thank you 

kristine

brit

ash 

& beck 

for a fabulous night full of love and fun.

Sister Welling

I can't believe my little Sister Welling has been out for over four months! 

She's just changing lives in the Philippines. . .

 I always looked up to Chan as one of my rocks but I can't believe the testimony that I hear on a weekly basis that keeps getting stronger. Missions are a wonderful thing and so is Miss Chandler Anne. It has been so hard missing her through this wedding process. She threatened me before she left but I think we both knew in the back of our minds that she wouldn't be here for it. . .

I'm glad to have Linds here by my side though.

Good friends are such a necessity. 

eloping.

i think it's time to laugh.

my photographer was being psycho-psychs but thankfully Tracy is going to be saving the day. 

the cake lady finally decided to call back after leaving us hanging for 3 days not knowing if we needed a different lady.

bringing the invitations home at the beginning of this week and then realizing that there was blue ink blotches on every one.

on that note: using the guest list/food number for the invitation number. result: ordering twice as many. (woops)

the pearl clip-on (yes after a second try--i couldn't stand it. and they grew in) earrings that i ordered online came today but one of them is totally lopsided and unwearable. 

and my dress isn't quite ready on time and slowly going down hill.

like i said, i think it may be time to laugh.

thankfully i have a glorious mother that does it all and supportive shaun.

ism

Today in my social work class we discussed the different "isms." Racism, Agism, Heterosexism, Handicapism, Sexism, etc. We split up into groups and were assigned to talk about one of them. My group was assigned racism, which was the one that I thought I knew most about. The way we were split into groups somehow turned out that I actually had a few people from different ethnic backgrounds. I then heard first hand of some of the ridiculous stupid and sometimes unbelievable things that people do. I know it is still going on today. I see it sometimes here and there. I wonder if it always will be an issue? 

• Are we always going to lock our cars when a black or hispanic person walks by?

• Will we always think that because they are white that they are doing well for themselves and think they are better than everyone else?

• Will this country make English a national language?

• Are cops going to continue to be able to ask people to hand over their identification just because they are Hispanic?

I think it's odd that we are discouraging other languages in this country and doing everything we can to make english a National language but then the education systems are busting their butts and spending all of this money trying to make "dual immersion" schools. That is where the children get taught stuff in english half the day and spanish in the other half so that kids are brought up bi-lingual. I am not saying about whether I'm in favor of the National language thing but I just feel like some of our actions are not fully backing up that request.


I lost some respect for my fellow citizens and myself today.
There are a few things I will look at differently now. 
We can all be better.

Reasons of Love.

#437: we both share a trait of funny (ADORABLE) running.

2 weeks & 6 days. .

I wish I had somewhere to go on this long Presidents Day weekend, but I guess I have no time to go anywhere because I'm up to my mouth in pictures..clothes..decorations..invitations.


My craving for pizza has gone up lately.


It takes all my will-power to not turn off the TV when Courtney is still participating in the Bachelor. It's dumb because I know it has a lot to do with how the show pieces the footage together but bye bye.


On a Bachelor note, Ben is sweet but I have never met someone that has needed a haircut more than he does. Or at least a brush.


I had worn out Hulu.com to it's very last drop. Luckily fiance's netflix saved the day and the entire series of Law & Order SVU is on there. Megan you understand that addiction.


Lately I've been wondering where all my clothes have been disappearing to. I have nothing to wear. My closet is becoming more empty. . .I'm just trying to avoid the large pile on the floor that is growing.


I would like to sincerely apologize to my bridesmaid beauties. I'm sorry I picked such a weird color that you can't find anywhere. You will succeed I promise! Love you.


GO SEE MAN ON A LEDGE.


Why can't I ever sleep without waking up anymore?


Trip to the dentist yesterday I popped in the calming Josh Groban tunes to keep me calm. I can't help but have a glare on my face the whole time I'm in that facility. Thankfully it was just a cleaning, with zerrrrrrro cavities.


I was running a couple errands on V-day since Shaun was gone. Is it weird and really shallow of me that I wanted to just hold up my hand and say hey I have a Valentine, I'm not a loser I promise! I am just at the grocery store right now at 9'o clock at night because my Valentine was gone. I was at a cashier line and this old couple made a comment to the cashier saying "oh sad, all alone on valentines day?" She then proceeded to look at me and said "but don't worry I'm not alone..." I didn't say anything even though I was secretly upset, but thankfully she noticed my ring and said "OH never mind. The ring is spotted."   Thanks.


Just because you're in a secluded room in the library doesn't mean we can't hear you...
outside. 
in the quiet area. 
minding our own business. 
glaring at you through the glass. 
but you're never getting the point. 
but somehow because you guys are little freshman----the people around me are not going to get mad at you. 


On that note, I think I'll go tell them.
Cheers.

ps. take me back.

