Thursday, January 27, 2011

Thankamony.

My life is so full. I am blessed in way too many ways to count. Sometimes I don't feel like I deserve everything I have, but I know I was given what I was given for a reason and "because I have been given much, I too must give." 


"For of him unto whom amuch is bgiven much is crequired;"
Doctrine & Covenants 82:3


Today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and I want to express it on here since I'm not very good at expressing it out-loud.



"I have felt His light and I have felt His peace, stronger than anything. If I could shout to all the world, bring His truth to every man, I would wear away my life to say:"

"He is the Way. He is the Light. He is Life. No other road, no other name. His power to save. I testify with every breath I breath, with all my faith: He is the way!"

(Jenny Phillips)


 I am so thankful to be raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm thankful for the knowledge of who I am, where I came from and where I am going. I'm thankful that I am never alone. I will always have my Savior. I will always have my Heavenly Father. I know that my prayers are heard and answered. I know that everything in my life has a purpose and a plan.

2. I love Luke Maughan.

"I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you"


Luke is my everything. It was definitely a higher power that led us together. There is no one in this world I would rather spend Eternity with. 

3. I love my parents.
I lucked out in the parents department. I can't express the amount of gratitude I have for my mother. She is the strongest, smartest and most amazing woman I know. She bends over backwards for her children, her siblings, her best friends and her parents. I hope to be half the mom to my kids as my mom is to me. I love her so much. My dad is a genius, a comedian and a best friend. He's patient, kind and loving. He's a father to so many people. He is one of my biggest heroes.

4. I love my siblings.
The best thing in the world is to get a call from one of my siblings. I miss Brooklyn, Austin, Adam and Emmalee so much. There are lots of advantages to being the oldest child, but having to leave the home first was one of the hardest parts.

Brooklyn is my best friend. It took awhile for us to change from siblings to best friends, but when we finally did I scored the best best friend ever. Brooklyn will always bend over backwards for me. She is the most helpful, caring friend I have. Austin is a stud. He is smarter than I am and probably smarter than I ever will be. Austin reminds me so much of my dad. He's hilarious, spiritual, smart and so aware of people's feelings. Adam is my cuddle bug. He has become so smart and witty since I left. It's weird to think they are all growing up without me. Emmalee is everyone's little princess. She is spoiled rotten because she's so dang cute. She is going to be a heart breaker someday. (And yes, Lauren is a sibling too, but she's in a different category.

5. I love my grandparents.
My grandma and grandpa Falter are incredible. My grandma's ability to laugh at herself is inspiring. Ever since I can remember, "Crazy Grandma Marg" ALWAYS had a new story for us to laugh about. My grandpa is also a genius like my dad! They have such forgiving hearts. They support their kids and grandkids no matter what!! And anything my grandma cooks is amazing. I love getting letters, newspaper clippings and packages from them in the mail. 

 
My grandma and grandpa Belnap are also incredible. My grandma is the most selfless lady in the world. She is constantly taking meals, visiting, giving rides and helping in every way that she can. My grandpa is always working or teasing. They are so humble and full of faith.  I love getting a bag with cheese-balls and homemade jam. Grandma and Granpda will make everyone they meet a part of their family.

6. I love my aunts, uncles and cousins.
Bryden William Belnap is the happiest, most loving man in the world. 
I love having the Belnap gene in me. These are very loving, service oriented, and goofy people. They have a heart from their mother and the brains from their father ;). Having Marci & Scott, Barbi & Justin and Jeri Kay & Steve so close to me has been such a blessing. I always have a place to have a home cooked meal, do my laundry and be with the people I love the most. Lately, I've been having lots of much-needed bonding with Barbi. She's helped me get through some hard time of rejection. These Belnap siblings also produced some amazing kids. I love that I have so many cousins in the same town. I love cousin bonding activities like bowling, rockband, Glee and dinners. My cousins are some of my very best friends.
I also love the crazy-goofy-laugh-at-everything Falter gene. I love getting together with the Falters!!! The Falters always laugh. They always are smiling and having a good time. They laugh at themselves, at crazy grandma and my crazy uncles. I never see their angry or stressed out sides. All I see is happiness. They are all very positive and optimistic. I love getting letters in the mail from my aunt Tracy. She has always been so kind and thoughtful. I love all my cute little Falter cousins. I wish there wasn't such a gap between us. 

