Where do I begin again...

I'm not quite sure where to start.  I'll begin with a warning: MAJOR WEDDING PICTURE OVERLOAD.... I know, it's about time.

I think I am creating a new post but blogger has changed since I last attempted writing a post almost a year ago. . .

I'm married... hooray! and oh so terribly happy.

I'm pregnant... (what?) hooray! and oh so excited to meet this baby.

Ryan and I decided, with divine intervention, to jump right in and start our own family.

We enjoyed a 3 week honeymoon and on week three, I was unbelievably tired, All. The. Time.  Needless to say, my body was working overtime to provide life for a speck of a baby. 

SO

Here we are, living in the basement of the kind-hearted, 4 foot - nothing?, Eunice.  Learning how to have a beautiful marriage in between vomiting and genuine laughter.

I love being pregnant.  My body has been through the storms of it all and now has a lovely hard bump to show all of that hard work it went through.  I'm waiting impatiently to feel a flutter or a kick.  I often spend time in the morning in bed prodding my stomach and feeling the thrill of knowing there is an actual soul in there waiting to breathe.

I know, a honeymoon baby.  We're "crazy" as a lot of people like to tell us.  But we imagined what life would be like with a child right away and knew instantly how perfect it felt.  Ryan will be the best dad.  I've never doubted it and it is one of the reasons why my heart always thumped around him.  I am beaming with joy at the thought of being a mother, though dealing with the feelings of inadequacy that so easily seem to creep into my mind. 

Now, this baby can't come soon enough and on Halloween we will be graced with the news of its' gender!

Stay tuned!

Here are some wedding pictures.  From that time we got married in June. Who doesn't love Anna James Photography??

My Family (isn't he lucky?)

 Ryan's Family (Honestly... who wouldn't want to marry into this family?)

 The "League of Brothers" are always up for good times.

 One of my favorite photos of the day: Sister love

 Sweet teenage Jake giving Ryan heartfelt advice.

 Every single one of my best friends, so adorable.

 I give the win to Emily and Jane on this one.  They really framed our jumps well!

 For some reason, 6 women were terrified of touching within 6 inches of my grooms bum.  This left him terribly unsupported. tsk tsk...

They may be taller, but they never make me feel inferior.  What great new sisters in law. 

 Bride is the only one capable of looking like a doofus... thank you everyone.

 This girl stole my heart at "Doolee?", even though "papa" is clearly ahead in the race for favorite.

I believe Ryan to be the perfect mixture of both parents: physically and characteristically. 

 Stud-ly

 His most genuine smiles were found via photos of him speaking with loved ones.  I like it.

 This, my friends, is Eunice aka "Eunicyle", "The Last Eunicorn", "Eunibomber" "Landlady Extraordinaire".

 The Andersons

 I don't know how this happened, but I'm tickled that it did!

 Of Course, Cindi caught the bouquet. 

 And the party begins.

 sigh...

 Hair.

 My vision of perfection came to fruition.

I love the admirer in the back.  He's so happy for us.

Reappearance . . .

into the blog world.

Hey, I'm here.  I'm alive.  In fact, I'm more alive than I ever have been.

We look like siblings, and we will be the first to admit it.

Look everyone! I'm marrying Cory Matthews. Success.

 I'm fiercely in love and engaged to be married in June.  The current and constant insanity of life has taken over.  I like it.  So much so, that I think being engaged and planning my wedding is, dare I say, fun!  I have all of these memories of people griping about engagements, plans, and wishing they could just be married already.

Eating Indian food with the parentals

I'm no fool.  There are moments when I would like to run off with the man and never look back because it seems easier and romantic. . . but I only get one wedding day, and I want to milk it for all it's worth!

 

Ryan likes to sleep in pictures.  We take engagements tomorrow, this should be fun!

 

Before you begin imagining Jules as the next big bRideziLla, allow me to add a disclaimer.  I have a very grounded style and it would be awesome if my vision came to life, but not once have I complained and not once have I been worried.  If the reception decided to explode into a crater of nothingness, I wouldn't wince (well maybe wince).  I'm elated to plan and design (like barbies as you got older.  All of the fun was in the setting up).  I'm blessed with so many wonderful people in my life who I can't wait to see on that day.  Most importantly, I know that the actual "I do" part will go through and that is the moment that my spirit has yearned for since who knows when. 

Eating Korean food with the Hunter parents. We are so exotic, we know.

I have the privilege of getting married to my best friend and the most loving guy that I know.  

He won't let me think for a millisecond that I am unloved or unappreciated and he adores me in a way I never imagined possible.  It is utter brilliance.

 

oh look, hope for normal pictures of us after all.

I will be back with the story that won us a free bridal/groomal photography session.  Rad, right??

love, peace, and hope

All I have to say . . .

Is that I'm terribly happy.

People have been asking for updates.  I have strayed a bit from my initial blogger personality.  You will hear from me every once in a while in far less detail.  It is just who I am right now.  If you want to know about my life, I will happily spend time with you.  Journeying through the hearts of people via conversation and interaction is my ultimate hobby.

Someone asked me what was going on last week because I was "glowing".  Then it happened again yesterday.

Could any physical compliment be more lovely? I think not.  

Let's make our insides so happy and content that we visually glow.

No amount of make up, trendy clothing, or dieting can promise you such a magical exterior.

Let us comment on people's insides more so that when we do make a physical compliment, it will be a simple result of the person behind the skin.

I promise, nothing could make you feel more beautiful.

Thee most hilarious . . .

10 minutes of your life, coming right up!

