Moved

Well, anyone that probably cares knows that I don't really update this blog anymore, and just primarly write on my husband and mine's blog. If you didn't know that and miss reading my wonderful (cough) posts, feel free to add our blog to your reading list! :) I may update this blog someday...but probably not. :)

Forrest and Katie -- http://forrestandkatie.blogspot.com

Well, it has been quite awhile since I've posted something.

Why? Well, you know, I've been going skiing (oh actually, not really skiing, it was actually quite the terrible experience and I will never go again!), hanging out with the family, playing games, celebrating Christmas, flying to North Carolina . . .

Oh, and I got married! It was absolutely spectacular and turned out perfectly. And now I'm married to my sweetheart for time and all eternity. Nothing sweeter than that. We've been thoroughly enjoying the past few weeks together and just returned back to Provo last night around 10. Our house is a mess with presents, we haven't bought our books, and all we have to eat is a bunch of expired food, some left over soup from the wedding, and a giant ham my grandpa gave us . . . but we couldn't be happier. I love being married to my best friend, and I am constantly amazed by how sweet he is. Seriously, I'm the luckiest girl in the world. I sure love him.

I'll start posting about all of the winter break festivities on our other blog soon, but I thought I'd just post on update on here with a brief overview of what we've done. It sure was a few weeks of pure newly wedded bliss :)

Skiing at Copper Mountain--Catastrophe!

Receiving my Endowments in the Denver Temple the day before our wedding (beautiful experience!)

Wedding Dinner at Olive Garden...yummy

THE WEDDING! :) :)
 Here are a few of our pictures, courtesy of Anna Gleave Photography, who we couldn't have been happier with. She's a great friend and an amazing photographer who, from the pictures we've seen so far, has captured everything so perfectly. 

We also chose to have a wedding video done of our day, and seriously, I am SO happy we did! I can't get enough of watching it and Bethany Campbell was so great. You can watch the video here. Bethany is amazing!

Christmas Eve and Christmas in Denver with my family :)

A wonderful North Carolina reception!

The Beach in Wilmington, even though it was WAY too cold. Forrest braved the waters, but couldn't stand it for more than a few minutes.

New Years Eve on the Beach

My suitcase being left in Sanford, about 2.5 hours away from Wilmington. Sure was fun surviving on just about nothing for a few days :)

Trying out some yummy new restaurants!

Hanging out with Forrest's family a bit

Staying at a beautiful home of the nicest man in Forrest's family's ward back in NC

Canooeing

Flying back to Colorado on flights that I couldn't wait to get off of. I do not like flying AT ALL! Forrest was very sweet and let me squeeze his hand extremely tightly at different times.

Trying, and succeeding, and stuffing everything into our car and driving back to Utah in the dark. 

:) Life is sweet...very sweet :)

Reflections from a Bride-to-be

In less than 8 hours, I will no longer be a single woman. I will be married to my sweetheart. I will be Katie Clark!

I can't believe this day has finally come. Marrying Forrest exceeds all my dreams and expectations for the type of person I would marry. I didn't realize that I was deserving of so much love, of such a wonderful companion.

We met almost 1 year ago. January 2nd, 2009. When I first saw him, I honestly had no idea that he would eventually become the most important person in my life. However, soon after that first meeting, I found him to be quite charming and endearing. Before we even started dating, I knew that I wanted to be with him. I realized that he was different from any other guy. When he asked me to be his girlfriend, after I got in my car, I cried. Part of me knew that this was the start of something that could possibly last forever. The other day, a good friend asked me if I felt like I have known him forever, like he's always been in my life. And the answer is yes. I can't imagine what my life would be like without him, and I'm so happy I don't have to know. We're going to be together forever.

I'll admit, there were times where I didn't know where our relationship was going. I was frustrated, because, well, going to BYU where people get married after 2 weeks can get a person that way. However, I know, without any doubt, that the Lord guided and directed our courtship, and it went the way it was supposed to, according to His timing. 9 months might not seem like that long (or to the BYU-Mormon culture, it might seem too long), but it was perfect for us. I feel like we know each other very well, and are very well prepared to start our marriage and eternity together. He's my best friend. I never knew I could feel so much love for a person, and I know that will only continue to grow.

The past few weeks have been crazy, but totally worth it. Everything has come together so nicely, and I'm so grateful for all the help of everyone, especially my wonderful mother who worked so hard to make sure everything worked out according to what we wanted.

Yesterday was amazing. I was able to take out my Endowments at the Denver Temple. Beautiful experience. I've never felt the Spirit so strongly. I can't wait to go back. It was such a special experience to be there with almost all my family. My parents were there, all of my immediate siblings, and most of my siblings spouses, as well as Forrest's mom and his oldest sister, Meredith. There were a couple of times I couldn't hold back my tears. Being there with Forrest made it even more amazing, and I was able to see him in another sort of light, which confirmed my decision that us getting married is pleasing unto the Lord. I can't think of a better way to start a marriage. To anyone who hasn't made it to the Temple yet, prepare yourself, and do it. There is nothing more important that you can do, and I'm sure I will believe that even more and more as the years go on.

We had a wonderful wedding dinner at Olive Garden last night. It was great to be there with my family. The food was great, and we all had a good time. I got a little contemplative (not sad, as Forrest was convinced I was), just about how everything really is about to change, and when my dad said something, I just lost it, but it was wonderful. Forrest leaned over and was like "It's just like a rollercoaster ride..It'll be fast and crazy, sometimes crazy. But thank you for letting me ride it with you" (note that is not a direct quote. It's all I can piece together at 6 AM).

I can't wait. I love Forrest so much. And I'm so happy I get to be with him for eternity.

As Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, "The most important single thing that any Latter-day Saint ever does in this world is to marry the right person, in the right place, by the right authority." I'm sure marriage won't be easy, but I know it will be so worth it and we will make it, because we are getting married in the right place, by the right authority. And, to the right person :)

8 Days!

8 days until I'm married! Woo hoo! People keep asking me if I am totally stressed out about it, and really, not anymore. Yes, there was a point about two weeks ago where I about had a breakdown, but since then, everything has come together so nicely. I just can't wait to get home on Thursday, because, then the real countdown can begin! I think everything is really starting to come together. I am going to be taking out my Endowments next Tuesday, the day before the wedding. I'm very anxious, nervous, and excited for that. Here is just a sneak peak of everything that is to come (mainly because I'm so excited and want to talk about the details!)

Tomorrow is my final dress fitting and then I get to bring it home! I got my Bridals done by Creative Wedding Events, and Amanda did a spectacular job! I wish I could post all of the pictures here, but being the traditionalist that I am (or maybe being as superstitious as I am!), don't want Forrest to see the dress until our wedding day. Until then, here is a very, very little sneak peak (haha, you can't even see the dress).

Our cake flavors? Well, we put a lot of thought into this. We wanted something delicious. We researched all different sorts of flavors, and this is what we came up with :)

Buttercream frosting on all the layers

First layer: White cake with Raspberry

Second Layer: Spice Cake with a whipped brown sugar panache

Third Layer: Pound Cake with a strawberry filling

Fourth Layer: Oreo

I only wish I could eat all of the flavors (maybe I can convince my mother to save us a piece of each :) It's going to be a surprise what it looks like! (mainly because I don't have a picture. We decided what we wanted it to look like by taking bits of pieces of cakes we saw)

My nieces, Alexis and Tori, are going to be my junior bridesmaids. We found this beautiful dresses awhile ago (okay, I found them before we were even engaged). They will, of course, have a cute little sweater to go with them. My other nieces, Lyla and Kaci, will have green dresses as well, that we got for an awesome price. I just don't have a picture of them!

Here is the bridesmaid skirt! I love it so much! We also found a way cute cardigan to have everyone wear with it!

All the groomsmen and my nephews have really pretty green ties that we got from Cheap-neckties.com (awesome site, by the way)

Forrest is going to look mighty suave in a gray tux with a green tie. We are picking that up tomorrow!

We are going to have a delicious hot chocolate bar, soups with assorted bread, and spinach artichoke dip at the reception (and a few other things, I believe). I have to say, years ago (probably like...3?) I told my mom how much I really wanted to get married in December and have a hot chocolate bar and soups. I've seen several people doing hot chocolate bars lately, but just so everyone knows, I'm not copying them! haha. The reception is going to be beautiful though!

And most importantly, this is where Forrest and I will be married for time and all eternity. Granted, there will be no flowers like that, but if the weather report proves to be correct (oh please be right!), it will be 52 degrees and sunny! Almost unheard of for a few days before Christmas!

I'm so happy :)

Merry Christmas Straight To You

I epically failed at posting a song, picture, or tradition every day of December. I've had more important things to be doing anyways :) (Check out Forrest and Mine's blog for those details!)




The other day as I was driving home from work, this song came on the radio. My mom has always loved George Strait, so I remember hearing songs from him quite often growing up. This is one Christmas song I remember from an early age (along with some song that's like "every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings..haha). One year my mom had us sing it while my dad recorded it and we sent it to my Grandparents because they weren't going to be able to make it for Christmas that year.

Random, but hey, I love this song!

2 weeks . . .

In two weeks, I will be married for time and all eternity to my wonderful fiancé Forrest. I seriously can't believe it. The past month and a half has just flown by, but yet, the 22nd can't come soon enough. There are just some days where I feel so incredibly grateful for Forrest (okay, EVERY day I feel so grateful for him, but somedays are just even more :). He is so sweet to me. Really, I can't even explain it. He is the perfect match for me. Seeing him is the highlight of my day, and I can't wait to be his wife.

When we were up in Salt Lake the other day, we were walking around temple square. As we were, we looked up and saw the capital. Forrest mentioned "hey that's where we first held hands!", which was cute of him to remember. He then commented on how our relationship has come such a long way. It really has! When I first met Forrest almost a year ago, I never could have imagine the joy and happiness he brings into my life. He never ceases to tell me he loves me, and that he will, forever. And I know he means it. He is always so concerned about me. The other night I was having a rough time, and he just stood outside my apartment door and let me cry and hug him. He was so sweet. He sent me such a sweet text when he got home, and made sure I was feeling better the next day. I love him so much, and I know that our relationship is going to last through eternity. I am so grateful to have the knowledge that our relationship can last forever, and there is no one else I would rather be with. I know everyone else say they have the best fiance ever...but rest assured, I REALLY do :)

So, in two weeks, I will be Katie Clark! Before I even started dating him, my friend, Rachael (who likes to think she called our relationship from the start, along with our friend,and Forrest's old roommate, Kristian), was like "Katie Clark! That's so cute! It sounds like a journalist name!" haha. Let the countdown begin!!!! :)


(you can read our blog at http://forrestandkatie.blogspot.com)

50 Free Christmas Cards from Shutterfly!

So I've personally never used Shutterfly, but I can tell their products are super cute! In fact, as soon as I get back our engagement photos (hopefully this weekend!), we will be creating our wedding guest book there (Diana sent us a coupon for a free one! Yay!). This year, they are offering 50 free Holiday Greeting Cards to anyone who will blog about the deal and website. All you have to do is fill out this form http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/ and viola, they will send you a coupon for free cards! I've never sent out Holiday/Christmas cards before, but hey, if their free, we might as well start now!