I hurried as fast as I could to my apartment, jumped in the car, and drove about 75 mph all the way home so I could see my sweetheart, and get a blessing from my father before finals start friday.

I did of course forget (until I got home), that today is the day before taxes are due, and my dad is a CPA. Needless to say I had to wait quite a while before I got to see my dad and he could give me a blessing.

But I got to see my sweetie as soon as I got home, who gave me a huge hug, smothered me with kisses, and held me close while I breathed in the smell of his jacket. Then he handed me these...

absolutely beautiful dozen long stem roses.

Of course that brought a smile to my face, and I didn't realize how badly I had missed him until I started to cry when I left. I at least got to spend two hours in absolute euphoria being home today with my sweetheart. The next six days cannot go fast enough!

Becoming a man's wo-man

So one day when we were driving home from Provo Jared said, "I want to go to the man's expo". I was like ok, he needs a guys night out anyways and I can get some more wedding planning done. I bought him tickets, and surprised him with them the day after easter. Then to my surprise he asked me if I'd go with him. I told him I thought he'd prefer to go with one of his guy friends. Instead he said he wanted to go with his best friend! ME! So this past friday I went, where no sane woman would want to go. 

We started at TGIF,

and then went to the Man's Expo,

where I made myself a little more manly by standing next to monster trucks,

 took pictures of my sweetheart next to one of his many dream cars,

(yes, that's a Lamborghini)

and made a night of it! I love my sweetheart and would do anything he wanted including hiking (which we did this saturday), fishing (which we need to do soon), and hunting (we'll see). I love spending time with Jer even if its walking around south towne exposition center looking at motorcycles or big cars. I love my man! Rest assured, I will have him go with me to the next woman's expo, have him carry my purse, and even help me buy makeup...maybe. I don't know, I love him to much to subject him to that, but I know he's loves me enough to do anything for me. So maybe!

70 days left!

In CELEBRATION of our upcoming wedding (in case you didn't know) June 16th is only 

70 DAYS AWAY!!!

My LOVING roommate SASHA HANSEN decided to have some fun and make me a countdown calendar instead of doing her homework last night. 

 (Here Sasha is showing off her countdown calendar)

I am worn out with school, and totally ready to come home so that I can spend all the time with Jer I want and not have to worry about what homework I have left to do! 

 Here I am totally excited to have a countdown calendar, in my scrubs because I have little chance to wear anything else! 

The next

70 DAYS

Cannot come FAST ENOUGH!

April showers...bring finals

Finals are one week away, which is absolutely insane to think about. But I am so glad they are here! That means only two weeks until I get to move home, spend a couple wonderful months with my parents, and then marry my absolute best friend!

This past weekend brought lots of new dining experiences for me and Jer. Friday we went to Pizza Factory in Provo following his mission reunion.

Crazy cool bread sticks and some yummy pizza was enough for us. We enjoyed it, but probably won't rush back.

Saturday was the Vinto, a cute posh retro italian restaurant I'd heard about from a friend.

Jared didn't fully enjoy it, mainly because of the noise and people around us (you can tell he's unhappy in this picture)

However, I completely enjoyed myself because of the Italian soda (my favorite drink) with hazelnut and vanilla, and then my really good pizza.

(surprisingly, the burned part added to the taste making the texture more authentic and less generic)

Overall it was refreshing to go to a new restaurant, but we probably won't go back there either. It was a fun weekend, and moreover I was extremely happy to spend a weekend out of the house with Jer where we were out trying new things even though we didn't enjoy them. What can I say, we're creatures of habit. Hopefully we'll be breaking out of those habits though, and getting outdoors more often. Jared has expressed an interest in more outdoor activities and I completely agree. Hence we are planning a hike for this next Saturday!

Moreover I appreciated conference weekend, and Easter that I got to spend with Jared. It was really nice to be able to relax and listen to the conference talks. I am however, extremely grateful that they are printed because me and Jer did fall asleep during the last session. Besides that we were golden.

I made Jer a little Easter basket to celebrate with his favorite candy and activities inside.

I absolutely love Easter, but even more I love the reminder at this time of year of all the has been sacrificed for me personally. Jer for constantly loving me and forgiving me for my shortcomings, and for helping me to remember what I can become. My mother, for constantly loving me and wanting to help me become better throughout my teen years and even now as I plan to get married. My father for teaching me independence and responsibility, and continuing to help me develop a tender heart toward everyone I meet. My friends for helping me through high school, and continuing to help me as I make life decisions. And my religion and love for the Savior, for humbling me and helping me to become a new person when I need it most. I'm so grateful for everything I have in my life, and cannot wait for new changes and new experiences.

Nothing worthwhile is easy, the key is remembering that in the face of your difficulties.