Officially Official.

Friday, October 19, 2012: the best day of my life, up to this point. A perfectly perfect evening. Another magic moment that happened. The night I got ENGAGED!

Yes, my friends, it is now officially official. I am ENGAGED!! And not just engaged to any old good-lookin' Joe-Schmo, but engaged to the neatest, most wonderful man for me. I get to marry my very best friend in the whole world. Sometimes I look at how mine and Eric's whole relationship has worked out so easily, and I wonder how in the world I got so lucky? I wonder if the Lord gets excited to watch two strangers meet and fall in love unexpectedly. I mean, everyone is a little bit of a sucker for a good love story, so I would imagine He might be too. :) And biased as I may be, I think that mine and Eric's is pretty wonderful! The Lord has truly blessed me and given me my Prince Charming. Call it cheesy, call it unoriginal...but it is so true!

So how did Eric pull off one of the biggest moments in a person's life? The moment that every girl imagines in her mind from the time she is young? The moment that every boy secretly wonders how he will pull it off perfectly? How did he propose? Oh baby, he did a great job!

The Proposal

Eric and I had planned to go on a date to the Thanksgiving Point Gardens on Thursday, but had to adjust our plans a little for a good friend of ours to come and visit from Salt Lake. So the next day, we made plans to go there. I had a conference in Salt Lake that day and then met my mom and friend Jess to look at wedding dresses. (Clearly, we were planning on getting married and time was ticking, so dress shopping before the engagement was necessary. Don't judge haha.) That afternoon we went and looked at an apartment, so my mind wasn't thinking that he would propose on our date. Also, he had me convinced that he didn't have a ring yet...supposedly it was going to take a week or two to get in and he still needed to look around... You know, the classic ring bluff that I totally bought into.

So as we drove to Thanksgiving Point that night, I was just so pleased with the fact that I was with the boy I loved going on a darling little date. And, there was this incredibly beautiful sunset to help make the night just a little more perfect. Look at this...

Right? The setting was gorgeous! By the time we got to the Gardens, it was getting dusk. The ladies at the front desk were slightly confused as to why we were just arriving there when the sunlight was quickly diminishing. But we went ahead and went in. I have always wanted to go to the Gardens, and still would love to go again when it is a little lighter and the flowers are in their prime, BUT it was still absolutely delightful. There were trees peppered with autumn golds and reds. There were cute little pathways and bridges over running streams. There were flowers hanging on to their beauty despite the colder weather setting in. It was wonderful! And the most wonderful part about it was walking hand in hand with Eric. We didn't have a care in the world. Actually, scratch that, I didn't have a care in the world. Eric was freaking out inside because he knew what was going down very shortly.

Eric was a pro at not seeming nervous however. Another reason I didn't see it coming was because he acted so natural and sweet to me, as he always is. So we were just walking on random paths when we saw these four white pillars on top of a little miniature hill. We decided that it might be a fun little adventure to walk up there, so we did. I can't adequately describe how cool it was, so I googled some pictures of the spot.

Once we got to the top, Eric gave me a hug and said that he had something for me. He reached his hand in his pocket and pulled out a plastic ring with a giant pink heart on it. Let me explain...

When I was in Kindergarten, the boy in my class who I dearly loved gave my best friend a plastic ring one day after school because he liked her. You can imagine how crushed a little 5-year old girl would have been when her young love ends up loving her best friend haha. So I had told this story to Eric back in the summer. Then when thoughts of marriage started to come up, Eric would always joke about just getting me a big ring from All-a-Dollar.

So, he had done just that! It was so cute and so fitting. I loved it! But he didn't really say anything when he gave me the ring. So after a second, I was kind of confused as to what was going on. I didn't know if this was his way of proposing and this was a temporary ring until the real one was ready, or if he was just giving me a thoughtful gift... I didn't know? That's when he said that he had something else for me. He reached in his pocket again and pulled out a little black box. Yep, my heart was FREAKING out by this point. Half of me was ecstatic, and the other half was so surprised/confused because inside that little black box was a sparkling diamond ring. Eric got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. After just a few seconds of being in somewhat of a stupor, I exclaimed YES and threw my arms around my fiance. (I still am slightly weirded out by saying that I have a fiance now haha.)

Eric picked out the ring all by himself. I gave him an idea of what I liked, and he did the rest. 

