Day 5! Embracing the Future

    Brian started moving his stuff into the apartment today. I started packing my things in boxes and taking down ALL my stuff on my walls to my room. Now my room is so empty it echoes. Ha. I am really excited to move in to our new apartment and to just have my own place.... But I'm super nervous to move away from a group of girls... to a guy. Ya, I know! I had to take a big breath on that one! Brian is so wonderful and I know he will be such a great husband, but there is still this mysterious nature about giving up the single life and providing for yourself. It will be one big adventure though and no matter my fears, I'm ready to embrace it with Brian.

     I will have to get some pictures on here soon of the apartment. It's pretty cute! One bedroom, One bath, and a family room with a really small box kitchen, but it will be perfect for us for a few months. My sister and brother-in-law are letting us use some of their furniture and Brian's parents are letting us use a bed so we will be all set to go! Home sweet home will soon be awaiting us! :)

Day 6! HoneyMOON

    So.... Drum roll.. The moment you've all been waiting for... Just kidding.. the moment I've been waiting for! The HONEYMOON! :) We are going on a Carnival Cruise! We will be in Key West a week from tomorrow.. then it will be onto Grand Caymans to Stingray City and last to Jamaica to climb Dunns River Falls! Ya Mon! :) Check out these pictures and feel free to be jealous that I will be there in a week! :)

Day 7! "I love to see the temple, I went inside today..."

     I had the most amazing experience today! I got to go to the temple with my family, Brian's family, and of course.. the best man in the world! Brian! What a wonderful experience it was to finally be able to go inside and partake of the sacred blessing that I was able to receive. Wow.. I absolutely loved every minute of it! I am thrilled to be married in this wonderful place in ONE MORE WEEK!

    After the temple both families went to Olive Garden (My Favorite Restaurant) to have some grub. One of the prettiest sights to see was my family now, combined with my future Larson family, and then having Brian sitting right next to me. It really brought tears to my eyes. There was just so much love there.

    Then it was off to my house to do some laundry for Brian and I and then he took off for Logan for his Bachelor party. I stayed back at my house and had some good friends come over to chat and enjoy my last Saturday single. Brian's party apparently went well. The boys went to the last USU home basketball game where of course, we won. Then it was off to Golden Coral for the big boy meal.. aka.. see who can stuff themselves full the slowest. Then they watched some guy movie.. you know, the ones with lots of action and cool cars? Typical Mandate. Haha ONE WEEK PEOPLE! Bah! :)

Day 8! Game Night with the Johnsons

    This is the cute Johnson Family! Brian and I drove down to Layton to have a fun game night with them. Sarah is his oldest sibling. She's married to an awesome guy named Brett and they have two little boys, Hunter and Kyler. She is pregnant now with her third son who is due May 10. They are such a fun and adventurous family. Brett and Sarah both have the most AMAZING voices! :) Brett is in the play Secret Garden starting this next weekend playing in the Heritage playhouse in Perry. I hope to go watch him and his great talent!
    Sarah is the person that I am always compared to. Brian has told me from day 1 that I remind him of her and the more I'm around her, the more I realize that I am thankful to be compared to such a beautiful and awesome person. She is so friendly and outgoing and such a sweetheart. I really can't wait to be apart of this family!

Day 9! Bachelorette Party

     Tonight my friends surprised me by taking me to Chili's for a little party! Through lots of chips&salsa and chocolate molten cake we laughed and chatted and I got some... fun gifts ;) We had such a party and it was just really fun to be with all the girls! Brian has a bachelor party this Saturday.. So he'll be getting his fun this weekend with his boys. :) 9 days... It couldn't be more real that this is happening! :)

Day 10! His RING!

    We picked up Brian's ring today! It was $29 bucks but yet I love the look of it! Our rings look so great together! :) Pretty much! WE LOOK SO GREAT TOGETHER! :)

Day 11! It's Official!

    I went to the Stake President today and got my recommend completely signed and ready for this Saturday when I have the opportunity to receive my endowments in the Ogden Temple! The Ogden Temple goes under construction in April so I really wanted to receive my endowments in this temple. This is my temple that I've grown up with and really the place that I received my personal testimony on temples. So it has significant meaning to me and I really can't wait until this Saturday! :) Woot!

Before...

In the Future...

