Post #101. How 'bout an A-Z!

I saw this on I Believe in Unicorns and thought it would be fun to do for my second post in the triple digits :)

The Misses

Age: 21

Bedsize: Queen

Chores that you hate: Making the bed. I know, I'm crazy.

Dogs: I want a puppy

Essential start to your day: listening to music

Favorite color: hot pink!

Gold or Silver: silver

Height: 5’6” ish...

Instruments you play: piano, percussion

Job title: Asst. Manager

Kids: not yet

Live: O-town, UT

Mother’s Maden Name: Thompson

Nicknames: Kels, Kelser Belser, Kelsey Gracie (to Bryan)

Overnight hospital stays: Uhhhh never?

Pet peeves: The word "like" being overly used.

Quote from a movie or tv show: "Hot dog to hot dog bun ratio: Why for the love of mustard are there never enough buns?!" Mr. Magorium rocks.

Right or Lefty: right-handed

Siblings: 5 sister, 3 brothers

Time you wake up: about 7 AM

Underwear: I don't understand this one... But I wear them, yes...

Vegetable you hate: eggplant.

What makes you run late: my husband...

X-Rays You’ve Had: The ones from the dentist. My wrist. And my pelvic region... Awkward. Moving on.

Yummy food you make: I back cakes like NOBODY you have ever met :)

Zoo Animal: Hippopotamus

The Mister

Age: 24

Bedsize: Queen

Chores that you hate: I don't mind doing chores.

Dogs: Had them growing up, and want them when our kids grow up

Essential start to your day: showering

Favorite color: Blue

Gold or Silver: silver

Height: 6'

Instruments you play: violin, a little piano

Job title: Camera Room Assistant

Kids: not yet

Live: O-town, UT

Mother’s Maden Name: O'Toole

Nicknames: Bry, Big Ol' Bry, (insert last name here), Honey-baby (by Kelsey)

Overnight hospital stays: None

Pet peeves: Facebook

Quote from a movie or tv show: "What you do in life echoes in eternity." --Gladiator

Right or Lefty: right-handed

Siblings: 3 sisters, 1 brother

Time you wake up: about 9 AM

Underwear: I don't understand this one... But I wear them, yes...

Vegetable you hate: asparagus, zuccini

What makes you run late: Getting ready

X-Rays You’ve Had: Catscan.

Yummy food you make: I don't cook

Zoo Animal: cheetah or elephants

Dear Wymount....

I decided that I was going to reminisce a little bit, seeing as Bryan and I will be moving out of our first apartment in two days... It's a little bittersweet...

Dear Wymount,

First off, I must say that this has been an interesting experience altogether. Although Bryan and I are gone to Bountiful a lot, I have loved calling you home. Thanks for being open when you were. We never expected a second floor apartment to treat us so well. It seems like we needed it, considering how loud and often we watch movies. Having no neighbors on the other side of the wall was nice.

Remember when Bryan was putting up all those shelves and woke up the baby next door during her nap? I guess it was the hard way of finding out where her room was. But it was still funny. Those first few months of putting up decorations and getting used to living in BYU housing was a little rough for me, but thanks for pulling through when you did.

Christmas was a fun time for me. Being able to decorate my own little house and have our little white tree in the corner where the orchid usually sits (sorry orchid, but Christmas tree comes first during December) was kinda special. Opening gifts and starting traditions together was fun and strange all at the same time. Who knew that we had so much in common.

I wanted to say sorry for not celebrating many holidays/birthdays here. But I do want to say thank you for being our clean, quiet haven when we got back from those mini-vacations. I don't think you realize how special you are.

I'll miss your rent price. I know that's selfish, but you're not half bad of a place. Some of the other apartments that are in close range of your rent are... Well... Dumps, to say the least. Thanks for not being trashy :) I mean that in the best way possible.

I could have done without those little black and red bugs in my bedroom during the summer months, but I deal with those if that means the AC unit is right next to my side of the bed.

