Wendover...

"Wendover."

Translates: Soo glad "when-it's-over."

Okay, so it really wasn't that bad, but it sure was close. The day started off perfectly- we went to Lagoon with Kendrick's aunt, cousins, and James. We really couldn't have asked for better weather- it was sunny with the perfect amount of breeze and gorgeous fall leaves covered the sidewalks. Also, the lines weren't too long and I got to try my first funnel cake. So overall- it was a perfect morning/afternoon.

As fun as Lagoon is, it sure doesn't take long to just be over it all. Although we had plans to stay until 5 o'clock, we were out and on the road by 2. After dropping James off to Kendrick's parents, and a quick stop at the CaptionCall bathrooms (funnel cake, chicken, pizza + the Rocket = never again) we were on our way to Wendover! 

So for starters, let me tell you a little bit about the hotel room that we were advertised and the one we booked. Three things were mentioned: oversized room, 42" LED flatscreen TV, and Cosmopolitan themed furniture. 

And here is a little visual aid for your viewing pleasure:

Have those three things in your head? Okay. Now here is what we got... Brace yo'self.

We just couldn't get over the "cosmopolitan" themed furniture. 

Not only was our '42" flat screen TV' a brick, but the remote control was MIA as well. But we had to repeatedly get out of bed to slap the TV for a clearer picture anyway, so it wasn't too much of a burden to manually change the channel as well. 

But I must admit, the broken and leaning lamps gave the room a desired whimsical feel. 

And I applaud the hotel for choosing to remodel their bathrooms, even if it meant stopping halfway and calling it good. But why would you even want to cover that glorious shade of blue, amiright?

And let's not forget the classy and elegant style that the hotel displayed. Why stop at one pattern of carpet when you can find so many that blend together, and combine them all on one staircase? 

After looking at our room and having a good and somewhat forced laugh, we decided it was best to spend as little time in there as possible- so onto  the casino we went! I decided to start with the penny slot machines, but as soon as I realized that pushing random buttons on the machine wasn't getting me anywhere, and I was losing my treasured pennies by the millisecond, I decided gambling wasn't my jam and kissed that $5 goodbye. The rest of my time in the casino was spent watching Kendrick at the black jack table- which was a lot more exhilarating and entertaining. He put in $50, got down to $5, and then won his way up to $70. Thrilled that we were up $20, I pocketed the original $50, and Kendrick took the extra $20 to the roulette table. 

He was on a roll, and quickly doubled his winnings. I don't understand roulette for the life of me, but I definitely enjoyed watching his pile of chips grow by the minute. After about 10 minutes, we decided to go get food. As we were walking to the buffet, Kendrick decided that he was on such a roll at the roulette table, and that he wanted to go back. So that's exactly what we did! And guess what? He lost all of it- every single cent of his winnings. BUT we walked away with our original $50, so that was a win in itself. But lesson learned- when you're on a roll at the roulette table- never, ever, ever, ever stop. 

Feeling a little bit down that we hadn't won any money, we decided we needed some delicious food to lift our spirits. I was craaaaving some buffalo wings, and naturally, Wendover has NO hot wing places (an employee even laughed at us when we asked if there was anywhere to find some.) We ended up settling on a restaurant at the Golden Nugget casino- and that was probably one of the worst decisions we made. The food was plain, my chicken wrap was soggy, and the "buffalo wings" that the waitor so kindly put together for us was no where near worthy enough to deserve the title of a hot wing. Tired, achy, and slightly sick from dinner, we headed back to our hotel. 

I was feeling a little bit anxious about staying overnight in our hotel, mainly due to the sketchy vibe the entire place put off (and the huge stain on the carpet outside our door that I'm 99% sure was the aftermath of a brutal murder sure didn't help), so I was eager to double lock our door that night.

But apparently this hotel was SO safe, that they decided double locks weren't needed on any of the doors. Lucky us! 

We were sure to strip the bed of its covers that night, and shared a couple of pillows and a blanket that we had brought ourself (this wasn't our first rodeo.) 

We were quick to get up and ready the next morning. Both of us were feeling  extremely sick from the food that we had the night before, and we couldn't get back to our own bed fast enough.

Although this wasn't an ideal weekend, and almost everything seemed to go wrong- I realized something that I'll never forget. Life is never going to be perfect, and tough and unpleasant times are inevitable. But even on the worst and hardest days- there is one thing that is never going change- and that's the person I'm going home with. I'm so blessed to have a husband that I can laugh with and make light of the things in life that have a way of weighing us down. 

Happy one month of marriage sweetheart! Let's make our two-month anniversary trip just a little bit better. ;)

One year older...

I can't believe it's been one whole year since these two sweet spirits came into this world. It was such an exciting time for our family- having two new babies being born, only a couple weeks apart!

