I'm addicted to Instagram

1. Nerd glasses
2. Nostalgia
3. My big old' earrings (my newest love)
4. The new favorite "not so Christmas-y" Christmas song
5. Legit
6. Over-achiever
7. The best advice-givers
8. My favorite <3

There's a Birthday Boy in the House...

I feel like everything I've blogged about over the last few posts has been kinda mushy.

What can I say? I freakin' LOVE my super hot hubby! ;)

lol ANYWAY!

Speaking of that super attractive man I get to see every day....

His birthday is coming up! 

A QUARTER OF A CENTURY!!!

It's going to be action-packed and I'm feeling quite proud of myself for my plans.

I (unfortunately) have to work that morning, but that doesn't affect any of the madness!

I've got him 4 presents (which I will NOT announce on here because, believe it or not, he reads this!) which will be presented to the birthday boy throughout the day.

That evening at 5:30 pm. we will be going to the Desert Star Playhouse in Murray.

This is where we went on our first date 

(you'll have to scroll down to get to it. you'll see when you look at the post).

Yes, the same dinner theatre.

And, to make it EVEN BETTER, we're going with the same friends we doubled with almost 3 years ago!

I'm so excited!

Bryan's excited!

That's all that matters!

I love birthdays :)

Pictures will come following the madness of that day.

For now, enjoy this song that I dedicate to the birthday boy 

(He's gonna be a star someday. And I'll be his Debbie Reynolds. Yes, I'm being mushy again)

A New Life Started and 2 Years Celebrated (lots of pics!)

Exactly 1 month before my 2 year anniversary, one of my best friends from BYU-Idaho got married in the Denver, CO LDS Temple

It was a crazy, action-packed weekend

I will never wax... AGAIN!

All in all, it was nice to be with my best friends for 5 days

We're pretty stylish

Waiting to go inside.

The bride and groom when they came out of the temple

Yep. That's us.

One of the best families EVER!

Mama D :)

The bridal party

Kiah got a free donut from Krispy Kreme because she just got married!

I kind of LOVED their outfits. These boys are STUDS!

I was quite jealous of the photographer's golashes

Kiah drew the chalk pictures 

The pinwheel arch - made by Kiah and her momma. This is where they greeted their guests.

My blown-out pic of our lunch box treats! It was so cute!

Cute little favors (I won the '80's "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" game)

Then, exactly a month later, Bryan and I celebrated 2 years by doing sealings in the Timpanogos Temple

The following Saturday, we had (what we affectionately called) our

anniversary day!

We went to the Grand America hotel for breakfast

That's a milk chocolate mustache!

Took an adventure at the Salt Lake City Library

We climbed all the way down from the rooftop!

 Ventured around the Planetarium (which is FREE, btw!)

I always knew Bryan wasn't from around here...

Goodbye, Earth! I'm gonna go live on the moon!

This is why I wanna move to the moon.

 And we SHOPPED! Well, I shopped. I love City Creek.

I'm trying to be my idol [Audrey Hepburn] in this picture.
Too bad City Creek doesn't have a Starbucks :(

So much fun. So exhausting. Can't wait for next year!

I'm supposed to be grocery shopping

But instead I'm blogging.... It's a good thing Wal Mart is open 24 hours...

Anyway, yesterday was Father's day.

I feel like it should been like "Priesthood Appreciation Day"

I love my husband.

My 21st birthday gift - Mary Poppins!

I'm just so grateful to have him in my life.

He's my best friend.

He's a wonderful example.

He's an amazing friend.

He's a talented film maker.

He's a gifted singer.

He's one of the most driven people I've ever met.

He's a very uplifting person.

He has a relationship with our Father in Heaven.

He has a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He is my saving grace, my best friend. The father of our future children (no, I'm not pregnant).

Anyway, happy father's day to my wonderful husband. 

I love you most.

2 Crazy Years

Two years ago today, I made the best decision of my life:

I married him.

Right after we were sealed for time and all eternity

This journey has given me so much.

