Engagement pics

Lance's brother Bryce is an awesome photographer so we decided to have him do our engagement photos. They turned out so cute! Lance and I are very satisfied with them and everyone seems to like them. We met up with Bryce and his wife Marissa in Lehi by the train tracks to do the shoot. What a fun day it was! The weather was below freezing and by the end of the shoot it started to snow-crazy, crazy! But, it was a memorable experience and we had a great time doing it.

Mr. Bertola

Tonight is the night! I leave for the airport in about an hour to pick up Mr. Bertola. I can't wait to see this guy. And to make it better-I get him here for more than a week!

Happy Birthday, Ricky!!

One of the hardest things about choosing to go on a mission was the fact that my sister, Jessi was pregnant. I had always envisioned we'd have our children together, and experience those life moments simultaneously. I had already made the decision when Jessi told me she was pregnant. I was so excited for my mission and the adventures that laid ahead, but heartbroken that the baby would be born in my absence. I wanted to be there for her, and share the joys of it all.

I was serving in a city called Santo Domingo when Ricky was born. My dad sent me the cutest pictures of a baby with his little hands on his lips. I was dying to meet this little guy.

Ricky turned one just two days before I got home. I'll never forget being at the airport and seeing him for the first time. His red hair and freckles won my heart.

Now the little booger is turning 5 in two days! What a personality he has...so adventurous and fun! I can't wait for Ricky and Alexander to meet-it will be a match made in heaven. I'm pretty sure of it.

I love you, Ricky! Happy Birthday!

Missionary Goal

While I was a missionary I made a goal. I wanted to read the Book of Mormon with my finance before we got married. I thought it would be a wonderful way to invite the spirit more into our lives and relationship. It would be time consuming, but worth it nonetheless.

Five years later I'm finally getting to put that very goal into practice. Lance and I have been reading the BOM since right before we got engaged. With how wrapped up our lives are right now with wedding planning, new jobs, job searching, and everything else; it's so nice to find quiet time where we can read together. Not only is it blessing our lives right now, but it's also starting a pattern that will eternally bless our relationship.

My thoughts on becoming a stepmom

I always joke with Lance that marrying him is a two for one deal because of Alexander. Not only do I get a husband, I also get a son. I don't think Lance or I will ever forget the first time I met Zander. It was Thanksgiving weekend and he was down for the first time since Lance and I had started dating. The three of us spent the day together with Lance's family and then went back to his apartment to spend the evening together. Shortly after we got there, Lance went down stairs leaving me and Zander alone for just a moment. We were reading story books on the couch and Zander whispered to me, "Nicole, marry my dad. Marry Lance. Be my stepmom!"

I think it's amazing that even Zander could feel the magic of our relationship and could clearly see what laid in store for the three of us. The spirit has been very present in our relationship, and I'm so grateful that Zander has been able to experience it as well.

Being Alexander's stepmom I'm sure will present challenges, but I'm so happy for my two for one deal. I've wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember and in 42 short days I will be given that chance. I see ways in which I've been prepared to fulfill my duties as an instant parent. My heart is full for the support and love I feel from Lance, Alexander and my family.

When feelings of inadequacies enter into my mind I just need to remember that the Lord feels that I can do this-He has entrusted me with this responsibility.

Arizona

One week ago today Lance packed up his car and moved to sunny Arizona. Meanwhile, I'm still here in cold Utah finishing out the rest of the school year. Am I sad about this? Yes and No. I'm sad that we have to be apart for this part of our engagement and five weeks of our marriage, but in the end this is such a great blessing.

For the last couple years Lance has been working along with his dad for an online school called Park City Independent. Now, he will be working with an online school called E 2020, which is based out of Scottsdale. This job is a great blessing and we feel so blessed to have the opportunity to begin our new life in Arizona.

Where it all began-Sammy's Cafe

I tried so hard to get out of Utah this past summer-I even packed up my car twice and headed South (once to Texas and once to Cali). When I realized that I wasn't going anywhere I was so devistated. I couldn't imagine carrying on life here for even one more year. Through it all I tried to stay positive and keep my self busy doing differnt things like going to the temple more, going to the gym, etc. All of things helped but I still didn't like being here. That would change.

Ten weeks ago today Lance and I started talking. What started out as a simple conversation lasted more than three hours. Since then we have seen each other every single day. It has been so fun and amazing.

I'll never forget the first time I spoke with Lance. We chatted over facebook for three hours. I loved the conversations we had, the questions he asked me, the things he wanted to know about me. Right off the bat, I could see that this boy was different and so beyond his years. That night I couldn't sleep a wink. I was so gitty and excited to meet and talk more with him.

We met up on a Tuesday night here in Provo in a little eatery called "Sammy's Cafe." Our connection continued and I loved meeting him.

As part of his Christmas gifts this year I got him a gift card to Sammy's in honor of our first date. We had the opportunity to go there for lunch today and relive our first meeting!