He definitely nailed this one. :)

And the rest is history. It was complete bliss after that point. The night was truly magical. I always wanted to be proposed to in a quiet setting with just the two of us, and Eric did exactly that. I am thoroughly convinced that my life has some serious fairytale-like qualities to it, because this was just about as good as it gets. I was and am SO incredibly happy!

So December 27th is the big day. A wedding right after Christmas? Yep. We are doing it. Our moms had slight panic attacks when we told them, but they are all on board now haha. We are getting married in the Salt Lake Temple and having a reception in Orem that night. We'll be honeymooning in a mystery place, because Eric is keeping that one under wraps from me haha. Then on January 4th we will have a reception in Logan.

I couldn't be more excited for the future. I have had so many friends get married and I have been absolutely thrilled for them. Now it is my turn. It is still kind of a dream that I get to be the beautiful bride this time. I get to experience the happiness that true love and a temple sealing bring to life. I have dreamed of going to the temple my whole life, and now, in just under two months, I will be there. I can't wait. And I am so happy that Eric gets to be a permanent part of my life. Who would have ever thought that I would be marrying my Pickleville sidekick? The other day, I stumbled across this picture. It is the first picture that Eric and I ever took together. It is up at PVP and we were trying to look like old folks rocking back and forth on a love seat. We are looking very attractive. ;)

Oh how far we have come since this day back in the early summer. I love every little thing about this boy. He is the definition of wonderful. We often comment on how well we compliment each other and what a great little team we make. And that is what marriage is all about. Working together and supporting each other in everything. Always.

 

I am so excited to be starting a new life and a new family with Eric. One that will continue on forever and ever. I am thankful to have the knowledge of eternal life and the opportunity to be a member of Christ's true church so that I can have direct access to those blessings received only in temple. I love to see the temple; I'm finally going there someday soon!

Halfway There.

I have been itching to blog. This once a month dealio, if even that, is just not sitting well with me. But, when busy life calls, this blogging hobby of mine tends to be one of the first things brushed aside. On a positive note however, I am finding a little time tonight to write my thoughts, feelings, and recent happenings down. Finally! So I am grateful for nights like this that are lackadaisical and carefree. That is a rare occurrence these days.

Today marked my halfway point for student teaching. I am halfway there. Graduation is just around the corner. Crazy, right? The past seven weeks I have spent day in and day out of the greatest 1st grade class at Orem Elementary School. Let me tell you what, student teaching is not what I thought it would be. It is much harder and much better! What I anticipated was far less colorful (both in a difficult and rewarding sense) than the reality of it. I have learned so much though! So so much. I feel a lot more prepared to have my own classroom in the near future, and much more prepared for the next seven weeks in a 6th grade class. I am slightly scared for this one. But, I am so humbled at the chance I have to improve my teaching skills and strategies daily and most importantly, to influence the lives of young kids. There are few things in this life more rewarding than seeing a child light up when they understand something you taught them. It is extremely validating. I have had some very difficult days these past few weeks. Some days I have wanted to just quit. But, for every hard day there three times more good days. Then, final days in the classroom, like mine today, make you never ever want to leave.

So get this... today was my last day in the 1st grade, so this afternoon, my cooperating teacher asked me to go to the work room to grab her some more dry erase markers. Super random, but I was happy to help her out. When I came back to the class, I opened the door and was delightfully surprised by a loud choir of children chanting "We love you, Miss Bagley!" They were all standing up by the door in a group holding a poster and a gift. I almost shed tears. It was SO cute! Then I was almost stampeded by 25 first graders pushing their way through to give me a hug. Talk about confidence booster. Sheesh, all you have to do is spend 5 minutes with these kiddo's and they love you. So after about 35 days with them, there are some real attachments...on both ends. Here are some pictures of the cuties.

The sweet gift I got from the class.

 

Mrs. Giles and Miss Bagley's 1st grade class

 

 What 1st graders do best... pulling our silly faces.

There have been so many wonderful things happening in my life over the past few months that I have been down in Provo. There are some days that I miss Logan...specifically my family and friends. But it has been a fun change being down here. Dear friends from Logan, Provo isn't half as bad as everyone up there says it is. I really like it! :) Of course, my loyalties will always and forever lie with Utah State. Too bad we couldn't quite pull a W off at last week's game against BYU. But I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been placed in my life and the experiences I have been having. Here is a brief update of what's been going on lately via a little picture blogging.

Eric surprised me for my birthday! I wasn't able to go to Wicked earlier this summer with the tickets I got for Christmas. So this cutie found some on a night we could go, and surprised me. We made a whole day out of it. Best boyfriend ever!