Here are a few pictures from the birthday parties that were thrown for sweet Zoey and Keegan. 

Zoey's party- October 5th (actual birthday- October 4th)

I absolutely LOVE this darling shot of all my nephews and niece.

Keegan's party- October 26th (actual birthday- October 20th). Sadly, I didn't get very many pictures! 

"I imagine that's exactly what Satan looks like." - my dad 

(Jeff hates clothes that are denim- so I was sure to get his son a nice denim shirt and to pair it with some denim pants).

Happy one-year of life to sweet Zoeskees and Keggers. You've brought SO much joy to our family! 

Blessed

These past few months have had me cooped up in a job that I haven't been happy with, and basically wasn't the best thing for me. Although I'm moving on from this job, and only have a couple days left, I have not been in the happiest of moods lately (under-exaggeration). Luckily for me, I have married one of the world's most optimistic people who chooses to see the best in everything, and encourages me to do so as well. While it's still a work in progress, and today was just another day that I would have much rather have stayed in bed, I've decided to trying seeing the good. And the more I think about the good, the more I realize just how blessed I am.

First and foremost, I am blessed to be married to my best friend- someone who loves me for me (all quirks and annoying habits included). He's thoughtful, caring, and the funniest person I know. But the thing that I love most about Kendrick is how he balances me. Through every anxiety attack, cry session, and overreaction to any situation- he is my calm before, during, and after the storm.

I am blessed to have an amazing family who is there for me when I need them.  Over the past few years, I have been blessed to develop stronger relationships with my siblings and my parents as well. But the thing that I love most about my family is that fact that we all just get each other. I'd say we all have a sense of humor that not many get or understand, but for us, it drives us that much closer.

I am blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am blessed to have the knowledge that the Gospel gives me, and the beautiful promises that come along with living righteously. I am blessed to have the gift of repentance and the atonement- the hand that reaches down and helps pull me up whenever I have fallen. And above all, I am blessed to know that families can be together forever- what more can you ask for?

I am blessed for my knowledge and education. I may have not always been an A plus student, or a "go-getter" in school, but there are lessons that I've learned in my years of school that will stick with me forever. Not only has my knowledge helped me be employed for the past eight years, but there are things that I learned about myself while walking through those halls in high school that I will always take with me wherever I go in life.

I am blessed for my freedom and independence, and for all the brave men that fought for those rights. I am blessed to live in a country that allows me to become who I want to become, think what I want to think, and believe what I want to believe.

I am blessed for my healthy and functioning body. This is definitely something that I tend to take for granted every day. This morning I didn't want to get out of bed, when instead I should have been grateful for the heart that had allowed me to live another day. 

When you realize that you have loved ones by your side, faith, potential, freedom, and health... what really is there to be sad about?

From Ms to Mrs...

After two weeks of being married, I feel as if things are finally settling down a bit, giving me the chance to write about that wonderful day!

Luckily, I took off work the day before the wedding, giving me the perfect amount of time to get things ready. The best thing about this day was how calm and at peace I felt. I knew that the next day was going to be one of the biggest days of my life, but I couldn't have felt more confident and content about my decision to marry my best friend! 

The next morning was a rush as I woke up at 6 AM and tiredly drove to my make-up appointment. One hour later, and I was driving back home as fast as could to get my hair done by Harmony. While she pinned and curled, I worked on wiping off some of my eye make up as nicely as I could. The artist got a bit eyeliner happy and I was feeling like the mirror image of my 8th grade self.

I couldn't have been happier with how my hair turned out! Sometimes I wonder why Harmony didn't go into cosmetology, she definitely has a touch. After putting on the darling white dress that my mom made me, and making sure I had everything I needed, I was off to the temple with my parents! I couldn't stop smiling the whole way there. Was this really the day?! Was I really getting married in just 2 short hours?!

We lucked out and got gorgeous weather that day, and the temple was practically glowing from the sun as we were driving up to it. My mom and I quickly got out of the car while my dad parked, and we walked to the temple waiting room to get checked in. I was expecting to see Kendrick as we walked in, but there was no sign of him. 15 minutes later, still no sign! One of the temple helpers joked about him being a no-show (too soon lady, too soon.) But around 8:50 on the dot, and Kendrick came in looking as handsome as ever. (Funny story- turns out that we didn't need to be at the temple until 8:50- Kendrick just knows all too well that I have a habit of being late for everything all.the.time, so he told me that we had to be at the temple at 8:30. So that if I were to be late, I'd still have some wiggle room. Well played babe, well played.)

