Count Downs

Advent Calendars: Crafty countdown activities that show up in December in every corner of every house!

I've had a fair amount of them in my life from candles, chocolate boxes, candy on the tree, fabric fireplaces, and some you just have to see... Anyway, I like these things! I even have countdowns on my phone! The app automatically added a countdown to The New Year.

The first app I added myself was not for Christmas... It was to my wedding to Anthony Badger! (Don't get me wrong... I still created a countdown calendar for that.)

My mom laid down the law the night Anthony proposed. Besides that night, no wedding planning until AFTER Christmas.

I'm SUPER excited for December 26th.

But even more excited for June 10, 2013.

The Many Adventures of Nanny Aubrey

Pretty much no one gets that joke. Just so y'all know, if you say "Nanny Aubrey" just like how you'd say "Nanny McPhee," they sound similar... I realize it's a stretch, but when I first started this job I felt like her. The boys have had many nannies in the past who each had their own style of child care and I had to combat those styles and two little boys, ages 5 and 7, who are trying to figure me out. It was hell. I was so tired at the end of the day from all the tantrums and scratches and manipulation attempts and hating words! I was questioning what I got myself into within a week of beginning the job. There was even with defiance with potty training! Therefore I compare myself to Miss McPhee.

Over the past few months I've been picking my battles and building relationships with these two boys. A lot of little things slid by in the beginning. The important things had to be battled on. It helped to have their parents' support. Their rule: When Aubrey is here, what she says goes. The end. Over time I've been able to get them to say "okay" when I ask them to do something. They say "please" when they ask for something. When I use the "voice" to say no, they stop short. They know the consequences of their actions. We've talked about it on their level, face to face.

I talk to them like adults because they have their own thoughts and they are smart. I'm teaching them to think for themselves.

We do the funnest things!!! Their new favorite place is "the sand park" where they learned to pump and jump off the swing. We've been going their a lot lately and it's been really fun. We also have been many other places around Salt Lake. I'm so grateful for these boys and their family. The little one told me one day to call them my grandsons... Yeah, I had to explain to him that I'm not old enough to be a grandmother... He agreed that nephew was a better term. :)

I love watching them grow, learn, and become who they're meant to be. I love helping them pronounce their /th/, /r/, and /l/ sounds and listening to the youngest practice counting and saying THirteen and Fourteen instead of fiwteen and fouwteen. He's so proud of himself and I'm so proud of him.

The best part has to be the random hugs and kisses or the words of affirmation. "Aubwey, youw fa best." It just makes any day better. It even makes the screaming of "Youw da wowse babysittew evew!" as I carry them out of the grocery store more bearable.

Everyday is an adventure and I'm glad I get to experience it. I even created a hash tag on Instagram to document all the races, lava monsters, tickle monsters, swinging, tag, Foosball, Dino nuggets, and silly faces. To follow me just look up #themantadventuresofnannyaubrey.

Like the little red head once said, I am grateful for smiling faces.

I'm in Love, I'm in Love, and I Don't Care Who Knows It!!!

I'm the luckiest girl in the entire world.
I'm in love with my best friend!

Anthony and I began "officially" dating on July 9th, but our journey to becoming the most adorable couple you know started back in October of 2011. Now I must warn you that this is a long and complicated story of which I will try to sum up in a detailed manner... without boring you half to death.

In August my friend Grif started introducing me to some of his high school friends who are actually my age. Yep, he tried to set me up with guys. It kinda worked...? I dunno. Depends on your definition. ANYWHO! I then went to a pool night and met more of the guys and they began to convince me to come to their Sunday night game nights! At the time, I was having a game/movie night at my house on Sunday nights and was unwilling to cancel it... Then I did. (Yep. I just shortened the story!) So at the end of August I went to game night every week and started meeting lots of guys! Many of which were showing interest in me (I was in heaven) and my dating life was finally interesting. I won't go into detail about the different guys... yet. Then, Anthony entered the scene. I thought he was SOOO attractive with his longer black hair, swooped off to the side, his angular face and brows, and he was tall! BONUS! However, I being my shy self, did not approach him. (You don't have to believe that I am shy, but I am when it's a one-on-one situation I clam up..) He didn't approach me either. That was October 9th.

About two weeks later I went to a Pumpkin Pancake night at my friend's house and Anthony was waiting inside. Looking dashing I might add! Well we got to talking and hit it off. He got my jokes and I got his. We proceeded in this wit war all night. Other guys tried to grab my attention, but it was all on Anthony. At the end of the night I did something that I regret... I smacked him in the back of the head. Yes I was flirting, but he did not know it. It made him go back into his shell and he didn't pursue. GHAAA! He eventually got my number by slyly asking for it on facebook when I asked him why he didn't come to game night when it was at my house. He got lost and couldn't call me... See? Very sly.

