So, I kinda miss MY family.

I really love my husband's side. They're so awesome and kind and fun and generous and... Just downright AWESOME. I have the greatest in-laws ever, to be completely honest.

But this Thanksgiving, I really missed my family. When I hugged my little sister, it made me wish that she wasn't the only sibling I would be hugging this year. But, alas, it is quite expensive driving to Arizona. I miss it... A lot. Especially right now. I wish I could walk outside without needing to wear snow boots. I wish I could still picnic. I didn't think that being in actual winter climate would be so bad, but... Yeah. Just not my cup of cocoa.

I really miss my mom. And my dad. Being far away AND recently married is totally stinky. Why? Because not only am I a 12 hour drive from my parents, but I have no money to make that drive. We're barely living paycheck-to-paycheck as is.

But Thanksgiving was really good this year, overall. We had so much fun with Bryan's family and with our friends. I was really sad when Kylie had to leave on Friday instead of staying the whole weekend, but that's okay. I got over it.

Time to just be THANKFUL :)

I thought I would start of this Thanksgiving week by expressing open gratitude

I'm grateful for:

• My life
• My cute hubby
• My family
• My friends
• My bed
• My zebra print bedspread :)
• My homemade bows (that I want to make more of)
• My bathroom
• My new curling iron
• My job
• My books
• Stay-at-home date night
• Seeing movies with my friends
• Having totally awesome girlfriends
• The temple
• My calling
• My visiting teaching companion
• My visiting teach-ee's
• The Ensign
• President Thomas S. Monson
• The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
• My bishop and his wife :)
• My baptismal covenants
• The opportunity to worship freely
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Scripture study
• Music
• Goals
• Treats
• Make-shift meals that end up being really tasty
• Communication by email and facebook (it's dumb, I know, but I am grateful for it)
• What I believe to be true: God lives, Jesus is the Christ and the Savior of the world. His atonement makes it possible for all things such as eternal families, forgiveness, the priesthood, and so many other things that come through Him. The Holy Ghost resides with us, in our worthiness, and guides us to do what is right. I love my Father in Heaven. Lately I have seen his hand in my life and realized that he knows me by name.
  

That's just a small list, but I think that's all I can put into words right now.

Bedtime...

It's hard to be happy today.

My high school dance coach had a little girl. Her name was Savanna. She was so beautiful and was 7 months old. Now she's gone. I wish I could hug Tabby. I wish I could be with her right now.

It's times like these that I wish I could cry out my testimony to everyone that I love, but it's times like these when it's scary for me. So, I'm saying now that I know that God lives and he loves ALL his children. I know that those children who leave this life before the age of accountability are sent straight to His side to be in His comfort until their parents come in righteousness to raise them. I know that families can be forever through the atonement of Jesus Christ and through the sealing power of the temple.

I need to do some venting...

Okay, so it's not ANGRY venting. I just need to openly talk about how I feel....

So, my boss (the owner of the store I work at) is kind of crazy. Well, he's like a good person, just not the best boss in the world. As in, he curses at us, gets mad easily ( like REALLY easily ) and I just feel like he doesn't express himself very well.
Anyway, so I get guilt tripped REALLY easily. Like, if you tell me that you didn't like the sandwich I made you for lunch that day, I'll feel bad about it for like three days. No joke. I'm serious.
So, my boss called our store three times today and I was involved in some way or other with all those calls and he cursed TO me (not at me, but TO me) twice in one sentence. Yeah. Sometimes I wish I could tell him that I don't appreciate his cursing, but he's kinda scary. So, continuing, he called two more times upset, and then he sent me a kinda angry email. It was only one line, but as I read it, I could hear him saying it and that didn't help at all.
So, the reason why I need to vent is because I hate crying over how my boss treats me. And the thing is, I know he doesn't realize how all of us feel about it because all of us just put a face on in front of him and then when he leaves, we all basically break down in whatever way we do. Personally, I end up crying and ranting to my husband. It's never good. And then I have nightmares about it. Dead serious. Nightmares. About work. never good.
I just pray everyday that God will touch my boss's life that way he can have some peace and have a good head when things go wrong. I literally pray for him BY NAME. I'm just glad that God answers my prayers. But it's still hard on those days when my boss doesn't let the spirit touch him and he just... GOES. :(
Sad day.