7. I love my future family.
These guys have already done SO much for me! It's so nice to have a new family to support me and lean on when my immediate family is so far away. Everyone is so supportive of each other. All the letter stuffing, rides, meals, video taking, couch shopping, tie shopping, bed shopping, tv shopping and envelope labeling. I love them all so much.

8. I love my school.
Utah State University is where it's at. Utah is such a different place than Washington. It's taken awhile to get used to this culture, but I love every part of it. Everyone is friendly here. I already have so many amazing friends. I love that so many people around me have the same values as me. 

9. I love my best friends.
We made it to, through, out and beyond the awkward stage together. 

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."
Throughout the last 6 years, we have gone through different trials and experiences, but through it all we stuck together. Other people came in and out of our lives, but us three  were and always will be a team. :) We understand each other. We laugh at each other. We listen to each other. I just hope they don't forget about me when I'm married because even if I'm not their best friend, they will always be mine.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Bryden William

Every day was spent like his last. His parents didn’t know he would be born with Down’s Syndrome or that nearly every system of his body would fail within his first month of life. At birth, he was immediately taken by the trauma team. Four hours later, he had already taken his first ambulance ride. He was rushed to another hospital with the equipment to keep his frail body alive. The doctors never told his parents that they did not expect him to live, only that he was very, very sick. 

His parents drove an hour and a half every single day to just look down through glass at their baby boy. Cuts and pokes in his skin were filled with tubes and wires, leaving scars all over his body. It wasn’t until he was nine days old that he felt the comfort of his mother’s arms around him for the first time. It was fifteen before he felt the security of his dad’s first embrace. By the end of his first two weeks of life he had already experienced kidney and liver failure and was diagnosed with a heart murmur. At three months old, he was recovering from open-heart surgery.

He saw his home for the first time at four months old. After he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and went through a tracheotomy at six months, he was completely soundless, having no ability to vocally cry or laugh out loud. When he cried, it was just tears, no noise. Five and a half out of his first seven months were spent in urgent care and the others were spent in his home connected to life support. He would spend the rest of his life, with his weak lungs and body, in and out of the hospital. This once so fragile baby boy now stands, three months away from his twenty-first birthday, as my hero, my coach, my cheerleader, my best friend and my Uncle Bryden William Belnap.

Bryden has now completed high school, no longer has a tracheotomy, and though he has issues with his speech, he can talk, laugh, cry, and sing off-key with gusto. Through every test, every tube, every diagnosis, and every trial, he keeps on going. He keeps on smiling. He keeps on breathing. He keeps on loving. There has been no other role model that has changed my life the way Bryden has. His attitude on life, living, loving, working and playing has helped sculpt me into the person I am today.

With his determination, he teaches me to never quit. Whenever he attends one of my sport events or when he comes to one of my music concerts, Bryden is my coach or conductor. He is the one who cheers me on when I want to give up, claps even when I make a mistake, and stands right next to the actual coach making sure I go in to the game when I’m supposed to. He is the one who drives my success.

One day, I came home from school and work and felt like I just couldn’t go on. I had tests to study for, pages of homework and projects to finish for the next day. Although Bryden couldn’t tell me how to do my work, or help me find the answers, he was there, patting my back with a big smile across his face. He gave me the courage to keep going. With his encouragement and support, I can accomplish anything. He has taught me perseverance and determination through whatever adversity may come my way.

With his passion, he teaches me to become the person I dream to be. Starting high school, I was scared that I would be different and I was scared to be myself, worried about what people would say or think about me. I wanted to run for a student office and join clubs, but I was too nervous. Then, I started to watch. I watched as Bryden slammed away at his drums and sang as loud as he could, even though no one could understand his words. I watched as he sat in the middle of his High School Band, trombone in hand, playing away to whatever notes he could hit. I watched as he put down his instrument and ran into the team huddle to wrap up a big basketball game. I watched how he did what he loved and didn’t let others stand in his way and I learned. I learned his determination. I learned to be involved.

As life went on, I started taking risks, joining clubs, going to activities, cheering at games, playing sports, and running for office. As Associated Student Body Treasurer, Seminary Class President, Laurel Class President, Link Leader, Distributive Educational Club of America member, Key Club member, National Honors Society member and Interact Club member, I can proudly say I am involved and I owe it all to him.

