Associates Degree. CHECK!

So today at approximately 10:20 I finished my Associate's degree.

This may not sound like a huge accomplishment to a lot of people, but this Associates degree is so much more than a piece of paper that says I completed at least 60 credits.

My journey to getting this degree wasn't easy and I am so proud of it.

Here's what it means to me:

I started working towards it right out of High School and didn't know how much work it would require.

I took a year off after too many financial aid mix ups kicked me out twice.

Then started back up enthusiastically and worked until today when I completed it.

Looking back I went through so much more than just school work to get this degree.

This degree symbolizes a stage of life to me.

The stage of finding myself.

While working on this degree I dated many guys all while dating Jeff! (Yeah I had issues.)

I questioned myself more than I should but eventually learned to trust myself and trust the Lord in everything.

I was a newby into the young single adult YSA ward, held callings in the Institute and Humanitarian counsels.

I bought my first car.

I went to Hawaii and had many adventures there.

I fought with my parents over Jeff, college, my direction, and goals and can now look back and laugh at how silly it was.

I watched my little sister run off to play soccer in Kansas, and cried every night.

I cried A LOT over EVERYTHING...my family, Jeff, college, Kalamity, work, etc.

I found that I really love photography, dancing, serving, and decorating.

I had a surprise "splash mob" proposal planned just for me by Jeff and all my loved ones!

I called a man my fiancé for 3 LONG months.

I went through the temple for the first time!

I graduated from the YSA ward and married MY ONE AND ONLY in the House of the Lord on the most memorable date ever!

I moved out and went through Mom withdrawals.

I lost my Grandpa Ah Quin and had to put my testimony to the test.

I went through episodes of depression and pure joy and everything in between.

I watched WAY too many different shows on Netflix.

I learned how to make a house a home and found that I love flowers and decorating (not one single wall will be left blank).

I learned that love really does grow every day.

AND SO MUCH MORE.

I know it's only an Associates degree (and I will continue working towards my Bachelors) but this degree is an end of a stage for me.

It truly was a stage of finding me and learning to love myself for who I am.

I am a daughter of God, also a daughter to the greatest parents who truly want the best for me always (same goes for my in-laws), a sister to the most amazing siblings (both through birth and marriage), a wife to the BEST HUSBAND EVER, friend to anyone and everyone, a disciple of Christ.

I am grateful for the last 4 years of working hard for this little piece of paper that means so much more.

I wasn't sure if I was going to walk because "it's only an Associates degree" but I think I will because it is a big deal!

IT'S A BIG DEAL!

I should be proud, right???

Okay I'm done.

HAPPY DAY!

Goodnight!

Letters of the heart.

Nothing warms my heart more than letters that truly express what's in the heart! This was this week's letter to Brad from Jeff and Brad's response! He is doing AMAZING and we are so proud of him.

WARNING: THIS POST SHARES TRUE FEELINGS AND MAY MAKE YOU CRY!

And, yes, I did get permission to share. I only share to have this special post in my blog book.

These posts are unedited so enjoy the grammar. But it captures the full memory I want to keep forever.

Elder B-Rad, 

I always feel the spirit so strongly when I read your letters.  They always reiterate to me the true joy that comes from living and sharing the gospel through following the savior and by loving and serving others.  What an incredible strength and example you are to me. I am so thankful for you and for your righteous desire and dedication to serve the Lord with your whole heart. It inspires me everyday, and honestly I wish I was there in the field with you more than anything, learning and growing with you. It breaks my heart that I failed the people of Alabama by not being worthy or willing to do all I could to bring them the gospel and bring them closer to the savior. Some days the weight and regret of it almost crushes me. The last couple weeks have been especially hard, and I have felt some heavy doubt and despair about who I am and the person I will become. All I can say is, Thank goodness for the atonement!  I get so much peace and hope in the knowledge that the Lord still loves me and has a purpose for me and is always mindful of me and ready to bless me with his guidance and encouragement. Jacob ch. 5 gave me a huge boost and reminded me that despite the wonderful opportunities I have missed, I will be blessed with many opportunities in the future and I need to continue to learn and prepare for what The Lord has in store.  I want to thank you for your example, your love, your friendship, your strength, and your faith. I am truly blessed to have you as my brother.   

