How time flies!

Last Saturday was Cole and I's one year of being engaged! I'm so lucky to have him in my life!

I am the luckiest girl in the world! I love you so much Cole Brian Hayden!

Seasons.

     

       I've been reflecting a great deal about seasons recently. Living in Utah during autumn, it's impossible not to be aware of the rainbow of colorful leaves, the crisp air, sweaters, pumpkin everything, etc.

       This is Cole and I's second autumn together and I absolutely love that. I have been feeling especially blessed and just thinking about seasons has made me especially happy. What I love is that I have someone whom I get to experience countless seasons with. I get to experience crisp fall days, chilly and bundled winter storms, rebirths of springtime flowers, and warm summer evenings with Cole. I get to experience 'first days of school', caffeine charged finals weeks, trips to Oregon to see family, date nights in Salt Lake, and experiencing the bliss of the simple ordinary days with him. Not only that, I get to experience the seasons of life with my best friend and we look forward to graduating from college, experiencing optometry school, bringing our kiddos into the world, finally getting to experience what owning a Great Dane is like, shopping for our first house, getting grey hair, watching our kids play soccer and basketball, their marriages, grandkids, and beginning the cycle again.
       What a beautiful reassurance to know that I get to experience all of these moments with my husband, best friend, and other half--Cole. It is such a beautiful thought to know that each step of the way through this journey I get to spend by his side. The best part is that our experiences and adventures on Earth don't end here. Cole and I will get to experience countless adventures throughout eternity because we were able to be married in the House of the Lord for time and all eternity. What a wonderful blessing that all of us can have on Earth. Our father in heaven wants us to be able to have this blessing which is why he as established a means by which we can become eternal families and return to live in his presence.
       As I walk to school everyday, crunching on leaves and thinking back to last autumn with Cole, I cannot help but get so excited about all of our autumns to come. All of our winters. All of our springs. All of our summers. And all of our forever.
       I love you Cole.

     

Yesterday.

Yesterday for Cole and I's 7 I took the lead and surprised him with tickets to the Portland Blazers vs. Jazz game. He was so surprised! I was so glad that I was able to keep a secret for once! 

It was an awesome night! We went to Bruges for a waffle with speculoos and ice cream, and for dessert we split a pizza after the game...all in all it was a super perfect "our style" type of evening spent with the person who matters most to me--Cole.

Also P.S- I'm sorry I promise I haven't forgotten about the blog! I have been out of my mind busy with school and work that any free time I get is spent with Cole or sleeping haha. I'll try to post more though! Happy Wednesday!

7!

Today is Cole and I's 7 months! I have a surprised planned for tonight that I have been working on for a few months now! I'm surprised I haven't broken down and told him yet! Also a dear friend of mine is founder of The Tote Co. she makes the most beautiful totes and clutches ever! Check out the_tote_co on Instagram or etsy! 

First day of school!

Because I love capturing every moment I had to take a back-to-school photo! It's a combination of awkwardness/excited ness/nervousness. 

Bring on the school year! I'm coming for you, BYU! 

The Calm Before the (Cue Thunder Claps)

Since I'm starting my second year of college this Tuesday, I have been in a rather anticipatory state. This is my last day of calm before the college storm sets in. Crazy! I'm taking an accounting class, finance, marketing management, an honors physical science/culture class, New Testament, and a spin class just because :-). This school year for me is going to be quite crazy... I'll be applying to the accounting major in June which means that this year is filled with pre-req classes. Considering that BYU is the best Accounting school in the world...it's a little daunting to be entering into such tough classes (not to mention hat I'll need a B in several of them in order to even be eligible for the major)! On top of that I have a great job in Orem that'll take up a large chunk of my time... as well as applying for a second part-time job this week too, not to mention I'm still workin for DIY-Ready making tutorials for them... AKA I'm terribly busy. But maybe it's better that way. There's nothing better than when you have a lot on your plate and you tackle it anyways... It gives me a sense of accomplishment that's almost addictive. Perhaps I'm crazy though. This is officially my last day before I put my nose to the grindstone once more. I can't decide if I'm anxiously excited or mildly terrified...possibly a mixture of both I suppose. Here's hoping that this upcoming year goes smoothly! Wish me luck! 

Our lil' study nook. 

Work it Girl.

I just wanted to take a minute to reflect on working. Working HARD. I spent the whole last school year working for BYU Catering. Needless to say it was certainly not a glamorous job. Some shifts starting at 3 am, scraping mold off the fridge ceiling, inconsistent hours, endless burn marks on my arms, etc. It wasn't what I had in mind as a good job when I got to BYU last year. However I am so glad that I worked there! It has really motivated me to work as hard as I can through school so that I won't have to be stuck in a low-earning job forever. In fact, because of the experience I gained at BYU Catering I now have a much better job (better pay, better hours, and better environment). I will miss the friendships I cultivated at Catering, however I'm so glad to be working somewhere that I actually enjoy. Basically the lesson I enjoyed is: stick it out. It may not be a glamorous or enjoyable job, but if you work hard and keep trying you can progress until you find a job that you actually enjoy. Of course, Cole and I's jobs are not our careers--it's just something to help us through school. But until I'm an accountant/financial advisor and he's an optometrist it'll do just fine. Like I've said, college isn't glamorous. But I am kind of grateful that it isn't. It'll make Cole and I truly grateful for our beginning once we settle down in Oregon after college and Optometry school. Until then, I'm a working girl and I absolutely love it! 

