Scrapping the Fear!

   As a wedding gift from a few families in my ward, I got a wonderful starter scrapbook kit. It includes a cute album, TONS of fun paper, cut outs, stickers, fancy scissors, and a lot more fun stuff that it would take me ages to describe. This kit got me really excited seeing all the cute things it had in it and considering how much time it must have taken someone to put together. Despite the fact that I am completely and utterly artistically challenged, I decided that I wanted to try something new. I decided that I wanted to try some scrap booking! My goal is to fill the album (I think it holds 20 pages) even if it looks terrible or I think I stink at it. If that was the only scrap booking I ever did, I'd still feel good that I did that! Sometimes it's fun to just sit at the table and decide how I'm going to do the next page while Parker is doing homework next to me or something. Anyways... Here are the pages I've done so far! This page has just a few pictures that I had from fun things. The flowers are the first flowers that Parker ever gave me!

These next few pages are just some pictures that we took when Parker came to Boise for the first time. It was lucky that we took those pictures because it turned out once we got engaged, we never had time or anything to take actual engagement pictures. So they served a dual purpose =]

The next two pages are some fun pictures I had from when we went to Hawaii. And yes... this includes the Proposal! =] 

This next page is the last one I have done.. I still have a long ways to go and a lot more pics to scrapbook! But they are the first few pics from the temple. So basically when we came out the doors from being sealed. I won't lie... I think this page is my favorite!

 Oops.. sorry that last picture's sideways. Anyways, that's been pretty fun and I'll post more pics of pages as I finish them! 

  In other news... We got our first Christmas tree put up and decorated! It's nothing too fabulous, but nonetheless, it's ours =] Parker was gone last weekend for a few days, so with the help of my brother in law and his wife, we put it up and decorated it so it was up to surprise Parker when he got home. That was fun!

  Also, along with trying new things, I've been trying different things in my cooking! I made the breadsticks that my mom always makes and they turned out pretty good! It boosted my cooking confidence a little. Anyways... the other exciting news is that the semester ended today!! I'm DONE for a few weeks =] I am soooo looking forward to a break with no homework and being able to just chill out! (aside from working that is...) It'll be great!

The Third White Dress

Like they say, time flies when you’re having fun. I’m not sure I would call everything I did fun… but you get my drift.  Before I knew it, it was just the day before my wedding. Everybody that had to be around me was very patient despite my stress and freaking out. My bridesmaids dragged me (almost literally…) out of helping decorate on Friday night to go have a bachelorette party where we just hung out with my sisters and mom and just did nails and talked. 

Everybody was so helpful and was always asking me what I needed and what they could do. After the party, my bridesmaids (Mindy, Jillyn, and Kailyn) went back to my apartment. It was fun to have them spend the night in my apartment with me—even if it was on mattresses on the floor and there was no food but cereal that we had bought on the way home. A college student's best friend... right??

            On Saturday morning, Jillyn did my hair and finally I got out of the door with my mom and sister. It’s amazing how as soon as I got in the temple, everything else that may have been on my mind just melted away. Parker and I got the paperwork and stuff taken care of, then it was on to the actual sealing. When we were going up the elevator to go to the sealing room, Parker told me he was starting to get nervous. I told him it was probably a little too late to get cold feet now... but Yikes! I was anxious and excited at the same time. When we walked into the room surrounded by (almost) all the people we love, I couldn’t help but feel so peaceful and happy. I won’t lie, my emotions got the best of me. The sealing was wonderful, and I was overcome by equally wonderful feelings. I always feel the most in love when I am at the temple.

            Parker forgot to take my wedding band to the temple, but he said he would give it to me later, so that was kind of funny =]. After the sealing, we met outside and took some pictures.  Ok Ok, a lot of pictures!

 

 

After the pictures, we went to the luncheon at the church near Parker’s house. The food was prepared by my family and delicious as always! We had time to pass a microphone around and anyone could talk about a memory they had of either parker or me. It was fun to think about these things and get to hear fun stories. We also got to watch the fabulous picture slide show that Parker’s brother Josh put together for us.  

        When Parker finally got a hold of the microphone, he told everyone how he’d forgotten my wedding band and that he needed to give it to me now. He got down on one knee, took my ring off, and thanked me for marrying him while he put both the rings back on my finger. So precious =]

            After the luncheon there wasn’t very much time before we were supposed to be meeting for pictures before the reception. We were a little behind schedule, but I kind of figured we would be. The reception was fun and it was fun to see so many people. All of Parker’s family worked so hard on our decorations, flowers, and food the day before and everything was absolutely beautiful!

