A Day

Today was a day {if ya know what I'm sayin'}.
I was probably every  side of the spectrum of emotion, which is no bueno for the little brain I have. Like when you mix together ALL the colors of paint? It's what....brown-ooey-death color? Yeah. Not good for the health of a working head.

But like the quote above ^ says, there were wonderful somethings in my day. Signing a document saying I was going to marry the man of my dreams, feeling like a sweet college kid again as I walked down the hall of the university, eating my favorite treat with my mommy, going to the temple with my sweetheart, buying donuts at a discount price and eating them with milk, cuddling with my baby nephew, playing with a puppy, changing into my fiance's superman shirt {don't worry, by myself of course :)}, singing EFY songs with my future hubbie, and snuggling up to episodes of The Cosby Show.

I would say those were GREAT somethings.

When you type it out like that, it reminds me how sweet life is-and that I'm real blessed.

So, if you're having "a day", take a sec and maybe write down a few somethings of your day. It may turn out you actually had a pretty swell day after all.

;)

Loves,
Your Little Besty

Leafy

So...

I love me seester. 

A LOT. 

If you know Elise, you know what I'm talkin' about.

Elise has always been my rock. The one I can look to. The one to be honest and straight up with me. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my sister. Everything she did amazed me. I remember going to YW when my mom was a leader and Elise was in YW because I wanted to be by her and watch her. Kinda creepy, but not. When she had a birthday party at our house, I wanted to be one of the friends and hang out with her and play games. She was/is the coolest girl ever in my eyes and I couldn't get enough of her. My sister was my role model.

Leafy is the most beautiful woman ever. Seriously. You all know this. When I say this, I mean outside and in. She has a heart of pure gold and always cares about others. No one feels awkward around Elise. Everyone feels special and important. She is a comfort and brings peace to your troubled heart. You know this if you know Leafy. It's a great, spectacular gift she has. 

I have an incredible love for my sister. We started becoming real good friends right when I needed her. We would talk in the car and listen to 97.1 station on the radio and rock out to hip-hop and other crazy stuff. She gave me the greatest advice about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. She still does. 

Elise is super smart. I've always admired her brains. This doesn't really mean just school, though she was a wiz {except that one class in college....haha!}, but just about life. If I have a question about anything, she has an answer or somewhere I can go looking. Seriously, she's like an encyclopedia! She is a hard core worker and learner and I love that about my sister. 

Her spirit is phenomenal. Leafy has always had a strong, firm testimony in the gospel and it's provided me strength multiple times. I love hearing her thoughts on gospel principles and what she believes because it blows my mind. She has the most beautiful testimony ever.

What an incredible sister. I'm completely, over-the-top content with only 1 sister because she is every single thing a sister is. I would never trade her in for the world! Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he put us together because she has drastically changed my life as my big sis. Oh boy, has she ever. 

Now Elise is about to have a baby. A little, beautiful, amazing, bouncy baby boy. I FREAKED when I found out, not because I was gonna be an Aunt {which I freaked out later about by continued hours of screaming in my room}, not because we'd have our first grand-baby, but because ELISE was going to now be a mother. My role model now a mother! I couldn't be more excited for her. Her son is THE LUCKIEST boy alive. He is being born to the most lovable, beautiful, kind, sweet, tender, strong, firm, hard-core, spiritual, phenomenal woman ever. My sister. My Leafy. My Elise.

I can't describe how I really feel about this matter. All I can say is, my sister is better than words could ever say. And my nephew is gonna be awesome, because Mommy Leafy is awesome. :)

All my love to you, Leafy. I can't wait to hold your little one! How blessed he is to be your lil guy. Never forget how much I love you!!!!!

Happy Becoming Mommy Day this Sunday! Love you!

Love always,
Little Sis

Sneak Peek

Our engagements are in!!!!!

However, I must wait some time to post them via Facebook and everywhere in the world :) till my sweetie and I have gone through all the pictures and decided what to post.

So! I know there's been some I posted in my last post, but here's another one from the CD we got today. :) Ha, so in love.

Yipee! I'm getting married!!!!!!!!

