Scrapbook Finished!!!

I decided to scrapbook Jake and I's last 4 years of dating. We have gone out on so many awesome dates that I wanted our kids to be able to see everything we have done! It was a really big project, but I am so glad that I did it! The book has over 40 different pages to it. It has from our very first date up to all the pictures we took for our engagements....I am so grateful that I saved absolutely everything... pictures, concert ticket stubs, movie tickets, programs, etc. It's going to be so neat to be able to look back in 20 years and see all the things Jake and I were able to do together.

Here is the first page of our dating life :)

(I don't know why the pictures layout is this way)

Just another page that I did. This one was showing the day that we got engaged. 

Wisdom Teeth Nightmare

So I had my wisdom teeth out almost two weeks ago and it was probably one of the worst experiences of my life.. Hands down.. I feel like if I tell the story here, I will never have to tell the experience again... Here is me right after the surgery, with ice packs on my cheeks :)

Unfortunately, due to my age and 2 impacted teeth the procedure was not going to be an easy one. Jake was prepping me for a speedy recovery, but I knew it wasn't going to be. The dentist told me I would be "sore", he never informed me that I was going to be experiencing excruciating and severe pain for over a week!  Being knocked out was probably the best part. Before I knew it, I was waking up and I had no idea what had just happened to me.

The first 2 days felt like a walk in the park... slept.. took pain pills... ate.. slept some more... and then the drugs wore off... and the pain started.. Wow. I would never ever wish that pain on my worst enemy or anyone. Jake and I went into the doctor on Monday, we were a tad concerned I had a dry socket/infection because the pain was just horrible over the weekend. He told us that the stitches were healing well and there was no infection that he could see. Lora tab wasn't really working for me, so we switched to perkiset...

Tuesday, things started to look up! I was able to move around, do laundry, clean up the house... I felt a lot better... then night hit, and the infection started ...

Wednesday, Jake went into the dentist, and he gave him an antibiotic and another prescription of pain meds. Thursday, I had to go in to get the stitches out and he confirmed that there was indeed an infection. So frustrating...

Friday, we went into the dentist again, because the antibiotic had not kicked in... the pain was just horrible, and we needed a different pain med, because ALL of them didn't get rid of the pain. He again drained the infection out, and syringed it with a medicated mouthwash and gave me different meds. Demerol.

Again, they didn't work. Apparently, they are a "feel good" drug, not a pain killer drug. I still felt horrible, and they sure didn't make me feel good at all!

By Friday night, Jake and I took the mouthwash and syringed it down in the infection like the dentist showed us. What came out was not a pretty sight, however, it somehow released the pressure built up and it's been practically smooth sailing ever since. I still have to take the antibiotic for 2 weeks... and its hard to eat certain foods.. BUT, the pain is gone, and I will take the sore/achiness any day over that pain!

Lessons Learned:

1. Never wait till your upper twenties to get your wisdom teeth out!!!!

2. Make sure your dentist/oral surgeon puts you on a antibiotic from the start, especially if your surgery isn't an easy one.

Thanksgiving in Connecticut!

This was Jake and I's first holiday together being married! We were so excited to go back east and spend more than just a few days in Connecticut with my family. We were able to do a lot of fun things and I was able to show Jake a little more of Connecticut as well.

The Monday before we left, we took the train into NYC and spent the day just walking around and seeing a bunch of things. My two brothers, and sister n law Jen went with us! Jake had a few requests... but the number one on his list was a piece of Juniors Cheesecake... What can I say, my husband loves food :)

We were able to drive by our old house growing up.... Loved this house...

Jake and Jayden, Thanksgiving day. We went for a walk, and Jayden discovered leaves with Jake, and how fun it is to throw them in the air!

 Jayden was trying to smile for the camera.. I told him to show teeth.

All ready for bed!

He didn't like Santa.. but liked Rudolph!

 Jayden LOVED the dancing banana at Stew Leonards....He kept pressing the button!

 Connor was beyond tired at this point...

World Trade Center Memorial

Rockefeller Center, NYC... We missed the tree lighting by 2 days. We could have met Justin Bieber.. To bad... One day...

You can't go to NYC without experiencing Macys during Christmas time! This place is awesome!

 We went to the World Trade Center Memorial. It was pretty intense getting into the place...a lot of security, basically set up like an airport. It was kinda weird being there, especially because you could see the reflection of airplanes flying past...

Jake and I.. Times Square, NYC

My family at Times Square.. Behind us they were shooting a commercial.. a few weeks later Evan said he actually saw it on television.. We had the chance to be on it to..too bad!

Jake and I in front of the Bull... down on Market Street.

We were able to see and do a lot when we went to New York. Hit all the major spots, and by the end of the day we were all completely exhausted! Perfect weather, and perfect day in New York!