 

           

         During the cake cutting, we were both kind of going slow to see if the other was going to do something or not. 

 Finally I couldn’t take it anymore, so I smooshed it in his mouth. And he did the same to me, but I had it comin’ since I started it.

           Before I knew it the day was over! Parker and I were both exhausted, but felt so loved by all those that had done so much for us. The day went by so fast, but it was everything I had ever hoped for. I remember people telling me not be bothered by anything else that may happen that day, because the most important thing had already happened in the temple. It is so true. The spirit and love I felt there in that sealing room, was so overpowering. When Parker promised me forever, I felt like the luckiest and most blessed girl in the world. I still feel like this every day! Parker is so wonderful to me and is so patient. He keeps my life fun and spunky and lets me be silly when I want to be. He plays along with me and most importantly; he never forgets to tell me that he loves me.

            On September 3, 2011, I wore my third white dress. I promised forever to the man I love, and my Heavenly Father. This is a day I will never forget! Not because of all the fancy things that happened or getting to get dressed up (although that was wonderful too!), but because of the way I felt. The love and support I felt from my husband, family members, and friends could never be replaced. Most importantly was the peaceful reassurance that I knew that I did what Heavenly Father wanted me to do at this point in my life. Even though there were many times of anxiety and uncertainty, Heavenly Father has rewarded us for taking a leap of faith and trusting Him. It has already paid itself over time and time again, and I look forward to a lifetime and longer with my sweet husband who puts up with me, makes me a better person, and loves me unconditionally.

            I looked forward immensely to September 3. Now I look forward at the opportunities we will have, and the people we can become with the Lord’s help. I’m looking forward to forever. =]

           

I Love You-Is this Simple Statement Really So Simple?

    Lately I've been thinking about lots of things. With my wedding down to just 21 days away (EEEEEEK!!!!), I find myself thinking about what's about to happen and how to prepare and such. I started dwelling on the three simple words that we learn from the time we are little..." I Love You". These three words probably evoke the most variety of emotions out of any in the english language. For most, it is exciting to hear that someone loves them; however, sometimes it brings fear, unsurety, and a myriad of other feelings. 

 Occasionally I've wondered if there is a better way to say it. "I love you" just seems so cliche... Why can't I come up with something more unique with just as much meaning? I wish I could.. I think that love is so complicated and such an amazing feeling, that the best way to explain it in words is to keep it simple and leave the feelings to do the talking. While there are plenty of ways to show someone we love them, the classic statement of telling them we love them is natural and easy way to do so. 

I have read most of this book The 5 Love Languages and find it fascinating! (Coincidentally, the author has the same last name as Parker Ü) If you haven't read it, I definitely recommend it. It's not just for married/dating people either... It is really good information to know. It describes the five different ways or "languages" that people feel love- Quality time, Physical Touch, Acts of service, Gifts, and Words of affirmation. Of course usually people are a combination of languages and it is interesting to try and pick out what our own language is.  There are always going to be certain things that make us feel more loved than other things. Often what we do to try to show others we love them is how we want to be shown we are loved. The more we try to learn the love language of those that are important to us, the more successful we will be at fully demonstrating our love for them. Anyways... Check it out!

 

So... will love ever be less complicated? In my opinion, not a chance! Will it always be so rewarding? I firmly believe so!! Knowing just how much it has been lately, I'm looking forward to it only getting better! Love truly is a wonderful thing. Because I was bored, I looked up some quotes about love and definitely agreed with some of the ones I found.

 When it all comes down to it, everybody needs love. Love gives us support to make it through, encouragement when we are down, a special connection to those we share it with, and overall a reason to live. I think love is so often taken for granted and we don't give enough credit. It's amazing what love can do!

 I know I want to always make sure that my sweetheart knows I love him. These quotes really made me think of him! I was always taught that in a good relationship, you should be pushed to be a better you because of that person. I love Parker for the wonderful man he is, but I also love the encouragement and drive he gives me to be a better person than I was yesterday. Of course it's always a work in progress, but I know I want to always try to be the best me for him. "You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly."

I am so happy and excited to marry Parker in this temple on September 3rd. I am grateful that I was taught and made a goal from a young age to marry in the temple. I'm so glad that I can be sealed to my love for all eternity and that nothing-not even death, can separate us. This is such a blessing!! Now that it is getting so close, it is getting so much more real. We're down to the nitty gritty details and I'm betting the next three weeks are just going to fly by. I'm happy to take this step in my life, but happier to do it holding Parker's hand. I know that love is a special connection/bond that people can share and I'm grateful to be a part of it. As cliche as the words "I love you" may sound, they will never go out of style.

