Monday, November 30, 2009

My Big Tow


Well, today was fairly uneventful...until I came down stairs to go to the store and realized my car had been towed!! When I got back to Flagstaff last night I forgot to put my parking pass back in the windshield and my apartment complex is super strict...so they took Shamu away! I was just so excited to check the mail when I got home, that it totally slipped my mind. I did have 4 more letters from Jacob so that pretty much distracted me entirely! Well...lesson learned!

The One with the Mariners

This is probably one of the coolest things that ever happened to Jacob and me. At the end of our day in Seattle, we went to a Mariner's baseball game. Jacob tried to take me as a surprise because he knew I had never been to a major league game before. So, we went in first to find our seats and an usher came up to us and and asked if we were there together and then offered us upgraded seats. So we followed him up to these AMAZING seats that were like big recliners in the VIP lounge, with a flat screen TV and a great view of the field. And, they put us on the big screen! It was so fun! I don't think I'll ever be able to go to a baseball game and sit in a normal seat again!



I even got to have a hot dog!

Our amazing seats

Thursday, November 26, 2009

The One With the Troll

This troll lives in a random freeway underpass in Seattle. We stopped by for a visit, and he was pretty scary. Lucky I had Jacob along to protect me!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I am Thankful For...

It's Thanksgiving! That means the parade! This year they had a sailor Mickey float...which of course I appreciated =]

I have lots to be thankful for this year...

My Family
My family is the best! They are so amazing and funny. I have the best parents in the world, and I guarantee you they are nothing like your parents! They always encourage me to learn and grow and be my own person. My sisters are two of the most hilarious and talented people you will ever meet. They are my best friends and I know I can always count on them. Madeline and I pretty much grew up right next to each other and I'm so happy we did! We got to experience so many big life moments together, and there's usually a good story with every single one. Emily is growing up so fast! I swear she's older than me some days. She is such an awesome performer and I'm so proud of her for pursing her dreams so whole heartedly! My family is so supportive and loving. I love spending holidays with my family...never a dull moment.

My Soon-to-Be Family
The Foystons are so great! From the moment I met them they have all been so nice and welcoming to me. I felt like part of the family right away. I am so grateful for that! Mama and Papa Foyston are always so sweet to let me stay in their house when I visit, and make great breakfasts! Haley, Heidi, Jershon, and Chantelle are really starting to feel like my older sisters and brother since Jacob went away to boot camp. They all have taken time out of their days to talk to me when I'm sad. They're amazing! I don't know everyone really well (Clearly, there's a lot of them) but I love them all, and am so excited to be a part of this family!

Jacob
Jacob is incredible. He is so understanding, patient (sometimes =]), brave, loyal, funny, strong, thoughtful, loving, determined, hard-working, smart, playful, confident, and my fiancee! How lucky am I?? I am so grateful that he is in boot camp working to build a life for us. I miss him every day, but I know he is doing what is best for us, and what more could you ask for in a husband? I am so excited to get married and start our life together! I love him!

My Ring
I know this is kind of a materialistic thing to actually be thankful for, but I love my ring so much! It matches my personality perfectly, and it is so beautiful. It deserves a little recognition.

I am also thankful for:
My friends/roommates
School
Volleyball
Writing letters
Fleece blankets
Pretty weddings
Laughter
Blogging
Airplanes
Zumba/ Exercise
Fruit
Flowers
Quotes
Books
Love

The One With the Seagulls


While we were in Seattle, Jacob told me that we had to get get french fries from Ivars (this restaurant with a lot of fish) and feed them to the seagulls by the water...so we did!

Jacob was very graceful with his french fries...and so the picture came out really well...

I, on the other hand, was not quite as graceful, making for a much worse picture. I actually hate this picture, but Jacob loves it and I can admit that it's funny. So I gave it a spot on my blog. =]

Monday, November 23, 2009

The One at the Aquarium

While I was in Washington I went with Jacob and his family to the Seattle Aquarium! It's right on the Puget Sound and was really cool. We went into Seattle with Jacob's Mom, Jershon and Chantelle, and Haley and her kids Sophia, Flynn, and Adeline. It was so much fun hanging out with them and getting to know them better!

We found this fun little otter bench to sit on with Sophia.

I love us.

The Aquarium was just our first stop during our day in Seattle, more memories to come!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

New Moon


Okay, I admit it. I saw the new Twilight movie on opening day... =] I am happy to say that it was worlds better than the first one. I personally believe it's because there was less Edward. I used to like him, but in rereading the books and watching the movie...it's all about Team Jacob! And no, I'm not biased because of the name!

The rest of my weekend was actually really good too. Our house seemed really empty because Amanda and Deanna were down in the Valley for the weekend. I missed them. But I did get seasons 5 and 6 of Friends! I really just love that show so much!


Also, Gabe got into town on Saturday! It has been so great having him here! I also got to spend all day hanging out with Sarah. I love my friends! And! I thought of what I want to get Jacob for Christmas...and pretty much I'm a genius! I'm so ready for this week and to go home on Tuesday to spend time with my family!

