Another Surgery

Today is another surgery for my sweet nephew Carter. Read about him here. It is going to be a long recovery for him. Please keep him in your prayers.

How Do You Know If You Married The Right Man?

See this picture? What could we be watching that is so intriguing? The latest playoff game? Avatar? Jeopardy?

Nope. It would actually be the delightful Celine Dion!

Celine just released the Taking Chances World Tour DVD (this is the concert Britt and I attended). Tyler bought it for me, watched it with me and listened to me reminisce about how amazing it was. That is how you know you married the right man. When he is willing to be with you and participate in something he has no interest it. I absolutely love him!!

P.S. The DVD was awesome! I would highly recommend it!

Bridal and Groomals

I have been dying to show off the amazing work of Duston Todd again, but didn't want anyone to see my dress until after the wedding. Now that we are married have a look!

Mr. and Mrs. Stone

We are married! We are in love! I'm in love with marriage! I love going to sleep with Tyler and waking up and he's still there! He makes me so happy!

Engagements

Sorry for the lack of blogging! Our schedule is very very crazy. We wanted to put up a few pictures from our first shoot with DUSTON TODD. We love him! Enjoy...

PS if you would like an invite to the wedding send me your address!

Lance Cpl. Nigel Olson

Yesterday we found out that a friend and neighbor was killed in Afghanistan. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Corporal Malone

Sometimes life is very ironic, as I type this post about my brother going to war, Pandora plays a song which says, "America I gave my best to you."

This is my little brother Jake. I think he is an amazing kid. He left for Afghanistan on Friday. His status right now on Facebook say, "I'm in a cold country, which I can't even pronounce!" He really is giving his best to America. He is an outstanding Marine. We are so proud of him and all of his hard work.

Tyler and I were very lucky to spend some time with him on President's Day. Since this was our last outing together for awhile, I wanted to do something boys would like, so we went shooting! Here are some pictures.

We are really going to miss Jake! We wish him the best of luck on this new journey. Our prayers are with you. We love you!

Things Could Always Be Worse

Lately, when my dad gives advice he has been saying, "Things could always be worse." Here is an example: I'll be horribly distraught because plans aren't coming together the way I want and my dad will sweetly say, "Things could be worse, you could be living in a hut in India." I always respond, "That is not helpful." However this past week my dad's advice came to life.

I'm taking care of Arjan for three weeks. He has a very dangerous driveway. Tuesday I drove off the edge and became stuck! I felt so dumb as the neighbors were trying to figure out how to deal with the mess I made. I felt so sorry for myself. I just couldn't get over it. Poor Tyler had to listen to me

repeatedly say, " I can't believe I did that!" Here is a visual:

Then just like my dad says things did get worse! The next night Tyler and I heard a crash and this is what we found:

(Keep in mind that this is the same driveway!)

A car had slid on ice, missed a turn, gone through the neighbors yard and fallen off a retaining wall onto Arjan's dad's car! It was quite a site! When I saw what happened I no longer felt sorry for myself! It is true things can always be worse. Instead of being suck on the side, I could have fallen off the side! So when you start to feel sorry for yourself just remember this lesson I learned.

Well dad my faith in you is restore. You are still a genius in my eyes!

Three Favorite Things To Do In A Day

Picture from brittanybarnes.tumblr.com

I'm copying this post from a friend. I just love thinking about these things.

If you could do anything all day, what would it be?

Jess:

1. Be with Tyler

2. Talk with my girlfriends, especially Trudy, Britt and my sisters

3. Watch YouTube videos

Tyler:

1. Cuddle with Jess

2. Four Wheeling

3. Play with Legos

What would you do?

Sunday Inspiration

Do You Want One of These?

I know I do! Well here is how you can, just visit a Shade store on the dates below. Limited time only!!

February 18 - March 2: Centerville
March 4 - March 16: Gateway
March 18 - March 30: The District
April 1 - April 13: American Fork
April 15 - April 27: Orem

In case you didn't notice that is my best friend modeling these amazing flowers. You want to know why? Because she designs and makes them!! I am so proud of her! Click here to see all the cool things she does.

My New Favorite Holiday!

This was my first Valentine's Day with someone I actually love and I believe it is now my favorite holiday. I love the whole idea of the day, what a genius idea!

