BFFs

I am so blessed to have such amazing friends. Case and point {from our g chat conversation}:

Jessica:  ok, anyway, i have to go teach, but just to recap our conversation -> Hermione should have used the time turner to sleep more---> Hufflepuff is great because they have normal lives -> normal life is great when you get to see your husband in the evening -> you are a crazy bride in the evenings --> i'm going to give Mary my dna -> invitations, thank you notes, christmas cards -> christmas is the best.

 

Me:  Oh wow, I love us!!!!!

 

Where would I be without people like this who know me oh so well, and still love me?!?! 

 

P.S. Happy Halloween

P.P.S. I promise to return to my blog when my life returns to 'normal'.

The Engagement Story

Though we had spoken about marriage, gone ring shopping and I knew the engagement was coming, sweet Chance really wanted the engagement to be a surprise. And Surprise it was!

A month in advance Chance had planted the idea in my head that Make – A – Wish was having a special open house for family and friends towards the end of the month and asked me if I was interested… and of course I was!

A night or two before he proposed Chance told me he thought he would have the ring by the next week, and I would only have to keep our little secret a week longer, little did I know the ring was on its way. Just to throw me off the path a little more, the day of the proposal Chance texted me to ask if I really wanted to go tour Make - A - Wish like we had planned. He had a meeting there that night and said I could meet him if I wanted, but if I wasn’t in the mood then he would just come meet me after his meeting. He seemed so nonchalant about it all, that I would never have guessed that was the night. :)

When I got there we wandered around and looked at the main floor and the grounds. It was so fun! We talked to one of the gals he works with granting wishes and she asked if it was my first time there and said she wanted to take our picture. I love pictures so I was game. When Chance put his hand around me it was FREEZING! This is a big deal because I have never known Chance to be cold the whole time we've dated. This should have been a clue that something was up!

When we went upstairs I saw a room that was changing colors - literally. It had a wood door, but there is a little window you can sort of see through and I could see the room lighting up and changing. I asked Chance what was in that room and asked to go in. He said it was the wishing room and he would show me how they do it with the kids.

You can see my silhouette in the window.  This is when Chance is proposing.  

 So he took me to a table and gave me a key to the door, and a medal canister that the children get to put their wish in. We then went in the room and he walked me through the process they do with the kids. The floor lights up and you walk around a waterfall and then the lights lead you to the spot where you put your wish. After I put the wish in I asked what happened to it from that point forward. He said that the wish granters would come back and get the wish, but that I could open it and see where the kids put the wish. So I opened it up (actually I tried, but I couldn't do it so he had to loosen it for me and then I opened it). When I took the lid off I could see a paper inside and I then knew what was happening! It was a Make-A-Wish paper that said it was a wish from Chance for Starlee and that his wish for me was for me to be his wife… I read it and looked up and he was getting down on his knee and then he asked me to marry him.

As I mentioned before – I said YES! :)

As we walked out of the room some of his friends from Make –A - Wish were standing there to take our pictures.

When we went back outside he had arranged for my mom to come pick up my car so we could drive up to Ruths Diner for dinner - that was our 1st real date together. :) He also had beautiful flowers for me - daisies, my favorite, and a stack of letters. One for each week until our wedding. They are love notes with a clue as to where our honeymoon destination is. So so thoughtful!

It was the perfect night, and as usually happens at Make – A – Wish, my dream came true!

I said YES!

Don't you worry, the story is on it's way! But for now just know that I am one happy lady to be engaged to this phenomenal man! 

Life is good Ladys & Gents! Life is Good! 

The Club

Those of you who are redheads know what i'm taking about - The Redhead Club.  Those of you who are not redheads {or fake redheads} may not believe me, but i'm hear to tell you there is a special club among this little group that I LOVE being a part of.

This morning as I got in the elevator at the parking  garage, I happened to look over at the middle-aged woman in the elevator with me.  She was a redhead, who was obviously dyeing her hair and had some roots growing in, but I could tell that she was a true redhead. (Redheads can usually tell if you're just trying to fake membership in the club.) She was wearing a lovely lilac colored shirt and black pants...I just happened to be wearing a lilac shirt and a black skirt.  We immediately started chatting like old friends.  People getting in the elevator after us must have thought we knew each other by the way we were talking and laughing.