After I had my wisdom teeth butchered out of my head, I cried. and cried. and cried.  I couldn't stop crying.  My Mom, the assistants, everyone was worried.  I just remember saying over and over again. "I'm fine! I'm FINE, I just can't stop crying." and "Why am I crying? I'm not sad!"  It was a confusing moment.  May we all take advantage of such rare times and capture films of absurdity.

The speculation . . .

of the birth of a baby in a manger 2012 years ago is non-stop.  Who were the wisemen?  How many came?  Was there really a star?  What exactly did King Herod do proceeding the birth?  How could a virgin bare a child?  Though it may be insightful from a scientific point of view, I realize that none of it matters.  

Long ago, a baby was born to a mortal virgin mother and the eternal Father of all of our Spirits.  He is the literal offspring of God, a deity with infinite power and love.  His life was exemplary, His miracles were marvelous, and His love was out of this world.  Most importantly, He gave His mortal life for us and today, He lives!  Celestial and glorious with our Father on high.  Walking with each of us through our trials, and changing us into people - ordinary people now prepared (or preparing) to meet our Maker and become like Him.

Nothing or no one will ever be as important.  He is the ultimate gift. 

Merry Christmas

Unrequited . . .

Love

Seems to be a cycle in  my  life. ahhhh life... isn't it such a beautiful, messy culmination of everything?

but mostly this strange phenomenon called love

Remember that girl. . .

you saw, who unlocked her car, got in on the passenger side. Who paused for 10 seconds before realizing the steering wheel wasn't missing, it was just on the other side of the car, where it has rightfully belonged since she learned about an automobile at 5 years old?

So maybe I stayed in the passenger side until all the people who saw me get in, dispersed in different directions before I timidly opened the door to ninja my way back to sanity and the right seat.

That was a first. Hopefully a last.

take a stab . . .

at it.

Restless

Dependent

Lovely

Talented

those are the first 4 words that I found. i can't decide whether it is literally because what you see first portrays who you really are or the fact that each of these words were horizontally placed and my eyes happened to scan those specific areas. seems rather fishy if you ask me.

though i must say, finding restless first is pretttty spot on . . .

says the girl who recently began: 

cello lessons, applying to teach private group music classes, gathering data to begin motivational speaking, heavily considering a degree in ASL, painting (with little to show), receiving structural integration, working out with a personal trainer, food addiction recovery, scouring the internet for the nearest african dance class.

restless?

meh.

New song, anyone? . . .

The girls of Beauty Redefined (Lexie and Lindsay Kite) have inspired me. So so much. 

I wrote this song and donated it as an anthem of sorts for them to use as they please.

BEAUTY REDEFINED WEBSITE

Go to the website to hear the song and donate over $5.00 to purchase a copy of the mp3.  ALL sales go to Beauty Redefined.  This was not a cheap project, but I can't stand by the side and watch 2 girls fight a battle that needs an army.  Our world needs people who use their talents for purposes like this.  They have lit a flame in so many girls and women, changing their perspective on the world.

We are all beautiful women with infinite potential. Believe it. Trust it.  Feel it.  Then do something about it.

THESE women are changing the world. SERIOUSLY.  Help them in their ongoing fight to "Take back beauty".

ahhhh I love them.......

one small step you could do to help them?? post about them on your blogs.  Get the ball rolling.  I watched their facebook fanbase climb from 300 to over 3,000 in nearly 6 months. That is incredible, but more can be done.  HELP.  WE NEED AN ARMY.

Lyrics to "Beauty Redefined"

Take back what we let fade away
Voice of tomorrow, not product of yesterday
And once you feel it, you will never be the same

All that we can do is strut, now make it loud
Toss passion to the proud whose views are simply misaligned
Ask the brave: “Step forward help to straighten
all that’s been misshapen, torn and barely left alive”

We need beauty redefined

You’re captivating, don’t be captive to the lies
That just erasing is a picturesque disguise
I dare you look up and try to mold the skies

All that we can do is strut, now make it loud
Toss passion to the proud whose views are simply misaligned
Ask the brave: “step forward help to straighten
All that’s been misshapen, torn and barely left alive”

We need beauty redefined

Make up your mind and not your face
We all know it is a happier chase
And in the end you’ll finish out the race

All that we can do is strut, now make it loud
Toss passion to the proud whose views are simply misaligned
Ask the brave: “Step forward help to straighten
All that’s been misshapen, torn and barely left alive”

All that we can do is strut, now make it loud
Toss passion to the proud whose views are simply misaligned
Ask the brave: “Step forward help to straighten
All that’s been misshapen, torn and barely left alive”

We need beauty redefined

Thank you!!  Love love

Seasons change and . . .

So do I.

I've thought a lot lately of how I've changed. Who I am. Who I am becoming.

I'm certainly not as funny as I used to be.
My sarcasm has faded and I don't enjoy laughing at the expense of others.

My social life has dwindled significantly.
I choose to spend my time learning, serving, building solid relationships and cultivating
talents.

It's rare to find myself performing on a stage these days.
The adrenaline of fame really gets to me. Satan knows it. I write and record to inspire.

The common theme I have pulled from the above changes can be summed in a few words.

I love my Savior.
He is my priority.

The closer I draw to my loving Father in Heaven, the more compassion and love I have for the people in my life. I don't care what decisions you make, have made, or will make. I would give anything for people to feel the way I feel. I need no compliments, nods of approval, or other forms of recognition. The greatest compliment of all: for you to do all you can to live for Him.

My vocabulary is limited to express my truest feelings.

But this sense of knowing will set you free. So fight for it.