Wedding bells are ringing!

It's been a bit since I posted!  My how time flies!  Finals and such went well, but they definintly kept me busy!  Anyone who keeps up with me on Facebook knew that I spent a week writing four papers due in four different classes, for a total of thirty-one pages due in two days.  Apparently, my teachers did NOT get together and chat.

Anyway, on to the more exciting news......NEAL AND I ARE ENGAGED! 

About two months ago, I asked Neal if he wanted to put a "limit" on how much we could spend on Christmas presents for each other.  He VERY promptly said "no."  So I smiled and agreed, but I had a feeling I knew what I was getting for Christmas.  So, days dragged on, and Neal kept teasing me about a ring.  On the 23rd, we went to the Denver Zoo Lights.  He kept trying to get me alone, but I kept refusing!  I wanted to see all the lights!  Finally, he tricked me into going to the downstairs portion of the polar bear exhibit (to see if we could see any polar bears....in the water....at 8:30 at night...when its pitch black...everyone's allowed their blonde moments!)  There was another couple down there, but Neal convinced me to stick around until they left.  I turned to him and as I was wondering why he kept trying to get me alone, he kept fiddling with his pocket and then was holding something behind his back.  As I tried to move to see what it was, he pulled out an absolutely beautiful ring and said, "So...do you kinda, maybe, wanna be my wife?"

(Now, precursor to this:  When he asked me to be his girlfriend, we were standing out by his Jeep, and he gave me a small kiss and said, "So....do you kinda, maybe, wanna be my girlfriend?"  This was after seven days straight of going out and hanging out...and on my birthday :) AW I know)

Anyway, the first words that came out of my mouth were "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"  Neal looked at me with a rather quizzical look and sarcastically replied: "No, I'm totally joking."  I then proceeded to jump around like crazy (Neal swears I was four feet in the air) and babble incessantly.

So, there you have it.  We're engaged.  We'll be gettin' hitched in May, and enjoying every minute of the journey :)

To see the ring go to: http://www.shanore.com/popup_image_blank.php?image=14L75WED_L.jpg&name=Emerald+And+Diamond+Set+Ladies+Claddagh+ring

Princess!

Ok. CUTEST thing happened last week.

Neal and I were going to a formal dance in Fort Collins. I got all dressed up in one of my old prom dresses (which thankfully fit....) and Neal got dressed up in a suit, and we went out to eat and to the dance. I wanted a princess night, and Neal humored me :)

We went to eat at Chili's. After I finished eating, I got up to use the restroom. On my way back, I was stopped by a couple with a young girl. The mom looked at me and said "we're sorry to interrupt, but we were wondering if you were a princess!" Laughing to myself, I looked at the little girl (whose name was Logan and she was four years old) and said, "why yes! Yes I am!" She then proceeded to ask me where my crown was. It was so much fun!!!

We then went to the dance, where we partied it up (almost a little too hard....I think Fort Collins FD LOVES us now! Too much "fog" in the gym). We learned how to waltz and danced until about 10:45 pm. It was wonderfully fun, and amazing to see everyone all dressed up and lookin' snazzy!

TEMPLE!

OHkay. So, the explaination to my continuous temple posts.

NO, Neal and I are not engaged.

However, I had a dream last night that I went to the temple for my endowment. OH GOODNESS! I have had this drive and longing and excitement building in me all day! It's all I've been able to think about! It's ridiculous!!!!!

Oh :) I'm so excited! Patience. It's a difficult thing right now :) It's something I've been waiting for, for a very long time. The day is within sight (although, I don't know exactly what day it will be...) and it is making me more "anxious excited" than ever before!

Luckily, I get to at least be on the grounds tomorrow. Yay!

My mom laughed at me when I told her though. Her comment was "what's funny is that it will probably be NOTHING like you've imagined".

Don't care! Still excited!

Everyday, you save my life.

Let me start this one out by saying, "poor Neal." Poor kid puts up with A LOT. Especially this last month.

I go through these points in time where I feel like nothing I do is good enough, and that it never will be. I go into fits of tears, and everything and anything that is said that I think is critisim gets blown out of proportion (even if that wasn't the intent).

