Impromptu Date Night

Friday night is our usual night out on the town- just me and the hubs.  Last weekend we were kind of running out of ideas for what to do.  We had a gift card to the gateway that Braedon found from when he was fifteen- get this- it still worked!  We knew we'd already started the night off right.  We headed to Happy Sumo for dinner and filled up on sushi and miso soup.  As we were leaving we heard some live music coming from an Art Gallery nearby.  We wandered inside and discovered that they were having a contest between all these new artists and they invited us to cast our vote!  We had fun walking around and eating the (free) cookies provided at the event.  Why did we not know about this guys??  With City Creek being so awesome, we kinda forgot about the Gateway.  After the winner was chosen and they started speeches, we snuck out and headed to barnes and noble.  It's sort of a problem- I could spend days in there!  And also a lot of money.  While we were walking back to our car we stopped at a gum ball station and laughed our heads off trying the most outrageous flavors of gum.  Plus Braedon almost chipped his tooth. 

^^ Five gumballs later... ^^

Finally, we noticed this drink/candy shop on our way out and headed in to purchase a little dessert (I guess you could say I have a sweet tooth -_-).  Little did we know we had hit the jackpot!  This place had over 500 different flavors of sodas, and 

tons of old school/ new school (?) candy!  We left with some spearmint flavored root beer and vintage squirt + sour spaghetti (and a layer of fuzz on our teeth).  I was a happy girl (besides the sugar fuzz).  

^^ Anybody up for some sweet corn & bacon soda?? ^^

What we thought was going to be an ordinary night turned out to be just the opposite!  I love my spontaneous, up-for-anything husband.  

I'm A Nurse: Terminal Illnesses

I have to admit, this post is a little less on the lighter side than my first "I'm A Nurse" entry.  But hey, I never said nursing was perfect!  Lately, this has been on my mind....

What it's like to care for a child with a terminal illness...

*By the way, I'd like to first just recognize the parents of these children.  They provide so much more than us nurses, and are truly heroes in my eyes.

1. You get to forge a unique relationship, one that can't really be explained
2. Many moments become a, "this could be the last", so naturally, you make the most of them.  You allow your patient to eat dessert first, and push aside the veggies- even though you're the nurse and should probably be a better example
3. You do weird dance moves, have thumb wars (even if your patient is supposed to be doing something else, like listening to their teacher), and you try your best to keep the mood light 
4. On that same note, you acknowledge the hard moments and give your patient time to relax.  You don't rush them through therapy, and you cry when they cry
5. You try to give them as many options as possible and let them be the "boss", because they rarely get to choose
6. Your job stops feeling like work
7. You worry about your patient when your not with them 
8.  You cry.  Sometimes you cry when you don't expect to.  
9. You learn to be gentle, to be loving, to be patient, and to not take yourself so seriously
10. You become and expert in whatever hobbies or interests your patient has.  Be it Justin Bieber, NBA basketball stars, or boxing matches
11. You put up with listening to Justin Bieber over and over, just so your patient can memorize the rapping part in "Baby"
12. You cheer when they rap said part perfectly for the first time and have a mini dance party during therapy
13. You think twice about what you'd want to be remembered for
14. You realize your life is easy
15. You find out that there is a place in your heart you never knew you had- you realize this child helped you more than you could ever help them, and that something as simple as a healthy body is a beautiful blessing  
16. You find a new meaning for the resurrection, and look forward to the day you can witness these crippled bodies run, jump, and play
17. You thank Heavenly Father for allowing your life to be changed by such a beautiful spirit  

Our Story: The Dating Game

Disclaimer: If you'd rather not read a long and sappy love post with a ridiculous amount of pictures just stop now.  This is probably way more for my future kiddies anyways. I figure I should have our courting story written down before I start forgetting details...

Three years ago (right around this time) Braedon and I met each other for the first "official" time.  I say "official" because we went to the same high school but didn't know each other.  It's funny to talk about the things we did and the times we probably crossed paths. 

The first time we met it was super snowy, and we had gone bowling with a group of mutual friends.  Braedon literally had been home from his mission for a few days.... I think that might explain his lack of flirting skills.  I remember seeing him smile for the first time and thinking to myself, ok he's really cute.  I put on my best flirting front but the boy was totally clueless.  

^^ that side smile^^

I've since learned that this side smile only comes out when he's nervous.  Even more adorable.  