Just like that, a bond between two strangers... it's kind of like finding out you were in the same sorority in college, or maybe it's like noticing you're from the same small town, or maybe it's not like that at all.  What I do know is that there is usually a special bond between redheads.  The outside world may not always see it, but the redheads feel it, and it's a wonderful group to be a part of.

No time for blogging...

Last week I didn't have any time for blogging because I was busy spending every extra minute with this guy:

Oh goodness he's fun.  I smile more, laugh harder, sleep less, and enjoy life more when this guy is around.  After 25 years of practice Sky knows how to push my buttons!  He teases me like crazy in a way that only a little brother could get away with.

He also spends hours at night just talking with me about any random subject we come upon.  And when i've finally gotten to the 'mumble stage' when my sentences are no longer coherent we finally slip off to sleep.

Now he's off to live his dreams in the shiny state of California, and the Holman house is considerably quieter.

WiCkEd

{source}

Oh, I am SUCH a lucky girl! 

My man certainly knows how to spoil me, I can't believe I got to see Wicked from the BEST seats in the house.  

Chances cute parents got to see it for the first time, and we all got to see it in honor of Sally (for her birthday). 

I was so excited to see this show, and it was even better than I remembered it - probably because I got to sit next to this good looking guy! 

Drumroll please….

As of Monday I am no longer 'the intern'. I will be employed at Zions Bank, a fact that I couldn’t be happier about!

The job combines my background in communications, a little PR, some production and acting/broadcast journalism, and cause marketing which means working with nonprofits in my favorite way possible – finding ways to give people money!

Could there be a better fit for me? I argue, there could not! 

I miss these boys!

 I must admit that I’m a pretty lucky girl.  Not everyone has 6 fantastic brothers like I do.  Sometimes I miss the ones I don’t see on a regular basis, and so I must resort to watching random videos of them to get my fix…

If you’re missing Sky you can watch him in this latest Mormon Message – great message from a wonderful talk and there just happens to be a handsome redhead in it too:

Mormon Message

Or you can watch this trailer for a movie coming this Christmas:

12 Dogs of Christmas 

If you’re missing Landen check out this cute commercial for USANA that we just got from TMG:

Old USANA commercial 

Or you can watch them both in this clip, one of my favorites:

UVU Commercial 

Ahh, I just love technology and the ability to see my brothers even when they’re far away. :) 

Summer Adventures

It's been a little while since I updated the blog...Not because of a shortage of adventures, but in fact just the opposite.

I would like to start with a little adventure called craw fishing... Yes, I did that. Let me just walk you through this adventure, it begins at some lake up behind Heber where we get out in the pouring rain, tie raw chicken legs to a piece of string, walk out onto the doc where we then toss the chicken in and wait for about 30 seconds.  You then pull the chicken leg up just above the water and collect the craw fish off the chicken with a net, then dump them in a bucket (if you miss the bucket you have to pick the little buggers up behind the pincher's and toss them in with the others).  Repeat... a lot!

I know many of you are in a bit of disbelief right now.  I unfortunately don't have any pictures of this, and if you don't believe me I understand. Chance will vouch for me though.  I was very brave throughout the whole process.  I even {drum roll please} ate the little shrimp-like things.  I will admit that I could not de-shell (or whatever you call ripping the body apart to get to the meat) the little guys, but I ate quite a few of them after Chance prepared them for me.

To round out the adventure I slept in a tent in the woods - 'real camping' as Chance refers to it. All in all it was a great time.  I hear this is an annual event. I'll be sure to get pictures next time so you can all re-live this particular adventure with me... or you can just come, there was plenty of craw fish for everyone! :)

Somewhat less dramatic but just as fun was our recent trip to the Rodeo.  Ahhh the fond memories of the Days of '47 Rodeo.  Even though it's in a different arena, it's just as fun, and the cowboys are just as cute (for my friends to look at of course)! ;)

Chance was a good sport to spend a night out with the girls.

