Saturday, July 6, 2013

You Have It?!?!

Here is the post we have all been waiting for!!  We're engaged!  And here's the story...
Last night, James and I went up to This is the Place Monument to the wedding reception of one of my friends.  Afterward, we planned to go to a nice restaurant downtown.  James and I had gone to look at rings a few weeks before and I had picked the one I wanted, but I had no idea when it was coming.  James had made a couple of comments to make me think that it wasn't happening that night.  We went to the reception and then went outside to sit and talk.  James asked me if I wanted to go for a walk around the park (he had a nice place in mind in the park to propose), and I responded, "Heavens no! Not in these heels!  My feel will be killing me!"  Plan A destroyed by yours truly!  So we got in the car and drove up by the visitors center and James asked if I wanted to go walk around and explore a little, and I said, "Nah, I'm ok."  On to plan C...
We headed downtown to go to the Copper Onion for dinner.  James had been to this restaurant a few times, and I was very excited to try it.  We were seated out on the patio between two groups of loud and obnoxious people.  The food was delicious (I got poutine that was to die for!), but our neighboring tables were less than ideal.  There was lots of cussing and lots of inappropriate conversations.  When our waitress brought us our check, she said that the table on one side of us felt really bad about how loud and rude they were so they picked up our tab for dinner.  What?!  Yes, they were loud and rude, but who is ever that nice?!  Thank you rude people!
This is how happy James is about our pork belly appetizer!  Ring still in his pocket!

No idea he's going to propose!
After dinner, James started heading toward Temple Square with hopes of proposing there, and it started pouring rain.  Abort plan C!  So we headed toward mi casa.  James asked if I thought Tricia and Preston would be at my house and I thought that they probably would be (plan D dead).  As we drove into my neighborhood, I suggested that we stop at the park by my house and sit under the pavilion since it was still raining a little.  We sat under the pavilion and just talked for a while.  The conversation didn't seem directed or anything but we were talking about how lucky we both are and all the things that we love about each other.  One thing I remember James saying is that he can't wait for me to be a mom and that I will be an awesome mom.  He's so sweet!  I asked him if he remembered the first time he thought that I was the girl that he should marry.  He said he couldn't remember the first time but when we went to Boise the first time (Memorial Day weekend) he felt really strongly that marrying me was the right thing to do.  I was like...that wasn't that long ago!  Slow and steady for JT! And he quickly replied...I said it wasn't the FIRST time I thought that, just a really strong time.  He asked me when I first thought I wanted to marry him, and I told him about an experience when we were at his parent's house with most of his family there.  I remember thinking that James is so amazing and his family is spectacular.  Anyone who comes from this family is someone that I want to marry!  That was back in January that I knew I wanted to marry him.  After I recounted this little experience, he said, "well, with that all being said..."  And he reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring box.  I squealed with delight, "YOU HAVE IT?!?!" And he asked me to marry him and I said YES! YES! YES! 
Newly engaged!
We enjoyed the rest of the evening just talking and celebrating together.  Eventually we called my parents to tell them the news and I texted all my siblings and closest friends.  It was a great night!

That was the story!  I'm soooooo happy, humbled, excited, honored, and elated to be engaged to my best friend and the most caring and kind man I've ever known!  I truly don't know what I did to deserve him, but I will love him forever and ever and do everything I can to make him as happy as he makes me every single day.
Can't even stop staring at it!
















Friday, July 5, 2013

Fourth of July

We had a great Fourth of July this year!  Any day that doesn't involve working has got to be good!  We started off the day with the Granite pancake breakfast with the Grossen's.






The best part of the Granite celebration was the parade.  It was so fun to watch Jack pull in as much candy as he could.  I love these cute kiddos!
James and I went over near Thanksgiving Point to watch their firework show.  It was a really fun day and I love this country so, so much!  I'm so grateful to live here!

Friday, June 28, 2013

Finishing Out June

When James and I got home from our Memorial Day weekend trip to Boise, there was a new resident at my house.  A mama duck had made her nest right next to the garage.  She was there every single morning when I left for work.  I called her "mama".  I will be the first tell you that I hate birds and I am terrified of them, but it was fun to have her there...as long as she just sat there and didn't ever flap her wings at me.  She was a good little duck.  One day I came home from work and saw this...

Hatched!!
Then the next morning when I left for work, she must have been off getting food for the babies.  The were so cute!
Three of the eggs never hatched :(
That little duck taught me a good lesson.  I can't imagine being so dedicated to something that you sit in one spot all day everyday for over a month.  I know giving birth to children takes a different kind of sacrifice and dedication for us humans, but I hope I can be just as dedicated to my children someday as mama duck was.  
On the 21st, Quade organized a fun friend night to the Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days Rodeo.  I sure love these people!
Quade took this rodeo thing seriously! And so, so special, Jake!

The last Thursday of June, the Schofield's joined James and I for a hike up to Donut Falls.  I love this hike!  And I was so nice to get up in the mountains and out of the heat.  June has been a hot one!  I love it though!  I'll take it over our horrid January any day!

See the donut?!

We had a little picnic dinner at the top.

James pampered me with a pedicure one night and he joined me.  This was his first pedicure.  He was expecting more, but I sure enjoyed myself!


Orange sparkly toes for summer!
Sure love being with this guy!

Sometimes James and I will drive around new neighborhoods and walk through houses that are being built and dream of owning a home someday.  One night we walked through a huge home near Utah Lake.  This was the view.  I love this place!
Our garden is producing!  Joy of joys!  I love veggies!
So that was June!  I can't believe it is over already!