Slim the Pit Bull

I know absolutely no one cares about my dog. I know this. However, I care. You guys, she is literally the sweetest thing I've ever owned. You know how that police officer shot that dog? It's been in the news a lot, and I've really pondered how I would feel if that had actually happened to Slim. I would die. Literally, I would want to die. She is the first thing I see when I get home from work and she is SO happy, and SO excited to see me. Who wouldn't love that? I have a doggy door which she goes in and out as she pleases when I'm at work. She plays with her friends Scout & Jeeves from upstairs (so she's not alone during the day) but when I come home for the day she doesn't leave my side. We usually relax for a while then cook dinner then we go for out nightly adventure, which is disguised as a typical "walk" but for Slim it's an adventure. She is so curious and so busy, and has to check everything out like she owns the joint, and by joint I mean WHEREVER we happen to be walking. We get home have some treats, watch our shows and then it's bed time. I know this is really bad, but she sleeps with me, in my bed. She cuddles right up and we both fall asleep right away. On the weekends we do different things, we'll go to my parents house and play with the kids or clean (keeping the apt clean is a huge task with her), or go for walks. We pretty much live a very charmed life. She's my companion, in every sense of the word. In the beginning I had some serious concerns about owning a Pit Bull, and now, now that I know she's the best thing I've ever owned in my life, I think of how stupid I was to question my ownership. It blows my mind that even though we don't speak the same language she knows when I'm sad, she knows when I'm moody, she knows what emotions I'm feeling and she acts accordingly. How.the.heck? There's nothing quite like the love of an animal. What luck. My favorite comedy flick is "Best in Show." Have you seen it? I quote it daily. My best friends and I love that show, it's so ridiculous, and now I realize I'm those people. I'm ridiculous. Guess what? Don't care. She's a winner...obviously. Here are some pix of my last couple months: Leila is so adorable I can hardly stand it. Did I mention one of my favorite things to do is NOT wear make up. Love.it. I'm super into doing my nails lately. Bahama Mama and a lil' glitter accent nail really speaks to me. Ooooh winner. I've missed you blogging people in my life. I'm welcoming myself back into blogging. How humble of me.

I mean.....

I feel like I'm gonna jinx myself....ever since Siaki and I have been dating life has been....well, I've loved life.  Not to say I haven't had trials or cried my eyes out, but he has evened me out, and as stupid and as cliche as it sounds he has literally "completed" me.  I hate gushy love stuff, but you guys, I don't know how to tell you or describe it.  My life literally was lacking.  That's an understatement.  Um....I'm dramatic{?} to say the least, and Siaki just.....gets it.  I don't know.....I seriously DON'T KNOW, but I love it, and I thank my Heavenly Father every.single.day for him.

So anyway, new year, new goals, right?  Last year we made goals together.....TOTALLY met our goals as a couple: go on 2 road trips, save at least X amount of moolah, and get engaged. Done dah dahz. We actually accomplished so much more as a couple than I ever thought we would (this year, that is).  Super blessed...so blessed.  I'm not bragging, please don't think I'm bragging. We've totally had our trials, but, uh, hello like I'm gonna dwell on those....forget you...buh bye.

This year we have just a couple goals....they're pretty big so we just have a few.  I think they're obtainable....a lot of hard work.  I'll let you know how they turn out.  We're also trying something new.  We have a "creed" that we're living by.  I know, weird huh?  I actually think it's a little unique and fun.  I heard this quote like a long time ago on "Princess Diaries" (don't judge).  I've only ever seen the movie one time, maybe twice...MAYBE twice.  It's the part where Anne Hathaway is reading the letter from her deceased father and he says "The brave do not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all."  I've remembered that quote, and it has stuck with me since I saw the movie.  I love the idea of trying new things, having an open mind and being brave, so does Siaki.  So that is how we are living our lives this year.  I feel so hopeful for the future.  I hope this feeling lasts and that it is not just preemptive twitterpation (I've actually felt this way for two years.....still goin strong, folks).  I hope this year proves promising for everyone who reads this blog....if you don't read this blog I do not hope for a promising year for you....jokes!

