I belong with you, you belong with me

I absolutely love this boy!!

Valentines Day morning we made pancakes with banana foster to go on top and mmmm they were so good! 

We obviously really like to eat. Ha ha.. it's one of our favorite things to do together.

Drew built us a fort and left a trail of my favorite hershey's hugs all the way up the stairs which led to the amazing fort! I crawled inside and found a note that said "I LOVE YOU!!"

We made these little beauties to give to some of our friends as Valentines. They're strawberry cake bites! They were delicious.

 

Later that evening we grabbed some Chinese take-out and ate it in Drew's little truck while in the parking lot of the theater right before we went to see the movie, Safe Haven. It was my first time having Chinese take-out and I was so excited about it!! (although I don't even like Chinese that much, it was still fun to eat it out of the cute boxes and with chopsticks.... ha those will take some practice. But hey we have forever together to master that technique!)

 After the movie got over, which by the way was very good (for some reason my eyes started leaking water there at the end of the show...) we ran into a couple friends and relatives and I got to show off my ring AND my fiance! It was so much fun!!

When we got back to Drew's house, we made some Valentine's Day popcorn and we took it upstairs to the fort where we ate it. We concluded our Valentine's Day by watching the movie, Valentine's Day. Ha! What better way to end the day. It was awesome. Love that movie!

 It was a fantastic day! And I loved spending every second of it with the love of my life.

Yay for finally finding my eternal Valentine!!! 

Drew, you'll forever be my sweetheart.

Love,

Kate

He asked and I said YES!

Well guess what!? I'm ENGAGED! Drew asked me to marry him the day before Valentines!! 2/13/13 (113 days before our wedding date!) haha pretty cool huh?! I have a ring on my finger and I can't even believe it!!

Visiting significant places in Cedar that have special meaning and memories to us.

I knew that day was going to be special when he made me delicious breakfast. There was just a certain magic in the air.

Reenacting our first kiss ha... I had no idea what was going to happen!

He told me he had plans for us starting around 4pm. Well the time eventually came and we got in the car and started driving around. 

"Don't fake me out, don't fake me out!"

He began talking to me about all of our past memories, experiences, and fun times that we have had together as we stopped at different places around Cedar that hold special memories for us. 

 He told me his feelings. He told me how he fell in love with me. 

"We've had so many memories here... let's make one more!"

 He told me how I was his best friend. 

 He told me he loved being with me and that he can't wait till we can be together forever!

"YES!!!"

    Well after about an hour of driving around to all our special spots that have significant meaning, we eventually ended in the parking lot of my apartment complex that I lived at last semester-- he said "let's go reenact our first kiss" (rewind: I was dared to kiss him in the parking lot one night back in October haha) 

Best decision of my life.

Anyways so then we kissed and he said "Katelin you mean the world to me. We have had so many memories here... let's create one more." and he knelt down on one knee and proposed!

I couldn't even believe it. I was in shock! It was hilarious.

Look at Dallas and Logan coming out from their hiding places ha ha!

As soon as he went down on one knee you could hear cheering from all around us! 

Big group hug!

  Ha before I knew it, Drew and I were hugging and his friends had gathered  around us and lifted us up and were hugging us too! hah it was so funny! 

Thanks to Dallas-- If it weren't for him, Drew and I would have never met!

Drew had planned to have some of his friends hiding around the complex to take pictures and what not.

This picture is priceless. 

 For example, his friend Taylor took pictures of us from up on top of the roof hahah! So we got photos of everything!! It was incredible! 

I love these boys so much!

It all happened in an instant. It was a rush of emotions and to be honest, I can barely remember it at all because I was so in shock!

 My hands were shaking like crazy and I remember that I didn't know what to do with them in the pictures because they were shaking so bad.. Ha I'm so awkward. It's fine.

 Anyways, wow! It was such an amazing experience!!! I love Drew so much. He is my joy! 

 I have no doubt that the answer I gave him to the question, "Will you marry me?" was right.

Of course the answer was yes!!! There was absolutely no doubt in my mind!

We're so weird. I love it. 

It was an amazing experience and a fantastic memory I will never forget!

 What a sweetheart to have planned to have his friends there to capture the moment!!! 

Call me "Mrs. Awkward-I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-my-hands-EVER"

 We shared the great news with our friends and family and eventually celebrated by going out to eat with Drew's parents.

