A little Update

So, every time I get on here to post I start to think of a MILLION things I want to blog about. Way too many, and I'll always be behind. So today, I delight in many things.

#1: Sisters
So I've never had any sisters until now. When I get married I'll go from being an only child to having 4 great sister, 3 hard working brothers, and the cutest 6 little nephews, and I'm quite excited! Last weekend the sisters and my mother in-law threw me a bridal shower. It was so much fun! They are great! And I love getting to know them, spend time with them, and am grateful for all the help they've given me in this wedding planning. 

Me and my sisters at the bridal shower

#2: Best friends
In high school there were four of us who were best friends, and we still are! We've been there for each other through the thick in thin. Even though we don't get to spend a lot of time together, I am so glad that even 5 years later we still are there for each other and still have a great of time. I'm so excited that all four of us well be together at my wedding! Especially since they have to drive and fly from far places of the west. They are wonderful and I love them!

And Brie likes to be pregnant in our pictures

We like to be superstars in our free time

Also, Brie the blonde is having baby #2!!!! She likes to always be pregnant when we take the superstar pictures! And on picture on the right, Tina is there in spirit! We debated whether or not to even take a picture. But no worries, a new one will be coming soon after the wedding!

#3: Surprises and New Things
So since Matt and I have been together I've gotten out of my shell and tried new things. Well this week it was tennis. Now I've kinda played before, but now I have my very own racquet!!!! Matt played in high school so he's good. But now I can get better. Matt surprised me and bought me my very own tennis racquet and the next day we went out and played. I was better than I thought I was going to be, still not good, but not horrible. I actually beat Matt once. We played 3 games, so sadly I still lost, but I didn't lose all 3! That's better than racquetball. So now I have a new hobby to become a pro at.

My new racquet that Matt gave me 

#4: Instagram
So my dear friend Elise finally convinced me to get the Instragram app.... and obviously I've had a lot of fun with it. (I edited almost all the pictures on the post with it). I always wondered how people got such cool effects on the pictures they posted, and now I know! It's amazing what you can do with technology. And also how simple it is. So here's to finally giving in! And thanks to Elise who taught me how to do it!

INSTRAGRAM here I COME!

First picture taken with Instragram ... Lauren studying hard

 

 

 

#5: Love
Along with all this fun stuff that's been going on, I sometimes have bad days. And they are no fun what-so-ever! I do get comfort reading other friend's blogs or talking to friends and realizing that I am completely normal and not as crazy as I may think I am.  Now why do I delight in this? The outcome. Yesterday I was having one of those "not so good days" and was telling Matthew about it and how I didn't like it. He's great to just put up with me when I'm not so happy and still show me how much he cares. Well yesterday we were running errands and were at the grocery store. Matt just needed to run in for something so I stayed in the car. (And text and vented to my cousin) Well guess what I was surprised with when Matt got back to the car. These beautiful things.

Flowers!!!! I LOVE FLOWERS!!

 There is just something about flowers, and if you didn't know I love flowers! And Matt is so good to give me flowers. Now you wanna know what song started running through my head. "That's How You Know" from Enchanted. "He'll send yellow flowers when the sky is grey.... That's how you know he's your love." Oh man.... totally fit! PERFECT!!!! And it's crazy, my day got better. I'm so thankful for Matt and that he does little things like this to make me feel special and loved! Also, he had me eat dark chocolate later that night. He specifically instructed, "Eat some dark chocolate, it will make you feel loved." He's great and definitely a keeper!

Well that's all for now!

Happy Friday delighting in the world!

 Oh one last thing.... I have officially attended my last class EVER as an undergraduate!!! 1 project and 1 final and then it's graduation!

Fabulous Friday

So I'm late getting this post out, but it's here. This is about my fabulous day on Friday, April 20, 2012.
Preview to this post is here.

Matt and I at the Temple
(Dad's taking picture) 

Okay, so Friday, any normal Friday, besides it was the BEST Friday ever! My parents were in town, my in-laws were in town, my family came into town, and friends came into town.  So pretty much people I loved were in town, and no it was not my wedding day. Friday I was able to receive my endowments at the Temple. Oh it was fabulous!



The temple is something that as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I have been looking forward to for my whole life, and finally it was here and it felt so surreal, and sometimes it still does.   What a great experience. I just felt so HAPPY afterwards. I especially loved seeing everyone there who was there to support me and show me there love.  I feel like my relationships with everyone who was there grew and more love was felt because we were able to go to the temple together.  I was really touched seeing my aunts, uncles, IWA leaders, visiting teachers, friends, in-laws, sister, parents and fiance there.  I just felt so HAPPY! I don't know if words can explain it. It's just a great feeling!