Just the beginning....Our engagement story

It's been a long time coming.  I'm talking about getting engaged.  We have been dating for over two years, and in LDS-ville that's basically an eternity....basically.  I wanna tell you guys all the little details and everything leading up to the engagement story, but it's like....so much stuff.  I'll give you the juicy juice and spare your overloading minds of the little tidbits that really won't make a difference to you [the reader] one way or another.

About 2 months ago I was getting ready for work and opened one of my closets....out of the corner of my eye I saw a little bag sitting on the closet floor.  I'm meticulous when it comes to having things in their rightful place.  It was a ring bag, and **I** did not put it there.  Siaki had "hid" it in one of my closets (I have three closets, that is) where he thought I wouldn't look.  Bad idea, buddy.  Immediately I started shaking.  Do I open it, and see what it looks like?  I had never seen the ring.  Siaki and the jeweler designed it from a couple pictures I sent Siaki and a couple sessions of ring shopping.  I was enveloped with curiosity, I couldn't help myself!  I stayed strong, I didn't open it.  Instead, I made a very dramatic phone call to my not-so-sneaky boyfriend begging him to give me permission to take a peek.  No go.  You guys, it seriously took every ounce of self discipline I had in me NOT to open the ring box.

A month went by....and another month went by.  At this point I knew he had the ring I just had no idea what he was waiting for....no doubt it was to keep me on my toes and to torture my already over active mind.  I know he wanted to make it special because he kept telling me he wanted it to be something that I remember for the rest of my life, and he wanted a good story to tell to our kids and their kids.  You'd never guess it, but Siaki is super sentimental, ugh I love it!

Siaki had to work on Christmas eve, but he called to ask me what kind of flowers my mom liked,  I thought he was just being like...the best boyfriend in the world, but he was actually going over to get my parents blessing.  My mom said that Siaki was so sweet when he came over (totally scored major points with the flowers btw) to talk to them.  I feel like that conversation is best left to "in person" conversations and not blogging, because I'm not a writer and can't really do it justice.  My parents were very impressed, and uh....have you ever tried to impress my dad?  Yeeeeaahhh, you have to be pretty amazing.

That night we went out to dinner as a family (our Christmas eve tradition).  Looking back (hind sight is 20/20) my parents were super upbeat and happy, and I didn't think anything of it at the time, but I remember thinking to myself "I love that everyone is so happy and energetic."  We left dinner and my mom gave me a long hug and said be safe and have fun, she kind of gave me a funny look....funny as in mischievous like I-know-something-you-don't-know.  I just laughed and said ok.  We went over to Siaki's sister's house to open presents and play games with his family.  When we play games with his family we PLAY GAMES...it gets so intense, we're all super super competitive.  We were so in to the game at one point I remember gripping my seat as hard as I could just to keep from shouting.  Oh my goodness it was fun, but afterwards I was exhausted.  On the way home Jack tried to talk me into opening gifts that night, but I was so tired all I wanted to do was go to bed.  He begged me to just open stockings.....I was so tired I gave in.  He was so full of energy and so excited that should've been a dead give away.

I started opening my stocking and as I got to the very bottom there was a ring box....OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH...this is it, THIS IS IT!!!!  I looked up at him, and he told me to open it.....um......that's not how you do it.  I hesitated.  I wanted HIM to open it for me.  He insisted, open it, OPEN IT.  I opened it.  It was empty.  So, Jack likes to play pranks on me all the time, and so when I saw that it was empty I got so mad.  I snapped at him "THIS ISN'T FUNNY, " and pushed him away because he was laughing.  He made his way back to me...I had gotten up b/c I was so annoyed, and just as I stood up.....he knelt down.....on one knee.  He pulled my ring out of his pocket, and after a very sentimental, and heartfelt speech asked if I would marry him and be his companion forever.  As it so happens, Slim was sitting right next to him....it was like out of a movie.  Jack on one knee and Slim right next to him, both waiting for my answer, as if there was any question.  I have had my fair share of heartbreaks, disappointments, and impatient moments throughout my 32 years.  And at time, I've sincerely questioned the plan Heavenly Father has for me.  In this moment, in this very instant I felt a clarity and understanding I have never felt before in my physical life.  All my heartaches, my sleepless nights, my doubts, and worries were so clear to me, and my answer, and the peaceful feeling I have/had been searching for, for all those years was now down on one knee, asking me to walk through this trial-filled life together, not alone! He was asking me to share the sorrows and the joys of life, and to be not just a wife, but a companion to him.  This moment, this instant was priceless.  I will never forget that feeling.  I have never been so sure of one decision in my entire life.  The peace that having Jack in my life forever brings is indescribable.  I know we're in for a bumpy ride, but I am not scared.  With Jack by my side the world has no power to intimidate me.  He was worth the wait, he was worth the trials, and he is worth every heartbreak I've ever experienced. I get it now.  I know Heavenly Father brought us together at the exact right time.  We need each other, and there is nothing better in this world than to find the person you need most who also needs you the most.  I'm sure the novelty will wear off, and we'll become old and weary, but I will always, always, always remember this proposal and how much it meant to me.  I love him, and there's no better way I could spend my life than loving him, and creating a life with Jack.  Cheers to love.  Cheers to incredible engagements.  Cheers to 2014.

