today is

National Toot Your Flute Day.
Not joking, google it.

Thus, I'd like to take this opportunity to toot about Zane. If he's not something to brag about, I don't know what is.

My reasoning goes as follows:

-He's got the best head of hair you've ever seen.
-He doesn't watch sports. Ever. Jackpot!
-He doesn't play video games, unless it's Spyro, with me.
-He is kind, kind, kind.
-He cleans Tom the fish's tank more often than not.
-He sacrifices variety in his diet, to eat at Which Wich with me. over, and over, and over.
-He wakes up with me every morning, at 5:45, just to keep me company.
-He was willing to move into his in-law's basement.
-He kills all spiders, and other creepy crawlies that are about to attack me, without letting me know, so I can still sleep at night.
-He does magic. Enough said.
-He loves animals. Especially old Dallas, and that's a must in my book.
-He lets me take pictures of him. All the time. And then post them for the world to see. 
-He is going to give me some cute babies.

Zane truly is my best, and brightest accomplishment. Better than any shiny trophy, not that I have any.
I can't take credit for any of his perfection, except maybe his cute clothes, but I will take credit for snatching this gem up.
Winning!

What are you tootin' about today?

more magic? YES!

Sometimes I have these moments of pure inspiration where I decided I should document a moment in film.
Especially after my previous video of Zane doing magic became such a sensation.

Unfortunately, my little inspiration did not include realizing I should spit out my gum, or at least close my mouth.
Zane said on a scale from 1-10, my gum smacking was only a 5.
I'm afraid it's an 8, and by bringing it to your attention, I think you'll agree with me on this one.
And I'm so sorry. 

mmmhm

On our first date, Zane told me he did magic. 

I laughed out loud, I thought he was joking. 

He wasn't.

So hot right now. 

memory lane strikes again

A friend of mine at work is in love, and we have been discussing how in the world he can bring up the marriage conversation. Such a scary topic in a relationship headed in said direction.

Zane and I danced around the "M" word for about a month.
Little phrases and words implying a mutual future. Dates planned months ahead of time. I have a journal entry for every occasion Zane inched towards the big M.

I tried to pinpoint the moment Marriage became a spoken topic, so I could help my friend move his own process along, but could not.

I asked Zane if he remembered, he didn't even hesitate.

I came to visit him at work, took a seat on his lap, and said "I want to marry you. Just wanted to say it out loud."

And marry we did. 3 months later.

Thank goodness someone said it. 

Sometimes I wonder where that blunt and brave girl went. 

I haven't seen her in the mirror lately. 

Christmas with my big lug

This was the first Christmas between my two families, and I loved it.
Christmas Eve is a big event for the O'Gwins, they do a big dinner, get pajamas, read a Christmas story, and watch a Christmas movie.
It worked out pretty perfect because Christmas day is a bigger in my family.
Although, I did miss my traditional family movie and dinner out, I really loved spending Christmas Eve with the O'Gwins.

Zane had a little sleepover at my house that night, because Christmas starts at my house at 7 AM. We opened presents and went to church. When we got home we had our traditional Borup Christmas Breakfast.
And I made delicious some pancakes, if I do say so myself.
After we were filled to the brim, Zane and I went over to his parents house to open some presents, and took a little Christmas nap.
Then it was time to head over to my Hirschi family Christmas dinner at my grandmas, and opened a couple more presents.

We wore our matching turtlenecks, because mom says, "everyone looks good in a black turtleneck."

Just channeling my inner mom and making some pancakes. 

Spending some time with my Hirschi cousins

Zane doing magic for the kids

And Zane gave me my cute lion hat that I just adore. 

I sure do love this guy. 

It was a wonderful Christmas. 

I am truly blessed. 

Now that Christmas has come and gone, all thats left to do is get married!!!

It's a summary

I try not to do summary entries.

But it turns out that the last 2 weeks before you get married, and christmas are unbelievably busy. Leaving little time to blog at all, let alone blog well. 

So bare with me here, as I catch you up.

When school was over, I spent a lot of afternoons doing this while Zane worked from home. And since he is obsessed with me and all, he took a picture. It's been nice to have some time to relax a little more.

And when I wake up, we do dumb things like this. 

Also, I've created a bad habit of  only taking pictures with his iphone.

We spent some time shopping at Ikea, and then even more time building things and moving in. It looked a little like this.

Soon we celebrated Christmas with the Borups at the annual Borup Christmas party! It's exciting to think that Zane will be there with me every year for the rest of my life. 

And we spend a lot of time getting out apartment ready, eating tender meals on the floor. 

We went and saw Sherlock Holmes.

