I'm Home!!

Home sweet home!

   I've been on Canadian soil for the past week. Last friday, I packed all of my things and hopped in my car to start my voyage back home. I was able to break my trip up a little bit, which was a huge help. If you have ever made the drive from Utah to Canada... you would take any way possible to make it shorter. On Friday night I went and visited my good friend Aubri. Aubs got married in December and I hadn't seen her since. She is living in Preston, Idaho and going to school at Utah State with her cute husband. I loved seeing her all grown up and so happy! She is loving life and I'm so happy for her. 

  The next morning, I woke up feeling SO happy, because it was the day that I was going home. However, it was extra sweet because Travis had NO idea. He had been in Edmonton for his brother's rugby tournament, so it would work out that I would get in around the same time he did. I started the morning on a little bit of a rough note when I backed up really hard into one of Aubri's boulders on her driveway. I didn't think it was that bad. Until I stopped for gas and took a good look at the damage, I realized that it left quite a mark. That wasn't going to stop me though!! I carried on and continued to lie to Travis about all that I was doing that day (those kind of lies are okay!!). I was getting closer and closer to the border and learned that Trav was actually going to get into Lethbridge later than I would. I just went to his house and conjured up a plan with his mom, Tyler and Brittney! I was so excited to surprise him. 

  We decided that the best way to do this was to get Trav and his dad to pick up a pizza on their way home. While Trav was grabbing the pizza inside, I just went into the restaurant and stood behind him. I thought he would turn around at one point, but he didn't. I waited a little bit longer and then I peaked my head around to look at the drinks and I finally caught his attention. He was super surprised and seemed super happy. I was SO happy and SO excited to see him! It seemed surreal that we were going to be able to spend more than 4 days together. It was such a relief to actually be with him.

  I spent the entire week in Lethbridge! It was an absolutely perfect week. Trav would wake me up every morning before he went to work (which I loved!!), he would leave, I would eat breakfast and go out and ride!!! Trav's friends just bought some horses and were nice enough to allow me to go out nearly everyday and work with them. I was seriously in heaven all week. I would go and ride and just be around horses for several hours and then come home to my sweetheart. I definitely needed a week like that! 

  As great of a week as it was. We did have one traumatic experience. Trav and I were walking out of wal-mart one night after picking up some treats for a movie night with Tyler and Brittney. All was well, we were laughing and just enjoying each other until.... something awful happened. It was literally 'when good times go bad'. He walked across a bed of gravel in his sandals and thought he stepped on a rock and went to shake it out and realized he stepped on something much worse than a rock. To my horror... I look down to see a rusty, dagger-of-a-nail STUCK in his toe. I could see the top of the nail coming out of his toe. I was quite frantic while he kept his cool. I called his mom, because she is a nurse and would have some good advice. She told me to pull the nail out, I tried and I was unsuccessful. So, I rushed him over to the hospital to the emergency to get him taken care of. The nurse, who was quite large in stature, had a hard time ripping the nail out of his toe. Travis handled it like a champ, of course, but as soon as the nail was out I could just see the blood rush out of Trav's face. I can't even imagine how that felt :(. We waited for about 10 minutes and they took Trav back to clean it out and give him a tetnis shot. I was SO worried and felt so bad. I honestly can't recall the last time I really felt that concerned. I hated not being with him and I hated that he was hurt. He continued to reassure me that he was fine, but I just felt so bad. I don't know if it was the trauma of all that happened or all the things that I saw in the emergency waiting room, but as soon as we got back to the car, I just cried!! I was so worried and I had to let all that emotion out. I know, I'm a baby!! But, I didn't like that experience one bit. I wish I had stepped on the nail! 

   This week just showed me how lucky I am to be with Travis! He is so incredibly sweet to me, even when I'm not at my best. He is always so kind and looking for ways to serve me. When he got hurt, he still made me feel like I was most important. One day it was really, really hot and a bunch of people were out riding. I was on the horse for a good two hours and he just sat there and watched me and didn't complain or ask me to be finished ONCE! He is perfect for me in every way and I love him to death. I'm so happy to be home and to be with him. I cannot wait to marry him!!! 59 more days. 

This is Trav's house!! We drove over on rainy day to see it's progress. The foundation had just been poured. I am so excited for him! He works so hard and I'm excited to see how this house looks when it's finished!! 

I love home and I'm so happy to be here!

   I am so happy to be able to see my family as well! It is so great to be with them and to be able to enjoy my time without feeling I have to rush to fit everything in before I have to leave again. I was able to go and listen to my sister receive her patriarchal blessing. It was so special and helped me realize all of the things that I have to be grateful for and for how much of my own personal blessing has already rang true. I am a very, very blessed girl and I am so happy and so thankful for everything that I have been given!!!! 

   

BORED

I'm bored.

