America the Beautiful

Happy birthday dear America! Just to give you all an update on this past 4 of July weekend...Dani and Jefferson and their wonderful kids came to town and also my sweet fiance came to town as well. Nic sacrificed his holiday to spend time with me and my family. I told him I would have gone to Medford to spend it with his family, but he insisted. I'm not complaining.
The weekend was spent swimming, tanning, hot tubbing, registering, more swimming and hot tubbing, family, fireworks, food, sunburns, and lots of fun. The plan was for all of the family to go to the lovely KTown fireworks, but only Nic and I ended up going. It wasn't much of a firework show, because oh yeah - it was behind the trees! It made it a little hard to watch them, but we still had fun. :) There were still fireworks. hehe Messing! All in all it was a great 4 me Julio (just for you mom) and amazing weekend. :)
Let me just say this though - registering was so much fun. I knew it would be fun, but seriously - it made everything all the more a reality.

Our own firework show? Never! We really did watch the show. :)
Ok seriously? What a dang good lookin' fiance that I have. :)

take a peek

Nic and I have created a wedding blog. The address is: www.thephairestlove.blogspot.com (I hope you all like the play on words - Nic came up with the name) There is a link on the left titled "wedding blog" that will also take you to the website. This is where Nic and I will keep you updated on wedding plans and the happenings of our engaged life. I hope you all check it out...

tick tock timing

I don't know about you, but I think one of the most difficult things that Latter-day Saints face is trusting in the Lord's timing. I know it's something that I have struggled with and I know other people that have struggled with having the faith in the Lord's time frame for His children. A recent incident happened today that is going to try my faith in the Lord's time frame for his plan for me. I signed up to receive quotes from LDS Gems for Young Single Adults. Coincidentally I received a quote about the Lord's timing that is very fitting. Neal A. Maxwell said this:

"The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. If we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans unfold as He thinks best? The same is true with the second coming and with all those matters wherein our faith needs to include faith in the Lord's timing for us personally, not just in His overall plans and purposes."

It's all about perspective. The Lord has a plan for each of us and He has a time frame for each of us. Although His timing isn't always our timing, His plan for us is better than the plan we have for ourselves. Things aren't always as we planned, it's ever better...

white chair talk...literally

I can now say that I have a fiance (that's fun to say) with a ring on the way. Nic came to KTown on Thursday and Friday. He and dad made themselves quite comfortable in the infamous white chairs and so it began...Nic asked my dad for my hand in marriage and it's done. Done and done. I seriously can't believe sometimes that I'm getting married - I just want to jump up and down (sometimes I do hehe). Thank you Nic for having the respect and asking my dad - it means a lot to me. Thank you for coming to KTown. Yay. Thanks are in order to my dad (although he doesn't read this). Thank you for being the kind of dad you are.

Nic and I went on a lovely horse ride with Rio and Moose (forgive my weird squinty face - it was bright).

Mom and I found some amazing shoes to wear with my beautiful wedding dress. They are very simple and elegant - love them. Close toed for the season, small heel, and slight beading.

Another side view.....
Top view (you can kind of see the detail)

my wedding dress (that's fun to say)

Was yesterday a day filled with excitement! Mom and I headed over to Medford to go dress shopping. She was looking online for modest dress sites just to get some ideas for me and found this one that advertised "temple ready dresses" - located in Central Point: Angela's Bridal. How perfect is that?! Before you know it, I tried on about 6 or 7 dresses before I knew I had found my perfect dress. Nic came down as well during his lunch break so I could get his opinion. He needs to like it as well - some of the ladies down there thought that was really weird. Honestly, I don't care about those silly traditions. What's the point? Is it really bad luck to have the groom see his bride in her dress before their wedding? I think not. Little side note to this dress: when mom and I pulled up to the store, we both saw the dress in the window and knew I had to try it on. I seriously can't believe the deal we got on the dress, earrings, headband, and broach. I thought maybe it would be weird to try on wedding dresses but it only made me more excited. These pictures definitely do not do justice. This dress isn't what I thought I would get but it's everything I could have ever asked for. Thank you mom and dad for paying for it - thank you to mom for coming with me - thank you Nic for coming and giving your opinion - thank you Nic for making me feel beautiful. :)

Although not cute hair, the headband and earrings match perfectly with this dress. I won't be wearing a necklace - too much.
Upper body shot of the detail of the dress - it will be taken in in this area. Full length shot of the dress - it's form fitting to my curves. It looks almost mermaidish but not really. There is no slip that I have to wear under it, only a corsette of course. I feel so comfortable in this dress and it fits my body perfectly. It will have to be taken in a little along the shoulders and some other areas. Can you believe I tried on a dress that I couldn't fill out? haha

Mom's amazing photography skills (I'm half tempted to ask her to do Nic and I's pictures hehe). This is obviously the back of the dress with the train - I'll have the seamstress (Vivian) put a bustle on it. Also because there is no beading or anything of the sorts, I found this beautiful veil that I'm going to have Vivian cut out the parts of the veil to put on the bottom of the train. I don't even know how to begin describing the veil, but let's just say it's beautiful. Mom and I will still look around for a less expensive applique.

wedding crashers.....

Nic came down on Friday - we went out to dinner, hung out with Craig (Nic's bro) and Molly, watched their kids run around (I laughed a lot - that will be the future with all the grandbabies), made delicious cookies (peanut butter chocolate chip) and attempted to catch a pic with the sunset.....didn't work too well but it's a cute pic.

On Saturday, Nic and I headed back to Medford for his office partner's wedding at Shady Cove (gave me a reason to buy a new top). It was a beautiful ceremony outside by the river - wonderful weather - great company - hot date (hehe) - yummy food - Nic and I even danced for the first time together. That was a great moment for me.

This is just a pic we snapped as were leaving the wedding. It was so pretty there and I had a great time. Although it was a beautiful ceremony, it made me appreciate the temple all the more. After the wedding we headed back to KTown and attended another reception. I guess you could say we were wedding crashers on Saturday. Sunday brought church, break the fast, and Seminary/Institute graduation. Nic came over on Sunday night and that was wonderful as always. I love spending time with him - it means a lot to me that he makes the effort to make the drive and spend time with me and the rents. Thank you Neeko!!!

BLUE through and through?

BLUES are motivated by INTIMACY. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give themselves freely in order to nurture others' lives.
BLUES have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events. BLUES are dependable, thoughtful,and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone and moody. They are "sainted pit-bulls" who never let go of someone or something, once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.

I took a personality color test for my research class. You're probably wondering what this test and a research methods class have to do in common. Absolutely NOTHING. haha We didn't take the test to see what color we were but to see if it was valid and reliable. I am asking you now if you agree with this test: am I BLUE? I agree with some things but not all. Hmm....