I have a dream...

Last night, I had a dream about Ryan PROPOSING! To say that is was a good dream would simply be an understatement. It was a INCREDIBLY FANTASTIC DREAM!

It's funny because in my dream, I didn't like the ring he proposed with. But, the more I wore it the more I loved it. And then I woke up and thought about how much I love him, and how the ring doesn't even matter! Just being with him for time and all eternity is what matters!

Yay! I just love realizations like this :)

sometimes

I feel lame for not being married.

and it makes it harder knowing that I will be next year. Just hurry up already.

gobble gobble gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I guess Thanksgiving is technically come and gone, but that doesn't mean that we have to stop being thankful for all we have. I'm not going to be like everyone else and name all the things I'm thankful for. Let's face it, we're all thankful for our family and friends.

But, I realized today that this is the last Thanksgiving I have to have without Ryan. The holiday's without him are quickly passing by. Last year, I would have dreaded having another Thanksgiving to experience without him. Now that it's come and gone, I realize how quickly this year has flown by! I only have one Christmas, one New Years, one Valentines Day, and one birthday until my boy is home! YAY, YAY, YAY!

Can you tell I'm excited? ;)

So today, I am thankful for the Lord blessing me with the strength to overcome the obstacles that have been placed in my way. From Ryan leaving, to my OCD, He has been beside me every step of the way. I cannot say that my faith hasn't wavered, or that I have not doubted what I am doing. But, what I can say is that I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and has helped me handle these trials. I know that He has never given me anything that I cannot handle (or obviously I wouldn't be here), and that He will continue to place obstacles in my way that I can overcome. I can look back at all that I have experienced and know that I've done it before and can do it again.

So, Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for always being by my side. Thank you for blessing me with a boy in my life that has, and always will stick right by my side. Through thick and thin, and throughout all eternity. I will never be able to express my gratitude.

Thanksgiving Break last year in San Diego with my roommate/best friend, Kiersten Oberhansley. 

and it's all downhill from here

14 months today.

10 months to go :) <3

That's all.

... how tough you had it

I'm sorry, but I don't consider it "waiting for your missionary" when you're still in high school. What did you have to sacrifice? You weren't even old enough to get married without your parents consent anyway. I just don't feel bad for girls like that.

In other news, Ryan gets to Skype his family for Christmas. To say that I was slightly jealous would be an understatement. I wish so badly that I could see him, or just hear his voice. Not in a tape, but an actual conversation. To be honest, I cried a little when I read that his family gets to see his precious face. They get to see his perfect smile, and watch his eyes light up as he laughs.

Ugh, I want to see his face light up.

:(

I miss you, baby.

And I wish I could see this smile again.

i got a letter hey, hey, hey, hey!

I walk to the mailbox, put the key into the lock, and open the door. There's no letter.  

That's my usual day, but today...

I walk to the mailbox, put the key into the lock, and open the door. There's a letter. 

and every time I see it, I always whisper "yes!" to myself. 

And when I get to my apartment to read it, I smile the entire time. It feels so good to feel the love he feels for me. I miss it. Terribly. 

And now he wants to help plan our wedding?! SCORE! I'm STOKED!

I LOVE RYAN TYLER JENSEN :)

that is all.

peace and quiet

It's THANKSGIVING BREAK! YESSSSSSSSS.

I never thought I would make it through this week. I thought it was going to be extremely long. Not only because of the Harry Potter premiere last night (which was awesome), but because at 11:15 on Friday morning my Thanksgiving Break would start.

Most people would think that a week in Rexburg while everyone else has gone home would be boring. I think it's going to be extremely relaxing. The apartment all to myself (except for Kate who's here until Tuesday). A clean apartment with NO DISHES (other then my own), NO HOMEWORK, all the TV I WANT, sleep with NO END by an alarm clock. Man, can you tell I'm excited? ;)

And to top it all off, I'm crafting ALL week! I'm ready for fabric, sewing, and painting. Yessssssssssss.

And blogging updated with my new creations :)

stay tuned :)

A smile is worth 1,000 words :)

Some days I just feel extra blessed to have Ryan in my life. I am so grateful for the work he is doing for the Lord in Ecuador. Sure, I miss him more then I've ever missed anyone or anything before. But, I know that he is where he's supposed to be, and so am I.

And sometimes I just LOOK at this smile, and I realize how very blessed I am :)

Don't you just feel the love radiating from that boy? I know I sure do :)

Xs and Os honey bunches of loveeeeeee! 

Merry Christmas!

Okay, so I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet! But, tonight as I sat in my room in a very upset and angry mood, I turned on my Christmas music. And let me tell you, NOTHING cures a bad mood like Christmas music (especially N*Sync Christmas music).

I've been thinking of what Christmas brings and to me, Christmas represents family. In 3 weeks, I get to fly home and spend time with my family for a solid two weeks. And oh, how excited I am for that. I miss my mom, dad, dog, and cat. I miss my friends, and my kiddos at work. I really miss the kids at work. I can't wait to visit them and hear them scream "MS. ARIAA!!!!" and come give me hugs and kisses. I am so excited.

Anyway, for all you having a bad day, put on some Christmas music. I KNOW that it will brighten your mood! (And I should probably remember this, too.)

service of our fellow man

You know that awesome feeling you get when you serve someone else? It's the selfless act of love you perform for another without even questioning it.

Tonight I got to be the shoulder someone cried on. I hugged her while she sobbed. I got to listen to her sorrows and concerns. I experienced the sad look in her eyes. I watched as she would crack a smile, and then a little giggle. I was humbled by her faith in the atonement.

I got to feel just a small amount of love from our Savior that He sent through me to her. And boy, just that small amount of love was really humbling.

I am so grateful that the Lord sent me to comfort a friend. I think she did me more good then I could have ever done for her. I am thankful for the undying love that the Savior has for us. I know that His atonement can save us from pain. I know that He has experienced all that we will ever experience and will carry us when we need His strength the most.

Keep your head high, Em. I love you, and I know the Lord will bless you.

and around, and around, and around...

p.s. free entertainment is the best form of entertainment there is. Especially for college students.

letters

There is just something about getting a love letter from Ryan that makes me melt into a million pieces. He always says the cutest things, and I realize why I love him so much :) For example, "I can't wait until I can introduce you as my wife."

or, "All I wanted was for you to curl up in my arms so I could hold you and tell you how much I love you."

That boy sure has a way with words, huh? And guess what ladies, he's ALL mine!

BE JEALOUS!