Mom and my self portrait at the Temple

I am also so grateful for everyone who couldn't be there with me that day, but prepared me for that day. From friends who supported me and helped me live on the straight and narrow path, to institute teachers who in their own way greatly prepared me for that day.  I am so grateful for everyone who has had a positive influence in my life and helped me get to where I am today.

I am also especially grateful for a cute lady, Sister Yonk.  Sister Yonk was my assistant throughout my temple visit. She was there help me in any way and just to make me feel loved.  I hope she knows how much her being there meant to me.

I am so thankful that I had to opportunity to go to the temple and continue returning. Matt and I went today, and it was another great experience! I did miss Sister Yonk though :)

So once again I am delighting in the Temple!

I love to see the Temple

"I love to see the temple.
I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty."

"I love to see the temple.
I'll go inside someday.
I'll cov'nant with my Father;
I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth: A fam'ly is forever."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Children's Songbook
Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938

And that someday is Friday!!!!! And I'm so excited!!!!! It's going to be a wonderful experience and I'm so glad I get to share it with my close friends and family. Tonight I met with my Bishop and stake president to get my recommend. It was such a great experience. I could feel the Holy Ghost present while meeting with them. I'm so excited to be able to attend and learn and feel of my Heavenly Fathers love for me.

So today I delight in the Temple and the opportunity to attend for myself.

To learn more about LDS temple visit LDS.org. Temple are amazing! And I want you to delight in them too!!!

Breakfast With Champions

Look at me.... blogging twice in like a week! Hopefully this habit stays.

Breakfast... one of those meals I know is the most important but still SOOOO SOOO hard to get in a regular habit of eating.  Even back when I was little in elementary and  middle school I had trouble eating breakfast. (aka my mom, she'll tell ya) Well, because my fancy (fiance) knows this and knows I struggle being a morning person, he decided to give me some motivation to get up in the morning and not be rushing out the door for school, a breakfast! He has invited me over for breakfast before my classes in the morning.  This even included before my 8am institute class. (he's a keeper).  So not only am I getting great nutrients, I'm starting off my day eating breakfast with him! Much added bonus.  It's even been great when breakfast has consisted of fruit loops cereal, it's just fun being with him.  Kinda makes me excited for in 22 days when I can eat breakfast with him everyday for eternity! And to repay him, I made breakfast this morning at my place. It's a good tradition that I hope we carry through our marriage.

So today, I'm delighting in breakfast with champions! Hope you started off your day well!

Happy Monday!

A Little Bit of an Update!

First off .... I AM ALIVE! I know I have been MIA for a while, like months. I guess life overtook me. But I wanted to give a little update and what's been going on in life here.

• I'm engaged!!! okay so this isn't "new" news, but it's exciting news! I get married in 25 days to the man of my dreams, and the best part is, I get to spend ETERNITY with him! Best news you can hear! He's been great with wedding planning and putting up with me sometimes going crazy. It is true "if you make it through the engagement, you can make it through anything." 
• I am graduating! I graduate in 23 days! (yes that is exactly 3 days before I get married, we're a like nuts and crazy like that) So along with trying to plan the best wedding ever, I'm trying to finish off my last semester! Woot Woot! Luckily I have a pretty chill semester and not much left to do. Here's what's left until I'm officially done and get that great piece of paper in the mail!
• 10 class days
• 2 PDE assignments
• 2 CFD Codes and papers
• 2 FCHD quizes
• 1 FCHD assignment
• 1 PDE Exam
• 1 excellent day of graduation ceremonies!
• We're Moving! Yup soon after graduation, the mister and I will be starting off on our new adventure as newlyweds! (maybe new blog to come too, you know a married people's blog) I'm excited and nervous about this new adventure in life, but I know it will be great, anything with Matt is bound to be great!

Okay, so not many updates in life, my life is consumed with either school or wedding. My days, my weekends, my conversations, and even my internet surfing.  But through it all I've had fun. I'm ready to be be Mrs. Ralphs and ready to start this new adventure in life called "MARRIAGE" [the dreaded "M" word :) ] Hopefully I will start getting back into blogging, and especially once OUR new adventure begins!

I hope you are delightin' in spring time and loving the flowers, I am! Have a great Friday!