Welcome back Summer, You little gem you!

It's officially unofficial summer in my world! That is, I'm done with school; though I realize it isn't actually the season of summer yet. I finished my last final last Wednesday and it was the most glorious thing ever. It was like a giant spikey flaming weight had been lifted off of my shoulders when I walked out of the biology building. I headed back to my apartment and packed up some more of my belongings before driving back to Logan, for good ish. You see, I officially live in Logan again; well with the exception of my furniture and kitchen supplies but I don't need those for a while since I'm living at home till the wedding. I'm officially on coast this summer and its the best. I'm working a couple of days a week at the Country Club again as well as enjoying being home. I'm excited to get to catch Per and Miles's ball games as well as try and get a handle on this whole wedding planning thing. I find myself wishing it would get here faster but I also realize that I am nowhere near prepared. I seriously need to get my butt into gear. Other than that stress and those little panic attacks I occasionally get because of the wedding planning, summer is off to a fantastic start! I can't wait to see all the adventures ahead of me this summer. It's going to be the best one yet.

Finals Week? I've never been more motivated to blog!

There's nothing like something you ought to be doing to motivate you to do something else that doesn't really matter all that much. It's like when I have a big paper due and all of a sudden I feel the uncontrollable need to clean my car. Or when I really should be sleeping but I get the random desire to craft or bake. So it is with Finals Week and my blogging habits. I think it's okay though, I finished my second final tonight making me done with 50% of my tests. I need a break before my little brain implodes. I am most definitely extremely stressed right now. If I make it to the end of finals week I will count it a miracle. I've got 2 more finals one on Friday and then one next Wednesday. I think I can, I think I can. When I finish up my last final I am headed home with a big load of my stuff to move home. Since I don't have renters to take over my contract I'm moving home a little bit at a time until I get someone to take over or until Waylon moves into our apartment (hopefully in June.) I'm headed back to the Country Club to work this summer and I just can't wait to get home and get back down to wedding planning and working up there again. Anyways, there's my little update for this week. Hope you all have a fantastic rest of the week and rest of April

-Dan

Twitterpated!

This is a mushy gushy lovey dovey sappy blog post! If you are averted to such things stop reading now. Seriously! Don't say I didn't warn you.

I'm pretty sure everyone in my life is fully aware that I am engaged to the love of my life, Waylon William Dean Hervey. Because; Well, I'm very excited and I'm not a quiet keep to myself kind of excited person. I've been meaning to blog and tell the story of how he popped the question for about a month now but I just hadn't made it to that yet.

I should preface this with some basic info. I met Waylon my Sophmore year of high school. He was a Junior playing on the baseball team with Zach. I fell for this adorable goofy kid pretty fast. We were friends for a year before we started "dating" my junior year. That was it, I'm not sure when it was but eventually I realized this was who I was supposed to spend forever with. We've been through our fair share of troubles; him being graduated while I was still in high school and a year of living 80 miles away from each other were both pretty tough.

When Waylon chose to be baptized in July he thought that I'd for sure be ready to be hitched exactly one year afterwards. Funny as it sounds I told the poor kid no! I told him I needed to graduate before I wanted to get married and that I was just too young still and we needed to grow up a bit. Well.... Let's be real, that thought pattern didn't last too long. One night I had a long soul searching visit with my big brother Zachary and as I talked with him it hit me "What am I waiting for? I love Waylon, I'm never going to want anyone else ever. Why am I being so stupid?" So, I ate my words and told Waylon that whenever he decided he was ready to ask for reals I would say yes. He thought I was playing a joke on him and I felt so terrible! When we were seriously talking about getting married we both decided that we were sick of waiting so we chose out the date July 27th before we were even engaged because that was the first Saturday after the one year anniversary of Waylon's baptism so we can go to the temple.

