The Story of 2013.

2013 has been a big year for me.  I mean, its been a big year for other people too—Miley Cyrus finally proved how “grown up she is”, and Nelson Mandela passed away, and Amanda Bynes went into a psych ward… I mean really, things got pretty serious in 2013.  As far as my life goes, only 2 of my major life events happened.  I had to take a look back through old instagram pictures because mostly I couldn't remember that far back, and I almost died laughing at all the funny and awesome things that have happened to me this year.  Let’s take a closer look at this year mainly because I thought this year was awesome.

Makin those hunuds.  

As far as jobs, I worked at Texas Roadhouse for a good chunk of time.  I spat out all the lines they told me to try to be a good server, and I actually worked with some way cool peeps along the way.   Catalyst RTC was only for a short time, but it was a good time.  However, it taught me that working with little juvenile delinquent perverts really isn't something I want to do.  I taught swimming lessons,  which is my favorite job of all time-- coming back at ya the summer of 2014.  And of course, my own personal hell, at Pizza Factory.  Luckily from that job I got my first REAL job as a pre-school teacher at West Kearns Elementary.

One Personal Celebration

SAAVI was a huge part of my life in 2013.  I gave presentations to many different organizations on campus this year; as well as planned and carried out one of the most successful Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in years.  I couldn't have done it without my "right hand man" in the event, which is actually the thing that brought us together.

Vacations

Not my most exotic year, but one of the best with a few small vacations, including California for Spring Break, Oregon for my Birthday, Texas to see my soon-to-be-husband, Oregon again so Krista could meet my fiancé, and of course Mexico for our honeymoon! and I did get to see whales once this year, so 2013 wasn't a complete waste. hahaha  

Graduation 

one of the biggest events that has taken place this year, and in my life overall.  College was one of the funnest times of my life—and I really do miss Logan every day. I lit'rally could have peed my pants every single day when I look back at all the ridiculous things that I did and happened to me.  I won’t brag, but I will say I am proud of myself for graduating in the standard 4 years because it led to perfect placement for the rest of my life after that.

Summer

Okay, summer was alright, not my favorite part of 2013.  It was lame having Bryan be in Texas and not having any friends for a few months.  But at the same time I’m grateful for that lonely summer, because I talked to Bryan on the phone for hours every day.   Who knew that facetime dates could be some of your best dates? But seriously, that's how I got to know Bryan so well-- even though I was re-named "least fun friend".  At least a saw a few fireworks and had a friend-without-benefits.

Getting pretty serious.

Everything since July 28 my life has been a fun, crazy, happy blur.  When Bryan got home from Texas literally every single thing in my life changed.  And by September 14, we were engaged.  Although I knew it was coming, I was still so surprised with the most beautiful and perfect ring I could have ever imagined. AND we ate at Ruth's Diner, my favorite restaurant.  So that was a pretty perfect day.

November.

And in November, clearly I took the most huge and important step in my life, A- going through the temple to get married and sealed to my HUSBAND! Our day seriously was perfect, and I am creepily obsessed with it.  And I’m creepily obsessed with Bryan- but I love him.  and also, I'm still not used to having a "husband", and being a "wife", like I accidentally turn awkward every time I use those words.  

Also, I sort of want to apologize for being annoying on social media, but I can’t stop—and I won’t stop (end quote). 

So yeah, that’s the story of 2013.  Ups & downs—except mostly ups.  

but like I always say… "What have you accomplished this year?"

one month

It has already been month since we have been married. 

It's weird because unconsciously I think I thought that the day I would get married would be the best day of my life- and the day I would love Bryan the most. Except actually life literally gets better every day and I really love him more than I did the day we got married. 

So things are good. And it's been the happiest, funniest and best month of my life. 

WKC2H

What I've learned from West Kearns Elementary

When you ask directions to a grocery store... they direct you to the dollar store

Don't use the kids bathroom

If it stinks... Someone pooed

If your blowing noses, wear gloves

Teach them to cough in their elbow from day 1

Have hand sanitizer easily available 

Expect kids to threaten to call the police on you on a daily basis

You can figure out why they all say they sleep at grandmas house every Friday night

Expect a different person picking them up every day

Have at least 30 songs off the top of your head always

Translate EVERYTHING into Spanish
In fact… study Spanish, because it's worth it.
If you are talking about ANYTHING… there is a song for it.

When kids say a rule is "no flipping the teacher off", agree that's a GREAT rule

Be consistant!

Have that believable face when they tell you they email Santa (and don't roll your eyes)

They know how to play "cops" in the kitchen better than "house"

Don't say anything you don't want then to remember-- they never forget

Sometimes…. they all say "ain't" more than 10 times a day

and even when you think you might strangle them, don't; because in about 10 minutes they will all dog pile on you telling you that they love and how you are the best teacher in the world.  and secretly deep down in your heart, you'll sorta love them too.

But like I always say… "You have two choices, either you can do it, or I will help you do it"

The Warners

I have nothing else to say except I love being married.

…………………

I love living with my favorite person

I love our home

I love our Christmas Tree

I love watching whale documentaries together

I love cooking breakfast and making lunches together

I love that he gently wakes me up

I love coming home to dinner

I love talking before we fall asleep

I love having sleepovers in our living room floor by our Christmas Tree

I love shopping for our home

I love listening to Christmas music

I love laughing my brains out

I love my husband 

and those are the things I love.  

