Beautifully Simple.

And then it was like a moment from Pride&Prejudice, I put my hand on his arm and he grabbed my hand in one motion and held it. Tightly. It felt so normal, so second nature. It was if this was meant to happen. Right then.  My heart was racing & his breathing increased speed. I haven't felt that special in a very long time. The simplicity of it all, is beautiful. I can't ignore the butterflies that are still here.  I can't stop thinking about him.

Joy

There are so many wonderful things about life. In my life there is; Family, friends, the beautiful gospel, a job that I love, and opportunities to grow. 

Our Daly family is growing and our sweet Baby Jack will be here inFebruary!  I can't wait to meet this little guy and be the best Auntie Kate. I feel like I already know him but I can't wait to greet him into this world. 

My dear friends mostly al have significant others and they are wonderful. It's so fun to see the younger versions of my friends to these 'adults' that are married, have children, have houses, and are creating their own memories.

This has been quiet the growing year for me spiritually. The gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is amazing. I just recently finished the Book of Mormon on my own. While I was reading it, certain chaoters made me say 'Why am I just reading this NOW?!' Wonderful things were prohesied, trials happened, and the love of our Heavenly Father mever stopped. 

I absolutely love the company I work for (www.inContact.com) and I especially love my job. Every day I look forward to going to work and usually the the time off thy I have to take. Yes I appreciate it but I just love being involved that I have a hard time letting go ha ha. 

The biggest part of my growth this year is the decision to go through the temple for myself. A couple years ago, my bishop said that the stake had asked that girls who were not getting married or preparing for missions would wait til 25 years of age. I thought that was a little odd but knew it was for good reasons. As my 25th birthday approached my mother had planted the seed 'you should start preparing to go to the temple.' Yeah ok, thanks Ma. But she knew what she was doing because that seed started to grow. The big 2-6 birthday hit and I felt it was time. I was ready to get down to business. I set up an appointment with my bishop, who has known me aty lowest, and we talked about a game plan. I attended temple prep during church, but the class was already in the middle. No fear there were plenty interruptions of different conferences, meetings, or lack of teacher to stretch out my course of learning. I finally made it through all the way around and met with the bishop again. He said he felt like I needed to attend the temple a few times before I went to the stake president. I opened up to him that it had been 10+ years since I had attended the temple for baptisms for the dead. He responded with, 'well I guess we know why I was prompted to ask you.' Honestly I was nervous. It had been SO long and I didn't really know who I could ask to go with. I was embarrassed by my lack of attendance.  Long story short a dear friend, Nicole, had posted on Instagram that she was looking for buddies to go to the temple with her. I messaged her and told her she was an answer to my prayers! We coordinated and went to the temple. We went on a cold rainy Thursday up to the Draper temple. My heart was pounding, but she assured me that it was all going to be ok and there was no rush and that she was there for me. My first session back, my jumper was way too small and a bit tight but I was there for the right reasons and knew it didn't matter. The spirit felt so wonderful. We were doing the Lord's work. We also saw a friend of ours from high school which was so reassuring. Our second trip to the temple was even better. The sweet sisters working there remembered us from the week before and knew I was a special size haha. The jumpsuit fit GREAT! I was a happy clam. Felt way more confident and the fear fled.  When we sat in the chapel, the silence and spirit fled in, and we looked into the font. There were 2 physically challenged kids who were doing baptisms. Here I am very physically capable and they're the ones who get it. Not that anyone is more perfect or anything but that brought it into focus for me. What on earth was stopping me for 10+ years? That's when I made the internal commitment that I would not let my covenants and promises that I make when receiving my endowments go to waste. I met with my bishop a third time and he was ready to send me to the stake presidency. I made an appointment with the stake the same day! What a wonderful man President Elzey is. He gave me such a great understanding and insight to getting my temple clothes and the different sessions of the temple. Two days after my stake president interview, I called the Draper temple. Actually I scheduled a conference room at work, walked in to the room, shut the door, and sat down. I wanted to have my own place to have this wonderful conversation I was about to have. I called the Draper temple and the sweet sister asked me why I was going through. I told her I was going through for myself and it was time. She was delighted and immediately took down my information. I set a date to go through on December 13, 2014. When the sister asked me how many guests would be with me...I hesitantly said, 'oh approximately 40 people...' And she replied with, 'well that's a good problem to have!' Because of the large party, I will be in the first session of the morning and arrive at the temple at 6:30 a.m. 

