Ayla's Story

So Ayla's journey into the world was a bit of a longer one but I'm sure it was an interesting one for her never the less. And it was a neat experience for me as well. It's something that people can tell you about but until you have a child you really don't know what to expect. To be honest I didn't think I would be able to do it. But I did and now there's a beautiful baby in my life :)

My labor started on the 30th of August (the Thursday before), I had been having braxton and hicks for months so for all of Thursday I didn't think much of the constant contracting. But this time they were coming regularly, so I kept an eye on them and timed them. They varied from half an hour apart to two hours. At this point they weren't to painful.

I continued all of Thursday night so I thought for sure I would have her Friday. Nope. They continued to be about half an hour apart. By Friday night however they were more painful and got to be about eight minutes apart but again I just kept an eye on it. Eric timed them on my mom's iPad for me. At this point I was doing everything to make the labor progress. Including taking all the herbs I could and bouncing on the rebounder.

Again I didn't sleep on Friday night but the labor was still sparatic. So for the third day in a row I was sitting at home waiting around. But they got more intense and by Saturday night I was in pain. Back labor had started and anyone who had back labor knows that it is probably the worst kind of pain you can experience in labor (almost). They were eight minutes apart but I decided to go to bed.

They continued all night and about five in the morning on Sunday I called Arles and he came over to wait until they were five minutes apart. They finally were at about ten so we all headed to the hospital, where they sent me home because I wasn't dialated enough. We went home and I rested for a while (my contractions were still every five minutes). By dinner they were really hurting so we went to the hospital. They sent me home. Again. They asked if I wanted morphine (seriously???)

I went home frustrated and in pain. I probably cried for most of the evening and by eleven I was in such pain that I really thought I wouldn't make it through this. I had been in 'false' labor for days and was still at home. I went to bed and attempted to sleep between contractions. It didn't work. My mom so willingly helped me through each one, I really couldn't imagine what was going through her head. I was not in a good place at that time. Finally at three I was drained and hadn't even started the real labor yet! I called Arles again and we met him at the hospital. This time I could barely walk. Never had I felt such pain and there was that fear that they would send me home again. I felt that if they did I would have the baby at home (not true but still, I was not exactly rational at this time). But after checking me they found I was four centimeters!!!!!

That's where the hospital labor began. I ordered an epidural as soon as I was admitted and was high on a cloud. I was laughing and feeling like myself again :) I love the epidural. We were all finally able to rest a bit. Arles continuously was making me laugh though. We were pretty excited that we were finally going to meet our baby.

I stayed at four for a while but I didn't mind, I was just enjoying the whole experience. I also enjoyed being able to watch the contraction monitor go way up and then level off. I couldn't feel a thing :). Once I hit five though I had the urge to push. People can tell you that your body knows what to do but until you experience it, you don't really know. So for about an hour I fought the urge to push. That was probably one of the worst parts. I needed to push. Everything in my body told me to push. And I had to fight it.

But when the nurse checked me again I was nine centimeters. One more then I would be on the home stretch. Once she told me I could push I was so relieved that I went right to it. My mom was on one side and Arles was on the other. I went into my zone and fought with everything I had. To this day I still don't know where my strength came from. They told me that the pushing could last up to two hours...I wasn't going to do that. I closed my eyes and blocked everything out. All I said in that forty five mintues was "ok" then nod at my mom and Arles indicating that I was going to push.

It was so amazing and I was so amazed that I had that kind of will power to do it. I was so close and all I had wanted for nine months was to see my beautiful baby. I was so close. With every contraction I felt more and more ready to bring a new life into the world. Finally I heard Arles exclaim that he could see her. Never had I felt such a need to do what my body wanted me to do. I gave it everything I had and finally Doctor Coma pulled her out. This little tiny being was there. I couldn't say anything, I was in such shock that when asked if I wanted to hold her I just stared blankly at the nurse. But my mom answered for me and said yes.