The One With the Lake

Haley, Jacob's sister, lives on a lake. During the summer Jacob really likes swimming in it...I, however, am not a lake person. Especially since I had just recently completed my Certified Pool Operator class where we learned about all kinds of disgusting things that hang around in untreated water. Anyway I took pictures while Jacob swam, and wore a swim suit for fun. The weather was amazing though and it was nice to hang out together on the dock.

Friday, November 20, 2009

The One at Jacob's Football Game

The Twin Towers

Over the summer, Jacob played on a semi-pro football team with Jershon and Ralph. Oh football. At first, it seemed like a great idea, Jacob was really excited to play and I was really excited to watch him play. So his "team" ended up being glorified high school with some pretty big dudes. Everyone on the team called Jake and Jershon "The Twin Towers" because they were so tall. The first game I went to was really fun...for about the first twenty minutes. Too bad the game lasted another 2 and a half HOURS! It was really cool seeing Jacob play, but none of us were sad when the game was over. =]

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The One where I couldn't wait to go to Washington

I made it about 3 weeks before I was in Washington visiting Jacob. I was kind of supposed to wait until 4th of July, but about 48 hours after I dropped Jacob and his parents off, I was booking a flight. So, there I was in Washington. I remember feeling so overwhelmed that I was there, I was so happy and it felt so surreal. I loved it right away!

From now on, I'm going to break down all of our trips over the summer or I will run out of things to blog about and have way too many pictures in each one. =]

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Love Letters...all 4 of them!

I had the best mail day EVER today. I went to check the mail and there were four letters from Jacob waiting for me inside. I could not even believe it. I never expected him to write that much. But oh my gosh I am so incredibly happy he did. The letters were the best I have ever gotten from anyone. I feel fully justified in saying that I am marrying the most amazing person in the world, and one who is so beyond perfect for me! I am so happy that I was finally able to hear how boot camp is going, because I have been dying to know! He said that things are going really well and he just got his uniform! The super official one with his name on it, and it is really starting to hit him that this is for real. This is really happening. They also shaved his head. He apologized for that, hahah which is why I love him. We both knew it was going to happen. I am saving these letter for the rest of my life. I feel like writing letters is such a different form of communication. It is so personal, and as much as I hate boot camp sometimes, I would not trade my letters for anything. To see Jacob translate his love for me onto paper is such a simple pleasure. He never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think I have him figured out, he surprises me. I love that about him, because the surprises are always good. I am so proud of him!

The One when Jacob came to Las Vegas after Graduation.

It all seems like the blink of an eye even when I recount all of my memories with Jacob. Believe me when I say it felt even faster as they actually happened. Before I even had time to sit down and think about the last few months, the semester was over and Jacob was graduating. After graduation, Jacob and his parents came down to Las Vegas for a few days before going back to Washington. And that was planned before we were even dating! Convenient, huh? Now looking back I am so grateful for those extra few days. It was not until the end of semester hit that I realized how much I was going to miss Jacob. I would miss walking into my room to find him passed out in my bed while Sarah did her homework. I would miss awkward lunches in the union after his swimming class. I would miss him randomly showing up at my house. I would miss living across the street from him. I would miss those awful runs up the observatory hill. I would miss our walks around campus.

I guess I realized that I had been taking our time together for granted.

Anyway, when Jacob came down to Vegas I had a lot of fun hanging out with him and his parents. I'm so thankful that I got along, and still do, with his parents! I love them. Lots of people have told me I am lucky for that.


On the first night, Jacob and I toured the strip. We watched the Water Show at the Bellagio and went to the Wynn and Encore. I just liked walking around holding hands.

We went to church and matched. I love matching. I plan to do it often when we get married.

Sunday night I took Jacob to the Las Vegas Temple, and to the lookout where people go on first dates all the time. I had never gotten to go, but when I did, I had the best date ever! He was definitely worth the wait.

We went to the mall too. Jacob and I are really bad at shopping together. We're working on it!

At the end of Jacob's weekend, I took them to airport. I knew I would try to visit over the summer and that we would figure everything out. When I got home, I got back into bed, laid there for a minute, and all of a sudden I was so overwhelmed that I was crying. I was so sad he was really leaving!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Be nice to me...I donated blood today!

Today Amanda and I donated blood! I told her I wasn't scared and that it wasn't scary, even though I always get a little scared when I go!

While in the chair I like to appear calm and collected.

Okay, so I didn't make it all the way out without feeling some side effects...I was supposed to elevate my feet. I tried.

After I recovered Amanda and I had a photo shoot.

Be nice to us, we donated blood today!

We are very excited to go back and do it again. It was Amanda's first time donating and she handled it like a pro! She finished in FIVE minutes! It took me eleven! I think it's because she drank so much water, she peed a lot after hahah. =] We saved some lives and learned about blood types. I am O+ which means I can give to any other positive blood type, but can only get O+ blood. We also got some capri suns when we finished donating. I love those.

The One where we made it Facebook Official.

