August 17, 2012...

Will be counted as one of my favorite moments to remember.

Most every girl grows up always hearing of countless love stories. Of knights in shining armor saving the girl from the fierce fire breathing dragon.They grow up with all sorts of fantasies of the kind of love that's supposed to sweep you off your feet...and make your heart beat ring in your ears. Fairy tales try to spread the magic...movies try to capture it....people try to find it.

As for me.....I wasn't sure if I believed in it. Sounds absurd to say coming from a girl who tends to be a hopeless romantic..I know. I saw so many people who seemed so captivated by that little thing called love. But I didn't connect myself with it.

Enter into the picture...David Brown. Right from the beginning, I thought he was pretty great, he was a little quirky, had a fantastic smile and made me laugh. However, also right from the beginning...I figured that it wouldn't go anywhere. After all, he was graduating that semester and I had a tendency to shy away from relationships.

Yet somewhere along the lines of handfuls of dates, almost killing him while hiking (though I'm trying to forget that part), his move to Vegas, skype dates, the amazing person he is and his loving family...it turned into something more then I could ever imagine. That little thing called love? I fell right into it.

And you know what? It's even better then they try to tell you growing up.

So why does that make August 17th important? That just so happens to be the day that David pulled out the most beautiful ring I had ever seen and asked that one particular question. After getting over the surprise of it all, and not knowing whether to cry, squeal..... Of course I said yes.

Flash forward to December 15, 2012....and that shall be marked as the day that we get married. For time and all eternity. I can't wait. Because there is no one else that I would rather spend my forever with.

As one great institute teacher said last semester, "You're only half of who you are...half of your potential until you find who you will marry." Lucky for me, I couldn't have found a better half....That's not just because I'm biased...

So moral of the story....You never know what you'll find when you least expect it. Sometimes, (alright, most times)  it's not about the timing that you have planned for yourself....but the timing of Someone even greater. Just let yourself be open to it.

He didn't even have to save me from some fire breathing dragon....I'm beginning to that think that part of most fairy tales may be a little skewed when it comes to love....

C'est la vie!

A little over two years ago...my little white car came into my life. Alas...right from the beginning...she had her problems...but I was certain we could work through them..

Flash forward two more years and we've reach the end of my young cars life. Seeing how the past two years  have been a plethora of car problems...one after another....I've decided it's a good thing. My poor brother-in-law has been frequently greeted with, "Rusty! I've missed you....how are things? Oh...and also...my car is making a weird noise....I tried to turn the radio up so it would go away...but...." And then he would proceed to fix whatever ailment my car had decided to have. 

It would be safe to say that my car was a little temperamental. Who knows...maybe it's because her last owners tried to fill her with popcorn kernels... (You may think I'm joking...but that's what we found under the hood).

However, even with my car reaching an untimely death....I'm so blessed to have so many incredible people in my life so willing to help. Of course my grandparents fall under that category. As soon as my grandparents found out....my grandpa was ready to head straight down here..but I reasoned a couple extra days wouldn't hurt. I think he was worried about my over productive tear ducts...and wanted to save the day. 

As lucky as I am, I got to spend yesterday hanging out with my grandparents and my little cousin. They brought me a loving bag of pears and of course, my grandpas favorite....squeaky cheese.We sold my car to a local car place....and before leaving...my grandpa give me the wise counsel..."Manda, just give it one final kick to the tire."

So I did. And felt much better. 

Afterwards, we went to the museum here in Cedar. Often I think my grandpa still views me as a little girl, and wanted to make sure I was happy before he left. Which, by all means was perfect in my book. 

At the museum! 

I absolutely loved it. I got to spend time talking with my grandma as my grandpa went around from place to place and bringing up the old days. Which...on a different note....I think it's sad that we don't spend much time thinking about everything that the people of the past have done for us. I don't think I would have lasted long as a pioneer...their strength is amazingly inspiring.

Overall though, I feel blessed. Life may be pretty good at throwing curve balls....but most of the time, it ends up being a blessing in disguise. Even if you're no good at baseball (like myself)....Someone else gives you a bat that's big enough to hit the ball...no matter how terrible your swing.

As for me, I got to spend the day hearing an assortment of my grandpas hilarious, yet sometimes  incredibly insightful "one liners." Not only that.....but my grandma just has a way of making every situation seem better by finding all of the good things that come as a result. 

So long little car! 

But.. thanks for at least a couple of years! Hopefully you'll find new friends in car heaven

Enjoying the moment...

You know, I thought of a number of things I could say to attempt to sum up my thoughts about a certain someone....We could probably call him David.