In the end, I guess what I want to say is: Thanks for being home. Not just any home, but our home.

With All of My Love,

Kelsey

Ooops! I did it again!

Not like Britney Spears.

But, I entered another giveaway on i believe in unicorns.

I couldn't help it!

If you know me, you know that I love me some BOWS!!!
And she's giving away a DANG CUTE ONE!
If I don't win it, I think I may turn around and try and make some of these myself
because they're so freaking gorgeous!
And a little bit pricey :/
Anyway, happy Tuesday!

Day 27 – Your favorite place

My favorite place? The temple.



This is Bryan and I the day we got married outside of the Mesa, Arizona temple where we were sealed together for time and all eternity.
I love the temple because it is a place that can give me peace. It is the house of God. I can worship and commune with Him. I can escape from a world filled with remorse and torment and take time to think and be close to the Spirit. It is a place of comfort and learning. A place that is sacred and special. I love it there, in the temple.

Day 26 – Your fears

I have one fear: Loss.

Now, you might say something like, "Well... That's not really a fear, is it? I mean, really."

But it's true.
I am afraid of loss.

Because when you lose something, your world crumbles a little bit.

My life has always been rocky, but rocks stay put.

What I'm trying to say is, if I lost one of my "rocks", I'd fall. And that scares me.

I'm afraid of losing my family.
I'm afraid of losing my husband.
I'm afraid of losing my pride.
I'm afraid of losing my dignity.
I'm afraid of losing my religion.
I'm afraid of losing my mind.
I'm afraid of loss.

Get me?

Day 24 – Something that makes you cry

There are lots of things that make me cry.
I'm kind of a boob.
No, really. I cry A LOT.
My husband teases me about it, but I believe that there is nothing wrong with a good cry.

Anyway, something that makes me cry...

I cry the most often when I feel the Spirit touch my heart. When God tells me that something is true or when my testimony grows just a little bit more, tears fall from my eyes

I cry when I see someone I love suffer, and there's nothing I can do about it.

I cry during movies.

I cry when I listen to "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way" by LeAnn Rimes. I think I cry during this song because if Bryan ever left this earth without me, this song would perfectly personify how I would feel. When I have nightmares about Bryan dying (which for some reason happen a lot), this song plays in the background. (Yes, my dreams have background music. DON'T HATE!)

Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better

There isn't just one, so I'm going to make a list.
I like lists. :)

.kissing my hubby
.talking to my mom
.hugging my sisters
.bear-hugging my husband
.bawling while my husband holds me
.hanging out with my girlfriends
.eating cupcakes
.drinking fruity drinks (non-alcoholic OF COURSE!)
.praying
.reading a good book, including THE good book
.laughing
.watching a good movie
.eating a WHOLE bowl of popcorn (it's kinda gross, I know)
.baking
.doing my hair
.going for a walk
.playing with my nieces and nephews
.listening to music
.singing at the top of my lungs!
.playing the piano

Day 19 – Something you regret

Well, here's the interesting thing:
I have no regrets.

Yeah, I look back at times in my life and think, "Wow. That was stupid."
But everything that has ever happened to me has helped me grow and become who I am.

So, I guess this is the end of this post. Maybe I'll do Day 20 right now...

Day 18 – Your favorite birthday

That's actually tough... The last few years, I've had pretty awesome birthdays. But I think this last one was my favorite.

Why?

Because I was completely happy all day. It felt like nothing could get on my nerves, and nothing did! It was all over, a GOOD day.

It started with waking up to "Happy Birthday" by The Ting Tings. I love this song because it's what is played at Shelley's party in The House Bunny (a favorite movie of "The Amigas"). Then, my sweet hubby had my gifts waiting for me in the living room! A bike and a new pair of DC's! I love them both. I wore my shoes that day :)

We ate breakfast and I went to work.

