Winding Down

April 14, 2015 — Leave a comment

Friends. So many things are happening so fast! Every day people ask me how I feel about graduating, my new job, planning a wedding, and let me tell you, it’s all crazy!! But so, so good. I wouldn’t trade it for a thing! Here’s a quick catch up, and look for some posts about my BYU/undergrad experience coming up!

First off, last Wednesday was my last day as a BYU Eleven News Anchor. Gosh it was sad. I’ve learned so much, had so many laughs and even a few tears (from laughing too hard). It’s been quite the adventure and I wouldn’t have survived without these great friends here. My program rocks!

Randy and I took a big step…and adopted this lil guy! Meet Sir Gerald Bartelby the Fifth.

Randy had never gone to Build-A-Bear, so naturally we had to. We take Gerry with us to a lot of place where you probably shouldn’t take a stuffed dog. But it’s cool.

Just a glimpse into the great people I work with. Aren’t they so sweet? I came to work my second week, and they’d made this and put it on my screen. Seriously, they’re awesome.

And lastly. I just finished up my last class for my undergrad at BYU a few hours ago. It’s the craziest feeling. Bittersweet. But I’m excited about the things ahead. Again, look for some posts about college, BYU, etc, coming up.

It’s crazy how fast life is passing by. I feel like college went by in a blink.

So happy last few weeks of school everyone, happy Monday, and happy no more college classes for me!

All the things

April 7, 2015 — Leave a comment

Again, so sorry for not posting! I have lots of updating for you…so let it begin!

My family had Spring Break last week, and let me tell you, it was so fun to get to hang out with them! They spent the night in Lehi so my sister could run in a track meet, and that meant Randy and I got to go to Thanksgiving Pointe with them! We always have way too much fun there.

We were meant to be an English family in the 1870’s.

Donut Funeral to commemorate my last day at KSL. I’ll still be there on-call, but not going in every weekend is going to be so sad!

Say hello to my new office! I’m going to be a Digital Marketing Coordinator for Ken Garff corporate! This means I’ll be doing lots of website design, programming, and updating, social media marketing, and some video production work. I’m so excited, and overwhelmed, and terrified, and happy!

It’s not Easter without some eggs, right? Randy and I had too much fun dying eggs last weekend.

Easter/General Conference was just amazing. My awesome family threw us a grocery shower where we got some of our favorite foods, and pie. We got to hang out with all the people we love, watch Conference together, share our story, and get excited about getting married! HUGE shout out to my mom and sister who planned and pulled the whole thing off. We felt so incredibly loved.

Then came Easter Sunday which was just too wonderful. It started early with the traditional Stocking Exchange of candy (even including my brother and sister-in-law via facetime). My Easter basket was filled with candy, nail polish, and over a dozen candles for our wedding reception! Huzzah! The rest of the day was filled with inspiring words from the prophets, more family time, egg hunting, and some invitation stuffing. All in all, an amazing day.

Also, perks of my new job? 1.3 million dollar car. Pretty sweet!

Annnd this week marks the last week of being an anchor for BYU Eleven News and getting to work with these cool cats. I’m going to miss everyone SO much. They have become such a fun part of my week, and I have learned so much from everyone on the Monday crew. Love you all!

As Brother Curtis would say….”keep on, keeping on.”

Also, today I got to go to lunch with Randy’s AMAZING aunt Wendy. She’s a total rockstar – the Low family has some complete gems in it!

Whew. Updated. Now let’s just hope my life calms down so I have more time to post!

Knowing He’s The One

March 30, 2015 — Leave a comment

Randy and I are going to get married when we are both 21. Randy will have been home from his mission for almost 6 months when we get married. Randy will have an absurd amount of school left when we get married.

Some people think we’re too young. Some people think it’s too soon. Some people think we’re crazy, stupid, immature, naive. Not ready. Not sure.

People quote the divorce rate, statistics, rules about how long after a mission is appropriate to start thinking about marriage, personal stories about their best friend’s cousin’s uncle’s co-worker who made a bad choice regarding marriage.

So here’s a quick thought about why I am doing this. Getting married. At such a young age, to someone just home from their mission.

Because he’s the one.

And how do I know he’s the one? I’ve thought about this a lot. I could list off the reasons, from his patient and loving heart, to his taste in music, to his consistency in buying me chocolate, not to mention how good looking he is! (see picture above).

But the most important reason that Randy’s the one, is because HE is the one.

Let me explain.

God is the one in charge here. God knows my heart. He knows Randy’s heart. He knows my flaws, and Randy’s flaws. He knows what we will fight about, what we will struggle with, and how we will fit together, and build each other up.

I know Randy’s the one because God’s the one that has the plan. And I know Randy’s the one, because I’m listening, and following, and trying to obey.

And as long as Randy and I both keep following Heavenly Father, we will stay THE ONE for each other.