I told Waylon what I liked in rings and told him that I wanted him to surprise me with the ring and when he asked me. (I know, I guess I'm a little bit demanding.) Waylon decided to have a guy down in Provo make a ring that he had designed. This meant it took a little longer because they had to finish the design, make a wax mold, make the actual ring, and then he had to go pick it up. I thought the ring was still being made when Waylon and his mom and grandma snuck down to Provo to pick it up. On January 16th my dad called me and asked if I could come home that weekend to keep an eye on Perri because my parents were going out of town for a baseball camp with Miles. I told him of course and told Waylon that I'd be home that weekend to babysit. He said "Great, let's go out on a date on Saturday" I was totally down! I got home on Friday and Waylon came over to hang out that night. When I sent him home at the end of the night he said we were going to dinner a little bit early the next night because he had a surprise planned for later. Honestly I thought he was taking me to a movie that I had not so subtly been hinting that I wanted to see. We went to dinner at Calaway's at about 5:30. While we were at dinner I proceeded to whine about how badly I just wanted to be officially engaged and how I wanted to see the ring he had designed. He just said "I'm sorry I should have gotten started sooner." (Basically I'm now a little bit worried about how well he can lie)  On our way back in to town he said we were going to the Bluebird. The Bluebird is kind of "Our Place" I absolutely love the old ice cream bar in the restaurant and my grandpa and mom taught me that they make the best butter-cream chocolates in the whole world! Waylon's always been a trooper to take me to get ice cream at the old fashion counter because I have a major sweet tooth and he knows how romantic I think that place is. I was kinda surprised that he wanted to go get ice cream because it was the 19th of January and like 8 degrees outside but I love that place so much that I just went with it. When we pulled in I told him that I thought it was probably a little bit chilly for ice cream and he said that was fine we would just buy some chocolates. We built a 1/2 lb box with all of my favorites and headed home. I told Waylon that I needed to stop at Macey's to get stuff to make Sunday dinner the next day. He said that was fine as long as we hurried so that we didn't miss the surprise. I asked him if it was the movie that I suspected because I had plans to go see it with a friend on Monday and he got such a deflated look on his face and said "You always guess" I felt so bad. We grabbed groceries and headed home. Per was just getting ready to head out with some friends when we got there so I chatted with her while I started putting things away in the fridge. Waylon came back into the kitchen as I was finishing up and suggested we go sit on the couch. Once we were sitting there he grabbed the box of chocolates and handed them to me. Thinking of my buttercreams I was more than willing to tear them open. When I got the lid off of the box I saw the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen sitting on top of one of the chocolates! He grabbed the ring out of the box and landed down on one knee and asked me if I would marry him :') I was so stunned that I sat there staring at him down there for quite a few seconds when finally he said "Can you please say Yes?" I didn't realize I hadn't answered him yet. Per snuck in and caught this special moment for us on camera!

Basically, the moral of the story is that I am the luckiest girl in the world! I absolutely can not wait to marry this amazing man who I was so lucky to find. Waylon is the sweetest most caring man I could have ever found and I'm so thankful every day that I have him.

Wedding planning is pretty exhausting! It's fun but I'm definitely only doing this the one time. We bought the dress last weekend, and are in the process of finalizing the photographer and the rest of the schedule after the temple in the morning.

I've heard that everybody is apparently sickeningly sweet and sappy when they are engaged and I apologize in advance for the sappyness that is probably oozing from my very being, I'm just so very excited.

Well now that I've gushed for a decent amount of time I'll be done. Have a great rest of your week anyone that was brave/tough enough to make it to the bottom of this ;)

-Dan

New Year, New Semester: Here goes nothing!

I could not be more excited for this new year! 2012 was fantastic. I got to watch some of Perri's games for her first high school softball season in the spring. In May I finished my first full year at The University of Utah. I worked over the summer both at the Country Club in Logan and as a Waitress down here at The Cowboy Grub in Salt Lake. In July My Sweetheart made the decision to get baptized and that was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. August, September and October brought lots of Utes Football games; That's something I'm really going to miss when I move home. Halloween was Per's 16th birthday, I can't believe she's that old! Winter break was great. I finished finals and spent as much time as possible at home. Christmas was as great as ever, I got to see a lot of my family and spent some time with Waylon's family too. Waylon and I rang in the New Year with some of my family; it was fun, except for when they showed him some old home videos of me. That was pretty embarrassing.

2012 was great but I can't wait to see what 2013 has to bring. I'm excited to get back home and be closer to my family. I'm pretty pumped to get a new sister-in-law in April. It'll be fun to watch Per in softball this year. Basically I've got some high hopes for 2013 and hopefully it'll all pan out.

