Went to the temple and now we're married

Finally the last night alone in my apartment (October 6th). The excitement and anticipation was more than one can handle. When the next day came all I could do was sing "all my bags are packed I am ready to go". Our apartment was ready and waiting our return. What was going to happen next I would have never guessed. Tom and I were waiting outside of our apartment with three bags for our ride to show. I couldn't help, but pace around in worry they we would miss our flight. We finally got to the point where we needed to drive ourselves so that we wouldn't miss our own wedding. Tom was born a police officer. He was weaving around traffic, driving like a mad man to the airport. Upon arrival the airport I stopped white knuckling the door to then sprint from the parking lot to inside the terminal. I don't care how comfortable flip flops are they are not made to be sprinted in especially with two bags on your shoulders. You think the relief has arrived once we got to the Southwest check-in counter, but think again. All the other airlines had no check-in line, but Southwest, my goodness, you would think they are giving away seats with how long the line was. It only gets better when the Southwest worker tells the man in front of us you might make the LAX flight if you go as fast as you can. So dashing through the airport we go and luckily we made it on the flight. We arrived in California to see friends and family. The only thing I could manage myself to eat was Jack in the Box tacos and mashed potatoes. Tom on the other hand kept his normal appetite. At the LA temple apartments I couldn't get myself to sleep due to the anticipation. I am one lucky girl with a fiance texting me from the other side of the wall. On October 8th my morning started early 5:30am early. My mom, Bill, and myself headed to Huntington Beach to get my hair done and then to Newport to the temple. The whole trip I couldn't help myself, but look at my cell phone watching the minutes slowly pass till our wedding time. 11:00 is taking forever. At almost 9:30 we got to the temple and saw Tom for the first time. I was nervous beyond belief, but he had a smile so huge. He had the look of a kid at the candy store. The whole ceremony was unique and such a special moment with all of our friends and family near. Now it would be complete without some silly moments, come on I am marrying Tom. If Tom saying "I do" too early in the ceremony didn't get enough laughs going, me trying to push Tom's wedding ring on his right hand sure did. Lesson learned: if the ring isn't fitting something is probably wrong. After pictures pictures and more pictures we began our journey through LA traffic. We had lunch in Manhattan Beach at Baja Fresh with Tom in his tux. The drive to the Bacara in Santa Barbara felt like eternity. What was with that day? I swear someone was playing with time and making it go by very slow. I was so beat, exhausted, and Tom was all of the above and more. Being stuck in traffic for hours upon hours in stick shift causes too much tiredness. Finally after 7 hours of driving we made it to Paradise. The resort was amazing! We drove up to Porches, Rolls Royce, you name any top of the line car it was there. We were taken on a tour of the property which was beautiful and then were taken to our room. Chocolate dipped strawberries and sparking cider were awaiting us, I feel as though I had died and gone to Heaven. More to come...

The Apartment

Wow, a lot has come to pass since the last entry. Tom and I have finally moved all of our stuff into our apartment; boy what a lot of work. After living in my apartment for a whole 3 days we had our first guest. Not much was in our apartment since we moved in, but my dad stayed with me in our apartment. He flew out from Georgia to meet with the rest of my family and Tom's family for a get together in St. George, Utah. Once we got back to the apartment Tom and I came down with strep throat, joy! Both of us were out of work with 100+ temperatures in misery, but luckily my dad was around to take care of us. Last weekend I flew out to California (first time away from Tom since he moved out to Utah) for the bridal shower. My sister, Brittany and best friend, Brianne did an amazing job throwing an amazing shower. A lot of yummy cupcakes! We are down to 8 days left and time is flying by. So much to do and such little time, with an increasing headache surrounding our blasted dryer. Let the madness begin because we are having a blast with it!

We Don't Need Photoshop

On a beautiful Monday evening Thomas and I got dressed up and headed for our "photo shoot". My roomates aka "camera crew" followed us to where Thomas proposed to capture the stunning view of us... I mean the Salt Lake Valley. We all had a great time goofing off mostly and at some point being serious. Below are some of the pictures, you can't tell how extremely happy we are, can you? :)

Let the planning begin

One day and one month later I find the biggest joy in checking things off of my to-do list. Wedding date check (October 8, 2010), wedding dress check (would post pictures, but it needs to be a surprise for a certain special someone), wedding colors check (purple and green), and wedding stress big check. I have always said that if I were to build Rome it would have been in a day, but boy am I finding out Rome nearly isn't as stressful as wedding :) I am blessed with an amazing partner is crime, family, and friends to help me through the journey. Before I left for college I was told that life is an adventure. What an adventure my life has been and I can't wait to have someone like Thomas to join me on the adventure.

Oh and for the big announcement, Thomas and I have had some additions to our tiny family that we are proud to invite into our future home. We are the proud parents (okay, okay, actually owners) of a table with 4 chairs and a couch. Our little place is coming together one piece of furniture at time. Next on that list is actually getting our little home :)

The Engagement

June 13, 2010 Thomas asked me to marry him. Shocker right?! :) The ring is gorgeous and I am extremely honored that he asked, but the best part is how he asked. I knew the big question was coming it was just a manner of time. He came to my house after work on Saturday, said his hello, and followed with "well I was going to propose to you today, but now I am not going to because it's raining..." Not exactly what I expected to hear, but hey what can I do. Now I know he really has the ring, talked to my fathers,so the question is when/how is it going to happen. After work on Sunday he came over, said his hello, and suggested we go for a drive. hmmmmmm what is he up to? :) He drove up to Baccus highway, kept looking at his iPhone, came to the road he is looking for, and boom two huge cement barricades blocking the road. All I could do is sit there and smile. After driving around for a little while to release some of his frustration. He pulls into the parking lot of RC Wiley. He turns me and says, "Cessily I am not romantic. I don't know how to make this perfect for you. I wanted to take you shooting yesterday, but it rained. Now I can't take you to Butterfield Canyon. All of my ideas aren't working. All I know is that I love you and I have this ring that is burning a hole in my pocket. I want to ask you these 4 words, so I can give you this ring that is meant for you." What a way to make a girl melt. He started driving towards Draper. I thought for sure it was the Draper temple he was taking me to until I remember this huge castle like house that is unfinished that I took him early this year. Of course there are 3 cars parked outside admiring the house. Prior to getting to the house we saw a little trail, so he took me there. At the beginning of the trial was a sign that mentioned to not use the trials when muddy. Well, it rained yesterday, but it was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon so everything should be okay. There were some muddy parts and it would be interesting getting down, but we were both in the for the adventure. We got to the top of the Redrock Trail and had an amazing view. The Salt Lake Valley in front of us and the Draper temple to our right with blue skies and white fluffy clouds. The moment Thomas starts saying some sweet words it starts to sprinkle out of no where. Then as he gets down on one knee it rains buckets and I mean buckets of water. A girl is supposed to be crying during this moment, but all I could do is laugh. Of course I said yes to the question he had been dying to ask. Then for the hike down. A lot of screams and slides happened on the way down that trail. I now see why they posted that sign at the beginning of the trial. Once we got back down to his car the sun was shining, we were drenched, but a rainbow was above the area where he proposed. For some people 3 times maybe a charm, but for us the 4th spot Thomas picked was our charm.
Right after the proposal, during the rainstorm

The view



Once we got back down