Engaged!

                

This is basically straight from my journal, five years ago and is a continued post on how Izac proposed to me! The post that goes before this is called: A More Excited Girl I hope you enjoy! 

               I pulled on to the road that took me down to mesa falls and my GPS said that my destination was on the right but there was nothing on the right but a bunch of trees. I was somewhat confused because the when the GPS took me to R mountain (the spot of our first date) it led me right up the hill to the direct spot. I looked around for something in the trees and didn’t see anything right off. I decided to go park my car and then go from there. I looked for Izac’s bronco or another of their family’s car and didn’t see anything. I was guessing Izac was going to be at the next spot. I was going to walk over to the trees and look but then I got to thinking… I thought: “He wouldn’t lead me back here, we never did anything back there.” And my gut was telling me just to go look down at the falls and then if nothing was there I could come back and look. I jogged to the deck that was on the side of the mountain and over looked the falls and then fast walked. I was looking everywhere for something. Finally, I saw a card on a bench at the bottom, on the deck, were a few months ago we had shared our first kiss. I ran down there… fast. There weren’t many people around. I didn’t pay a ton of attention ( I had other things on my mind  but I think that I was the only person down there) the card with my name on it was taped to the bench. I opened it up and on the outside of the card it said “Take a seat” I sat down, card in hand, and opened it up.  “My favorite memory by far! Words can’t describe how I felt the first time we were here Probably very similar to how we both feel at this moment. (My heart was beating so fast and my knees were shaking) You are a wonderfully amazing woman Joslyn! I love everything about you!!!” “Nothing would make me happier than to be your man Forever! Take your time, look at the forest, look at the waterfall and I will be with you soon!!! ;) " 

(Sneaky Izac was on the upper deck taking pictures of me :) )

               I was shaking good. I decided to stand up and walk to the rail and look at the beautiful earth that God gave us to live on.

 Part of me was a little bit confused. I didn’t see any of Izac's families' vehicles and there wasn’t a hint to go to the next place. I finally figured that maybe he was here. I stood for a while, and so many thoughts ran through my head. ‘I really think this is real.’ ‘I really think this is real and I am REALLY excited!’ ‘I can’t think of anything better than spending forever with my man, Izac hillam.’ I thought of how much I had grown to care for him since we started dating, since our first kiss and everything in the middle. Everything had gone so smoothly that it at times almost felt too good to be true. 

          After a time I turned around to look up the mountain and there he was. My true prize! My prince! Words can’t even describe what I felt as I saw him standing there. I couldn’t hold back any longer. On the verge of tears I sprinted up the deck and brought him close and smothered him in kisses… poor guy probably couldn’t breathe but I was SO glad to see him!! We told each other we loved each other and then went back down to where just moments before I had been standing.  He pulled me close and we held each other in a tight embrace. I felt something in his pocket that felt like a ring box… WOW this really was happening!! After hugging and kissing some more he told me he loved me and that he wanted to spend forever with me....

           He then knelt down and said: “Joslyn.. Will you Marry Me?”  

           My heart jumped, I didn’t even let him stand up. With tears in my eyes I said: “Yes!” and started kissing him all over again. He finally was able to stand up and we kissed and hugged again. After hugging he took the ring out and slid it onto my hand. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!  A single round diamond with a band, simple but very elegant. The diamond is BIG and so clear and sparkly, I LOVE IT. He chose it out all by himself and he did a WONDERFUL job. I really don’t think I could have done better.

            Truly Amazing. 

          His love was evident all around me and now I was promised to be his. He slid it on my hand. It was just a smidgen big but still fit pretty good. I was so happy!! Although I love my ring, it’s not the ring that I was happiest about. I was happiest about getting to spend forever with the most wonderful man ever!!! He was mine, I was his, and we were promised to each other and that was the best feeling in the whole world!! 

         I think that there was a family there… We hugged again and I hollered out : “I’M ENGAGED!”  I was the happiest girl on the planet earth!!! They kind of laughed congratulated us and then left. Izac and I stood there holding each other close, the two happiest people on the earth. Some biker guys came down and we had them take our pictures.