A week or two later I could NOT get him out of my head!  I just kept thinking about how cute he was!  It was time to take things into my own hands.  I decided I'd go the non-threatening route and write something stupid on his Facebook wall.  I think I said something like this...

"Sooo, when are you gonna let me beat you in bowling again??"

No response.  I was feeling so dumb.  

Still....could NOT stop thinking about him and I did what all girls do but pretend like they don't.  I told his friend, "I think I have a crush on Braedon!  But DON'T tell him!" (Major wink wink).  Shout out to Matt Sullivan for taking the hint and setting things in motion...

The next day Sulli called me up and his exact words were, "What are you doing?  I'm coming to pick you up, we're going over to Braedon's house.  You like him right?"

I was so not prepared.  But also really excited.  

After we got to Braedon's house we decided it would be fun to go walk around Walmart- typical college kids.  As we were piling in Braedon's jeep Sulli found a moment to tell Braedon that I had a crush on him, and apparently his response was, "Oh my gosh, crap!  I didn't even plan anything for the night"  I would later learn that Braedon is a HUGE planner.  

Braedon took this amazing picture of us while goofing off at Walmart.  

When we got back to Braedon's we turned on I Am Legend and before we knew it we were the last ones left there...I think everyone was pining for us to hit it off.  

We talked during the whole movie- poor Braedon- it's his favorite and he was probably wishing I'd just be quiet.  He took me home, and asked for my number....

The next week we went bowling a few more times....

^^ Tae was my trusty wing-woman ^^

And then he asked me on our first date.  He had learned enough about me that he knew what most of my favorite things were.  We went to Olive Garden for dinner (hello salad and breadsticks), walked around the temple (I know, I know), and then went to a haunted house.  It was in April but it was Friday the 13th so they were open! Probably the most random date ever....but also one of the best.  I remember when Braedon got to my house to pick me up I walked down the stairs and he was just awkwardly standing there with one pink carnation in his hand talking to my Dad about our plans for the evening.  I thought it was so adorable.   Braedon claims this was the first time he thought about marrying me... (typical RM)

Almost a month after our first date we both left for some adventures.  I went to India for two weeks, we had a few days together, and then Braedon left to go back to visit Cambodia with his family for two weeks.  We agreed to date other people while the other person was away and decide after we were both home if we wanted to make things official.  I went on one wimpy date with a kid that I knew I wasn't gonna like anyways, I was already sold, but had to play the game.    

When Braedon got home from Cambodia he brought me a few gifts and a really pretty string of pearls.  After that time apart we saw each other almost every day and our dating game started to get serious...  

One thing Braedon started right from the beginning was a weekly date night. And, like I mentioned earlier he always had a PLAN.  I'm more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of person, so having a plan for every date night was new to me- but I loved it.  I always felt spoiled, and special.  His parents taught him well!  

Before my little brother Matt left for his mission we went on a hike and talked a lot about Braedon.  He pretty much gave me the go-ahead which was kind of a big deal.  Matt always had pretty strong opinions about the guys I dated...and by strong I mean he really didn't love any of them haha.  I guess it's only fair- I'm the same way with the girls he dates- protective!  

In June, two days before my brother Matt left for his mission we got a group together and went skydiving.  We literally decided the night before that we wanted to do it.  I called Braedon up and asked if he was in, he was in!  Probably one of the funnest memories we have together.  

That night we had a little family home evening and we all talked about our best memories with Matt- I know, it sounds like a funeral.  People who have sent off family members on a mission know how this is- it's kind of like a funeral haha.  We did fireworks once it got dark and Braedon and I stayed outside cuddling on a blanket in the grass.  That was kind of a summer ritual for us- grab a blanket, lay out on the grass and talk (cough cough and kiss).  Before I knew it, Braedon was telling me he loved me.  Sigh.  I told him I loved him too, and then he said, "That was scarier than skydiving".

Matt and I are really close and I was pretty much in a depression the day he left.  I had to go in to work and Braedon showed up with some sour punch straws and a diet coke....he already knew the way to my heart.    

And more dating pictures....

Ben Folds Concert

Nickel-mania winnings

Fourth of July Fireworks 

Latin-Jazz festival 

Feeding the ducks

Tim McGraw Concert

 Braedon was a good sport for that one- he really doesn't love country.  

Bell Canyon Hike

Karoke Night

General Conference

I got invited to the Murdock annual pumpkin carving contest...ya it was a big deal!  

Thriller!