I can't properly express how excited I am about that day, but how excited I am to start understanding even more about the gospel. And the wonderful party of 40 is a small part of my life who have helped me get to this point. 

I am excited to see where 2015 takes me. I am ready for new challenges, new goals, and anything else that decides to come my way.

XOXO

Kate

Favorite 2013 Moments via the Twitter

This is the year 2013 in my tweets. Please enjoy. 

1/1/13 @kfernusdaly: Starting the new year off right with,  bacon for breakfast. #ThanksMom

1/1/13 @kfernusdaly: My best friend is engaged! We already planned in Jr high how we'd tell each other and she followed through #sohappy #ILoveLove

1/6/13 @kfernusdaly: Am I the kind of person I want to meet? Uh chyeah I'm awesome #YSA

1/11/13 @kfernusdaly: My baby got married today! Love you dichaelmavis http://t.co/lRHGOAyP

1/12/13 @kfernusdaly: So proud of @MissUtahLIVE at Miss America! She got into Top 15! #missamerica #missutah Kara you looked amazing!

1/16/13 @emmaleevo: "The songs on the Les Mis movie soundtrack are great!" I'm over here like "I know, they've been great for years" #innerhipster #theatreprobs

1/20/13 @kfernusdaly: I'm in a Christofferson sandwich #iamlovingthis #holla #ysa

1/25/13 @kfernusdaly: I'm in a Christofferson sandwich #iamlovingthis #holla #ysa

1/28/13 @kfernusdaly: The most attractive prayer was just given....by #ChaseHotBerg #mmmgood

2/3/13 @hopeblackburn: It's the month of love #thanksforthememobishop #stillsingleward

2/11/13 @hopeblackburn: It's the month of love #thanksforthememobishop #stillsingleward

2/12/13 @kylehumphrey: Is there a word for that thick-thighed hockey player waddle?   I'm writing a love letter.

2/15/13 @kfernusdaly: If I was anymore black today, I would be #JenniferHudson #holla  f'real tho

2/17/13 @kfernusdaly: Glen! Glen! Glen! Glen! Glen! #TheWalkingDead

2/20/13 @kfernusdaly: I don't think ponchos are still in...especially if you crocheted it yourself.

3/1/13 @kfernusdaly: My mom is amazing. I hope to be like her as I continue growing up. #dontknowhowtofurtherexpress #tearyeyed

3/3/13 @kfernusdaly: Can I boo people up on the stand, from the congregation? #sitdown #weknowyouregettingmarried #whatever

3/5/13 @kfernusdaly: Looking at #wedding blogs cuz I'm the #maidofhonor  #BestFriendsWedding

3/8/13 @kfernusdaly: 'Order Chicks Now' doesn't mean the same in Parowan #smalltown #literalbabychickens

3/9/13 @kfernusdaly: Watching golf with Uncle Boyd...didn't realize how hot golfers are #willwatchagain #hotpants

3/16/13 @kirstenleigh123: Engagement photos take two kfernus @reillyaat #bestfriends http://t.co/eySy0E2tLS

3/18/13 @kfernusdaly: Just saw Mr Patrick Gleaves...my life is complete again

3/19/13 @kfernusdaly: You know when you text someone the honest truth and then while it's sending you think 'well that was probably the dumbest idea I ever had'?

3/20/13 @kylehumphrey: Dogs when they hear the word "treat" = me when I see a beard in the distance.

3/22/13 @kfernusdaly: Poor @naterothe told us "I have the smallest package" yesterday.  Of course he was talking about #internet #lol #thingssaidatwork

3/23/13 @kfernusdaly: Well he's got Bieber fever #confirmed  @ChadIsRad5 #lovehim #besties

3/30/13 @kjroutson: Get ready for a million color fest photos 😜

4/6/13 @kfernusdaly: Because of @SpencerHort_ 's impression of Elder Packer...I couldn't focus as well. The impression was spot on! #ldsconf

4/6/13 @LifeOfAMormon: 65,634 full time missionaries. 20,000 waiting to go who have calls. 6,000 in the interview process! #MissionaryWork #LdsConf

4/9/13 @kfernusdaly: I'm putting together a wedding playlist for a #hipstervintagelesbian wedding reception. Any suggestions?