            We talked about the daily adventures for a while before heading back up, hand in hand grinning from ear to ear. We talked at my car about the memory lane treasure hunt. Then I got a little confused. I didn’t know where is bronco was. He showed me how to shoot the air soft gun and then we both got in my car and drove to his bronco, which was in another parking lot that I didn’t know about. He put a TON of planning and thought into the whole excursion and it was better than I ever could have imagined!! I don’t think I even would have thought up something that amazing! I am the Luckiest girl Ever!  I would just grin and hug him and vice versa. He told me that the day wasn’t over yet. I was just happy to be with him.

           

          We drove down to go to the train tunnel that he had told me about a while ago. Once we got to the parking lot he got the bikes out, put the front tires on (he had to take the front tires off to get two to fit in the back of the Bronco) and we headed on our way. It was a beautiful day, no wind, and just a bit chilly. I took Izac’s jacket and we rode to the tunnel. 

           It wasn’t a long ride up there. It is a pretty cool and legit train tunnel! It was closed off in the middle though because it was caving in. We went to the other side and kissed, took some pictures and then climbed on top. We probably spend 15 or so minutes there, smiling, hugging, and talking. After some time we headed down the trail and went all the way down on a trail that followed a river. It was a beautiful trail and we were able to ride side by side and talk with each other because it was wide enough for two! So fun and surreal.

          It was around three and Izac and I were both hungry so we decided to go to Big Judd’s. On the way to Big Judds I called my dad and told him. He was pretty happy about it, and I also called my mom and she was excited too. I told the waitress at Big Judds that we had just got engaged and she congratulated us. We actually ran in to some people that Izac knew and I guess they had seen us at mesa falls. It was kind of funny.  Macady stared texting me and they all wanted to see my beautiful ring but it didn’t look good on my picture on the phone so I made them wait till we got back.

           As we ate our Big Judd we talked and I found out more of the story. Izac had met with my parents like a week or so ago, he said he asked them if he could marry me and my dad was really emotional. It was cute the way Izac told me! I love my dad so much!! What a great guy! 

(My dad and I! PS Dad, I like your beard trimmed shorter like in this picture! :) )

           I also found out that a part we had delivered to Rexburg really wasn’t a part, it was Izac’s payment for my ring. Lol and I was right there with him! Things started to fall into place the more we talked. Izac had one of my siblings take my GPS. It was just funny to find out all of these things after, and the building of the proposal in some respect was happening right in front of me. Lol. I love Izac!! Izac had also only gotten one hour of sleep last night so by the time we finished eating he was pretty worn out. I was worried if he was going to make it to my house ok. (We were still in separate cars (the reason that we needed to head back was for my close friend's wedding reception)) Izac had a pair of walkie-talkies so we each took one and talked with each other on the way back. It was kind of fun, and it kept him awake. I care so much for him! I was still grinning as we drove the rest of the way to my house.

            When we got to my house everyone was anxious to hear the story and see my ring, Tasha had even made her date and friends wait so she could see my ring.

(Yes, I have fat fingers!)

 I was SO excited and so happy to share our wonderful story with my family. I let Izac lay down for a bit because he hadn't got much sleep and I started calling all my extended family and sharing the good news with them. They were all pretty happy and excited for me! 

           At about 6:30pm we headed over to my friend's reception. My parents had left earlier and I guess they had told my friend that I was engaged. She ran to me when we got there and gave me a great big hug. I was still smiling big. 

(At my friend's reception)

This caused commotion and a lot of people asked, the whole ward/ community pretty much found out at her reception that I was engaged!  It was enjoyable telling them and having Izac there with me. I was such a happy girl! And I was wearing my true love’s ring! We ate and talked and stayed like the whole reception. Telling anyone who wanted to listen what a wonderful day I had had and how I was engaged to prince charming! 