Here are the top 5 reasons why I really enjoyed my day:

5. A evening full of delicious food.

I loved the potatoes and Tyler loved the steak!

4. Giving and receiving thoughtful gifts.

My Favorite Movie, The Family Stone

I love this band!

3. Spending the afternoon on a romantic hike. The trail was almost deserted, but at least there was someone to take this picture!

2. A beautiful piece of jewelry.

1. Spending all day with this guy! It was perfect!

CELINE!!!!

Guess who was on Oprah today? My favorite Celine Dion. I guess my body knows when it is important to miss a day of work.

Celine made an annoucement that made me fall out of my seat...Celine is coming back to Vegas!!!! I can't even believe it!! March 15, 2011!!! You have no idea how happy this makes me! I thought she was going to take a few years off...I'm soooo glad she isn't!

Watch this clip from the show, it will make you smile!

I'm Sick

Jack has been taking care of me while Tyler is at work.

This made me feel better!

Warning...

This post might get a little mushy. I will not be offended if you choose not to read.

There is one theme that keeps manifesting itself again and again in my life, it is the fact that life is sweeter when you have someone to share it with.

To many people this would be quite obvious, but it wasn't to me. I enjoyed being single. I enjoyed figuring out how to take care of everything on my own. I felt a lot of power doing things alone. Now I am learning that for me there is a better way.

I'm home sick today. I'm really sick. Tyler has been an angel to me. Last night he put me to bed with a heating blanket and heater to help control my cold chills. He brought me medicine and water all through the night. He even turned out every light and had Celine playing softly in the back ground. I was in awe by his compassion.

I love Tyler more than I ever knew I could. I constantly find myself thinking, why did I think it was better to be alone?! I don't know if I could go back to life without him. I feel very blessed.

Help!

My best friend Britt and I found this dress at a vintage shop in Washington D.C. almost 2 years ago. I have been saving it for engagement pictures.

I love the idea of using the colors from the dress as a pallet for the wedding. Here is one arrangement I love.

The problem is when I see classic pink colors I think I might want that instead! (Trudy please don't hate me!) Here are some examples.

So here is where I need your help, which do you like more? Also, if I go with orange and yellows have you seen flower girl dresses or other ideas that would work? Please let me know. Thank you for your help!

Taurus loves Capricorn

So I'm not the type of person that really believes or follows astrology, however a client at my work does. We read his horoscope everyday. Then he reads mine and then Tyler's. It is really fun to me. Today I looked if we have compatible signs. This is what ours said:

Courageous, ambitious Earth signs, Taurus and Capricorn seem to be made for each other. Both value financial success and share a love of beauty, of lasting, classical foundations. Capricorn's irony charms the Bull, while the latter's expert sensuality rescues the Capricorn from his or her natural modesty. They enjoy talking together, and communication is excellent. They confide in each other, promising never to offend or betray the other. This could be a perfect couple.

Click here to find out yours!

Disneyland

For Christmas Tyler took me here...

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!

I was excited to go and be in the warm weather, but I had no idea I would have so much fun! We went with Tyler's sister and her husband, Lacey and Eli and his other sister Nikki and her boyfriend Clint, aka Clink. Here are a few pictures from our four days at Disneyland.

This is after we got soaked on a ride!

Waiting for "A Bug's Life"

and Happily Ever After!

The coolest part was this year is Disney's Year of Celebration, whatever you are celebrating they give you a pin to wear. Tyler and I wore the "JUST ENGAGED" pin. Any worker that saw the pin had to say, "Congratulations." It was the best!!

Guess What I Did?!

Well let me give you some clues...Clue number 1: I went somewhere with the girls I love most.

My Best Friend Britt

My Sister Julie and My Niece Maggie

My Sister Jamie and My Niece Adeline

My Sister Jenny

My Nieces Caitlin and Tristan

Clue number 2: I tried on a lot of these...

Can you guess yet?! That's right I found MY WEDDING DRESS! (That isn't it, by the way). It was more difficult than I thought. You spend your whole life dreaming about your wedding dress and then you have to choose just ONE! I love the one I found. I wanted to wear it to church, but I didn't. I really wish I post pictures of it, but I'll wait. Planning a wedding is so much FUN!!!