With his open and willing mind, he teaches me to try, to serve, and to love. No matter who they are, what they look like, where they are from or what they are doing, Bryden will treat everyone with love, kindness and respect. When I was in Elementary School, Bryden came to my house to visit and wanted to go on a bike ride. The only bike that he could fit on was my little sister’s pink bike with a pink basket, pink horn, and pink pompoms. We rode up and down our street and came across a group of boys on the corner. The boys started pointing, laughing, and mocking Bryden and his little pink bike. Bryden stopped his bike, greeted every little boy and joined in on their laughter. That day I promised myself, I would never laugh at someone who was different. Bryden taught me how to be accepting and open-minded. He taught me to love everyone, especially those who are different.
 
It wasn’t until I was about eight years old when I realized he wasn’t like me, he wasn’t like my sisters or brothers. He wasn’t like my parents, grandparents, cousins or uncles. He was better. Bryden was everything I’ve aspired to be from that day forward. I strive to have his determination, passion and willingness, but most of all; I want to make a difference. I want to teach. I want to change. I want to be everything he was to me.

Skin Writing

I just finished some scholarship essays... and I feel like this one is "blog worthy." So here ya go:

Identify a significant personal obstacles you have faced and/or are currently facing and how you overcame or currently manage the obstacle:
Over the past three years I have had several health issues that have significantly affected my life. At the beginning of my sophomore year in high school, I was diagnosed with dermatographism, informally known as "skin writing." I went to doctors almost every week and was assured by each one that my rare disease would go away in the next 3-6 months. Three years have passed and I still wake up each morning with hives all over my body and throat. Last year doctors also found that I have asthma, severe allergies to almost anything living and severe heartburn occasionally.

This is not me...though it very well could be
Life hasn't been easy. I wake up in the middle of the night with burning hives all over my body sometimes. I get made fun of and stared at as I walk around in public with marks on my body. People constantly asked if I got scratched by a cat, or other ridiculous assumptions. I am constantly worried about what I lean against, touch or what touches me. People take for granted simple things like resting their arms on the desk. I can't do all the things my brothers, sisters and friends can do. I have mini asthma attacks weekly and wake up with excruciating pain in my chest all the time. Most of the time I'm in pain, itching, or tired from sleepless nights.

This is not me...though it very well could be.
Though I have been through a lot of emotional and physical pain in my past three years, I have chosen to stay positive and hold to my faith. Sometimes life is out of our control. I choose to look for the good in my trials instead of dwelling on the bad parts. Although I've been through so much pain, I've become closer to my mom, more aware of my health and especially closer to my religion and my faith. It is not about what happens to me. It's about my reaction to my trials. 

Each trial I face draws me closer to my Savior, as I lean on him for support and strength to keep going. With each Priesthood Blessing, prayer and opportunity to feel his love, I grow and become more solid in the Gospel. Even though I have been through much tribulation, I would not take back any of my problems for the world. These rough conditions make me who I am. They make me a better, stronger person.


Shoes + Forest + Church

In church yesterday, my sister and I were obsessing over these girls shoes. They were purple and Lauren wanted to wear them to my wedding. We were thinking of strategies to subtly ask if she could borrow them. Then, she asked, "What size shoes do you think she wears?" And I said, "8 or 9s." Then, she's like "no...I think they are way smaller." So I kicked up my shoes to compare in front of the whole room during the lesson... Little did I know I had the forest growing from my soles... 
IMG_6419.jpgIMG_3318.jpg

We were sitting on the front row of Relief Society laughing our heads off... talk about awk-ward.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Dipped Cone FAIL.


So last night after the Almost Newlywed Game, Luke, Lisa (Luke's Mom), Grandma, Kayla (Luke's Sister), Chase (Luke's Brother) and I went to the Layton Mall to look at ties for our brothers and dads for the wedding...but we spend most of our time looking at clothes, shoes, jewerely and bean bags.

After we finished shopping, we went to the food court. While everyone was buying their dinners, I went to Dairy Queen to get a dipped cone because dipped cones are my FAVORITE. They were out of ice cream. Dairy Queen out of ice cream?! Fail.


On our way back to Brigham City, we stopped at the McDonald's drive through to get a dipped cone. We go to the first window to pay then to the second window to pick up the cones.

*The girl is standing there with two vanilla cones.*
Luke: Actually, they are supposed to be dipped.
Girl: Oh....Uhm...I've never done that before but I can try....
*She left for like five minutes then came back with this......*

She filled a cup up with cold hot fudge and dipped our vanilla ice cream cones in them...............................

I still don't know what to say....

And the winners are.....