Please feel free to share any thoughts, feelings, or experiences you ever have with me. I love reading your letters every week and am so proud of you and thankful for your complete dedication and discipline to give The Lord your best! I know your life will be blessed for it and I have seen it bless our families! Know that I love you, and that my prayers and thoughts are with you wherever you are.

~~~

Jeff, 

I always feel the spirit strong when i read your emails as well man! It is kinda weak, but i almost cry every time you punk! Your emails are aweome and they really boost my spirit of determination to have success in this work! You have been helping me more than you know Jeff! You didn´t fail the people in Alabama Jeff! Dont say that or think that, alright? I myself could say the same thing.´´I failed the people in Colorado, or the people in São Borja`` I am not the best missinary Jeff i failed at time there, i wasn´t always strictly obdient and in this way i failed the people. But we can hold are selves at blame forever! We have to move on! This is the whole purpose of the Atonement, that we do mess up but that we can move forward and change. With the atonement we dont need to dwell on the past, ya remember and learn from it, but we can´t keep thinking and saying ´´oh i wish i woulda prayed yesterday or read my scriptures yesterday´´ becasue we can´t do anything about the past, but what we can do is change the future by acting now! I started to learn this concept on the Football field as a corner back. I wasn´t that good, i messed up, but when i messed up i needed to forget about it and prepare for the next play or i would fail again and again. Are lives are like this aswell man! Please stop dwelling on the mission! I hope you realize that it is Satan using this regreat of yours to push you down.

Jeff you are my older brother, a child of our Heavenly Father! He has a plan for you and wants you to reach your full potential. I know you can reach your potential and God knows as well! He can help you, but you need to let him! Read this talk i received on my mission `´Do things that make a diffrence, by M. Russel Ballard. This talk is amazing! I love you Jeff and know you can succed, take this life one step at atime, not dwelling on the things that can´t be changed, but changing the things that can be! Never compare yourself to other people!When i do this i only find negative in myself! Also, can i invite you to read and Study* your Patriarcal Blessing?

I am so glad you are using the scriptures and prayers to receive guidence that our Heavenly Father has for us! I love you so much man and can´t wait to get home and chill with you and Cam!:)

Paz e Amor,

Elder Hauck

Putting off.

So this week has been full of thing's I've been putting off.

Not because I don't want to do them, but because there just aren't enough hours in the day.

So right now I'm putting off my final math assignment and editing for a second to play catch up with the last week of blogging that I've put off.

So hopefully your better than me and aren't putting anything off! :)

Here's is our life lately, between all the homework and finals, of course!

 Last Friday I had work off to do the "catch up" game, but when I saw my Aunt and her boys playing on their front lawn I couldn't help myself!

Then we walked to the Temple! I love having them as my neighbors! I'm spoiled!!!

 Last week I took 3 different photo shoots out in Ivins at the res, so that called for surprise visits to my family! I love hanging out with my family! Seriously, I can't image anything better than family! Pose pic!

I guess one picture is all I get! Haha :)

 Trev had a rugby game last Saturday where they played hard and WON!!! I'm excited for their next game tonight at 5 :)

 Killer!!!

 After Trevor's rugby game we headed to Jeff's family Easter party! :) I took way too many pictures of Emme as usual!

 Aunty "Mimi" is the apple of Emme's eye lately! 

 Jeff had this fun game where he lifted Emme in the air and she would laugh and laugh.

 And laugh...

 And then cry...hahaha.

 Steph was down! It's always a treat when she's in town!

 Emme and Nana!

 The week went on with TONS of homework, final assignments to turn in, and quizes! However, yesterday I put off my stuff a little more and HAD to go help Cec paint her wall. We made a huge mess, and I had to pain my nails because of all the black paint under them (I never have my nails painted haha) but it was a BLAST to hang out with Cec like old times and decorate her room.