When I got there, my manager had gotten me a cake. It was SO AWESOME! I mean, what's better than a cookies n cream cake?! I don't know, but it made me feel all fuzzy inside. I shared it with all the guys. It was fun.

Then I got a call from Bryan saying that our good friend Andy was in Provo and he wanted to go to lunch for my birthday. He treated us to IN-N-Out burger. Again, just something that made me feel really happy--good times with good friends. Then I finished up at work and went home.

Bryan and I went on a bike ride to pass the time before we went to Chili's (my favorite) for dinner. I got wings and a salad and ate Bryan's mashed potatoes... It was delish :)

Then, we rented a film called Departures. I have to say that I think it's one of my new favorite movies and I wanted to find it and buy it.

Anyway, my birthday continued for the rest of the weekend. My sister and her family took us to dinner the next night and we watched a movie. Then on Saturday, I went shopping with her! My parents had sent me money and she got me a Kohl's giftcard and Kohl's cash. It was awesome.

Then, on Sunday, we had dinner at Bryan's parents house. My mother-in-law made me potatoes with hamburger gravy (so good!) and I got to spend time with the whole family! It was really special because it was my first birthday with my in-laws. They're so great.

All in all, GREAT birthday :)

Day 17 – Your favorite memory

Well... It's hard to think of just one.

But one of my favorites is when my husband told me he loved me for the first time.

We had already kinda jumped into our relationship. A week after we met, we were "official." But, like I tell everyone, it was just instant the friendship that we had. So, we didn't waste any time ;) lol

Anyway, he was dropping me off after a night of hanging out with our friends, but I felt a little distressed. The next day, he was going to the airport with all of our other friends to see THE EX-GIRLFRIEND come home from her mission.

Now, when I say she is "The Ex-Girlfriend", I mean, she and my husband dated before their missions, talked about getting married, the whole SHEBANG. So, I was a little worried. I mean, Bryan and I had only been dating about a month and so I was pretty much convinced that once he saw her that he was going to drop me like a hot plate and run. I felt like he probably wasn't that attached to me and with his past with this girl, he would just leave me behind. But, I really liked him. I wanted to date him and get to know him... But I was so intimidated.

Anyway, back to the story. He was dropping me off and I was just being quiet and not saying much because I was scared of what the next night was going to hold because in my mind, he was going to come to me and say, "I'm sorry this was so short, but I know that my feelings for (ex-girlfriend) are real." But, that didn't happen. While I was sitting there in my silence, fighting my tears, Bryan broke into me like he always does. He's very good at making me talk. So, I just went on about how I felt about him and how I was scared of what tomorrow held for our relationship.

At that moment, Bryan took my face in his hands and put my nose against his. "Kelsey," he said, "I want you to know that you don't have anything to worry about. You are amazing. And... I think..." (dramatic pause) "I think..." (Another pause) "I think that... I love you."

At that moment, everything swelled up inside me.

I looked up at him and didn't say anything at first, but then when I realized that all those feelings that were filling me were of joy and happiness, I told him "I love you, too."

Day 16 – Your first kiss

Oh wow.

This is an interesting and embarrassing story...

I was 14 years old. It was at my best friend's 15th birthday shindig. Nicole lives in the boonies--literally. The roads out there are all dirt. Anyway, so one of her neighbors was invited to the party and so she drove there in a little golf cart. We had all been in the front yard. It was nice weather, so we had been listening to music, jumping on the trampoline, and just having a ball!
Anyway, my "boyfriend", Miki (pronounced "Mikey") was invited (obviously! we were DATING!) So, we were enjoying the fun and hanging out, and I didn't want to stand anymore, so we had a seat in the golf cart with my friend Jessica. Next thing I knew, Miki and I were alone in the golf cart and in the yard. it literally came outta NOWHERE.
I looked up at Miki to see if he wanted to go inside and -- BAM! He laid one on me.
I remember leaning back after and just walking inside. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face so EVERYONE knew what had happened.

