Wedding Bells!

Andddd she's off!

I can't believe the day is here! 

My best friend, Miss Nicole Erin Wait, will be Mrs. Nicole JOHNSON in just a matter of hours! 

Happy Wedding Day Nicole and Shaun! I love you both so much and couldn't be happier for the two of you :) Can't wait for a fun day!

Kaycie is a Quarter.

Today is a special day for this best friend of mine, Miss Kaycie Q. (sorry it has taken me ALL day to post..but it was ready and waiting, just needed to get home!)

She has turned a whole Quarter of a century old today (don't worry Kayc, that isn't as old as I make it sound)

She has been a part of my life for almost 7 years now!! She has been a huge blessing and examples to me in my life! She is one of the strongest girls I know as I've watched her overcome challenging times in her life. And through the challenges and difficult times I've been through and continue to go through in my life, she is right by my side (not physically thanks to dumb SLC) but I know that she is always there for me! 

Kayc understands my weird humor, and I understand hers. We can just sit there and will start laughing for minutes, and even hours without saying a single word till we have TEARS just streaming down our faces. Most people don't understand us, but we understand each other. Those are some of my most favorite times and I'm glad I've shared a lot of those with Kayc. 

 

 Kaycie has always been my EFY partner in crime. She has been just as obsessed with EFY as I have over the years. Honestly, I couldn't imagine my life at EFY without this girl around! We've experienced 5 wonderful summers working together at EFY. We've had many laughs (maybe cause we were loopy and tired and crazy), we've had many tears (who could forget our "youth cry fest" in Kentucky cause it was our last session in the South? ya, we are ridiculous), and many wonderful, life changing experiences over the years. One of the best experiences I've ever had was being in Palmyra for my last EFY session and having Kaycie there with me! How many best friends can say they've experienced something like that together and were in the Sacred Grove together?! Not many people, not many.  EFY has changed my life in so many ways, one including meeting Kaycie Q when we were just teeny boppers. EFY was a good run and it was even better having this girl by my side through it all. 

We've experienced a lot together in just this 7 year friendship. We FINALLY got to be roommates before she got hitched, we've been on a lot of fun road trips, gator catching in Florida,had a TON of EFY experiences, and have been through some life changing events together. We've graduated college together and I was able to be with her on one of the happiest days of her life. These will be memories I will ALWAYS cherish and I'm so grateful Kaycie Q has been a part of them with me.  

She is one of the few people who understands just EXACTLY what I mean when I say that I love the Braves. it's a different kind of love people and Kaycie knows what I mean. Some of my most favorite times with Kaycie are the days we've spent at Turner Field, or another other Baseball stadium watching our boys play. She will yell, cheer, throw fits, and do the tomahawk chop with my any day. 

We like food. enough said.

Kayc is one of my best friends. We have been through a lot together. I couldn't have gotten to where I'm at today if this girl wasn't around. She has been such a joy and bright, smiling face in my life. I'm sad I don't get to see her as often or as much as I'd like. From seeing Kayc Face every day to MAYBE once a month sucks... a lot. I miss having her always around in my life. She is talented, gorgeous, incredible, LOVES this gospel more than anything, caring, dedicated, patient, trustworthy, kind, loving, and this list could go on and on. But I know that no matter the distance, I can always count on this girl. She has taught me a lot and has been one of the BIGGEST  blessings in my life.

Happy Happy 25th Birthday! I am so grateful to have you as a part of my life over the years Kaycie Q. Thanks for always being a shining light in my life! I love you so much!

i'm not the best with words.

 I can't help but feel gratitude tonight to a loving Heavenly Father. Just at the moment when I feel completely helpless, alone, scared, and feel like I can't go on any longer...I am reminded that I have a loving Father in Heaven who cares for me and my happiness. He knows my needs. He knows how I am feeling and just to prove that, he sent me a blessing in disguise tonight to remind me that He cares for me and is watching over me. 