A Couple of Heros

Sundays really are the best days of the week. Today was even better because I didn't have to drive back down to Salt Lake for class tomorrow. Sitting in church today my mind began to wander a little bit. Big Sam was conducting sacrament meeting today and I got to thinking about how much I love that man and how amazing he really is.

I don't know how well any of you know my Papa Sam but even those who have only had the opportunity meet him for a few minutes can tell you just how warm and kind he is. I have never met a man who thinks more about others and less about himself than Sam. He is the most genuinely generous and giving man I've ever met. He is always looking for ways to help everyone around him and never expects anything in return. He gives of his time, means, and spirit like it is the only option there is. December 2nd was my parents 6th wedding anniversary and while parents' anniversaries are not something that it's necessarily normal for a 19 year old girl to get excited about I did have a second to think to myself about how wonderful my Papa Sam has been to me, all 6 of my siblings, and my sweet mother for the past 6 years. I can't recall a single sporting event of mine, Perri's, Zach's, or Miles' that he hasn't made it to over the years. The number of times I forgot something for school and the big guy dropped everything to make the 20 minute drive out to Hyrum to bring it to me is ridiculous. I know I give the big guy a hard time.... most of the time, but I really am so thankful to have this amazing man as a role model in my life. 

After Sacrament at my parents home ward my mom informed me that my big brother Zachary was going to speak with his friend from the high counsel in another ward yet again. He was speaking in my parent's building so I decided I was just going to stay and listen to him.

If you don't know how much I adore my big brother it's either because you don't know me that well or are just a little bit oblivious. If you ask me, Zachary Clyde hung the stars and can basically do no wrong. I absolutely idolize my big brother and I look up to him like no one else in this world. When my parents were married 6 years ago I was in a place in my life where I needed someone to look after me, to love me, and to be my hero; Zach became that instantly. Part of it could be the closeness in age and part of it could be the way our personalities connect but, to me, Zach and I have a bond that is different from the relationship that I share with any of my other siblings. He can calm me down when I'm in the middle of a panic attack like no one else can. He makes me laugh constantly, and has a way of assuring me that everything is going to be ok. Zach makes me want to be better in every way. In everything from sports, to friends, to church I always want to be like him. His senior year of high school was my sophmore year and I will always remember the goofy random times and memories we shared that year. He may have felt like I was his annoying tag a long little sister, that might very well still be how he feels, but nothing meant more to me than when he'd invite me to hangout with him and his friends, or his given girlfriend of the week, or just us two.

 During high school when Zach was still trying to decide if he would serve a mission I fasted every fast Sunday for 6 months hoping he would decided to go. When he actually did decide to turn his papers in I realized that I was going to be without my brother for 2 years and quickly began to have second thoughts about what I had been praying for. It all turned out for the best even if I did bawl my eyes out every time someone asked how he was for those two years. I admire my brother so much for all that he has accomplished throughout these past few years. Zach has been monumental in helping Waylon and myself with Waylon's conversion and baptism and I will owe Zach for his help with that forever.

As we grow up, things change. We both have different things going on in our lives. I live far away and don't get to see Zach, or anyone in my family, as much as I would like. We're both busy working, going to school and dating. I'm coming to the harsh realization that someday as we both continue to grow up we are going to have our own families, spouses, jobs, and lives. No matter where our lives take us Zach will always be one of my best friends and hero.

I'm amazed at all the ways the Lord's hand is in our lives that we don't even notice until we look back days, weeks, months, or years later. I've had an interesting 19 years here on this earth; filled with tremendous joys, terrible heartbreaks, seemingly insurmountable hardships, and innumerable blessings. With all the things I've encountered on this journey we call life I've learned at least two valuable lessons. 1. The Lord will never abandon his children. While it may be difficult to find the Savior when you are in the middle of trials it is important to remember that he is probably the only thing keeping you afloat even if it is by such a narrow margin. 2. Everything happens for a reason. I am a firm believe in this. I am not saying we will know the reasons in this life but every trial and blessing we face in this life are brought to us with a purpose. I know you can't change the past but even if I could, I wouldn't. The trials, however menial they may seem, that I have faced have led me to the person I am today and the person I am today is a stepping stone on the way to the person my Heavenly Father wants me to become. 

