Celebrating Jared

Today is my brother Jared's birthday! It's not often that I have the chance to gush about my brother, so I'll take the chance when it comes.

Jared has always been an ideal older brother. He took care of me when he lived at home, took my side in sibling fights (sorry Allison), and he continued to take care of me in college. During my freshman year, I was having a bit of a rough time trying to make friends and find my place at BYU, but my siblings immediately stepped in and I never had to worry about being lonely. Sunday dinners at Heritage provided me with at least one balanced meal, baseball games in the summer, and epic General Conference feasts. Jared and Brianna are inspirations to me, both as a couple and as loving siblings who are willing to share their experience and foresight. Jared's always worked really hard in his schooling and we are all so proud of his position at Ernst and Young. I wish we were still living 5 minutes away from each other, but I feel so lucky for the time we had in Provo together. It means the world to me to have a friend and brother like you.

 Jared, you really are the best. Happy birthday!

(P.S. I posted more wedding pictures on my wedding page here on the blog! Check 'em out! I was feeling a little sentimental today)

Weddin' Lovin'

I created a new page on my blog to show some of my favorite wedding pictures! Thanks again to Amy Dixon for these beautiful photos! Check them out on the tab below the header!

1 month down, an eternity to go

Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a month since I married the wonderful Aaron Taylor. A whole month! For those veterans who want to chuckle at this statement, those who have been married for 5, 10 or 25 years, I realize it's not a lot of time, but it's wonderful to me. I've learned a lot in the last 4 weeks.

1. Aaron enjoys his cereal soggy. I prefer crispy cereal so I don't have to restrain my gag reflex while eating. Solution: I pour his cereal and let it sit for about 5 minutes before I pour mine so we can eat at the same time.
2. Aaron worries about sticking his leg out of the comforter before monsters could try to grab his leg. A legitimate concern, mind you, but I can't sleep a wink until I find that perfect temperature that is achieved only by sticking one leg out of the comforter. My dad and sister will back me up on this.
3. Aaron makes scrambled eggs as good as my mom does. Of course, I spotted him using about a pound of butter to cook them so it's no longer a secret. 
4. Aaron is kind enough to quietly kill spiders and dispose of their carcasses without making a big deal about it. This is important because I have a gift for screaming like a banshee when I think I've found one. However, since we had the bug bomb go off in our apartment, I usually end up accusing little bits of black yarn of having spider-like qualities. 
5. Aaron's distaste for the Beatles may be curable. Yes, my friends, in the last week or so, I have found Aaron humming "Penny Lane" around the apartment and fingering through the Beatles piano book he gave me for my birthday. There just might be hope for him yet, folks.
6. Living with your best friend in the entire world is the coolest thing on the planet. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

And just for funsies, one of my favorite pictures of the big day! My photographer is pretty much the coolest person in the world. Amy Dixon, look her up. She's getting married in a few months! Just too adorable. 

                        

I love these women. A sister from birth, a sister brought into this family through marriage, a sister from childhood, and sisters from my own marriage. Isn't life beautiful? I love you all.

What a Sweet Night

I had my bridal shower last Thursday, and well, it was simply lovely. My wonderful sister-in-law Bri sent out beautiful invitations and graciously planned and cooked, with the help of a great family friend, April Blodgett!

 

Check out these beautiful poppy seed cake and white chocolate drizzled strawberries. Poppy seed  cake has to be my favorite type of cake. I would make this all the time if poppy seeds weren't so dang expensive!

 

Bri made a variety delicious cocktail-style drinks (minus the alcohol, of course. No need to be concerned.), complete with Kool Aid edges on the glasses!

This drink was probably my favorite. Apparently, you can separate colors in drinks according to their sugar content! It's kind of like this! And it's in my wedding colors. Adorbs.

Staying classy.

Are you ready for this? Banana split bites. Yes, there is actually ice cream inside those frozen bananas. Oh my goodness. So delicious! Apparently they are not an easy feat, but well worth the taste!

Refreshing.

 Chocolate pudding+raspberries+whipped cream+many delicious things. So good.

A castle of little salt taffy containers to take home.