LOVES,
ab future j

Our Story

    Chad Edward and I met in September of 2007. I was a scared-out-of-my-pants sophomore at AF High School. He was a junior, probably not as scared-out-of-his-pants by this point. I'd been involved in theater in junior high and wanted to pursue it in high school as well, so I decided to audition for the school play, Peter Pan. A lot of people told me that sophmores were lucky to get into the shows and I was a young teenage girl, so with my mind, I probably wasn't gonna make. But I might as well try. So I auditioned and waited for the results.

    Chad wasn't planning on auditioning. He actually signed up the DAY OF the auditions and took the last spot on the sign up list. A name was actually erased, so he "technically" wouldn't have been able to sign up if the name had been there. {Though we all know people squeeze their name on the list:)}. He waited for the results.

   What do ya know, we both made it! I got the part of Wendy {which I still am shocked about to this day}, and Chad was a pirate. As the rehearsal process went on, I actually formed a crush for his best friend! Chad Edward started having some love dove feelings for me :), but knew he couldn't really do anything about it because of the "Best Friend's Girl Don't Even Think About It" thing. " :)

   We became good friends back stage behind the pirate ship. Every time before I went on for a certain scene, he was behind stage with me and we would joke and laugh. I thought he was funny and comfortable to talk to. I liked him as a good friend.

   The next semester started and we found that we were in the same seminary class. Sweet! We sat by each other and got to know each others spiritual side. I think this is where we really got to know each other. Sadie Hawkins was coming up and I wanted to go with someone that was super fun and would go crazy with me, so I thought my new friend, Chad E. Johnson would fill the quota. :)

   We had a BLAST at Sadies! We always joke about how when I picked him up and we walked to the car, he was about to open the door for me and I slammed him against the car and said that I was the man tonight and he couldn't do that. :) Haha! Poor guy. It seriously was one of the funnest dances I ever went to in high school. We went crazy and had the best time ever! I think this dance started the "best friend" phase for us.

   I dated his best friend on and off, and even though I was a whole bunch of drama as far as boys went, Chad was always there for me and would let me vent to him about anything. I really did tell him everything and knew I got turn to him for comfort. I knew he liked me, but at this point in time, I just didn't like him more than a friend. Poor Chad, I was such a meanie in regards to liking!

   We continued to be best friends into his senior year. He was still always there for me and knew how to make me laugh. I went on liking other boys.....and he was there when stuff got sticky. What a GUY! Seriously, in his position, I probably would have been gone long ago! Near the end of his graduation, I sorta started having that "Ally-you're-so-stupid" thing going on. I really thought about it, and I realized how much Chad meant to me. What was I doing? The boy who treated me the best ever was right in front of me and I never gave him the time of day! {as far as dating went}. So, this is where our "first kiss" happened {which is another story for another day ;)}. It was so exciting!

   Well, after a few weeks, and a few months away from his mission, I started feeling a little weird about us. It just wasn't right. I didn't want to say anything because I was scared of hurting him {again}, but there came a time when I just couldn't ignore it anymore. Being the awesome man he is, he took it pretty well and we went back to being friends. Looking back, we both appreciated this time. He was focused on his mission and we still got to hang out a lot as friends.

   Before he left, he mentioned that if I was here when he got back, that would be great, but if not, he just wanted me to be happy. I said I was going to date other people and if I was still here, we could see what might happen. But for sure, we would write as best friends to support each other!  This was the greatest thing for us because we didn't feel tied down to a promise-so he could focus and I could freely date without feeling disloyal.

   Chad was first and foremost my best friend, so it was still hard to see him go. I was soooo stoked for him to serve in Oklahoma, but I missed him! I remember crying all night when he left! Haha, there's best friends right there. It was hard not being able to call him anytime. I missed our porch talks and "cookie dough" babies {don't ask :)}. But I knew he was on the Lord's errand and I wanted nothing more for him!

   The next two years would take forever to tell. But to sum it up, being away from someone you care about a lot can really get your mind reeling concerning the subject of a special forever someone. I did date, and loved it. I definitely needed that in my journey and I learned so much! About myself and about what I really wanted in an eternal companion. I'm SO GLAD I took this opportunity in my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

   Chad was an AMAZING missionary. I wish I could tell you all of his stories. He was a ROCK in a stormy sea, and I admire him for it. I don't know if I could have went through what he went through. I saw him "catch on fire" spiritually and it was spectacular to watch as a best friend who knew him so well! I was so proud of him every day. 