4/12/13 @kfernusdaly: Loved tonight with best friend @joellikestoyell we basically laughed the whole time watching @jandyrules show 'You Can't Take It With You'

4/13/13 @kfernusdaly: Emma just sang 'shine bright like a diamond' and 'shut up and drive'. She is positively the cutest niece ever. She must take after her aunt

4/15/13 @kfernusdaly: Well aren't you the last of the mo-hunkans 😍

4/20/13 @YouLookGreat: says we touch the lives of every person we meet; we can also touch their tushies.

4/21/13 @BiIIMurray: Either you love Space Jam or you're wrong.

4/28/13 Part A: @kfernusdaly: You know you are 12 yrs old when you laugh together at the counselor's name #church @joellikestoyell

Part B: @kfernusdaly: @alexnr66 @joellikestoyell bishop schlappey hahahahaha it's STILL funny!!!!

5/4/13 @kfernusdaly: Seeing your best friend in her wedding dress #priceless #bestfriendmoments

5/8/13 @kfernusdaly: First time Hitting golf balls, Honey Badger is making me #lunchtime

5/9/13 @kfernusdaly: My CFO does a fantastic Bill Cosby impression, does yours?

5/13/13 @browneyegirl9: A guy just called me. 

CALLED. 

Like, on the phone. 

Anyway, I'm looking up wedding invites now.

5/15/13 @kfernusdaly: Chase just threatened to show up in his fireman outfit for me one night #ChaseHotBerg #fireman #ohbaby

5/19/13 @kfernusdaly: #mybestfriend #kandr My Best Friend's Wedding Reception! Look at this beautiful bride! I love you… http://t.co/1LLzw8fOUg

5/26/13 @kfernusdaly: My bishopric just got released. I'm all sorts of emotional 😭 these are my guys! My homeboys. I'm going to miss them so much #ysa

5/27/13 @kfernusdaly: Tomorrow is Tucker's death date, 3 years later. It feels like just yesterday when we went on our first date #prayerinmyheart #bestillmysoul

5/28/13 @kfernusdaly: #rememberwhen Tucker bought Coach Gleaves a goldfish and then tried to feed it a cheeseburger?

5/28/13 @abbeytc: @kfernusdaly #rememberwhen Tucker made me piggy pack him from the parking lot up half the stairs! #misshim

5/28/13 @kfernusdaly: #rememberwhen Tucker called me the day after he beat up a guy because he wouldn't give him a bacon-dog? #famousstory

5/31/13 @kfernusdaly: Godmother? I like the sound of that!

6/2/13 @kfernusdaly: Oh man that @ScottyArgyle is so hot right now! #testimony #ysa

6/5/13 @kfernusdaly: During swimsuit rehearsal I eat Del Taco #realtalk #MissLehi #MissLehiweek

6/8/13 @noahmckinnon1: Dude! @kfernusdaly and @joellikestoyell rocked it off the hizzo tonight on stage crew! (if that even makes sense) :)

6/12/13 @kfernusdaly: Happy Birthday Tucker! I'm gettin a bacon hot dog just for you...I just won't beat up anybody for it 😉 love and miss you #restinpeace

6/18/13 @kfernusdaly: At The Garden for Miss Utah committee dinner! I love creepin on @missamylanae on the otha table. She's so cute when she laughs 😛

6/21/13 @kfernusdaly: 'How do you spell nice? K-A-T-E' Dustin said with a giant smile.

6/23/13 @kfernusdaly: Happy 25th Birthday to my beautiful best friend in the whole wide world! Love the years we've had and… http://t.co/s397aTFyzT

6/26/13 @kfernusdaly: We haven't been like this before...now I can see why it's time to move on #lifegoeson

7/3/13 @kfernusdaly: Started packing 📦up things tonight. Still doesn't seem real. I should probably make a checklist though... 📝☑📦

7/6/13 @kfernusdaly: Partied too hard last night. And now I am up early for all day rehearsal. Then moving. #hellishday #lovemylife #25 💪📦🍰⚓⛵🚤🚣

7/9/13 @kfernusdaly: Being a part of the guys means havin so much fun swimming and then out for shakes&venting session. #lovethoseguys #oneoftheguys

7/10/13 @kfernusdaly: A great dinner with just my team tonight at Ciseros in #ParkCity ! Great food, great laughs, and of course my favorite people.