Wedding Video

Here's our wedding video... For the Temple....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1z8YTXh590

I have been hounding Jake to get it done before we went home for Thanksgiving. He did a great job editing the video. 

Super Saturday

The Relief Society in our ward had "Super Saturday" this last saturday, and I took on the challenge to make my own apron! I had no idea what I was thinking when I started making this this weekend... I am not a huge sewer... I guess you could say I am more a quilter, and I like to sew straight lines. It took me about 3-4 hours to make it. I was completely determined to finish it, and was probably the only one working on it, while everyone was having lunch. But I will say, I was the only one to finish mine!!!

 This was my finished product! I was actually really pleased on how it came out! The pink square in the front are the pockets!

I also signed up to make homemade caramel apples. I thought these looked pretty professional as well... The purple ribbon was dipped in chocolate, and I dipped Jakes in white chocolate.

Really easy to make, and SO good!

Jobs....

So... I was out of a job for almost 17 1/2 months...I can't even believe it! About two weeks ago, I got a part time job working at Utah Valley University, in the Alumni Center. It's been a huge adjustment being back at work, and a very very hard change! When you are used to being able to do your own thing for that long, its definitely an adjustment.

The same week I started this, I started doing some part time work for my bishop.... So, in the matter of one week I went to working zero hours to working 35+ hours....The money will definitely be a plus... but it sure is hard managing all of that :)

Why did I want to get a job so bad again? ;)

Wedding

We finally got our pictures back this week from our photographer... I was a little disappointed with them, but I think overall they came out good... You always think about what you would do differently if you could do it again... But, I am pretty sure I am NEVER doing this again... getting married that is! Here are just a few... I couldn't really post 850 pictures, so I just selected some to capture the day :) 

My family

Our Bridal Party

This was a pretty funny picture!

My brothers!!!

Scrapbooking

 I decided since I am not working yet, I have a lot of free time on my hands. I decided to scrapbook all 4 years of Jake and I, the good and bad :) I am pretty excited about it! I like to think of myself as a pretty organized person and I fortunately saved practically everything in the last 4 years. Notes, love notes, cards, concert ticket stubs/programs, took many pictures, even our break up notes :) So what better way to take this out of the book, and make a big scrapbook of it all! It's going to be so fun for our kids to be able to go through this scrapbook and see all the fun things there parents did!

It's been really fun to go through all of our dates, and organize some of the stuff that I actually saved. I can't believe how many notes Jake has written in 4 years, and they are still coming :) It's definitely been a project...time consuming and costly! But, it's going to be so worth it!!!

I am so grateful for Jake everyday. I admire how hard of a worker he is, and his willingness to always want to serve others. He makes me laugh more and more every day, and I didn't think that was possible! He truly is my other half, and I am so happy and grateful of how our story has turned out! I love him more and more everyday!!!!

This is our very first date, Summer 2007, Kenny Chesney Concert

Happy Birthday Jayden!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jayden!

I was able to talk/skype with my family over Jaydens birthday weekend. I wanted Jayden to see my face, and see if he would remember me... He did!!! Best gift a girl can ask for ;) He's one funny boy!!

Funny boy!

I absolutely love this picture! He was playing with the water up at my parents house in Vermont. He is such a cutie!!!!Love him!

Eating the best ice cream there is, Friendlys!

Apparently, he's showing his teeth!

Wedding

We are still waiting for our photographers to get our pictures back to us.. It's supposed to take awhile... But I guess until then... Here are some from the wedding that Sean/family was able to take...

Jennica, Michelle, Marissa, and Liz :)

My wonderful Wedding Party!!! Jakes best friends from when he was young... and two of my best friends, and Jakes sisters!
Pete, Craig, Mark, Matt (Jakes brother), Michelle, Marissa (Jakes sister), Jennica (Jakes sister), and Liz

Our Wedding Video

Jake put together a great video that was going to be shown at the Luncheon and the Reception... He did a great job of putting this together...

It's a video that tells our story...how we met, dated, and how he proposed  :)

Wedding Video

Our Honeymoon

We went on a 7 day cruise to the Mexican Riveria. We had 2 ports, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. It was a great surprise, and a LOT of fun :)

My Bridals

I went up to the Utah Capital building in Salt Lake City to take my bridals with our photographers and my parents... I was really nervous, but I am sooo happy with how they turned out!

 These stairs were amazing!!!

 I absolutely LOVED my dress!!! First dress I ever tried on to! Thanks for the help of my mom for helping me tie up the whole back, twice!!!!

 Thanks to Jakes mom for doing my bridal bouquet :)

 Thanks to Michelle for doing my make up, and Haylie for doing my hair! I loved it!!!

It was a lot of fun working with Glam Photography! They did an amazing job!!! Wedding Pictures still to come in a few weeks....