Our Last Video Together

Before he left, we filmed one last video of us together.

The video speaks for itself. I miss him <3

See You in 2 Years, My Love

I am happy to say that Jared is officially in the MTC as of 4 days ago :)

I don't even know where to start. Jared's farewell was a week ago today. I remember him telling me how nervous and scared he was to speak in front of so many people. He told me not to expect anything good. But of course, he totally surprised us all. His talk was absolutely amazing and I'm sure everyone in the congregation felt the spirit just as strong as I did. Afterwards, we all went to his house and he said goodbye to some friends. Oh also, the day of his farewell was also  
St. Patricks day :)

That day was wonderful and happy :) We hardly left each others sides. We both knew he was needing to get ready to enter the MTC, but at the same time, we continued to act completely normal around each other. I'd walk away for a minute to talk to someone and he'd come over and say, "Hey, you were too far away from me :)" 

Then we had our last day together on Tuesday. It was amazing to say the least. I went over to his house and helped him pack some last minute items. We then played pool and made some yummy food. The weather was nice (thankfully) so we decided to go on a walk at a park we'd always go to during the winter. We'd go at night and buy hot chocolate and then go walk around the park. As we were walking he started talking about leaving and I told him he needed to stop because I could feel the tears coming. I didn't want to talk about him being gone. All I wanted to do was focus on my time left with him. After our walk, we drove to my house :) We decided to watch The Best Two Years outside with blankets on my trampoline as the sun was setting. It was perfect :) 

After the movie we went inside and sat in my room. We knew we only had 45 minutes left together. Jared said, "Come here, let's just cuddle for a little while. I know it's your favorite" so we did :) We didn't really talk, we just sat there in each others arms. We eventually started talking about our future, me waiting, his mission, and old memories :) He wanted to see me smile so he kept bringing up old memories from us together in Hawaii. 

Eventually the time came. It was 8:00 and he needed to go home to get set apart. I started crying, and I didn't even know what to say. We were hugging for a while and I said, "Any final words?" Jared waited for a second and said, "I love you. There's nothing else I can say" and then he started to tear up and by that point I was completely bawling. We stood by my front door for what seemed like a lifetime.   We had one last kiss, well technically 3. We kiss in 3's :) And then I said, "Sweetheart, you need to go.." so we walked to the door and I double pinky promised him that I'd wait :) I hugged him one last time. It was hard to get the words out through my crying, but said "You're going to be an amazing missionary." He was so emotional which was making it harder for me. So then he walked outside but just stood there looking at me. So I ran out and hugged him one last time and then stood in the doorway as I watched him walk away, realizing I needed to capture this and remember it forever. We did the "I love you" sign before he started to drive away. I came inside with my hand over my mouth, trying to keep my crying and breathing under control. 

This goodbye was SO much harder than it was with my first missionary. It's crazy. But I couldn't be more proud of my sweetheart. I know we'll both be blessed. I've come to realize that we were seriously created for each other and I love him more than I ever thought I could. Plus, I'm happy to finally consider myself a missionary girlfriend again :) Wish me luck for the next two years! <3

ONE YEAR DOWN!

Feb 9th 2012

(I know that was technically yesterday.. but it doesn't matter)

Preston has officially been gone for one year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 We have now passed the halfway mark. And now he only has 11 months left because he comes home in January. Seriously, yesterday I was freaking out. I walked out of my house and went to school, basically looking/acting like this...

So instead of writing about how excited I was. I'll just show you the video that contains all my happiness :) Enjoy!

p.s. I really do love him more than the day he left. I didn't expect the first year to be so easy. I can't wait to experience this next year. There's no way I'm not waiting for him :)
You can't tell. But in this picture I was dying inside. This was taken on the curbside at the MTC a year ago from yesterday. I just really can't believe we've come this far :)

New Goal/Update

Alright ladies, I have set a new goal. Here it is:

Blog once a week

Doesn't seem that hard of a goal, right? But it totally is for me. It's hard enough living in Hawaii and going to school at the same time. But I'm also working at the Polynesian Cultural Center. And then I live across from the beach. So... where does blogging fit into that? Yeah, it comes in last on the priority scale. But I just wanted to give kind of an update :) 

