2014 Thoughts

2014 will probably go down as one of the biggest years of my life. Here are just some of the major things that took place:

• I graduated from college. Took 6 years, but I did it. I have a degree that I'm actually using. It feels like such a huge accomplishment. I did not know exactly where my education would bring me, but it brought me to a place that I continue to learn new things every day--and I love it! Student teaching sucked. I hated it. It was an awkward situation that I wish on no one. I hated having to "be in charge" of another person's classroom. I was supposed to implement my teaching and rules in the middle of the year with a class full of students who still looked at their teacher as the one in charge. I was also recovering from ACL surgery and was on crutches for a good portion of it. It was stressful and my confidence was low. I loved my students, but had mixed feelings if I was to really be a Special Education Teacher. I started to think of a plan B. What could I do with my degree instead of teaching? Then I finished in April and started applying to jobs. I so badly wanted to teach in a High School self-contained class. I applied to over 8 positions. Had about 6 interviews. And got no calls, no offers. I was feeling pretty crushed. Each interview made it harder. Then one day I got a call for an interview for a Charter school in Springville. Wasn't the ideal location, or the ideal job. But I took the interview. They offered me the job on the spot. I was shocked. I went home and prayed. I didn't really want the position, but I needed the job. I was getting married and we needed the income. And so far all the high school positions had been filled. I had the feeling I should take the job. I haven't once regretted that decision. Working at Reagan Academy has been amazing. Everyone talks about how hard the first year of teaching is, but I love it. I love my co-workers, my students and the school. My confidence is back and I feel very good about my decision to become a Special Education teacher.
• As many of you know, in December 2013 I tore my ACL playing soccer. This turned into surgery, that took me out from playing soccer for a whole year. I'm still not back, but am working on playing very soon. Through this experience I have become very grateful for my body. I missed being active and being able to hike, run and do a lot of summer activities this year. Our bodies are amazing. I'm grateful that I get to play soccer again! It has been a very long year without it. 
• I got married. Probably the biggest thing that happened this year by far and the best. The best advice I could give anyone is marry your best friend. Just last night Bryson and I stayed up til 2 am just talking. I felt like a little girl at a sleep over that didn't want to go to sleep because she was having such a fun time talking. I have never laughed so much in my life since Bryson entered into it. We are super poor, and live paycheck to paycheck but we make it just fine. When I think of Christmas this year, I realize I already have gotten the best present and don't feel a need for anything more. Bryson is such a blessing in my life. He listens to my vents of the day, he holds me when I cry for stupid reasons and he is there to make me laugh at any time of the day.

I feel very blessed this year. I know this time of my life is very unique, and I'm trying to enjoy each moment of it!

Married Blog

I started a new blog for my husband and I. I plan to still keep this one, but will probably update the other one more. If you are following me here, follow me at my new blog too! The address is: 

http://brysonandstacy.blogspot.com/

Marry Me

Baby is it time to set the date
I'm shaking and my heart can hardly wait
And everybody wants to know the fate
Of this forever
You can wear a suit and I'll wear white
We'll make your mom and daddy dance all night
Underneath the stars that shine so bright
When we're together
And at the end of that day
With the rice on the floor and the friends gone away
All that will matter to me is you
It's meant to be
Marry me

("Marry Me" by Cherie Call)

 

June.

I can't believe it is June, and I get married this month. It has always felt like it would never come, but here we are 10 days away from our happy wedding day.

Sometimes it still feels surreal, and like I will wake up from this beautiful dream. I feel so lucky. I have found my best friend, and he loves me.

7 months ago, if you had asked me to predict what was to happen I would have been so off. I even cut my hair in December thinking, "I'm not getting married anytime soon, so I have time to grow my hair back out." Now, I can't even imagine my life without Bryson.

Most of you know that a couple weeks ago I found out I have mono. There was about 9 days I basically didn't leave my bed. It was pretty miserable. But you know who got me through it? Bryson. He stayed with me in the ER, he rubbed my back when I threw up and he came and hung out with me when I couldn't do anything. I got a glimpse of how he will continue to take care of me the rest of our lives. I cannot wait to marry this man.

I just had to share a photo from our pre-wedding day photo shoot. I told myself I wouldn't share any of these till we were married...but oh well. Enjoy the sneak peek:

143

On Monday, Bryson and I were on my couch talking. It was just past midnight. He grabbed his phone frantically and quickly went to his app that is counting how many days we have seen each other in a row.