Day 12! Bridals

Raquel got this on her phone :)

    We got our pictures done today! After a weekend of tons of snow I was so grateful for the sun peeking between the clouds. It was an overcast day and PERFECT for pictures. I got all ready in the morning and then drove down to my sister Camille's new house to meet her. She and Ben moved in last night and we are just so excited to have them here in Utah! Woot! Brian had already driven home to South Jordan to pick up a few things, so I hoped in the car with my cousin Tiff, Raquel, and Camille and we headed down to Salt Lake. I got dressed at the conference center and waited to meet Brian. My zebra sash worked out great, though you can't tell from the above picture. Brian looked smashing in his black tux, pink vest, and zebra tie. We looked pretty awesome, or in Brian's words "Ridiculously Good-Looking!"
    Well the rest of the day was pretty fun, though I felt bad. First off I was freezing cold, I couldn't feel my fingers, next I had major cramps and was trying very hard to keep a smile on, next I got a lovely cold this weekend and so between the running noses of me and Brian and our boogery kisses I was getting a little snappy. (Sorry for the detail) Poor Brian, he had never seen me that way before. He still put up with me and made me feel special just proving what a wonderful man I have chosen to marry!
    Camille was once again my lovely photographer, and I am so grateful to have her. She just has so much style and flare in her pictures and she really just makes taking pictures that much better. Tiff and Raquel were the dress poofers (making sure my dress was always spread out) and Brian just looked good. After pictures it was off to Cafe Rio for some long awaited grub. I thank my Father in Heaven that it all turned out so well and that I am surrounded my wonderful family that love me no matter how ornery I am! :)

Day 13! It's A Love Thing...

Here is the link to my Love Story video!

Check it out because it is way cute! :)

http://aubmarieproductions.com/?p=334.

Day 14! Shower #4

    My friends Mariah Tippets, Jessica Jenkins, Heather Hogge, and Chrysti Huntsman put on a friend shower for me which turned out so great! It was a blast to see everyone and see what had been going on in their lives as well as mine! All these girls are just so much fun and I've really missed seeing all their gorgeous faces while I've been up at Utah State.
    After the shower, Brian and I took went with my dad to one of my favorite restaurants Tepanyaki for some sushi and then went to the movie Unknown, which we all loved. You should go see it! It kept us on the edge of our seats! (Or at least me!) TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY and I'm getting hitched! :)

Day 15! 101 Things I love about Anna!

    (Once again... This is BRIAN!) Well since Anna wrote a list about the qualities she was looking for in a future husband and claims I portray them...I decided to write a short list about the things I love about her.

