Wedding Day

Wedding Day

Mrs. Maughan

I grew up as a girl with high expectations and big dreams, as most of us girls do. One by one I watched the Disney princess get their fairytale endings, and knew that my happily ever after was waiting for me one day. Girls are taught from birth that there is a fairytale ending waiting for them. Every princess gets her prince and every girl gets her true love.

In each movie we watch or novel we read, we sit on the edge of our seats waiting for the totally predictable twist that leads to perfect bliss and wait for our own happy ending. We all want our Edward Cullen. We want our Prince Charming. Our Prince Eric. Our Prince Phillip. Our Beast/Prince Adam. 

"Some day my prince will come. Some day we'll meet again. And away to his castle we'll go. To be happy forever I know."

February 2009 -> My future husband: Strong Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, High Moral Standards/Values, Loyal/Trustworthy, Honest, Affectionate, Loving, RM, Hard Worker, Positive, Open, Sweet, Respectful, Good with Kids, Cooking, Cleaning, No temper, Unselfish, Romantic, Smart, Patient, Temple Worthy...

We all are waiting around for these perfect love stories with the third act twist. Life doesn't happen like the movies. It's so unexpected. Love isn't something we can search for and force. It happens on its own.

"I might have to wait, I'll never give up.  I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck

Wherever you are, whenever it's right, you'll come out of nowhere and into my life."

Then, one day you meet someone who's better than Prince Charming and Edward Cullen because he's all yours. He loves you for who you are. He says you look beautiful in no make up and sweat pants. He opens the door for you EVERY time you get in the car. He takes the basketball shorts and gives you the sweats when it's cold. He brings you sugar cookies and Subway even when he can't have them because he knows they're your favorite.. He sells his Xbox to get you something you absolutely love. After you've met the one, you know that you've found your own happily ever after. 

"I don’t know but I think I may be fallin’ for you, dropping so quickly."

The first stages of falling in love started showing up in your life. You constantly check your phone to see if he's replied and every time you see his name pop up you get butterflies in your stomach. You always catch yourself smiling when you think of him. You started putting your life into every single love song you hear...

"Can you feel this magic in the air? It must have been the way you kissed me. Fell in love when I saw you standing there. It must have been the way today was a fairytale."

March 29th, 2009: I love Luke Arol Maughan. He is the most amazing person I've ever met, best guy out there for me. And quite possibly the best thing that's ever happened to me. Luke! He is pretty much everything I've ever looked for in a guy.

"Flash forward and we're taking on the world together and there's a drawer of my things at your place. You learn my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded. You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes."

If it's supposed to, love will work out. After two years of crazy, unpredictable circumstances, I stand 26 days away from my own Happily Ever After, or maybe it's my Once Upon A Time....

"You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe, shine like gold, buzz like a bee... Just the thought of you can drive me wild. Oh, you make me smile."

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.

1. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

(Greg Olsen)

"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.

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.

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."

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

A Week With the Nash Boys :)

So this week I am babysitting Jameson & Gregson in Lehi, Utah. Their parents left this morning, so Luke dropped me off last night after picking me up from the airport and crashed on the couch downstairs.

They go to bed at like 8:00, so that leaves me nothing to do except blog about it so here we go ;)

Day 1: [Saturday]

This morning I woke up at 8:30 and found the boys completely dressed and fed. Luke was sitting next to the younger one feeding him breakfast, then changing his diaper. He knew I was sick so he didn't wake me up when the kids woke him up at 7:00. [Reason number 291084901 why he is the most amazing guy in the entire world. :)] After breakfast, me & Jameson got in a sword fight. It failed. That is a giant bruise under my thumbnail if you cannot tell!

After recovering from my sword fight wound, we watched Toy Story 3 and I decided to let the dogs out to go to the bathroom while Luke and Gregson were taking a nap. I lost them. So fifteen minutes later I bundled up to go search for them in the 5 degree weather and I found them... "making babies" in front of the neighbors house... awkward.

Now they are only allowed out one at a time :) After we all woke up from our naps we went to Walmart. Gregson is the cutest kid in the world. He was running away from me at Walmart. It was the funniest thing ever. I couldn't catch him cause I was laughing so hard.

And the boys were so good that they got to ride in the Mickey car! I love these boys. I have a really hard time saying no to their cute faces and giant blue eyes!

After a delicious meal of corn dogs and turkey steaks, we sat on the couch and watched a movie. I had the three cutest boys snuggled up with me. Pretty sure I am one of the luckiest girls ever. Gregson made me laugh so hard tonight, with his hiccop attack and slipping so many times. What a cute boy!

I really don't think I would have made

it through this day without Luke.

I felt so miserable. He made me delicious dinner.

He changed Gregson every single time.

He fed Gregson. He played with the boys.

He put Gregson on a nap.

He got up from his nap so I could sleep and shower.

He even got dog pee all over his hand when

he was helping Jameson get to bed.

He basically did everything.

I love him so much. He is going to be the best

dad in the world :)

Day 2: [Sunday]

After four miserable hours of sleep, I woke up with the kids feeling like death. I made them breakfast then put those kiddos in the tub. Then, I was going to go to Logan to be saved by my amazing Aunt Barbi, but then instead, Luke came and saved the day. He got here

just in time to take the kids to church while I took a looooong nap.