I'm up to my elbows 

in boxes & pictures.

What am I doing?

Finding some goodies for

the wedding vid.

Here's two for a preview:

Valentines before Valentines.

Because my finace' is so talented he is always performing. Whether it is Comedy Sportz, Thrillionaires at the Covey Center, or doing stand up he is all over the place. The Covey Center is doing a huge dinner/theatre show for those Valentine Sweethearts which is running Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday (today, v-day). I went last night (pictured below) and he never ceases to amaze me. 

So because he did the Valentines show we celebrated our Valentines on Friday. (Don't worry he asked permission if he could do them and I gave it to him :)

We went to the delcious fancy Restaurant in Draper called VUZ.

I felt important for a brief hour or so.

 Then we went to see "The Vow." I don't want to ruin it for you but I actually didn't like it at all. I probably will never see it again but I'm glad I at least saw it. You guys will have to let me know what you think. Along with a bunch of other things, I don't think that was Rachel Mcadam's best. We were surrounded by trashy high school kids that decided they could act like it was their living room so that may or may not have put the damper on my thoughts about the movie. I was just grateful for a beautiful night out with SJ. . .

. . .who came to the door with these beauties

I love him.
and love.
and valentines day.
and love again.

precious

So tonight my recent discovery was finding this beaut which was taken back in the day. It was probably one the first times Sj and I had spent time together. I had come home from this hike and Kristine asked how it was and I showed her the picture. 


"What is up with the five feet in between you guys?" -K
"it was a friend hike." -N


Guess what baby WE'RE GETTIN' married!


ps thanks for going on this hike even though you would never go on it again today in real life.

13 of feb is so important

Dear Markus,

happy birthday baby brother. I can't believe you're fifteen and pretty much a man. That would explain you being so much taller than me. You are amazing at basketball and I love watching you play. Thank you for everything you do for your older sister. Trips are so much more fun when you come along and Newport was a highlight for me. You are so helpful to everyone around you especially your family. You are amazing at the Piano and singing. You are such an all-star! I'm so excited for what is to come in your life. And am so glad I'm here for it. Love you! 123.oldnavy

a few of my blogging friends talk about being bored with updating their blog. some of them stopped doing it or even got rid of it. i probably won't be that drastic but i definitely caught the bug. the only thing that is keeping me going is that i know how much i enjoy looking back at my old posts so press forward saints!
*side note I DISCOVERED INSTAGRAM. Okay I didn't discover it. I used to have it but never understood it but once Brit gave me a tutorial I was lovin' life.

Recent activitidads:

Lunch with the Sant's offspring was a joy. I finally like chick fil a! For some reason I thought that you could only get that nasty sandwich with the sauce and pickles but don't worry the 4-year old at heart found out about the chicken nuggs!

Tay & I left lunch and headed up to Salt Lake to get his Mac book fixed. But of course forgot it so we had to drive all the way back. But that was fine with me. Conversation is one of my faves.

And I drove back home with Sj but I got to see him in action at his work first!

 The Salt Lake Tribune and Desert News headquarters was amazing. I loved my little tour. I was blown away from how big the printing process room is in the basement..

We sealed the deal on our living quarters. 

Just right up the hill from the Costco in Lehi.

Thank you husband to be for not moving to Riverton or somewhere farther. 

 Superbowl party is always a higlight!

 Pat and I got to reunite with some of Park's Fam on Wednesday. It was so fun to meet the long lost brother that I never got to meet. Miss Bev always.

 2-year annnnnnni din.

 Wonderful photographer Matt Clayton is one of Shaun's friends and is doing a project on brothers so that was very entertaining to say the least to be able to sit backseat on that one. . .

 Found this hilarious look-a-like picture and thought it was very noteworthy.

We got the pleasure of spending the night with Will & Jill (yeah that's real). The new theatre at Thanksgiving point is seriously amazing. Too bad it's so far away.

In other news, it's FEBRUARY 10TH. We're one month away! MARCH 10!

i feel like it's become a pattern. . 

remind me to take one like this on my wedding day.?

Ps it brings me joy to watch the high school aged johnson brothers:

viente

Kristine Lara turned 20 years old yesterday!

{what the. i remember when i was 20 and she was 18 and graduating high school. does time really go that fast? i sound like a parent, i apologize.}

Kristinky is my biggest fan. 

everybody's biggest fan actually.

She believes that they can accomplish anything. 

Deep down I think she's rootin' for everyone.

and that's a good quality to have.

  

 Of course I've mentioned a thousand times before: THIS WOMAN IS A GENIUS.
She pretty much has passed me up in college.
Everybody is constantly asking her how to do homework.
She'll run a business someday. No doubt.

Kristine has so many dreams and aspirations. 

 I guess surround myself with people that have these qualities because I seem to have zerrrro.

