11/11/11

Two of my cousins from different sides of the family got married yesterday. It was a busy day for weddings there were brides everywhere. The Salt Lake Temple had something like 122 weddings and had to cancel some. Bountiful had about 70, I think. I know a lot of people had trouble finding an open reception center too. Makes me glad I chose Jordan River and was 1 of 2 brides that day. The temple workers knew me by name and I got their complete attention for myself.

We went to my cousin Tiffani's wedding in the Bountiful Temple at noon. She married Marc Bucher who is my friends husband's brother.  I was sad Andrea couldn't be there, but I got to meet Todd for the first time. My mom's cousin is Pat Holland, so we were lucky to have Elder Holland marry them. (more about her story here) It was the best wedding I've ever been to. He spoke for about 40 minutes and talked about symbolism in the Temple. He went through each phase of the endowment and related it to marriage. I wish i had a tape recorder because I learned so much! He made everything sound so simple. He counseled to be obedient and if we are then are marriage will always be ok no matter what happens in the world. So many beautiful things were said and the spirit was so strong. He said he maybe does 3 weddings a year because he's so busy and the church is not the same as it used to be. He joked that there are hundred of quorums of 70 and thousands of missionaries but somehow there are only 12 apostles.

I was so glad to be there and be reminded of my wedding not so many years ago. It was a great day.



Tiff's family


Some of my cousins, the Bills

Tiff's brothers, Steve and Mike

Family anxiously awaiting the new couple.

We went to their luncheon at Corbin's Grill in Layton. It was nice to be able to sit and talk with some of my cousins that I haven't seen in so long. Why is it that we don't see each other often when we all live so close? Lives get busy as we get older and it seems that Weddings or Funerals are the only time everyone gets together. Sad. I need to make a better effort to see them.

They had a ring ceremony right before the reception, but we had to leave soon after to get to my other cousin's reception in Lindon. It was a long day and I would be so tired if I was Tiff. Ryan and I had our reception the night before so our wedding day was very short, which we loved.



I didn't get any pictures of Jay and Katy's reception, but it was at a reception center called Bella Vista, and it was gorgeous! I don't see my Dad's side of the family very often and the last time was at my Grandma's funeral. They live in California, Texas, Idaho, Nevada, and some are spread out even further. I hadn't seen Jay since our family reunion in 2005. Although not very many family members could make it, it was nice to be able to see my Aunt, Uncle and Leithead cousins.

So grateful for events like these that remind me how blessed we are to have the Gospel and the knowledge of the plan of salvation and that we can have forever families!

we love date nights

this year we've tried to make it a goal to go on a date every week. even though we do spend almost every night just us, we always get so excited as we anticipate "date night." mostly i just love being with ryan.

 a 'lil shopping...

(ryan did not like that i was taking pictures of him)

and good, good food. i got full on about 6 of those drinks and didn't eat a bite of my burger...

Valentine's Memories

Happy Valentine's Day!

This holiday is a memorable one for us. 4 years ago, today, we went on our 1st date. We went to the "Sweet Tart Dance" at college. I found my old journal so that I could read and remember about it.

I had been hanging out with him for awhile but I was also dating another guy. I didn't know what to do. The guy I was dating knew Ryan liked me and asked me if we were going to pursue a relationship. I told him I didn't know and then he asked me out for a date Feb 15th. Meanwhile, Ryan didn't know I'd been dating someone else. He had asked me to the dance but I hadn't answered him because I didn't know if I should because I wasn't sure how I felt. When I finally decided to go it was the night before the dance. Ryan asked me in a valentine with a little poem (see below)

As a joke, I wrote him a poem and froze it in a heart shaped container and gave it to him as my answer. Ryan's roommate Greg asked my bff Sydney to the dance and to answer him we wrote another poem and read it to him while we inhaled helium to make our voices sound like chipmunks.

(the night before the dance)

The dance was a lot of fun, despite the fact that because of poor planning Greg was without his car so they had to take mine. I enjoyed being with him but the whole time i felt so guilty because he had no idea about the guy I was dating and I knew I had to tell him. Despite my Mom and friend's advice to not tell Ryan that night, I did. After the dance he told me how much he liked me but could see something was wrong and asked me, so I told him I had a date the next night and I liked him too and didn't know what to do. Ryan looked like he was going to cry but he told me to follow my heart and to let him know what I decide.

The next day he told me he cried and I hurt him really bad because he didn't see it coming. Ryan put me on a huge guilt trip and so I was very sad when I went out with the other guy that night.

To make a long story short, I chose Ryan, and the rest, as they say, is history....

We were engaged 5 months later.

They say it's your birthday!!!!!!!!

Mua! I love, love, love ya. Here's 26 things about you that I love...why? because today you're 26....

1. your laugh

2. the way you can ALWAYS make me smile/laugh

3. your determination

4. you're so easy to talk to

5. you're my BEST friend

6. how you're always so willing to help me

7. you've got killer gourmet skills!

8. I love when you talk to/about the cats

9. your patience

10. your encouragement

11. your positive attitude

12. I learn something from/about you everyday

13. you are SO very smart

14. that you are always warm and let me snuggle

15. the way you look in a hat

16. the look you give me when you want me to rub your back

17. all of your good ideas

18. how you sing in the shower

19. your faith and sincere prayers

20. how you always roll up your shirt sleeves no matter what

21. i always feel safe around you

22. you're good at everything you do

23. when you speak Kosrean.

24. your handyman skills

25. how you rub your toes together when you lay down

26. that i can spend FOREVER with you!