We didn’t make this decision lightly. It’s something I’ve personally been praying about for 3 and a half years now.

And I’m more sure about this decision than any other decision I’ve made.

So I’m going to be less judgmental about people getting engaged fast, young, to someone in particular, all of it. They have their own relationship with Heavenly Father – and I need to respect that.

Now to quote my good friend Cory Matthews:

Sorry Cory. That’s me and Randy.

Happy Sunday friends:)

Engagements

March 27, 2015 — Leave a comment

Ok I’ve posted them all over Instagram and Facebook… so why not here, right?

Here’s a few of my favorites!

Elisha Braithwaite was our amazing photographer! I would 100% recommend her to anybody!

This week we got to head to the Jazz game to celebrate Drew’s birthday (late) while they played the T-Wolves!

I got to see SISTER FABER for the first time since she’s been home. It was just magical.

Friends I am so sorry I’m not blogging as much as I should! Here is what else has been up:

Working on my capstone documentary. We’ve done lots of interviews, logged hours of tape, and it’s all been amazing.

Spending every free minute planning our honeymoon and trying to find a place to live! If anybody knows of an apartment in or around Salt Lake, please let me know!

PHP homework. It’s going to be the death of me.

Job interviews and applications and interviews and applications. It’ll be worth it right?

Shopping for the wedding/our future house/graduation. Randy’s pretty sick of me driving him around haha.

It’s been pretty crazy. But so incredibly fun!

Happy Friday everyone:)

What I Heard In Church Today That Broke My Heart

March 15, 2015 — 1 Comment

I heard something at Church today, that made me a little sad. It’s something I hear said far, far, far too often. And I’d like to get it corrected as soon as possible.

Today, a wife of one of our Bishopbric members was teaching Marriage Prep. Randy and I went together, all ready to learn.

The first thing she said when she got up was, “I’m a little intimidated to teach. I’ve heard many of you teach, and there are so many returned missionaries here who know how to teach. I never went on a mission, I just got married and had babies. So hopefully I can still teach you something today.”

Those are honestly, her near exact words.

My heart broke.

It left me, and I’m sure several other people in that room who hadn’t served missions, with the impression that if we didn’t serve, we weren’t adequate teachers. And because this amazing woman hadn’t served, she wasn’t a qualified teacher.

This attitude isn’t right.

As members of the Church, as lovers of this Gospel, we are qualified to study, learn, and teach.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a brand new convert, or a seasoned scriptorian.

Everyone has something to offer in this Church.

Whether you served a mission, served as a nursery leader, served as a Relief Society President, served as a visiting teacher, served as a devoted wife, loving father, helpful daughter or son.

We ALL have something to give.

I want my daughters to know they will be amazing leaders, teachers, wives, and mothers, no matter what they decide about serving a mission.

I want my sons to know that their wife is a righteous woman, a great partner for him, and a daughter of God with an incredible mission, whether or not she wore a name-tag.

I want everyone reading this to know it doesn’t matter what they’ve done or haven’t done, it doesn’t matter if they left the church, if they don’t know if they believe. There is a place for you in this Gospel.

And I want everyone to understand that the path that Heavenly Father directed them to is a good one, the right one. And it doesn’t make them anything less, or more, than anybody else.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Engagement preview and documentary time

March 14, 2015 — Leave a comment

What a week! I am so busy I don’t know what to do with myself. I would go into all the details, but that’s boring. Unfortunately, because I’m engaged and graduating, it’s hard for me to focus at school! Instead of paying attention…I’m kind of just staring at pictures like these….

Our photographer is incredible. Seriously. I can’t get enough of her. Elisha Braithwaite. Check her out.

Elisha gave us two separate engagement sessions to make sure we had everything we wanted. She made us comfortable, had fun with us, and as you can see, she’s incredible at what she does. I can’t wait for more!

Let the invitation stuffing begin! Our invitation lady was also INCREDIBLE and sooooo easy to work with. Also check out Annette Ward, she’s awesome.

And. Move over Dateline and 20/20. We’re coming. Ok not really, but still. Working on a documentary about suicide prevention in Utah for our capstone project has been absolutely incredible. I am loving every interview, all the time spent logging tape, meeting amazing people and sharing their stories.

Randy and I also manage to have a little date every once and a while, with the ducks. Feeding the ducks is one of my favorite things for some reason.

Stopped by the mall the other day, and THIS is what I see. It’s made of LEGOS. If that’s not cool, I don’t know what is. And now, it was this amazing mother of mine’s birthday this week! She’s the cutest and I am so lucky to have her as my mom. She’s so caring, kind, and truly amazing. I love you mom!

Happy Saturday everyone!

1, 2, 3…

March 7, 2015 — Leave a comment

1. Engagement pictures round 1 last night. Round 2 is next week week. Bit of a fiasco with my hair and makeup, and getting there on time, but Elisha Braithwaite is pure fun to work with. Can’t wait to see how the first session turned out!

