Best Days of 2013

Keeping with the tradition I started last year, here are the top 10 days of 2013! Last year, some of the events were narrowed into a weekend or a series of days, but this year they are all just 1 particular day. And to top it off, I did so good on blogging that each of these events has a post about it! I'll attach a link in each one if you want to read more or see pictures from that day.

#10 - November 22, the day I finished working at the Bank of American Fork. I feel like this one needs some explanation. It's not that I wanted to quit so bad that makes this a top 10 moment. It's the fact that I am now a stay home mom that makes it a top 10 moment. Seriously, I am SO grateful that once princess is here, I can stay home and just focus on taking care of her and Jake.

#9 - April 9, the day Jake drove a Lamborghini. We had just arrived in Las Vegas after spending the night in St. George, and after driving around looking at a museum, we followed the sound of some very loud cars to Exotic Racing. Literally, we FOLLOWED the sound. My husband sure loves the sound of nice cars! His reaction - when he asked if he could drive the car, to when he found out he could, to picking out which car he wanted to drive, to watching him get in the car, to seeing his face as he got out of the car - made this one of my VERY favorite days of the year!

#8 - January 31, the day Clint came home from his mission. After having faithfully served the Lord for 2 years, Clint returned from his mission in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was SOO hard to wait for him at the airport, especially when his flight was delayed. It was an amazing moment seeing the love that everyone in Jake's family has for each other as they all rushed to hug him when he got home. And of course, it was wonderful to have him home again!

#7 - January 27, the day that Jake received the Melchezidek priesthood. I still can't believe that this happened so close to my birthday - talk about an amazing birthday present! Having Jake have the priesthood has been amazing. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to have him lay his hands on my head and exercise his priesthood.

#6 - January 26, the day that I went in the temple for the first time with my husband.  For my birthday last year, one of the "gifts" I really wanted was to go to the temple with Jake and do baptisms for the dead, since he hadn't been endowed yet. We went with Brynne & Blake so that Jake would have someone in the dressing room to help him in case he had questions. It was AMAZING being in the temple together.

#5 - July 12, the day we found out we were having a little girl. First, it was wonderful to know we were having a girl, despite the 10 seconds of initial disappointment. Second, it was AMAZING to see a little person on the ultra sound screen! At our 8 week appointment, she was just a little bean. By the 15 week mark, I had been throwing up quite a bit and seeing that there is a real little princess in there made it all seem so worth it!!

#4 - December 13, the day we finished funding our emergency fund. After having this on my list of goals to accomplish for 3 years, it feels AMAZING to finally have this accomplished!! It's amazing the sense of peace and calm that comes from having our little emergency net set aside. Dave Ramsey really does know what he is talking about when he talks about women having a security gland and wanting this fund so bad!

#3 - May 10, the day we found out we were pregnant. That day was amazing. And overwhelming. But amazing. I'll never forget the feeling I got when I saw that little positive sign. I felt like a cartoon - my eyes bulged out of my head and I imagine my jaw hitting the floor and my tongue unrolling. I was stunned that I was actually pregnant. And Jake was stunned we got pregnant so fast. It was an emotionally exhausting day that was AMAZING in every way!

#2 - June 15, the day that Jake got endowed. Seriously, one of the best days of my ENTIRE life. Seeing my husband dressed in white was something I had already experienced when we went to do baptisms together, but seeing him in his temple clothes, knowing he was wearing garments, was amazing. And walking into the Celestial room and seeing him was one of the BEST moments of my ENTIRE life. I'll never get that image out of my head. Just thinking about it now makes me smile and tear up - I couldn't let go of him. AMAZING day!

#1 - August 17, the day that Jake & I were sealed for time and all eternity. It's crazy to me how many amazing days I had this year, but no day tops this one. Kneeling over the altar, holding Jake's hand, kissing him for the first time as my eternal companion, and feeling how INSANELY strong the Spirit was that day made it not only the best day of the year, but the best day of my life {so far}. Despite how many times I threw up that day {I want to say it was 8 times?}. Despite how much of the day was spent in the car. The memories I have of that day, both as we were in the temple and as we spent our 4 year anniversary night together at the Grand America, made it such an amazing day. It really felt like a do over of our wedding day and a second honeymoon. I can't say enough how amazing August 17th was.

Some of the days that deserve an honorable mention are the first time Jake felt Kaycee move {October 9}, the day BYU beat Texas {September 7}, the day I got called to be in Young Women's {March 5} and the day I finished my second half marathon {June 8}. It was an absolutely amazing year! Next year, I already know which day will be the best day of the year - the day I see our princess Kaycee for the first time!