Even if I don't understand exactly why I go through certain things, I KNOW that He would NEVER give me something that I couldn't overcome or something that won't make me a better and stronger woman. I know we are given trials here are earth to be tested and to strengthen us. I know that even in my darkest moments, I can always turn to Him and never feel alone. He will always be by my side.

I can't help but feel so incredibly blessed that I have the Gospel in my life. 

I love my Savior with all my heart.
He is my rock. 

He is my strength. 

And I will hold on to my faith in Him all the days of my life.

"Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love."
-Pres. Uchtdorf 

yum.

can he please be my boyfriend?

I'm in love with him. 

party girlllll!

Wedding time is quickly approaching for my dearest Nicole Erin Wait, so some of the bridesmaids got together and threw a Bridal Shower for this wonderful girl!

(&Thanks to Mama Wait, we had some pretty awesome decorations.)

 We obviously had to play the guessing game, she opened some exciting presents....

and it was such a good turn out being with all the people who love this bride-to-be! 

Miss Kaycie Q was a gem and made the drive from Salt Lake City for the occasion, which I was SO happy to see this pretty face!

and another future bride/best friend of mine was also in attendance, which was great because I NEVER see her either, even when she lives the same house! (weddings....)

 Here are the hosts' of the party with the future bride! 

 I love you Nicoley Baby Boo! Thanks for letting me be a part of this exciting time in your life!

ONE WEEK till the BIG day!!!!!!!! 

fail.

I've been soooo awful at blogging. And I know that Febrauary is only a few days shorter than all the other months, but I honestly can't believe it is March 1st! It makes me so excited that we are getting closer to the summa summa time! So, without further adieu, here is what happened in my life this month. 

Becky Boo had her 24th birthday!

 I was lucky enough to watch the Asian lady chase her down at the nail salon because she put on her boots when her toe's weren't dry yet. so classic. And then we went to the Pizza Factory for dinner that night. Yum, yum. I sure do love this girl.

Cyd asked me one day to take the car, card, and girls out of their hands while they were painting the basement one Saturday night. How could I turn down a fun Saturday evening filled with these 4 darling girls?! We first took a trip to McD's for some ice cream and to play in the play place. Then we had to get some groceries for Cyd at Walmart. Just an FYI: 4 little girls, Saturday night, Walmart, Day before the Super Bowl= chaos. Had lots of respect for all those Mama's who deal with that madness on a regular basis. It was crazyyyy!

I'm sorry, but isn't she just the most PRECIOUS thing you have ever seen?! Love this child. She's growing up SO fast!

And just like the old times, we had a Super Bowl Party over at Taylor & Jared's place with all the Georgia friends! It was so fun to be with all of them. It definitely took me back to those younger, less stressful years back at home. Those were some good times. 

The next week we had our little freshman gang get together for Sunday dinner. We were sadly missing a few of our friends, but it always is a good time regardless of who comes! I sure will miss them!

Suz and Britt threw a Valentine's Day party, which was a hit of course! It was fun seeing some friends I hardly see these days and just catching up! I miss throwing some epic parties with these ladies last year. 

Lucky for me, this lady was my date for Valentine's Day! Shaun had some comedy thing going on that night so lucky me, we hit up our local Costa Vida and had a great time. 

That weekend was Presidents Day Weekend. I got the day off from work and headed to beautiful Northern California for the weekend with Kyle and our friend, Jessica. We all went our own ways for the weekend and did our own things with our own people. 

I got to meet up and spend the majority of the weekend with Mr. Nick Takis. It was so great to see that face of his again! We drove down the first day I was there to San Jose to meet up with Callie and Brandon for the evening. We walked around Santana Row (nice shops) and hung out at Chili's for a few hours just chatting and catching up. I am SO glad they live a lot closer now than Minnesota. It definitely was too short of a reunion, but I was so glad to see my family! 

Also, let's just say I am SUPER upset that my SD card decided to get corrupted and I lost ALL my photos (the 5 I took) except this one from that weekend. 