But most of all....I'm just happy.

Happy to be around someone that is so thoughtful, funny, caring and quirky. Someone who laughs at my jokes even when they're not very funny. Who has such a great perspective on life. He goes above what I had imagined in dating (which, since I tend to be one of those pathetic hopeless romantics....means a lot).

Even more...I'm happy with who I am when I'm with him.

Not to mention, getting to spend the past weekend in Vegas was just the icing on the cake. If asked, I don't think I'd even be able to pin point my favorite part....he planned out the day with an assortment of things I loved doing. What a champ right?

I could go on about the little things I loved....being at the chocolate factory..spending time on the strip...seeing campus...hanging out at the library or even watching airplanes....but I probably wouldn't do it justice.

He even made me breakfast.

And..

Told me a number of random stories to keep my tears at a minimum when my car decided to go on strike. (A plan that worked perfectly without me even realizing it...)

So as cheesy as this post might be, as they say..."If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Adventure is out there...sometimes right in front of us...all you have to do is jump in.

I think it's safe to say I've jumped in.

Since I tend to forget about my camera... the weekend instead had to be documented with my highly developed stick figure skills..

The Little Brother...

Turned the big 15 this weekend!

He's now a cool teenage boy....filling his vocabulary with profound words like "Dude," "Totally sick," "Bro," or my favorite....the combination of all three. "Dude, Manda...I was with my bros, and it was totally sick....."

He now is often followed by a band of girls. He has developed a passion obsession for learning all about history and wars. And like every other teenage boy.....he thinks he is the coolest kid on the block.

But for me, I still see him as the little boy who would sneak into my room after his bedtime and fall asleep in my bed. I think of the boy who would dance around the kitchen with me while making cookies and would often (attempt) to paint my finger nails.

Look at that face? You can see his love for me overflowing!

Though he's now 15, to me he'll always be that sweet little boy who stuck it out through thick and thin. Even when he is being a slightly frustrating Captain Know-It-All, I'm still so proud of him and the person he is becoming.

And though he may be taller.....I can still beat him in arm wrestling and leg wars....

Even if I have to do so by cheating..

That's beside the point.

Happy Birthday Kaycee!

Part of the Adventure...

This summer has become something more then I could have imagined. In many ways, it's helped me to see my life through a new pair of glasses...(No pun intended.). I tend to like "The Known," as in, having a set plan for the things going on in my life I like being able to put everything out on a calendar and see what I'm doing...and plan on how to get from point A to point B. (Sounds a little silly to admit)...But I think by knowing I have a plan, I feel a little more safe.

Yet, as everyone already knows, you never get very far by playing things safe. I mean, I'm sure Mr. Armstrong never would have jumped around on the moon by simply playing safe. I think there is truth to the saying that some of the greatest things we do or experience in life are only accomplished by taking some sort of risk. By "playing safe" we tend to hold ourselves back, only doing the minimum to keep ourselves from disappointment or hurt.

The past while, I know I've been a little nervous not having a set plan for the next few months. I have known where I want to end up, but I didn't know about all of the space in between. To be honest, I was a little scared. When people would ask...I always felt like giving the overly dramatic response..."Ahhhh, I'm not sure! I don't know!" And then storm out. Like a 3 year old. Ridiculous I know....but imagining the looks I would get..was hilarious...(Overly active imagination taking over again...)

However, the past little while...I've began to realize that not having a plan has been exactly what I needed. That trying to decide everything at once...was like trying to eat everything on the table during Thanksgiving, including dessert. Which generally only results in the sick "What was I thinking" feeling.

Sometimes, things turn out the greatest when you least expect it to, in between the lines of planning and playing safe. You just have to be willing to take a risk or a chance on something more. Sure there is still a chance of making a mistake or getting scraped elbows, but sometimes, the end result is still worth it. After all...It's all part of the adventure. And, it just may turn out much better then your original plans.

As to figuring out and making decisions, I think I have made much better progress. I can't wait for whatever the future holds.

And, don't worry....If you ask what my plans are....I promise there will be no 3-year old temper tantrums.

Google it...

As of late, I believe I have caught the travel bug.

It's a very contagious illness...and has relapsing symptoms upon seeing pictures of friends or family off on different adventures.

To combat these symptoms, I did what most do in a panicked state and..... turned to Google. 

I visited Multnomah Falls in Oregon...

 Made a quick stop in Venice, Italy.....

 Then of course simply jumped on over to Ireland...

And finally looked at the sunset from Huntington Beach..

Thanks Google....for making me a virtual adventurer for a few moments. Though it may be practically pathetic....When all else fails...

Google it.