As time went on... he didn't ask me out... he didn't ask to hang out... and I moved on, but I would often talk to him on facebook chat. We shared personal stories and ideas for hours and hours. I would often get on to just see if he was on! On one occasion, he actually told me that he likes me, but I wasn't his top choice... Just as he wasn't mine. Well I was feeling hopeful! Maybe he'd ask me out soon! The next day, Anthony's relationship status changed to "in a relationship." I kinda died inside, but I was happy for him! Well, kinda. Our conversations went down in frequency from then on. Then I started spending time with Bryant and Anthony approved the relationship... so I started officially dating him at the end of November.

Time went by.

About 2 months actually. Bryant broke up with me on January 9th. Michelle broke up with Anthony a few weeks later. We relied on each other through the hard times that followed while occasionally talking at game night and on facebook.

Then came April! I was having a hard time being single and I had a wake up call about how blessed I was... then Anthony came to my mind. He was such an awesome guy, but no one would invite him to hang out! I once promised myself I'd never let other people be forgotten like I once was. Therefore, I began texting him and hanging out with him late every night. We would talk for hours and hours and I loved learning more about him, although I must admit that I did most of the talking. :)

Over time, old feelings started coming back for both of us. Anthony began expressing desire to date me. And... I hesitated. I disappeared for two weeks. He noticed. I sorta came back, but crap had hit the fan.

Mutual friends' opinions of me had greatly decreased. It was really hard for me to deal with! These were close friends of whom I relied greatly on in past hardships. But it came apparent that I couldn't express my dating stress to them. I was going on upwards 7 dates a week with different guys on top of seeing Anthony almost everyday, full time school, and two jobs. It was hard and confusing. I found myself praying for guidance almost every night. I just had the feeling to keep going. So I did.

Then came the pressure.

Pressure from EVERYWHERE! Lots of different friends wanting to know why we're not dating. Other friends wondering why Anthony is wasting his time. It created a lot of stress to add to the frustrations of a dating life. I needed a vacation.

So I went on one!

My friend Elisa and I drove to San Francisco to visit my little sister Helene. However, before I left I told Anthony that I'd have an answer for him when I got back. It was a wonderful week! We were there over Independence Day (The fireworks there are FANTASTIC!!!!) and it was a very relaxing week. We met locals and got to see their way of life and share part of ours. :) I think the most influential part was seeing how kind people were to each other and being treated with respect... Even from drunk men on the street. Yeah... I grew tired of Utah boys. I gave up on all the boys back home who were being stupid... Except Anthony. I continued to text him and send him pictures of our adventure.

Coming home was hard. I didn't want to go back to school and work, but I especially didn't want to tell Anthony my decision.

My Decision

I needed time to think. Time to myself. Time away from dating. Therefore... The answer was no. I couldn't handle a relationship. I just needed my best friend, Anthony.

We got home on Sunday morning, but I avoided seeing Anthony that night. I went to a little get together with some friends and met some new guys... They were smart and fun and mature. I had a renewed hope for Utah men again. I felt as though I should "just keep swimming."

The next night I went over to Anthony's after Family Home Evening (FHE). I finally told him that I just needed him as a friend and he told me it is okay and he needs me in his life too. I'm his best friend and he wants me in any way he could get.

And just like that the pressure was gone!

I got to keep him in my life. I got to keep talking to my friend, a friend who understood me more than any other. He had been through hard times just as I had. He had relied on the gospel throughout it all. He knew life was hard. He knew how to make it easy. He knew he should rely on God. He knew how to dance in the rain.

I had a wake up call. I started reconsidering my decision to not date him. I was battling my head, my heart, and my Heavenly Father. I was scared of hurting Anthony. I was scared of ruining what we had.

Finally, God gave me a figurative kick in the butt. There I had my handsome BEST friend sitting next to me who also happened to want to date me... And I was saying no. Dumb. Then I had to decide how to tell him I had changed my mind. Should we go on a walk? Should I ask him to ask me one more time?

I turn to Anthony, of whom had been talking, but I had no recollection of what it was about... I guess I was really deep in thought... And say,

"Do you want to date?"

His response: "Are you serious?" I assured him I was and he responded "yes."

We talked a little more then it came time for me to leave. I got out of the car to say goodbye. He asked if he could kiss me and then proceeded to give me a kiss that was like kissing a fish and a wall... Then he panicked, gave a few more kisses and RAN away.

"What have I gotten myself into?"

The best decision of my life.

Sister Date Night!!!

I got to go on a date night with my little sister last month! It was her idea and I was so excited that she wanted to spend time with me! We didn't get along for years! Always bickering, complaining about each other, back biting, name calling, and... Fighting. But after a year of being separated by hundreds of miles we had learned how to put our pride aside and show each other our love.

A week before the blessed day, Helene drafted a basic outline of the night.

Meet up at 5 at my apartment
Get ready together
Go to dinner at a nice restaurant

Throughout the week Anthony and I visited my parents house a few times for a variety of reasons, but while we were there Helene was preaching about her favorite tea steamer... and wanted me to try it. It's made with milk so I refused (I'm lactose intolerant), but she was determined that I try it and decided that we would go to the Starbucks in Barnes and Noble after dinner on Friday because they have non-dairy options. It is the only one that has the kind of tea she likes. Well that was fine with me. We also decided to go to Pei Wei for dinner since it was less expensive but still nice.

