Birthday BOY!!!

Well today is Steven's birthday weekend!! He actually turns 23 this Monday and since monday is a day of working and no fun, I decided that I could celebrate a WHOLE weekend for him! First off friday we went to ZUPAS, which is one of mine and Steven's favorite places to eat. We spent it will some great friends, David and Emily. Then we went home and enjoyed some gingerbread house making! That was such a BLAST!

This is my Santa Mobile!

This is David's Ice skating rink thing. 

Emily did a great job at making it traditional!

Steven was creative and make an Igloo!

Today we had the opportunity to have a cake! I made it and slaved over it! That is love, certainly I think so. :) PS these pictures are from my phone.  I broke my lens on my camera... sooo I will be taking a break from that until we get a new one! :)

Then to top it off my little sister totally sang for Steven!

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Ain't she just the cutest!!

Don't worry there is more to come with the Birthday business! I mean after all it's a  birthday weekend!!

Love Lost, Love Gained

Since my sister past away, my life has change is so many ways. I feel that her passing has caused me to feel the way a man feels when he is sitting in the doctors office, at age 40, and finds out that he will be dying soon. This might sound a little funny but I have found that I have really embraced life and reevaluated what really matters most to me. It has been a long journey to say the least, in trying to determine what truly is important to me. I have learned that my family is a very important element in my life. In all honesty before my sister had passed away I truly felt as if she was the only one that could really be there for me, and the only one who cared enough to help me through every element in my life, even if that means sacrificing to help me out. Our sisterly love was something I have become more and more thankful and appreciative for. She has done so much for me and has given so much for my happiness. After she passed away I learned how to truly love people and especially my family. I mean I have always loved others and especially my family, they are my family after all. But by truly loving, I believe that means cherishing them and believing that they loved me back. (That is a terrible description but this is the best I can do). I began to see my family in a different light. My love for my family has grown exponentially! For onces I am just excited beyond all excitement to see my family when I come home from college. My excitement is to the amount where I think I might just burst from happiness. So even thought I have lost one person that meant the most to me, I have gained many relationships that I never thought to be where it is today. I want to explain that I am not implying that I hated my family, nor am I implying that they didn't care about me, on the contrary. I know that they have always loved me, but for some reason I just didn't see it the right way. And my sister passing away has helped me to open my eyes. And I will also admit I am sure my parents hearts have changed as well. This isn't a one way change at all. I truly do miss my sister but I know that God has plan. I know that part of God's plan is for her passing, as hard as it has been. I know that I will see her again and when I do get to see her, I think I will cry for dies on end. It will be the most joyous reuniting. I think if I am this excited to see my sister again, I can't image the feelings I will feel when I see my loving Savior again! I look forward to seeing them both! I might just cause a flood in heaven, or hopefully there will be a good draining system there. :)

My new Life

I decided that it was about time for me to write a blog, outside of my photography blog.  I got married to the man of my dreams May 25, 2012! It was one of the happiest but a very difficult day for me.  Just a few days before my wedding my sister, as she was driving up for our wedding, got in a car accident, which has changed my life FOREVER!!!

The sadness that I have felt, I cannot explain to you, but I know that this has been a time in which I have grown so much.

My wedding day was a very special day for me, I wasn't sure though how to act.  This was suppose to be the happiest day of my life but at the same time I was experience so much pain and sorrow.  I had decided the night before my wedding that I was going to make my day my day.  At first I thought that is so selfish how could I do that.  But I knew that if I had been sad, it wouldn't be the day that I have dreams for many years.

With the strength of the Lord I was able to find great strength in that day.  My mom helped me get ready, which was bitter sweet, considering Michelle should have been there also. But the Lord did strengthen me. My wedding day could have not been any better of a day.  I felt so beautiful and I was so happy to be marrying my best friend (who has brought me the greatest strength during this hard times).  Not only was that a great aspect, but so was the weather and the spirit that I had felt in the temple.  The the guy who was suppose to marry us (the sealer) spoke so many words which brought me comfort during that time. A spirit was in the temple that I cannot explain.  Maybe it was the spirit of my sisters presents, maybe it was the spirit of God, maybe both.  Needless to say it was wonderful.

Stepping out of the temple and seeing so many that I love, also brought me so much joy. I was so thankful to see some of my close friends like Virgil, Bethany, Lara, The Brownings, etc.

The Pink balloons represented my sister at my wedding. :)

I am so thankful that we were able to be married that day.  I am thankful that I have a loving Heavenly Father who cares so much for me.  I know that I find strength in Him.

More to come about my life and the things that have occurred!