The Perfect Fairytale

Little girls are fed fairytales from such young ages.  Stories of independent women and romantic, handsome men who fall madly in love and live happily ever after.  These fairytales cause typical little girls to dream of having their own.  They dream of their prince, the initial meeting and proposal, and actual wedding with its colors, lights, flowers, pictures and everything.  I too have always loved the classic Disney fairytales and definitely love my dose of chick flicks and love stories.  I admit, I have dreamt of the fairytale for myself and how incredible it would be to fall madly in love with someone and live happily ever after.  However, for some reason I've always been so opposed to being a typical girl in deciding on how everything was going to happen.  Maybe it's because I was so afraid it just might not, if I chose colors and flowers I wanted, names for my kids and all of that.

Now, if you can believe it, I'm almost 25, near "old maid" age in my culture :) and though I didn't dare to choose specifics for my fairytale, it came true and happened better than I could've planned.  I haven't written for a while because Justin and I have been basking in our fairytale, but let me tell you, our day was perfect and started out an eternal fairytale.

It was snowing and beautiful on December 18, 2010.  Some family members and friends weren't able to make it because of storms in Utah, but those who did come came for a celebration.  We are so grateful for so many loved ones, family and friends, who did come to celebrate with us and for all of their help throughout our lives.  My neighbor, a man we both really admire, was able to perform our sealing, giving us wonderful advice and pronouncing on us the most incredible blessings we can have in this life and for the eternities.  WIth the priesthood and gospel of Jesus Christ, we are so blessed to make covenants and receive such incredible blessings. 

We had smiles from ear to ear throughout the ceremony and all day, and we both held it together pretty well, I'd say, throughout the sealing until our dear loved ones came to visit with and congratulate us.  All I can say is that we are so blessed with amazing family and friends who are so full of love, and who we love so much.  We were there on that perfect day, together and so happy, because of the help of them and others who couldn't make it. 

Weddings are a lot of work but Sally, our wedding planner, and my Mom led the way and pulled it off with flare!  With Sally doing decorations, Scott and Cassi on the music, my Mom making it all come together and so many other's help, the dinner and reception was a party.  Our dinner and program were wonderful, especially the toasts and special song from my neices.  The decorations were classy and fun, and with amazing food and music, the party kept going even after Justin and I's send-off that included 32" sparklers! (Yes, yes we did)

Here's some pictures to give you a better idea of what a perfect way our fairytale really started on December 18!  Though I didn't try to dream it, it was more than I could've ever imagined, and life is continuing on that way as I have my husband by my side!  (sorry some pictures are sideways, but it was the only way I could get it to show the whole pictures on some of them). 

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The countdown is on!

As of today there's 3 full weeks until the wedding!  Wedding plans have been going amazingly well, due to Mom, and are pretty much done.  It was fun having my friend do my hair for bridals and though I don't like taking pictures by myself, and it was snowing and cold, we had a lot of fun and I just got even more excited about things!  All that's left in our planning is who's doing our cake, though I did finally choose a design, pick pictures to display and finish mailing announcements.  Hence this post.  Not that tons of people even keep up with this, and most who do I already have your addresses, but if you haven't gotten me your address in the last month, please post it!  Either here or send me an email at classyhay9@gmail.com 

As happens in life, we set goals and dream dreams for ourselves and our families.  We picture what our future will be like, who's going to be a big part of it, and how we're going to make that happen.  While setting goals and actually being able to picture my future with Justin and a family, I'm realizing more and more every day how real my dreams have been and are becoming.  And I can't tell you how great it is!  Many of you are in the midst of fulfilling yours as well and isn't it an exciting thing?!?  If you're not, make it happen because it's in your power (and not just dreams of getting married and having a family, though those are the highest and noblest, but many others as well).  Justin and I read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" last night and talked about our roles and responsibilities as a family to be successful and happy, and how to make that happen.  It's the basic principles of the gospel and putting our love for the Lord and each other first that's going to make that possible.  Life is good!  We're happy now and though trials will inevitably come up, as we continue to develop the knowledge and love we have, then we'll be okay.  And as Justin says, "We'll be a whole lot more than okay" :)  It's up to us though, and we're up for the task, together! 

Live your dreams! 

and send your addresses :)

Let's Get A Move On!