I love him!!!

We were on cloud nine for the rest of the night...

And we still are!!! I still can't believe I have a ring on my finger and I can now call my best friend my fiance. 

Life is so good! June 7th can't come soon enough!!!

Love,

Kate

There comes a time

Today was a big day. It was the day I was called to enter the MTC so I could train to be a missionary  and eventually serve in Billings, Montana.

 Although I may not be serving in Montana for those reasons anymore, I'm still going to be a missionary. As a matter of fact I'll be a missionary for the rest of my life.

I have learned so many different things the past few months, but one thing in particular is this:
You can be a missionary at all times, and in all things, and in all places.

Always.

 A lot of emotion has been invested into serving a mission, and now as I prepare for a temple marriage. It definitely has its ups and downs. There is always going to be a bitter before the sweet, and it's always going to be darkest before the dawn.

But the best part about this life and having the knowledge of the gospel is that there is always hope! "...peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. They friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (D&C 121:7-9) 

I could not be more grateful for friends and family who love and support me! Seriously, besides the gospel in my life and our savior and redeemer Jesus Christ, they have been my rock and my foundation. Without their support I don't know where I would be or what I would be doing!

I am so happy. And I know that I say that alllll the time, but seriously I truly am! I seriously have never been happier. I am so confident in the decision I have made and this day has only confirmed those feelings even more. I have no doubt that I am where I am suppose to be right now.

I absolutely love my life. As a matter of fact, I'm in love with my life! I love where I live. I love who I live with. I love what I am doing. And I love where I am going.

And best of all... I've fallen in love!

I am going to make it a goal to start blogging more. So keep your eyes posted.

Anyways, that's all I have for now.

The pictures are from Richfield High School (building #2). I took these pictures the other day when I was walking around with my mom, sister, and the rest of the Prom committee. Kind of random, but I thought they were sweet!

There you go. 

Love,

Kate

ps. to everyone: thank you so much for your love and support. I love you all!

And his name is Drew

"I'm in love! I'm in love! And I don't care who knows it!" --Buddy the elf.

With that in mind, let me tell you a story.

As most of you may know, I received my mission call back in November. I was suppose to enter the MTC on February 6, 2013. Well I will not be serving a mission anymore. Heavenly Father has blessed me with an even bigger mission-- to be married in the temple!!

I met Drew Hansen around the time that I received my mission call. I did not have any intentions of dating him or anything. I was determined to go on my mission. Well my plans sure did change! He was persistent and pursuing. He asked me out on a date and I agreed to go. He told me he liked me that night and I told him straight up that I didn't like him. [sad, I know] 

But he didn't give up on me! He stuck around. Not a day went by that I didn't see his huge smile and bright blue eyes. I noticed that it was effortless to be with him, and I really enjoyed being around him.

I actually loved it.

I think I was fighting the fact that I desired to be with him constantly. I fell in love with his personality, his style, his laugh, his smile, and most importantly, his testimony.

He told me he loved me one night and I just smiled because I already knew he did.

I, however, didn't tell him for quite a while later. But I eventually did and I haven't been able to stop telling him since!

He never once told me not to serve a mission, and for that I am so grateful. He said he would support me with whatever I chose to do.

After much sought counsel as well as heaps of fasting and praying I decided to continue dating Drew to see if he could possibly be "the one" for me!

Well now more than ever I have never been so sure about my decision. I absolutely adore him and I want to spend the rest of my life with him and more! 

He's become my best friend. He's perfect for me in every single way and he makes me SO  happy! 

So there's my story for everyone. I'm so excited about my bigger mission in life and I can't wait to start it! 

Love,

Kate 

From Kambry

Ode to Kate

When we were young, we would fight 

Just as normal siblings do.

But now that we're older, we rely

On one another to push through.

She's there whenever I need her;

To talk, to advise, to listen.

The words she speaks to me are golden.

They, like the soft snow, glisten.

She is my best friend

And forever will be.

I know I can count on her;

She'd be here in two point three.

She is the perfect example to me;

Of hope, of kindness, and of love.

She paved a path for me to follow,

I know it came from above.

The bright light in her eyes,

Helps me know that she cares a lot;

About where I go and who I become.

I'm grateful for what I've got.

The bonds we share could never be broken,

Not even a little bit.