The outpouring of emotion was amazing. Here was this child that I am now responsible for. Arles and I created her. She was finally here. There was so much running through my head. Every day I look at her and am in awe over how perfect she is. I love being a mom. I love that through the entire process my family and Arles and countless others were so willing to help me. I can finally say that I understand unconditional love. I love my little girl :)

Interesting Week

Sorry about not blogging much but again with the move we don’t have internet again. It’s lame. Anyways I feel like I need to write about my past week. It’s been a scary one, but at the same time I have learned more life lessons. With my pregnancy I have had some cramping issues. Being my first pregnancy I thought this was normal but Wednesday night and Thursday I had some complications. Without going into too much detail I thought I was going to lose my baby. It was one of the scariest experiences I have ever had; I don’t wish this on anyone.

There is nothing like a mothers love and I never realized how much I love my 4cm baby until there was a 50% chance I would lose him or her. It was rough but out of this came the opportunity for me to see it. I had an emergency ultrasound and in that room I saw it. I saw a little life that lives in me. I saw it move. Nothing, absolutely nothing can describe what it felt like to see a little heart beating through its tiny body. The ultrasound revealed that the baby was fine and its pulse was normal as well. Who knows what caused the complications, but that night so many prayers were offered in my behalf. I believe that everything will be ok and I am one of the 50% of women who make it through this with positive results.

My doctor is taking this seriously and really through this I realized how much people care. The doctor was tearing up when he was telling me basically there is nothing he could do. Megan brought me ice cream and kept tabs on me via Arles, my mom came to the ER to offer support, as well as been there to keep me company, my boss hugged me and told me to take all the time I needed, and last of all my husband Arles, my other half, was there every step of the way. Without Arles I wouldn’t have held up as well as I did.

This experience was one I hope to never repeat but I have gained a better relationship with my Savior, without Him I would have lost hope after my first episode. But I knew that whatever the outcome, it would be the right one. But I am grateful that baby is still alive and well. I look at that picture many times a day and know that the baby is a miracle. Although I’m bored as heck being on bed rest my baby is making it all worth it. I love her/him so much and can’t wait to hold that baby in my arms. Arles and my baby.

PS: Charlotte is due only a couple weeks before me :) I am so excited for her and can’t wait for our babies to get to know each other.

You're My New Dream

Get ready for another cartoon break down. In Tangled Rapunzel is with Flynn Ryder on the water when she admits that all her life she’s dreamed of being there the moment the lanterns light up the sky. “What if it’s not everything I dreamed it would be?” “It will be” “What if it is, what do I do then?” “Well that’s the good part I guess, you get to go find a new dream” :). All my life all I wanted was to be in the temple and now I go all the time. I finally have my dream and even now it brings me to tears how blessed I am. I love my husband so much. I truly feel that I married my best friend; I know this sounds cliché but I feel like I’ve known him for far longer than I have. It’s been three and a half months since we walked out of the temple as Mr. and Mrs. Tippie and I’m still just as in love with him. We just fit; complete each other if you will. Separate we’re strong but together we’re stronger.

Back to the Tangled break down :P I have my old dream so what is my dream now? I’m not one for making goals but my new goal is to continue on the path I’m already on. I want to keep the same mentality that I’ve always had, to attend the temple often and stay worthy of those blessings. I also have another dream, it’s always been there but without a husband and the temple I couldn’t really focus on it. I want to raise a family in the church and teach them just like my parents raised me. You don’t think I got my love of the temple out of thin air do you? It was my mom and dad that taught me how important it is. That nothing should get in the way of those blessings. Nothing. I love life. And how Arles and I are embarking on a new journey, to bring a child up in this crazy world.

Soundtrack

So as you know I love music. So much. And this post has been in the process for a while, I’ve been trying to comprise a list of songs that describe my life in the past year through music. I think I’ve finally got it :P So here you go;

1. I Gotta Feeling-Black Eyed Peas
2. Crush- David Archuleta
3. Merry Go Round-Suzie Mcneil
4. A Little Bit Stronger- Sara Evans
5. When I Look At you- Miley Cyrus (Yes I know what you’re all thinking…really Julie, really?? :P)
6. Just So you Know-Jesse McCartney
7. Love Story- Taylor Swift
8. Marry You- Bruno Mars
9. Just A Kiss-Lady Antebellum
10. Letters to Juliet Instrumental Song
11. Ours-Taylor Swift
12. I’ll Be- Edwin McCain
13. Here in Your Arms- Hellogoodbye
14. I Wanna Party- Rio Soundtrack
15. Love Story/Viva la Vida- Jon Schmidt