I love living in Hawaii. I love going to BYUH. And more than anything, I still LOVE my missionary more than anything in the world. Exactly a week from today, we will be hitting the highly anticipated one year mark. I can't even believe it. Another thing is that recently I started casually dating. I prayed about it and felt like I should go on some dates and make friends and what not. I mean, I didn't date at all the first year, so I feel like it's the right thing to do for me. Preston on the other hand, wasn't so happy about my decision. But before he left, we both decided that me dating would be ok to do while he's gone. But he kind of changed his mind since he's been gone. Which is totally understandable. So recently we had a little rough patch, but we worked through it and I believe we're stronger because of it :) He thought I was getting serious with other guys which is totally not what was happening :) I just want to say that fighting for what you love, and what you want most in the world is 100% worth it. Waiting for Preston isn't even hard because he's what I want :) I've always known that, and I know it more now than I ever have before. Will I continue dating? Yes. Why? Because it strengthens my love for him every time :) Alright. Enough with boring words and sentences. Here are some pictures of my recent life :) 

La'ie Hawai'i temple :) 

Working at the PCC :)

The people I hang out with every day :) 

Hukilau Beach (1 min from my house)

Sunset Beach on the North Shore :)

My bedroom :) 

Night swimming :) 

My church :) 

Entering campus :) 

Sorry such a long post. But it's been almost a month since I blogged. I didn't want anyone to think I was struggling with waiting or anything :) I've just been so busy. 

One last thing.. You didn't think I was going to have a post without including a couple recent pictures of my adorable Preston, did you? :) 

He loves Hamburger Helper :)

Pretty sure this is against mission rules.. whatever :)

I love him so much :) :) 

And for any of you who are following my youtube channel, I put a video a while ago but if you didn't see it, you can view it here :) 

ONE MORE WEEK till ONE YEAR DOWN! :) 

*insert happy dance*

I'd like to end with something my friend and creator of the Beehive Organization said yesterday, "Sometimes doing the right or best thing isn't always the easiest, however you can rest assured knowing that you will be blessed somehow for choosing the better option. . . This is what I will tell myself & all of you today! Before committing to a decision think about what will benefit you eternally or make you a better person. If there's any doubt, don't do it."

Thanks for that Linsey :) There's so much truth in that. Don't do something if you have any doubt. Because you want to be able to do it 100% and feel completely at peace with the decision :) 

Until next week... 

Merriest Christmas Ever!!

I will never forget this Christmas. It was the first year I actually "came home" for Christmas. It was the first year without my sweetheart. It was the first Christmas since I've lived in Utah where there wasn't any snow on the ground. It was the first Christmas I got to skype with him :) It was the first year where I wasn't too excited about opening any of my presents because I had already opened my package from him. And nothing beats his presents :) Basically... This Christmas was amazing. Here's a little view of it:

We got so much time to talk. I really am one lucky girl :) 

"Ok I'm gonna take a picture"

"Should I do this?"

"Yes. It looks great :)"

I opened this package in front of him over skype :) so he got to see my reaction. And let me tell you. I was freaking out. I got the one thing I've been wanting for SO long!! His name tag!!! I also got:

One of his ties soaked in his cologne <3

A memory card with 30 videos <3

An amazing light up glass keychain with our picture etched inside <3

A little scarf <3

A card with Hungarian money inside <3

And of course, an amazing letter <3 <3 :) :) 

I am in love with it :) and him :) he's seriously the best.

A few weeks ago Preston asked me to email him some pictures. So I said, 

"Of course! Here are a couple of my favorites. Am I allowed to know why you randomly need these pictures?"

"I just love you so much :) is that a good enough reason? :) Because you are the love of my life!! :)"

"Ok..."

But now I know why he needed pictures. For this :) :) ^^^ I freaking love it!!! Without fail, he gets me thee best gifts every year.