So, Neal, being the wonderful man that he is, is doing his very best to attempt to help me see myself in a positive light. Bless his heart.

But, his persistence combined with a reminder that there is a reason we have a Savior, is paying off. And for that, I am grateful.

On a different note....

We went on a date to the Candlelight on Friday night. Neal humored me and got dressed up in a suit because I wanted SO badly to dress up in one of my formal dresses. Not only did he do that, but he suprised me with a red rose. Now, this may not seem like much, but I have NEVER received a single flower from a person I was in the process of dating. This absolutely made my night!

He's a good man, and he's good to me. I never show him as much gratitude as I should. He keeps me sane and shows me unconditional love (even if it's tough love...like forcing me to do my school work or fill out job applications when I want to procrastinate).

<3

Is tú mo ghrá

Yup. That's right. I just spoke Gaelic ;)

The past two weeks have been rough. Getting out of the "you're perfect and I'm totally infatuated with you" to "wow...you have downfalls...and we don't always get along..." is difficult. Quite actually. Luckily, and sometimes unfortunately, Neal and I are both pretty stubborn. We're learning how to work together, compromise, and most importantly, communicate. It'll be an interesting road, definitely with many downfalls and apologies, but I'm quite excited!

Now, this week has been quite the adventure. We got to go see Celtic Women on Sunday (hence the Gaelic title). It was a fantastic concert, and well worth the money spent for tickets. It was a revitalizing, refreshing wind to start off my week.

Monday, I found out I got a B on my Bio test. Miracle.

Tuesday, Rockies game. BASICALLY amazing. Way fun, and always a good American experience :) We ALMOST won, too.

Wednesday, I got new jeans (woo-hoo!) and went to dinner with my family, whom I love, very very much. They're insane.

Today, blah. All I have to say.

Tomorrow, Neal and I are going on a date. SO excited :) We're going out to dinner and then going to the activity at Bishop's to watch a movie. Absolutely wonderful!

Here's to a good week!

<3

Wakeboarding!!!

So, I'm very grateful for Neal. One major reason is that he makes me get out of my little comfort bubble, even when I don't want to.

We went wake boarding last week. I was pretty sure I would suck hard-core because the first and only time I went, well, I sucked. Luckily, I have a very patient boyfriend who has a friend who has a boom (sp?) for his boat. It was CAKE after that, and I have SO much fun!!!!! The water was perfect, the lake was amazing, and I got up and STAYED up like four times after learning first on the boom!!

Now I'm quite addicted, and I keep pushing him to go :)

"I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen" 1 Nephi 1:20

Interesting week by far. Definently had ups and downs.

Monday, Neal's 96 year-old grandpa went to the hospital because his heart hurt. For being a "part" of a family for such a short time, I didn't think this would bother me as much as it did. I had a chance to just sit and talk to him while everyone else was out and about, and I'm glad I was able to. He told me stories that made me laugh and smile. Even sitting in a hospital bed with a bunch of tubes attached to him, he was in SUCH high spirits, and had a smile on his face most of the time. He even complimented the food he ate for lunch :) It was a good reminder that no matter the circumstances, there's always a silver lining :) If only I'd kept that in mind Wednesday...

I found out that one of my best friends and his family are going through an extremely difficult trial this week. One that I was utterly shocked to hear about. It put me in quite a damp spirit (to the dismay of Neal...who planned an amazing date for the day). As we were up in RMNP, I was sitting on a rock, pondering life, and the people that I have in mine; how grateful I am for them, but how little I show it, or tell my Heavenly Father how grateful I am. I have been truely blessed. I live in a state that has an amazingly beautiful landscape, with plenty of wildlife. I have a wonderful family that I care so much about...so much they will probably never understand. I have an amazing boyfriend who treats me like a princess...something I've never really had. Not only does he treat me like a princess, but his family has accepted me without question. I live in a free country that was prepared from the beginning of time as a place for the Gospel to be restored. I just flat out have the Gospel in my life, and a testimony of my Heavenly Father, and Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What more could I ask for? I have all the necessary things (except for temple covenants, but that will come soon enough!!).