         I was the happiest girl in the whole entire world!! Izac did so much for me today and put a lot of work into it! I am engaged to the most AMAZING guy in the world and I love him and look forward very much to spending forever with him. I really couldn’t be happier!! 

(All the things Izac gave me with the cards! So thoughtful!)

If you want to read previous posts of 'Our Love Story' Click ~HERE~ 

Thoughts Matter

Izac and I went to the 'Limitless' seminar last weekend and it was incredible, uplifting, empowering and life changing. I realized with a strong force that I had been living far below my potential. I had so many personal breakthroughs in realizing how much divine potential I really have. I want to delve into and share with you what I have learned and been trying to incorporate into my life and hopefully inspire you to find and have your own breakthroughs!

I want to start by telling a little of what 'Limitless' is: (I actually just typed the next three paragraphs to one of my friends, it was so good I wanted to use it here!) Limitless is a three day seminar. Their focus is to empower people to learn that they can be 'Limitless' and it is just a matter of changing your thought process. They main areas they focus on is helping people improve in the areas of health, relationships, connection, and wealth. It was so interesting to find out how I was holding my own self back by the thoughts I was thinking and how much harm they were doing. 

They talk about stepping out of our comfort zones and that lasting transformation only occurs when we step out of our comfort zone. It made so much sense to me because that it when we are really tested to see how we will react. I love my comfort zone but I have come to realize that if I don't step out I will never influence the lives that need me. In other words I will never live up to my divine potential. The whole three days was filled with transformational moments that in future posts I will delve deeper into. 

 These eye opening moments were fantastic. They made me understand a lot of things in a new and better light. But what I loved most about it is that I felt the spirit confirm time and time again that I was a daughter of God and that I have the capability and potential to step out of my comfort zone and do what I needed to do to be the person God needs me to be. I am going to make better choices, especially in how I think,  now that I have learned what my old choices were doing to me. Here is one example:

Our minds are SO powerful!  The thoughts we think manifest themselves in our lives even if we don't consciously realize it. After I had Millie I wanted to fit into my old clothes. I wanted to lose weight but I thought that I was fat... and I didn't feel I had the self control it took to lose weight.... Guess what began to manifest in my life? I gained about 10 pounds.... and I didn't have the self control to stick with diet or exercise program for more than a couple of days....When they taught us about how powerful our thoughts were at the seminar it was like: 'MIND BLOWN!' I have been creating my own negativity and negative results because of what my thoughts consisted of: 'I am fat' 'I can't do this' 'I am not strong enough' 'I don't have the self control' Our thoughts matter because they become matter! When these thoughts try to plague my mind I have decided to replace them with the following 'I am becoming thin' 'I can do this' 'I have the will power it takes to eat healthy' 'I have and posses self control and posses the desire to choose the healthier option.' I feel very optimistic that I will be able to fit into my old clothes by the fourth of July.  Our thoughts matter because they become matter!

I have learned SO many things and in the half week since I have been back! I will continue to share with you what I have learned and hope you will be able to find some area in your life to apply it. If you have any questions or want details on how to go to a 'Limitless' Seminar let me know!

A More Excited Girl!

I have to preface this blog a bit. I went back and read it from my journal and I really didn't think I couldn't make it too much better, so this i mostly straight from my journal (I did take out others names and fix a couple of things but other than that this is what I wrote almost 5 years ago) 

This post is a continuation of 'Excited Girl':

          My next card read the following: “I remember trying to build up the courage to ask you on our first date. You may not know this but I was nervous, I thought, ‘look at this beautiful girl, she sits next to me in my truck and she let me show her how to shoot a gun . . . I’m Loving this!!’” “Sometimes I wish I could go back and relive those days. ;)”  “If you made it this far you are doing great! Your next stop will test color and taste. Tell them your name and buy yourself a snack.” In the hint card was a gift card to Jamba juice. We had gone there once on our bikes and drew a picture of Obama holding a Jamba and called it 'JambaCare'. It was pretty funny and a good time.