7/17/13 @kfernusdaly: It's not about meals, the nice bed, or the hundreds o channels. It's about the quality time I get to spend with my Mama/Best Friend #family

7/20/13 @kayceemarlene: I can be slow-clapped into anything.

7/21/13 @kfernusdaly: Heavenly Father doesn't want just a fermata, He wants a crescendo! #PresElzey #ysa

7/25/13 @kfernusdaly: My office today: Miss Northern Utah County pageant rehearsal 👸✨💃👏👯👑👠💄👗💿🎤🎹🎻

7/27/13 @kfernusdaly: Not seeing my BFF @joellikestoyell for almost 3 weeks takes a toll on both of us! Glad we got to hang out, yell, and laugh at everything!

7/28/13 @Cryle7: Singles ward PDA is off the charts today. Get me out of here.

8/1/13 @kfernusdaly: I received this Rock Star award today and $100 gift card #inContact #lovemyjob #tanksalert http://t.co/xaSpuDMKDY

8/5/13 @kfernusdaly: Any way this ends tonight I will be crying into a bowl of ice cream #TheBacheloretteFinale #TheBachelorette

8/9/13 @reillyaat: It's weird to be I'm lehi and know that @kfernusdaly isn't here. It's like there is a shift in the universe #yourpeoplemissyou

8/14/13 @kfernusdaly: We asked Emma why she couldn't kill the spider. Her reply 'Me? I'm no superhero!'

8/19/13 @kfernusdaly: I passed the application! Signing a lease tomorrow! #helloworld #newapartment #newadventures  🚕📝📦📬💸🚿🔑

8/20/13 @kfernusdaly: Happy Birthday to the best guy I know! To my best friend Joel who always reminds to relax, to try new… http://t.co/fpYzFrEYd3

8/21/13 @kfernusdaly: Oh baby! You're on fire you're like doughnut grease! #duckdynasty #ducknation

8/25/13 @kfernusdaly: Getting ready to talk in sacrament #butterflies #ysa #lastsundayinthisward

8/31/13 @kfernusdaly: I blamed you for flipping my world upside down. Today I thank you for giving me the chance to figure out me and what I want. #shegone

9/4/13 @kfernusdaly: Just bought a Christmas tree! #thankyou #HobbyLobby

9/7/13 @kfernusdaly: "Yeah sure you're a virgin, whatever!" Said by @ScottyArgyle

9/13/13 @TFLN: (902): dude girls our age are getting married and having babies and I still can't figure out how to defrost my hotpockets

9/13/13 @kfernusdaly: I walked out with my arms full of stuff and I held open two sets of doors for you. Thanks for being a gentleman, Douche Lord

9/25/13 @kfernusdaly: Midnight Cheese #workingtitle #bffswriteabook @reillyaat and I will be a Best Seller!

9/28/13 @kfernusdaly: 8yrs ago I was waitin in a dress for my date to pick me up. He looked so handsome. The love he showed made my heart skip a beat #homecoming

9/29/13 @kfernusdaly: My niece memorized her part and sang so loud in the primary program! She also got a little confused on A Child's Prayer...haven't we all?!

10/2/13 @kfernusdaly: I'm sorry for the tantrum I threw yesterday at work. However, it was fun to experience throwing a stack of papers in the air and walkin away

10/4/13 @kfernusdaly: Almost ready to start the Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen pageant! I'm the stage manager so you know it's going to be good! 👑 #goodluckall

10/7/13 Part A: @kfernusdaly: Auctioning off myself for a date at ward FHE #ysa

10/7/13 Part B: @kfernusdaly: Sold for $25 to Tyson Bailey!