   Near the last 6 months of Chad Edward's mission, I started really thinking. I was just done with the dating phase at that point. Chad was coming home soon, so I might as well wait till he gets back. I knew I couldn't really go on, as far as dating goes, until I knew what could happen with Chad. So I lived up the single life and anxiously watched the mailbox for his weekly letters and the calender for his homecoming. :)

   He came home, and literally, the rest is history. We decided to date exclusively the day after he got back after we did baptisms at the Mt. Timp. Temple and knew marriage was in the picture from the beginning. However, we took it slow, like a smart little couple, and got to "re-know" each other. He was still Chad and I was still Ally, but we were both very different! So this time was important for us. 

   We had our bumps along the way, just like every couple. I definitely had my "cold feet" moments where I didn't know if I was supposed to get married for awhile. Maybe I was supposed to serve a mission-maybe I wasn't ready for marriage yet. Chad was always very patient with me when I had these "episodes" and was very understanding and sweet. Of course he wanted to get married ASAP, but he made sure I knew that he would do whatever it took for me to feel ready. He even said once, "I'd wait 10 years to marry you!". Yep, definite keeper.

   We got engaged after dating for 8 months {you better believe we got flack for that! But I'm proud of us for waiting till we were ready!} on May 8th at Memory Grove Park in Salt Lake City. What a day that was!

   Chad Edward & I couldn't be more happier-the only thing that will bring us greater happiness is being sealed for time and all eternity as eternal sweethearts-which is gonna happen on August 14, 2012 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Wahoo!!!!! Here's to forever, baby!

   It still gets me sometimes that we're actually getting married. I've said this to Chad before, but sometimes it amazes me-I'm really marrying Chad Johnson. Honestly, when I met him in 10th grade, I never thought I would marry this guy, but now, I would never think twice about marrying anyone else. We really are BEST FRIENDS, even meaning the mean and ugly side-which is why we are so great and strong together. We've been through a LOT, both good and bad and know we can make this work. Now that we're together, we're soul mates!

   I can't wait for our new adventure to begin. Marriage is seriously gonna ROCK with Chad Edward. I'm thrilled beyond belief to be spending my eternity with him and that I get to watch all the amazing things he's gonna do. Being a killer-hunk of a husband,a marvelous daddy to our kids, serving the Lord every day of his life and a million other things. What a life we'll have!

Here's to a bright, incredible eternity. I love you, Chad Edward!

Butterfly Wings

I remember when I first started blogging.
I felt so much pressure to make it perfect...then to not make it perfect and just be myself...then stopped for awhile...then got crazy about it again. Then stopped thinking and just wrote. And that's where I'm at now.

Bottom line, sometimes people just need somewhere to write random thoughts and random feelings. Like those little butterflies that always fly above you and they need a place to rest. But your bedroom floor won't do it for them. So here I am. Writing butterfly wings to you.

You being, who knows? You never know WHO exactly reads what you write, not even talking about blogs. Whose actually gonna read my journals when I'm gone? Will there be some random girl millions of years from now who finds it tucked away in some random thrift store? Or some falling apart house that her and her little family moved into to fix up? I dunno. But it's still nice to have a blank page to write to. I really don't have a big feelings about knowing who, what, or how many people read this. If ya do, rad. :) I'm glad. Truly. It's fun to read another's thoughts and happenings in their life. If not, rad, too. You're probably sitting on a beach or wiping a muddy kids face or something. And I'm happy about that. Really.

Writing is like this thread....they're everywhere. So many people have blogs they write to or journals they scribble on or books they write. And to discover them? It's pretty great. Some lay there, beautiful, but maybe not looked at as much, and it's still beautiful and has purpose. Others, seen so much that maybe the thread is getting a little thin. Or it's getting brighter from the acknowledgement. Up to you, really.

I'm glad I got you, Little Besty, to write to.

Today, I am oh so thankful for hands. Really, I like being crafty and cleaning things, even though I may not even be good at it. I started working at Holdman Glass today where my daddy and little bro and Spenc work at, and it was so satisfying to sit and clean that window that's going in the Boise Temple. :) Believe me, it's maticulous work. Some pieces are so small, you can only get to it with the end of a wooden skewer. But I love it.