Otherwise, this is the best I can get from the other pictures (which were taken with this cool vintage door we saw). Every time I think about it I seriously want to cry cause we should all know by now how much I love pictures. So we won't speak of it any more. 

 I got to reunite with these fabulous ladies for an evening of pizza and music/story telling by the one and only Nick Pond. It was just like old times. 

 Cam Bam turned 24 last week so we threw him a mini party that evening just chatting and enjoying some cake. And since we take too many "normal" pictures, we decided to spice things up a little bit. 

Thanks to Miss B. Dahlin, I have become addicted to this game on my phone.

 I got to spend an evening with those fabulous Wait children! and maybe I like to think we are family since I spent a week with them at their house. they love me, promise.

 And Tan Face Ross Cat was able to join us that evening as well!

To end this fabulous/short month, we threw Nicole a bridal shower! I actually took a decent amount of pictures at this one and decided I'll dedicate a post to that wonderful, fun evening on a later date. 

It's safe to say that I am happy this month is over. February has definitely had it's up's and down's but I've continually been reminded how blessed and lucky I am to have some wonderful friends surrounding me.
March is up for an exciting month!

HAPPY MARCH 1st EVERYBODY :)

A Last Minute Visitor and Vacation!

Over the MLK Holiday weekend (even though it's not a holiday at my work, so lame) Cody Bear decided to come out for a visit! He gave us about a 3 day notice so you could say we weren't expecting it, but SO happy he was able to come out!

Tay and Cody skiied the first two days which made it easy on me to just stay at work. 

The first night Mama and Papa treated us to PF Changs with a gift card. It was delicious!!! It'd definitely been awhile since I've been there so it was very much enjoyed. Thanks Mom and Dad! 

Then we decided to be crazy, because we are young (ish) and can, right? So we left Friday night along with my dear friend, Carter, for a quick trip to Denver. We didn't pull into the grandparents place till about 3:30. I was exhausted considering I drove the worst part of the drive... 10:45-3:00 while the boys all slept. It was killer. 

The next day we got to go to my cousin, Cory's, highschool game. Cory will be playing for BYU next year so it was exciting to be able to watch him play! Plus, it was against their rival so the place was PACKED and HOT, but still so fun! And they won the game! 

Cute Brenley and I also just happened to be matchy matchy that day too! I'll take that as a compliment for having good taste cause she is such a fashionista! 

After the game, we rounded up some good football food- LOTS (like way too much) of pizza, wings, celery/carrots, and Dr. Pepper (cause we are Calvert's) and headed to my cousins, Courtney and TJ's house to watch the Bronco's playoff game. Sadly, they lost, but it was fun to spend time with all the fam bam. 

I seriously can't wait for this kid to be out in Provo this summmmmmer! 

After church the next day, we headed to Cory and Brenley's house to hang out and play some cards for a few hours before we headed back to Provo. 

AND, this studly man, Mr. Brian Mooney, lives in Denver now so he was able to stop by my Grandparent's house for a little bit to catch up on our lives. I sure do miss this kid, but I was glad I got to see him!

Somehow, we managed to survive another gruesome drive back to Provo, getting in around 3:00 am. Carter and I both had to work the next day so we tried sleeping the last 3 hours of the trip, which didn't work too well. I never can sleep in cars. So you could say the next day at work was exhausting. 

But I was able to take a little lunch break and meet up with the brothers at In N Out that day. Cody would have eaten there for every meal if he had a choice. He loves that place! 

That night we all met up and went to Zupa's! Being with 2 of my best friends and my 2 favorite brothers was such a treat. Nicole FINALLY got to meet Cody and Becks FINALLY got to be reunited with Cody! I'm so glad that my family likes my friends and my friends like to be with my family! 

And sadly, our weekend trip with the baby brother was over! I'm so glad he got to come out since he never takes trips by himself! It definitely was a fun/crazy weekend and I'm glad I was able to spend it with family! 

See you in a few months Cody Bear!