Forever Isn't Long at All

I feel like this post has been stewing for a while now but never had the courage to write it out. Blogging is truly the window to my thoughts. There's only one person who can see into my mind and he's my best friend. I feel like we've known each other for a very long time. The more I'm around him the more I know he's the one for me.

Anyways back to what I originally planned to write. Here it goes. I was re-reading some blog posts from not to long ago and it made me realize how lucky I am now. I was in a dark place. A place I never want to go back to. I was being hurt by someone, someone who I really cared about and at the time I thought I was happy. I thought I could fix it;  I thought I knew what I was doing. I didn't. I broke off the toxic relationship and I believe that was the best decision of my life.

Without everything that happened to me I would not be ready for what came next. Arles. It was almost two weeks after everything ended that I saw him. He was what I always wanted, what I knew was good for me but I didn't feel that I deserved him. Not that I ever talked to him :P Like I said I felt very inadaquate of him. But funny enough I was told that he thought the exact about me.

Both of us have experienced things that have brought us both to this point. Without those experiences I would not have him right now. I remember reading somewhere that there is more then one person out there for you, that any worthy young man and any worthy young woman can make it work. But I know that Arles and I are meant for each other. He is outgoing and fun, I'm more quiet and observant. But he brings out a side that most people don't see. I'm spontaneous and fun. I ran through a water park fully clothed the other day. Just randomly :P. Arles looked at me as we were driving by and said "do you want to go?" my reply was "right now?" he answered "yup" so we did.

We just get along, I don't think we've had a serious argument yet. We've been planning this wedding for almost a month now and we have not hit any snags. Everything just seems to fall into place for us. Basically all we have left to do is the finishing touches. We have the temple booked and my endowment apointment booked. That's all that matters :)

Have I mentioned how grateful I am that he can take me to the temple? Well I am. Everytime I think about going it brings tears to my eyes. This is all I have wanted for a very long time. I had even decided that I didn't need a man to take me, that I was going to go just for me. Well that's when Arles was thrown into the mix :P but I find it interesting that as soon as I decided I was going for me, that the Lord found me ready enough for marriage. I not saying I feel ready yet, not in the least but I know that if it was wrong I would know. My parents would know. That everyone really close to me would know. But none of us have those feelings.

Yes we have been getting looks and people talk behind our backs. They think that we're taking it to fast. Granted I know we did. But you know what? We have eternity to get to know each other and waiting a certain length of time would be stupid. We both knew and so why put it off?

I really love this man. He is my everything and really, who else would sit through Harry Potter with me when he hasn't even seen the other movies? :P I am the lucky one. I can't believe that I have him in my life. And that in seven weeks we will be in the sealing room being bound for all time and eternity :).

All time and eternity!

My New Family :)

I just got back from visiting my new family and I have to say although I was super nervous I felt right at home, my in-laws are all great and made me feel like part of the family. Arles is from the middle of no where aka Bella Coola...so it took us about ten hours on the first day and three or four on the second to get there. But it was so worth it, the mountains and surounding area is so beautiful!

Again I mention I was super nevous to meet the family, so for the first little bit I really didn't talk. But as I got more comfortable I talked more and more, so much in fact that when my father-in-law Denis asked me to say closing prayer after I said it I replied with "does this mean I don't have to give my testimony?". All I got was a laugh and "well we would love it if you still did" *smile*. So I did. It was great. Actually he gave a great lesson on adversity, I love lessons that make you think and reflect on what they are there for. Had it not been for some experiences that I had the past few months I would not have been prepared for Arles. After the most difficult trials, comes the best blessings :).

Anyways I also got to see my niece. She is so cute! I could hold her all day long. I can't wait to see her in a month and a little bit, it's like holding heaven in your arms I love it :). That little girl is going to be quite spoiled by her aunty Julie and uncle Arles (well uncle Arles will just have to dip into the emergency shoe fund to let his lovely wife spoil her :P) .

There is so much family but I'm grateful that they all have accepted me into the family. I love Arles and I love them too. I can't wait to become a Tippie and be part of all the Tippie name has to offer.

On a ligher note here are all the stupid things I said and did while on the trip. Enjoy!!

"It feels like a piano"

"I haven't seen that move
You haven't?
Oh wait...yes I have, what am I saying??"

*Going to kick Arles while holding a cupcake*
*Feet fly out from under me*
*Thump*
"Ouch"
*Arles turns around*
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah...at least I saved the cupcake"
(from the kitchen) "What did the cat just do?"
*laughter* "It wasn't the cat, Julie just tried to kick me and just fell!"
*Arles lies down next to me and we both block the hallway*

"You're having a moment of boyhood"

I love this man

I'm the Lucky One

So yesterday I came home to find an arangement of flowers sitting on our table, not only did I get some lovely flowers but Arles gave me a wedding planning book as well. Often days I wonder how in the world I got so lucky, he is so easy going and willing to help whenever needed. Like yesterday for instance, Kim and I were complaining about how dirty our house is getting and next thing we know he has a cloth out and is dusting the house down. He's always the first to do the dishes and most nights when I'm begining to stress out he is the one to calm me down. He is wonderful and I can't wait to spend eternity with this man.

