The Proposal

Welp, it's about time I tell the world how Shey proposed to me!

A. because it was the coolest thing ever
B. because it was way more than I ever thought it would be
C. just because I kinda like that boy...maybe just a little.

So let me do a recap.

First date (the second time around): March 10th

Talked about marriage: March 15th

Called the temple: towards the end of March

Engaged: April 7th

So... it seems a little bit fast. But it's been 8 years comin!

Obviously, I knew he was going to propose in the midst of all this. He had even given me hints as to when it would be. And I kinda accidentally snooped at a message he sent my little sister so I could tell you it would be Friday at 8 or 9PM (ok, i know snooping is so bad, but I couldn't stand how excited I was that I gave in when I stumbled across a message)

So, Friday night came. I got ALL dolled up, thinking it was gonna happen that night. But i was confused because we were gonna be with his family all night, so I wondered what he had up his sleeve. (secretly feeling so guilty thinking that I knew everything)Don't get me wrong, that was one of the funnest nights ever! We went skiing, hung out with his fam, and were treated by a spa. It was great. But I was a little confused when we left at 10:30 to go home. I mean, as much as I love curfews and all... 10:30? might as well put braces back on our teeth and have our parents drive us to the movie to be back by 10:30! So, a little confused? yes.

Well, little did I know how much this boy really knows about me, because he KNEW that I would've probably snooped and found out some stuff so he did some other sneaky work to make his plans work out perfectly!

"I'll pick you up at 6."

me- "A.M.?"

Seriously, I was so confused. I thought maybe he was going to make me sit on the mountain and watch the sunrise. ( I would've been grateful) but if you know me, the butt crack of dawn and myself aren't too fond of each other.

By now I was suspicious! In fact, I couldn't really sleep. All Shey told me was "Dress like we're goin on a hott date and wear something warm!" So naturally, didn't get an ounce of sleep.

That night I dreamed we went in a hot air balloon. But woke up being like "Yeah right, that's way too big of a dream!"

Well, off we were. To Park City. We sang and talked and laughed as the sun was rising. Shey's probably never seen me that happy that early. We drove for almost an hour and Shey pulled up and parked.

Starbucks.

"We're here." as he hops out saying how Starbucks is the number 1 coffee shop in the nation. (haha what?) At this point I was lost. He got me some hot chocolate and then we went back outside. And here pulls in this huge white van with a big hot air balloon basket on the back. I still was thinking "no... only that stuff happens in your dreams." And right after Shey's all, "This is the guy we're supposed to meet here."

IS THIS FOR REAL!?

i died. That has secretly always been on my bucket list! I still to this day don't know how he knew that I've always wanted to go in a hot air balloon.

So, on a crisp, beautiful April morning we were floating in a balloon over the prettiest state in America! Our ride was about an hour and about halfway through we were at our highest point.

Our pilot guy: "Well, we're at the highest part of our ride, so if anyone has any business to take care of, now would be the time."

I bust up laughing. HOW would you take care of "bathroom business" on the balloon? (of course I would think that's what he meant)

All of a sudden, Shey gets all fidgety. After a few seconds of just enjoying being on top of the world, Shey goes, "I have some business actually." He gave the cutest little speech to everyone on the balloon and then got on his knee in the middle of the sky.

*Sorry, but if you could see the smile on my face as i'm writing this*

I think I somehow said yes in the midst of "Are you kiddings" and "Are you serious's". I was on cloud 9. Literally! Everyone on the balloon kept making fun of me because I kept saying, "This is the best ride ever!" I don't remember a time where I've ever felt so happy. A few years ago, I would dream and pray for that day to happen with Shey... and it happened way better than even my dreams!

As we were landing, Shey says, "look!" and points to a car full of his family taking pictures. He had arranged for his and my family to be there when we were landing! It was like one surprise after another! Followed by a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Sheesh. I don't deserve it.

So that's it folks! It's official. That boy does way too much for me and I'm seriously the lucky one in the relationship for sure.