 Next was my recent introduction to soccer. Now, i'm pretty sure i've been to a few soccer games in my life.  Obviously there have been a few amateur games with my brothers and maybe a professional game, though I don't remember ever really getting that into it.  

Sitting next to an old pro was so much fun! I got a play-by-play description of what was going on, why it happened, what rule was important to the play and what to look for.  It reminded me of my introductory days to football, however I can see myself enjoying soccer way more than football. 

(Jessica, please don't hate me.)  

Another reason i've decided Real Soccer might be THE team for Chance and I to cheer for is their obvious determination to join Utes and Cougars alike in their team color choice. ;)

Other than that, I work... a whole new adventure that i'm loving! Couldn't be happier.

I just LOVE  summer!

PS - This wasn't my adventure, but my dad was in Argentina to work on the temple, and just guess who he ran into/tracked down.

 Loven' me some Elder Holman time vicariously through my daddy dearest.

Lake Powell and Birthday Celebrations

A few weeks ago my lovely family went on a little adventure known as Lake Powell.  On this trip there was much boating, burning, and bonding. 

And after all, isn't that what a successful family vacation consists of?

Me {being flag girl as usual}, Brock {trying to stand up on the knee board because chance said he'd give him $20 if he could do it}, Chance {asking why my family takes so many pictures}, and Coleson{being the adorable boy he is and waiting ever so patiently for his turn}. 

Look at all those smiles and freckles!

Dear Daddy informed us that he used to be quite a pro on the ski's and is now ready to try out the wake board and show us all how it's really done. 

Vacationing can be exhausting...

My man, being hot... in every sense of the word. Turns out that he really really likes cool weather, of which we saw none of!

Brock and Chance on the infamous tube... sorry your ride was so dang long boys. 

Jaden out for an afternoon stroll - turns out he's quite the fish {as long as he has his life jacket on}.

Enjoying an evening swim! 

Now, my birthday was actually on the Monday before Lake Powell, but in true Holman fashion we celebrated the Sunday after.

I had star shaped sugar cookies with fresh fruit - my latest summer obsession. 

And of course, a Holly-Cake with lots of frosting and candles. :) 

{I would like to mention that  I actually celebrated my birthday on the day of my supposed birth with my very thoughtful boyfriend.  Among all the things he did for me that day, he made it possible for me to see one of my best friends one last time before she starts her job in Chile.  What a thoughtful man I have, and what a wonderful way to start out my 25th year! :)}

Change your perspective

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - These are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.” 

― C.S. Lewis, Weight of Glory

Manti and GNO

This weekend was rather eventful with lots and lots of pictures, so I thought I beter do a quick update.

On Friday night I went to the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti with Chance. I love going to the pageant. Even though there are some sort of cheesy parts, I still get excited to go. Chance was a good sport to go sit on a cold hard chair for 3 hours just so I could watch the show.... he was less of a good sport about having his picture taken, and therefore there are no visuals for this part of my weekend.

But don't you worry - the next part of my weekend was full of pictures!

Every other month, a few of my sorority sisters get together for a dinner group which usually results in us sitting around and talking long into the night and wondering why we don't meet every month because we obviously need to see each other more often! 

Last night it was Jessicas turn to host, and as she is living at Brighton Girls Camp for the summer {her and Doug are the maintenance couple} we had the lovely privilege to have our GNO at Camp. 

Mary, Rachel and I decided to head up early for a little hiking...

 We had no idea where we were going, so we made up a trail and went exploring.  Though Rachel was a little nervous about bears, we were extremely loud (as Upsilon girls often are) and I don't think any creatures wanted to get in our way.

After hiking we then got to play on the zip-line.  So Much Fun! {Thanks Pixel and Paisley for being such awesome camp staff!}

Pixel was in charge of getting us on the zip line...

Paisley was in charge of getting us off... with a little help from Rachel.

Rachels hardest part was climbing the ladder, but I was there to belay her. 

Erin was a little nervous to jump, but she had fun too! 

Doug was our honorary member of Dinner group for the night - he stood in for Kamille, although he may think twice before ever doing that again - we can get a little crazy!  