……………………

FYE

A link to our temple video

http://vimeo.com/81135465

And a blog to our photos

http://www.pier23.typepad.com

16 days 4 hours 59 minutes

the wedding planning phase is (finally) coming to an end.

• invitations-- check
• ring-- check
• videographer-- check
• DJ-- check
• pictures-- check
• signing book-- check
• flowers-- check
• suits/ties-- check
• dress… TBD
• temple… check
• marriage license… TBD
• cake-- check
• substitute-- check
• hair/make up… TBD

with all of these materialistic things still to do it almost makes me forget the true meaning of my wedding… (sorta like the true meaning of Christmas) and that being, marrying the best human.  The only thing standing between me and my husband is time.  

 like I always say… "only 16 days, 4 hours and 59 minutes"

OR.

I need to go back to Oregon
 where nothing else matters but the ocean, whales, starfish, pinetrees, my sister, brother in law, Lillie,  chili & corn bread, movies, pumpkins, flowers, sweatpants, skipbo, and my husband.

a glimpse of back when life was easy. 

but like I always say... "dont cry because its over, smile because it happened"

hahaha just kidding. but seriously, S/O to my sister and her husband for making the trip possible & amazing.  

and thanks to Bryan for taking time off to let us escape wedding plans and crazy work schedules and forget about life for a few days <3

An Ode to the Exes.

Where would we be in life if it wasn't for our experiences?
Ever since Bryan discovered my blog, I have done some reflecting on past posts on my view on love.  I have always loved love, that has been apparent.  It is just crazy for me to see now that everything I have ever wanted in love is all I have and more in Bryan.  
If it wasn't for all my past experiences through dates, heartbreaks, and so on... maybe I would be a different person because of it. Maybe it wouldn't have lead me to Bryan. That's a pretty depressing thought if you ask me. 

I went to dinner with a friend and we were discussing the importance of timing in all things.  In life, neither of us have had things turn out the way we had thought they would, but are so grateful they hadn't.  It is hard to explain, but I feel like every event that took place in my life lead to me meeting and marrying Bryan.  From big events such as family deaths, to moving, University decisions, mission timing, internship placement, and even Bryan dating my 3 best high school friends--  The whole entire thing to me is so crazy it almost blows my mind!

Anyways... let's take it back to the days of single version of me.  That Single Slice of Beefcake version I should say. 
Back in my prime... I enjoyed life.  I have dated truly ANY and EVERY type of human there is out there.  I've dated basically every race, tall, short, funny, serious, successful, stalker, albino, redneck-- you name it, I've been there and done it. I loved dating in my younger years (back when I was hip-- ha)and had fun along the way. 

As far as ex boyfriends go... you've heard the story.  I explained my "puppy love" and my so-called "first love" and that whole thing. I've let people live in the friend-zone while I eat their hearts out for years at a time (yeah, I'm still sorry about that one). I never wanted to be anyone's girlfriend and in 5 weeks I'm going to be somebody's wife. Crazy how life works out.

I'm not a dating expert, I'm just a girl who could ramble my average opinion about the things I've seen in life.  It's just that I've been in too many relationships where I unconsciously have changed myself to fit into the life of that person. that would have never worked! eventually, my creepy, awkward, and weird self would have come out and then what? I would have been sad, single, & screwed. 
I've seen too many people too deep in relationships that they can't seem to find themselves out of it.  They can't let go because of the familiarity. However, neither are happy and they spend most of their time fighting and breaking up.  that is NOT love.  That is an addiction.  Break ups are ALWAYS hard, you are not the exception.  Get over yourself and give yourself the respect and happiness that you deserve.  I promise it's out there.   
I don't exactly believe that "love conquers all".  If I would have followed that dream at age 17-- my husband would be a camo-wearing animal-killing truck-driving machine.  At 17, I was that "oh it's okay honey-- I 'love you' no matter what!" YEAH RIGHT! I would lit'rally bawl my eyes out all day every day if I had to have dead animals heads in my house for the rest of my life.  i wouldn't want to ask him to give up his passion, but I wouldn't want to allow something I am so morally against either.  All relationships give and take, but not in this situations. You can't both win.
I have seen too many of my friends settle for people they KNEW weren't good for them, but just wanted to fill up some time.  The way I see it-- DON'T DO IT! You will be spending time with losers rather than working on hobbies, building friendships, making money, etc.  And not notice the people around you who truly do have potential! Don't waste your time- it's just not worth it when you know it's not going anywhere anyway. been there, done that. 
Just because you were right for someone at one point, doesn't mean you always will be.  I owe my ex boyfriend Parker a shout out for that, and my friend Lexi.  Because of these two truly great people, Bryan and I were able to learn so much about ourselves and what we want in a relationship.  I no bitterness towards either ex because of the lessons that they have taught both Bryan and I in our lives.  They are just something that happened that I have no regrets over.  and I'm truly grateful for that.   Because of you, I have learned what true love really is.

Since the first time I kissed Bryan, it has only been him. And I'm grateful for that. Don't settle for anything that makes you absolutely happy, giddy, and excited.  I realize it won't always be like that, but why start with anything less?

But like I always say... "I don't miss you, but I remember you; you taught a lesson and for that I give you gratitude"