10/9/13 @kfernusdaly: HB is the twin I never had #carpoolconversations #likeabrother

10/11/13 @kfernusdaly: I took a walk to Sales/PS today and a PS rep volunteered to find me a husband. #hownice #operationfindkateadate

10/13/13 @kfernusdaly: Trying to do a Cher impression is a lot harder than it seems #ifIcouldturnbacktime #doyoubelieveinloveafterlove

10/16/13 @kayceemarlene: LHA for president. @kfernusdaly

10/24/13 @kayceemarlene: I'm a girls girl. I will irrationally hate the shit out of whoever you want me to. @kfernusdaly @reillyaat

11/4/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember grateful for my secondsest family The Richardsons #lovemyextendedfam #qualitytime @alexnr66

11/6/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember I'm grateful for my apartment. My place to call home and to make homey. Like currently decorating for Xmas...

11/8/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember I'm so grateful #BabyBadger, Damon was born this morning! Healthy, full head of hair, and skinny lil guy!

11/12/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember even though the Bishopric said they're just visiting...I got another calling #keepthefaith #ysa #singlesward

11/14/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember grateful for Lunch Ladies group & the efforts that we do to make it happen once a month! #highschoolfriends

11/15/13 @kfernusdaly: Got #RickRolled at work today...

11/16/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember happy birthday to my godson Cole! I'm so happy you were born! I'm excited to see you grow up #fairygodmother

11/17/13 @ScottyArgyle: Honored to be sitting by the #queenofeverything tonight. @kfernusdaly

11/19/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember loved having the opportunity to visit teach and get to know a new sister. Let's just say my comp is amazing!

11/23/13 @kfernusdaly: #thankstweet #ThankfulNovember grateful for my #MissUtah family! I love the #MissAmericaOrg and happy to be a part of this work.

11/28/13 @kfernusdaly: And then the boys told mom that on GrandTheftAuto you can have sex with hookers #HappyThanksgiving #nighttimegiggles

12/2/13 @kfernusdaly: Teaching my 85 year old Great Aunt Mary how to use Facebook and her iPad #sheishilarious #keepsclickinonthings

12/7/13 @kfernusdaly: It's not the length of time or where spent, but just being with your best friend makes everything better. #latepost #starbucks @reillyaat

12/9/13 @kfernusdaly: Remember when Bruce Wayne wakes up, stands up, chugs his milk, and then falls to the floor into push-ups? Ya me too #rewind #BatmanBegins

12/11/13 @kfernusdaly: 2:00pm here I come! @naterothe @ChanseCarl #browniesfordaboys http://t.co/rM90iGsKv5

12/24/13 @kfernusdaly: Our greeter at Belgian Waffle looks like a female version of Robert Gulay...Will Ferrel version. #ChristmasEve

12/31/13 @kfernusdaly: worked EndofQuarter & now finishing a blog about my 2013 in tweets #hilarious

Here I come 2014. 

Dear Diary...

I know it's been awhile since I've posted...but I'm still here! Not much has changed other than...

My BFF Reilly Turner got married to Kirsten Betty Leigh Cleaveland. They were married in Seattle, WA and then had a reception in the backyard of Rei's childhood home. It was beautiful. I was the maid of honor and did an awesome toast (if I do say so myself). Lilacs were all around. The air was magical and the guests were full of well wishes.

I turned 25 and had a Nautical themed birthday party. Friends came and enjoyed the evening with food, chatter, and music. I wore a Captain's hat and plan on wearing it more often.

I went from the Stage Manager of Miss Lehi to the Director of Miss Lehi *I know, crazy*

I moved out...and now I live by myself.

My BFF Aaron got married to the love of his life Mandy (On BFF Joel's birthday) and it was a great day! Full of love and laughs..and Joel 1/2 nakedly dancing.

I moved wards from the 3rd Ward to the 2nd Ward.

I went from 4 callings in the 3rd Ward and 1 Stake Calling to 3 callings in the 2nd Ward and still my 1 Stake Calling. I was recently, as in on Sunday 11/17/13, called as the Relief Society 1st Counselor and I could not be more excited! I am excited to serve not only the presidency but these sweet girls in my new ward. I am the Stake Music Chair, Ward Music Chair, Ward Organist, and now the 1st Counselor.

My BFF Joel found the love of his life! When he picked up the ring from being finished he came over to my house and I teared up (happy tears) and we chatted about how nervous he was! He did it by having a puppy with the ring tied around him and proposed. They are getting married Jan 2014!