Being alone has grown really old. This might sound like a little bit of a sob story, but truth be told I'm really ready for all of this to come to an end. I really miss Travis and it is really hard not being able to be with him. Why am I complaining? We've only been doing this 8 months, what's 7 more days?! Believe me, I'm excited and I'm going to keep myself busy until the moment I get on that I-15 and start headin' north. It's time for me to go home and get ready for this next big step that I get to take with my best friend. I enjoy my friends and the experiences I have down here in Utah; however, I need a change. I'm ready for it. 

~

ON A HAPPY NOTE!!!

- I AM coming home in 7 days

- I have 2 more exams

- I had a bridal shower on Friday and have another on this upcoming Thursday!

- My dress will be finished on Tuesday! 

- Only 75 more days til' I marry Mr. Travis John!

  I really do have VERY little to complain about. I just needed a quick moment to weep. With that all being said, I am very happy and have very much to look forward to! Here is a little update from the past week or so...

Miss Kristen Riley had a bridal shower! It was so fun to spend time with the team and celebrate the upcoming marriage of John and Kristen! 

Our team won Female Team of the Year at the Y Awards last Tuesday. We deserved it and it was fun to be recognized!!

My aunt Becca and my sister Mackenzie threw me a bridal shower on Friday night. I felt extremely spoiled, but I guess that is the point of a shower. It was so fun and everything was so beautiful. My aunt's trademark is making everything absolutely perfect! Which, it was. The desserts were great, the company was great and the entire night as a blast! 

Kim's sister Jenny got married yesterday! I went up to Heber to their reception and had fun visiting with Kim and Rachel. Jenny looked absolutely beautiful and so happy! It made me EXTRA excited for my wedding. 

My latest creation (thanks, AGAIN, to pinterest). A coconut-banana loaf with a lime glaze! Like I've mentioned before- - anything lime, I love. This loaf is seriously so delicious! I've eaten nearly half of it all on my own. I highly recommend it. To. Die. For! 

Well, I have a very, very busy week ahead of me as I prepare to finish up school and head on home!! Wish me luck and sanity as a try to get it all done!!

7 days folks!!!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!

   These past few weeks have been pretty good! Last weekend, Trav came for a visit and it was so wonderful! As it always is. This visit was especially good! Maybe it was the fact that I hadn't seen him since we got engaged (I didn't see him for 43 days, not that I was counting) or maybe it was the fact that I keep falling more and more in love with him each day? I can't really put my finger on as to why it was such a great weekend, but I know that I am extremely happy. I can't wait to marry my best friend! We have so much fun together and he treats me ever so sweetly!

We went to the BYU Rugby game while he was down! This was a quick moment that I was able to steal his attention away from the game to take a picture. He LOVES rugby, so naturally he was pretty enthralled by the game and not me.

We are really happy! Only 84 more days until THE big day. Future Mr & Mrs Seaborn!! It was really great to watch General Conference with my future husband! I loved having that experience. 

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School is finally starting to wind down. However, when I say winding down, I don't mean that the stress is minimizing in the slightest. I have several papers do, other assignements and just a whole lot of busy work I need to do before taking any of my exams. Sometimes it can get overwhelming, but I just need to keep reminding myself that home is just around the corner and that in two weeks... all of the struggle will be worth it. 

Even though school takes up a majority of my time, I still have some free time here and there. With that being said... I spend most of my free time on my own. Kim has a serious boyfriend, so I hardly see her. All of my other friends are busy with school and doing their own thing. Sometimes, I really don't like being alone; however, I've been doing some things to keep busy. I've been on a baking kick lately! I love to cook and bake, but I've made something almost everyday. I've really enjoyed it and it has helped me forget that I'm alone. I can't really complain about that! 

I had some perfectly ripened bananas and thought that banana bread would have been wonderful... Welcome to the life of a college student. No bread pan! So, I decided to make banana muffins instead. I added strawberry puree to the batter. You couldn't really taste much strawberry, but it certainly made the muffins a lot more moist. I loved em'!! 

Thank you, Pinterest! This was a caramelized-onion, olive oil and spinach loaf! It was so easy and so fast!! It is really yummy. I threw in some feta cheese as well. It is a savory little treat which is definitely something I need every once in a while. 

Again... thank you, Pinterest! These cookies have been haunting me since the day I first started with pinterest. They are coconut-lime sugar cookies. When I was making them, I had a really hard time refraining from eating the dough. I am a huge fan of anything lime with the right amount of sweetness; key lime cheesecake is one of my weaknesses. These are so yummy! Next time, I'm not going to bake them as long so they will be a little bit more doughy. Yum!!

These next few weeks simply can't go by fast enough. I am counting down the days!! It is going to be so great actually being in the same country as Travis! I'm excited to spend time with my family, also! Provo, BYU and the whole thing down here is great, but I definitely need a break every so often. I can't think of anything more perfect right now than being at home with the people I love!!

Also... I just bought a candle today. It is a glade one with the scent of "Orange Vanilla" it is to die for!! I feel like I'm breathing in a creamsicle. Totally reminds me of summer!!! Speaking of summer.....

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Questions?

1. Post these rules

2. Post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the questions provided by the person who tagged you.

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag.