Day 15 – Your dreams

I don't have much when it comes to dreams. When I look back on my life to see if I have/had any, It seems like I'm more of a "Live for what I got" type of person. But I do have one dream that I know has never changed.

I want to be a mom.

As cliche as it is, I do! I feel like it's the most innate part of me, this feeling. I've always wanted to have kids, to raise them, and to help them find who they are as individuals. This is one thing that my husband tells me that he really loves about me. I'm not career driven, I'm family driven. Yes, if I have to work I want to do something that I love which is why I'm getting a degree, but I would much rather stay at home and be a homemaker/wife/mom. It seems so much more satisfying. To me, anyway.

I guess another dream (or I guess something I've always imagined doing but don't necessarily have the guts to get together) is being a performer. I love the arts so much and I've always loved singing and dancing and being in front of an audience. It's exhilarating and exciting and it just makes me happy.

Day 08 – A moment

A moment...?
Really?
We couldn't be any more GENERAL?!!!

What does this MEAN?!!!!

Okay, I will just choose a moment and tell you about it.

When I took out my endowment and walked into the Celestial room for the first time... I knew at that moment what my heaven--God's heaven--was going to be like. I had worked so hard to be there. And when I walked in, the first person I saw was my (at that time) future eternal companion. Bryan smiled, came to me, and hugged me. That was the purest happiness I think I have ever felt. Then, there was my parents. After that, my siblings. And then, my in-laws and dear friends. Those are the relationships and the people that I want to be with forever. And, because of that day, I know I can be.

I know that God lives. That Jesus is the Christ. That through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, all things are possible including eternal life and eternal families.

Day 03 – Your parents

This is my mom and dad :) I love them very much.
They got married in the Oakland, California temple on March 22.
There is too much to say about them. So, to keep it simple, they're amazing and if it weren't for their persistence and constant prayers, I wouldn't be where I am today.

I love you, Mom and Dad.

Day 02 – Your first love

Musicals
As dumb as it sounds, it's true.
I would watch a Disney movie almost every day growing up, because I loved to sing all the songs.
A few distinct memories of my Disney song obsession:

1. I was watching Pocahontas. You know the song toward the end when she is racing through the forest and then makes it to the mountain top just in time to save John Smith from getting beheaded by her father? I remember running around the family room, singing with her, and then when she flung herself on John Smith, I flung myself onto the recliner and "protected" the pillow. Oh yeah. That's a true story



2. The Little Mermaid was my FAVORITE movie as a child. We had a porch in our backyard that was a square one, but it had this perfect little corner that I could pull myself up on. Well, that was my rock when I sang "Part of Your World." Especially when I sang the reprise and the "waves" of the "sea" would crash up behind me as I sang, "WOOOOOOOOORRRLLLDD!!!!" Yeah. Another true story.



Then I discovered REAL musicals. My parents had gotten the Special Edition 10 Year Anniversary concert of Les Miserables on VHS. I watched it twice in one day. Then, they got the cd. I hijacked it and kept it in my room. I did a little concert to my Beanie Babies one day when I was 9 years old and I sang "I Dreamed A Dream" to them. When I was in 6th grade, the choir sang "Castle on a Cloud." I didn't have to look at the music once. Yeah. I was a G. I would watch The Music Man with my dad ALL THE TIME and he would tell me stories of when he had helped choreograph for it when he was in high school. He was a rockstar to me :)

Day 01 – Introduce yourself with pictures and words

Hey-O!



My name is Kelsey.
My husband is Bryan.
And together... We make one dang cute couple ;)
I love him terribly. He's my best friend, greatest mentor, and better half. He's the best, to put it simply :)

Enough about my cute hubby.

I'm number 8 of 9 kids. I'm convinced my mother is a saint.


I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and PROUD OF IT! I love the gospel! I love my Savior, Jesus Christ! I love my Father in Heaven who blesses me INFINITELY!