The Story of Us

I'm the kind of girl who gets charmed into seeing the latest sci-fi thriller by her boyfriend, but instead of watching the movie I make lists and play candy crush out of sheer boredom and in attempt not to pummel my head against the wall instead.  I'm a planner.  I like having an order for things.  I like being organized, prepared, and I LIKE having a plan.  The result of being organized, having a plan, and being prepared?  THINGS WORK OUT like they should.  You plan for the worst and hope for the best, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail blah blah blah......While I am a walking testament that having a five, ten year, or even lifetime plan works, there are still hiccups, I still, on occasion, have to adjust some of my plans. One of my biggest plans was to be married like, forever long ago, but that didn't happen....that was my biggest plan.  That was what all my other plans were based around, and it just never, ever happened.  As the story goes, I continued on with my spinster life, as one does when one is not married.

Jack and I met through mutual friends.  Nothing grand, nothing heart-stopping (the way I planned and pictured it).  It was a horrible meet cute.  Horrible.  I remember being so irritated by him....no reason in particular I'm just a hater sometimes.  He and his cousins started coming around to events and I would see him every so often, never once thinking twice about him.  We started playing night games, and he would come regularly...this is where he started to stand out to me.  Jack is quiet (in groups) and every so often I would hear him make a comment and would usually laugh about it.  Pretty soon his comments began to stay with me, and I would go home thinking about how funny he was.  Jack added me on facebook, and I admit, I was excited.  In fact, I remember grinning uncontrollably.....the kind of grin that communicates "Yup, you still got it, Jen." One night I invited him (thru fb) to come play night games, but he turned me down....I was bummed....Like, legit bummed.  He came anyway.  We had fun that night even though not very many people came to play.  We would text every now and again, but that was it.

At this point in my life I didn't care if boys came in or out of my life.  I was single and it was summertime.  I really only cared about having fun, lunch dates with my gal pals, and getting a tan.  I literally did NOT care about boys (prob the first time in my life).  Life was good, my friends and I would spend the day at the pool, or lake, work a few hours then go play night games with different groups of people.  Perfect summer.  Jack started to text more often, and on one particular night asked if we were going to play games that night....I didn't really want to but at this point I was down to do whatever.  It ended up raining that night so Jack invited us girls to go over to their house and play cards.  We went, and I never wanted to leave.  That night.  THAT NIGHT.  I left my care free summer at the door and now had a love interest.  We played cards til late.  I remember driving home telling Jeannette how cute I thought he was and how FUNNY he was.  This kid was killing me with comedy all night long I couldn't stop laughing.  I was having a genuinely good time with him.  I started to let me guard down.

One of his cousins liked one of my friends so we went on a double date with them to see "The Help."  Jack and I didn't sit together but, I liked being around him.  After that we would text everyday all day, and usually hang out with our little friend group we had formed (ourselves).  It all came so naturally and effortlessly.  One night we hung out alone....a little awkward (for him) at first.  We poured our hearts out to each other, and when I say that I don't mean we were mushy gushy, but I mean that if I had ANY questions he answered them and vice versa.  We were so honest with each other....I've never been so honest with anyone in my life, not even myself.  It was weird.

We started dating.  I specifically told him I was not dating just to play around, but I was dating him with a purpose.  I think he was a little surprised and taken a back when I told him that, but I decided I was going to be honest, firm, and blunt in this relationship (never had that in any other relationship).  He gave me a hard time about "having a girlfriend" and that he wasn't ready, but putting my sister missionary skills to use I got to the bottom of that pretty quick, found his doubt, and put an end to it.  None of that in this relationship....none of it.