I'm excited for tomorrow (the 4th). It's my favorite holiday, by far. I get to celebrate one of my favorite blessings I mentioned above.

How blessed I am :)

Little Moments :)

Yesterday should have been a DISASTER!!!! I had a good list of things I needed to get done on my day off. Should have been a fairly easy day, but NO. All I needed to do was run up to Loveland, stop by my grandparents, pay the stupid speeding ticket I got three weeks ago, return library books that are late, buy a rabbit for Ayowin to eat, stop by Kinsco, and then be to a park for a Tball game at 5:45. Not too much to ask, right? Well, apparently, it was.

Neal and Tiffany decided to go on this wonderful adventure with me. After Tiff and I picked up Neal, we headed over to Greeley (after turning around three times to run by Neal's house...) to pay my ticket. On the way over, Neal pointed out I could pay my ticket at the Weld Co SW Substation...which is about three minutes from my house. After laughing it off, we headed south to save some time. 5 minutes and a big POP later, I had a blown tire, on a dirt road, No biggy. Neal wouldn't let me help try to change the tire (which, I'm ok with...;) ). He pulled out all the tools, and started to take my tire off. SUPRISE, I have after-market rims, and the tire-iron doesn't fit. Wonderful. Neal called Shauna (his sister), and she came to rescue us. We drove to AutoZone, but of course they didn't carry the adapter I needed. I became rather frustrated. As I looked across the street, I saw a custom wheel and tire shop. We crossed the street (possibly jay-walking?) and went inside. After a few OBVIOUS coughs from Tiff to get the attention of the guys, we told them of our dilema. The guy was totally awesome about it and let us borrow his tool with just a promise to bring it back. Hello tender mercy :)

After putting the weenie-wheel on my poor Earl, and driving to Discount and getting three new tires (my front ones were shot too), we finished MOST of our errands. The Substation ended up being closed all day yesterday, so I didn't get my ticket paid (after ALL that trouble to get down there...) I still haven't turned in my silly library books either.

Other stupid things happended during the day that I don't remember much of now, but I am rather grateful that I have a wonderful boyfriend who not only is willing to do things like change my tire for me, but he refuses to let me do it, and even gets upset if I try. I'm also grateful for a sister who can make me laugh (usually) any time of day. Just one of those little moments where I realize I'm rather blessed, even through adversity :)

My very first :)

Ah! My very first blog :) I'm finally catching up with the world. Hahaha :)

Life for me currently: Life is AMAZING! Ever since coming back to the Single's Ward, I have received countless blessings. I had a calling that helped me learn about how I personally receive revelation, which in turn, helped in my personal life as well. I am now serving as a ward missionary and a Gospel Principles teacher. I teach my first lesson in a week, and I'm WAY excited. If you have any suggestions, please, feel free to share :)

Work is....work. Haha. Not much else to say about it. I "retired" from the police department. I'll be taking 16 credit hours during the fall semester, and 14 credit hours during the spring semester next year, and combined with Kinsco, volunteering with the police department had to go. I will miss it, and I learned a lot, but I couldn't handle the stress and bad things I saw/learned about every week :(

School is going well. I've taken as many GT Spanish credits as I can, so hopefully I don't loose most of it!! I should be done with my associate's in May '11. Woot woot! I'm excited, and then hopefully will move on to my bachelor's. I've decided on music of some sort, but not sure where to focus my attention yet!

Yes, there is a boy. His name is Neal Johnson, and he is AMAZING! He served his mission in Manchester, England. I love hearing his mission stories! We met playing Ultimate Frisbee. He was on the other team, and no one on my team would guard him (because he's pretty much an amazing player). Guarding turned into talking which turned into exchanging phone numbers. Our first date wasn't intended to be a date, but it turned into one anyway :) We went to Baskin Robbins and got .31 cent ice cream, went back to his house and watched the Nuggets game, and then ended up having an epic pillow fight! He officially asked me to be his girlfriend on May 2 (yup...my birthday...talk about an amazing birthday present!).

Hopefully I'll be able to keep this up to date!! I'm not super good at keeping up with things like this, but I'll try! I promise!!