Inside the theatre. Don't worry, not only did he surprise me with tickets, but they were FRONT ROW tickets of the mezzanine. Aka: Defying Gravity happened directly in front of our faces. Right?! Best seats in the house, hands down.

 

Moving down to Provo. Adios Logan! (Also, adios long hair. I chopped it! 7 inches, baby.)

 

 

Harvesting the fall crops with my pops. All those times I complained about weeding and watering the garden when I was younger have now endeared me to gardening. What an accomplishing feeling to grow such beautiful produce.

Megan Bagley and Megan Sackett. Eric seriously has the neatest sister in the world. Glad we can share a name :)

 

Family Lagoon day!

Jared and I rode the Sky Coaster. Other than the fact that we both screamed like girls, it was awesome. He is the cutest boy!

A Sunday evening with the boy I love.

 

Just enjoying a BYU game from the box. No biggie. :)

 

Sardine Canyon in the fall. Enough said. Wow!

My dear friend Blair's wedding shower.

 

Enjoying some quality time with friends and family in Logan. 

Tessa, me, Brynnly and Matt.

A little Monday night FHE with the "A-Team." Alan and Amy = best parents/cutest family.

 

USU vs. BYU game

 

A Sackett girl tradition: bowling and dinner while the boys are at Priesthood session.

General Conference Sunday. We went on a little walk up Provo Canyon to see some gorgeous waterfalls. I love this time of year!

 
I have so much to be thankful for right now. After hearing the words from General Conference last weekend, my soul is rejuvenated, and I am anxious and willing to serve and progress to be more like my Savior. He has blessed me so immensely and it is often easy to overlook those blessings in the hustle and bustle of every day life. I hope to be more humble and grateful each and every day. The beautiful thing about being "halfway there" is that room for progression and change is still ahead, in all aspects of life. Progression in my teaching and in my personal goals. And most importantly, in my lifelong journey to become a better disciple of Christ.

I love to see the temple... plus a little more.

Where to even start tonight? This summer has been so incredibly incredible. Yes, I just used the same adjective two times in a row. That's how awesome it has been! When I reflect on the experiences that I have had the past three months, I am overcome with this feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for the people who have blessed my life. Gratitude for the work opportunities I have been given. Gratitude for the beauty of this earth. Gratitude for the spirit I have felt. I truly have changed for the better...not drastically, but subtly. Here are a few of the final summer memories that I have had recently...

I love to see the temple.

I'm going there someday.

To feel the holy spirit.

To listen and to pray.

 For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of one day going to the temple. I can't think of a more perfect and beautiful place to go than to the house of the Lord. This summer, I have been thinking about the temple so much. Why? a) Because every time I come back to Logan, I see the stunning temple almost smiling at me. b) I love to do baptisms there when I have a free moment. c) Basically all of my friends either are married or are getting married in the temple. Yay! d) The Brigham City Temple is currently having an open house before its dedication. e) I have been attending temple prep. Let me explain that one. Eric was a teacher for the temple prep class in our ward this summer. I had to support, right? So the following photos are of a few of my experiences at the temple the past month.

Doing baptisms for the dead at the Logan temple.

Matching....and we didn't intentionally plan that. We must think alike or something? :)

Chelsea, me, and Rylee waiting for Lars to come out of the temple. 

  Lars and Reggie. What cuties!

One gorgeous bride. I am so grateful for Lars's example.

My old roomies.

 

 The Brigham City Temple open house.

Crazies? Maybe a little bit. :)

Friends are awesome. YAY! YAY! 

A little lunch outing with my girls at Ideal Beach.

Some of my dearest, dearest friends.

 We FINALLY got to the lake. This is what summer is all about.

 Boating with this babe.

Sarah is such a sweetheart.

 Working the box office! I love these girls.

Now for the best part...

Well, summer is officially over. As of 9:00 am tomorrow, I will be back in school and rockin' and rollin' for another semester. However, this semester will be full of teaching, teaching and more teaching. Not only is summer officially over for me, so is taking regular "college-kid" classes. I will be doing my student teaching this semester at Orem Elementary School and then come December time, I will be DONE-ZO with college. Crazy, right? I still can't really believe it. It feels like just yesterday that I was packing my bag with fresh new notebooks and pencils and most importantly, a laminated copy of Utah State's campus so that I would not get lost finding my classes. Ah, to be a young freshman again. I am so grateful for the past three years of college. I have learned so much and had THE best experience. Utah State will forever and ever hold a special spot in my heart. I love being an Aggie!