 It turned out AWESOME! And we really had too much fun!

 Then we went and picked Jeff up to introduce Cec to The Habit before heading to Jaden's mission call opening!!!
PC: Cec-so-sweet! :) on her second try! Haha!

We converted her, to say the least! :)

I LITERALLY LOVE MY LIFE!!! I don't know how I am so blessed! Yeah, I had times where I'm stressed or get really down but whenever I take a step back and look at all I have, I can't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude. 

LIFE IS GOOD! HAPPY WEEKEND!

Finally...

And now back to all my stuff I've been putting off...

Oh HAPPY Day!!!

I'm feeling good today because I finished my huge research paper (I only stayed up til 1:30 to do it)!

Now that I can breath a little easier I thought I'd post some picture that make me happy.

I'm not very good at having a flowery yard yet, but I will be one day!

Keeping flowers alive is a lot harder than it sounds...

Anyway, working in the yard with Jeff always brings so much joy to me! So here are some of our typical yard working pics.

 Hot air balloons (maybe this one is not so typical...)

 Jeff acting weird with the watering can...hahaha I love him.

 Me looking weird with my crazy outfits. :)

 The only flowers that really like me in my yard, they continue to live! :)

 Our cute little home! I may be a little biased but I think we have the cutest little house! :)

 Cute smile Jeff!

 Still working on the dead patches of grass, but with no sign of hope.

 LOVE SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS!

 The most romantic flower!

 And probably the easiest flower to have in your yard.

 Little bit about Jeff: he is always willing to do whatever I ask (even wake up early on Saturdays to play in the yard with me), he always does it with a playful attitude, and he always finishes whatever ridiculous task I have for him with a kiss on the lips. I SURE LOVE HIM! HOW DID I GET SO LUCKY???

I hope everyone has a happy, flowery, sunshiney day! I know I will, having that huge paper done!!!

P.S. I made that wreath for $7!!! :) I bought an old wreath at the D.I. for $1 then ripped everything off of it, then bought a pretty garland at Michaels for $6 and hot glued it! :) Proud DIY project!! And i love that it adds so much to my house!

Okay, everyone have a beautiful day!!!!

All my love I give to thee...

This last Monday we had our Easter Concert in celebration of our Savior's life and it was such an amazing and beautiful night. 

The spirit was felt and there was peace and happiness all night long.

It was a short 30 minute concert with live singers, dancers, and a movie of Christ's life.

It really helped me to get into the Easter spirit and to remember what this season is all about and most importantly, what this life is all about!

It was such a hit that we will be making it an annual thing, so if you missed this year be sure to come out next year.

So far, this has been my most spiritually in tune Easter and I feel humbly and peacefully happy.

HAPPY EASTER!

 Almost all of the performers! 

 Always a little time to be silly.

 It was so special to be able to do this concert with these two. Jeff sang and Amy danced and they were both AMAZING.

 Sibs. 

 My Mom was emotional before the show even started! :)

 I love these two and it was such a treat to be able to have Lexa there again!

 Practicing the jitters out.

 I love him!

 This woman right here is AMAZING! I look up to her so much and feel so blessed to be able to have such an incredible relationship with her. She is an amazing friend, teacher, sister, aunt, coach, and role model. She carries the light of Christ with her everywhere she goes! I LOVE YOU!!!!

 Best friends for eternity!

 My videographer and photographer. 

 I was honored to be Mary and dance to "Breath of Heaven"

 Chills on top of chills at this part.

 Amy making me cry at this part.

 Perfect expressions.

 "All my love I give to thee..."

 I BELIEVE IN CHRIST!

Good show everyone! :)

It was such a spiritual night and I'm grateful for the small part I got to play in all of it.

I can't wait for next year!!!

I think next  year I want everyone to take a second at the end of the show and write any feelings or thoughts they experienced during the show and would like to share with us performers. I always like to know!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a HAPPY EASTER and remembers the reason we celebrate Easter in the first place!

Happy weekend.