2. I’m going to be an AUNT. Can you believe it?? Congrats to my favorite brother and sister-in-law. Can’t wait to meet the little nugget in September (I’m secretly hoping it’s born on my birthday so we can be twins)

3. How cute is that face?? Happy late birthday party for Randy. My whole family got together to eat food and cake, and have Randy answer lots of questions about himself so everyone can get to know him even better (like they already haven’t known him for years;))

4. They’re cleaning the carpets here at work today. Meaning I have to scream to be heard, and I’m getting high on fumes.

5. If anyone has hookups to timeshares, or ideas for where Randy and I can go on a honeymoon, please please please let me know!

6. Apartment hunting is so exciting and stressful and wonderful and dramatic all at the same time. I just love the prospect of figuring out where our first home will be together.

7. Sorella Yost is HOME from her mission. Stand-by while I anxiously wait to talk to her!

8. Happy Saturday everyone!

Where does the time go?

March 1, 2015 — Leave a comment

Hello!

Where have I been? I feel like I blogged yesterday – turns out I didn’t. I always used to get so annoyed when my fav bloggers stopped posting once they got engaged. Now I know why. Not enough time, not enough motivation!

So here’s the catch up.

Unfortunately, I also forget to take pictures now. Not that I was good at it before. But still.

I got SO lucky last weekend and got to go to the Imagine Dragons concert for work. #ilovemyjob

It was incredible and absolutely everything I’d dreamed of. Plus being smashed in there with 300 other people instead of 3,000 other people was amazing. It smashed me right up to the front for a great seat. Er. Place to stand.

Also this. Because I miss her so much. #waitforshort

Also a little story.

The other day Randy and I went to go get him a wedding suit, his tie, a new shirt, etc.

He walked out of that dressing room, all spiffed up, and I started bawling.

I didn’t cry when I found my wedding dress.

I didn’t even cry when we got engaged.

But him walking out of that dressing room made me lose it.

I think it finally hit me.

I get to marry Randy Low.

How lucky am I?

NOW:

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

My dad is 50!!! What in the world. I feel like my dad’s about 25.

Thanks for never missing a dance recital, always tucking me in, telling me Sandy Cat stories, letting me call him a million times with computer programming questions, teaching me math and helping with every single science project, and being an amazing Christ-like example in my life. I don’t know what I would do without you dad. I love you!

And happy Sunday everyone:)

While I have a minute

February 21, 2015 — Leave a comment

Please excuse me for being tragically behind on blogging.

It’s been a real treat to be alive lately. Overwhelming and wonderful and scary and a million other words, all at once.

Here’s a few simple updates for you.

Valentine’s day was fully of love love love. Working, new watches, my favorite restaurant, guitar serenading, movie, and lots of gush.

Then for Randy’s 21st birthday we hit The Garden, where 2 years ago Randy asked me on a date for two years in the future. Awe.

I went to my last basketball game as a BYU Cougar this weekend. It’s a very surreal, bittersweet thing to have all these lasts.

Excuse me while I spend President’s Day saying yes to the dress. Seriously, it was fate and the best thing ever, and I’m smitten with it!

We had a killer birthday party for Randy last night, and it was so fun to be reunited with my girls from freshman year! It’s so crazy to think what we’ve all been doing for the past year and a half, but it’s even better that we got to chat the night away last night. XOXO.

Now my friends, a word on having it all figured out. I don’t have it all figured out. Randy and I don’t know where we’re going to be living, how we’re going to afford anything, I have no idea where I’ll get a job when I graduate, or IF I’ll get a job for that matter. There are these huge changes coming up, and I want to have a plan. I want to know where to get a mattress and magically have the money to buy one. I want to know where we’ll be living, where I’ll be working, I want to know how to get through these HUGE projects I have to finish before I graduate. I want to be a better friend and sister and daughter and fiance. And also I want to plan my wedding and figure out a honeymoon.

I constantly need reminding that there’s a plan, it’ll work out, I just have to have a little faith. And even if it’s not my plan, there’s an even better plan ahead.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Happy Birthday Randy

February 18, 2015 — Leave a comment

21 years ago today, my life completely changed. And I had no idea.

21 years ago, the best thing to ever happen to me, was born.

Randy, thank you for being the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, most Christ-like person I have ever met.

Thank you for giving me years of Chili’s dates, guitar singing, backstage kisses, notes in class, shopping trips, dances I’ll always remember, endless movie nights, Fro-Yo runs, letters across the ocean, singing in the car, hundreds of pictures, and a love to last a lifetime.

Anybody who knows Randy knows how absolutely wonderful he is. He has a heart that is pure gold.
Randy, thanks for letting me love you. Happy birthday my wonderful fiance!

And happy Wednesday everyone!