Change

Andrew has worked at Qivana for almost six years and this week we had to say goodbye.

His company merged with another and while this change was expected it is still tough to make the actual adjustment. This company has been so good to him and he's really enjoyed the work that he has done and the people that he has been able to meet and connect with. 

So here's to new experiences, chances, and learning. 

It's tough but exciting at the same time. 

Creative Juices

On Monday night Andrew and I went out on a FHE date night with some of our friends. 

We went to Color Me Mine-- and we tried to be creative.

Andrew is way better at it than I am.

It took longer than expected, so we will need to go back and finish.

Which means, another date night! 

^Look at that bowl though! It's intricate design is going to be gorgeous when finished!^

^My coaster. The design is from a stencil and that is how I roll!^

^Those 2 coasters are 100% Andrew to a T!^

^I promise, I'm holding up a coaster I actually painted, and not just a blank one^

It was a fun night and I'm looking forward to seeing our our art and creativity will turn out! 

Anaheim has a HUGE Piece of my Heart

It has been 2 years since I have come home from serving my mission in Anaheim, California! Not a day goes by that I do not think of the year and a half I spent there. I remember the people I met by knocking on their doors or talking to them in the streets. I remember those times when we were invited into homes. I remember the things that strangers, members, missionary companions, other missionaries, my mission presidents and their wives' taught me. I remember the miracles that I witnessed and felt daily. I remember the times that the work was just too hard and I cried. I remember the times when I was so happy with the work that was happening, I cried. I remember those moments when the spirit would testify to me of my Savior, Jesus Christ and His love. The times when I strongly grew to know the Book of Mormon was true and the times that I felt and knew that the church of Jesus Christ has been restored! My mission was a wonderful and life changing experience and I loved it all!  Thanks to everyone that I met. You have helped change my life! 

Life 2 Years Later

Enjoying: 

Married life

and smores ice cream <----- that stuff is good. 

Living:

Utah 

Looking Forward To: 

Warm weather!

Reading:

Harry Potter #4

Job: 

Part time school in Special Education at the USU Orem Campus. 

Also working as a Special Education para educator. 

Working On:

 Homework and organizing videos since being married. 

Current Church Calling:

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator 

How My Testimony Has Grown:

I have developed a huge appreciation and love for visiting teaching and how it truly does bless lives. This program is truly inspired by the Lord as I have seen Him involved in it. I have been on the receiving end and it was a blessing. I've seen how visiting teaching is needed by others. Also, since marrying Andrew this past year my testimony of eternal families has grown. How grateful I am that I do not need to fear of losing him, my parents and brother, or my future family to come. How much God loves us! How much He wants us to be happy! I have a better understanding of how important having Christ in the center of your life is. Being a missionary, that's just what we did, but in real life it's harder. I've seen that as I read the scriptures, attend church, have family home evening, go to the temple, I am literally so much happier. God is good!

My Top 20[16]

I can't believe that 2016 is over!
Corny alert ahead... but whenever we ring in a new year I am always a little sad about the one left behind. The things I learned. The experiences that happened. Then I realize that I have a great opportunity for the current year and I get excited again!

In 2016 I had many tears shed. It was a HARD year!
Life was unpredictable 90% of the time with major life decisions.
I really struggled with college. Not academically but in other ways.
It was a lot of trying hard to be happy but not always succeeding.

2016 had it's moments of pure joy as well and I like to remember those!
Here are some of my absolute ones that made 2016 one to always remember!


1. Got engaged.

2. Went to the Provo City Center Temple open house 3x's + the dedication.
One of the most beautiful things ever.

3. Saw Zootopia. Literally, one of the best movies. It made it to the top of the year list!

4. Met Alex Boye.
(I don't know why I'm wearing all black. What was I thinking?)

5. Andrew and I ended our long distance relationship. Both local and so much better!

6. One last hurrah with my family at our cabin as Clifton's.

7. Became Mrs. Earl.

8. Took my first cruise EVER! 

9. Disneyland with the best guy.

10. Andrew's company gave us a weekend getaway for him working at the company for 5 years!

11. I got to meet Al Fox Carraway (read her book, "More than the Tattooed Mormon").

12. Washington DC.

13. Got accepted into the USU Special Education Program.
(this was a huge relief, my acceptance letter got lost and I was freaking out that I didn't get in. Luckily, I did get in!)

14. Made new friends.

15. Arches with my parents.

16. Temple Square to the Christmas lights. This day was perfect and so needed!

2016 has a lot of good memories. I'm excited to experience all the memories that 2017 will bring!

And this year I will have Andrew with me the entire time. No more long distance!

Marriage is a wonderful thing. 

Wedding Planning

When Andrew and I were planning our wedding we had little to no idea what we were doing. 

We were both the first siblings to get married.

One of my best friends got married when I was on my mission, so I was completely un-involved there. 

When we were planning our wedding I wish we had some sort of rough guide of what people before us had done.  

We did not know where to look for so many different things. 

All things that follow are in the Utah Valley area. 

Our photographer was Maddie Thomas. She was wonderful and a complete life saver. 

We had her do our Bridals and Wedding Day

(the person for our engagements we didn't like too much so we found Maddie instead).