I love music; singing makes me who I am. I also love to dance. It kinda makes me who I am. I love performing in every way. I did plays all growing up, I was in choir from the time I was 9 all through college, and I taught dance, took classes in school, attended at a studio, and was on the dance line all through high school. I hope that what I have is a healthy addiction to the stage.


Now, I'm just going to blabber a little bit about myself: I really like studying history--as in, biblical history. I took 2 years of Old Testament and wished there were more OT classes I could take. It's weird, I know. I really like food, but don't like eggplant. I'm half Latin (1/4 Puerto Rican, 1/4 Castillian), but no one believes me. I taught myself how to read. I hate math. I'm not as old as you think I am. Trust me. I tolerate my job, but I'm waiting patiently for the day when I can say, "I'm taking my maternity leave! FOREVER!" I really want kids. I love my husband. A lot. <3

50th POST! Wahoo!!!

So, for my 50th post... I'm cheating :) lol.
No, really though. I'm going to just post this super cool 30-day list thing that lots of other blogs are doing! It looks fun, so I thought I'd try it :)

Day 01 – Introduce yourself with pictures and words
Day 02 – Your first love

Day 03 – Your parents

Day 04 – What you ate today 

Day 05 – Your definition of love

Day 06 – Your day
Day 07 – Your best friend

Day 08 – A moment

Day 09 – What you wore today
Day 10 – Your beliefs 

Day 11 – Your siblings

Day 12 – What’s in your bag

Day 13 – This week
Day 14 – What you wore today
Day 15 – Your dreams
Day 16 – Your first kiss
Day 17 – Your favorite memory

Day 18 – Your favorite birthday
Day 19 – Something you regret

Day 20 – This month

Day 21 – Another moment

Day 22 – Something that upsets you
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better

Day 24 – Something that makes you cry
Day 25 – A first
Day 26 – Your fears
Day 27 – Your favorite place

Day 28 – Something that you miss

Day 29 – Your aspirations

Day 30 – One last moment

ROAD TRIP!!! :)

My sweet fiance and I went back up to visit the Burg this weekend! It was a short little road trip but it made me very happy. I love my sweetheart; he is just wonderful. When we started the drive back, he asked me if I had a good time. I smiled and told him that I really did. He then told me that he was so glad I had a good time, because he brought me back to see me happy. He is selfless. I know he loves me when he does things like this. I thought I was kind of helping him since he wanted to get some shots of our favorite places for our wedding video (which he is making himself! How cool is that?! I'm super excited!). But, in all reality, he wanted me to be happy-to find some joy and something to look forward to.
Well, this weekend was a dream! I saw Johannes Brahm's Requiem performed IN GERMAN for the first time in the history of the city of Rexburg. I must say, they did wonderfully! I'm so proud of all my dear friends and former professors that put together this ensemble. I was truly touched by the verses Brahm's chose about the fall, repentance, atonement, and resurrection. I truly felt the spirit of the message it presented.
And then there was the end of the show: I WAS MAULED!!! I FELT LIKE A ROCK STAR! So many hugs, congratulations, hello's, good-bye's... It was just wonderful! I love those people--my people--the Snow-dwellers that became my dearest and best friends.
After that, I visited my old roommates and apartment. It was wonderful, yet odd. It didn't feel like home like it used to. I'm moving further and further away from the thought of going back to BYU-I. I loved it there with all of my heart, but there is so much more for me to do and learn as a wife and a mother.
Then, it was time with my BESTIE FRIEND!!! Oh, how I missed Amy! We stayed up until 3 am talking and laughing and trying desperately to catch up and continued to do so after we woke up the next day. It was so hard leaving, I did everything I could to delay just a little longer. But finally, my sweet Bryan looked at me at about 4 pm and told me it was time to go. I hugged Amy twice. I'm going to miss her, but it won't be long until I see her again.
This weekend was exactly what I needed. I love my sweet fiance. He is my other half.
<3

Life is beautiful :)

There have been a few lessons that I have learned lately.