Friday came and I anxiously awaited work to be over so I could start my exciting evening. As 4 o'clock approached I texted Anthony and asked if I could drop by and see him before heading to get ready with Helene. He was with his guy friends so he couldn't, but we told me I should wear my pencil skirt and then come see him afterward.

Since my previous plans to see Anthony before getting ready were vetoed, I arranged for Helene to meet me at 4:30 instead of 5.

Helene came over and I showered and flat ironed my hair (at Helene's request). Helene recorded videos throughout the process of us dancing and getting ready. We got all dolled up and 2 1/2 hours (around 7) later we headed out.



I convinced Helene to go to Michaelangelo's instead of Pei Wei for dinner because it's yummy Italian!

At dinner we talked about life, dating, engagements, weddings, baby names, you know... Typical girl stuff. :) And... she recorded me eating... apparently she wanted to make a video montage of our night. The food was fantastic! The time spent was so fun! And of course, I texted Anthony the whole night. Helene caught me and I told her that I have seen him everyday since we began dating... But I hadn't seen him that day yet! I was DYING... So we planned what we were going to do the rest of the night. There was a decades dance at the Institute of Religion at the U of U that I wanted to go to.

After dinner (around 9), I called Anthony and ran the ideas by him... He wasn't up for a dance and that was okay by me! I just wanted to see him! I kept talking to him on the phone while we drove to Barnes and Noble. He was at Brady's house and was anxiously awaiting my arrival after we got the non-dairy tea steamers. Helene told me to get off the phone while we parked the car. As we walked inside she mentioned a book we read as kids... something about bears and LOTS of popcorn... she couldn't find it and wanted to look in the children's section of the book store... Well, Helene being Helene, there's no point in arguing with her, I went along with it.

We headed up the escalator and Helene recorded us as we walked to the Children's section to begin our search of a childhood memory. Feeling awkward, I told Helene about the dates that had taken me to read books in this very section! As we approached our destination I realized that this search is futile since there were SO many books and we didn't even know the title! Thinking of the time Helene was taking away from Anthony, I began to object to the search. At that moment, I rounded the corner of the entrance when...

Anthony popped out a bookshelf!

My thoughts raced:
Hey! You surprised us!
I thought you were at Brady's...
Are you joining us for steamers?
You look handsome!
Why are you wearing a blazer?
Wait... Why are you here?

"Aubrey."
He took my hand.
"How are you?"
I replied with a mediocre "good..." as he guided me through the maze of benches and book cases towards the story book stage, his eyes never straying from my gaze.

Everything was going slow motion. It seemed to take hours to step onto the little stage!

My mind continued to race:
What is happening?
It isn't March 27th!
Could this really be happening?

Anthony went down on one knee and my gaze finally broke his as he pulled out a little black box.

This is really happening!!!

"Aubrey, will you marry me?"

His voice didn't falter or tremble, it sounded deep, focused, and blissful.

I was overjoyed. A dream come true.

Now I just needed to answer.

A breathless but determined "yes" escaped my lips and I stared at the love of my life!

I didn't know what to do next so I grabbed the ring box and pulled Anthony into a hug. We kissed and laughed and smiled and kissed!

I finally saw the little audience we had:

Max
Brady
Anthony's little sister Isabelle
Helene

All taking pictures or videos of the happy moment.

There was a random little family there as well. ;)

Anthony turned to me and asked if he should put on the ring. All of the sudden I felt silly for simply grabbing it from him and placed the box back in his hand.

He carefully took the beautiful ring out of the velvet box and slid it onto my shaking finger. It was a miracle he didn't miss!

I looked up at Anthony, my fiancé, my future husband and realized I get to be with him forever.

Turns out that Anthony and Helene were in cahoots since the beginning of November!

I never suspected a thing.

What You Didn't know About Engagement Rings

I've been dreaming about getting married my whole life, I think most girls do, but there's something that should precede it.

Getting engaged.

I realize you could technically skip this step... oh well. The main aspect of getting engaged is getting/ wearing a ring. Now depending on what kind of ring you get, your experience could vary from mine. However, my ring is pretty much the most stereotypical ring you can imagine so I'm going to talk about it.

What You Didn't Know About Engagement Rings

You can't rest your cheek/head on your fist.

No more fist bumps! Use your right hand.

Careful when you run your fingers in your hair... Your ring will get caught in it.

Your fingers get thinner when they're cold... So your ring likes to slide off. Be prepared to keep your hand in a fist outside.

You can scratch your hand when you wash them.

Drains now scare you.

You will constantly be shining it.

It will easily distract you.

Back handing people is much more severe.

You feel like a lady when you show someone your ring.

Putting gloves on just became a difficult task.

Boys don't back off.

Chemicals reach a new level of dangerous.

Well what are some you have noticed? Please comment below!