Pioneer Days

 

Greetings from Planet Relaxation! Have you been there? If not you totally should. Yes, it's been a while. But we all know breaks are totally necessary.

So let me be honest here. The 24th Celebration weekend (Pioneer Days) was marked on the calendar as soon as I was able. Yes, it was highlighted over and over and even had little doodles around it. I mean, this celebration is what I LIVE FOR.

J and I were able to spend some time in Mesa, and then head up on Friday to Snowflake. I was giddy as can be. This celebration allowed the memories to flow, of how it used to be. When I was a little girl and this holiday was just as exciting as Christmas...

I grew up with Snowflake wind in my lungs. Riding horses was something you learned at an early age. The junk yard was a gold mine for fort building equipment. Stink bombs were an ant colony's worst nightmare. SoBe bombs brought all the cousins together. You were so "mature" after given spending money for the night rodeo. And if you look closely at my socks, they have that redish tint of that infamous sand from playing in the cedars. This little town has always been a part of me and forever will be.



Pictures a great... but there's something about video that makes it THAT more REAL.

I should have it done in a few days... So in the mean time here are some pictures to temporarily satisfy your "Snowflake Adventures" craving.



Last day with Cooper

Gibbons Gals lunch date

Brynn was able to be baptized in their pool outside



Dinner at El Cupidos



It poured at the rodeo...we totally kissed.


xoxo
Madds

La vita è bella

This weekend was a big bowl of lovely. The moment Jerret get's home from a looooong Friday, we party. It's been so nice having Jerret work the day shift. I see him so much more now and am grateful for every moment spent together.

So on the agenda this weekend we had date night with the Thorpes! They're a new family to Tucson as well and have been nothing but sweet to us! As soon as we came over, I went straight towards their little 1 year old. She is such a doll and makes me so baby hungry. All of us then whipped out the board games and munched on the most delicious cheesecake Corinne made! We started out with Settlers of Catan, then moved onto Scum and ended with the classic: Go Fish. Seriously I am so grateful for their friendship and can't wait for more laughs and good times with them!

Saturday then rolled along and while Jerret was playing racket ball, I tidied up the house and got ready for our date. After he got home, we ran some errands at Target and went to the movies. We saw Million Dollar Arm and LOVED IT. It starred John Hamm and he did pretty good, but I'm sorry. I couldn't help but think of that HILARIOUS SNL skit he was in. #sofunny

After the movies, I surprisingly wasn't full enough from the diet coke and popcorn intake. So we headed to Pita Jungle. Their Pita, chicken and three-hummus is to die for. My tummy and taste buds were on cloud nine that night.

We topped off the evening with a walk with Scooter. There's nothing like burning calories, holding hands and watching an Arizona evening sky. 

Life is beautiful.

Currently obsessed with this jumpsuit (similar here) 

end it with a selfie.

July is...

This time of year, seriously. There's nothing like it. Jerret and I pulled an opposite by leaving cooler weather to endure some valley heat this weekend; and it was totally worth it! Being surrounded by family, friends and some killer BBQ, I couldn't help myself but write down some thoughts on this AWESOME month.

July is watermelon dribbling down a child's chin.
July is reconnecting with those we don't see often
July is making s'mores in the backyard
July is swimming in a pool warm as bath water
July is watching a monsoon from the porch
July is red, white and blue everywhere you look
July is explosions of every color filling a night sky
July is the ringing in your ear after the firework show
July is a trip up to Snowflake
July is the excitement of the Taylor night rodeo
July is the sweet scent of popcorn and snow cones, filling your nose
July is appreciation of our troops
July is freedom

We played card games, ate like kings, took a trip to Sunsplash, watched movies and said some goodbyes. So much FUN fit into a couple of days. I'm so grateful for Jerret's family and all they did and continue to do. I am truly the luckiest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Engagement Story

June 30, 2013, I received one of the BIGGEST surprises of my life. You're probably thinking, "yeah right. They totally talked about it and went ring shopping and all that jazz".
Correct. But the timing of it was a complete shock. And let me tell you why...

Ring Shopping in May: So after gazillions of stores( jk maybe 10) we found rings that we LIKED but there was no banner screaming YES with confetti flying everywhere. We needed to LOVE it!
 Ha and isn't it like so awkward-funny when you're ring shopping 'cause you totally know it's coming, but it's not official. Seriously. SO FUNNY.

So a couple days later I get a text from J, showing me two of the most beautiful, rose gold halo cut diamond rings. He went to Jared's.  Shane Co. while I was at work and found those two gems. He asked me which one I liked better. HELLO?? Most indecisive person over here! I'm seriously the worst...
I really couldn't decide. I LOVED them both. So I told him to surprise me. And he did just that.

The next day Jerret came over and I was loaded with giddy questions. He told me all about the process. You ladies know the 5 C's:  Cut, clarity, color, carat and certification. It was so dang cute seeing him talk about it. He literally spent hours inspecting each diamond to find the one. Seriously?! Amazing.

BUT there was some more surprising news. The ring wouldn't be ready until August.

I consider myself to be a pretty patient person. But this news sorta killed me inside. I had always dreamed of a fall, September wedding.

So Jerret told me to just start planning, go wedding dress shopping, and it would all work out. But it just felt silly to me. I needed that ring on my finger to do all that.

Fast forward to June 30th: It was a loooooooooong night at Tia Rosa's. I was hostessing at the time and that night dealt with a lot of angry customers. My feet were aching. I was sweaty and reeked of chips and bean dip. While I was rolling silverware I day dreamed of going home, snuggling up to Jerret while watching a movie.