Stud.

My sister is a stud. She just had her senior photos done in Hawaii! (I'm jealous... Even though I can't talk because that's where Cole and I had our engagements done). Caylyn is such a beauty inside and out. I love her so much and she is literally stunning. I can't believe she is heading off to college soon! I love you Cay! Go get 'em tiger! :-)

Provo Take II

Cole and I are officially back in Provo. We arrived Saturday afternoon in our new apartment... (It's much nicer than the last place) plus it's a 2 bedroom which makes it nice to have the extra space. We are basically living out of boxes until we can get our bed and dressers moved in, but that's ok. An hour after we got to our apartment we ran over to Orem where I had an interview and I got the job! I start Tuesday so I'm so excited!

I am so pumped to get everything put away and organized here. I have gone through a bunch of my old clothes that I'm going to go take to consign... And hopefully get some $$$ for a sewing machine or a few new fall pieces. Here is our new rug:

Thank you Target!

Cole has started his first day of school today! I'm so excited for him. I packed him a surprise back to school lunch to celebrate. 

In short, our Provo journey continues. It's tough for Cole and I not to be close to family, but we are both excited to be here in Utah as well. We are both here to work hard through work and school. A college education is so important and beneficial. It's such a great opportunity to better our understanding and education! (I start school on the 2nd and I can't wait). Anyhow, hello Provo! Here come the Haydens!

Just Like That...

And just like that Cole and I's adventure in Oregon has come to a close. We are beginning our 12 hour journey back to Provo tomorrow. We don't know where the months have gone. It's as if we just got here! For the sake of nostalgia, this is a recap of our summer:

Cole and I have been working hard at our jobs here in Oregon. He at Eagle Crest and me at Central Oregon Eyecare. We celebrated a year of dating in June by doing a hike to Smith Rock. We have done tons of local date nights around town--exploring lovely Central Oregon. We went down to St. George for Taylor and Cody's wedding. We also celebrated our own local reception. We have celebrated the birth of our newest nephew--Boston Reed. We have been on multiple hikes, including the beautiful oneonta falls. We did our first couple's retreat to Portland for an overnight adventure including a fancy dinner, the beach, and other Oregon adventures. I went to NYC for a week as a last hoorah with my mom and sis. Cole and I also adopted a new Forester to get us back to Utah. 

Leaving Oregon is bittersweet. It will be hard to leave our loved ones but it will also be nice to tackle another school year and grow even closer as a couple. Our Oregon adventures couldn't have happened without the love and support of our family--for which we will always be grateful. 

Goodbye apartment. The puppies helped me pack the last of our things. 

The cars are loaded and our bags are packed. I'm excited to see what this next year will bring. Including a new apartment, and (hopefully a new job) for myself. This school year will come with it's stresses and ups and downs, but I know that as long as Cole and I continue to put our focus on Christ and each other we will be just fine. 

Utah, are you ready for the Haydens?? Because here we come!

Also, Cole and I's new apartment is in the BEST location and everything.... I'm so excited to get everything set up! Pictures of the decor to follow!

You Keep Walking...

Elder Holland is one of my absolute favorite general authorities. I stumbled upon this quote of his that I especially love. I think I've mentioned it before but I really do love the encouragement and peace that this quote brings. For those needing some encouragement while dealing with trials: 

" You don't quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come." -Jeffrey R. Holland

For more inspiration, visit lds.org

We're Expecting!

We're expecting to have a TON of fun in our new 2015 Subaru Forester.

We picked up this beaut yesterday in Bend. Black exterior with tinted windows and a sunroof that makes it feel like you're riding in a convertible (it's huge). This car is the SAFEST in it's class and has been rated the best in it's class for 2 straight years. Plus the all wheel drive is perfect for the snow that both Utah and Oregon receive. Cole and I have been saving saving saving in order to afford a new car. Working hard does pay off! 

Cole was quite excited! Hahahahaha! I love this boy. 

NYC, NY.

So in case any of you didn't know... New York is kind of awesome. Granted, being from a small town in Oregon it's not familiar territory...(I'm still a small-town girl) but I enjoyed it nonetheless! 

Back in Houston--where Cay and I were born.

This is what I look like when I wake up at 3am for a flight... Scroungy! Also hello NYC! We flew into Laguardia and took the Metro to Soho where our hotel was.

View from the hotel.

Happy smiling faces! 

Us in Central Park.

It was Cole and I's 5.

I missed him. 

Broadway night! Les Mis! It was so good... Much better than the movie! 

Stuff got real during intermission.

Times Square in front of a ghetto fence.

Subway Selfie!

How we feel about how the subway smells.

Ferry to the Statue.

NY is gorgeous.

My hair has a mind of it's own.

Lemonade slurpee... Yes!

Phantom! The BEST! It's a must see! That's all I ask of you.

Post broadway pizza. 

Times.

Empire State of mind. Also that guy's back hair is nasty.

The big apple.

I didn't know I was boxing my mom out! Also Cay's eyes are closed... 

This one is better.

The city. 

My hair! So long!

Queens! A shout of to King of Queens.

The Hamptons. A wonderful end to a great girls weekend! Thanks for the adventures mom and Cay. I love you both!