Before I document the first year of marriage, I wanted to do a quick recap of January 2011 to April 2011. This was the engagement period in our life (a whole 3 months) and I feel that it needs to be documented.
JANUARY 2011
Jeremy actually got home on December 30th, 2010 from his mission in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We dated in high school and college before his mission and wrote the two years while he was gone. When it came time for him to come home the nerves kicked in. I had already had my heavenly confirmation, but I didn't know if he had. Plus I didn't want to rush into anything. I knew he would be weird when he came home. The evening of the 30th I was dressed and looking my best just in case I got a call to come over. The call never came. Well at least the call from Jeremy never came. His mom called me secretly from the bathroom at about 10:30 at night just to update and to reassure me. I love her for that! The next day I decided to keep myself extra busy to keep my mind off things. I spent the morning running errands with my mom. After there were no more errands to run I found myself back at home painting my nails just to do something. That's when I got a call from a number that I didn't recognize. I answered. "Hello." "Hi." "Who is this?" (Even thought I knew exactly who it was.) "This is Elder Evans." Jeremy remained Elder Evans the entire phone call as he proceeded to "set up an appointment" with me for 5pm that night. His dad got on the phone before we hung up to again reassure me. I love Jeremy's parents!
I left a little too early for Jeremy's house that evening. I arrived way too early. I didn't want to look too anxious, so I waited in my car on a side street. This gave me some time to freak out before going in. (Wow! All these details make me sound really pathetic!) When I pulled up to the house, Jeremy's brothers were all outside. They said I had to be initiated before I went in so I had to try this tarp surfing. All I could think was, "Yeah that's all I need a broken face before seeing Jeremy." But I did it and then was allowed to knock on the door. Jeremy's parents answered the door. I talked to them in the kitchen while we waited for Jeremy to come down. Then came the moment. Jeremy walked down the stairs and after two years he looked exactly the same. We hugged and then after feeling awkward for a few seconds of everyone watching us his dad suggested we go talk in the living room until dinner. The rest of the night we talked and ate and just had fun. For the most part it was pretty normal. Sometimes he would go back into the missionary mode and be really awkward but I was just on cloud nine so it didn't matter. At about 11:55pm Jeremy left to go to the bathroom. He came back at midnight while everyone was wishing happy new year. I said happy new year to him and his dad suggested he give me a hug. He high fived me instead. :)
We were able to spend time together time together almost every day this next week and things sure progressed fast. Just as a disclaimer for what it's worth neither of us planned on things moving as quickly as they did. However, during this first week of Jeremy being home the spirit truly lead our decisions. I gained an even stronger testimony of putting your life in the Lord's hands and taking a leap of faith. That is what we did. Jeremy was so excited to be engaged he didn't even wait for my ring to come in.
On January 10th we took a trip to Oakland. We ate at Barney's, got a parking ticket (which we tried not to focus on) and then had to take a trip to the visitor's center. Jeremy said that his dad needed us to pick up some pass along cards. Jeremy went to the bathroom (which I found out later he was just in there freaking out) and I was trying to explain that we needed pass along cards to one of the missionaries there. I was in a hurry because Jeremy said that we had a reservation somewhere. However, once we left the visitor's center Jeremy was all calm and wanted to take a walk. I went along with it. We went up to the top of the temple. I mentioned to Jeremy that I had prayed and received my answer on one of the benches. He asked me to show him. We walked all the way around passing the beautiful view of the city to the back with the view of the parking lot. (I wasn't thinking of a view when I praying.) We sat down on the bench and he was acting really weird. All of the sudden he knelt down and asked me to spend forever with him. What was my response? "Is this for real?" Then, "Yeah!" I couldn't even muster a yes? Gaul! He then presented me with one of his mom's anniversary bands which was really special, we took pictures and spent the night being giddy and telling the world! :)
Right after!
My mom was the first person I called. I had to tell her three times because she kept talking about the things she was shopping for. When she finally heard me she screamed while in TJMaxx. :)
The first ring!
The bench.
Though the view wasn't what he was planning on, it was still perfect!
Jeremy ordered my ring the next day and actually proposed again that Friday. We had a combined family dinner and during he kept trying to take my ring off. It wasn't until we were both clearing dishes into the other room did he kneel down in my kitchen and give me my ring. I then proceeded to kneel in front of his mom with her ring and asked her to be my mother.