5. Tag 11 people (no, really?)

1.I love doing laundry. I have a routine that I always follow and have a really hard time just leaving a load in the drier for a long time. There is something about the warm clothes and the way that they smell when I fold them.. It's comforting.

2. I really love to sing. I learned how to play piano when I was younger, but I stopped taking lessons. I kind of teach myself how to play songs now and also sing. I don't know if I'm really all that good, but I really enjoy it. 

3.I am obsessed with horses. My whole life I have been this way! I could sit in a field and just watch a horse BE and be totally content. They are magnificent animals that intrigue me to no end. 

4. I had to work hard to become a competitor. I play a very competitive sport at a very competitive level. However, being competitive wasn't always one of my strengths growing up, thinking that it would make me a 'mean person'. I always thought that being competitive was an innate ability, but I've figured out that it can very much be a learned behavior.

5. I love turkish delight. Especially Big Turk chocolate bars! I can only find em' at home, but they are divine. Everyone I know hates them. 

6. I can leg press 495 lbs. It's kind of gross in a way. However, it showed me how strong I really am. It was cool to see where my hard work has lead me! That being said, I don't ever want to look like a man. 

7. I love eyebrows. You know how some people always notice noses or teeth? I always notice eyebrows!

8. I love listening to slow, methodical music when I go on my runs. 

9. I could eat a spinach salad along side of anything I eat. I love spinach leaves. I just love food in general. 

10. I cannot stand it when people wear socks that are too big for them! Would it not drive you crazy with a massive lump or unnecessary fabric hanging off your toes?! EW. 

11. I love to mimic or imitate people. It's not a good thing, because I often times observe people's mannerisms when they are talking instead of actually listening to what they are actually saying. 

Hillary's Questions:

1.What is your favorite tv show and why?

Modern Family! I always feel good after I watch it. I love to laugh! 

2.What is your biggest fear?

I hate spiders. But, I'm really scared of losing all of my knowledge that I've worked hard to earn.

3. Describe your worst haircut?

I've been really lucky with hair cuts. Although, in between my freshman and sophomore years of college I made a BRASH decision to get my haircut short without layers of any sort. I looked like a mom, not that there is anything wrong with that, but it was not a good look for me.

4. If you were given 1000 dollars, what would you do with it?

Because I'm getting married soon, my first thought would be is to save it! If I want to be selfish... I would go buy a completely new wardrobe, books and new shoes. 

5.  When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?

This probably isn't that funny, but it was one of those situations where no matter what you could NOT stop laughing. I was sitting in church with my friend Kim and Travis and it was sacrament meeting; we were sitting pretty close to the front. This one guy that was bearing his testimony was sobbing the entire time and at one point a long string of snot dripped from his nose and he quickly sucked it back up. Kim and I, simultaneously, let out a big gasp and buried our heads in our laps and laughed for the rest of the meeting. Did it eliminate the spirit for us? Sure did. Did we cry our make up off? Absolutely. 

6. If you were to wake up in another person's body, who would it be?

I would either want to wake up in Gisele Bundchen's body to see what it would be like to have an absolutely flawless body. That's kind of a lame answer, but I think it would be cool! 7. If you had to kill 1 person to save a million people, would you do it?why?

This is a tough question, because it totally depends on the situation. That being said, my first instinct when I read this question is, yes. I just know that I would have a really hard time living and knowing I killed someone. It's a tough thought. 

8. What's your favorite date you've been on?

The date when I got engaged. It was nothing out of the ordinary... except for when it ended I was officially engaged to marry the man I love the most. 

9.  What talent do you have and what is one talent you wish you had?

I am a good horseback rider. I would love to be able to pick up any musical instrument and play it with ease! 

10.  Would you like to be famous? If so, in what way?

I think it would be a lot of fun! I would love to be on Saturday Night Live! Those people are so talented and hilarious. I would love to find fame there. 

11. In conversations, do you tend to listen or talk more?

It all depends on what the conversation is about. I think for the most part, I can balance each of those well. However, I am definitely a verbal person and I like to talk things through. 

My Questions:

1. What is your favorite genre of music?

2. What is your favorite book you have read?

3. Which would you choose... Chicken or steak? 

4. If you had one day to do anything you wanted to do, go anywhere you wanted to go, be with anyone you wanted to be with and spend as much money as you wanted to... how would that day go?

5. If you could change ONE thing about yourself (physically, emotionally etc.) What would it be?

6. What is your favorite color combination? 

7. Where would be your dream location to live for the rest of your life?

8. What is your biggest fear when it comes to raising your family?

9. If you were in a park and someone was screaming for help, what would you do?

10. If you and your spouse were about to get your first pet, what would you get and what would you name it? 

11. What is your perfect day in? You know... a day on a cold, rainy day.. what would you do? 

Alexis Kaufusi

Caitlin Wood

Meaghan Purnell

Lizzie Hawes

Alyse Saarelainen

Fatima Dedrickson 

Brittney Seaborn

Haley Steed

Nena Scott

DeeAnn Prince

Sarah Vermunt