As you have seen on Facebook and through other posts, Luke and I were chosen through the Standard Examiner, along with 3 other couples, to compete in their Almost Newlywed Game in Ogden. Last night we arrived at 5:45 and checked in the MC. He gave us our posters and markers then asked us to choose what amount of points we think we can get, in case of a tie. We chose 75 points.

Before the game started, the MC asked for four grooms. Luke and 3 other boys were chosen to get on stage and dance. Luke was shaking his booty and doing his thannng and we were all screaming for him, but he got second.

Then, the game began. We were introduced, then the girls were taken back into this room down the hall. The boys were asked 4 questions that they wrote down on their posters and then we all came back and had to answer out loud.


Round One: (5 points each)
How much does your fiance spend on a haircut?
Luke: $50.00
Kylee: $25.00

Is your fiance's car front wheel, rear wheel, or all wheel drive?
Luke: Front
Kylee: Front

Which one of your fiance's friends do you find the most attractive?
Luke: Nathan
Kylee: Nathan

After round one, there were 3 teams at 15 points and one team at 10. Then, it was the girl's turn. They boys left and the girls were asked 5 questions to write down.

Round Two: (10 points each)
What article of clothing of your fiances would you light on fire?
Kylee: Striped Sweatshirt
Luke: My old striped sweatshirt

What's your fiance's dream car?
Kylee: Lambo
Luke: Lamborghini

What habit of your fiance's drives you crazy?
Kylee: When he says, "You know that I...."
Luke: When I fall asleep...
What is the first gift you gave your fiance?
Kylee: Washington T-shirt
Luke: Washington shirt

Final Question: (25 points)
How many shoes does your fiance own?
Kylee: Infinity
Luke: Too many to count...infinite.

There was some controversy over the final question. But I did ask the MC if I could say infinite because I could never count... and he said yes. So when the judges said no, the MC backed us up.

At this point, all four teams had 70 points. So it came down to our guesses in the beginning.

Team 1: (US) 75
Team 2: 45
Team 3: 50
Team 4: 60

Team 2 and Team 3 were dismissed, and it was us and Team 4. Me and the other girl went in the back room and the boys were asked three questions. It was sudden death. So if one team got it right and the other got it wrong then the one that got it wrong immediately lost.

Final Round:
What animal does your mother-in-law remind you of?
Luke: Parrot
Kylee: Parrot
Other guy: Frog
Other girl: Cat

WE WON! I couldn't believe it!

Prize:
100 dollar gift card to Walmart. Diamond Earrings and a Kenneth Cole watch from Richard's Mfg. Jewelers. A certificate for a free eyebrow wax. To Italian Ice something drinks. A free photo session at Inkley's and a free 11x14. A food processor from Costco. And LOTS of Sees Chocolate.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Welcome to the Yoli Revolution!

If your New Year's Resolutions are any or all of the following:
1. To eat/drink healthier
2. Exercise more
3. Make more money

I have the perfect opportunity for you!

YOLI

Why Yoli?
  • Patented Blast Cap® Technology
  • Naturally Derived Ingredients
  • No Toxic Stimulants
  • Low Glycemic High ORAC Values
  • No Preservatives
  • Live Active Ingredients
  • Alkalete Patented Formula
  • Natural Flavors and Colors
  • No Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners
  • Specialty Formulas
  • Gluten Free
To expand on the above bullets: http://www.blastmycap.com/yoli_aps/top10reasons



Now back to those resolutions!

1. Eat/Drink Healthier:

Taking away soda and juices full of chemicals and sugars is one way to start the new year, but your body still needs nutrients.
"Yoli harvests nature's most potent nutrients at their nutritional peak, freeze dries them, and loads them into Yoli Blast Caps. Each Yoli Blast Cap is bursting with nutrients in a delicious beverage that is only activated at the time of consumption - ensuring a rich, potent blast every time."
With no sugar, natural ingredients, no preservatives or pasteurization, your body will get the nutrients it needs!
Try the TRUTH (Citrus Health Blast) & FUN (Lemon/Lime Health Blast) in Blast Cap or Powder Form.

2. Exercise more:

It's hard to get back in the groove after weeks, months or years of no exercising. Do you dread working out because of the soreness and pain you get the next day? What's the use of working out when you can move for days afterwards?

The discomfort people feel after physical activity is due to acid build-up. ALKALETE is a product that assists the body in reducing cramping, minimizes muscle stiffness and removes lactic acid that is caused from physical activity.