Sorry about all the love songs :P what can I say, my life has been a romantic comedy. You know the ones filled with cheesy lines and lots of laughter? Yup it’s one of those. There are so many funny moments that we have had. Especially with my Christmas obsession…Arles makes fun of me. At one point I was setting up the tree and listening to Christmas music when Arles starts to sing the wrong lyrics and off tune might I add. It was something about farts..anway so I turned to him and said “Don’t ruin this for me!” After which I closed my eyes and rocked to the beat of the music…he found it quite hilarious. Other nights we talk in our sleep. Apparently Arles was buying a sweater that was too small. I told him off while he was awake and I was sleeping. Oops :P. I could go on and on but I’m sure no one else finds them funny. Last year was filled with excitment and I know this year will be just as exciting :)

Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! (I know it's late but better late then never right?) We finally have internet so I'll be posting more blog posts. Sorry I haven't been around for a few months :P We've been busy. With work for the both of us and married life to deal with it keeps us on our feet. But we love it. I love Christmas time and I love the fact that it's such a wonderful time to spend time with family. This Christmas was nice, I got to spend time with my family while also having another family to talk to.

I loved being able to spend Christmas with my husband, it was a unique experience and I can't wait to have more :). Although it was different it was fun. I got to spend time with my family and Arles at the same time, they get along so well and for that I'm truly grateful. Our family just keeps growing and before we know it Eric and Chris will be bringing in new people as well.

There is so much I want to talk about but I can't seem to bring my thoughts together in a way that sounds somewhat intelligent. So I'll just list all the happenings around here:
*Eric finally went driving today
*I got more shoes for Christmas
*Sleep is a wonderful thing
*I went out for sushi with the girls last week....oh how I love them
*I took Arles out for sushi the next night
*My brother in law has been living with us
*I cook...amazing right?
*Arles and I are heading to Edmonton for a couple days (I guess you can call it a honeymoon since we never went on one)
...and there's more but I'll post about them later.


Sorry for the short post but I really should get to bed. I've been pretty tired lately and this week is the perfect opportunity to catch up on sleep. Oh but one more thing...Emily is engaged :) :). I'm so happy for her and can't wait for all of us cousins to meet up with our husbands :P. Anyways good night :)

Post-Married Life

Sorry I haven't written in a while, without internet it's been hard to stay on top of the blogging world :P. Well it's been five weeks since the wedding and I still feel like we're in the honeymoon stage, we have far to much fun together, we're always laughing and life is wonderful. I have never been happier. I also love that although we're living together nothing has changed in our relationship, he bugs me about my funny little habits (I leave cupboards open...) but it's all in good fun and at the end of the day I love having someone to talk to about the good and the bad. What's even better is our house is slowly coming together :) We just bought a couch yesterday so we're pretty excited about that.

I started a new job just after we got married and I love it. New kids mean new germs so I've been sick off and on for the past month but it's all good. Arles also started a new job, although the hours aren't the greatest (he works 6am to 6 pm), it still gives us time to ourselves at the end of the day. I love him so much :)

So a couple weeks ago I had an experience. I went through a giantic puddle in my alley...and killed my car. There I was driving along when I started to go through what I thought was a puddle so I sped up to make it through. Well then the car shuts down. I call my dad in a panic as I have to be at work in ten minutes (thank goodness dad's are still around after you're married :P). I then start the trek out of my car and toward my house; I step out of the car and realize the 'puddle' was knee deep. Frick. I got home and realized that Arles had come home sick and was at home so I had him drive me to work. I couldn't believe my luck that day. What's even luckier is that my car has been revived!!  It should be dead because I flooded it. But it's not thanks to my wonderful father and lovely husband.