I've also been making stuff for the wedding :), and that's been so great, too.

I think I may have posted this picture before...but anyway. I made my own version of this yesterday for the top of our cake, and it turned out SO CUTE. And it may or may not have a M...and an R... and M..R...S..some how hanging about it.  It's one of those things where you think it's going to epically fail when you start out, but then....hey....that actually looks pretty good! I would post a picture, but world! I'm not gonna spoil ALL my wedding surprises and details to you before! You'll just have to come and see. :) It's gonna be so much fun.

This wedding planning has been so lovely and wonderful. I've definitely had moments of wanting to stab my eyes out {right, Honey? ;)}, but overall, I'm pretty pleased with my general feeling of planning.

Also, I just finished the 1st season of this:

And I couldn't be more pleased. I SURE AS EVER HOPE they continue with it!!!!!!! AH. I would CRY if they didn't! Yes, I'm a nerd and have seen every single episode of every season {some multiple times} of Avatar: The Last Airbender. So when I heard they had a new series, taking place years later with descendants of previous characters and new characters and awesome characters AHHH! I wet my pants. I know, gross, but really. And I was NOT disappointed! I love it so much! So yes. (cough*). See it NOW before they take all the episodes off nick.com!

I also finished reading Jane Eyre, and I cannot utter [type, really] another word about it for now is not the time. There is too much behind those thoughts wrapped around that book and we must wait for the right time to disclose that information. Enough said.

Anyway. Thanks, Besty. Nice chatting with you.

LOVE ALWAYS.
AB future J

HURRICANE, UT

I have THE greatest family ever. Extended, immediate.....all of it.
This past weekend I went down to Hurricane, UT because my cousin Brad came home from his mission. :) Can I be honest? The second I saw him it was like, "Ah.....BRAD. You never left".

All of us are growing up lately in this few years past. A lot of us have gone through some big transitions. The Olders {Haha, nice name, right?} are having kiddlets and getting houses and all that jazz, and others are returning from missions, living on their own in Salt Lake, traveling after high school in the dance world, going through growth spirts, developing amazing natural talents with their hands, going to college, graduating college, getting a license, being a "Miss" of a city, dating, getting married and so on and so on. We're sort of all in a different phase now.

But you know what? The Youngins {now age 13-23} all sat around together on the tramp, and we all said, "Man. We are AWESOME. Look at us! Just a big ole happy family. Now we're all in the next phase, older, wiser, doesn't matter if your cousin is a boy with cooties or not, we all LOVE each other the same now. No more little groupies and such. We're just all one. And every single one of us is completely different and crazy special in their own way".

Yeah. :)

I'm being so honest and not being biased at all. EVERYONE in my family is like no one I have ever met. And they all ROCK. They're the best people, the ones you look up to, the ones you want to be.

I love going to Hurricane with the whole Mommy side of the family because I'm reminded that I come from something incredible. I have Aunts who are fighters. I have a Grandma and Grandpa who NEVER EVER give up and thank Heavenly Father everyday that they are blessed with so much, even though, in the world's view, they may have nothing. I have Uncles who make me laugh  and work so hard to bless others. A Grandpa who has turned around completely.

Then I have a family right here who are fighters, too. Who are braver then I'll ever be. Dealing with struggle in the greatest way. Working so hard so that we can be happy. Doing the weirdest things-and making us laugh. A brother who is living his dream. Another who is my Best Friend whether he's 16, 25, or 50. A sister who is intelligent and smart and knows how to talk to people to make them feel she cares. A mother....well you all know you can't explain mothers. But a mommy who LOVES, even after the clock and sacrifices her life for ours. A Daddy who reminds us to laugh and smile and love and move forward. A sister-in-law who never gives up on the dream of a baby someday, whether through her or another family. A brother-in-law who doesn't see his family unless a plane ride is involved. A long one. And he keeps going.

I admire my family.

And I am blessed. I can't believe he placed me with such phenomenal people. I am so lucky.

My devotion to Hurricane, UT- and my own backyard. What about your family?

LOVE ALWAYS. A LOT.
AB future J

ABC's

So when I was in Jr. High, I did these questions like every day of my life on email. People would send them to me and ask for a reply back. {Haha...remember when email and windows messenger were the only way to communicate with people outside of school, besides phone calls? Ya, phone CALLS, not text? Wow.  Anyway. Here's to it. 