He then stood up and said, "I have to go to my house real fast." He immediately started walking to the front door. I quickly, followed and said, "Wait, can I come with you?" He said, "Oh yes, come with me!"

So we rushed over to his house. I had no idea what the heck was going on. I was laughing and giggling like a little girl. I just am so in love with him, and find everything he does adorable. Especially when he is frantic and excited.

We get to his house, and he runs up to his room. He comes down with an envelope and gives me this:

He then went on to explain that today was our 143rd day of seeing each other. He had found this a month ago and saved it for this day. The number 143 means I LOVE YOU.

Could I ask for a more romantic guy? I feel so lucky. And so loved.

Today marks 144 days of seeing each other in a row and 30 days left til we seal the deal.

Bryson

I love this man so much. He has yet to disappoint me. He goes above and beyond to make me happy. I feel so lucky I get to marry him and call him my husband for time and all eternity.

Yesterday I graduated from BYU. It was a big milestone in my life, and Bryson had told me he had a class he couldn't miss. However, he surprised me and came! While I was waiting to get seated I got a Snapchat of him sitting by my parents! I wanted to cry. He just is so thoughtful and loving. I couldn't ask for a more perfect man for me.

June 12th cannot come soon enough!!! 47 days left and I'm so excited.

8 Roses

Thursday April 3, 2014

Bryson told me he would be working til 7 that night and that he would have to meet me at institute. I had no idea he was proposing

7pm--I got a phone call from Bryson, he told me he was getting off work and that he wanted me to meet him at my neighbor's house. I thought it was kind of weird, but I said okay. I got to my neighbor's house and I texted him to tell him I was there. He texted back and said to come in for a bit. Again, I thought it was weird, but didn't have any idea what was going on. I went into the house and asked where Bryson was, they told me he went out back. At that point, I thought something was going on. As I walked outside I saw a rose and note on top of the hot tub. (Every Sunday night there is a group of us that go hot tubing in this hot tub.) The note read:

It was here that I got my first inclination that you liked me. I think we will like hot tubing for the rest of our lives. 

On the back it said:

Go to where we first exchanged that four-letter word. 

We first said I love you in the parking lot of Gold's Gym. So the scavenger hunt began. I went to Gold's Gym and found by a tree another rose with a note. The note read:

Remember what happened here? We said, "I love you" for the first time. That love continues to grow ever day. 

On the back it said:

Go to "our park"

So I went to "our park" in Cedar Hills. There is a park with a bench swing that we have gone to many times. We have had some of our deepest conversations there. By the bench swing there was another rose with a note. The note read:

What else is there to say but this is "our park"?

On the back it said: 

Go to where we first kissed.

So I went to the Thanksgiving Point movie theater where he first kissed me on our second date in the middle of the movie. Outside the theater on a table I found another rose and a note. The note read:

I bet you weren't expecting what happened here. For the record, I could sense that you were in shock after our first kiss. 

On the back it said:

Go to where you became a champion.

So off to Provo I went. Bryson had seen me win my championship intramural soccer game before I tore my ACL. It was the one and only game he had seen me play. At the soccer field I found another rose and a note. The note read:

You can be my champion for all eternity. 

On the back it said:

Go to Banana Leaf

Banana Leaf is one of our favorite restaurants. We have been there lots, and love the food there. Outside the restaurant is a little gazebo, there I found another rose and a note. The note read:

I was realizing how great you are at the same time I was realizing how great this place is.

On the back it said:

First Date

Our first date was at Comedy Sports. We both talk about how awkward we thought we both were. Outside Comedy Sports there was yet another rose and a note. The note read:

I'm with you on this one, this was an awkward first date. Good thing I knew you were awesome when I took you out so we kept it going; and how grateful I am!

On the back it said:

Meet me where you can look upon the temple that we'll be married in.

9pm--I made it back to Highland to the park across the street from the Timpanogos Temple. I found another rose and a letter this time. The letter was from Bryson, and in it he told me how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. While I was reading it, Bryson came walking out with a suite and tie on. He got down on one knee and proposed. I said yes.

My sister Kristy was with me during the whole scavenger hunt, and took the pictures of the last stop. 

I am so excited to marry Bryson Carrier. He is my best friend. He understands me, makes me laugh, makes me feel adored and loved, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him. 

June 12, 2014 will be the happiest day of my life so far, no doubt about it!