I've started cooking more! I've made baked chicken parm, pancakes, potatoes, and cakes! I am enjoying it a lot more and want to continue getting better.

I bought my own Christmas tree! Thank you Hobby Lobby

Some friends from high school and I started meeting together once a month for dinner/lunch/breakfast dates. We call ourselves The Lunch Ladies. These girls mean so much to me. They have been such great examples to me and still are. Plus one of them made me a Godmother and I couldn't be happier.

I stage managed Miss Lehi, Miss Utah, Miss Northern Utah County, and Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen. They were all amazing experiences this year and so blessed that people thought to ask me.

I started watching Duck Dynasty and now I'm obsessed. TEAM JASE!

I was awarded the Rock Star and inSpire awards at work. The Rock Star was given to me within my own team at work. Pam nominated me for the hard work that I have been doing and for being a can-do-er. The inSpire award was a company award. Different people from different teams nominated me, then my name went to a committee, they voted for me, and then the Executive Board selected me. I was truly honored to receive an award and to hear those sweet reasons that people nominated me.

My BFF Alex is getting married and she has asked me to be a bridesmaid! Blush pink, Cream, and Ivory. With accents of gold and burlap.

The Way We Serve

Serving our all of our customers as Champion Customers.This is what we are striving to be 110% of the time with our internal and external customers.  I love this company as well as my team and I know we can achieve and are achieving this standard.  Let me give you a little insight on my job.  I am in Order Management within the Enterprise Operations team.  I have the opportunity to be in close niches with our great Sales team.  They are the ones who are working with the prospect customer to get their company outlook for products and what they're looking to achieve short and long term.  The Sales team gets the customer signed contract to us for processing.  With that they should have all connectivity that goes with this new customer build.  However, most times that's the perfect picture that Order Management doesn't see.  Our normal picture is that we get the contract signed by the customer and we kindly remind the Sales rep what we are missing.  Order Management sets up the account in our billing system, a project is started for all tasks to be worked/completed, and we withhold any contracts that don't have connectivity.  Our tasks keep every contract within the same process.  We have to scrub the order; check for all customer signatures and get all connectivity.  We also have to get a case work order to our Credit approval.  They check the credit stance on the customer and ensure that any upfront payment arrangements are met.  We then go to our CFO for countersignature.  Our CFO looks at the contract to ensure that we are providing a good deal to the customer as well as if there are any terms that will be harmful for the company; both ours and theirs.  Once we have our countersigned contract we have to see if we can hand off the contract to our Implementation and Customer Service teams.  Unfortunately getting all Connectivity for one customer is our biggest hold up. Our wonderful Connectivity Team should be engaged with the Sales Team (Sales engineer and Sales rep) about the customer's connectivity hopes and dreams.  Those parties (Customer, Connectivity Team, and Sales) should be engaged together to answer technical questions and be able to fill out the necessary diagrams.  Therefore, the connectivity is what is key especially after all of our tasks are completed.  If we have the connectivity, an Implementation and a Customer Service assignment, the credit check approved, and the countersigned contract we can hand off to our Implementation/Customer Service reps almost immediately.  I love my job and the way we serve our internal and external customers.

My Best Friend - Engagement Session

My dear BFF Reilly asked me to take her engagements.  I'm not entirely sure why...but I was of course happy to oblige.  We started in the morning and headed out. We went to a park in Highland, then out to Pelican Bay docs, to Barnes & Nobleses, and then wrapped up at Starbucks.  I am so incredibly happy for Reilly that she found her true love in Betty (real name Kirsten). There was not one moment where I had to say "Alright kiss. Be cute. Say something funny so you'll laugh"  It was such a natural turn out. Here's some of my personal faves.  *most are unedited because that's a skill I really don't have*

The Worst's Wedding

 Two of my greatest friends were married to each other on Saturday August 25, 2012.  They are such an adorable couple, so adorable they are "the worst"!  Here's a few pictures from the fantastic day!  Reilly and I were invited to be bridesmaids and boy were we honored.

Joel and I looking goood waiting for more direction

 The wedding party and the beautiful couple gettin mawwied!