Random Reflections

  Well, it's over halfway through June and maybe someday soon it will feel like summer!! I started swim lessons on Monday and they are going well. I am very busy, but I can't really complain too much. I am so glad it is gradually warming up because I don't like seeing my kids' teeth chatter while we're swimming. The first week is always the hardest! I am getting used to my classes, getting back into the swing of teaching, and getting my skin used to the sun. As we all know, Michelle has blond hair and fair skin that likes to burn. The first couple days I was getting sunburned and fighting with that, but I think I've got a system down now! This system includes wearing 100+ SPF special face sunscreen, 80 SPF sunscreen on the rest of my back/shoulders/arms, and reapplying these. I already have wicked tanlines and lots of freckles, so it will probably be a long summer! If I'm lucky, I'll survive it without getting skin cancer. ;]

   My kids say the funniest things and they always keep my laughing during classes. The other day I got a beetle out of the pool and one of my four year old boys looks at me and says, "Hey, that was my friend ya know." The way he said it just made me laugh so hard! Later I was working with my beginning class and we were getting ready to go "save Mr. Duck" (this is how we do front glides). While they do that they have to scare the bad guys away by blowing their bubbles and kicking. I wanted to remind them that they needed to kick and blow bubbles, so I asked how we were going to scare the bad guys away. One of my little girls goes, "ummm... Naps!" Yes Maddie, naps would probably work. But that wasn't quite what I was going for... In still another class we were working on our side breathing with our front crawl. I asked the kids when we breathe (referring to our arm and body position), and one of my boys responds, "ummm.. when we run out of air and we need a breath?" Apparently I need to be much more specific. Nevertheless, I just love working with the kids. Their enthusiasm and attitude of wanting to improve and be better always puts things in perspective for me. When I get tired or water logged from being in the pool 8 hours a day I just try to remember that I live every kids' dream, and I get paid for it! =]

  Swimming lessons or swimming lesson tasks keep me pretty busy during the week and I have come to highly value my weekends. I have also come to learn that they go way too quickly for my liking. Saturday and Sunday are the only two days that I am not wet all day and I actually do my hair and put makeup on. I actually feel like a real person on the weekends! ;]

    Now to the other things that have been on my mind! They are about to get mushy.... so be warned. I am really looking forward to this week being over for a couple reasons. 1)I get to sleep in on Friday! 2)I get to see my sweet Parker just before one o'clock on Friday. 3)We get to go to Salt Lake and see his family and friends. 4)I get to see Parker!! 5)Parker's sisters and mom are throwing me a kitchen party and it is going to be so fun! I can't wait. 6)I get to be with Parker. 7)It will be the weekend. 8) Did I mention I get to see Parker?? =]  Anyways, you get the idea. I cannot wait to see my sweetheart again. This is one of many times I wish I had a time machine! I am so glad that we have technology and we can Skype almost every night because it's amazing how much better actually seeing somebody rather than just hearing somebody can make you feel. But of course, Skype can't compare to the real thing. I am very much looking forward to be able to spend lots of time talking (in person!!) and goofing off this weekend. It is going to be great =] In a week we will have been engaged for a month... Where does the time go? I can just see myself saying the same thing when September rolls around and life REALLY gets crazy for two or so weeks.  But getting back to the point, I have been thinking a lot lately, and I've decided that life really is wonderful. As time gets closer to September and I am doing more planning and finalizing, it only makes me more excited to be getting married. It is definitely the best decision I have ever made!! As we're far apart and all Parker and I can do is talk, I still happen to find random little similarities between us like: not liking mushrooms or olives, carrying stress in our shoulders, little things between our families, us both being able to do bunny noses, etc. It's definitely true what they say... You never know what you got till it's gone. I never knew or understood that I could miss somebody SO much. I know I still have much to learn, but I am definitely starting to understand a little bit more about love. I know that just seeing his face come up on my computer makes me smile and happy.

 I am down to 3 days before I get to see him and I absolutely can't wait!! It's going to be so amazing to be able to be with him again. I always wonder what I did to get such a wonderful, sweet guy like Parker, and I always draw a blank. Whenever I ask him what I did to deserve him he just says, "I told you... You said hi." Precious much, but it still doesn't answer much.... I hope that I can always do my best to make him happy and that we can have lots of fun! I know we will =]  He always knows when something is on my mind, and he always knows just how to make me feel better. I sincerely love him and count my lucky stars to be able to spend forever with him. These last couple days I have thought back a few times to some of the random fun things we did when we were dating or even before we were dating. Things like me typing excerpts of a book in an essay for him, editing and reviewing his english essays, going out late at night to play in the snow, dancing in his front room with his nieces, leaving surprise notes on eachothers' cars, cooking things, singing together, tossing fruit snacks into eachothers' mouth from across the kitchen, watching movies.... (Ok, ok... him watching movies and me falling asleep) The list goes on and on. Parker and his family definitely made my second semester. I spent EVERY day over at his house and I always had so much fun there no matter what was going on. It is fun to have so many memories and I can't wait to make even more!! Now if only I could upgrade my memory.... =]

Aloha Summer!