Most importantly though, I went through the temple to receive my endowments on Thursday. It was such a special experience. I am so excited to be with Zane forever, to be our own little family. And guess what? It happens in 4 days!

Next comes Christmas and the wedding. 

I promise to be a better blogger, okay?

Don't give up on me.

I wanna itch it!

So Zane and I got our "groomals" back, and I am in LOVE.
Alixann Loosle is my photographer, and she is amazing.
I've been blog stalking her for quite some time now, so I was really excited when I had the opportunity to book her for my own wedding.

Having them back has been awesome, and also a small form of torture. I want to share them with everyone!
I'm in no way superstitious, I did not care a lick about Zane seeing me in my dress before the big day. Choosing to do my bridals with Zane is one of the smartest decisions I've made. BUT, I don't feel like I can just pass pictures around of me and my hubby-to-be in the full wedding dress get-up before the actual day.
I mean, I just can't. right?
So here I am. Sitting with an itch I can't scratch.

Sitting with this kid, as we look at our pictures once or twice.
Or maybe four times...

same, same

Sometimes we match without trying to.

I even had a feeling when I put on that outfit that Zane would wear one similar.

Sure enough, I opened the door, and there he is. Sweatshirt and plaid. 

My sister said since it's christmas season and all, it was okay, and maybe even kind of cute to match. 

So we rocked the "twinner" look all day,

and loved it. 

bought myself a right to a hubby

Eternal happiness has a price people.

And here in Utah County, that price is 50 buckeroos. 

That's a bargin if you ask me.

first look

Zane and I took our "groomals" this weekend. 

(One of the smartest wedding related decisions I've made.) 

Walking down my hallway in my wedding dress, to my future hubby squeezing his eyes shut, felt a little like glorified prom. 

But his reaction made me feel like it was my wedding day. 

one month. 

Grateful.

Over this Thanksgiving holiday I, like everyone else, spent a lot of time thinking about what I'm really grateful for this year.

There certainly is a lot.
The long list contains things such as, my job, my healthy body, my cute new condo, the holiday season, yummy food, nature, and seat warmers.
I feel constantly overwhelmed with blessings. Big and small.

But there are 4 blessings in my life that stand above all the rest.

My beautiful best friends. 

They are such examples to me of love and acceptance. 

They've made this little life more fun, and bright.

They got me through the roller-coaster we call high school, and really, for that I will be forever grateful. 

My wonderful family. 

The new, and the original members. The immediate and the extended. 

They are so unbelievably loving and supportive. Since I have decided to get married, those qualities have begun to shine through every member more than ever, and everyday I am grateful. 

I am also thankful for the silly, adorable, little ones that keep everything simple. 

My perfect husband-to-be, Zane. 

He is everything I ever dreamed up, and so much more. 

He has truly made me the happiest girl in the world.

And every other cliche you can think of.

He is mine. 

Last, and most of all, I am grateful for the gospel. 

I am grateful to know what I know, 

and all of the blessings that come along with that knowledge.

Happy Thanksgiving.

it's a good life

Lets talk about 2 different events that are making me a very happy girl...

A. 
Zane and I got our first wedding gift! Two of my favorite aunts, Launa and Tammy, can't make it to my shower on Saturday, but they save lives for a living so it's okay.
And because they are the best, they still wanted to celebrate with me, so they were kind enough to take me out to dinner. We ate at CPK, and chatted for an hour or so.It was lovely, and on my way out they gave me two gifts to take home to my hubs-to-be to open together.
We were pretty excited. Although my family has been more than helpful already. My parents, and my grandparents have already donated time, gifts, and money into creating my perfect home. This was our first "official" gift, wrapped and all.
It felt like a historical moment, so we took a picture.

A vacuum and comforter have never been so exciting.

And if I look like I've been crying, it's because I had. I was just missing my dad that night, okay?! 

B.

This morning at work I discovered I won this little competition they hold at my job! I was pretty proud, and I went to collect what I thought would be a dinky little prize. It turns out my job is pretty awesome, and I won a $50 gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond! Hello, that's where I'm registered! 

I am pretty sure it was fate.

And even though I went to work without a lick of make-up on and slicked my hair back, I had to take a picture of this moment.

Needless to say, I'm having a good day. 

Hope you are too!

Roasted Cashew

Remember the masterpiece we called the cloud room?
Well thanks to hours of dedicated work, mostly from Zane and his mama, the cloud room is no more.
This is how we spent our Saturday...

It started off a little something like this.. 

The ceiling was also blue, which made a little extra work for us. 

 a little over exposed.

And the finished product looks a little like this!