          Once I got to Jamba I went in and told them my name. I told the guy my name was Joslyn, he looked at me like “ I don’t care what your name is!” but then he thought about it and was like OH...! Joslyn!! He pulled out a wrapped present for me and with it there was a free Original Jamba for me. I didn’t have to use the gift card Izac had got me at the last stop.           They made me a Jamba while I opened the present. I really couldn’t stop from smiling! It was kind of busy there and everyone was looking at me. A funny thing was, that with the gift there was a sprinkler head. I knew right were the next one was going to be without even looking at the card (nature park where we had had a sprinkler water fight one night ). One lady asked if I was getting asked to a dance, I told her I thought it was a little bigger than that… Like marriage. She smiled and congratulated me. Once I got the gift open there was another card with my name on it and a pink undershirt that I have been wanting, it was from Hollister too and probably wasn’t cheap. I was beginning to feel kind of bad for him spending so much, especially if he was proposing, because that meant that there would be a ring… Diamonds aren’t cheap either. I was thoroughly enjoying my trip down memory lane though and felt like such a lucky girl!!! My excitement was almost bursting over!

            The next card said: “Going out for treats is always fun with U! stopping by Jamba Juice after a hot bike ride was one of our biggest laughs. I love how content and happy we are together even if all we are doing is coloring with markers together” “Simple and close is the next one. It’s where we like to walk, it’s where we like to ride, its where we like to talk and get wet on the side. See you soon!”  Having read the card I knew for sure the next stop was Nature park. We had talked there, walked there and rode there together, learning of each other and making precious memories. It was fun to reminisce for a minute.
            I had forgot what road to take to get to the park but eventually I made it. They were having a cross country meet there, so there were a TON of people there. I pulled in and looked around for something, after a few minutes I saw it, a present under a pavilion where we were right before Izac put me in the sprinkler and we wrestled in the water. I ran over and hanging out the top of a wrapped box was the hint that said “ “Hint! kiss," “the first time” on GPS.” I knew that next stop was going to be Mesa falls and believe it or not the excitement and smiles on my face just kept getting bigger (our first kiss was shared at mesa falls on Izac’s 22 birthday). On the gift was a paper taped to it that said: “If this is not yours do not touch it!” It made me smile and I was glad that everyone had left it there. There were a few people there at the spot for the cross country meet. They just watched me, and my giddy girl self open the box. I opened  it and it was a pair of warm Hollister sweats! They were so cute, pink with white Hollister wording down the side. While I was excited to get them I was anxious to get to my next destination! 

            The next card with my name on it said: “one of my favorite spots and one of my favorite memories. Spontaniniouness is a great fuel in our relationship. After we did this we were wet and cold. We went back home and snuggled up in sweats to get warm, another one of my favorite things to do with you!!” “The next one is long, the next one is far, you will need your GPS and your car. Be careful! And I will see you soon!!”  I was SO EXCITED!!!! In my mind I had figured that it was either going to happen at Mesa falls or the new beginning spot that was saved in my GPS. Mesa falls was about 60 miles away. I got on the road and headed north with the biggest smile on my face. Wondering if this was really happening to me. A ways into my drive I lost my radio signal so I decided to listen to brother bear in my CD player. I played the song “I’m on my way” like 3-4 times (I still love that song and it reminds me of this day!). It seemed to fit pretty well and it was uplifting and made me even more excited and happy. I didn’t really try to keep the speed limit this time either. As a matter of fact I probably averaged like 80-90 mph the whole way there... I was an excited girl and figured there wouldn’t be many cops clear out in the country. It was a beautiful day. Somewhat overcast but nonetheless beautiful. The leafs were turning color and the curvy road to mesa was GORGEOUS, it really made my already AMAZING day even better! 

If you are just tuning in and want to read more of our love story here is the where you click ------------   

Also I went to a 'Limitless' Seminar and I am SO excited to share with you what I have learned and been incorporating in my life, that will be coming soon!!