It's been an eventful week for me. Work has been pretty slow but I actually don't mind since I got tons more planning done. On Wednesday not only did I get my ring (!!) I also gained a niece. Her name is Desiree and by the looks of the pictures she is one of the cutest babies I've ever seen. I can't wait to go and meet her along with the rest of the family next week :). Arles and I also went to look at a place. When we got there we were a little bit early so we knocked on the front door. Little did we know we actually know one of the girls living upstairs. When the landlord got there we along with three other people began to fill out applications. Since Arles and I were the only couple it took us twice as long to fill it out, but it was actually a good thing it did. While I was finishing up my part Arles talked to the landlord for a bit then she told us that she is willing to offer us the place if we want it.

It's amazing to me how much the Lord loves us. Everything for this wedding has been falling into place, it shows me that we are making the right choice. If someone would have told me back in April that I would be married by my next birthday I would never have believed them, but like I said we both have recieved a conformation that this is right. And no matter what people may say about us. We know and the Lord knows. That's all that matters :)

PS: I'm heading to the states later to pick out a wedding dress...!!!!!! I'm so excited :)

The Long Awaited Story... :)

I don't even know how to start this post quite honestly. So I guess I'll just say it. I met a man. And he's amazing. I tried to be vague in previous posts but since it's on facebook...I'll just come out and say it. I am engaged. Yes. Care to read that again? :P I Julie O'Brien am getting married. Does that look strange to you? Yeah me too. But I know it's right. We both do and you know what? Yes this will come as a huge shock to almost everybody but we both feel very strong feelings that this is what we're suppose to do. If you know you know right? So I guess you'll want to hear the story...

Well back in April I saw this guy sitting in church and thought "hmm, he seems like a nice guy" so natrally I asked a friend if he was single. Turned out he was but being Julie I didn't talk to him. Then as quickly as he was there, he was gone. So I gave it up for a while, there was no chance he would ever like me in that way I thought.

Well three weeks later guess who showed up in town? Arles Tippie. Again the butterflies started and I was told to ask him out, which I never do. Ever. Now this is the past that may send some people into confussion. I started dating someone else. But then at the YSA conference I found myself liking him more then my boyfriend, which really shouldn't happen. I hung out with him all weekend thinking that nothing could ever happen between us, how could it ever? I was with someone else. But never the less we talked and laughed together.

That next night I had a dream where I was dating Arles WHILE I was in a relationship with the other person. I knew I was with the wrong person, but I didn't feel like explaining that. Turns out my ex felt the same way, he broke it off a couple days after that. I wasn't sad. My ex and I had only dated a week so I felt no obligation to him.

Now here comes the part you might be familiar with :P I went to FHE and there I got soaking wet. Arles was one of those lovely men who was dumping water on me all night. We flirted and laughed. He tells me it was then he knew I liked him and turns out he liked me too. So after that I added him on facebook, we started talking until two in the morning about random stuff. No one can make me laugh like he can. Really.

He then proceeded to ask what fun things there were to do around here. I gave him some ideas then all I get is "how about all of the above?" I was a bit confused so I asked what he meant then he says "how about we start with a walk around Henderson tomorrow?" Oh my gosh he was serious, he had just asked me out.

Well at church we talked a bit and I honestly thought he had forgotten about our walk until he asked me when would be a good time to go on it. So we went. We walked and talked. We laughed tons. Then spontaneously we start listening to a concert playing for the dragon boat races. It starts to rain so we start to dance in it. We danced in the rain :) He came back to my place and we watched a movie. He kissed me.

Monday I slipped in the back at FHE. Or so I thought :P. He was put in the hot seat and they asked the normal questions "What do you look for in a girl?" "Sweet or salty?" but then they ask "when was the last date you were on?" He says "Yesterday" Well it didn't end there Stephanie Drew decided to ask "Who??" You know how I so thoughtfully slipped in the back? He saw me. And in front of everyone said "Oh she's sitting right in the back". I pretty much died. They never ask who! Anyways it was fun never the less. He went to play rugby and I played with Jill's neice...big surprise there :P. After FHE we talked and he came over to watch a movie with Kim, Jessie, and I.