Anyways that's life right now, crazy but fantastic. I love every minute of it and love that every week Arles and I go back to the temple and remember how we felt five weeks ago as we exited the temple as husband and wife :)

PS: Our wedding pictures will be making an appearance very soon :)

{Eternal Love}

It's been a week :). Everything on my wedding day went as planned and it was beautiful!! The weather was gorgeous, the sealing was extra special, and my husband (!!) and I are an eternal family. I could tell you all about my day but it really just flew by quickly, I am so happy. I thank God every day that Arles came into my life because I can't imagine life without him. Seperate we're wonderful people but together we just seem to fit. He makes me better and makes me want to hold true to everything I promised him in the temple. We even went back on Thursday to do some sealings. It was an awesome experience and I'm glad Arles and I both have the desire to attend the temple as often as we can. It's interesting how close you are to the other side when your inside. The first time I went through I felt the presence of someone very close to me {Grandma Wood}. Not only was she there that day but last week as we were in the sealing room I noticed that beside my mom there was an empty chair...it wasn't empty. She was there, the sealer told us that we had some special guests in the room with us and it was then I realized how close angels really are to us. They are always there, the hard thing is reconizing it. I love married life and can't wait to see how it plays out. :)

AHHHHH

So I should be in bed...or cleaning...or packing but instead I'm blogging. Thirteen hours, I have thirteen hours of single life left :) I'm so happy today. Yesterday I had a major break down and fainted...that was fun. But today was tons better, we just chilled and deocrated and got ready for our wedding tomorrow. I'm currently listening to Christmas music that Chris is playing. Hmmm I suppose it does feel like Christmas to me but I don't know about Chris :P . I'm so excited!!! Anyways I should run and get more stuff done :P I'll be back as a Mrs. soon :)

The Final Countdown

I have four days left until I am sealed together with Arles for time and eternity :). I don't know where this summer has gone!! It feels like life has just been flying by, it doesn't seem that long ago that I was hanging out with Arles at the dance and now we're almost married! His parents will be here tomorrow and the rest of his family will be here on Thursday. I still feel a little overwelmed but I know that Heavenly Father is and has been helping me every step of the way.

I am so grateful that he is able to take me to the temple. We went three times last week. I love it in there and the more I go the more I pick up on, I am so glad that I am begining to understand the basics so I can then begin to really look for what the many symbols mean. Each time I go I try to focus on one part and that has really helped to let me understand what it truly means. I love it.

So I got a full time job! I was offered a part time job and I have been trying to phone them back in order to let them know I can take it but they never picked up and never phoned back. I was getting ready to go into town to talk to them when I had a feeling that I should try one more time. I did and my new boss picked up and told me she had given my position away...but she had a full time position to offer me! So now I am employed and ready to take on new challanges. I really like my new boss and I think it will work out for me :). It goes to show that Heavenly Father is mindful of me and knows I needed a new job.

Anyways I have tons to do and honestly I have never felt more at ease with this wedding. I'm going to the temple again tonight and have an eternity with Arles to look forward to. Life is wonderful.

I Love to See the Temple, and I Went Inside.

I went to the temple last night! I can't really put in words how I feel other then I hope every member of the church strives to be worthy to enter that sacred place. I love it. I can't wait to go over and over again. It is somewhere that I can escape the world. I really wish I could explain with words how happy I was to be there and to commit to the higher law but I can't. It's felt not spoken. I'm so grateful for everyone that got me to this point and I can't wait to go next week(!!!!) with my future companion. He's wonderful and I love I got to share this experience with him.

What's That? Only Two Weeks Left Until I'm a Mrs.? YESSS

Where has the time gone? I am so close to my wedding it's unbelievable. Two weeks. Two weeks today I'll be getting ready to be sealed to Arles and become his eternal companion. As for wedding planning things are still going great, I have not stressed all that much and things are all falling into place. I love Arles I really do, he has been great over the past couple of months and has helped me to not stress over the small things. Sure it'll be nice to have a reception to celebrate our marriage but the only important part is the sealing :).

I go through the temple in three days! I can't believe that after waiting and wanting to go so bad I finally am going. Last week Arles, mom, and I went to get my temple clothes including a dress. For me putting on that dress was like trying on my wedding dress. It fit perfectly and it made things set in all the more. I stood in awe for a few minutes thinking to myself "this is really happening!". I can't wait to wear it. It's like my wedding dress in that sense, I feel beautiful wearing it. But unlike my wedding dress it's a differnt kind of beautiful, it's how I know that I will be wearing it many a times inside the temple. I love it and all it does and will stand for in the future.

Last week I had a bridal shower in Calgary :) It went great and I saw many people that I haven't seen in years. I was also surprised at the amount of gifts I got. They were like wedding presents! I have things now that can be used to make a home. We got everything from plates to a three tier appetizer tray (which looks so cute in our new home). I am so grateful for everyone who pitched in and was willing to spend time with little Julie Marie.