I've picked my try-out piece!!!

So, I've decided to try out for music scholarships at UVU and BYU to help my chances at getting accepted to either school and I've picked a classical piece to perform!

This version is a duet, but in the solo I would just sing all of it by myself (obviously! it's a SOLO.)

Anyway, I give you "Time To Say Goodbye" composed by Quarantotto/Sartori, performed by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp7rZEKClk4&feature=related

Mailbag to begin the "Thankful" season :)

Dear hubby,
Thank you for writing me cute little love notes! I love you.
Love, wifey

Dear Work,
Thanks for giving me so many hours this next week. Although I'm very tired, I'm glad that I'm staying busy.
Love, me

Dear Fall,
Thanks for coming back after those couple of days of snow. I missed you. You know that you're my favorite time of year, right? Just so beautiful... :)
Love, Me

Dear God,
Thanks for making me feel better all the time.
Love, Your daughter

Dear Puffs Extra Strong Tissues,
Thank you for being on sale at Wal-Mart so I could partake in your comforting goodness. You have surely soothed my running nose :)
Much love, me

Dear Car,
Don't give up! We'll be fixing you soon! You've done so good!
Love, Bryan and Kelsey

Dear Piano,
This whole me-not-playing thing is going to be stopping soon because of that whole audition thing I've got going on in the winter. I'm coming back soon.
Love, me

Dear Bed,
Make room! I'm coming in!
Love, me

I'm trying to find something to blog about....

... but nothing is really coming to me right now, so I'm just going to start unloading onto this post for a moment:

She never really knew what it was going to be like until it happened. She had heard stories for years; some good, many horrible. It was something that was exciting for the first few months of the engagement and became ordinary for the last few. Then, it came.
That morning, Kelsey woke up early--really early. She opened her eyes quickly and wide, taking in every bit of light that was in that room. 3:30 am seemed so early before today. Now, it just seemed moments before she would be leaving for the hairstylist, make-up artist, and then to the temple. Sitting up was just as easy as opening her eyes, surprisingly. As she jolted up, she turned to her left where her best friend and bride's maid slept soundly. Amy apparently didn't feel a thing. The little bit of light that was glowing in the room came from Kelsey's cell phone that lay screen up on the nightstand next to the bed. She grabbed it and wondered whether or not Bryan would be awake. He'll get it when he wakes up, if anything, she thought to herself and sent her thumbs typing:
Don't forget to get to the temple early for pictures. I love you.
After finishing, she watched the screen as it glowed red with white writing that told her the progress of her message's travel.
MESSAGE SENT!
Okay, she thought to herself, what to do now... As she contemplated what might be a good activity for the next two hours, the screen of her phone gave a purple hue to the room. Already? she thought as she reached over to pick up her phone. The name "Honey" glowed on the screen as she opened the text:
I know, baby. I love you, too.
It made her glad to know that she wasn't the only one that couldn't sleep that night and she wondered if she would ever be able to catch up as she began to text back and forth with her soon-to-be husband for the next hour and a half.
Six in the morning came too soon. Kelsey slowly got out of bed, packed those things she wouldn't need today, dressed, and left to her hairdresser's house.
Daye was the only one awake as Kelsey walked up to the house and waited for the door to be unlocked. As she opened the door, Kelsey's 2nd oldest sister looked a little stressed and tired. Did she lose sleep as well? Kelsey felt a little guilty after her thought of relief as, once again, she was not the only one.
"Go sit down and let me get my stuff," said Daye as she walked upstairs to get the curling iron and other such things to do Kelsey's hair. Kelsey walked past the stairs directly into the kitchen where Daye's small in-home single hair station was set up. As Kelsey sat down, she examined herself in the vanity mirror. I don't look like a bride... Or feel like one, at that. Daye came bustling down the stairs and plugged in the iron and set down various pins and such.
"How are you feeling?" she said and placed her hands on Kelsey's shoulders, lowering her face by Kelsey's ears.
"Tired," Kelsey said, honestly. "I didn't get much sleep last night; about 4 hours or so..." And Daye began her magic. Kelsey always loved getting her hair done by her big sister. Daye ALWAYS seemed to do it just right. About half way through, someone came through the door. Kelsey looked into the mirror and saw her brother, Adam, walking in with a camera.
"So, I'm just going to get a few shots of you getting your hair done and we'll do a mini interview type thing and then I'll head over and do the same at Bryan's," Adam began as he crouched down and placed the camera to his eye. He filmed Daye, Kelsey's bouncing foot, and asked Kelsey how she was doing. Kelsey was already feeling redundant as she repeated what she had just told Daye not a half hour before.
After Adam left, Daye finished. Kelsey looked in the mirror and thought out loud, "It's perfect. I love it." It was elegant and exactly what she imagined and more. While they were trying to decide where to place Kelsey's veil, the door opened again and this time not so quietly.
Dawn and Aubrey came bustling into the kitchen, make-in hand and half singing, "Happy Wedding Day!" The compliments began to soar about Daye's work and Kelsey's three oldest sisters began gibbering about what to do next.
"How are you wearing your veil?"
"Do you want it here?"
"Where is it best?"
"Where do YOU want it?"
"Just tell us where you want it!"
And she snapped.
"Why are you crying?!" Dawn said as she dabbed at Kelsey's cheeks.
Kelsey burst into tears and she didn't know why. Aubrey, who had been applying Kelsey's make up, began scrambling for a tissue as to save her recent work on Kelsey's base.
"Is it your veil? Are you stressed?" said Daye, again laying her hands on Kelsey's shoulders.
"Did you sleep okay?" Aubrey said as she began to dab at Kelsey's tear-stricken face.
"I'm just really tired," Kelsey whispered with more tears rolling.
"Okay," Daye said, picking up Kelsey's veil again, "Let's put it here. Is that alright?" Daye placed the comb of the birdcage veil behind Kelsey's bangs and let the cage fall over the perfectly done french roll.
"Okay," Kelsey mustered without shedding another tear.
Aubrey finished Kelsey's make-up and as she left, Kelsey was hugged by her big sisters. "We'll see you at the temple," Dawn whispered into Kelsey's ear.
Back at her parents' house, Kelsey got into her wedding dress. The drive to Mesa was an hour long and she didn't know how much time she would have to get ready once they got there. She made sure to eat breakfast and then walked into her mom's room.
Dad was gone (where he went, Kelsey had no idea) and Mom was in the bathroom.
"Mom?" Kelsey whispered as she walked in. "Are you ready?"
"Hi beautiful." Kelsey's mom said as she looked at her daughter.

Okay, idk if I can finish that right now... To be continued...

YEH-YAHHH!!!!

So, we filmed this weekend and it was a FREAKIN' BLAST!!! It was different for me because last time we made a movie together, I was acting. This time, I was part of the crew and it was just as much fun if not MORE fun! I loved being in that environment and I loved seeing my cute hubby in his element. I was so grateful for everyone who came and helped, too. There was SUCH a good turn-out and we got it done ahead of schedule. Good times. Great oldies. Pics coming soon; just one pic, actually. We never really got around to taking tons of pictures, but if anything I want to post the final movie on here for my readers' enjoyment... For those of you who actually read my blog... Which there are not very many, but NONETHELESS! I am grateful :)
I wore my Jack Skelington dress to church today in honor of Halloween (see picture from honeymoon for what I am talking about). Sharon noticed it and made me feel cool :)
I should be hearing back about my job interview sometime this week. I need to buck up the courage and talk to my manager about my hours because if I don't get this other job, I need to get a new job altogether... Which scares me... A lot.

More pics?!!! Who knew!

So, turns out that Bryan put my birthday pictures on the desktop computer rather than the laptop. Go figure.

MY BIKE!

RIDING MY BIKE!

Bryan was holding the camera and singing to me. This was my (cup)cake :)

Oh man. Update. Much needed.

It's been a while since I've been on. I know I'm terrible, but HEY! I have a life, too!!! Not that I'm telling people who blog regularly that they don't have lives because then they wouldn't have anything to blog about. Right. Anyway.