You can find her website HERE and her Instagram HERE.

And all pictures that follow were all taken by her! She's wonderful. We love her. 

For our luncheon we had it at a local church, that way we could invite as many people as we wanted.
We had a lot of people from out of town that we wanted them there as well as our local family and friends.
This worked perfectly! We had Kneaders cater and it was delicious! 

We also had our reception at a local church and these pictures do not do the place justice. It was absolutely beautiful! People were so amazed when they came in and many people told us that they had never seen a church reception so beautiful.
I was completely in awe. 

We had Michelle do it and her company is called Ivory Gables. 

Her website it HERE and her Facebook is HERE.
She was absolutely wonderful to work with.
She showed us so many different options and ideas and we got to pick exactly what we wanted.
Loved her! 

We had VIP Catering do the food at our reception. They do all sorts of food. We choose to do desserts. 

We ordered for 500 and when the reception was over we had over 600 of one kind of dessert. 

Their serving size is more than just one per person. 

Their website is HERE.

We had Emily do our cake (we found her through Thumbtack which is a kinda nifty site). She was so professional
and really worked with us for what we wanted. The cake was so beautiful AND she made those flowers out of sugar.
She did that!!! Talk about her talent! She doesn't have a website but I'm sure if you look at Thumbtack her information
will appear and I have her contact information if needed. 

~ ~ ~

We ordered our wedding cake topper off of Etsy. It shipped from China so it took around a month to come. I didn't realize
that fact and it came about a week before the wedding. Ah, sweet relief! Online it did not have "and" for
Mr. AND Mrs. so I asked them to include it and they did! 

To order this one or one similar the Etsy shop is HERE.

And today celebrates 6 months since we had this wonderful day that all this wedding planning 

work went into. Totally worth it. We loved everything about our wedding day!

Yesterday We Drove though a Blizzard

Not the best idea. 

It was snowy all day. The kind that is thick and it tells you that winter is here to stay.

Andrew and I were meeting my parents at Ikea.

They were coming from the north and we were coming from the south. 

When we left there was a break in the storm and the clouds were clearing.

But when we got to Lehi that was a completely different story! 

It was a full on blizzard. Viability was about 500 yards (that's what my phone said but I think less).

We saw a truck start to slide into another lane. 

We even did a little ourselves which was terrifying knowing that you have no control.  

I was shaking! The heater was on full blast but I was terrified! 

How in the world did this happen? Why were we driving? 

Nothing at Ikea was worth this. 

We wanted to get off at an exit but the next exit available was the one right before Ikea. 

Might as well go to Ikea. 

We braved the storm and we made it.

I was praying so hard. 

The Ikea parking lot was basically empty. 

For obvious reasons. 

This is the best picture I have of the storm and the picture does not do it justice. 

It was much worse than what this picture portrays, but it gives a good idea.

We got parts of an entertainment center.

They were out of certain pieces. Even if some where in the store they wouldn't get it down

off the high shelves. Ok then... We risked our lives for this? 

Loading up our enteriainment center pieces. 

We'll be back this weekend. 

Haha. 

That's our blizzard story.

Don't do it.

A blizzard is much more enjoyable in a warm house 

watching it from your windows with apple cider. 

When we left the storm had cleared but that was after spending

three and a half hours at Ikea. At least it was warm, 

Our Thanksgiving Weekend

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I am so excited that the holidays are now here and we get to celebrate! 

I love this time of year!

On Thanksgiving morning Andrew and I woke up and were talking in bed.

We hear this noise and we ran, grabbed our shoes and went outside and saw this!

It landed outside our apartment complex. 

Well, good morning! 

Andrew and I spent Thanksgiving with his family this year. 

I have not spent Thanksgiving in Utah in forever! 

My family usually goes on a vacation to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios

or we go and see family. But not traveling made for a relaxing weekend. 

 This is one of my favorite party games. 

It's memory but with a small twist and it's fun to figure it out. 

How neat is this butter?

I want one for every year! 

My family was in Nebraska visiting my mom's side.

Before the trip, my aunt was telling my mom not to dress nice

and to just come as a pilgrim. My mom thought it would be funny,

so she did and she got my brother and dad to join in too.  

We got gym passes! We've been meaning to do this for months and

we finally decided to buckle down and do it. 

Wish us luck!  

We went to the BYU vs. USU Football Game!

I was wanting to go this game all year and we were able to get tickets! 

 We went inside the tent for dinner and snacks during half time. 

That is the way to do a football game! 

And these things were the best! 

Graham Canyon or something. 

I died and went to heaven every time I ate one. 

I went to the gym that day so it cancelled out, right? 

Do you see our different hoodies? (I love Utah State!) 

The weather prediction was rain and snow. 

That didn't happen but it was a little chilly. 

I was cheering on my Aggies the whole time but BYU won.

It's ok. I still love USU (and I want to go back). 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. 

We are so blessed. We have our family close.

We have a wonderful apartment and a ward we love.

We both have jobs, the gospel, and each other.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

And counting down the days till Christmas Break! 

(26 more days.... LESS THAN A MONTH!!!)