Indian Food

Our First Christmas

Braedon did the 12 days of Christmas for me our first year.  I still have most of the poems he came up with, he's pretty dang creative!

Sandi and Danny for Halloween 

The Rick's Ugly Sweater Party 

Christmas Day 

More Tim McGraw

My Birthday

Bachelorette Party 

Temple Endowment

Ten months after Braedon and I started dating we got engaged.  You can read about our engagement story here.  We started the wedding planning, I went through the temple, and we got married six months later on August 16th, 2012.   I'm still head over heels for this hunk of burning love! Stay tuned for the wedding story later... 

  

Our Engagement

Two years ago (tomorrow) Braedon and I were getting engaged.  I've been wanting an accurate documentation of this day and have put off journaling it for all this time so I figured I'd better finally have it written down somewhere!  

Early Saturday morning on February 11th, 2012 we went snowboarding for a half day and had a blast.  

As we were driving down the canyon I started feeling sick, but I figured it was just motion sickness combined with being tired.  Braedon dropped me off and I was ready for a nap!  When I woke up I was so sick- throwing up- you know, eh hem, the good stuff.  Braedon had told me we had an appointment to go look at rings (again) that night and I was thinking there was no way I was leaving the house!  I texted him to tell him I was sick and asked if we could just lay low and watch a movie.   He just kept telling me to take some medicine and keep resting because we HAD to make this appointment.  

My parents came up to my room and told me they were leaving and to have a fun night.  They don't usually give me their itinerary for the night but I figured they were just checking on me cause I was sick.  I remember getting ready and my sister Emily was asking me what Braedon and I were doing that night with such a goofy smile on her face- still, I didn't catch on.  

Braedon picked me up in his Dad's car and we started driving downtown.  His dad called him and said he had left his cell phone at work and asked if we could go pick it up on our way to our "appointment". Since we had his car and his access card was in it, plus we were going downtown, it just made sense.  Little did I know, this was all staged.  

We get to the Wells Fargo building and take the elevator to the 23rd floor.  I said something like, "Wow, your dad's office is really high up here".  Braedon just nodded.  We walked into this huge room that apparently used to be used for parties.  It had an amazing view of the valley, and there was a table set up with candles, roses, and dinner in the center of the room.  

Me: (in my head: we're getting engaged tonight!!!)

Braedon: I just wanted to do something nice for you for Valentines day, especially cause I haven't talked to your Dad yet about getting married and I know you're really excited to get engaged.  

Me: (in my head: dangit.  oh well, this is a pretty awesome Valentine's gift)

I really didn't have much of an appetite, still felt pretty sick, but Braedon turned on some music and we danced for a while and then ate dinner.  

Then he pulled out this poem called "23 reasons" that he had written for me.  We have it saved, but Braedon would probably kill me if I shared it. One line I remember went something like this, 

17: the number of times in a day you tell me, "I fell".  

So true.  

I reached for a fortune cookie and Braedon jumped right in.... WAIT!  I get to open mine first.  Um... ok?  He opened it and made up some weird fortune cookie (every single one had "Will You Marry Me?" written inside) while walking over to the music that was playing.  I guess he had the ring hidden behind the speakers.  So I opened mine and....

You know how the rest goes.  

Since Braedon knew it would be really dark in the room, he had engineered this LED light in the ring box so I could actually see the ring.  He kept telling me to put it on but I was hugging him and crying and just so excited! 

Little did I know our parents were actually downstairs in Kelly's office eating their own dinner, and they came up to celebrate with us after.  Explains why my parents were being so weird earlier.  We had red velvet cake, and Martinelli's! I loved having them around to celebrate right away.   

Madi was hiding in the room the whole time and filmed the event.  It's kind of hard to see since it was so dark but you can hear Braedon and it's super cute.  

I usually catch on to surprises and it's become kind of a game for Braedon to truly "surprise" me.  I blame it on being sick- probably a good thing so I didn't ruin it!  

Once everyone left Braedon and I were just snuggling, spreading the news, overlooking the city, and enjoying the sound of "fiancé".  Next thing we knew there were fireworks going off literally right below us, and popping right at eye level.

Me: You did this too???

Braedon: I wish! 

Apparently it was the 10th anniversary of the Olympics and the Gallivan Center, which is right next to the Wells Fargo building, had put on a firework show.  We like to pretend it was really just for us.  Safe to say it was the best fake Valentine's present I've ever gotten!  

The rest of our story to be continued....