Excited Girl

        I have to preface this blog a bit. I went back and read it from my journal and I really didn't think I could make it too much better, so this is mostly straight from my journal ( I did take out others names and fix a couple of things but other than that this is what I wrote almost 5 years ago): 

            

        WOW! Where do I start? It is October 15, 2011. Before I start I need to give some back ground. Thursday Morning my GPS came up missing. I thought it was really weird that whoever took it just took that and no money. I was really concerned and even thought about calling the police. I thought maybe a family member had taken it. I told Izac about it and he told me that we could take care of it after the weekend. I trusted him and went with it.  Izac and I had planned to go on a hike up to Union falls today but it turned out that the weather likely wasn’t going to be good and I also needed to be back for my friend's wedding reception.  As far as I knew Izac was going to help his brother with his service project for his eagle scout. My alarm went off about 8:00 am, the covers were warm and I wasn’t quite ready to get up. I didn’t have much planned so I laid there for a while thinking about everything going on in my life. About 8:15 am I heard my mom rattling rather noisily around in the kitchen. I thought it was weird that she was making breakfast so early on a Saturday morning. I finally went to the bathroom and just took my sweet time. I went back into my room, changed clothes and finally came out to the front room and then the dining room.

            On the kitchen table was the biggest brightest vase of flowers that I had ever seen!! Full of yellows and pinks and green and purple and blue, it was over flowing with flowers.

Underneath was a card that said my name. My heart started beating faster… was this really happening? :) I carefully opened the card and read what it said. (I still have all the cards but I wanted the words to be in my journal because I don’t think I will keep the cards in my journal)  It said, “ Good Morning My  Love!!! I know we had plans and both really wanted to end the season with a “big hike” but because of weather and other things we may not be allowed to. I promise I will make it up to you! Perhaps the next best thing will be a trip down memory lane.” “Take your time 2 wake up and have a good breakfast. Before you leave grab your hiking clothes, warm gear and your memory bank  ;) Use the “ hint” cards to know where you must go next.    See you soon xoxoxo”  The hint card had a key in it and said the following “the gate combo is 1229 meet you across the high way.” I was so excited, words can’t even describe. Thoughts began running through my head… I even wondered if he was proposing. I tried my best to hurry to get ready but my hair needed done and I just couldn’t get my outfit right. Mom hinted that I would want to look nice. I didn’t ask them many questions because I wanted whatever was happening to be a surprise. I finally got dressed with Izac’s favorite blue shirt, blue jeans and straightened hair. I grabbed some stuff real fast and rushed out the door.

            Luckily the gate to the airport was already open when I got to the hanger; I drove through the gate and parked, fully expecting to see my man behind the locked doors. When I finally got the lock open, I opened the door and right in front of me was a chair with a box and another card with my name on it. The reason the hanger is a memory because I got to go flying this summer.

              I opened the card first and read the following. “Before I say anything else, I will say I am sorry for making you worry. I had it the whole time (open the box) (so I opened it and inside was my GPS, my first thought was ‘stinker ’ ) I’m glad you didn’t call the police ;). You will understand why I took it, we will be using it a lot later.” “When I think of ‘us’ I can’t help but think of how much fun we’ve had, all the adventures! Getting lost on a detour on the 4^th, biking, flying, west Yellowstone. . . I  LOVE IT! ” “Your next place you need to go is where it all began… look at your hint and you will know where to go.”  “be careful, I can’t wait to see you!!”  I was starting to really wonder and be amazed at my man!! I was a smiling fool. The hint card said the following: “What are you doing?”     “ coloring”    “is that you box of arts and crafts?”     “yah, it my Bronco’s tool kit ”  at the bottom it said ‘glitter fight!!’  and there was a small canister of glitter in the hint. What a fond memory, this is where we first really met and started flirting; a cute man tackled me in my apartment and put glitter all over my face. I barely knew him at the time but nevertheless it was a blast!!

