honeymoonin

I'm baaaaack! Yay! Did you miss me? Haha.

I do apologize for the big gap in my blog posts, I know it probably ruined everyone's life *sarcasm* =) but it's OK now, because I'm BACK! Haha. Plus...you do realize...I've been a busy woman! I mean, I got married, I went on a honeymoon to Kauai, and now we are finally, slowly settling back into "normal life." Ha! If there is such a thing for newly weds. Just putting aside the whole - living with someone new, and not just any someone, but a BOYsomeone...so many transitions in so little time. Life is crazy!

Even with all the craziness life has to offer...I have to say I feel so blessed to have such an amazing man by my side through everything. I don't know what I'd do without my, Matthew =) And we're MARRIED. It's official. I did it! And guess what? It turned out beautifully! Remember my satanic florist? She actually pulled through! I was so thrilled. Once I get my pictures from the photographer I'll definitely post them.As far as the honeymoon in Hawaii (my first time I've ever been there) it was magical! We got to do so many fun things! Snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, helicopter tour, pier jumping...every day was an adventure!

This is in Hanalei Bay

At the Princeville airport - 1st class, baby!

SilverFalls Ranch - We met so many sweet people here.

families are forever and ever and ever

This picture was taken 10 days after my wedding. Little did I know, it would be the last picture I took of my little brother.

I love this photo.

This was taken on the 3rd of July. This was the last day I saw Jesse before he collapsed Wednesday morning July 7th and died at 10:58AM. He's the handsome young man on the far left with the brown hair. He was 16 years old and was such a fun and funny kid! How special I feel to call him my brother =) To have him as an example in my life. The heart disease he had is called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and a few members in my family have it, me being one of them. I've debated with myself about how much to share about the passing of my little brother, but really...I want to share what I've learned from this experience. I've learned that life gives you trials and tribulations and sometimes you don't always get good news or happily ever afters...but of everyone I've ever known, Jesse was someone who took those trials and tribulations and somehow or other he made them positive. He always said, "No regrets" and through the legacy he left behind I know when he passed, he had nothing holding him back. I love my brother Jesse so much! I love my family and if there is one thing this has reminded me, it's that every moment is precious. Every hug, every smile, every encounter, you just never know when it might be your last.

And although that may sound depressing, it wasn't suppose to be. I know that this life is not the end. I know that someday I'll be able to see Jesse face-to-face and give him the biggest hug in the world. How thankful I am for the temple and the power of temple sealings, comforting me that Jesse will always be my little brother. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in true. I know this life is not one of chance, and every decision we make is consequential, hopefully bringing us closer to our Father in Heaven.

I didn't think this blog would be ending in my testimony but...there you have it! The reason this crazy life is so worth it.

Where have all the Zzzz's gone?

Well, it's 1:37AM and I can't sleep. I NEED SLEEP! Tomorrow is engagements and now I'm going to have tired puffy eyes all because my body is tweakin' and wont relax. *Shivers* It's one of those nights where it feels like little bugs are crawling all over me...and no I'm not taking any drugs. I'm just itchy everywhere. Hmm, I blame it on my sunburn. Lesson learned. From now on, even if I'm only at the pool for 20 minutes, I shall wear sunblock! OK, now can I please go to bed?

15 minutes pass....

20 minutes pass.........

How can I not be tired?! I woke up early today. Matt and I ran so many errands, all of which were 100% successful by the way! I'm so excited! We met with the florist and FINALLY I think we're on the same page. Now I feel confident that she'll make our wedding not only beautiful but exactly what we were looking for. Then we went and met with my school counselor. More good news! I found out I'm closer to finishing up than I thought. Not graduating or anything (darnit) but just to a point where we can transfer to a new school if we wanted to move to...oh say, California =) Yeah. I want to be in California. And you know, the counselor man asked me the most odd question today. He asked me WHY do I want to move to California? Hahaha! Ha..ha...is that question only funny to me? Well, let's see, where should I start? How about the plain and simple fact that in California it doesn't snow in May! Look at this picture....

That's why! And....

That's why!!

It just gorgeous! The vegetation, the architecture, even the people...if your in the right area. These pictures are from Santa Barbara, which is where we really want to live. It's just a matter of months and then it might become a reality for us. YAY! Oh, but I got distracted rambling about my counselor, he was an odd man...but after all that business we went and got our marriage license!! Aaaaah! It's all starting to feel so real! 11 days left! Only 11 people! That's 10 days plus 1, or 1 week and 3 days. But more simply put...11. Wow.

This is our last real week of preparations because next week all the family starts flying in. EXCITEMENT!! *sighs*

Alright, well all of this has finally made me somewhat tired. Maybe somebody is finally sending some Zzzz's my way.

Awe, BrideZilla...

OK, story time!

...It all started at our very first meeting with our Florist. I told her our colors were blue and yellow but since I don't like any blue flowers I JUST wanted sunflowers and other yellow flowers with blue ribbon...she disagreed I guess. After about 3 or 4 back and forth emails of her sending me pictures of what I hated I finally sent her 10 pictures of perfect examples of what I was looking for. Then, a week passed. 2 weeks passed...a month and a half and 5 more emails (from me with no reply) later...we finally called our wedding coordinator to see what the heck was up. She assured us our florist would contact us soon so we could finally get everything sorted out. An hour later I get a short email with a quick scribbled drawing of a countryish bouquet filled with twine and all sorts of flowers including more BLUE flowers. I had told her like 8 billion times: I DO NOT LIKE BLUE FLOWERS!!! Grrr. Anyway, more drama.
Communication stops between the florist and I, she must not understand me or something...so we set it up so that I tell my wedding coordinator what I want and she deals with the florist. That's great and dandy until the day of bridals when our coordinator is out of town and Lora (the florist) gives us the exact bouquet I told her several times I did not like. I guess she finally understood the no blue flowers though because this time they were blueish/purple. I'll give her credit, it was pretty...just not what I paid and asked for...
Needless to say we're all meeting together on Monday to discuss this communication problem. Matt called for me and told them "We're not going to cross our fingers anymore and hope for the best" :) Sometimes they just twist your arm until you have to become BrideZilla.

The disappointing bridal bouquet...

Yeah, would you want that to be your grand bouquet? I didn't think so.

Vacation in Paradise!

Well, I have been busy! Matt and I just got back from Topsail, North Carolina yesterday and it was the best, most relaxing and most needed vacation. We didn't do or plan ANYTHING for the wedding and we just laughed and played the entire time. It was his nieces baby blessing as well, so it was nice to get to know his side of the family more. Such sweet amazing people! I really feel so blessed to have them as a family =) Here are some pictures...be jealous. (Haha. Not really, just go there some day!)

Topsail...love the colorful beach houses.

~Playing~

After a busy day of exploring and playing in the ocean.

We LOVE the ocean. Our plan is to live on the beach some day. It was so therapeutic, laying on the hammock and just listening to the ocean. It gave me a lot of time to really think about my life...how I'm getting married in 36 days!!! It's been so easy to get excited and caught up in all this wedding mumbo-jumbo but, on this trip...time slowed way down. I am so excited to be with Matthew. There are times when our eyes meet and everything disappears and I get washed away with the most intense love and admiration. I love him! I love him! I love him!

Paradise.