The Gift :)

Click on this to listen to my parents song for inspiration while reading :) then you might actually understand the title of this post ;)

  

(ok. They didn't have a song a long time ago and all of us were appalled. They would always listen to this song and sing it. They decided that it was their song a while back. I think it reminded my dad of my mom)

I thought for Valentine's day I would share the story of how my parents met. :)

When my mom was 17 she started working at Macey's. My dad was a manager at the time. I asked her what she thought when she first looked and him and she said- "Wow. He's really cute, and he's really well dressed." I thought that was kind of hilarious thing for my mom to say. 

She tried to get to know him but he actually transferred to Smith's. He would come visit his friends occasionally so she didn't see him too much. My mom's friend knew him pretty well and she told my mom that whoever he would marry, he would treat her like a queen. 

All my mom could think was- I really want to be treated like a queen. 

Look at that stash!

From then on she tried really hard to get to know him, but she knew that she was too young for him (they are 8 years apart). 

She said that my dad told her his friend told him that he should ask my mom out because she was really cute. My dad was a little bit shy when it came to those things so he didn't right away. His friend and his girlfriend were going to go to Lagoon in a couple days. They wanted my dad to ask a date so he could go with them. His friend finally convinced him to ask my mom because he told her that she REALLY liked him (everyone could probably tell. It's my mom haha she doesn't hold anything back). 

The sad thing was my mom had just barely agreed to go on a date with one of her friends on the day he was going. She was distraught because she had been waiting for him to ask her out. She told him that he better ask her out again, even though she knew he probably wouldn't because he was so shy. So a few days later she found out that her sister Karla was having a Lagoon day with her husband Jack's work. She asked my dad to go with her right away (I think this is hilarious because he had just asked her to go there so it was kind of perfect). He said that he would love to, but he didn't want that to be their first date so they went on another date to dinner and a movie before Lagoon. 

This was before my mom cut all her hair off ;) Look how cute they are in this blurry picture

A little while later (I really mean little though... after they "officially" started dating 3 weeks later they were engaged) my dad took my mom to our annual Flaming Gorge trip.

I love this picture for 3 reasons. The tie-dye. My grandpa.  And the love beaming from their faces ;)

A couple days later he "proposed."

Here is that story-

They were walking around the Provo Temple and had stopped to sit on the grass and talk. 

*My mom had mentioned in conversation earlier that this was the temple that she wanted to get married in. It was special to her because her grandmother had worked in it, and it had a special place in her heart. 

But just a a couple days before they were driving home from Flaming Gorge and she told him that she didn't want to get married until she was like 25. She was 19 at the time (they got married 2 months after she turned 20). So I bet she was surprised when my dad said this to her. 

He told her this story about a boy growing up and finally realizing what he needed and wanted (or something like that... I can't remember. It had to do with getting back to Heavenly Father though). After the story he looked her in the eyes and said, "Kristin, you are what I need to get back to my Heavenly Father." 

So he didn't "really" propose.... well not a "normal" proposal anyways. It was perfect in every way. The main one being that it was inspiration. My mom says he wasn't even planning on saying that at the time, but it was perfect and was meant to be through inspiration (I think my sisters and I just aren't patient enough. We knew what was going to happen and we wanted to get down here as soon as we could;)). But that is why he didn't have a ring or anything. It was simple and sweet. Which is exactly like my dad :) plus, this is the girl that didn't even want a reception. The proposal was perfect. 

A few months later on February 14 1992 my super hero duo were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Provo Temple. 

21 years later here we are :) and still going strong!  

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to have the best pair of parents anyone could ever even dream of. I am who I am today because of their examples and kindness. They showed me who I could become, and how I could get there. Giving up on my dreams was never an option, and I always knew that. 

I wish I learned how to do my makeup and hair just a little bit sooner... 

Nothing in this world makes me happier than knowing that I get to spend eternity with my family. :)

Couple side notes... 

How cute! I think it was on the napkins or something

I love that they put their kid pictures on the invitation

This is just hilarious and super cheesy but SOOOO my mom! Especially the theme... isn't she just brilliant? 

Valentines Day 2012!!!