              That happened at my old apartment Abby Lane so I headed over there. On the way over there I got a call from dad wondering what I had found at the hanger, I also got a text from mom. They were curious and wanted me to keep them updated.  I was grinning and thinking, and grinning and thinking. I looked all around when I got there looking for Izac’s Bronco, fully expecting him to be there, but I didn’t see it anywhere. I ran upstairs and my old roommate, opened the door. I asked her if Izac was there, she said he wasn’t but he had dropped something off for me. I was anxious to get it. I was really curious to what was going on. My roommate however had other things on her mind. I love the girl but I wanted that next clue! I was trying to be courteous so I listened to her talk about her guy problems for about 20 minutes before I looked at the time on my phone, the suspense was killing me… She noticed and asked if I was in a hurry. I told her I didn’t know… (But in my head I was screaming YES!!  I was excited!!) . Finally she went and got it. It was wrapped in cellophane. When I finally got it open I found another card with my name on it and a cook book, a pan, some spatulas and spoons, a cake mix and a cinnamon sugar shaker! All of these gifts were surprising me, if this really was leading to an engagement, he really out did himself! I was super impressed with my man!!

            The next card read the following: “We have had a lot of fun in this apartment This is where I really started to grow my feelings for you, especially after a spontaneous glitter fight! Not to mention, hot wingers sauce, popsicles, grapes, frosting and cuddling ;)  Since then my feelings done nothing but sky rocket!! ( I was grinning so big at this point!) Past the clouds and stars.   I’ve enjoyed every minute” “It has only just started! Looking at your hint you'll find where you are to go next. I’m sure you will figure out where you need to go. It’s close yet far, you will need to use your GPS to figure out where you are!   Be careful, I can’t wait to see you!” What an amazing guy!!!! The hint had a bullet in it and said: “Look in your GPS favorites. Search: Where it all began.” (also in my GPS were two other destinations that said ‘first time’ and ‘new beginning’ so from here I knew I had at least 2 more stops…  )I headed out to R mountain we had had our first date of shooting and tin foil dinners.

                 I only went like 15 over the speed limit. I half expected Izac to be there but was learning that this was my scavenger/ memory hunt and my prize was going to be at the end. There was a cute little tepee of wood set up with another card with my name on it.

                  In the wood was an air -oft gun and bullets!! I am a spoiled girl! I was way excited about the air-soft gun! I tried to shoot it but didn’t quite know how to load it.... My excitement was constantly building, with each precious card, with each prize and with each memory that came back. Our first date was unforgettable and awesome, it brought back such sweet memories, at times wish I could relive those days, I mean we still have good times but  you know… It was great! Since our first date my love for him has only grown stronger and stronger. 

To Be Continued! 

If you are just tuning in and want to read more of Izac and I's love story click HERE!! :) 

Journaling

Journaling. 

        I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I have began to realize how important it is to record the little moments that really aren't going to always be there, like the ones with my children. They are growing ever so fast and I want to remember all the little special moments.
        This has meant that I have had to change the way I journal. I used to hand write everything. I love the authenticity of my own handwriting, and still do, but it became too time consuming and impractical when I can type three to four times faster...
        I have been typing my journal entries for a little while now and just got a bunch printed off. I initial every page and sign at the bottom of the finished ones to still leave a trace of authenticity. It saves me SO much time to type and I am able to record more and in better detail.  Here is a small entry from recently: 
   We had started playing a game of 3-14 with my parents, Ryker was sitting outside in a patio chair watching Macady try and shoot pesky birds. The last round was played and I had the lowest score. I had won! I looked out the open window, bending over slightly to see Ryker and I said: Guess what Ryke? I won! He looked at me smiled and smirked before he said ‘You one...? I two! haha!' (yes he literally did the haha) It was so funny, we all started giggling at his practical way of thinking! 
      I would encourage you to try doing a little bit of journaling this week. It doesn't have to be typed or written. You could do a voice recording, a video of yourself,  or scrap booking.
     Through personal record keeping you can learn from your trials and enjoy reading the times of thrill and fun, think of what your posterity could learn from you too. It has been so much fun for me to be able to read back and recall details I had forgotten of the day that Izac proposed, which will be coming soon in the next blog on 'Our Love Story'.  :) 

 Printed and put in order!