On another note Arles moved into our place the other day. It's a cute basement suite with a huge living room and a huge bathroom. It was so exciting putting our stuff away and trying to figure out how to organize everything. I know I'm a geek but I get a thrill not only with taking off stickers but with unpacking as well. Just the fact that it's my home and I can put things where I want is a exciting experience. Just the fact it will be our home makes things so much more exciting

Well sorry again about the lack of pictures, I promise someday I will get some on here. Anyways wish me luck with the next couple weeks and I'll try to blog on Tuesday about my temple experience :) :).

Marshmallows Float

Things are busy around here so I haven't been updating my blog as much as I would like. So this week we finally got our engagment photos back :) They are natural and so beautiful! Here's a few of my favorites:

I love all of these mainly because Arles and I are goof balls, during the whole session we were having a grand time. I love him and the fact he brings out the best in me. He's everything I ever wanted. Never did I ever think that I could deserve someone who loves me so much, he treats me with the uttermost respect and makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. Only 28 (4 weeks!!!) until we're an eternal family :). 17 days until I take out my endowments!!.

I have to tell this story though. Last week at fhe we had a tiny bonfire complete with s'mores. Well I'm not a huge fan of marshmallows but I ate one anyway. Well Alres decided to make a double decker s'more. That's not even the worst of it. Right after he decided to make a giantic one. It had eight crackers, four marshmallows, two super size marshmallows, and I think four or five pieces of chocolate. He ate half of it then as soon as we got back to my place he went in the bathroom and...well got sick for a while. He came out of the bathroom and said "turns out marshmallows float". Sick. I love him but that was nasty.

Anyways I've been packing up to move back to my parents house until the wedding and I probably should go to bed...night everyone!! I promise I'll update more when I have a minute.

Looking Up

Ok so I left things depressing a couple hours ago but after doing some cleaning, folding, seven loads of laundry (yes it seems I do have that much to wash...poor Arles will have no closet space), packing, all while watching "Letters to Juliet". I feel much better now. Yes I over-dramatize things and yes I'm somewhat of an emotional wreck sometimes but I know that I'm not in it alone anymore. Perhaps it was nice to have an evening to myself to realize this. Even when he's not here, he's only a phone call away :)

I love being near him. The sprituality that radiates from him is amazing. No matter how down I am or how stressed he calms me down. Even if he is trying to blow on my stomach...it usually turns into a battle for about ten to twenty minutes. I love him even if he tries to torture me... :P. Anyways I am heading to bed early tonight so I can wake up ready for more planning tomorrow.

I'm Going Inside {Someday} Soon

Every day we get a little bit closer. Every day we grow closer together. We can be sitting there and I find myself just staring at him while he sleeps (he seems to fall alseep on my couch quite often :P). Today was interesting though, I had a full Sunday talking about temples and I loved every minute of it. As you can guess it's always been a very important part of my life and I get older I know it will continue to be :). Again I brought to tears as my parents and Arles were explaining the layout of the Salt Lake Temple (my family just got back from Salt Lake and apparently at the visiters center there is a replica of the inside). This doesn't seem real and I sometimes can't believe that in a months time I will be able to go past the front desk inside the Cardston as well as every temple on the earth. There is so much I want to know about. So much I have to learn. Ever since I got engaged I seem to be imporving myself; I no longer watch sketchy movies, I am striving to keep my thoughts and actions clean as well as attending temple prep classes. I want to be as prepared for this as possible. I can't wait until I have a recommend in hand and Arles beside me as I enter for the first time. It's only 36 days away!

Just over a month then I will follow President Monson's council to attend sessions as often as we can. Soon I can go anytime I wish. The sealing may be for both of us (I'm so exicted to take this step) but the endowment is for me. It is very personal and although Arles will be with me every step of the way into eternity I am doing this part for me. Not because I am getting married, but like I decided earlier this year. This is for me. I love this gospel and love the people who have brought me to this point. And now the people who will take me forward. Things will change. That's a guantee. But I'm not scared anymore, I'm excited for the future and how things have worked out. Life is good :)

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. :)