I was completely and utterly in love. It's funny because most people, in most situations fall in love after they start dating. Not us. We obviously couldn't date. We couldn't talk on the phone, we couldn't be alone, we couldn't touch. The only time I really saw him or talked to him was at church or when we had them over for dinner and a spiritual thought. Still, I could see how amazing he was. Everything about him just amazed me. His testimony, his love for the gospel, the love for his family, his interests, his voice, his eyes, everything. The most amazing thing was how strong the spirit was when he was around. Things were constantly confirming that he was the one for me and that I just had to be patient.

 I struggled  with this. Not because I was impatient, but because I honestly didn't believe that some one as incredible and him could every have feelings for me. Little did I know, he was having the same feelings too. He obviously could not act upon those feelings. He is so honest. My missionary went to his mission president and told him that he need to be moved to another area because he was in love with a girl in his ward. His mission president was very understanding and loving and he transferred him 2 weeks later. I was so happy that he did the right thing. The last thing I wanted was for him to get in trouble, especially since we didn't even do anything bad. We developed feelings in the most innocent way. We were both praying about it every night and we were both receiving the same answer. "Everything will work out but you need to finish your mission/school." I was devastated when he moved areas. I would miss seeing him walking around town with his companion, miss hearing him bear his testimony in church, miss how awesome he was with my little brother and really really miss how strongly I felt the spirit around him. The spirit that would tell me that this man was going to be my husband.

I new he was the one for me and I knew that I would wait for him. 

February 18, 2008

That was the day that changed my life. For the better of course. It all started with a knock on the door....
I had just got home from working 7 hours by myself at the preschool I was teaching at. I was starving so I stopped at Micky D's before I went home. I was sitting at the kitchen table, stuffing my face when that knock came. Did I answer the door? No way. I was busy eating. Mom answered it. All of the sudden, I see two missionaries walking down the hallway. The first one I see is crazy tall. Like almost 7 feet and not very cute. The other one I see is absolutely stunning. Can I use that word to describe a man? Anyway, he is so hot and I have a hard time not staring at him. I quickly stand up to meet them, hoping the cute one didn't see me inhaling my artery clogging meal. The first one introduces himself. When the other one introduces himself and shakes my hand I am immediately overcome with such a strong, spiritual feeling. I knew that this was going to be the man I was going to marry. 
 At this point in my life I had been really hurt by men. Men I had dated and also my own father. I remember crying and praying asking Heavenly Father why I had to go through those things and telling him I was afraid it was just going to happen again and that I didn't think I could ever trust again. The feeling I got from that prayer was, "It's all going to be okay, Mandy. Don't worry."  It wasn't long after that I met my future husband. 
 After the missionaries left and I said to my mom "I love him." I remember thinking, what now? What and I supposed to do with this? He is a MISSIONARY! I can't have feelings for a missionary! He is totally off limits for 2 years! 


...Stay tuned for more of the story....

Do you know?

Do you know our love story? You probably know bits and pieces of it. Well, I am going to share it. I am going to tell you about how

This

 Plus this

 Eventually equaled

 This

And then this

And finally THIS!

So stay tuned!!

Happenings lately

We got our Christmas tree. One thing I love about living in Washington is all the u-cut tree farms they have. It is such a fun family tradition. And the smell of fresh cut tree filling the house? Delicious! Carson has been pretty good about not touching it too. He'll go sit in front of it and say, "No no no!" We only have ornaments on the top half to keep him less tempted. I put the left over ornaments in some clear vases and have those sitting on our kitchen table. It looks really cute and festive!  I just love Christmas time. The lights, the smells, the magical feeling of the season, the music, being secretive about gifts, the nutcracker, cuddling up with only the Christmas tree lights on, sipping hot chocolate, giving, remembering Christ and getting chills every time you think of the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

In other news, we're getting a house!! We got the call yesterday that our offer was accepted. This process has taught Rob and I so much. Mainly patience and faith. It gets hard waiting and waiting to hear back and it could be really easy to just give up and think negatively but with faith everything will work out. I am so grateful to have a husband that has the same wants in life as me. As we were out looking for houses our Realtor told us that we are really compatible.  We have the same likes and wants. I think we make a pretty good team too :) We are beyond excited to have our own house. We are so looking forward to making memories there and growing our family. I have visions of Rob and I sitting on a swing on our back deck watching our children playing in the yard, picking up sticks and finding bugs, visions of them waking us up on Christmas morning and   Rob and I making them go potty before they can go see if Santa came. I picture Carson trying to climb up the shelves in the storage room. I can't wait to watch my manly man build shelves for our garage, wearing a tool belt. Yum ;) We are just so grateful. Heavenly Father knows us and he most definitely hears ours prayers.

Carson-isms

Nunum = Food

Mill = Milk

Caca = Cracker

Mama

Dada

Sheshush = Jesus

Go

Wow

Uh oh

Nanana! = No no no!

Ouch

Ma = Mack


Carson is such a chatter box!! He never stops talking. He says words but also babbles all time. It's so cute! He is so expressive. It's like he is totally having a conversation with you. He also yells and/or growls  at random people in the store or at church. It's pretty funny. I just love my Carcar man!!

I got this idea from little miss momma.


I'm weird because
I sleep in socks
I like to dip toasted, buttered bagels in tomato soup
The smell of onions makes me gag
I HATE grocery shopping
Carson has stinky feet but I still kiss them every time I change his diaper or clothes
I check on Carson every night before I go to bed
I usually takes me much longer to fall asleep than it takes hubster
I'm not afraid to pee in front of hubster or my friends
I like our room to be really cold when we go to bed
I make hottie hubster roll over when he is snoring
I dance and sing out in public
Vacuuming makes me happy
I like to watch TV with the volume really quiet
I think burping is more gross than farting




I'm a bad friend because
I forget to respond to text messages
I don't always comment back on FB
I sometimes cancel playdates/ plans


I'm a good friend because
I never judge
I give advice but don't expect them to take it if they don't want to
I will love your kids and do anything for them
I just want to see you happy
I'll rescue you in stressful times


I'm sad because
Carson is growing up so fast
I can't hold my newest nephew until January
Our family is in several different states and we don't get to see them very often




I'm happy because
I have a strong, healthy husband and a strong, healthy son
Carson knows who Jesus is and recognizes him in pictures
Rob has Christmas weekend off
We get to go to Phoenix in January to spend time with Rob's family
We have some really really exciting changes happening in our life right now!!




I'm excited for
See above :)
New season of Teen Mom 2 
Going to costco this afternoon with my mom
Christmas time! Music, cold weather, giving, decorating, reading Christmas stories, watching Christmas movies, being in awe of Mary and the true meaning of Christmas.




Your turn!

Randoms

 I am up so early because Carson soaked through his diaper so the poor baby was freezing! He also sleep pooped. Don't you hate when they do that? It makes his poor little bummy sore.
 Carson can go up stairs. Did we teach him this? No. We don't have stairs in our apartment but we do have them right outside our front door. I wanted to see what he would do so I let him wander out there and up he went!
 Carson can also climb up on the couch now. Seriously, you cannot take your eyes off this kid!

In other news, we have some really exciting changes coming to our family!!! Stay tuned to find out what!