lesson learned

While in Sunriver, I had a battle with my bike. Here's how the story goes: my parents, Jefferson (brother-in-law), Dani, Nic and I went on a bike ride. As we were rounding the corner to head down the street where our house was, I decided to race Dani (she was in front) and beat everyone home. Right before I hit home ground, I put up my hands and yelled "WINNER!" and ate it hard to the right of our driveway. I ended up twisted and stuck under my bike. I landed in some yummy dirt and brush. Did I win? Of course not! Lesson learned: endure to the end and never celebrate your victory until you are safe on home ground. Let me also just say that these pictures do not give justice to the damage that was done - my mom and other can attest to this.

The bruise that ended up in this area is a lot bigger and is still here! Sunriver was 2 weeks ago.
This hurts a lot worse than it looks - there was dirt embedded in it - bruised the bone - swollen ankle.

I also have multiple other bruises but I won't share any pictures of them - just know that they are present.

Sun of the River

This is quite a long post with quite a few pictures, so I apologize in ahead of time. This past week brought the Stewart trip to Sunriver - we always head there in July every year - my dad has meetings down there so we make a family vacation out of it. This year, everyone was able to attend...except Ben (he stayed home studying for the bar). Nic was able to experience Sunriver with my family for the first time - we still love him to pieces and hopefully he still wants to be a part of this family. Here are some of the events:

There were never such devoted sisters...at the concert on the green
All of the sisters/sisters-in-law at the Munch-N-Music at Drake Park
Munch - n - music at Drake Park in Bend
Rafting down the river with a "couple" of sisters
In the raft with my amazing fiance - love him please
The raft that followed us down the river. Ok they were family.
On our way to the village to get some ice cream - yummy...to the ice cream of course ;)

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.