Many people have been asking how wedding plans are coming along, especially since we had 8 weeks from the time we were officially engaged until the big day (Dec. 18) and some were skeptical we could pull it off.  So as soon as the proposal was made we needed to get a move on!  Enter, Sherie Smith. 



My mom is Superwoman when it comes to planning and organizing things.  Seriously, I wonder sometimes how she hides her outfit so well from the naked eye.  Regardless, with the combination of her mad planning skills, go-getter attitude, and my lack of force in opinions and sheer excitedness when it comes to all of this, the wedding is basically planned...and we're 2 1/2 weeks in, 5 1/2 to go.  Way to go Mom!

Week 1: Theme ("My/Our Favorite Things"), colors (white, silver and aqua blue), table cloths, center pieces, and everything about the reception, including reserving the fab location, check!  Plane tickets for Scott, Kris and the girls, check!  Thanks Mom and Sally! 

End Week 1: Wedding party dresses, check, AND MY DRESS too!!!  I'd post pics but a certain someone isn't supposed to see it :)  But it's fun and beautiful and I looove it!

Week 2: Food/catering decisions in the works.  Reception food, check. (Hot Apple Cider and fun goodies to go with it!)  Engagement pics, mother's attire, and apartment decided, check check check!

Week 3 (in motion): Justin and I meeting with our Sealer, my neighbor, check.  Got my personal list of people written down, check (ps, if you haven't sent your address please do!)  Choose announcements and then pics for them. Dress sized, plan layout of reception, and flowers tomorrow.  

So, thanks to Super-Mom, a patient Papa, Suz and many others, we're getting a move on!  I'd say we're doing well!  AND.....my sis Trace just moved closer so now she can be a part of all the excitement from right here too!  Sorry for you who can't be close, but I love you too!

It's hard to believe this is all happening, but as Justin and I talk about things, as we spend time together and even apart I just can't descibe how right it feels and how excited I am to live life with him.  So these next few weeks need to hurry up! :) 

Halloween happened at the end of week 1, and SuperMom came to the rescue for our costumes, as we were in lalaaa land and couldn't decide.  Justin got a wolf mask to fully complete the costume after this pic was taken, but you get the idea.  Yeah, we won best couple :)

Is this real?!?

I'm getting married!!  It has only been official since Saturday afternoon (and it's Monday) but it still doesn't seem real.  He got some fun pictures on his camera but I don't have them yet so here's the ones from my phone.  

I'll fill ya in on the details of how he proposed later but here's what my journal from that night says,  

"Justin proposed!! I've been planning on and hoping for this for a while now but now that it's actually happened I can't believe it!  He wants to be with me forever!  I love him so much and everything about him!  I love how confident and comfortable he is with himself and everything, and his happy, smiley attitude always.  I love how he treats me, quite the gentleman in every way, but expects and appreciates respect as well as shows it.  He loves life and being a goof no matter who's around and doesn't take things too seriously unless they need to be.  I love that he makes me laugh at any time and that he loves the little things, like not tons of makeup and holding me close.  He loves the Lord and gospel and is very dedicated to it, and I love how often and easily we can talk about it.  I love how he loves me and looks forward to life together, a family in the future and following our dreams together.  I love him with all my heart, am amazed at how easily we fit and how easy it has been to fall and feel so right about him.  We're getting married!  He's really mine!  And he wants to marry me, as crazy as that is!  Woo hoo!"

BYU game in August

Didn't he do well?! :)

After proposal, don't think we've calmed down yet haha

 

 

 

Playing Mom

If you look at my posts it wouldn't seem like I've even left DC since there's only one in-between my last DC post and this one.  However, pay attention to the dates and you'll notice its been months.  However, I am back in my beloved DC area and playing Mom while my brother and his wife take a dream vaca to Maine. 

I've always loved being an aunt and figured the one thing that would top it would be to be a Mother to my own kids.  This week I kinda have a trial-run in that area, only not with my own of course.  Kayt, Ella and I will be together this week for longer than they've been away from their parents and than I've ever watched anyone on my own, ever.  Eeeee!  Nervous but super excited! 

It has been an adventure so far and will continue to be.  I have to admit that being a Mom, especially to a 2 and almost 5 year old, is pretty tiring and helps you understand patience in a whole new way.  Its definitely helped me see areas I need to improve on but I've also been pleasantly surprised to find how natural a lot of it comes to me.  It gives me hope that when the time does come for me to be a real mom, that I actually won't completely mess up my kids!  This has also helped me to see life in a new way.  To live as a toddler again... not the potty-training side but the constant energy and jokes really does make you smile and laugh a whole lot more.