I wore the cologne soaked tie all day. Who wouldn't? You can't really see it but I'm also wearing his name tag <3

My sister gave this to me for Christmas. She knows me all too well :) 

Last but not least, the same sister gave this JB poster. I'm seriously so excited about it :D

Like I already said, I will never forget this Christmas :) Only one more to go before he gets home! And only 136 days till Mothers Day..... :) 

Here's a little thought on talking to him at Christmas. It was the best thing in the world. We weren't awkward, we just laughed and talked like he never even left :) And I mean waiting hasn't been getting harder as time goes on or anything. But it recharged my waiting battery 110% :) But for those of you who didn't get to talk to your boys, you are also lucky, in a way. I wouldn't say that I had a "post phone call crash" but as soon as hung up, a little piece inside of me felt as though I was back at the beginning. Cuz for those couple hours that I got to talk to him, it felt like he was home. And hanging up felt like saying "see you later" again. Of course I was still happy :) but it just made me miss him a lot more than normal. I'm fine now though :) In fact, I'm more than fine. I am so freaking pumped for this next year! I am so excited for the packages that I have planned :) I'm not worried that waiting will get hard during these next 14 months. Because I know it won't :) I'm living my life, writing him every week, praying for him every day, focusing on myself, and just having fun :) He's still on my mind 24/7, but that's just because he's always with me. Always in my heart. Which is why I feel like I can be happy, and enjoy everything that this next year will bring :) I just can't wait!!

6 MONTHS ♥

Am I really posting this already? Has he really been gone for 181 days? I'm proud to say that I have made it through the first 6 months of Preston's mission :) that calculates to 1/4 of his mission. Done. Gone forever :) Could I be any more happy? No :) (technically his 6 months mark was August 9th but I have been without internet for 2 days)

These 6 months have been some of the hardest months of my life - hands down. But they have also been some of the best. I have met some of the most amazing girls and created friendships that I know will last a very long time. I've grown so much and I'm learning more every day. I've learned to appreciate the little things that I never did before. Because really, the little things in life matter the most. But most importantly, I've never been more in love with Preston :) waiting isn't so hard anymore. It's still hard... But call me crazy - I actually enjoy it. We are both learning so much about ourselves during these two years. It's amazing to see both of us going through this together. 

I wouldn't be posting this right now if it wasn't for all the wonderful MG's. I don't know if I'd be this happy during this waiting process without them. So girls, thank you :) 

Also, I am happy to say that I haven't gone on any dates yet since Preston left. Some girls date, some girls don't. I always just said that I'd do what feels right. But so far, not dating has been right :) It's made my life so much easier. 

I'd like to end with saying that Preston has been the most amazing missionary. He is working SO hard everyday but he still makes time to write me every single week. He still makes time to make me videos and take pictures. He is putting in the extra effort to serve the Lord but also love me at the same time. And I love him so much for it :) 

I just can't wait for the next 6 months! I go to China in 15 days and I couldn't be more excited for the future :) 

p.s. This is what 6 months down looks like :)

I'm not worried that my feelings will change :) I love what one of my new favorite songs by Keith Urban says:

"But if anyone can make it, I'm betting on me and you

Just keep on moving in to me

I know you're going to see

The best is yet to come

Don’t fear it now; we're going all the way

Where the sun is shining on a brand new day

It's a long way down, and it's a leap of faith

But I’m never giving up, 'cause I know we got a once in a lifetime love"

I LOVE MY MISSIONARY!!!!

20% Done :)

 Making progress :) 

Anniversary Package to Him :)

I sent this envelope package to Preston today for our anniversary next week (July 8th @ 1:13am) :D

I know he's gonna love it :) It's nothing that special, but it's still special :) It consists of:

• 20 pictures (mainly from the st. george MG roadtrip and just summertime)
• A candy necklace. Candy necklaces have always been our thing :) 
• 8 page letter
• A "What I Love About You" book that I got from Walgreens. Can I just say, best thing ever! I highly suggest it. It asks questions and has fill in the blank pages. Questions like, "Our favorite memory together is" and "If it wasn't for you, I never would have:" and "If they made a reality show about us, It'd be called:" it was just really fun and I know he'll love it :) 
• A DVD! He asked for it :) It's 16 minutes long of all our memories on video along with a slide show at the end to "Our Song" which is I Swear by All-4-One. 
• And his favorite beef jerky. It couldn't be all lovey dovey stuff, right? :) 

So then of course, I got this from Preston the other day.

And he said I can't open it till our anniversary. How could he do that to me? I am going crazy. And I know it looks like a normal envelope with just a letter.. but it's not. It has stuff inside it :) a few little items... and.. I CANT WAIT! (I just noticed that the envelope matches my bedspread lol) 

Countdown till anniversary: 9 days