But, as incredible as USU has been, it can't last forever. So with that, I am heading down south tomorrow afternoon to make my humble abode in Provo. No, I am not transferring to BYU. But yes, I am moving away from Logan. Utah State students can do their student teaching all over the state, and after lots of thinking, getting advice from family and friends, and so many prayers, I felt like moving away was the right thing to do. So I'll be living with five of the cutest girls in the world...including my best friend Whit. Finally, after years and years of talking about it, we will be roomies! There is also this really cute boy that will be down there too. That is one more bonus that I didn't foresee when I originally planned on moving down. Three cheers for good luck! :) So life is drastically changing tomorrow. But I am ready for it. Life, hit me with your best shot. I can't wait!

The Sweetest Summertime

There are a few things that bring me immense joy in life. These include, but are not limited to... watermelon, autumn leaves and colors, Christmas music, brownies and ice cream, babies, playing the piano, weddings, and blogging. I feel like a sugar addict who has gone on a no-sugar diet the last three months because I have not really had a chance to blog! Okay, that might be a little dramatic, but it is so great to spend time absorbed in one of my favorite hobbies. So here I am, sitting at my computer, eating some cherries, listening to a little Michael Buble and I am in absolute bliss.

Summertime is here and on it's way out. And it has been oh so sweet! Times just flies when you are having fun. And fun is exactly what I have been having this summer of 2012. My plans changed a lot when T. J. Davis called me in the spring and asked me to be a part of the Pickleville magic again this summer. I accepted the offer and after an intense three weeks of rehearsals in May, I moved up to Bear Lake. Words can't even begin to adequately describe what an incredible experience this has been. The best decision I could have ever made was to do Pickleville for one more summer. The whole experience...the work, the people, the performing...everything has been a dream come true. I often find myself asking how in the world I am so fortunate to be here. The Lord has blessed me so much! I am truly humbled and grateful for the blessings He bestows upon me.

So, let me expound a little on my super-awesome, neat, fun, incredible, magical, dreamy summer. First things first: Pickleville. That is the whole reason that I am even up in Garden City, right? I am performing in The Hanging of El Bandito as Billy Jean Fletcher. My very first summer doing PVP, back when I first graduated from high school, I debuted this role. It has been such a blast getting to play the part again, but in a new and fresh way. The Juanito Bandito craze is in full swing and we perform all of the time. Sooo many shows each week, but what a fun job! I get paid to be an evil and psycho sidekick to Bandito. Boom baby! Haha, no but really, it is such an uplifting and wholesome environment and a positive experience. On the nights of the other show, Forever Plaid, I work in the box office at Pickleville taking reservations, making some delicious popcorn, and helping out backstage here and there. It has been fun to see that angle of how the theater runs. I work with some of the funnest girls and thoroughly enjoy every night that I am at PVP.

 

The Hanging of El Bandito

 

A few of the cast members seating the crowd.

 

With my dearest friends, Chelsea, Rylee and Whitney, on opening night.

 Billy Jean Fletcher

 

Forever Plaid

 Box Office workers. We have a little too much fun!

P.S. Just to put a little plug in for the shows. They are awesome! Might I highly suggest coming to either one? I promise it will be one of the greatest experiences. :)

www.picklevilleplayhouse.com

Next, I have the coolest day job. I work at Ideal Beach Resort which is exactly what it is named...ideal. It is the ideal location, the ideal work, the ideal people. Honestly. I work with some awesome co-workers and my boss is a stud. He is so kind and good to his employees. He runs a tight ship and I am so impressed with his managing skills. Anyway, I work in the resort's convenience store, as well as at the mini golf course and the snow shack. Some of the world's most darling families come and stay at this resort. Seriously, I have seen more adorable children and couples this summer than I think I have in my life. It is making me so excited to one day have a family of my own. Needles to say, I am the luckiest girl to have such awesome jobs. I needed and wanted to work hard this summer to make money for the fall. Provo is going to be slightly more pricey than Logan, I'm afraid. And that is exactly what I have been doing. I am working hard but am having an incredible time doing it.

With one of my co-workers, Danielle.

 Ideal Beach Resort. Is that not the prettiest view to look at every day?