A. Age: 20. {Gasp}

B. Bed size: Well, I never actually sleep in my bed so..ya. I'm weird. Varies from the couch to my bro's bed when he doesn't sleep there. I have problems, I know.
C. Chore you hate: Hmmm...probably dusting. But all chores turn into meditation time for me so, not too bad.
D. Dogs: LOVE LOVE LOVE doggies. {CHAD, you should read this. :)}. Just a little story about this one. So, I've discovered having certain expectations for marriage and what not isn't always the best thing. You want expectations to an extent so you don't marry a serial killer who poked needles into baby dolls for fun, but nothing too crazy because let's be honest. No man is ever gonna be everything. We are humans, ya know. So, I always expected to be getting a puppy when I got married. Not right off, necessarily, but eventually because after Buster died  in my family, my dad said the only time I'll ever get a dog again is if I'm married and out of the house. Well? Marriage means that, so I was stoked to be getting that! When I expressed this dream to Chad, who I thought would totally be on board, he FREAKED. Not in a little girl tantrum way, but basically made it clear that he would NEVER EVER have a dog. Period. What?! Imagine the saddest, tear-filled expression on a little girl and that was me. Oh boy. So, we're just gonna keep going and see what happens with our future and little kids {because they'll all want a dog-trust me} and take it a day at a time. Hahahaha...don't worry future puppy, I will win! ;)

E. Essential start to your day: Splashing my face with water

F. Favorite color: To wear? Purple...light pink...cream. Just in general? Green, Orange, and Pink.
G. Gold or Silver: Weird how times change, because I have this thing for gold these days. But I love both. 
H. Height: 4' 11 3/4". Reason for the 3/4? I'm not 5 foot, and I'm not 4' 11", so that's what I am. :)
I. Instruments you play: Piano since I was about 9, and then voice forever. :)
J. Job title: Sister, Daughter, Fiance {Those are BIG jobs}, and then Brown Brothers Catering Supervisor.
K. Kids: In the future? HECK YES! 
L. Live: "Utah, getting bigger and better!" 
M. Mom’s name: Would YOU like to know. ;) Lisa. 
N. Nicknames:  Ally-Boo, Besty, AllyBest {all together}, Mo, and then all the gooey gushy love names that fiance's give you. ;)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Not ever never. 
P. Pet peeve: Disrespect. Oooooo it makes my blood boil! Like when people won't listen and chat while people are speaking. Kill them. Then my stupid freezer at home. When it's not closed all the way, even a fraction of air, it makes this car door open sound every 30 seconds, and it seems the freezer is NEVER closed all the way. No fault of a human in the household, just a freezer who hates me. 
Q. Quote from a movie:  HA! Beautiful. This is from Madagascar 3. Highly recommend it if you want a good laugh. "Chimichanga! These pillows are full of dead baby birds!"-Skipper and " 'You better. That was Private's community college fund.'-Skipper 'I'm never going to be President now!'-Private".  Hahaha! I laughed for years.
R. Right or left handed: Righty
S. Siblings:  Ya? They're radical, and?
T. Time you wake up:  It varies in the summer. But lately it's been 8:30. Weird, because I usually sleep forever. 
U. Underwear: When I was little? Well ones with little flowers and princesses always seems to make me happy. :)
V. Vegetables you dislike: TOMATOES. Only if they're little and in stuff, but other than that, never. 
W. What makes you run late:  Hahaha, I'm gonna get killed for saying this, but it's true. My Family. 
X. X-Rays you’ve had:  My teeth ;), and my torso/ribs/chest for tendinitis-checking in case I had a tumor.
Y. Yummy food you make:  Rice pilaf {thanks mom!}, Ice cream cake, rice with a chicken sauce on top, and pizza rolls. :)
Z. Zoo–favorite animal:  Oh I can never decide. I say "Ah! Cuuuuute!" like 50 million times when I go. But, usually the penguins and elephants get me. 

There ya go! This is sorta fun every now and then. :) Reminds you what you love and things about yourself! Happy Monday, one and all!


LOVE. LOVE  A LOT.
AB future J