I AM GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

This is the record of our engagement.

I will not bother you with the specific details of the morning but it sufficeth me to say that Nick moved from his old apartment and I got the house ready for him to move in. We did meet up with Natali and Holly at the Farmers Market and enjoyed a breakfast burrito ($5) and a freshly squeeze lemonade ($2.50). It was fun listening to the different bands play. Then it was back to packing and cleaning.

I did some errands around town and came back to the house around 2. Nick showed up around 2:30. Our plan was to do an endowment session but we were not ready to go until 3:30 so we changed plans and did initiatory instead. It was fun because we ran into Dave and Mel while we were there and it was quite the surprise!

Nick told me we had dinner reservations at 5 so we needed to hurry. We made it just in time to The Elements restaurant and we were seated outside by a very romantic stream that Nick’s co-worker claims to have fish in.

We ordered the lettuce wraps for an appetizer, and enjoyed a Lime Rickie and a Raspberry Pina Colada to drink. It was all so beautiful. Right when we were finishing the lettuce wraps we were visited by a family of ducks. A mother duck and four of her children sang to us while we ate. It was almost like Mary Poppins and the Penguins but they sounded better! Then our meals came out. Nick got the soup and I got a salad and we shared and ate most of it. By this time I am already getting full.

Next came the main dish. I got a pasta dish that had bell peppers and bacon on it and it was really good. Nick got a chicken dish with mashed potatoes. It wasn’t full of flavor but the chicken was super tender and really good.

We looked at the dessert menu but decided we were too full and would have some ice cream after the fireside that started at 7. Nick had brought in two story books that were glued together and said that we should read them. It was exactly our story and he loved it.

So he pulled it out and started reading. I started laughing on the first page because the characters had our face on them. He had gone on to Facebook and printed off pictures that could go on the faces of characters in the book. He read the first book and I read the second one. The second one was about LOVE and what it means. They were both super cute. On the last page there was a note that read SECRET PAGE with an arrow pointing to the next page. This is what I read:

I think before I met you
That I didn’t understand
How the Lord would lead me to your heart
With his omniscient hand

I might have been impatient
For the one I’d truly love
But I must have had some brownie points
With someone up above…

You’re beautiful, Intelligent,
You’re everything I need…
And I promise that your happiness
Is always guaranteed.

I thank the Lord with all my heart
For sending you to me
May he be with us inside our home
And through eternity

My heart is yours forever,
Though our “things” might rust with age
But I have another thing for you –
Find one more secret page!

I love you Steph. Love Nick

Then I had to search the book for this “hidden page”. It was really hard, I was looking for something hand written and it was taking a while. I said, “I might have to tear this book apart” and Nick said, “ya, you might!” At that point it occurred to me that the books were not supposed to be glued together like he said they were. I started to tear the two books apart and finally when I separated them I found my ring.

The most beautiful (no offense to the rest of you) ring ever made. It is perfect! We kissed a little (ha ha) I of course said, “Yes!” and “you bet your boots I will” and “you betcha”. I wanted to say it multiple times just to be certain I was clear in my answer. Then we got ready to go. I guess to set the whole thing up he had to tell the waitress and so all the workers there told me congratulations. It was fun!

Then we went to the multi-stake fireside where Elder Bednar was being broadcasted from the Tabernacle. The words shared were so great and so inspired. Nick and I both really enjoyed it. Then we came home and I made milkshakes while he hooked up the T.V. and surround sound. We watched an episode of Scrubs and said goodnight.

It was really different saying goodbye last night. Not because we were engaged but because he was staying in the nice cool basement and I had to leave to a stuffy upstairs apartment down the road. I am very grateful for the apartment, that it is so close and we can stay in the same ward but I miss my queen sized bed. I now get a single air mattress on the floor. It was also strange because I realized the next time I sleep here I will be married with a boy as a roommate. Weird!

I love Nick with all of my heart. I am grateful for his example to me. I know he cares and we will have an amazing future together. We are getting married on October 21, 2011 in the Logan LDS Temple. Lets start this new adventure!

Scriptures

I know that this is another cliche thing to write about but I can't get over how true it is. Today has been very interesting. I have spent a lot of time listening and asking questions and talking to different family members about controversial topics. Christmas time is a time for joy and love. A time were I can remember why Christ came and why I need him. Yesterday I watched Mr.Kruger's Christmas and was amazed at how Mr.Kruger understood where he received his strength. Today I spent a while in my scriptures, and specifically in Mosiah. There were two chapters especially that was directly connected and talked about the Atonement. In chapter 14 verse 6 it says "All... have gone astray;" Isn't that the truth. All of us sin and all of us need the Atonement. Lately I have come to realize how powerful forgiveness is, and how hard it can be to not judge others. Sometimes I think it is easy to look at a situation and say 'this is what they should have done' or 'I can't believe they did that' but really none of us can know what that person was feeling or thinking when they acted a certain way. If someone has wronged me what needs to happen? Turning to the scriptures it gives me the answer. Verse 5 says "and with his stripes we are healed." What else is there? Vengeance is not the answer. I can't get even or make it right. Only the Savoir can do that. So how can I feel better? I turn to the Savoir, apply the Atonement of Christ. Remember the miracle of his birth and be grateful that I can read it in my scriptures. I am so blessed!