Joy
Experience
Frustration
Grief
Strength
Faith 

Most of all...

Love

Love for a man who is my best friend, my greatest example, and my greatest joy.

Our song is "Falling Slowly" by The Frames.

It just seems to fit.

It's about 2 strangers who find one another and fall in love.

Falling in love saved them.

That's our story.

It's not traditional at all, but it's ours and I love it.

These two crazy years have been the best of my life.

Lucky for me, I get to do this for the rest of my life and throughout all eternity.

I love you, Bryan.

Happy Anniversary.

ps. Happy 2 year anniversary to Stacylyn and Zach! :)

I guess I was worrying a little too much...

Last night went like this:

Bryan:  Have you checked out or kickstarter page today?
Me: I've been avoiding it all day, to be honest.
Bryan: Well, you should.
Me: Why can't you just tell me?
Bryan: You just need to see it for yourself.
Me: (walks over to laptop. Turns it on. Goes to kickstarter page) $1,000?!!!


Yes, people. It's crazy, but it's happening.

Be part of something BIG!
Make the pledge!
_______________________________________________________

On to normal life things....

Work has been insane!
We're doing our big semi-annual sale right now and it has been the BUSIEST semi-annual sale I have been a part of in my 3 years at my job.
SO CRAZY.
But it's been good because we need the business.

I miss school. The end.

Bryan's work is absolutely crazy, too. They have a bunch of shoots going on right now, locally and all over the country, and Bryan has been alone in the camera room for about 3 weeks now because his boss is shooting and his co-worker is on set with the boss.
Poor Bryan, he gets calls all the time from people asking about check-outs. But he doesn't mind. It just gives him more to do.

Lately, I've been listening to/reading the General Conference talks from this last April. I worked all day on that Saturday, so I never got to hear the talks. It has been a sweet blessing and experience reading the words of the prophets. It helps me know that the heavens are opened; that God did not and will not leave us alone. He wants to give us guidance and show us that he has infinite concern for us. I know that one of the ways our Father in Heaven does this for us is by giving us prophets and apostles who know the needs of the Church and of the world. They are good men who love God and the gospel.

Things are going... Just going. I hope I can keep up.

And So It Begins...

It's starting...

We have 30 days to raise $12,000.

Will you make the pledge?

I feel so NERVOUS!

So, Bryan has been working SO hard on a script, a business plan, and a Kickstarter campaign for about 6 months now.

In the next 48 hours, we launch our Kickstarter campaign.

Tonight, I talk to several siblings and friends about how to pledge and help make our dream a reality.

And... I'm TERRIFIED.

I'm the kind of person whose mind always goes to the worst-case-scenario.

This is slowly turning into one of those moments.

You see, people look at Bryan and I and think we're crazy.

Yes, Bryan quit school.
Yes, I'm working full-time and going to school so Bryan can be home more to work on this whole thing.
Yes, we're taking some huge risks starting this business.

But let me just say this:


When you look down on us-- and vocalize it, for that matter-- for taking a chance on our dreams now when we have the time and motivation to do it, it doesn't help.


You know what does help though? Support. Any support you can give.

So, this is why talking to my siblings and friends is becoming scary...
I'm afraid they don't believe in us enough to make the pledge.

Can I ask my readers something?

Don't you want to be part of something that could change someone's life?

When it's live, I'll post a link to our Kickstarter page so you can be part of something that will change not just our lives, but everyone's who is involved in this project...

If you want to, follow our journey here.

Believe in us. It sure is a lonely road to making your dreams come true.

_ _ _ 
I'm sorry this post is kind of bi-polar and not really me, but it's how I'm feeling right now...

In Loving Memory

The first final that I took was the scariest one of all:

Group Piano I 

A B- is failing in this course, so obviously I was intimidated.

But Dr. Hansen was always there to remind me that I was working hard and doing my best.

A few weeks ago, Dr. Hansen gave birth to a beautiful  baby girl. But, it was because of that birth, she died of infection.