Thanks for the lovely evening in the woods ladys (and Doug) it was so much fun! Can't wait for our next dinner! :) 

Cry baby

Source

Well folks, i've been reading a lot lately, and it's been simply delightful. 

I finally read The Hunger Games, and by read I mean devoured. 

It took me a little while to get into the first one because I had to try to recreate characters in my head after already seeing the movie, but once I got the characters just perfect I couldn't be stopped. I read the second and third book in the space of 5 days. 

But on to the real point of this post... I cry over books. 

I'm actually really embarrassed by this because I kind of hate to cry. Mostly I hate to cry in public, which means that I cry more when I read a book than when I go to a movie.

{I'm not going to sit there and cry in front of all those strangers.}

I tend to get really attached to my characters. I feel like I know everything about them because I've put so much of me into them!

I thought this was normal, but after being caught crying over a few different books (Harry Potter, Hunger Games, The Help...) and having those individuals think i'm totally crazy ~ I'm starting to wonder.

Regardless of how normal / crazy this is, I think i'll continue to put my heart and soul into my characters so that I can feel what they feel... and read in private where I can cry freely. ;)

Right now i'm reading an old favorite, Pride and Prejudice, while I decide what new adventure to go on next. Any suggestions?   

A quick update on life

Lets be honest - being out of school has been simply delightful, but i'm ready for a little structure! I have loved having time to spend with Sky before he takes off to Cali and working on projects around the house with my mom is one of my very favorite things ever, but it is now time to start a new chapter of life. A big- girl stage. Also know as full-time employment. oh boy!

Before that little adventure I thought I would catch you up on all the things that have kept me busy while waiting for my background check to clear. {I know - you were all a little worried I wouldn't pass. ;)} And even further back when I was just too swamped to do things like blog about the highlights of my life. 

First a shout-out way back to the end of March at the Administrator of the Year Dinner.  To be totally honest I don't remember much about any of the speakers - just a lovely evening with some of my dearest Provo friends. 

Ben, Dianne, Morgan, Me, Patty, Laura, Matthias

I already miss so many of them, but it's fun to hear all the cool things they are accomplishing and the adventures life is taking us on!

Also end of March - I had the lovely opportunity to go visit the cutest Aggie I know! Thanks Girls for letting me crash your party.

Me & Marry

Jess even let me do homework in the car so that I could fit it all in - I'm not that fun of a road-trip buddy, but Jess is a great friend to let me come anyway. 

little blurry - the security guard is not a photographer in his spare time ;) 

Mary took me to the place my school adventures really began - 24 years ago I was an Aggie! I accompanied my dear daddy to all of his classes his senior year.  Don't worry, he graduated in spite of all of my help.  It was fun to return to a place that I know I spent a lot of time...even if I don't remember it. ;) 

Moving right along... here is a pic from the MPA closing social.  These are my carpool girls, and I was really missing them the other day when I was driving to Provo all on my own.  I wouldn't have made it without them!

Karla, (cute Ruby - honorary member of the carpool), Me, Marianne & Erin 

 Let's see, what else have I been up to in my little break...

We've celebrated birthdays

Gigi is 47...again :)

William is 9... and Jaden couldn't stop from helping blow out the candles 

Had some fun at the park

My favorite is the swing

The little boys actually made themselves sick by spending a little too much time on this

Even Brock had fun

A quick cabin trip

Bowling at the U - turns out my boyfriend is a professional bowler.  He says I bowl like a pageant girl...I don't think that's a compliment.

Me and Chance

Aug and Sky - serious bowlers 

 A fun IC reunion

Me & Rachel aka: TWIN

Sweet Jessi and her adorable son. 

Lots of fun cleaning / organizing projects (cleaning the pond is epic enough that it was documented with pictures - I guess the others weren't).

The pump exploded a couple of times and poor Sky was in the way every time. 

And of course celebrating Mothers Day with a call home from sweet Elder Landy-pants. My dad wasn't there so we had him on one phone and Landen on the other.

So there you go - the grand update on life after graduation.