Oh man oh man! What a good day!! To clear things up before I start, I DO NOT have a man right now so that's not why it was so amazing!
I've really become very ok with being single (that's just for now) ;)
So I got to sleep in which was really nice considering my crazy weekend, I needed some good sleep. So I woke up watch (listened) to the devotional and then walked out the door to head for class. There was a cute heart on the door of our apartment that had Emily's name on it, so I gave it to her and then assumed that the bag on the handle was hers too. That made me super happy for her :) you have no idea! I love that she's in a relationship! I would rather her be in one than me! So then I started walking to class and she comes out and yells, "Nicole! This one has your name on it!" I laughed as she threw me the bag. It was from my mom and said, "Enjoy your perfect man on it" love mom. Ha I had to get to class fast so I just put it in my backpack. I was going crazy the whole time walking to class because I wanted to know what was in it! My mom always does the funniest things, especially if it's for Valentines day! So once I got to my BOM class I opened it and couldn't keep from laughing out loud. She gave me a candy bar that had someones name on it, it's a huge inside joke but it had to do with what she wrote on the front (I really can't say, because my blog is not private, and I have no idea who reads it!) Then there was a bag of m&m's and 2 of my favorite doughnuts and a pair of sexy underwear (of course). It totally made my day! My mom is such a weird woman but I love her so much! Now I know where I get all my weirdness! ;) So, I went to class and stuff that day and then right after my test and 5:00 class I headed to Ash's last basketball game. It was intense (even though it really shouldn't have been, it was slightly embarrassing). They killed this team last time. Ash didn't get to play last time because she was injured, but she was fine this time. It went into over time. They ended up winning by 13 in overtime... but ya, it was just weird. I'll just say, I lost my voice. That's how good it was! Then we got some pizza and ate it at my house and I just got to sit and chat with my family.
Now don't go judging too fast, I was going to do something for my mom. I just really didn't have time. Having that 5:00 ruined everything I was going to do. It always does. I was going to get her lilies because they are a sign of the 20th anniversary and also they remind her of my dad because of the song "Consider the Lilies" and because of something very personal. So, I was planning on making her cry with those and a note and then a picture of Christ and 2 little kids looking at lilies with final lettering saying consider the lilies. Man. I was totally going to get those tears going, but life just happens I guess. I think I might still do it (and I can say this on here because I know my mother doesn't read this;)) But it's the thought that counts right?!
But anyways then I had a good talk just me and my and headed home :) it was really good :)
Oh! And both my roommates have wonderful men and I'm beyond happy for both of them! And! Emily had her first kiss yesterday!!!!! I'm seriously leaping for joy right now :) I couldn't be happier! :D
<3

Happy 20th Anniversary!

Yesterday (Valentines Day) was my Mom and Dad's 20th wedding Anniversary! Wow! 20 years (just think, that means only 14 more months till this girl turns 20!!!!!!???? Sorry, bad reality check)! I know if he was still here that they would be as happy as ever :)

Sorry there is a huge hole in the top... it hangs on my bulletin board in my room :)  

I always remembered Valentines day being a fun family day. Even though it was always their Anniversary and Valentines day they would ALWAYS spend it with us. We would wake up to candies, cups, toys and a yummy breakfast every Valentines Day. We all knew it was their Anniversary so some years when we were older we would attempted to do fun things for them like make a special dinner, clean up the house, or decorate the house. Most of the time, I'm sure it failed and everything went wrong. But, I know they appreciated it and loved us :) but they never went out 1 because it was always so busy, and 2 they just wanted to spend it with us. But I remember one particular year, my Dad couldn't walk, I think he had just recently be handicapped and he wanted to do something special for my mom. So, my wonderful Aunt Debra (my Dad's sister) took my Dad out and helped him pick out a ring to give to my mom, and then she had them over for dinner at her house that night (because you know, they didn't like to go out). He picked out a beautiful ring that actually said "Love" when you turned it to it's side looking underneath the diamonds. My mom loved it, of course, especially because he couldn't just go and get it on his own, it was a little bit harder then that. So they ate at my aunts house privately, and I wasn't there of course, but I know that they had a great time :) Plus, my aunt was so sweet to make dinner for them on Valentines Day. I know my mom will forever remember that special night. My Dad was such a sweetheart to her. They loved each other more than anything and you could always tell. Even the way that they looked at each other was special and precious. I'm so grateful that I have such a great example for a husband and Dad! Plus, I also have a great example for exactly what I want to be when I grow up, just like my mom and dad. And, I won't settle for anything less then the love that my mom and dad had :) I won't mind waiting a little bit longer for my perfect man (not someone perfect, just someone perfect in my eyes)

Aren't I just the luckiest girl in the world? How did I get the best parents in the world? :D