New York!

Parker and I took kind of a spontaneous trip with some friends to New York for a few days. It was so fun to see all the sights, but it definitely was not long enough! We ended up losing a day we had planned on having due to some flying issues, so we really ended up with about 2 days of playing and sight seeing. We did a LOT of walking and saw lots of fun things! 

We of course saw the famous Time Square. It looks about like it does in the movies!Always lots of people all over, and tons of lights and billboards. We also got to see it at night and what a sight was that! It was all lit up and so fun to see.

One stop on our adventure was LegoLand! There were so many fun things to see in there. This dragon went all over the store and is seriously made out of legos! It's totally crazy! That kind of thing is just not one of my talents or fortes, because I could just never do that! We saw all sorts of different Lego sets. At one part there was even a display where they had built in Legos the area surrounding the store (like the buildings, the ice rink, the flags, etc.) It was super cool and the amount of detail that they put into things was just astounding! In addition to that, they had life size characters of Jack Sparrow and Indiana Jones!

The details on Jack Sparrow were incredible! They had everything down  from the ring on his finger, to the beads in his beard and hair, to his belt buckle and gun. SO COOL! Here's another closer picture to see what it looks like close up. Crazy right??

 

 Another fun picture I have from LegoLand is a picture of a set of the death star. Again, incredible detail.

 Right outside of LegoLand was the skating rink that you have probably seen in a movie before. It is the one that is surrounded by all the flags from different countries. Parker was thrilled to be able to find the Uruguay (and some people from Uruguay as well!)

Here are just some other fun pictures of things we saw while we were there!

 

And to answer your question, yes that is a giant gummy bear I am pretending to eat! We went to FAO Schwartz which is like the famous toy store and they have a whole section for crazy candy and stuff. It was pretty fun! Also, we got to walk by the temple. Unfortunately it was closed so we didn't get to go in or anything, but it was so weird to see! I am so used to seeing temples set aside in their own little place and everything, but this one is seriously right on a street corner. If we weren't looking for it, we probably would have missed it! Funny that there is such chaos and hustle and bustle right outside, yet the entire feeling can change instantly once the door is open.

We also had the opportunity to go to the museum of natural history and science! We got to see tons of cool fossils and dinosaur skeletons and numerous other things! If you have seen Night at the Museum, this museum is where it was filmed!

Anyways, these aren't great pictures, but it was absolutely fascinating to be there! We saw all sorts of things there! We spent about 3 hours there and wished we had even longer! There were all sorts of exhibits ranging from early human history, to dinosaurs & other animals, to space. Truly an awesome experience =]

Over all it was a really fun trip! As fun as New York is though, a lot of it depends on being in good company! I was lucky enough to be there with my sweet husband, some good friends and their mom. So at least we were chaperoned! ;] Anyways, it is really neat to see movies and recognize some of the places that we see!

P.S. This is a squirrel in central park that ate out of Parker's hand! I was shocked at how used to people the squirrels and birds were.

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.