Babies

Today I am grateful for babies. I got to spend some time over at Cherri's house last night and got to play with Paisley. She is 7 months old and just a doll! She is easy to smile and laugh and is fun to play with. In some of the discussion a friend told of a study done on babies. It goes something like this... Babies were put on one side of a room and the mothers on the other side. The floor was glass and if you didn't know it would trick you into thinking that if you took one step you could fall onto a cement floor. The baby was beckoned by the mother to come to her and if she had a happy face then the baby would come if she had a concerned or scared face the baby could read that emotion and would stop. The more I am around and learn about babies the more I understand why Heavenly Father would ask me to be like them. If I could be as sensitive to the Spirit as a baby is to it's mother I could stay out of danger very easily. If I could easily forgive and get up and try again like a baby I could get a lot done and be so much happier! Anything is possible to a baby. They don't doubt but have complete faith. I am grateful I can learn from babies!

Music

I am grateful for music. I was able to spend an evening with my dearest friend Stuart last night and he told me something that was quite amazing. He works with people with disabilities and currently he works with a client who can't talk and is usually not in a good mood, but yesterday Stuart made him so happy. Stuart brought his guitar and played and sang to this client. That is so powerful! The impact music can have on a person is amazing. Do I understand that power? In the family email this past week Mother said how she was so touched with Shayla for singing hymns to her daughters as they go to sleep. Music is so wonderful. There is something about music that even if you don't understand the lyrics you can still love it. It touches the spirit in a way that nothing else can. Music is special and can make the spirit connect with our Heavenly Father and our Savior. I love music and I am so grateful to have it around me!

My Coworkers

Today I am grateful for my coworkers. Yesterday I was able to spend the evening with them and it reminded me how blessed I was to have this job. I have been very grateful for each job that I have had but I don't remember looking forward to coming to work so much. These women really care about me and my happiness. They celebrate when things are going well and they help me when things aren't going well. Last night Sera brought her baby and it was interesting to sit back and watch how each of us loved looking at this precious new baby. Our voices changed and we just smiled to try to make him smile. It was cool. On the way home I was riding with Cheri and she almost ran a stop sign and there was a huge dip. It was a little scary but just as it happened Cheri, instead of protecting herself reached over and tried to stabilize me so I wouldn't hit the dashboard. I was really touched by that and how much she really cares. When I got home I started watching some Mormon Messages and one of the stories talked about the pure love of Christ and how it makes us feel. I know when I am with people who care about me I can feel that love from my savior. So thank you Barbershop! You are such a blessing to me in my life!

Roommates

Today I am grateful for roommates. I have the two best roommates ever. I have had good roommates before but this year has been different. Probably because I am different as well. I have been off my mission for a while now and I think it has been super good for me having to deal with companions. My roommates are RMs as well and that just makes it so much better. We all know how to work together and be happy.

Amy is wonderful. I met her last year in IWA. She was one of my leaders and when we started playing together it was always fun. She is way east to get along with and is always easy to talk to. Amy has a sound understanding and is always willing to help me though my dramas and I help her through hers. Yesterday we spent two hours doing a color and cut and it turned out great! I think I am so lucky!

Kari and I are so similar, it is uncanny. Both of us have had such hear-breaking experiences with dating and boys. We have been able to share in the sad times and, as of late, all the good times.

I love my roommates very much and hope that we will be able to always stay close friends. They are a huge blessing in my life and I know that Heavenly Father sent them to me to help me make better decisions and have good friends.

Gratitude Journal

Well I haven't written in ages and I was challenged to keep a gratitude journal and share it with my family. So this is it and you are all welcome to read it and know what I am grateful for.

Today I am grateful for friends and family. I know this is super cliche but I can't get over the feelings of gratitude I have for the people I have in my life. At work, school, church, and home, I am so blessed! At work I have the best people around me that I know care about me. They are interested in how I am doing, what I am doing and who I am dating. They are always around to lift my spirits and make me smile. I love them! I have made some incredible friends in my classes too this year. I made a goal to meet those around me and to try to remember their names and it has really made a difference. When Tony broke up with me I know that the friends I had in my classes made it so much better. I am so grateful for them. At church I have the best leaders ever! The bishop and his councilors are really great leaders. I love going to church. My co-chair to my calling has been great as well and so easy and fun to work with. Home is the best place on earth! I have so many wonderful homes. Mom and Dad are wonderful and we have tried together to make sure we are communicating our love and appreciation to each other. I know I am so blessed to have such wonderful parents that have taught me the power of a marriage. Grandma and Grandpa are both the apple of my eye and I can't stand to think of not visiting them often. I always leave their home feeling like everything will be okay and no matter what happen I will come out on top.

My siblings are the best ever! Cynthia is alway there to listen and be supportive. She cares about me and would rather go without than cause me any hurt feelings or stress. She is always thinking of how she can help me! Carla is so full of serving me and helping me that it is really hard to live up to. She will take me to dinner and give me all her undivided attention. She knows what I need and how to obtain it. I give her full credit on my current major and know she was inspired to encourage me to do that. Joseph is so patient with me. We have so much to talk about and I am so new in all this discussion he is good to explain and help me see another view. Jenn is wonderful! I don't remember life without her and appreciate all that she does for me. She is so good to listen to my dramas and give me sound feedback (which is nice after talking to Joseph). Shayla is so sincere and I know that even if I just get 2 minutes on the phone it meant a lot to her. I do miss her and the sweet Foley family but I know they are happy and this is where they need to be right now. Melanie and I have gotten a lot closer the past year and I can't express all that I feel. She has been so supportive and good to me. She makes me feel important and loved. She helps me make good decisions and will make sure I see another perspective. She is patient too. I am up and down all the time and she just rides it through.

I am grateful for the people in my life! They are Heavenly Father's gift to me! Thank you for being there for me!