WEDDING: video

I watch this a lot...

Like daily.

Every time I watch I get butterflies.

It was the best day and Nathan captured it BEAUTIFULLY!

SO grateful that I have this footage forever and ever!

I am a blogger failure and can't seem to upload the video onto this post (HELP! I'm an idiot.) so until I figure it out you can view the video here.

xo

WEDDING: the dress

Today I had a second to look through my drafts and finish some wedding posts.

This post is all about the DRESS!

Dress shopping was one of my favorite parts of preparing for the big day.

My mom, SIL, and I went to try on dresses so I could get a feel of what I wanted .
I was kind of all over the place when it came to what I was looking for.

That shopping trip opened my eyes.
I realized that I was too petite for a poofy dress that started at my waist.
I have a little boy's body so the mermaid fit did NOTHING for me. I need to grow curves.
I learned that lace dresses are beautiful but I was going for something unique and it is hard to find that in a lace dress.
I had attended so many weddings around that time and at every single one the brides wore a laced dress.
They all looked AMAZING and I drooled over every single one, but I wanted to be different and do something more "Hillary".
I learned that finding a dress that could be altered (WELL) to have sleeves would be tricky.
I figured out that a belt was a MUST!
I knew that I wanted a classic sleeve and top.

The next place I shopped was SLC.
I knew that the shops would be used to making the dresses modest so I felt really comfortable shopping up in Utah.
My aunt made lots of appointments for us but it only took the first store.

I walked into the perfect dress and I was in heaven.
It was so picturesque.
It is the most darling shop and my mom, aunts and I had it all to ourselves.

I had a feeling I would find my dress there.

I tried on about 4 dresses and was happy but I knew they weren't "the one". I glanced over at the back corner of the room and saw a rack of dresses with sleeves.

I walked straight over to my dress and asked if I could try it on.
It was on the rack in the back because it was going to be in their black friday sale later that week.

I tried it on and fell in love with the bottom.

The cute associate saw the disappointment on my face when my eyes got up to the top.
She gently whispered, "don't worry, you can alter the top anyway you want."

I was SOLD!

My mom and aunts all agreed. It was perfect!

Then we found out the price...

I am not normally one to talk money but this was just too amazing...

My dream dress was on sale for $300!

YUP!

They set me up with a seamstress who was AMAZING! She was the sweetest and when we got talking we figured out that she is friends with our family seamstress who made my bridesmaid dresses.
Such a small world!





So sure enough I found a dress that fit all of my requirements!

Poofy at the bottom (but not a mermaid):

Clean and classic neckline/sleeves:

BELT(!!!):

...and so much more!!!

I loved my dress so much!

If there ever was a day to look like a princess it was this one.

I'm so glad I got to feel like a princess!

Christmas 2014

(I was on Instagram scrolling through random peoples feeds (you know you do it too) on the explore area and I saw a christmas journaling prompt.

I hurried and jotted it down in my notes because i thought it was a brilliant way to organize this blog post.

Unfortunately, I totally forgot who's account I was on. GAH. I've searched high and low so I could give the proper credit but I've failed miserably.

So if it was your idea, THANK YOU! I promise i'm not taking credit for the idea.

rant over.)

CHRISTMAS 2014

WHAT WE DID:

We spent Christmas Eve with my family (both sides).

 We went out to dinner then came home to hang out in our new christmas pjs with just mom, dad, and brad. We laughed so hard that night while taking pictures.

Christmas morning was spent with just my immediate family.

We had the sister missionaries over for breakfast and then they got to Skype their families.

We were ready to Skype Adam at 1 but we got a text at 1:05 saying that Adam wouldn't be able to Skype until 5.

GAH.

That messed up plans a little bit because we were planning on heading to Jordan's side at 3. 

Thankfully, I have understanding in laws.

We stayed at my house for a few more hours and skyped Adam at 5. Man, that was amazing. Just hearing him say the words "goodbye" again had me in hysterics.

We RAN to jordan's house to celebrate with his family.

We had a yummy dinner and played games.

Those smiths really like to play games.

WHAT WE ATE:

My favorite part..

Christmas Eve we had Lucilles BBQ.

I had a tri tip salad and jordan had tri tip sliders.

Christmas morning we had banana pancakes, eggs and bacon.

For lunch we had our Mautz specialty.

It is the weirdest combo of foods but we LOVE IT!

We had oysters, shrimp, "stinky cheese", jalapeño jelly, pickles, oranges, more cheese and crackers, and MUCH MORE.

It is pretty much all of our favorite appetizers. Weird, we know. Jordan is still getting used to it.

For dinner Jordan's mom and aunt made yummy pasta, salad, green beans, etc.

I was so stuffed by the time we got to Jordan's house that I could barely eat...

That was until Jordan's aunt brought out her LAVA CAKE. Holy moly, that stuff is good. All of a sudden i was forcing myself to eat because I would never forgive myself for missing out on that cake.

WHO WE CELEBRATED WITH:

On my side (both christmas eve and christmas day) we got to celebrate with all of my grandparents, my immediate family (except adam in NC). I had aunts and uncles there (Aunt Krissie, Juju, Aunt Katie, Jon, Uncle Larry). I had lots of cousins (Amanda, Blake, Bronson, Callie, Chloe, Cammie, Miles, Tyler).

We weren't able to make it to Jordan's Dad's side for Christmas Eve but we did get to see his mom's side on christmas. We got to see his immediate family (just missing lark in UT), his grandma, his aunt  sherry, his uncles Rance, Royce, Todd, and Arvin, and his cousin Ariana. 