Lesson #1: ALWAYS look at the bright side.
The first few weeks of the month really weighed down on me. I just felt so... blah. I felt like my life wasn't going to go anywhere. Everyday I would go from project to project, work to home, home to work, church and back, and that was it. It was monotonous. And if you know me, I am NOT particularly the person that enjoys routine. Yes, it is good in some areas of life, but not in all areas. I mean, where's the adventure in that?!
Anyway, it wasn't until I was sitting with my sweet fiance telling him that his life DOESN'T suck and that he really CAN enjoy his job if he changes his attitude that I realized... That's what I needed to change my attitude, too. It was so simple! I just needed to see it somewhere else before I could see how it could change my own life. So, I did just that. I started praying for my co-workers and my boss and for the environment that we could create at work. And, honestly, I am really starting to enjoy my job like I used to! It's amazing what a little change of mind can do for your life!

Lesson #2: NEVER hesitate to talk.
I misunderstood something my sweet fiance and I had briefly talked about while we were dating and it has been nagging at me since we got engaged. My sweet fiance and I talked it out and he told me that he never knew I that I felt that way about the whole situation. I realized again how truly blessed I am to have him. We talked everything out and we are more open about our feelings, what's going through our heads, and even how we communicate.

Lesson #3: ALWAYS trust in God; he'll find a way.
"He'll Make a Way" by Byron J. Smith says it best :)

I know the Lord will make a way!
I know the Lord will make a way! Oh, yes!
If you trust and never doubt, he will bring you out!
I know the Lord will make--
I know the Lord will make--
I know! I know! I know! The Lord will make a way!
(repeat)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a soul like me!
His mercy everlasting, his truth endures,
And he sent his son to set me free!
(Repeat first verse)

He's there and He cares for me!
He cares, and He'll set you free!
Trust and never doubt, He will bring you out!
I know the Lord will make--
I know the Lord will make--
I know! I know! I know! The Lord will make a way!

Make a way! Make a way! Lord, make a way!
Make a way! I know he'll-- (repeat)

[vamp:]
Altos 1st - Swing down chariot, God will make a way!
Basses 2nd - My Lord, what a mornin', He'll make a way!
Tenors 3rd - I know my Lord will make a way for you!
Sopranos 4th - Trust in Him, He'll show you the way!

Make a way! Make a way! Lord, make a way!
Make a way! Have mercy! (repeat)

I know the Lord will make--
I know the Lord will make--
I know! I know! I know! The Lord will make a way!

Singing again

Bryan and I got into a very deep conversation last night about me. It was so odd at first because I've never talked much to him about my wants and dreams and hopes. I've always been the kind of person that would rather sacrifice everything so that others could be happy. And, with marrying my sweet Bryan, I have become his USC-hoping, film making supporting, book editing, *almost* wife so I can continue doing so when we get married. But yesterday, I started to fall apart at some small things and I couldn't figure out why. So, through all the tears and talking, my sweet Bryan came down with the conclusion that I need to start doing something for me.
It was so hard for me to even talk about myself, I ended up not saying much. But I was finally able to speak out to Bryan about my real dreams after he went along with my list of things I was made to be; a wife, a mom, a supporter, a nurturer... You know, those things.
But he finally got me to break open from my practical mind and tell him everything I wanted. I want to sing with everything in me. I want to praise God for giving me this gift through song and performance. I want to play the piano again. It has been years since I have sat down and just played for me. I miss my old books, my old sheet music... It was everything to me. Now, all I do is work; day to day, hour by hour, just so I can make ends meet and help Bryan get to USC. I'm saving for the wedding and for life after it. Even the wedding stuff I don't really do for myself, I do it for others and their benefit and help. Nothing in my life has been just for me since I went to college.
So, I'm looking into voice lessons again. I have to get these rusty old pipes singing. I'm going to set aside time everyday (probably the half hour after I get home from work) to just sit down in front of the piano and play--just for me.