The next two hours were two of the best hours of my life. Kendrick and I got to spend some time alone before we headed into our sealing, and those were 20 minutes that I'll cherish forever. The sealing was beautiful and the spirit was so strong, and I couldn't help but smile the whole way through. But nothing- nothing-  could ever beat the feeling that I got when it was announced that Kendrick and I were officially man and wife. I have never felt so much peace, love, and joy all in one second, and if I could relive that moment over and over, I would.

After the sealing, Harmony met me in the dressing room, and helped me slip into my wedding dress and fix my hair (this was probably her 6th time buttoning up the back of my dress, bless her heart). Then, I met Kendrick outside, and we held hands and walked outside the temple to greet our families and friends.

The next hour was a blur as we attempted to get as many pictures as we could with our photographer, which wasn't an easy task with such a large group on such a busy day at the temple. But luckily we had an amazing photographer, and I cannot wait to get those pictures back!

Our wedding luncheon was at the Lion House where we had fresh fruit and the most delicious creme brulee french toast! After eating, everyone around the room gave us toasts and  advice, and it was so much fun being able to just sit back and enjoy every second of it.

I love my husband! (oh, that feels good.)

.... check!

Marriage license... Check!

Three more days folks!

A sugarholics nightmare

As much as it saddens me that I can no longer sing Taylor Swift's song "22"... I am now one year older and wiser too! And what a great birthday it was!

It started with me running downstairs to wake up Kendrick (I had spent the night in the upstairs bedroom of his grandma's house). He had already given me one of my birthday presents the night before- a portable phone battery charger (this is literally the ideal present for me, as my phone is dead 96% of the time), and even though my 2nd present hadn't come in the mail yet, he wanted to show me what he got! I was so excited to find out that Kendrick had ordered a hardbound book- with all of our engagements in it! I am seriously engaged to a sweetheart.

We quickly got ready for the day, and Kendrick drove me to work on the way to his job. I came into work to find cookies left over from a work Open House the night before, pastries, and donuts on the counter. Normally- this would be fantastic. However, since I was headed to the temple that night for my endowments, Kendrick and I had decided to fast that day. So what could have been a sugarholics dream, quickly turned into a nightmare.

To top it off, my sweet dad dropped in to wish my a happy birthday.. along with a cream cheese pastry and some juice. God must have had a sense of humor because he was literally showering me in sugar on the day that I couldn't have any of it.

I left work at 2:00 that day because I wanted some time to relax a little before going to the temple that night. I hopped on the train, and slept most of the 50 minute ride home. Once at the station, I got to my car to find that the battery was completely dead. I frantically tried calling my mom a few times, which not only was a failure, but also drained my phones battery, making my phone just as dead and useless as my car (cue amazing portable phone charger from Kendrick!)

I called Kendrick to let him know what was going on, and without me even having to ask, he said that he was leaving work and on his way to help me. Seriously, have I already mentioned how big of a sweetheart I am engaged to? By the time my car was up and running, it was close to 4:00, and I had to be at the temple at 5:30. I quickly drove home so that I could have time to change and regroup a little before leaving.

The night at the temple was amazing. Not amazing in a "I'm a changed person and will never be the same" kind of way, but more in a eye-opening way that made me feel so much love and understanding. The best part of the night was definitely all of the support that I received- almost all of my family and Kendrick's family came and it made it so special! Best. Birthday. Ever.

Afterwards, we all headed to Pizzeria Limone, my favorite restaurant, and ate while we chatted. I don't think the night could have been more perfect!

Because every man needs tools

Sunday the 14th wrapped up our list of incredible wedding showers. This one took place in Kendrick's aunts gorgeous home placed right near the mountains of the east side of Salt Lake. There was quite a good turn out of people that showed up, and I was lucky enough to have my parents, Aaron and Nikki, and Harmony, Jeff and Keegan there as well!

The shower began with everyone dishing up some food (which was so delicious!) and then sitting around and chatting while digging in. Kendrick and I spent most of our time on the back deck, which had a breathtaking view of the Salt Lake valley. When everyone was finished eating, Liz, Kendrick's aunt, announced that she had a game for us... and that it entailed answering questions (I may have said a silent prayer that she wouldn't be pulling out a sack of ugly clothes as well...) (Just kidding).

This wedding shower was said to be a "tool" shower, so we took turns pulling an assortment of tools out of a basket- and all of them had a paper with a question attached to them. For example, I pulled out a tape measure, and had to answer how Kendrick "measured" up to my past dates. Or, a key hider and the question being what secret I have kept "hidden" from my parents. It was a fun game, and we had a fun time answering the questions, without giving away too much. ;)

After the game, we opened up some presents and cards from everyone. Kendrick was so excited to receive a fully stocked tool bag from his parents (he is now a man), and I was thrilled to see that my mom had gotten me the tea kettle that I had been coveting.

All in all, it was a fun and relaxing evening, and brought us that much closer to being ready for the big day!