I'm lovin' it

No, not McDonald's. The weather! It's a beautiful 67 degrees out today! We have been without the sun for literally weeks so the warmth and the rays are definitely welcome here! It rained for days and days and it was gloomy non-stop. I think Kansas got confused and thought it was Oregon. Shrug.
Speaking of Kansas, go Jayhawks. Joe didn't used to root for Kansas, but since he is going to be a Kansan soon he has started following them and he gets excited when they win (which is just about always duhhhh). Love that!
Even better...Yesterday marked 4 months until I become Mrs. Joseph Tulikihakau :-) We can't wait! On Monday we ordered our INVITATIONS! We are extremely excited! Even though I only have seen the electronic proof, it was kind of sureal seeing our names on wedding invitations. It's a lot of fun, and we can't wait to send them out!

Spring

Well, I got what I wished for. At least for now. The last couple weeks have been much warmer -- even up in the mid 60s!!! WOOHOO! I have heard that we may get some snow in a lil bit, but now I don't think it would stick anyway. It's been a little dreary the last few days with lots of rain, but it doesn't bother me because it's WARM! Flip flops are my favorite things ever so you better believe they are on these glamorous totsies : )
In other news, the wedding planning is going well! Crazy but going well! We are ordering our invitations in a few days and so we've been working on getting things squared away on that. Joe has been a saint through it all. Yup, that's a shout out. Holla! My mom and I have begun scoping for decor items as well. It's a fun time, but I'm not gonna lie -- I'm not a natural at decorating. For some reason I lack the ability to imagine how everything will look for some reason. Um... So I am growing! : ) Hope all is well with everyone! If you have any tips for me, hit me up, friends!

Forget That Groundhog

I am ready for spring NOW! It has been an extremely cold and snowy winter in Kansas City. Neither one are something I care much for. I'm willing to put up with winter and I love that Kansas City has all four seasons (unlike in Rexburg where there are only two and winter stretches from about September through May or June and either involves huge quantities of snow, negative temperatures or both), but this much snow has gotten old! I demand springtime! So I am changing our blog background in protest. And encouragement. No more snowflakes. :)

Old Spice - The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

That's it. Joe is wearing Old Spice from now on so he can smell like THIS guy!

Transforming Into A Domestic Loser -- I mean Goddess

On a scale of 1 to 10, I might be getting gay (10), but I am realizing that while I always mocked all things Homemaking, the time has come that I need to learn how to do some of those things and have those basic skills I didn't need a singleton going to school. Hot Pockets are bomb don't get me wrong, but feeding your husband that day after day may be mild spouse abuse. There is a sewing group once a month at church and also a recipe group as well, and I think I'm going to join (!). I have also started a family scrapbook. What has HAPPENED to me?! I caught the love bug is what happened. Lame, but you know. It happens. It's pretty clear that I caved and am embracing my future wifedom. Nah, I know I don't have to change into someone else to be a good wife and mom when the time comes, but I want to be prepared to run a household and take good care of JoeJoe is all. I don't plan to become a sewing maniac, but if someone needs a pair of pants hemmed, I don't want to have to take them to a tailor an pay money for something that I could have done myself if I had just taken the time. I can currently sew on a button... I guess that's something, right? Anyways, just wanted to post something about my delve into domesticity since the purpose of this pre-married blog is to track us on our lil adventures from the start up of our lil family. Eat your heart out, people! Heh.

xoxo
Bren

Ca-ca-ca-catch Up

I flew to Arizona to visit Joe on the 10th and stayed through last Tuesday, February 16. It was a fantastic week and ended much too quickly! We went to see the movie "Valentine's Day" which was pretty cute. The way it was set up reminded me a lot of the film "He's Just Not That Into You" the way that it had a bunch of interconnected stories going on and all of them are about relationships and love. It's a  sweet little movie. We hung out with his family; watched the Olympics a good amount; attended the Tongan ward at church (Church is usually conducted in Tongan, but I lucked out that Sunday and much of it was in English); met up with my childhood friend, Ashleigh and her boyfriend Brett (who are both native Kansans like me); went on walks almost every day; and did some light shopping.  I also tried the traditional polynesian drink called Kava for the first time which is made out of the Kava root which is ground into a fine powder and combined with water. Polynesians come together to "mix" which means sitting on the floor in a large circle and socialize, sing, and drink Kava which is known for its relaxing quality. On Valentine's Day, Joe and I hiked up "A" Mountain located right at the ASU campus in Tempe (in T-shirts no less!) and watched the sun set and enjoyed the view. After that, we met up with Ashleigh and Brett and checked out an art display that Brett was putting together for show. Afterward, the four of us learned some sweet swing dancing moves at another couple's home and had a blast! Joe and I had so much fun that we want to take more lessons after we're married! We loved it! It also has a great work out built in so BONUS! Basically... I had a GREAT time with my love. I'm posting a couple pics, so enjoy, friends!

xoxo

Bren

Words To Live By

I found these quotes, and loved them too much not to share! Enjoy!

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

-Marjorie Hinckley

"Woman was taken out of man --not out of his feet to be trampled underfoot, but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved."

-David O.McKay

Woohoo!

I'm going to get measured for my wedding dress tonight! Pretty excited! Weddings sure take a lot of work, but a lady told me that if I'm not having fun doing it then I'm not doing it right! Pretty wise, I think. I am enjoying planning and organizing everything, which is surprising me since I am normally kind of a flake :) Things are coming together one thing at a time, but all of a sudden you realize that you're making some serious progress!

xoxo
Bren

For those of you who know my sister...

Melissa just found out she is having a baby GIRL! Baby is due May 27. She and her husband, Shane have been married since August, and are VERY excited! Congratulations to the McCrae family!

Pictures of the Ring

I've had some friends and family ask for some pictures of my ring, so I figured I'd give the people what they want.

Love! I'm a lucky girl!