Her husband is now left with their 3 children to raise on his own, without a job.

I don't have much to give, but I'm giving. 

I ask if you have a moment, to take a look at this blog. Read her story. Make a donation.

If you don't have the means to donate, that's okay.

Take the challenge that Dr. Hansen's sweet sister-in-law gives:  post about it.

Any and all "donations" help.

As most of you know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormon Church. Dr. Alice Hansen was also a member.

One of the defining beliefs in our religion lies with our temples. There, we know that families are sealed for time and all eternity. Not til death do us part. 

So, even now, as many people are mourning and suffering over Alice's death, there is some comfort.

We will see her again.

She will be with her husband and children again in the eternities.

_ _ _ _ 

If you have any questions about the temple or our beliefs in eternal families, please feel free to send me a message, post a comment, or give me a call. 

Or, you can visit www.lds.org or www.mormon.org. 

You can also contact the local LDS missionaries in your area.

Accomplished!

Today was my first day off that was a weekday...

EVER!

It was kind of amazing. I feel so accomplished today!

Bryan and I got Costco cards. Yep, we're adults. :)

I took Bryan to work.

Went grocery shopping (and the sun was out! I don't think I've gone to the store before 9 PM in like a year!)

Cleaned the apartment.

Picked up Bryan from work.

Got new cups for my kitchen.

And now, I'm relaxing at home. And it's awesome. So awesome, I'm blogging.

The First Half of the First Week of May

aka The Half of the First Week of H-E-DOUBLEHOCKEYSTICKS!

Sunday was just a rundown of the madness that would be this week.
Monday wasn't too bad. Not extraordinary, but not unbearable.
Tuesday I got the flu. yay.
Wednesday I got my hours shortened at work not just for that day but for Thursday also.
Thursday I found out that I won't be able to attend an amazing opportunity to get private German lied coaching from an amazing German soprano because of Wednesday's problems and a shift mix-up.

So far, this week has basically been crap. In small words.

But here's to better things:

This morning, I'm having breakfast with my amazing friends from school as a "Hoorah to the end of the semester! Here's to a wonderful summer!" send off. Nothing like food and giggling with your friends for a few hours to make your worries go away.
Tonight, I'll get off work and still have time to make it to the ward party. Again, hanging out with my friends at a carnival: not too bad.
Friday night, Bryan and I will prep for our crazy weekend. Hopefully, I'll have pictures and lots of stories to share about that.

Less than a WEEK til I go to Colorado for my best friend's wedding.
Three days til I see my mommy :)

Until next time, my friends!

Remember how I disappeared for, like, 4 months?

Hi friends.

I know, I know, I've been slacking. But, hey! What do you expect from me? Sometimes I'm good and oftentimes I'm terrible. Just be grateful you're getting an update now! Ha! :)

This semester was one of the best semesters of my college career. Hands down. I feel like I excelled so much more than I ever have and had so many opportunities opened up to me that made me a better person and performer. It's been such a phenomenal experience! I love UVU!

I took the Opera Workshop class (OpShop for short) this semester. It made me realize so much more how I love performing. And how I am not one who would do well in a classroom with students, but rather in a studio. I know, it's crazy. I love teaching. Really, I do. But honestly, if I'm going to do what I love all the time, the best way for me to make a living and do that would to be to teach privately. So, that's happening. Bryan and I are working on putting together a little "business plan" type thing for me to bring around and start getting voice and piano students.

Anyway, going back to OpShop and why I wanted to talk about that in the first place:
1. I LOVE GERMAN. I'm convinced that when Schubert was composing anything for high voice, my voice was the one singing in his head. And the language is just so lovely! (Yes, with the hacking and all).
2. I was cast as Dorabella for the Cosi fan Tutte scene. SO. MUCH. FUN. I would do it again a million times if I could. And, my Fiordiligi was (who am I kidding? IS.) AH. MAZE. ING. I want to be her when I grow up. For realsies.
This class made this semester so worth it. I mean, I took good classes that I enjoyed and learned a lot from. But this experience was one that literally changed my life. It makes me see the Lord's hand in my life so much more when I can recognize the blessings instead of thinking about the trials. I love my Father in Heaven! I love my Savior! They are so wonderful to me!