Embarrassed!

This is more of 'Our Love Story', all my writings on 'Our Love Story'  are at a link at the end. Thanks for reading! 

It was strange that I checked my middle console for my GPS. I had bought the GPS to use for when I was a nanny in California and every so often I still used it. It usually just sat there until I dusted it off to point me in the right way I needed to go. So when I lifted the lid and it wasn't there, I knew that someone had taken it. No money or anything else was gone, just my GPS. I thought that was really weird, if someone really wanted to steal from me they would have taken my money too. I didn't know what to do about it, but I knew I wanted the GPS back. My mom suggested I call the police and report it missing. Izac said that he thought someone may turn it up and to wait for a bit. I was tempted to call the police but for some reason I never did. I decided to wait a little to see if the culprit would confess...

It was the month of October and Izac's family was really in to Halloween from what I had been told. My family was kind of the opposite. Halloween wasn't a holiday that we did stuff for other than the basic trick-or-treating. The fact that my family wasn't into Halloween didn't bother me at all. I didn't like scary things or scary movies anyways so it was nice to not have to feel like I should be involved with scary things.

Izac's family had made arrangements to go to Dr. Slaughters (which is a local haunted house), when I found out this piece of news, the tensions automatically started to build. I really, Really, REALLY, did not want to go. Those tensions of what could happen or be there built and built. I made it very clear to Izac that I did not like scary things and that I really would rather wait in the car until everyone finished. I really didn't know if I could handle it. By this time I has worked myself up so much that a small poke would have made me explode. My nerves seemed to make the anticipation and everything scary seem so much worse. I needed to just relax but was to worked up to do so. 

I made it through all the dancers at first, it was creepy but not too bad and Izac was right there holding me. I was trying so hard to put my brave face on. We were with his WHOLE family, even his sister and brother-in-law who we didn't see very often. My brave face lasted for maybe five minutes into the haunted house and then it just released. I started bawling. Yes... a 20 year old girl was bawling in a haunted house that really wasn't even supposed to be that scary. To say that I was embarrassed was an understatement. I was such a dark shade of red on my face that I was sure I was glowing that hue. It seemed certain in my mind that Izac was going to think of me as a pansy and want to find someone with more of a spine. This thought made me feel even worse about crying like a little child. I'm positive there were like eight year olds going through and not crying and here I was...

 I hated that haunted house and vowed to never go back again. After it finally got over, Izac kept reassuring me that it was alright that I hated that kind of stuff, that he would still keep me. I seemed doubtful but his eyes seemed to tell a truth that he wanted me regardless of my elevated dislike of scary things. (on a side note: I have not been back to a haunted house or maze since and never plan on going again. Now that we have kids I have pledged myself as baby sitter every year when they go to their haunted house.)

Once I was finally able to over come my traumatic experience at the haunted house and had been verified many times that Izac still loved me and wanted me, our dating and courtship continued. Izac and I began to develop habits that would uplift both of us. Every Sunday we made it a goal to read a General Conference talk; for some reason we always managed to find ones that talked quite a bit about marriage. We also started scrap booking together. Believe it or not, Izac, used to scrap book quite a bit with me. He said that he enjoyed preserving the memories we had made and that it was important for us to not spend much idle time together. (On another more extensive side note: We still have the scrap book and I cherish it, as Izac doesn't have much time (and possibly desire ;-) ) to scrapbook any more. (On a further side note: if you come over and ask to see our scrap book, we love to share our beginning with anyone asking. Just be sure you don't want to do much talking because Izac and I could talk forever about our dating and courtship :) )

Another hobby or habit that we picked up was country dancing. I had always thought country line dancing was fun, I wanted to learn it better and Izac was interested also so we started going every week. We jokingly tossed the idea around of learning a few dances for our wedding (we were seriously talking wedding at this point in time if you are behind). After moving from the beginner class to the intermediate class we knew that we wanted to have some dancing at our wedding. We were finding dances, songs, and moves that we did well together and it was a fantastic way to spend quality time. There is nothing quite like looking in to loving eyes as you are twirled and dipped all around the dance floor. It was very easy to forget that there were other people were there. Izac and I would dance in the clouds in attractive bliss.