Lights in jars everywhere. In love. It was simply a dream! I'm so grateful for everyone who came! 13 days!

Oh Hello, Old Friend!

I've been thinking a lot about wedding dresses lately. It's understandable, of course, as I am knee-deep in wedding plans continuously, thinking about the color of tablecloths and the different foods will be at the reception. It is also due to the fact that the TV show, "Say Yes to the Dress" is on Netflix and it's my go-to I-don't-want-to-think-about-homework-or-life-right-now-so-just-let-me-watch-something-frivilous activity. Watching the different episodes and the different brides they showcase, I understand why bridal consultants love their jobs so much. There is something so special about picking out your wedding dress and being a part of that process for so many different brides, helping them find the one they love must be so satisfying! There are many different reactions when the bride knows their dress is the one. Some cry, others can't stop smiling, and others are more quiet in their contentment.

When I finally chose my dress, I felt more of the quiet happiness. It seems quite unusual for me seeing as I tend to be overly emotional about everything under the moon (no joke), and so my reaction to the dress surprised even me. I had been spending a wonderful day with my mom and my sister, Allison, going to several different stores and picking a favorite from each store I went to. I was feeling generally pleased with the dresses I had seen but I felt like I should keep looking. Then I found the dress. From the moment I tried it on, my mom helping me zip and button everything, I felt so peaceful. Walking out to show my sister and my consultant the dress, it's hard to describe my emotions of the dress. It wasn't excitement, per se, or even overwhelming emotion; it was a continuous swell of acknowledgement. This is my dress. It was made for me! Looking in the mirror, it really begins to hit you: this is the dress I will wear when I get married. I fell in love with the dress in an instant and I knew no other dress would compare. As we walked back to my dressing room, my mom and I agreed that this dress seemed to contain the essence of personality, of who I am. I didn't really know that this is what I was looking for until that very moment I found it! We ended up going to one more appointment we had already scheduled that day, but I knew that I had already found my dress.

Waiting for my dress to be shipped has been a long process for me. There were lots of moments of questioning if it will look the same or whether it will fit just right; did I make the right decision? I was on pins and needles until I finally got the phone call: "Rachel, your dress just arrived today." I was ecstatic!

I picked my dress up from the bridal store on Tuesday and it was a wonderful feeling. As I opened the bag to see it for the first time in about 2 months, it felt like I was greeting an old friend. Trying my own dress on initially in the dressing room, even though it is a little big and it still has alterations that need to be done to it, it truly felt like it was my dress. It wasn't some sample that I would have to give back; this is the dress I get to take home with me! I am anxious to finally start the fitting appointments in just 2 weeks but I know that it will turn out just as I have imagined.

That's why I love watching "Say Yes to the Dress". It's about watching and sharing numerous brides' wonderful "aha" moment; we're really getting married! It's going to be beautiful.

Now Run Around Like a Crazy Person!

It has been far too long since I have posted on here. My dear mother was kind enough to remind me of this fact yesterday:

 To my credit, I have a few excuses. Working 20 hours a week, attending 2 classes, planning a wedding, attempting to remain social with my friends, and lots of family time. It has been one crazy spring semester! I have had so many blessings these past few weeks, it's seriously a miracle.

1) I have managed to survive these classes. I'm currently taking my upper level grammar class and I am finishing up my last French class EVER! Hold on. Is this real life? I ask myself that often. It's not that I hate French, I just hate how much time I spend on a class that isn't directly linked to my major. But in just 3 days, I shall be done forever! Ah blissful day! Considering that it's summer, beautiful weather and no one else seems to be taking classes around me except for one of my roommates, my motivation to study has not been significantly high the past few weeks. In spite of that. I have managed to do well on my tests and assignments and I with a bit of hard work this week, I should finish this semester in good graces. I am fully aware of the Lord's hand in my life as He has helped me with these tests.

