my best friend's wedding.

This last weekend was Melissa and Jonathan's wedding. It was beautiful and everything turned out really well. We had a blast! I LOVE love weddings, so I was really excited about everything. 

The wedding festivities started out with a wedding dinner Friday night, a backyard barbeque that was delicious. The ceremony was at the Draper temple Saturday morning and the reception was that same night in my parent's backyard. It was beautiful! The weather was perfect and it was sooo Melissa. I loved celebrating her wedding with her, especially after being married myself. Marriage is awesome. I do love weddings, but I love marriage even more. :) I took a few pictures at the reception, because I like to do that sort of thing. Ha.

Here are some of my favorites. Love these Kidds-- ;)!

The END.

reflect.

One year ago this week, I was in Roma, Italia and scared out of my mind.

Was I excited? Of course. I was embarking on an incredible journey, one that would change my life forever! I was in Europe, somewhere I'd always dreamed of going to. 

But I was homesick. I was scared. Unfamiliarity swarmed me and filled me with uneasiness. 

It took me a little time to let go of those insecurities and fears, once I did-- I didn't look back! I enjoyed every minute I could and made lifelong friends. My testimony grew immensely as well as the relationships in my life (distance really does make the heart grow fonder). I saw beautiful places and incredible historical sights. I learned so much! About history. About life. About the gospel. And about myself. 

Here's a peak into my life one year ago this week vs. my life this week this year. A lot has changed. I am happy. Both weeks of my life were important! I loved my life both years. I'm blessed. :)

Monday, July 6th, 2009: 

Journal excerpt: "It is towards the end of our flight now and they just brought us breakfast. I can't eat it though, because I'm too nervous. I have to change planes in Paris pretty soon and I'm really scared."

Monday, July 5th, 2010: 

Laying in bed, barely able to move, sick as a dog from something I think was the flu. Happy way to end my Holiday weekend-- not. 

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009: 

"I am in Rome-- finally! We are at our apartment right now and it is pretty dang hot. I have a feeling it is going to be a lot worse during the day. Yay! Our apartment isn't too bad. The showers are TINY... All the girls seem way nice in our apartment. I do feel a lot better being with them. But I still miss Tyson a lot."

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Going crazy after another sick day in bed, anxious to see my husband and starving-- but afraid to eat anything besides soup. Still loving life, especially when Hubs lays by me and rubs my back.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2010

"Right now we are being "blessed" by the Pope. We just spent some time outside the Vatican. It's really beautiful and huge! The architecture here is incredible. I've met most of my group and really like most of them! I am very excited to spend time getting to know some of them better. It kind of feels like EFY. Haha. I am just trying to soak up the experience while I can. It's 43 days that I'll never forget."

Wednesday, July 7th, 2009

Worked all day. Went to Cafe Sabor with friends. Computer time. Cuddle time. Bed by 11:15. 

Thursday, July 9th, 2010

"Italy is a lot different than I ever expected it to be. But I have come to love it. Mostly- anyway. There are some parts that have been so divine. I love the classic feel and look, the gelato and the food, learning so much about history and gaining a cultural experience."

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Work. Made some steak and corn for dinner. Ran some errands after dinner and made sure to grab a snow cone with the Maxfield's after. Hanging out at home, getting ready to go to bed with Hubs in a cool apartment.

Life has changed. Obviously. But for the best! Last summer was incredible. I loved Rome. I loved my friends I made there (still do:). But quite happy to be sharing a bed with Tyson tonight, rather than a blazing hot apartment with 9 other girls. :)

First week there:

The Vatican!

First Gelato!

Roomies in Rome.

Life these days:

Blue Sox baseball game.

Just chilling at our apartment with our sweet cups.

Bike rides to Aggie Ice Cream.

Life's real good. :)

Little People I Love SPOTLIGHT: Ryan

So today I had this great idea.

I want to a little SPOTLIGHT my favorite little people in this world.

Also known as, my nieces and nephews-- all 17 (almost) of them.

They not only crack me, but they also have such sweet little spirits. 

Not to mention, some of the CUTEST kids out there. Seriously. 

We'll start from oldest to youngest, because that's a good way to go.

So, combining both sides of the family, we begin with:

Ryan Jeremy Hafen or known to his family as, R-Dawg.

9 years old.

4th grade.

Ryan was a huge-o baby. Like, 9'2" at birth and so chunky throughout his first year of life. People would look at him and wonder why he couldn't walk when he was four months old, because he looked like a one year old. 

Now-- he's a total stick. Skinny, tall and big feet-- which indicates he's got plenty of room to grow.

Ryan plays soccer and baseball and the piano, really well. He also loves his DSi (so much), Legos, Star Wars and his uncles, Tyson and Brandon. He's a great helper to his mom. You don't often see him at my parent's house, because he is always up in the playroom playing the Wii-- and he's good. He beats me in any game we play, including guitar hero. 

He's a happy kid, pretty much every time I see him. He's allergic to eggs and peanuts, but is well aware and responsible about his allergies. He always checks! 

Ry Guy will always hold a special place in my heart, because he was my first nephew. I was so excited to become an aunt when I was only twelve years of age. I loved visiting the Hafen's in Texas and playing with Ryan and his blonde curly hair (which isn't so curly anymore, sadly).

Love you R-Dawg, even though it's totally embarrassing to hug your aunt or show any affection to her at all. :)

Oh-- he also informed me that he is popular at school. All the kids know him, including the first and second graders.

And you can tell, because he's such a stud! :)