Everything he said and did made me love him more and more. At some moments it really felt too good to be true. He was my 'Prince Charming' in every way, shape, form and aspect. He had a great deal of respect for me as a person, he had worthy goals and desires, he was a worthy priesthood holder, he not only served a mission but learned and grew from his experiences, he was debt free, he was honest, chaste, a willing and hard worker, but also knew how to play hard, have fun and enjoy time. He made me want to become and be my best self. 

They say that fairy tales don't happen. That you really can't have that kind of love. That it doesn't exist. But I am here to tell you that it does! It probably is not that way for everyone from what I hear and read but 'Fairy Tale Love' does exist. Yes, my Izac is human and makes mistakes but he is so very perfect for me!

HERE  <-  is where you read more about Izac's and I's beginning adventures!

Sand Dunes

This is a continuation of Our Love Story. I know it has been EONS of time since I last posted a continuation so at the bottom I posted a link where you can read the other ones. I may even re-post them in order. We shall see. Until next time, enjoy: :) 

I had been to the sand dunes before, but every prior experience paled in comparison to the time that Izac took me. When I had been before I always rode with someone, this time I was to navigate using my own clutch four wheeler. I was fine with clutch in a car, my first car had been a clutch, but I wasn't to sure about a clutch four wheeler. Izac had been doing that kind of stuff for years and years and was very patient in working with my amateur self and teaching me how to do it.

I was no where near as brave or crazy as Izac but still had a good time doing circles and climbs that I was comfortable with. Miraculously enough I really didn't stall it that often either. About sun set we parked our four wheelers and sat down for a minute, airing our feet and feeling the sand between our toes. Soon, some sand was kicked my way accompanied with a boyish smirk. Game on, rattled in my head, and I quickly grabbed his waist before he could run away and he fell down bringing us both to the sand. Sand was thrown everywhere as we played around, it was packed in our clothes and shoes but the fun time and memory was irreplaceable. My heart rate increased from the physical activity and having Izac so near. He tends to cause heart throbs for me.

It started to get pretty dark so eventually we decided we had better head back. After a short time all the sand dunes started to look the same and I was beginning to think that we were lost. All the thoughts of what it would be like to be lost in the sand dunes started running through my head, and let me tell you they weren't pleasant thoughts. Some of the thoughts were as follows: what if a scorpion bit me and the venom froze my whole body in place and I was to never marry? What if a horrific wind storm randomly came through and I was sand blasted to a dry animal corpse? what if red ants decided I was a delectable dinner and ate so much that no one could identify who I was? What if a mountain lion thrashed Izac to pieces as he valiantly fought with all he had and saved my life? Those were just a few of the thoughts that coursed through my brain in a short amount of time. While it had been warm while the sun was out it was starting to get cold (what if I froze to death?) as it dipped lower and lower into the sky. It seemed my fear was accelerating as fast at the temperature drop.
 
I kept going, internally praying that we would make it back safe and not have to spend a night with no food or water lost on the sand dunes. After what seemed like twice (or more!) as long as it took to get to where we were, we pulled into the parking lot. The relief was palpable as I knew that we were going to make it.

Izac took me in his arms and asked if I had been nervous. If my shaky limbs didn't give it away my shaky voice did. I timidly said that I might have been praying that we would get back safe and not have to spend a night on the sand dunes. He looked a little incredulous making me feel like a silly child, he then genuinely smiled and continued to reassure me that he knew the dunes like the back of his hand, because he had been there so much. I sheepishly grinned and he kissed me on the forehead. 

If you want to read more click here.