My manager then walked by, burst that little dream bubble and told me to clock out. And the craziest thing happened as I was leaving. She shouted to me: "haha just watch, you're gonna get engaged tonight". I shook my head and laughed, knowing that wouldn't be the case.

I called Jerret on my way home telling him my plans on what I wanted to do. He was so smooth and agreed to them. He told me he'd be over in about 30min.

So I got home, freshened up and waited for him, on the couch. 30 min later the doorbell rang. Lazily, I asked my sisters to open it. They did, but it wasn't Jerret...

It was James and Makenzy. (Jerret's sister and brother in law). James was holding a video camera, and Makenzy was holding a sign that read: "It was only day one, on a late Saturday night, I tried to take you here, but you never got a bite". Kenz asked me if I knew what the card meant, and I answered: "yes. It's Lolo's Chicken and Waffles. We were supposed to go here on our first date, but it was too crowded. So we went to Chipotle instead".
*By the way Jerret took me on the most fun, creative dates, so honestly that's what I thought it was... boy was I wrong!

So James and Kenzy lead me to this hot rod. Kyle( Jerret's dad) was our chauffeur for the night. James opened my door, but Jerret wasn't inside. So we get in and headed to our next destination: Lolo's. Everyone was acting super different... and as we pulled into the parking lot, I saw Caeden(Jerrets younger brother). He was holding a ring box.

My. Heart. Stopped.

Ha was this really it?? Where the heck is Jerret? Of anywhere it shouldnt'it be Chipotle? Right? What's going on?? 
Those were the questions running through my mind.

I walked up to Caeden while Kenzy and James filmed me. Caed asked me: "Do you remember this place?" I responded: "Yes. We were supposed to go here on our first date, but it was too crowded. So we went to Chipotle instead". He told me I was correct and gave me the ring box. I opened it and saw a plastic heart shaped ring with a clue inside that read: "You wrote this in your journal, that we have been here twice. No we're not in Pittsburgh, its just custard and Italian ice."

So off we went to Rita's Italian Ice on Mill Ave. (This was a favorite of Jerrets. He first tried it on his mission in Pennsylvania!)

I got out of the car and walked towards the building. Again, Jerret was not in sight. Only his sister Nikelle! She too was holding a ring box. I walked up to her and she asked, "Do you remember this place?". I answered, "Yes, Jerret and I went here a lot. It's one of our favorites." She told me I was correct and handed me the ring box. Inside the ring box it read, "Traditions, traditions, oh how they are so sweet. We always went here after the temple. To go and grab a treat."

Flor De Michocan was our next destination! So we all piled up in the car and were off!

As we pull into the parking lot, I noticed that Caeden was waiting outside the shop. So again, I went up to him and waited for that question:)

"Hello Maddi."
"Hello Caed."
"Do you remember this place?"
"I sure do. Every time after doing baptisms, Jerret and I would stop by and get ourselves some strawberry popsicles."
"Correct."

He then handed me that ring box. I opened it and it read: "Although you've never caught one, I took you here and tried real hard. Was this place in Gilbert? Or was it my backyard?"

I honestly believe my brain was absent in that moment. So many emotions filled my body I couldn't think straight. So James and Kenzey helped answer that one. It was Freestone Park!

As we were driving I couldn't help but think. I'm going to be an ENGAGED woman. GAHHH!!!!!

We arrived in the parking lot. Jerret,again, NOT IN SIGHT. I was sure this would be the last stop?...

Wrong.

So I get out of the car, and see Nikelle a few yards away. I walked up to her and she then asked me the question, "Do you remember this place?" I told her "Yes. Jerret was so determined to help me catch my first fish here. But my bad luck stopped us!" She told me I was correct, and handed me the box. I opened it and read the last note: "This spot is really special, I won't tell you where it is. Just trust your driver, the decision is his."

So we all got back in the car, and I begged Kyle to tell me where we were going. We started driving towards my house, but quickly he'd flip a U turn. He did that so many times, and I couldn't help but laugh. He then started towards the B-Line highway towards Snowflake....I had NO IDEA where we were headed.

So Kenzey and James opened up this bag filled with treats and Ned's. I had a feeling we were going on a road trip. They offered some to me, but I was wayyyyyy too nervous to eat!

The whole entire time my bladder was getting more and more full. I was seriously 'bout to BURST. I didn't want to tell anybody just in case I delayed plans or ruined a surprise. But my bladder could hold no more.

I whispered to Kenzey, "I have to pee, SO BAD!" So sweetly, she asked if we could stop somewhere. She's seriously a life saver, and I am forever indebted to her.

We turned left onto Shea Blvd. and stopped by at the Wendy's. I wanted so badly to tell somebody! I literally almost told the girl in the stall next to me, "I'm going to be ENGAGED!!!"

So after THAT... we headed towards Fountain Hills. We pulled into the parking lot by the Flag Memorial. AND THERE HE WAS. I took a deep breath, and opened the car door to get out.

My legs were like jello and my heart out of its rib cage. And right under the flag was the love of my life. 

I walked up to Jerret. We stood face to face. He was so cool and collected, as always. And I couldn't breathe.

He asked me: "Do you remember this place?"
I told him: "No, we've never been here together."
"Well, I hope you'll remember it for the rest of your life."

He got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him.
I said YES, and hugged him real tight.
He put that ring on my finger and pulled me in for a kiss.

That moment. One that a little girl dreamed of from day one. It happened... It happened to ME!!!