 So far we've built forts, frosted and decorated cupcakes, had pajama-ramas, played in the park, ridden bikes, and painted finger and toenails just to name a few.  Ah...the hard life of the young ones :)  And that doesn't even include all of our cooking adventures on a daily basis.  We've had our ups, downs, and trials with locks, but the girls are troopers and so patient with me and we've got lots to look forward to in the next few days.


I just have to say that I love being an aunt!  There's nothing else like it.  I love how my nieces say my name, hearing their laughter and being able to pamper them.  I love how they ask me random questions about nothing in particular and some more thoughtful than you'd expect to come from such young ones, even over skype.  But, I tell you what, these aren't normal nieces, these are pretty special girls.  And I'm talking about all of them, not just Kayt and Ella.  I'm pretty blessed to have them all in my life.

(once again, stay tuned for pics)

"I LOVE LLIIIIFFFEE!!"

One bright sunshiny day a little girl and her Mom went shopping.  As they shopped the little one found some pretty white sandals that fit just right.  After buying the sandals she and her Mom rode home in the car.  They left "her mall," and passed "her temple," and with the sun shining in the windows and her new sandals on her feet swaying to her own beat she sang at the top her lungs, "I LOVE LLIIIIFFFEEE!!!!"

Obvious or not, this little girl was me, the "Sunshine Girl" according to my family, at probably 3 or 4 years old.  Now at 24 and driving myself home in the sunshine on this beautiful fall day, looking at "my mountains," and passing "my temple" I felt like singing it again. :)

Yes, I'm typically a happy person so maybe this shouldn't be out of the ordinary, but it is!  And it is because of everything combined and one thing by itself.  Yes, work is lots of fun and my promotion is going great.  Yes, I get to redeem my favorite aunt status with the Little Smith's this weekend and show my parents "my DC" after that (are you catching that I take things personally and make everything my own, haha).  Yes, my Grandpa Dye's going to work on my car with me to make it look all fab again.  The list could go on but the biggest thing is that I have an incredible man at my side, who it's looking like is promising to stay there forever! :) And I think he's serious, haha.  Yes, a lot has changed and I LOVE LIFE!! 

(my pictures won't upload for some reason so stay tuned).

Love....Hate....

Love: going on adventures on my own, and with friends old and new

Hate: saying goodbye to places and especially people I've come to know, respect and love

Love: cherry blossoms and other fabulous blooms on the trees in DC

Hate: the puffy, red, dragon eyes and other fun affects of my first allergies caused by these wonderful blossoms!  It's a sad day when something you love so much doesn't quite love you in return.... (I'll spare you the picture but know this, my brother said I looked like either a 60 year old woman on drugs or that I'd been beaten...yeah, it was bad)

Love Love: hanging out often with the little Smiths (Scott, Kris, Kayt and Ella) and hearing "Aunt Haywee!!!"

Hate Hate: leaving such wonderful family/friends knowing it'll be years before we live so close and can get together so often.  Each member of this little family have been so incredible to get to know on different levels as I lived in the DC area close to them.  There's no way to express the many ways they were lifesavers for me at so many times and how grateful I am that they allowed me to be such a part of their family.  From the dance parties and chilling on the couch, to deep conversations and singing in the car, then with snowy adventures, counting down the New Years ball or rolling Easter Eggs each in this family have left quite the mark on me and my life.  Thanks for everything guys!  Love you dearly!

Love: the surprising but fabulous results a seemingly random night sitting along the Potomac led to

Hate: long distances

Love: seeing hard work pay off, particularly in my internship through many avenues but particularly in the Halo Chase, a 5k charity race I helped plan and implement.  

Hate: not being able to see the end results of other projects and no longer working on them or with the wonderful people at the R & W

Love: getting ready to graduate at the end of this semester

Hate: looking for jobs

Love: feeling I'm in a good place all around and finally completely adjusted after a year of being home from my mission

Hate: not having favorite mission people live closer to see them more often

Though there are so many ups and downs to life, I always seem to go back to the song I'm told I sung as a 3 year old...."I LOVE LIIIFFEEE!!!"  And why not?