So, Update:

Bryan got the job at LDS Motion Picture Studios! WOOT DIGGITY!!! It's just been fabulous and stinkin' amazing for him (and for me because now he has something he likes to do and he's not complaining as much. Poor guy, I didn't put up with it very well). He works in the camera/equipment check-out room where he basically does what I just said: checks out cameras/equipment. BUT, lucky for him, he works under the DP -- that's Director of Photography; took me about a week or so to figure it out, so I thought I'd clarify to those that were reading so you wouldn't have to look at that sentence a million time's trying to figure out what "DP" meant. You're welcome.

ANYWAY, so George is DP which means if he needs help on set, my cute hubby gets to go and help. YEAH! WAY COOL! He's gotten to go on set twice already and it's just been awesome for him and he's in heaven on those days. I love him so much.

I took tours at both UVU and BYU and I haven't really gotten a good idea about either school. I'm planning on meeting with advisors soon and then I hope to decide which school I'd rather go to. I plan on trying out for scholarships in the winter and hopefully that will pull and whether or not I get accepted. If I don't, then I'll just continue working and supporting my cute hubby until I get another opportunity to go to school (whenever that will be).

I had the most wonderful experience last week that made me realize how important it is to have faith in our savior, Jesus Christ. He will take care of us. It isn't a matter of maybe, but a matter of, "Am I going to let him suffer more than he already has by doubting him?" God takes care of all his children. We need to have faith and know that the atonement is real. We need to believe Christ when he says, "Take my yoke upon thee, and I shall give thee rest." I can do anything through the mercy and love of God and Christ. They love me and they help me continue on through life.

Now, PICTURES!!! They're like, really late, but here they are!

Disneyland! Day 1 of Honeymoon

Disneyland, Day 2!

LA temple, Day 4

One of Bryan's pictures from on set for the extended scenes of "Joseph Smith: the Prophet"

Sorry for those of you who wanted to see pics of my bike. Apparently, our camera erased ALL of the pictures from my birthday. Yes, ALL of them. :( *sniffles......

Mailbag. Yes, I'm doing it again.

Dear Mailbag,
I agree with Annie when I say, thank you for being so easy to do when just writing a post is so difficult to do.
Love, Me

Dear Bike,
Thank you for coming into my life! I'm now having motivation to do something constructive with my life! But why are your handlebars loose? I can't avoid all those bumps in the road so you'll just have to suck it up and keep straight.
Love, Me

Dear Mail,
Thank you for bringing me all of my birthday cards. You should keep this up. It makes me feel very special :)
Love, Me

Dear Purse,
I should probably clean you out. You've been getting really crowded lately and most of the time I can't find my wallet... That's a problem. So, be expecting a little visit from the cleaning fairy soon.
Love, Cleaning Fairy

Dear Halloween,
You should start telling stores to put out costumes for adults! You're my favorite holiday and this is the first year I haven't had a costume in mind before my birthday. I need some help here!
Thanks! Me

Ps Halloween, come faster :)

Dear Gas Prices,
Why are you so high? Don't you realize how often I go up to Bountiful to visit my family? I can't keep doing that if I can't afford getting there... Geez...
Love, Me

Dear Hair,
Why don't you figure out how to 'do' yourself? You're such a pain!
Love, Me

Burton is here! (And other news)

Well, my new nephew was born this morning! WELCOME TO THE WORLD, BURTON RILEY! Man, I already love him and I've only seen a picture of him on my phone! He has my side's nose. Classic trait of all my nieces and nephews. And he's got a little bit of DARK hair. I can't wait to see him in person! Which probably won't be until like... Next year, but I'm still super excited!
Well, My birthday is coming up on Thursday. I know Bryan got me shoes, but I honestly have no idea what they might be... And then on Saturday, there was a big box dropped off on our doorstep. And I mean, BIG. It's almost as tall as I am!!! I honestly have no idea what it could be. And, when I don't know what things are, I get worried. Yeah, I'm worried. But if I have no idea, I almost get scared because I don't know if I'll like it or not... But I trust my sweet husband :)
So, I had this dream and I choreographed this AMAZING jazz dance to "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap (see my playlist). I want to make it REALITY! We'll see what happens

So, I'm taking a little dose of Annie in my life...