Bryan is doing great! Work is treating him well, he's working on a script, we're putting together a kickstarter campaign... There really isn't much more we can say besides The Lord blesses those who have faith in Him and who do all that they can do. It's awesome.

Life is good. It's even grand. I'm trying to be better about writing on here because I can say so much more here than I can anywhere else.

How 'bout a Mailbag to end the week?

Dear School,
I'm honestly kinda missing you. Although, I am very appreciative of the break, I am getting so antsy to find out my final grades and what the jurors said during my jury. You can understand why I feel like I'm getting an ulcer due to stress.
Sincerely,
Ready for Winter Semester

Dear Christmas,
Thank you for being "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." I needed to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol the other day. It made me quite happy.
Yours,
Kelsey

Dear Work,
I don't know what to say with you.
Sincerely,
On my last leaf

Dear Presents-under-the-tree,
There are so many this year! I'm so excited to give/receive you! Really, I think I did good this year for Bryan.
Love,
Kelsey

Dear Mom and Dad,
I miss you.
Love,
Your Daughter

Dear Michael McLean,
Thank you for writing The Forgotten Carols. They make the Christmas season that much more for us. Truly.
Love,
Bryan and Kelsey
ps. I love my new plaque
http://www.forgottencarols.com/latest-products/decorative-wooden-plaques/

Dear Hunger Games,
I'm sorry we haven't met until recently. I'm glad we're friends.
Love,
can't-get-my-mind-off

"Christmas Must Be Something More" by Taylor Swift

This song has become a new favorite of mine. I first heard it three years ago at a little Christmas luncheon with my sister and some of the ladies from my ward (the group of people I go to church with).

I just love it and the message it gives. It's like in How the Grinch Stole Christmas when the Grinch realizes that "Maybe Christmas, perhaps, is a little bit more."
When Christmas first came...
It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!

It came with a simple babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes. It came with angels singing on the most high, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"

It continues to come with charity, the pure love of Christ. As we give our hearts to others in service, we give to our Father in Heaven and our Savior.

Happy 9 days til Christmas.

Our Christmas letter

Hello Family and Friends!

We decided to keep things simple this year and just give you the highlights of what was our 2011:

1. We took our first Family Picture! (Of course, this is a highlight mostly for Kelsey, but it's going to stay on here anyway)
2. Instead of doing something normal, we spent a morning in the air for our first anniversary. Yep, we went hot air ballooning!
3. The wedding of the year! We were the Best Man and Bride's Matron to Bryan's brother, Matthew, and his wonderful bride, Leah. What an honor it was! We love them so much!
4. Kelsey joined the community theatre scene and was a featured dancer in the SCERA Shell Theatre’s production of Aida.
5. As much as we loved Wymount, we needed a change of scenery. So, we moved to Orem.
6. Bryan spent a whole night filming the Gethsemane scene for our Church's New Testament Project. Poor soul, his life is so hard.
7. Battlescars, camo, and a new gun later, we have become paintball enthusiasts.
8. Kelsey got her Associate's degree in the summer and is now on campus at Utah Valley University. She's loving being able to sing again. . . And not taking online courses!
9. We went to Yellowstone for the T. Family Reunion. This being Kelsey’s first time at the National Park, it became quite the event. Not to mention the great company!
10. Thanksgiving was spent in sandals, shorts, and 75 degree weather. Arizona treated us well while we ate, sang songs, watched movies, and shot some guns with Kelsey’s family.

As many things highlight our year, there is one thing that will always highlight our lives: Our Savior, Jesus Christ. We wish you all a wonderful holiday and pray for the best of the New Year!