The pictures are a little misleading. They make it seem like we did this all on our own, but like I previously mentioned, Missy, Zane's momma did most of the work. I have to give credit where it's due.

I worked wonders with the blue tape though. 

Needless to say, I'm enjoying "roasted cashew" much more than the clouds. 

One step closer to making this little place our home. 

P.S. I requested Zane participated in No Shave November, and I'm lovin it. 

A Borup Day

Saturday was a Borup day.

Zane and I spent all day long with my side of the family, and they kept us busy. 

First we had my cousin Mandy's baptism at 11. Her older brother, and my cute cousin Tyler got to baptize her, and it was pretty special to be apart of the event. Zane got to participate in her confirmation, which was also really special. 

After, we celebrated with the family, and ate the most delicious homemade tacos. 

Definitely gave Del a run for their money. 

This would be beautiful Miss Mandy

After we managed to all nap for a little bit, and then we were up and on to the next item of business. 

My cute mom made an appointment at "The Chocolate" for some taste testing for my wedding. 

Needless to say, it was delicious. Their sugar cookies are my newest obsession. I think The Chocolate will replace Yogurtland just fine for the winter season. 

You can try them for yourselves at my reception.

Isn't my boy so dang cute?!

After the chocolate we made a trip to Roberts, and Home Depot. Bought a few marriage necessities here and there, and then we were off to BYU. 

It was my sisters first appearance in the improv comedy show Laugh Out Loud.

So of course, the whole family went to support. 

We had a lot of fun, and Bri did such a great job. Who knows where she got the desire, or the talent, but she's got it. 

She was a little unsure if she was glad we were there or not

We love each other lots. 

The first picture of the new full fam-bam. 

It was a real busy, but perfect little saturday. 

Brooke Date

I have the best boy ever.
After I've had a rough night, full of unnecessary tears, Zane takes me out on a Brooke date.
Which means he chooses activities that he knows I really want to do, regardless of how he feels.
We ate at Five Guys, cause he knew I was craving it.
Then took me to my favorite place in the world, Yogurtland. Even though he says it smells like estrogen.
And then to finish it off, we went and saw Footloose. A pretty much girl movie he knew I wanted to see, that I absolutely loved!

He knows how to cheer me up pretty quick. That's why we're gettin' Hitched.

Family Night

Zane's professor gave the class a Halloween break yesterday. So I was pretty excited that Zane could finally come to a Borup family night!

Family night with us consists of eating out, and occasionally, a small church related thought.
Last night was strictly eating out.
(A truly adult way to celebrate, proof I'm ready for marriage?)

PF Changs hit the spot. 

Did I once write the search for my "hot" wedding bod had begun?? weeeell. 

That apparently was a lie. 

{not completely my fault due to the fact ALYSHA LANHAM is the worst personal trainer ever :) }
Zane still thinks I'm pretty though, so it's okay.

We took a picture of the occasion in the bright bright sun. 

We then watched "Drag Me to Hell", one of Zane's favorite horror movies, with some of the O'Gwin family. 

Nate left 1/3 of the way into it, he didn't want bad dreams. 

I, on the other hand, stuck it out the whole time just to discover it had the worst ending EVER! 

But I still think you should watch it.

56 days and counting peeps. 

It feels like home to me

Have I mentioned we bought ourselves a little home?
As in, we've begun renting what we refer to as our home.
Well, we did.

I realize I am pretty much on the ball, or maybe a bit past the ball, when it comes to the whole wedding, and marriage situation.
So what if I had a wedding dress before I had a ring? And so what if I found myself a little home two months before I have a husband?

The extremely early bird catches all the worms.

Heres a little peek.

Living/Dining Room. My favorite room of the house. 

Lots of natural light, the wall color, carpet, and light fixture, all fit me just fine.

The itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny room we call our kitchen. 

It might be small, but I love it all the same. 

The bathroom, that yes, we have already begun decorating. 

Kohls was having a good sale okay!? It's a work in progress. 

The bedroom. It needs some serious lighting, but we like it. 

And the best room in the whole little house.....

Ta-Da! The CLOUD room. 

We are pretty sure the previous owners had a baby... and as adorable as it is, the clouds have got to go. 

And last, my little porch/deck/backyard. 

Picture twinkle lights, a bench, and lots of flower pots.

There it is, our first home. All it needs is a little TLC. 

We are excited to start painting, and cleaning and planning, and moving over the next 2 months.

Come January, you can come visit the O'Gwin's anytime you'd like. 

 Everyday is like Christmas Eve thinking of all the happy things to come.
Zane literally can't sleep at night lately. It's pretty cute.