My dear friend from BYU-I, Annie, does this thing called a mailbag. I'm going to take a stab at it. If it fails, I shall never do it again! If it's not so bad... I still may never do it again lol.

Dear birthday shoes,
I know that Bryan wants to wait and give you to me on my birthday, but I really want to see you. So, me thinks you should just come out of your little packaging and we'll start our beautiful friendship.
Love, Me

Dear BYU,
Thank you for accepting my husband. But NO THANKS for declining me. But, I thought you should know that I'm going to try applying ONE MORE TIME! YES! I WON'T BE STRICKEN DOWN SO EASILY!!!
Love, Me

Dear BYU Film and Media Job Guys,
I just thought you should know that you suck. :)
Love, Me

Dear New Navy Nike Jacket,
Thank you for sneaking into one of our orders so I could have you for free. You're very warm and very comfy. I have a feeling we'll be hanging out a lot.
Love, Me

Dear Pay Check,
Please come to me faster. I have to pay rent Wednesday.
Love, Me

Dear BYU-I Class Registration,
Please open up some of your classes again. I only have 9 credits until I get my AA degree. It would help me out a lot.
Love, Me

Dear Laziness,
WHY DO YOU INFECT ME SO?!!
Love, Me

Dear bed,
You and I both know that I need to stop sleeping with you so much. Yes, I do enjoy sleeping in til 9:30, but this has GOT to stop.
Love, Me


Okay, Annie... how'd I do?

Some inspiration on Sunday morning

My sister sent this to me in an email. It really impacted me. I thought I'd share it with you.

"This painting was unique from its very beginning. It would be great if I could take credit for the composition and message it conveys but in my mind, that would be like Moses taking credit for bring water from the stone in the desert.

"Usually when I have an idea for a painting it starts as a simple seed and it grows as I play with the image in my mind, moving the characters around, imagining the lights and shadows, the values and the colors, eventually deciding on its composition after what might be weeks or even months of pondering and sketches, but this painting was different. There was no seed, no moving of characters, it was totally different.

"I was sitting in church on a Sunday afternoon as the Sacrament was being passed and bang, there it was, the image was instantaneously placed before my mind's eye just as you see it here. This experience has happened to me only three times and it has been very special each time."

THE LORD ANSWERS PRAYERS!!!

First off, I just want to thank all of those who have been praying for Bryan and I over the last few days. Bryan received emails back from BOTH the jobs he applied for informing him that he will know by the end of next week whether or not he has an interview.
We went to the Provo temple on Friday night for our date night. It was just wonderful to sit in the peace and beauty that is the Lord's house. Bryan and I are really starting to feel that we could start our wedding video business. Bryan has been very diligent with his research and we have worked together with coming up with prices and packages. I really feel like this could work, and I know that it is partially because we have such a loving Heavenly Father that wants us to find JOY IN THE JOURNEY!
I'm starting to get used to the idea of staying at Scoreboard. It works, ya know? Good pay, good coworkers. Yeah, it's going to be stressful, but that's just work. I think that, once Bryan starts making money as well, if I join a dance studio or find a voice teacher, I'll be able to really let go of my stresses.
I got a new calling a few weeks ago; Relief Society music coordinator/assistant pianist. I'm actually really excited. It's getting me back into the groove of playing the piano. It's good to just let go for an hour or two every week (I should probably play more, but I'm a terrible person).

Now that I've realized that Vee is the only one who reads my blog...

I just giggle :)
I enjoy writing here, but I don't feel like I do it often enough.
I think God is trying to tell me to stick to Scoreboard because I think I'm getting a promotion. My manager, assistant manager, and I have been talking and when we move into our new store, I'll become the Team Rep for our store. That's kind of a big responsibility, but it comes with a raise... So, yeah. I think I can do it. I'm trying to come up with better organization methods NOW while I have the chance so by the time we move, I can move with full force!
Bryan applied for a few new jobs! I'm just so excited! I really hope he gets one of them. They would help so much with his schooling and his future career in film.
We've been married for 2 months TODAY! Which means, sadly... THANK YOU CARDS. Man, they're annoying! I feel like I'm writing the same thing on every card! How many ways are there to say "Thank you?"
-Thank you
-Thanks
-Thanks so much
That's all I got... Yeah, my cards and really varied.