I know some of you have followed my blog the past few years. I just have to say that through life's little struggles the past couple years where I've felt a little bit tricked, or frustrated at how everything was happening in life... I can honestly look back today and say that the Lord's hand was there the entire time, even when i didn't realize it sometimes, and has blessed me ten times more than I ever imagined. I can now say how grateful I am to have gone through that so that I can know the difference and feel the happiness that I do now! I'm sure once reality of bills, work, and life will kick in pretty soon, but I couldn't ask for a better person to spend forever with. As cheesy as that sounds, it's true. Shey never has given up on this girl, and I am so grateful we were able to find each other again. It really is the biggest miracle!

Life is so great.


Here's some pics. enjoy:)

Our Story

I guess it's that time to update my blog on my exciting news:

I'm ENGAGED!!! to Shey Carl Grossen

I know what everyone is thinking. I've been single for awhile, how could I be getting married so quickly? The second to last post I put up even mentioned how "burnt out" from dating I was.

So here's the story:

I met this boy back when I was 15. One of my best friends (Alexi) wanted me to meet him so we brought him a frosty. I still didn't have my license, so while she drove to his house I sat in the passenger seat eating half this stranger's frosty.

I met him through the window, and instantly had the biggest crush. I remember thinking he had a killer smile.

Wouldn't you agree?:




It was only a matter of days when we started to hang out. He was my first date, first kiss, first love, first heartbreak, first everything.

We dated off and on throughout high school, and I always knew there was something special about this boy. He knew how to make me feel alive in a way no one else could! We have a connection that I can't really explain. I just know exactly what he's saying just by making eye contact in a room full of people or if it's just me and him.

We always have such a good time when we're together. I remember one time we went to a concert for a date and he opened up his sunroof and grabbed my arm and yelled to the world that he loved "this girl". He always has such "smooth" lines. (huh shey?)

I'm going to fast forward a little bit.

After high school, we both grew apart. I moved up to college and he went on an LDS mission. I think this was the point though for me, where that "young love" turned into a deeper kind of love that not a whole lot of people knew about. I missed and thought of him every single day and kept a journal of the feelings I had to hold in for him. He was serving honorably and I was trying to figure out my life. I dated other people but had him in the back of my head.

By the time he came back, I was dating someone else who wanted to move on to marriage pretty quickly. It was a little bit of a sticky situation, and I may have referred to Shey as a "toad" in one of my posts in 2010 because I was hurt...but I think in reality I was the tadpole that still had to grow up a bit!

We both hurt each other quite a bit, and walked away.

He dated someone and I dated someone else for the next year and a half. I moved to Africa for the summer, and he was been busy with school, work, teaching at EFY, and doing triathlons. We didn't have too much contact during that time, nor did we think we ever would.

Little did we know a few years later we would run into each other at my cousin's farewell in Shey's home ward. I remember telling my sister that I really wanted to find him and say hi! (I secretly missed him maybe a tiny bit) So, that's what we did, made a little small talk, flashed him a pretty smile and left. It was the first time where I felt that connection again.

He texted me a: "Hey it was good to see you at church today"

which lead to: "Let's get dinner sometime"

which lead to: "Let's go out on a date"

I almost had sent him a text saying that I couldn't go. I was dating other people and didn't wanta bring him into the mess of dating my life was, but I still decided to go.

(mind you, we hadn't been on an actual date in about 5 years!)

He picked me up and first thing he says is "It's been a few years, I've missed a lot of birthdays and holidays...so tonight is a night of celebration!" So he took me out for a "birthday" dinner. It was cute. He told the waitress it was my birthday so I could get dessert. And then said "We're also celebrating
Chinese New Year" and he pulled up to the top of the mountain where we lit off a sky lantern. We got back in the car and he had made a playlist of all these songs that reminded him of me. That night he got me. I remember watching Little Rascals at his house with his little brother and thinking: I could walk away from everything in my life, just to be with him. I felt alive again.

To make a long story short, things jumped right back to where we left off. I remember blogging about some rougher times of life and trying to stay positive even in times when I wanted to give up. But I now can look back and see why I had to go through all that. And I couldn't be more grateful! Heavenly Father never gave up on this girl. I'm grateful I went through that so that I could be able to understand the peace and happiness I feel when it IS right. I can't even explain it.

So in other words, it's taken about 8 years...but I'm getting married to my first and only love of my life! I've never been so happy in my entire life and I can't wait to get to be with him forever. He is the biggest blessing I could ever ask for. My mom taught me that true love is about forgiving each other and loving unconditionally. I don't think any relationship is perfect, but I feel like Shey is one of the most forgiving people I've ever met and loves me unconditionally.