We've got a strong relationship, I know,

That will never, ever quit.

Love,

Kambry

My favorite place in the world

I went ice fishing today with the three greatest guys in my life today! My dad, my brother, and my best friend Drew. 

So there you have it. 

Life is beautiful. It always is. You simply just have to open up your eyes and look for the beauty that surrounds you. It may just be the warm sun kissing your cheeks on a freezing day. It may be the shimmer of the icy snow laying atop of the slick black ice. Or maybe it's the beauty of your father's soft glance as he simply looks at you and smiles with all the love in his heart. 

I cannot believe how blessed I truly am to have wonderful people in my life and to live around such gorgeous surroundings.

(Not to mention how grateful I am that the ice was thick enough that none of us fell through!)

With all that said, here is a quote that I found that I absolutely love:

"Often when we pray for help with a significant matter, Heavenly Father will give us gentle promptings that require us to think, exercise faith, work, at times struggle, then act. It is a step-by-step process that enables us to discern inspired answers."

—Richard G. Scott, "How to Pray and Seek Answers"

I know Heavenly Father definitely does have a way of answering our prayers always. Absolutely always.
Love,
Kate

Some highlights of the holidays

I know that I've uploaded a picture like this already, but I just wanted to post some pics from the last few weeks!

This was Christmas eve at our grandma's house. I adore my siblings. They're so cute.

 We stopped by Grandpa Perry's to wish him a Merry Christmas Eve as well. So many grandchildren-- crazy to think I'm the oldest!

 This was Christmas morning. What a magical, beautiful morning full of love and excitement! 

Drew came up after Christmas and we got to go sledding!

  

One of the many joys of living in Richfield-- being able to sled and ride four wheelers around up in the hills just up the street from my house!

Another one of the highlights of the holidays was the homecoming of one of my good friends Chase Adams. He came home from his mission to Alaska and so I got to see him and many of my friends at his homecoming. Loved it! 

Over the break some of us got together and went out to lunch and then went bowling. It was fun spending time with some of my old friends! One of the best feelings is knowing that even though we all go our separate ways and live different lives, we can always rely on one another and when we get together it's like nothing has ever changed! That's true friendship right there.

I am just always weird in photos. Don't bother... it's fine.

Below is Dustee, Tiana, and Marissa. Such beauties huh!?

In the picture above Dustee grabbed my bum. That is why we were both laughing, so we took another picture afterwards. Ha.. see? Nothing has changed between us.

Then a couple days later I got with a bunch of friends again to celebrate mine and Corrie's birthdays! We went to El Mexicano and enjoyed catching up on each others' lives. It was grand!

Well eventually came the day of my birth. Sunday, January 6, 2013. 

That day 5 years ago was my 16th birthday. I had received my patriarchal blessing that day as well as my young womanhood award. What a beautiful day! I didn't realize that I would be turning 21 five years later. How crazy time flies by!!!  

 Drew surprised me by driving up later that afternoon. It was the best surprise ever! I was so happy!!! 

You can see the "2-1" in the shape of the candles. Ha so cute, so clever. Thanks mom:)) Not to mention, my sweet mother and I experimented a little and came up with one of the best cakes I have EVER had. Lemon blueberry with almond frosting and blueberry sauce to top it off. Wow! Absolutely brilliant.

 

Later that evening we invited all of my family over for cake and ice cream and I opened a few presents. But as you can see, I absolutely love Drew. He is such a sweetheart and we always have so much fun together! We're the biggest goofs.

But seriously, he made my birthday absolutely wonderful. I will never forget seeing him standing at the front door holding flowers, just waiting to surprise me.

I had a great birthday and was so happy to have been able to spend it with loved ones. 

I've now been 21 for an entire week and well I guess you could say to celebrate it I was surprised to find even more flowers at the door!! The card read, "Simply the best!" and I knew exactly who it was from.

 

Thank you Drew for always making me smile!!!

Now as for my life, I just hang out with my family. I'm looking for a job because I am in desperate need of one! Wish me luck. And if you have any suggestions for me, please let me know. 

I am just so grateful to be done with school and to be living at home with my family because they are absolutely wonderful. I can't believe how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends, family, and loved ones.
I'm soooo happy!

The future is sooo bright! Brighter than it has ever been and I am so excited for what it holds.

Love,

Kate