Sorry no pictures! :(
Whew! Well that we an eventful couple of weeks! It calmed down after that. Just a couple highlights.
We took a trip to the beach with Tyler.
And went on a double with Jeremy's parents.
FEBRUARY 2011
We have celebrated February 1st as our anniversary for five years, so we couldn't give that up. Hey, just another excuse to celebrate each other right? I planned a date at my house.
We watched a movie (ELF) on the projector out on the deck while we drank sparkling cider. It was a little colder than I has expected so I lent Jer my scarf. :)
This is a classic activity for Jeremy and I. We made cards for each other. I'm all about the crafts, but it really is a good way to express how you feel about someone.
We made flan and hot tubbed. It was a blast celebrating five years!
February also included a trip to SLO for engagements with Samuel Potter. My mom, Jeremy and I had such a fun time!
Mom and I driving together
Jeremy's having a blast can't you tell?
Taken on the porch of our time share. Thanks dad for letting us use your points!
So close to the ocean! Jeremy loved it!
I love California. Even the squirrels are friendly!
Practicing for engagements.
Mom and I at Moonstone in Cambria.
We decided to take HWY 1 back. So pretty but kind of scary. Some parts were really narrow and my pessimistic mind goes immediately to what would happen if we turned one inch to the left!
*Sorry no engagement pictures. My mom has the CD so I actually don't have any to my name!*
Valentines Day
Valentines Day photo shoot...sometimes I have these ideas that I think will be really artistic. I won't post any of the others...they get dramatically worse after this one.
Highlight of my night...I made a heart shape crepe! Can you see my excitement?
My 21st Birthday! We went to Chevy's!
I was OBSESSED with this hat! Best birthday present! Thanks Chevy's!
I had to tilt my head a ton because it kept hitting Jer in the face.
Yummy dessert (but I think Jeremy ate most of it). I had no idea that they were singing to me until they came up behind him and through the hat on my head. I jumped so high! At least I didn't scream.
Also in February we were wedding planning. That was all a blur and for the most part I left it to my mom. Thank goodness she is a planner! I am so lucky to have her!
MARCH 2011
Right after my birthday I headed to Texas to spend some time with the Rudd family. This was so fun!! I was so grateful that Clark and Jo let me stay with them and spend some time with them and their sweet babies!
One of my favorite pics of the boys. My attempt to teach them how to read. Zachary was so intent on reading that cheerios and Caleb could care less. :)
Caleb showing off his midriff.
The nightly ritual of the Sesame Street movie sing along. Leah laughed so hard every time! It never got old!
Two handsome boys!
Such a sweet table! You can tell by the look on their faces that food was coming!
My favorite part of the trip was all the time I got to spend with JoSue. She is seriously Wonder Woman! She makes having triplets look so easy!
Tisha joined the party for a few days. We had so much fun! I wish I had pictures from the baby shower we had for her. Drinking from a baby bottle gave me some empathy for what these kids have to go through to get some food.
I love these babies!
I was only in Texas for two weeks. When I came back to California, I hit the ground running with all the last minute preparations. This included making centerpieces, flower markets, and fittings (one of which I passed out in and then threw up in her garbage can. One of the most embarrassing moments on my life.) Honestly I was so lucky to have my mom taking care of everything and my sweet friend Sister Hill. Thanks to them I was able to stay pretty stress free and just enjoy the time. Maybe this is hindsight but that's what going in the book. :)
April 7, 2011
I received my endowments. A very special day for me.
Just a little practice for Saturday!
My amazing parents. Without them, none of this would have been possible.
April 8, 2011
After bridals we did a little girls night with my sisters, cousins and some friends at Twizzle Berry. It was so fun to have some girl bonding time. I love these girls!
Kendal, Madi, Me, Anie, Amy
I love this place!
Madi, Amy, Jen, Tisha
Anie, Becca, Emma (aka my amazing hair stylist!)
Kendal, Me, Madi
I didn't sleep at all that night. (Probably because I hadn't packed or gotten ready for the next day and I was sleeping on the couch!)
This last few months of single living were crazy months, but so fun! Thanks to all our family and friends for all your love and support. What a blessing it is to be surrounded by people who love you! I am so grateful to have been sealed to my family forever and to now have that sealing extended to even more people I love!