Stewing thoughts...

Well, third time's the charm--but this charm SUCKED. Yes, for the third time, BYU denied me. I cried. My husband held me, and I cried. I want to go to school so bad. I'm pretty much jealous that Bryan gets to go and sit in classrooms and soak up lectures and learn so much, while I go and sit in the back of a hot sports store and slave day after day making jerseys just to pay the next month's rent.
I need a new job.
I want to join a dance studio. I've looked into a few, but haven't really seen any prices yet. I need an hour a week when I can just let out my stresses and feel healthy and get tired because I love my life. I'm just... Well, tired of being tired because of my job. I want to be tired because I'm enjoying my life. I want to be tired because I spent the whole day being crazy with stresses that I can laugh about at the end of the day, not stresses that leave me up at night worrying about losing the only source of income that my little family has right now. I want to be happy. Tired, but happy.
I'm happy when I'm at home.
I'm happy when I'm eating dinner with my husband.
I'm happy when I'm reading my scriptures.
I'm happy when I'm reading Harry Potter.
I'm happy when I'm eating popcorn, curled up on the couch, watching a movie.
I'm happy when I'm with my family.
I'm happy when I'm hanging out with my girlfriends.
I'm happy when I'm singing
I'm happy when I'm talking with my God.
I'm happy when I'm sitting in the bathtub with bubbles half-way up the wall.
I'm happy when I know others are happy.
I'm happy when I'm laughing.
I'm happy when my husband holds my hand when we pray
I'm happy when I can go to sleep knowing that my best friend is laying next to me.
I'm happy knowing that God loves me enough to give me life.
I'm happy when I'm at the temple.
I'm happy when I'm looking at pictures, basking in sweet memories.

Well... I needed that.

Married now

Well, I'm a married woman now! Very happily for 2 WHOLE weeks! :) I know, such a milestone. lol. But it really has been so fun and wonderful. I really do feel like I'm married to my best friend and the greatest man I have ever known. The downside of all this bliss is, I've wanted to go back on our honeymoon since I started work again :(

We went to Southern California and did Disneyland, California Adventure, The Pirate Dinner Adventure, the LA temple, and Santa Monica beach. I want it all back; the food, the fun, everything. I want to get married every weekend so I can celebrate like I did and go on a fun honeymoon like I got to.

The wedding, luncheon, reception, and open house were all amazing and gorgeous. I would have to say that our sealing was my favorite part. I cannot say why, but it was. There is nothing like that feeling.

Everything was just so beautiful! I can't even describe! When I get pictures, I might just end up looking at them every day for the rest of my little life! It made me so happy. I wish I could go back.

Let the pampering BEGIN!

Me and my mom at my bridal shower

I'm starting to feel like a bride :)

Yesterday, I spent 2 hours at the nail salon. Foot and leg massage, salts on my feet, pedicure, and a full set of acrylic nails! Man, I felt like a princess. Then my sister (who is a cosmetologist and doing my hair for the wedding) did an emergency dying session and it turned out great! Then, she did my hair in the french roll I want for the wedding. It's amazing! I'm so excited!

Then, it was my bridal shower! Everyone came (except for one of my college friends *sniffle*) and it was so fun! We ate! We gabbed! We laughed! It was awesome! And I got some great gifts! Got my bowls and plates from Target, mixing bowls, a mixer, muffin pan, hot pads, shelves, and so much more! (I'm trying to recall these off the top of my head, so bear with me! lol)

It was so fun and I'm just so happy!

Can I just say...

How much I

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE

my mom and how totally

AWESOME

she is??!!!

For example, my bridal shower invite (for Arizona):

Pink? Zebra print?

Only two of my FAVORITE things!!!

(If you couldn't tell **winks**)