 Chantz in true fashion...lookin at my rack.

 A beautiful shot of us

We were paired together to walk down the isle, in our rose petal colors

 just a peek of Danielle's amazing DIY Wedding

 Such great bridesmaids, I loved getting to know all of them more

 ready, set....

Tellin war stories

Dear Journal

My best friend Joel (and a few other friends) have talked about The Walking Dead (TWD).  Zombies. Hot guys killing zombies. Saving the group. #myKindofMovie . So. Joel and I decided the other night that we needed to just pick a date and start TWD. We were standing in the Wal*Mart movie isle and he whipped out his planner and the conversation began
Joel "Thursday?"
Kate "DONE!"
Joel "Who should we invite?"
Kate "I dunno, Alex and Latoya?"
Joel "DONE!"
I then texted both ladies and said "TWD marathon is happening, Thursday.  You in?" Luckily Latoya signed up and gave a firm "Yes." Alex, the workin bum, replied "I have work! FETCH!"
We had 3 of 4, we were going to continue on. Sorry Al.
Thursday came. We were READY!
Joel and Latoya arrived.
I was there already (it was my house)
We decided Dominoes for 'za.
Whilst waiting for said 'za, I browsed Joel's music library
To my satisfaction (and by the end of the entire...stay-over) I collected 9ish gigs worth of new stuff
yay for me
We received the pizzas and cheese sticks, but it was the wrong pizza.
"CHEEEEESE!?" shouted Joel in anger!
He whipped out his phone and began dialing Dominoes to report the giant mistake.
He cannot stand, just cheese pizza.
but no worries, we began The Walking Dead.
the first episode seemed soooooo loooooooong
and of course the other episodes seemed so short!
I never knew when it was going to end (in a good way)
But then the discs that Joel had brought (burned the episodes onto DVDs to watch on the normal sized TV) there were no more discs...we had gotten to episode 5 but had to stop....
Until we had a brilliant idea...
LET'S WATCH MORE!
so we did...and finished Season 1, on Joel's laptop.
that was about 2:30 AM. I had to be up for work by at least 5:30 ish...
There was no way I was sleeping 2 1/2 hours.
Joel and Latoya were fantastic friends, because they said "OK" to pulling an all-nighter.
I was jazzed and loud and ready for the day at 6:00 AM when I started getting ready for work.
While Joel and Latoya were sitting on the couch talking.
I got to work, worked really hard for a solid 3 hours...and then the work stopped...and I got sleepy.
Needless to say, I went home at noon from work because I kept nodding off in meetings..that I probably should have listened to.
And then took a 5 hour nap.
WINNING

Extra Special

I had a great tender moment with Joel yesterday.  We attend so many receptions together. Literally. We're always there, together, supporting our friends in their Happily-Ever-After-Party.  There was one last night.  The tender moment was not at the reception per say but it was the moments walking from the car to the reception.  He had told me about a girl that he thought was interested in him.  I asked what he thought and he gave me his answer.  But then he said "What do you think Kate?" and usually he doesn't ask me...so up front. He'd ask a few other questions to get my vibe but on this occasion he asked "What do you think Kate?" I replied "Does it matter what I think?" and he said "Of course it matters, you're my best friend".

Now I know that is so cheesy and I've known that's what our relationship is.  I feel like he thinks it but never says that out loud.  "You're my best friend". To hear those words made me feel...extra special.

Bitter-sweet

I kept snoozing my alarm so I could continue seeing him, in my dream.
Something was wrong with him,
and he asked me to take care of him.
Of course, I did.
Grabbed a washcloth.
Ran it under cool water.
Rung it out and started caressing his face with it.
He was lying there with his blue eyes looking up at me.
Told me he was glad I was here
I smiled
He smiled
Alarm went off. Got up. Arranged for 20 more minutes.
Back to my bed. Closed my eyes. He was back.
"Just hold me" he said.
I grabbed him in my arms and held him tight.
Caressed his peach fuzz hair.
He kissed my hand.
He kissed my arm.
I smiled and felt right again.
I dreamt of Tucker last night.
I wish it wasn't dreams that were my chance to see him.
Hold him.
Touch him.
But I know one day I'll see him again.
It's just bittersweet for now.