The rest of the week we went on a few dates and hung out tons. I really liked this guy. And something happened between us that is hard to explain, ket's just say after much thought and prayer we both recieved an answer as clear as day. I knew. He knew. And now we had to decide what to do with that knowlege. It hadn't been very long. At all. Funny enough when asked previous what our relationship was, Arles said "let's just take it slow" later that night he told me he was falling in love with me. So mucd for slow hey? :P

But somehow it all just felt right, so I took him to meet my parents. My dad and him hit it off right away. It was like he was already part of the family. He took my brothers swimming and helped load the dishes after dinner. My family I think was hooked at that point, my parents knew something was coming. And fast. My dad then invites him for Sunday dinner, something I never expected him to do. I thought to myself "wow, my dad really likes him!". Eveything was falling into place.

The night after I was talking to Arles about how I am scared that this will end and he'll leave me heartbroken. Remember I had fallen quite a bit for this guy. He was exactly what I always wanted in someone and not only did he care deeply for me. He showed it. Well then he told me that he had asked Kim my ring size (at this point I think I muttered a couple "oh my gosh"s I was in shock). He asked me to be sealed to him for eternity. I said yes. The whole next day at church we wanted so bad to share the news but he wanted to talk to my dad to gain his permission first.

At dinner everything went well, we talked more, he got to know my family a bit more. But I could tell we were both on edge. What if my dad said no? Of course we would respect his wishes but we both KNEW.It took Arles until 10:00 to finally spit it out. I think it was so perfect in that my dad stood up, shook his hand, and said "I would love you to marry my daughter". We were on cloud nine and finally we could make things offical. So we did. After we phoned his parents of course :P.

It hasn't been easy and people are continuously telling us what a mistake we are making. But the more I am with Arles the moreI know it will be ok. I love him so much and know that this is real. The fact we have had so many spiritual experiences tells me that this is what we are meant to do. The wedding plans are all falling into place, and we are just happy. The date has been set and whether people think we're crazy or not is irrevelant (there are quite a few people who have expressed their concerns either to our face or behind our backs). We know, and the Lord knows. That is all that matters. Plus I finally have an apointment to take out my endowments! You have no idea how excited I am :). Everything that has happened to me in the past year makes sense now and I can't wait to begin my life.

September 17th I'll marry this man here.

Anways there's the story. Sorry about the length but I love this story. And I wanted to share it with the internet world. Keep your eyes open for more plans and wedding stuff as they come up. We are so exctied to be doing this. Together. :)

Se La Ve

I, Julie O'Brien brought another person to the blogging world. It's pretty sweet :) I love blogging and I especially love gaining insight into other people's thoughts. In a way blogging is like a journal...one where the whole world can see it. I love it but sometimes I hold back just a tiny bit, just to keep the suspense :P.

With that said I would like to say how truly happy I have been this week, I can't believe how things are working out for me, quite honestly it's weird. I'm just waiting for the rug to be pulled out from beneath me like it has been all the times before. It hasn't yet. And somehow I feel like it won't be this time. Weird right? Actually no it's not that weird I'm just silly and ignore signs. I must be prepared and ready or else Heavenly Father would not have thrown new people and experiences into my life. Each has prepared and led me up to where I am currently standing. I really wasn't expecting this, not yet anyway. But like I said I have to believe I'm ready for what is to come next. You know how I said at the begining of the year that I felt like something huge was about to happen? Yeah I am still getting that vibe, however it's begining to make more sense and it's only half way through the year!

The thing is though I am not all that scared for what seems to be coming, of course I am a bit scared, that's a given with any change. But there is no such thing as coincidences and I don't believe in the fate mumbo-jumbo stuff. There is only Heavenly Father and his plan. Sure we stray off the path a few times but we can always get back on track eventually. I've had some interesting experiences this week and they have brought me closer to some of my goals. I know what I want. And although life keeps throwing me upside down and every which way, I'm keeping focused on Heavenly Father and trying to turn to him for guidance, because frankly I can't do it alone. No one can.

***

Yesterday was Canada Day :) Although this year I did not attend the parade I went home and had a good chat my mom while the boys were swimming. Our deep conversations often end in tears and yesterday was no acception. I love my mom to death and am thankful that she and I can have conversations like we do. I have great respect for my dad as well. He's always been there for me and never have I seen him raise his voice in full fledged anger. He's a hard worker and always looks out for his family. He has been there for me through everything. As I get older the relationship with my parents change, and although I know it will change even more as I get older, they will always be my parents.

Anyways after the boys got home from swimming we all ate dinner and talked for a while. It still makes me smile how much my dad talked to my special friend last night. And how much he liked talking to my family members, we were there for almost six hours! I have to say though, it was neat to see :).I can't wait for more visits like the one we had last night.

I ended my Canada Day with the fireworks at Henderson. I love this country and the freedoms I have. Life is good.