Love,

Bryan and Kelsey

Christmas Traditions

Bryan's cousin Bryton is looking for Christmas traditions.

First off, I lovelovelove her piggy bank Christmas tradition. So cute. I may have to adopt it for myself.

Secondly, I'm grateful that I read her blog today so I could feel motivated to write. (since I've been dead to the world)

Thirdly, let's talk about CHRISTMAS.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Bryan and I have started a little tradition where we open our gifts to each other before Christmas, that way we can do it together. It's so sharing our own little Christmas. That's pretty much our only tradition together.

One of my favorite traditions from growing up was caroling outside my parents' bedroom door. You see, on Christmas morning, we would all convene in my parents room, make their bed, kneel next to it and thank our Father in Heaven for our Savior before going to demolish the living room.

Well, my parents didn't want all 9 of us barging in there (especially when they were (a) in their garments aka undies and (b)up all night laying out presents so they didn't want to get up right when we did).

My parents locked us out of their room.

So, we sang. Usually, it wasn't very pretty because we just wanted to wake them up so we could commence the demolishing of the living room. But, in the end, it has become one of my favorite thing about Christmas.

Thanks, Bryton :)

The Proudest Moment of My Life... Thus far

This is me unloading an AK.

So, I kinda LOVE my friends :)

Tonight, I had a girls night with a few of the girls I got really close to while I was doing Aida over the summer. Let's just say, I have missed them terribly and I just love them so much! They're so awesome! Part of me feels young around them because they have so much life experience and good advice and positive attitudes. They're so uplifting from the day-to-day (not that my super hot husband is not uplifting, but sometimes you need your friends to cheer you up). Listening and laughing and venting was just so awesome! And it was with people I really relate to. It's not that my school friends aren't awesome, but most of them are either a lot younger than me (I say alot, but they're only like 3 years younger than me) or just single and filled with drama. And not the drama I like to be involved with. That sounds terrible, but sometimes I just don't care. lol. But yeah.

I just love my friends :)

Now to go research Irish music **does jig**

Hello.

I'm Kelsey, and I suck at life.

Well.... Blogging. Yes, I suck at blogging. I honestly love it, but I'm terrible at keeping up! I can never figure out why!

As a little update to our busy life, Bryan is doing fantastic! He's working on two commercials right now--on his own! Yep! Ladies and 'Gents, my cute hubby is doing his own production work! He's excited but still kinda... I'm not sure how to describe it. Stress? Anxiety? idk. Meh, whatever! He's living the dream :)

Me, on the other hand, I'm just cruising along with school. I'm come to reason with the fact that it's going to be about 3 years instead of 1.5 years before I graduate, but I'm doing what I love and I love what I do! My voice teacher has been away since the end of October doing The Barber of Seville in Beijing, China. (Poor soul, his life is so hard... NOT!) He comes back after Thanksgiving and honestly, I'm SO HAPPY. I've been practicing every day and working on my music, but I'm just ready to have him back. Other than that, work is work and all that jazz.

So, in ONE WEEK... Bryan and I are trekking down to Phoenix to see my family for Thanksgiving. I honestly can't tell you how happy I am to be (1) getting out of Utah and (2)getting away from the cold and bracing myself for snow. 70 degrees, here we come!

It's Octo-brrrrrr!!

Which means, I've been riding my bike in the fall air. It's been pleasant.

My poor little beach cruiser is still squeaking, though. I may need to take some WD-40 to it.

School is crazy. But it makes me happy. I honestly wouldn't want to be anywhere doing anything but what my situation is RIGHT NOW. I get to sing every day and I get to analyze music and understand even deeper why music is so breath taking. It's a happy time.

Here's a little sneak peek as to what I am working on:

Disclaimer: I am NOT the person singing on these videos lol. These are just pieces that I am trying to work on. Who knew I was a soprano?!! ha!

Oh! had I Jubal's Lyre from Joshua by G. F. Handel

Pale et Blonde from Hamlet by Ambroise Thomas