After I woke up, we had a pizza party. Then, we went to get Luke's bike. Since Jameson was so good in the car, we had ice cream when we got back. They went to bed like angels. :)

Day 3: [Monday]

The kids slept until 8:00. It was a miracle. We woke up and had breakfast. Then the boys got dressed and brushed their teeth all by themselves...with a little help. Then we had a light saber battle. It didn't end bad this time. Gregson helped me make some delicious Mac & Cheese.

During Gregson's nap, Jameson got to play at his friends house.

After lunch and naptime, we went to Cabela's. They never wanted to leave.

When we got home, we had a dance party.

Then we watched Elmo's Potty Time......a very intense show.... After that interesting experience, we had Family Home Evening. We learned about obedience....it didn't quite sink in... We played Hide & Seek. Why do we say "ready or not, here I come"? If they aren't ready, they make you recount? Doesn't make sense. I guess we've never played it right. Then, we had a 10-second-tidy like in the Big Comfy Couch. And then we had ice cream :) Mmm.

Now the kids are in bed. Well, Gregson is, but he's screaming for his mom and dad. I am going to take a shower and some sleeping pills and actually get some sleep tonight.

Day 4: [Tuesday]

We are off to an interesting start... Luckily, I got almost eight hours of sleep last night and only got woken up twice. I want to take this time right now to apologize to my mom for ever going in her room in the night! It is so frightening to wake up with a child a half inch from your face!!! No matter how many times it happens, you are NEVER prepared!!!! After both boys were up, we went into the kitchen and made a smoothie. Gregson dumped his out...apparently mine aren't as good as his moms....darn. I'll have to work on that before tomorrow's smoothie!

After that incident, it was bath time.

Bath Time #1: Fail

Well last night we learned about woo woos and wee wees in Elmo's potty time. Apparently Gregson took those lessons to heart. Lucky me. As seen in the picture above, there is a big woo woo in the tub....Actually, no. There are 5 little woo woos....which is a lot worse than one big woo woo.... Well, that summarized bath time #1. Bath time #2 was in session for maybe a minute when the water began rising faster and turning yellow...hmmm... Luckily we hadn't put the bathtub cleaner away yet. Bath time #3 failed when Gregson threw his brothers shoes in the water.

After that, I did the dishes, started a load of laundry and packed the boys, their clothes, and toothbrushes, and dogs into the car. We set off on our journey to Logan. Aunt Barbi let us crash at her house for the night. Stephanie helped me get the kids and dogs in the house and settled in. Gregson slept and Jameson played with Owen and Ian (my cousins) the rest of the afternoon. Then we got to go to Uncle Scott's and hold the snakes.

Barbi made us delicious poppyseed chicken for dinner and now she's cleaning up the room for us to sleep in. Sydney helped Jameson eat all his dinner and now she's dancing and playing with Gregson. She's going to be the best mommy ever :)

I sat on the boy's floor and read to them until they fell asleep. Now I get to hang out with my love :)

Day 5/6: [Wednesday or Thursday or both---lost track of days :)]

Barbi is the best ever cause she is letting us stay all day today and another night! So Jameson and Gregson are having the time of their lives with Syd, Ian and Owen. (: Sydney has pretty much adopted Gregson for the week. She loves to read to him, feed him, lay with him and play with him. I don't know who wouldn't...just look at that face :)

Jameson has also found two new friends, Ian and Owen. They have been so nice sharing their toys and games...and beds this week. Jameson is Ian's shadow. He told me on the way home that when they grow up they are going to be next door neighbors....presh!

These are my boys... so adorable in their cute pajamas.

These are the five kids holding the five dogs. Elliot, Bambi, Kitty, Tyke & Bolt. Barbi is brave...she decided to give all 5 dogs a bath.

Barbi and I had a very productive day while the kids played. We finished all the laundry, all the dishes by hand and yesterday we took down Christmas. Barbi and I had lots of much needed bonding time and long, deep talks :) I love her to death. Now I get to read to the boys and hang out with Barbi and Luke :)

Day 7: [Friday]

We were supposed to leave today, but Barbi accidentally took my keys with her to work, so we got to stay one more night. While Barbi was at work and the kids were at school, it was very quiet in the house. I cleaned while Jameson and Owen played and Gregson slept. After the kids came home from school, The boys watched Cats and Dogs for like the 3rd time and acted like Cat and Dog detectives. We had 8 kids and 5 dogs at this point, so Barbi and I took the three youngest for a drive. I got clean clothes from my dorm and Farkle. We had nachos for dinner, then the small kids played while the adults and Gregson played Farkle. I won thanks to Gregson's lucky hands :) Then, Luke read to the boys and put them to bed.

Day 8: [Saturday]

We woke up early, got dressed, gave the boys some cereal and were off to Lehi. Luke followed behind me in his car. When we got to Lehi, we unloaded the dogs and the dirty clothes. I tackled the bedrooms and laundry and Luke vacuumed the front room and cleaned the kitchen. Then we loaded up fresh clothes and went on an adventure looking for the mailbox. 30 minutes later we found it. Then, we dropped the boys off in Salt Lake at their grandma's. Gregson ran after me crying when I left...it was really sad.

I love Jameson & Gregson Nash and I am definitely going to miss them.