The other day when he proposed,(which I will blog about as well) it was in front of a group of people in a hot air balloon on top of the world. I felt like he was shouting to the world that he loved "this girl". Can't wait to be married to that boy already.

My Cute Sister

I just need to blog about my cute sister. About 20 years ago, my sister wrote a poem about me for school. She's about ten years older than me and we just have always been close. When I was 4, I'd wait for her anxiously to come home from school because she would always walk in the door, drop her bags and books, and play with me and do "tricks". In my head I always thought, "she must have missed me just as much as I missed her" (haha the whole 7 hours of school) She was the best babysitter around because she would teach us, play with us, hold us, and make us treats.

She's one of those people that lights up the room when your with them and is behind the scenes making sure everyone and everything is taken care of.

My sister is super mom. She has 4 beautiful kids that are the light of her life and everyone around her. She would do anything for family. She is the ultimate example of what a peacemaker is. She would give an arm and a leg for anyone that needed it and has always been so selfless.

My sister is beautiful, naturally. She has had 4 beauitful (and quite funny) kids and has worked her butt off to have the bod she does! You would never guess she even had one child!

I'm just impressed with her because as I've grown up, she has been nothing but the biggest help to me. She is the best sympathizer, the best at advice, and the best at being there to just vent to. She just gets it. Seriously doesn't have a mean bone in her body and doesn't get enough credit for all of the behind the scenes work she does for everyone around her.

She's one of those people I will always try to be like.

I'm so grateful to be able to call her my sister and best friend. Love you Beck!

a little change?

I just realized that I write on my blog for a few different reasons... to keep an updated journal, release emotion, but most of all i think it's just therapeutic for me.

but sometimes when life is going a little TOO well, I forget to write.

I've got some good news:)

My life has done a complete 360 that no one really knows about... and i think that's part of the fun. I feel like I'm a happy person generally, but right now I feel like I'm happy by complete accident.

how do i know?

I smile when I'm alone.

I dance in the shower.

I sing at the top of my lungs in the car.

I do a "shoulder" dance when my alarm goes off even at 6:30 in the AM(yes, it's a Michael Jackson song)

I'm content and just feel like the world looks brighter!

I just feel so blessed right now!!! I can't even explain:) so...just stay tuned I guess!

New Shades

Yesterday I went on a date with my mom and dad. Yup, that may or may not be the reason why they call me "Kip". But I enjoyed it. I hang out with them all the time and I am completely content and love living at home with my best friends.

So we went and got a Jamba Juice. First thing my dad will ask me, is to rate the boys I go out with. And lately, I'm just kind of burnt out from the whole dating scene. It's probably bad, but I like doing things on my own and I enjoy just being alone sometimes. I find myself happy and content doing my own thing. I enjoy studying for once, I love my job and feel lucky to be where I'm at school and work-wise. I have the best people around me and feel so blessed.

So we're in the car discussing my love life(s), and lately I feel a lot of pressure from everyone around me to get married. I'm 23. And Utah hates that I'm not married having my second child already. But I feel like things will happen when they're supposed to happen. It's definitely easier said than done though.

When the conversation got more into depth, I said, "Sorry mom, that I didn't find the love of my life at 18 and have everything work out so perfectly like you did."

My mom's response was this...

"I guess some people just see life through rose colored glasses."

Time paused and got my thinking. Even though I don't know most of the details of my parents lives and the trials they've had or are going through, they have ALWAYS had the best outlook on life and make the best of every situation they're in. The grass isn't greener on the other side for them, only because they water and mow it on their own side. Life is beautiful and wonderful if you MAKE it that way.

I learned a pretty big lesson that day. More than my parents probably would know. I do get discouraged, I do get burnt out from life, I do feel like I'm failing sometimes, or that I'm not doing enough. I do feel stubborn and bitter about some things, or frustrated... but that can all change with a new outlook!

So today... I'm gonna get me some new shades:)

All about Worries

(me and my sammy)

I don't know why I was thinking about this...but have ya ever thought about the worries you had when you were little?

For example:

Worrying about who your teacher will be for the next grade. or...