2) I just got the job of my college career. The best part is I didn't even know I was applying for it! My boss at my custodial job, Renea, told us a week ago that she leaving to go to Seattle to pursue her career goals. We are all really excited for her but to be honest, she was one of the last things tying me to that job. My job has been wonderful this past year because it has given me so much flexibility with school and health problems. However, I have aspired to graduate with some more relevant job experience to put on my resumé. Then I found the job. I applied for an Administrative Assistant position but while I was explaining my experience with editing, he offered me a different position! I am currently the editor for the Ancient Text department through the Maxwell Center and I'll be spending the summer editing a book that is up for publication and I will be spending the rest of the year working with the publications department on their various publications. It all hit me when I asked how long the job would last and he said in his charming British accent, "Ideally, forever. Or at least until you graduate."

Stars began to flash before my eyes and it really hit me: I'm going to help publish books. This is my dream! It was impossible to keep a smile off my face as I accepted the job and floated all the way home. Did I mention that it is a 30 second walk from my apartment right now?

3) My biggest blessing in my life is my wonderful fiancé. He's my best friend and he helps me through everything. He's helping me reestablish my study habits by going to the library with me 2 hours a day while he studies for the GMAT, eats dinner with me almost every night, listens to all of my stories, laughing at my jokes (even the ones that aren't funny), and letting me cry on his shoulder when the pressures get too big. It has been a difficult semester in some respects, simply due to the pressures of planning and studying and trying to maintain work hours. I have heard it said before, but once you start making incredible decisions like preparing for a mission or getting engaged, the world seems to fight against you and tries to stop you. Despite the pressures and stress, I know that nothing can stop me in my pursuit of happiness. With my family, loved ones and my Savior on my side, I know that I cannot fail.

61 days until I become Rachel Taylor. The goal is in sight!

With All of My Heart

Let's flashback to my freshman year of college. 

I was a chipper 18-years-old, fresh out of Eldorado High School and I thought I knew everything there was to know about life. I felt confident about myself, sure about my major and college plan, and more importantly, how my life would turn out. That was before I met Aaron.

Meet my best friend, Aaron Taylor.

He's pretty great. He's tall enough to grab the vegetable oil from the top of the cupboard, he can crack a witty response before you blink an eye, and he's pretty handy with a can opener. But that's not why I love him.

From almost the first day I met him, I had a strong feeling that he was going to be important. I wasn't exactly sure how he would fit into my life but the more I talked to him and learned about who he is, the more I wanted to know about him. In the beginning, it was like most typical crushes: working up the courage to talk to him after band, running home and telling my roommates each time we talked, and lots of joking about our eventual marriage. (We were college freshmen, what can you expect?)

Then a crazy thing happened. In November of 2011, I made the Pep Band for the BYU Men's Basketball team! So did Aaron. I never even thought I'd have a chance at making it so I was blown away at the results! There was only two possible reasons for this miraculous event: fate or pure luck. I prefer to think that it was fate.

It was a magical season watching Jimmer Fredette light up the basketball court and sitting next to Aaron all season long. Those games were the highlight of my week and we got to travel around with the team during conference season! It was simply a dream come true!

Towards the end of the school year, I was walking by the Wilkinson Center ticket counter and without even knowing it, I found myself buying two tickets to the comedy group on campus, Divine Comedy. Before I had a chance to really think about it, I was asking Aaron to go with me! He took me to dinner before hand and after lots of laughter and a wonderful night, I was already a goner. I had never had so much fun on a date in my entire life! Every other date paled in comparison!

Over the summer I spent in Albuquerque, we talked on the phone once a week for a few weeks and I couldn't wait to go back to Provo! When I returned, after a few wonderful dates, we were, as my dad would call it, "going steady". After 8 months, a few bumps and hitches, and a lot of wonderful memories, I was more in love than I ever thought was possible.

After a year and 8 months of knowing each other, 8 months dating, I can't imagine my life without him by my side. Lucky for me, I don't have to!

Aaron wrote a clever play detailing the different aspects of our relationship and the events that led to this point as we role played our former selves. Ending with what he had already done that day, Aaron knelt down and I began to cry. All of my life, I have been waiting for that moment when I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I knew the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Someone to laugh with and who could lift me up when I'm sad. Someone to finish my sentences and someone to inspire me everyday. Someone to love for all eternity. I was looking right at him.

I said yes! My life feels like a fairy tale, not because it's perfect and that it's always easy but because everything is worth it! You know what the best part is? Our story is just beginning.