 Well as we all know, I'm super slow blogging about my adventures so most of you have already heard about this! That's ok, I'll post them anyways =]. I got to start off my summer by a fabulous trip to Hawaii. It was so wonderful to be there and to see all the beautiful sights! When I got off the last plane (thank heavens) and was making my way down to where Parker was picking me up. On my way down the stairs I was looking around for him. After all, it's pretty hard to miss him! Finally I heard him whistle at me and I spotted him. (He told me later that he saw me while I was still walking to the stairs). I hurried as fast as I could, dropped my backpack, and jumped into his arms and hugged him for a long time. It was so wonderful to be back in his arms after not having seen him for a month. Needless to say, it was a GREAT way to start my vacation =]

 Parker, Me, and our friend Karlissa. While in Hawaii, we stayed with Karlissa and she showed us around. She was the best tour guide ever!! It was so fun to be with her =]

 I tried sushi for the first time and it was pretty gross. Then Parker suggested I try it with some wasabi and then it was even worse! I was lucky to even get it down..

 This is one of my favorite pictures of Parker and I =]

This waterfall was SOOOO beautiful! It was so fun to see some of Heavenly Father's beautiful creations that we don't get here in Boise.

As pretty much everybody knows, Parker proposed to me in Hawaii. Precious and romantic right?? It was so cute! We were at this scenic outlook thing and we were "taking pictures" (karlissa was really filming). Parker stooped down and said, "Ow" so I asked him if something had bitten him. Then before I know what happened he was on one knee and holding something sparkly and asking me to marry him. I responded with, "Are you serious?" He nods... "is this real??" He said, "Yes. Michelle christensen, will you marry me?" So finally I said yes and he picked me up and hugged and kissed of course. The little stinker had been saying things for the last couple of weeks to throw me off so I wouldn't be expecting it in Hawaii. Well, he did a good job because he definitely caught me offguard! But that's ok.. I wouldn't have wanted to be expecting it anyways. He picked me out a beautiful ring!

This is where he proposed at. Gorgeous right?? It was such a pretty place.

We also got the opportunity to go to the Kona temple while we were there and do baptisms. Can you say way cool? It was definitely different to see such a tiny temple! It had a great spirit though (they always do!). It is neat to be in the temples that the people have sacrificed so much to have. While Karlissa and I were getting dressed she was telling me that when she used to come do baptisms away, they had to bring all their own white clothing and such. We also had to drive about two hours to get there, but it was definitely worth it!

 We also went swimming at a beach that had sea turtles. The turtles were really social and would just come right up to you. It was pretty cool! It was funny to watch because sometimes people wouldn't realize that the turtles were right there and then they would get scared of them. Karlissa's younger brother Junior was afraid of the turtles. He said that they "eat people". So kids here are afraid of dogs... and kids in Hawaii are afraid of Sea Turtles. Hmm... There was one turtle in particular that really liked us. We kept picking grass of the shore and feeding it to him and he loved it.

When we stopped feeding him, he sat there in the water just watching us and waiting for some food I think. It was a big turtle and he must have been pretty old! I named him Bert. Sometimes if I backed up he would swim right up to me and nudge my leg with his nose. I'm guessing that was the "hey come back here! I'm still hungry." So I said I got high fived, hugged, and kissed by a sea turtle. Once in a lifetime thing =]

 Here are two more of my favorite pictures from Hawaii. Did I ever dream that I would be marrying a red head? Not in a million years... But I am so excited! But it does make me wonder... will we have strawberry blond kids? haha! Parker is so sweet and treats me like a princess. I wish he wasn't halfway across the US, but if that's the price I have to pay to spend forever with him, I guess I can live with it for now. I have realized it just makes our time together that much more special!

I am so lucky and excited to be marrying someone that I can always talk to, always knows how to make me laugh, is kind, knows when I'm down and knows how to make me feel better, treats me like royalty, is always a gentleman etc. I think I could really go on forever about all of the things I love about him. I guess I can just sum it all up and say that I cannot wait to marry my best friend! I am looking forward to a life of lots of fun, laughs, and smiles. September 3rd, here we come!!