WHAT WE GOT/GAVE:

Poor jordan had a lame christmas. He didn't want anything so I ended up buying him basics. Other people spoiled him tho.

He got a backpack, sweats, cologne, a camera, shoes, LOTS of clothes, money and more.

I felt every loved/spoiled on christmas. Jordan got me way too much.

I got the watch i had been dreaming of, the tory burch flats that we bought back in sept, a tiffany ring (there is a good story behind that one), so many clothes, more shoes, make up brushes, and so much more.

Adam sent brad and I North Carolina gear. It is now my favorite sweatshirt.

Jordan and I were gifted a trip to Vegas. We are planning on going the day after he takes the DAT so we can celebrate his hard work. 

I said over and over that my gift giving was so unoriginal this year for my family and friends. I am determined to do better next year. I get so much joy from picking out the perfect gifts. 

WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO FORGET BY NEXT CHRISTMAS:

It hit me really hard this year that Jordan and I are starting our own family and need to start our own traditions. Thankfully, our families have set great traditions for us to build on. It is so easy to get distracted by the "fun" traditions and forget to center this season around Christ. I have been listening closely to other peoples traditions that help them remember the true meaning of christmas. By next year i hope to make our own. If anyone has ideas I'd love to hear them. 

I love Christmas SO much and it kills me to see it pass so quickly.

I hope you and your family had a perfect Christmas!

We sure had a great first "married Christmas"

MY YEAR IN REVIEW

Happy New Year, friends!

The last couple of days I have found myself scrolling through my iPhone camera reel reminiscing on 2014.

It will always be my favorite year because it was the year I FINALLY got to marry jordan.

I'd like to take a minute to make my simple review so I can quickly look back at 2014 in years to come.

JANUARY:

We rang in the new year with friends and family at our yearly party.

I savored jordan for a few days before he went back to school.

January was spent wedding planning and i loved every second.

FEBRUARY:

February was spent focusing on school and work.

Jordan flew down to celebrate valentines day with me.

Long distance engagements are so hard.

MARCH:

March must have been pretty basic because my camera reel doesn't have too many pictures.

I know that I was up to my ears in my interpreting program and planning my wedding.

I did manage to go to LOTS of my pre schoolers baseball games. I LOVE supporting those munchkins! 

I'm a broken record but pre-school is the best!

APRIL:

I loved april! 

My mom and I took a trip to utah to have my final dress fitting, find flower girl dresses, attend conference, and see my long lost fiancé.

MAY:

JORDAN MOVED HOME!!! He started selling alarm systems for the summer before we got married!After being apart for 2 years while he was on his mission and then a year of long distance while he went to school in utah, i was READY to be with him! We took advantage of finally getting to date each other by going out all the time.

We also got to take our engagement pictures in May. the wedding was starting to feel REALLY close!

JUNE:

One of my favorite months this year.

After 4 years of blood, sweat and tears I graduated from my interpreting program.

Adam graduated from high school and got his mission call.

I taught swim lessons.

I had the most beautiful bridal shower.

Jordan surprised me with a trip to disneyland.

I did have to say goodbye to my dream job since jordan and i were moving to utah (that part was NO fun.)

JULY:

Its my birthday month so it was good one.

It was wedding crunch time. 

My days were spent at final meetings and i was up all night overthinking every detail.

My family spent 4th of july weekend at a resort in AZ.

My aunt had her chubby baby. I love him and his brother so much!

Jordan and I bought our first car together.

My mom took me on a surprise birthday trip to see celine dion in LV.

Jordan spoiled me on my birthday and took me to see once.

AUGUST:

WE GOT MARRIED!

Well, first adam and i went through the temple.

Then, i had an incredible bachelorette party.

The night before the wedding we had a rehearsal dinner that i will always hold so close to my heart.

On 8.15.14 we sealed the deal.

We went on a beautiful honeymoon to cabo.

Then I said goodbye to everything i knew and moved to utah.

We are very blessed to live where we live in Utah. 

August was pure bliss!

SEPTEMBER:

We were (still are, i guess) in marital bliss. 

Jordan started another semester and I started a new job.

We continued to get settled into our new home.

I got to fly home for Adam's farewell.

Jordan and my uncle started coaching soccer.

We enjoyed this new phase of life by going out on fun dates.

annnnd i chopped off all of my hair (still kind of mourning).

OCTOBER:

Adam left for his 2 year mission.

That pretty much consumed my month.

It was an emotional few weeks with Adam leaving and the heartache i had for my best friend and her family.

Thankfully, I had the tender mercy of getting my best friend back from her mission the day before Adam left.

She was able to visit us in October and we did lots of fun halloween activities. 

By the end of the month I was all smiles and grateful for my knowledge of eternal families.

NOVEMBER:

We spent the month reflecting on everything we have to be grateful for (which is SO much).

We decorated for christmas... really early.

Experienced the most beautiful fall.

Enjoyed our family in utah and then came home to CA to celebrate thanksgiving.

We ate too much.

I also got to see my babies in the pre-school pow wow.

DECEMBER:

YAY for christmas time!

My gosh it is the best!

We did so many fun christmas activities with the goddards.

We enjoyed some christmas dates.

I had my first white christmas season!

We traveled home to have our first "married christmas".

WE SKYPED ADAM!

My dad turned 50.

and we rang in the new year with loved ones.

Oh it was a fabulous year!

Sure there were both highs and lows, but I can't help but feel loved by my Heavenly Father.

I am excited to stretch and grow in 2015 (and find out where we are going for dental school DANGIT!).

I know that this year will be amazing because I have Jordan by my side.

I'm a happy girl.

Happy New Year!