Yoli's product, Alkalete, comes in veggie capsules or powder form to mix in acidic foods or drinks.

3: Make some extra money:

Yoli is not sold in stores. It is only available through independent distributors, such as myself.

"To earn a lot of money is fairly simple. Find a big problem and offer an even bigger solution. Optimally, it will be in a large, rapidly growing industry. The liquid beverage industry is projected to reach $1 trillion in the next decade. To put that into perspective, that's the size of the automobile, computer, and travel industries combined.

Not only does Yoli offer an affordable, innovative solution to people's health in one of the world's fastest-growing markets, but it also offers a solution to people's time and financial struggles without having to break the bank to get started.

Yoli believes that good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing coupled with a progressive hi-tech, hi-touch approach, is the perfect way to introduce Yoli to the world at large. Which is why we need YOU to help spread the word.

Yoli has introduced a proven compensation plan to the marketplace that backs up our belief that our Distributors are the absolute key to our success and should be paid accordingly."



So if you're interested in Yoli:

1. Sign up today as a Preferred Customer

Preferred Customers sign up for a monthly auto-ship of any product or variety of products they want!

2. Sign up today as a Distributor

Distributors sign up for a spot in the company and continue to build their own Yoli business in any way they feel comfortable. By signing up 3 people, they can have their entire order paid for with the break-even-bonus, in addition to receiving a monthly income based on the amount of people they sign up!

3. Buy product straight from me

You don't have to commit to a monthly shipment of Yoli, just call me and I can get you started with whatever fits your needs!

If you still aren't sure, we will be holding an
Opportunity Meeting in Cache Valley
on Thursday, February 3rd.

An Opportunity Meeting will go more in depth about the company, the products and becoming a distributor. Contact me for more information!



WANT MORE INFO?!

lukeandkylee.goyoli.com - Yoli Website - Facebook



Call: Kylee Falter - 360-485-3798


Almost Newlywed Game

A few months ago, Luke's mom gave me a newspaper article that had directions to enter a competition. It asked to explain our engagement story in less than 500 words and it was to be judged on romance, creativity & humor. Well, I put it off for months, then finally the night it was due I quickly wrote out our story and mailed it off. A few days ago I was at work and got a call that my submission of our story had won! It will be printed in the paper in Ogden this Sunday and our picture will also show up in Tuesday. We are now selected to be in the Almost Newlywed Game next Friday at the Union Station in Ogden. It is such a surprise because the article was written last second and I didn't expect anything.

"For weeks we had been planning to go to the big Halloween festival at Luke’s siblings Elementary school with his entire family. Before the carnival, Luke and I set the table with everyone’s pumpkin and carving tools so we could get right down to business when we got back. Last minute, Luke had a meeting with his insurance agent (which seemed realistic with all his recent medical bills) so his grandma and I rode separately to meet all the kids. After the carnival, we went back to grandma’s to carve pumpkins. We all started in on our pumpkins. I tried to cut the top off, but I was moving too slow, so Luke had to help. After I opened the pumpkin, I started digging the goo out, handful by handful. I wasn’t paying attention to the pumpkin, or the cameras, or everyone staring at me. I was just laughing and playing with Luke’s little brother. That was until I felt something that didn’t feel like pumpkin insides. I looked down and saw a bag in my hand. I instantly dropped it. My heart skipped a thousand beats, my stomach dropped, my face turned red and my hands started shaking violently as I reached down to see what was in the bag. As I unwrapped my diamond in a small green cloth, Luke knelt down behind me and said, “Kylee Ann Falter: Will you marry me?” I turned around and said, “Yes.”I put out my hand covered in orange goo to get my beautiful ring, but he wouldn’t put it on until I washed my hands. I’ve never washed my hands so fast in my life. I threw the ring that was holding it’s place on my finger across the room and ran to the kitchen sink and ran even faster back. I will never forget that bumpy $3.00 pumpkin from Walmart that changed my life that crisp October night. It was a moment that will never be forgotten."

Monday, January 10, 2011

Head Over Heels :)

Over ten years of pain, trials and mistakes, led me to the love of my life. I will always be thankful for his strength and perseverance through all these hardships so that our paths could cross. Its amazing how well the Lord knows us. Everything happened and happens for a reason and I am so grateful.

I am so excited to be Mrs. Kylee Ann Maughan in two months and two days. :)

Photography by Melanie Willis
Editing by Keeley Kay Olson


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