One night after an end of the semester barbecue at the institute, Jacob came over and we were hanging out when he decided that even though we had pretty much been dating until that point, he wanted to claim me as his girlfriend so the whole world would know! We took some pictures on my computer to celebrate. That night when Jacob went home, he changed his relationship status on facebook. So cheesy and immature of me to acknowledge this, I know, but I was really excited!

We ended up putting this picture in a frame in Jacob's room in Washington =]

Monday, November 16, 2009

Stickers

I have a funny story from today. In my spare time, I like to go look at the Navy boot camp website to see what Jacob could be up to. I was surfing along today and I came across a "Guide for Families" and decided to read it. They devoted a section to "Writing to your Recruit" and I read that as tempting as it is, you should NOT put stickers or notes on the outside of the envelope because the drill sergeants hand out the mail, and tend to be a little hard on people who get stupid stickers on their envelopes. Well, guess who has sent out about 5 letters complete with stupid stickers and notes on the outside of the envelope. Yep. That would be me! I felt HORRIBLE! I'm so scared Jacob will get made fun of or something. It is pretty dang funny when you think about it, but I sure hope they don't give him too hard of a time, poor guy. Needless to say, I will be ditching the stickers from now on....

The One where Jacob and I run up the hill to Lowell Observatory

There were probably about two weeks left in the semester, if that. Jacob decided we should go for a run, and I was excited/scared to accompany him. I mean c'mon people, the man was at NAU on a track scholarship...I usually only run if there's an enticing dessert dangling on a string in front of me. Anyway, I pretty much kept up, and Jacob was even a little impressed, until we got to the hill. That's when Jacob decided to run circles around me and be obnoxious with my camera...

Trust me when I say, that hill is a lot steeper than in looks.

At the top! I have to say I think we look pretty dang good for just finishing running up a hill.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The One with the Easter Pageant

Last Easter Jacob, Gabe, and I went down to the temple in Mesa for the Easter Pageant.

I will never forget the drive down there. It was super snowy and the road was icy, and in an attempt to change lanes we slid on the road not once, not twice, but four times! Luckily we ended up right where we needed to be and Gabe stayed calm through the whole thing. When we got to Mesa the trip was more than worth it! The pageant was a great experience and it was fun to hang out with Jacob since we liked each other by then. The funny thing was, only Gabe knew. So we would act like boyfriend and girlfriend around Gabe but anytime we saw someone else we would act totally normal. It was so fun having a secret.

We snuck in a kissing picture in front of the temple. I love this picture, but I think it's funny that you can tell we're both still a little awkward. Ah, new love =]
This was from the same weekend as the Easter Pageant, I just thought it was funny. It makes me laugh when Jacob acts like this. He starts to get really ghetto on the phone with his brother.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Cleaning

Today I cleaned my room for real. Cleaned, organized, vacuumed, dusted. Everything. It looks so amazing. I should have taken before and after pictures...but I didn't think of it soon enough. So, just enjoy the after...


I love living in a clean room. It feels so good, and I always want to put everything right back where it belongs. I'm going to do my very best to make sure my room stays this clean for a long time.

Might I also add that I organized all of my bride magazines by title, and then by date. I find joy in simple things =]

Friday, November 13, 2009

The One with General Conference

Some would say this is where it all began. Others would say it was a long time coming. But no matter what anyone says, this is the weekend I will always remember the idea hitting me. The idea that maybe I liked Jacob more than the best friend he was quickly growing to be, and I could definitely tell that the idea was hitting him too.

On the way to Utah everything was pretty normal. I wanted a thousand pictures, Jacob put up with it because he loved me..."in a little sister kind of way"...

Jacob being his typical self. He was actually great to have at conference though. He got us amazing seats and explained everything to me.

So, Jacob and I had this thing where we could not let the other one remain too peaceful for too long. It somehow always resulted in a wrestling tournament of some kind. As seen here, Jacob usually had the last say.

This next bunch of pictures are by far one of my favorite Jacob memories. We'd been having a good weekend, but we decided to stay home on Saturday night while everyone else went out. The following are just a small selection from what ended up being about 75 - 100 pictures of our most ridiculous, and usually hideous, faces. We laughed for hours playing this game...

Tell me those were not attractive. I love that Jacob and I can entertain ourselves so easily.

Another fun little game of ours...pinch whatever fat you can find. Well played Jacob, well played.

By the time we had to leave Utah it had become clear to everyone that Jacob and I were pretty much inseparable. Were we still denying everything? Of course we were.

On the way home we found some cool caves to explore. We're still pretending nothing is happening. Clearly, it's love.

This picture has become a classic favorite of ours. We took it kind of as a joke and if our faces weren't blocked by the sun, you would be able to see me laughing and Jacob half laughing because I just blew a booger out my nose. We found this road a little outside of Page and it was basically carless except for us. We took the opportunity to stop and have a photo shoot.

That weekend at conference will always stand out as one of my fondest memories, which is why I dedicated so many pictures to it. And it's still not enough to show how much fun it really was. I always loved Jacob, he had been an amazing friend and was getting me through some pretty rough times. He was my rock and shoulder to cry on. I always loved him. It took Utah to show me that it was actually more that that.
I was in love with him.