Worrying about your parents getting a divorce because they got in a simple argument. or...

Worrying if you were going to get EXACTLY what you asked Santa. or...

Worrying if your best friend did their chores so they can "play". or...

Worrying about who is going to be the president of the "club" for that day and who is allowed in the club. or even...

Worrying about if your mud nest needed more grass in it or not. (haha ok, that might have just been me)

Then you hit middle school, and it looks more like this:

Worrying about your first zit that magically formed on your forehead.

Worrying if you need to have braces or not... and secretly excited if the dentist says yes.

Worrying about being on your period during gym class.

Worrying about the boy you have a crush on in 3rd period because in your head you "could" marry him. haha

And then College hits and looks like this:

"oh shiz...i have to pay for the lights and the heater in my home?"

Worrying about paying for school and staying up til 4am laughing at nothing. (perfect for your 7 o clock class, right?).

Worrying about how to cook and not gain weight; and which roommate isn't doing her dishes.

And I'm sure the list constantly changes as you grow, get married, raise kids, become empty nesters, and grandparents. But the point is, everyone has their own set of worries! I was thinking about the worries that I have right now. And yes, I worry about school and being able to study enough to earn a grade I have to pay for outta my pocket. I worry about my kids in Africa and if they got a meal today, or my grandparents getting sick.

Not to get all churchy again, but I was reading in the Book of Mormon about those two guys (yes, this is why i'm put as the sunday school teach to learn this stuff). But how they were able to be delivered from the fire and the prison that was falling down. I'm sure they had a few worries about gettin hit in the head, or if they were even going to breathe the next day. But the Lord delivered them because of their faith... they didn't just give up, sit in the middle of the prison and "worry".

They moved.

Lately, I feel like my worries go away when I "move". I've had my share of heart aches and I'm sure more to come, but when you put your best foot forward you learn a different kind of happiness. There would be times when I would worry or hurt so much about something and followed what a quote said once to say in my prayers, "Heavenly Father, you worry about this for me, I can't do it anymore, I've got too much to do" And He does. I know that there are so many others out there that have SO much more to worry about then I do. But even when prison walls are falling down on us, if we're willing to just MOVE...

He'll make sure everything is taken care of.

just a day at the doctor...

So...the other day I had to go to the dermatologist to check out my moles on my back. That kind of sounds gross and I used to hate them, but once a boy told me they were sexy, so I look at them as beauty marks instead!

Well, Ang was down for Christmas break and also has a mole that needed to be looked at as well, so it was a perfect opportunity for a sister check up!

We scheduled an appointment together for this lovely experience. Ang doesn't love going to the doctor at all, I personally don't mind it, but it's something that she dreads for weeks if she knows she has to go in.

So there we were. Sitting in the waiting room. "Aubrey and Angie, want to come back together?"

done.

Mind you, Angie's mole is a little bit more wild then mine. It is in a location that is a little bit more...revealing. The middle of her chesticles.(thanks to my brother in law for that word)

nurse: "So, if your mole is on your arm and you can just lift up your shirt that is just fine, or we have gowns if you need."

Ang: "uhhhh, we're definitely gonna need the gowns."

So the nurse handed us these crisp robes to put on like you would if you were having surgery. Only two ties, one by the neck and one in the middle of the back, with the rest just gaping open. She said to leave our pants on if our moles were just on our upper part of our body. Which gave us something to joke about for the next 15 minutes while waiting for the doctor.

Ang goes, "what if I just got butt naked in this thing and then the doctor comes in and I'm all...'oh, excuse me doc, my mole is on my elbow' as my butt was hangin out."

I'm sorry but WHAT? sorry if this is gross to some people or inappropriate but I died laughing. We had all these jokes going the whole time. Ang then puts on her gown and stands up for me to take a picture of her in it. But right before I took it I realized that because she was standing so close to the window, the sun was shining perfectly so you could see RIGHT through it. I stopped dead in my tracks before taking the picture and laughed so hard! The people in the office were probably wondering what we were celebrating in the exam room because we were seriously laughing our heads off.

The doctor came in, checked our beauty marks one at a time and we were good to go. Needless to say, trips to the doctors are MUCH more entertaining when you've got your best friend crackin jokes and ready to walk the run way in her beautiful gown to model for you.

haha I love my sister.