As much as I love the work I have been doing this summer, I think that the reason I will always look back on this time of life with the fondest of memories is because of the people I associate with. Every single day I realize what awesome people I spend time with and live around. People who are striving to do good and to be good always. People who want to align their lives with the Lord's will. People who are constant examples of love and service. I am learning a lot about friendship, especially because my family is not close by. I have learned to rely a lot on my friends for love and support since my family isn't near. Not only are these friends good and wholesome people, but they are so much fun! Ah, I laugh so hard with them. We play games and are silly and have the greatest times. Some of my favorite moments of this summer are the nights that we have Family Home Evening. We will have a lesson and an activity of sorts. We also regularly have Sunday dinners or gather around the piano and sing. This little Pickleville family of mine is always giving little gifts or dropping little notes of love and appreciation. It is so beautiful. I am truly grateful for each and every one of my friends...those who are with me this summer and those who I don't see as often. I have been so fortunate in my life to have great friends. I hope to continue to be a better friend to others and strive to be more selfless. I want to be the kind of friend that the Lord would be.

Jessica Jenkins. Girls don't come much more pure and incredible than this one.

A little summer afternoon hike.

Singing around the piano.

 

 Watching Jessica sing at a fireside in Evanston, WY.

An FHE activity down at the lake. Skipping rocks, baby!

Sweet Sydnie. One of the loveliest girls I know.

Now for the best part of my summer! I know that there is no possible way to really describe this huge part of my life. Why? Because he, yes he, is just too great for words! But I will do my very best. Back in January, I met this boy named Eric Sackett when I was visiting Whit in Provo. We went over to a girl Becca's house to watch a movie and he was there...flirting with Whitney, of course :) haha. Anyway, I re-met him again this past May when we started rehearsals for Bandito. Eric and I are the two nutso sidekicks, so not only did I get to know him, I was with him all the time...on stage and off. We would find every excuse we could to spend a little more time with each other, without it looking too obvious. Basically, since then, we have become best friends, spend as much time together as possible, and now I am crazy about this boy. He is the greatest thing that has happened to me. I was not expecting to meet anyone right now or feel this way, but it is so wonderful. What Eric and I have going is really special. I wish that I could just put an interactive Eric on my blog so that everyone could meet him and know how awesome he is.

Our first official date.

Being crazy sidekicks. What we do almost every night. 

Billy and Happy.

 Having the perfect summer picnic.

We have had some seriously magical moments this summer. Picnics, dancing, walks, sunsets, star gazing, temple trips, family visits, and even simple conversations. Sometimes, actually all of the time, I wonder if I am living in reality because of how perfect our moments together are. But it is totally real life. Fairy tales do happen! :) haha. Eric is so great...not because he is perfect, but because he strives for perfection every day. He is constantly trying to be better and he makes me want to be a better person. He is valiant and righteous. He is loving and tender and constantly thinking of others. He is hilarious. Hil-ar-i-ous. He is sarcastic, yet he is so sensitive. He is talented beyond measure. He is adventurous and athletic. He is a child at heart and loves children so much. He honors his priesthood and desires to be a man of God. Too good to be true? Oh, you bet! But for some reason, I got lucky...he found interest in me and we are having the best times together. Not to mention, he will be down in Provo going to school in the fall. Coincidence? Maybe. Convenient? Absolutely! :)

Hiking with this cutie.

A day at Ideal Beach with my family.

A delightful Sunday afternoon. 

 

This boy has my heart.

This summer has been one of the best summers of my life. It is amazing to me how the Lord has a plan for us all which is often times not what we were planning for ourselves. In every way, this summer is completely different than I had originally anticipated a few months ago. I think the one and only downside is that I have to give up my tickets to see Wicked at the Capitol Theater. That sounds super lame, but I don't think anyone quite understands how badly I want to see that show. That is all I wanted for Christmas, and was so lucky to get tickets! But at Christmas time I had no intention of being in Bear Lake. So tonight my mom and dad are going to go see the show. If I can't go, I wouldn't want anyone else to use those tickets. I am sooo excited for them! Ah, it gives me chills just thinking about being there... And in reality, I think that is quite the minor sacrifice for the blessings I am receiving by being here this summer. Most importantly, my relationship with the Savior has deepened this summer. I love Him and want so badly to do what is right and be a virtuous daughter of God. I am grateful for this time to ponder and meditate more deeply and to have the Spirit guiding me. This is truly the sweetest summertime I could have ever asked for.

  

 

A beautiful summer sunset.