She is slowly but surely checking things off her list such as: NYC, Paris, run a half marathon.

and it's only the beginning for her I'm sure. . .

even though yes I'm the older one, deep down I think she is.

She has such a solid head on her shoulders.

She is more mature than most people her age which is hard to find. 

...must be her genius mind. 

 I'm grateful for the role she plays in my life.

Although we don't hang out as much currently because of her genius school/work schedule, it's always good to come home at night and have her there for a quick talk. I have missed those badly while she was studyin' abroad. And I cherish those few times left before I moveee.

I'd like to reinstate the fact of my biggest fan. Seriously have always been my number 1 supporter. Whether it was in school, friends, church, or dating. We are both good listeners to the people around us but I thank Kristine Lara for listening to me most of the time. We joke that she is so close to all of the people in my life because of all the listening she does. Sure do love her for it. She has been one of the biggest supporters of SJ and I which means a lot to me. She said from the very beginning "can we keep him?" But I think amidst the love for Sj that she had--she wanted what was best for me. Which she always does. I thank her for being so great in this whole wedding process! I know it can be really hard.

S t i i i t c h -
Thanks for being a sister best friend. It's always good to have someone constantly on your team no matter what and I'm glad it's you. You're no longer a teenager! You are a BEAUTIFUL 20 year old. I can't wait to see you cross off more and more of your dreams and the adventures you will continue to go through. 
I love you so much,
B u z z B u z z

BR & NE

the following is a trip through the friendship of becky rene and nicole erin in honor of two events. 

1) two year friend-iversary

2) becky is 24

disclaimer: it may or may not look like becky & nicole were romantically in love.

no one will ever know. 

Friendship-ness started meeting becky through some..friends. After meeting each other for just a night or two, I was invited to her special bday din.

Her birthday party. First pic together becky boobie! 

 nicole witnessed becky ran a half-marathon. blew her socks off.

 Some friends came and gone but Becky and nicole stuck together. So grateful for those friends that made it happen. (right becks?)

Road trips started happening to a point where we couldn't have a road trip without each other. I have admitted I hate everybody at least once on a roadtrip. Not becky. we can share the tiniest twin bed & be in each other's space for 3 weeks and it will be fine and dandy. 

 The purchase of a thought-to-be-dolphin for our 1 year/becky's birthday was purchased. (very monumental) Sadly Becky knew her dolphins and it ended up being a deformed shark. It was fixed by a quick tie to the snout..?

 one single jazz game brought quite a few bonding moments/inside jokes.

 becky is my drivers-ed teacher sometimes. she specializes in parallel parking. you could say i have a phobia.

 making pat's face into a cake is always worth remembering.

 scoot-scootin' the canyon was a highlight as well. this is where the holding hands pose began. for some reason we always think it looks great. others may think: debatable.

 becky always supported nicole. it was like she could talk becky into coming along to anything. . .

a big thank you to the student life committee at UVU aka Parks. . .who made that friendship blossom into a full blown, relationship. Selling jdawgs on wednesday brought for some laughs. So grateful for my UVU klan that kept me through the days. 

 obsession of bubble gum ice cream will always hold us together.

 disneyland and downtown disney is the only thing becky and i like more than each other. . .

 seeing becky cross off a huge bullet point on her bucket list was so cool. Not to mention having the time our lives in Hawaii!

somehow the thrill of being matchy-match never gets old.

this hat/romper photo shoot took so much preparation..

holding hands example 2

i never hear the word 'no' when i beg ask her to do meee hair.

letter in a bottle puts you so much closer.

never a dull, non-spontaneous moment with becky. she'll bring the boys to the yard. .

finally getting a picture on the chair that we drove by on every single road trip. 

finishing out the summer side-by-side in our special program was one of the best! such a way to end.

bubble gum #2

okay the 2nd thing we love more than each other and disneyland is riding bikes at newport. trip #2

matchy-matchness.

disneyland together. huge step..although that was our second time right?

having someone with the same humor as you is a good thing. never a dull moment

she likes my hair blonde. i like hers brown, i mean blonde.

i can't count how many pictures we have in bathroom mirrors.

I make wishes on 11:11 or 4:44 because of becky rene.

nicole loves becky's family. and becky loves nicole's.

last one. 

i'll spare you

dear becky rene,
happy 24th my babe. there you have our friendship in a random picture timeline that doesn't even make sense and probably is missing out on a lot of stuff. it is. i can now think of a million more things. Thank you for keeping me laughing. thank you for being my traveling buddy. the talks. the pictures. the inside jokes. the bike rides. eating our weight in zupas. the voice notes. the bj & chicago sing-alongs. the 7 hr shopping sprees at forever. your kindness. understanding. example. two years of friendship!
love you 904,205,824 turkey bacon avocado panini's and soda crackers. Can't wait for many more adventures. . .