We began getting to know one another, we would go on adventures together, even the smallest adventure of tossing a coin to see whether or not we should go right or left.  We spent almost all our free time together. We would rearrange our schedules so that we could spend 30min together.  Who was I?  What was happening to me?  We never fought, we laughed.  We discussed....we DISCUSSED a lot.  We would agree to disagree.  We went on long long long long walks....that boy can walk forever!  We teased, we flirted, we developed a relationship of trust.  I began to fall.....

Our relationship developed, we met each other's families. We started going to church together, we planned around each others schedules.  On Nov. 8th 2011 Jack officially asked me to be his girlfriend (a HUGE step for him).  I remember what we were wearing, where we were, and his exact tone of voice.  I remember being speechless, ME, speechless.  I was quiet for about 5 min (an eternity) and finally said yes.  It wasn't that I wasn't sure, I was just soaking up the moment.  I felt like we were making headway in our relationship.  On March 2nd 2012, we said "I love you." Time marched on. We grew together, we had each other to lean on in trials and helped each other make difficult decisions.  I grew to love him more and more each day.....it wasn't what I had grown up picturing in my head.  I liked real life better.

We got a dog together.  Jack always wanted a pit bull and an opportunity presented itself and we became owners of a beautiful blue nose pit bull which we named Slim Shady. I feel like taking care of Slim brought us even more closer together.  It felt right.  Everything felt right.

Now, I don't want you guys to feel that everything has been roses and rainbows, because we have definitely had our "down" moments.  But what I love, is that we have always walked away from those dark moments closer, and stronger than when we began.  Jack is not a quitter, and I love that about him.  I love the mentality of working through tough times in any aspect of the phrase.

It has been over two years since we've been together.....I thought I'd be married and have a baby or at least a baby on the way by now, but, that's not our story right now.  Right now we are enjoying this engagement (engagement story to follow soon) and are making plans for our April 12th wedding.  This story was not in my plan, it was not anything that I ever imagined. I like this story more than what I had planned.  I love the story of us right now, and if push came to shove I would do it all again, and I wouldn't change a thing.  I wouldn't change waiting, I wouldn't change our meet cute, I wouldn't change a thing.  Because all these little things have made up the best love story I've ever been in.  I have never been happier than I am in this minute, this time, and this episode of my life.  I feel so blessed, and favored in so many ways.  Happiness is in my grasp, and I cannot help myself.

Thanksgiving was gooooood

So even on my worst days I feel really fortunate, it's probably bc I am (not bragging).  I know and feel the simplicity of my life, and at the same time I feel the pressures of being an adult.  I love both sides of the spectrum.  I love that I have a companion to share that with.  I love that he evens me out, and I even him out.  I love that his weaknesses are my strengths and my weaknesses are most definitely his strengths.  Without a doubt we are 1000 percent opposites, but that is exactly what I love about "us."

This year for Thanksgiving we decided to concentrate on one family and then switch next year.  This year we did my "in-laws."  I love his family.  They are super fun loving and love to play games and have get-togethers that are the exact right amount of good food, relaxation and competition. We started out with his entire extended family eating a ginormous feast....like three overflowing tables of food. THAT was round one.  It was chuck full of first helpings, second helpings, third helpings, and maybe even "grazing" after that.  Good company, so much laughter....like.....SO much laughter. Heart-to-hearts with relatives (of his) that I never get to see, and then on to round two.  We went over to Siaki's sister's house for another Thanksgiving dinner.  Side note **I didn't know we were going to have another feast, I did not prepare myself for that, oh well** While we waited for another turkey to cook the boys played basketball outside while the girls had a gossip sesh, and played cards.  So fun.  We took a little break and drove down the street to my parents house and had a few snacks, played a couple games of Candy Land then went back to Nita & Paul's house.  Once we were done there we made our way to some shops for a little black friday shopping....again, I had no idea that's what we were going to do, but it was fun.  Once the day was over I was literally exhausted, but it was the best kind of exhausted....the kind where you've filled your day with loved ones, good food, good conversation, good competition, and lots of shopping!