1.       Her Testimony

2.       Her love for her family

3.       Her love of the Lord

4.       Her willingness to obey

5.       The wonderful attitude she has about the Gospel

6.       Her smile :)

7.       Her Beautiful blue eyes

8.       Her blonde hair

9.       Her willingness to try new things

10.    The way she treats her family

11.    The way she treats me

12.    How wonderfully she interacts with my family

13.    The way she treats everyone

14.    Her willingness to change and be better

15.    Her humility

16.    Her diligence

17.    Her forgiving nature

18.    Her willingness to forgive me

19.    Her simple faith in God

20.    The beautiful way she prays

21.    Her hope in the future

22.    Her hope in me

23.    Her radiant smile :)

24.    How patient she is with me

25.    How she loves to care for others

26.    How she does small acts of kindness habitually

27.    Her love for animals

28.    Her loving demeanor

29.    The way she makes everyone feel special

30.    The respect she has for everyone

31.    The reverence she shows to God

32.    Her love of the scriptures

33.    Her love for her patriarchal blessing

34.    How drop dead gorgeous she is

35.    Her love for children

36.    Her willingness to learn

37.    Her ability to learn quickly

38.    Her ambition to do right

39.    Her ambition in school

40.    That she doesn’t sleep in too much

41.    Her brilliant white smile :)

42.    How she gives compliments to strangers

43.    Her outgoing nature

44.    That she is always non-judgemental

45.    Her ability to understand others

46.    Her willingness to understand me and my point of view

47.    Her love of nature

48.    How easy it is to pleas her

49.    How adventurous she is

50.    That she’ll talk with me about anything

51.    That’s she talkative (I need a talker as a wife)

52.    How cuddly she is

53.    That she’s fun to be around

54.    How she reminds me of my mom and sisters, in a good way.

55.    Her magnificently sweet voice

56.    How she always wants to pray

57.    How she always wants to do what she feels is right, no matter what.

58.    The nice things she does for me

59.    Her ability to look cute no matter what

60.    That she likes boating

61.    That she’ll let me chill with the guys

62.    Her ability to light up the room with her smile :)

63.    Her ability to cook

64.    Her willingness to compromise

65.    That she keeps me on the straight and narrow

66.    Her habits of scripture study and prayer

67.    How small she is

68.    That she’ll dance with me anywhere

69.    That she’ll let me carry her

70.    Her vibrant spirit

71.    That she motivates me to be better

72.    Her laugh

73.    Her giggle

74.    That she’ll let me tickle her

75.    Her feisty nature

76.    Her sweet spirit

77.    Her ability to help others

78.    Her faith in the priesthood

79.    That she always wants to attend the temple

80.    Her friendliness

81.    Her work ethic

82.    Her willingness to communicate openly

83.    Her ability to make me recognize my faults

84.    That she wants to make others happy

85.    That she wants to make me happy

86.    That she always strive to choose the right

87.    Her heart melting smile :)

88.    That she takes care of herself

89.    Her body

90.    That she’s smarter than me

91.    That she does her best in everything

92.    That she keeps a journal

93.    Her optimism

94.    That she looks for the good in everyone

95.    That she has a good relationship with her family

96.    That she has a good relationships with God

97.    How she loves me

98.    That she never “elevates” herself above others

99.    That she considers other peoples need before her own

100.That she’s mine!

101.That she’s my beautiful, gorgeous, unbelievably wonderful, heart throbbing, fabulous, fantastic, lovely, admirable, adorable, attractive, tantalizing, eye-catching, pleasant, knock-your-socks off, glorious fiancé (soon to be wife)

Day 16! Marriage License

    (Yep, it's Brian again!) This morning we went to the County Clerks office and did the unthinkable... we got our marriage license!  It's really going to happen!  I am going to be marrying the most beautiful girl I have ever seen!  Seems too good to be true.  It was pretty simple, give them some information about ourselves, pay a little money (which the lady almost forgot) and then raise our hands and swear the information is correct.  With that we had our license to wed!  It's official, she can't get out now. 

Day 17! Tuxedos make Brian look EVEN hotter!

 

Wow, I guess I can look good.  

    (This is Brian again!) Today the good weather ended.  It has been nice and sunny recently, giving Anna hope that we'll have a nice sunny wedding day.... but alas old man winter is not done yet.  It snowed like crazy today!  As you can see, we went tuxedo shopping.  I got to try on a few different coat styles and we choose what we liked best.  At the wedding I will be wearing a zebra stripped tie with a pink vest.  It's going to be a unique yet cool outfit.  

    After this, I went to the Aggie basketball game with my old roommates where it was great to see the Aggies destroy yet another victim.  Also at the game Tai Wesley broke the backboard doing a slam dunk.  First time I've ever seen that.  Then while they were trying to fix the backboard, they broke the replacement and had to roll out a completely new basketball hoop to play on for the rest of the game. Sweet stuff right? After the game I had to drive back to Anna's to say goodnight to my beautiful AnnaBelle.

Day 18! "I'm going there Someday!"

    I went to the temple with my roommates today while Brian went with his friend Jaron and his wife Olympia to do a session. I seriously just love the temple, there is just such a different feeling there. I later had my interview with the bishop for my temple recommend.. I have such a great bishop, one who really inspires me and I feel very honored to be in his presence. When I left his office, I was pretty emotional about the recommend I was holding in my hands. This gets more and more real by the day! My view of the temple is widening and I can't wait to go and receive my endowments in less that two weeks!

Day 19! Happy Valentine's Day

Outside the Library someone put flags in the shape of a heart.

    Hello, This is Brian! Today was the day of love! St. Valentine's Day!  I worked all night the night before so when I came home from work I started cooking some cream cheese eggs, and went to Anna's and gave her breakfast in bed.  She doesn't like breakfast foods in general, so that's all I could make her.  Anyways, I knew Anna had lots of studying to do today so I had already planned to give her a day of love later in the week. We went and got Anna's ring sized and we bought me a ring! Weird... I don't know if I'm going to like wearing one but I can get used to it! Besides that it was another normal day, and every day is a day of love for us!  haha. 

Day 20! 3rd Shower!

    So today I was sitting in relief society in Brian's ward in South Jordan and we were having a lesson on service in which we each received a cute little magnetic heart that we were to leave when we did an act of service. As I was sitting there in I couldn't help but look at his mom, Laurie. What a great person to be sitting next to during that lesson. She is such a great example to me. 