I am so very thankful for the time I had today to think about these two amazing men in my life. They have shaped and molded me for the better during the time they've spent with me and I am eternally grateful to have been blessed with their presence in my life.

Love always

Dan 

Staying alive, Staying alive, Ah-ah-ah-ah Staying alive

I'm not sure what prompted the 70s disco themed title to this post. I'm sure it's just the strangeness of finals week working its way out of me. However, the point is that I made it!! It was touch and go there for just a bit but I did actually make it. I had 2 finals to take during finals week, one was schedule the other one I got to decide. My hatred for finals week prompted me to opt for taking them the same day. The best thing I can say about how the finals went is that they are over. They weren't that bad but they were definitely not enjoyable. At least they're over. I think the awfulness of Finals Week is part of the ploy. It's so miserable that by the time you are done with your last tests you don't even really care how they went you just want to be done.

Also on the up side, It's almost Christmas!! I love Christmas time, I can't put my finger on what it is about this time of the year it just makes me happy inside. I love trying to find the perfect gift for everyone and I get so excited to see the look on their face when they open them.

So for this week I'm just working and waiting to go home. I'm headed back after work on Friday night until next Wednesday then I'll come back down to Salt Lake to work a few more days before I head back home again for Christmas.

My week down here will probably consist of some online "Paper-work" too. Now that I'm done stressing about this semester I can start to work on my application  to.... USU. That's right, the cat is out of the bag. After  this spring semester I'm coming back home to Logan. It was a tough decision and a very easy decision  at the same time. I love it here. I love the University of Utah, My job, My house, My friends, and My roommate but my family and cute boy are in Logan and it's just too far away. I'm driving back and forth so much lately and it's just not worth it. I will miss Salt Lake and the life I've made here very much but I'm also pretty excited to get back home to my family.

I may not blog again until after Christmas, I'm not sure what craziness these next few weeks are going to bring but I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and also a Happy New Year! I hope we can all remember the Reason for the Season and feel the true Christmas spirit during this great time of year :)

Loves,
Dan

Some Thursday Night Thoughts

So I was supposed to be going to St. George for a softball tournament this week to help coach the high school girls because it's moratorium and the coach isn't allowed to coach. But we couldn't get enough girls at the last minute so we had to drop out :( The upside to this story is that I got work covered and now I have tonight and tomorrow off with little to nothing to do :)

So I thought I'd catch up on some blogging! It's been awhile. That mean's I dunno what to say so I guess I'll just pull a full out mental download!

1. Per-Dogg turned 16 and got her drivers license!! I was able to sneak home on her birthday and help my mom with a little surprise party we through with a bunch of her friends it was great.

2. My cute Waylon is getting ready to move out and I'm so very excited for him.

3. So many of my friends are leaving on mission and I'm just sitting here like "Guys, I am going to have no friends"

4. I love to see the temple especially the Salt Lake Temple! I had the opportunity to go to the temple with a couple of friends early last Friday morning and it was amazing! I'm so glad to live so close to the house of the lord.

5. Mountain Crest is good at football again this year! Who knew? They play down here at Rice Eccles tomorrow and I'm pretty pumped that I get to go.

6. Per and 6 of her friends are coming down here to spend the night with me tonight because their mommas didn't want them driving in the snow that is supposed to be on the ground tomorrow. Wish me luck! Just kidding, my bedroom door locks; I should be fine.

7. The past couple of weeks I've been coming back and forth to Logan a lot lately which leaves a lot of time for contemplating and lousy car singing. The past few times I've been thinking about how lucky I am to be from such an awesome place like Cache Valley. I went to a homecoming a few weekends back for one of Zach's teammates and I was so amazed at the sense of family that was there with all these people that hadn't seen each other in approximately 2 years. It's amazing how well you can know all these people from small towns and care about them. It's like one big giant family! I think it's funny how that is something that I absolutely despised when I was going to high school. I wanted to move out and be where no one knew me. Now, it's like a breath of fresh air when I get to go home and see all these people that I know just at Macey's on a Saturday night.

8. I sure do love and miss my family especially my sweet momma bear!

I think that's it for my little mental download. I hope all is well with any and all of you that should happen across this little blog.

Lots of loves

Dan