    Since I've known her she has been working on two huge,very time-consuming, and SUPER charitable projects. She has been helping two of her good friends, who are both single mothers, with moving out  and helping her find a place to live, and then painting and remodeling a kitchen. She has devoted so much of her time into these serviceable acts that as I have talked with her and helped with her I see how she humbly serves them with all her heart. As you can probably tell, I'm pretty darn blessed to be coming into such a wonderful family. I can't wait. I commented about Laurie in the class and got so darn emotional. She is such a fabulous person and I surely hope that I can learn from her and at least be a 1/4 the person she is.

    After church it was off to Grandma Smith's house for a little family get-together and a small shower with Brian's cousin Misty and her fiance who is getting married in Hawaii the week after Brian's and mine's wedding. I love Brian's relatives, they are just so funny when they get together. This wedding is going to be fun haha

Day 21! Shower #2

    I got up this morning around 9:30 thinking that my Aunt's shower was around 2. I took my time to eat some breakfast when my little sister came in and said we were leaving in 15 minutes. Paha perfect! I scrambled to get ready and we drove down to my aunt's house in North Ogden.We arrived just as others were arriving as well. The theme for the shower was "Firsts." So everyone was given a 'first' such as 'first laundry','first power outage','first plumbing incident','first time at the beach' etc. 

    What a fun shower it was to see the whole family of girls all together. We had a delicious brunch and then opened gifts where I got asked questions about Brian to see how well I knew him. Apparently my short courtship paid off because I know him pretty well!

    After the shower Brian and I took off to go hang out with his best friend growing up, Matt Allen, and his wife, Katherine. We went to Red Robin and ended up staying there for a few hours talking and catching up. When we said goodbye it was back to Brian's parents house to get some sleep for the next day with the family! Here is my announcement! :) I love it because it's so simple and perfect! I've actually had a lot of people copy the design of it which is great with me!:)


Front





Back



Day 22! Shopping.. ALL DAY LONG!

     My mom and I got up this morning to get the majority of our errands done for the wedding. We started the day out around 10:30 because we spent a good 45 minutes chasing our dog all over the backyard trying to get him into his pen. We first stopped at the Distribution Center to buy my temple dress and shoes. What a wonderful experience that was. My mom and I were both emotional and I couldn't believe that this day is actually coming so soon. I gave her a hug and couldn't help but think about how all the sudden I didn't want to get married anymore. I don't want to leave my family---and my mom especially! Since I was little I always have heard about how much more one appreciates their parents once they get married. I've seen it more then ever before and I'm just so grateful for them and all they have done for me.
    The day continued and we ran more errands, buying hair accessories, make-up, scarfs, etc.. There was just so much to do. We went to buy a bouquet, but found them to be super expensive and so we started looking for other options. We went to JoAnn's and Michael's and found some beautiful fake flowers there. We decided we'd put them together ourselves. So that was our conclusion! Later on Brian drove down from Logan and met us at the grocery store where I jumped in the car with him and he surprised me by taking me ice skating! :) He's a doll and SOOO good to me! What a fun and busy day! Tomorrow makes 3 weeks!

Day 23! The First Shower!

     I had another embarrassing moment believe it or not. I was in good old English class again and we were discussing the events in Cairo with the Dictator who was suppose to be resigning today and how it was odd that he hadn't announced it yet. My dad called about something for the temple. So I left my class to quickly talk to him and when I returned I bumped into those darn desks and caused a domino effect as each one tumbled on top of the other. I picked them up with help from a few members in my class as they chuckled at me and I said, "I just don't have very good luck with these things!" I sat down in my chair a little flustered, but not bad and the teacher went on about the dictator. 

    Well at that moment I got a text from my mom about Jerry Sloan resigning and without hesitating I announced to my classmates and teacher, "The Dictator just resigned! My mom just texted me saying, 'Jerry Sloan just resigned...'" Everyone in the class busted up laughing and I felt the color flood to my face. Shoot! What did I say wrong? I looked down at the text once more and then back up at my teacher as he said wiping a tear from his cheek, "Oh! I didn't know that the Dictator coached the Jazz!" And then it hit me and I wanted to melt away... I will never live this down.

    Anyway, I left class early and was very grateful to because I wanted to get out of that embarrassing situation ASAP! I dread going back to that class on Tuesday because who knows what will happen next! I drove home with Tessa Zenger, chatting the whole way about life, and boys, and marriage. I went to my ward shower that night which was so fun but way odd that it was actually for me! I got some cute stuff that will surely help Brian and I out in our future together. Our good friend Joyce had to dress me up in the wrapping paper and in her words, "Give me the figure that I wish I had" as stuffed paper in my shirt and down my pants! These pictures don't show how I looked very well, but it was pretty funny.