The Engagement

He did it!! And here I finally am posting the story on my blog....

The date was Wednesday, April 22, 2009. The entire day had been gorgeous and, since I knew it was coming (I'd gotten work off for it, for goodness sakes), the butterflies in my stomach had been soaring since I had awoken that morning. But it finally came... six o'clock. And then, true to Parker Standard Time, it passed. Shortly thereafter though, Parker came to my door with a dozen of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen. Being that I'm a sucker for flowers-- any flowers-- this was certainly a good move.

Where are we going Parker? Don't worry about it? Where are we going Parker? No answer.

I didn't figure it out until we were nearly there, but, eventually, we made it to The Little America. Nice for two reasons: it's a fancy, expensive restaraunt and, more importantly, it's where the Eagle Condor Service Banquet was the first night Parker and I were introduced (Thanks Sara and Taylor!)

After I could eat no more and Parker had weirded the waiter out with his serenading skills, we headed up above the capitol to one of Parker's favorite views in the city. With just a short walk up a hill, you're overlooking both sides of the valley and it reallly is gorgeous. So there we were, enjoying the setting sun on our University of Utah blanket when....

INTRUDERS! INTRUDERS! Another couple decided this really was the best view in town and, although it might have been expected they would leave when they saw the seats were already taken, they didn't. They simply decided to face the other way. Any other night this would still be funny, but I was waiting for a proposal here! Fortunately for us, they only stayed for ten minutes or so.

After they left we still had a few more minutes to watch the sun set and the city rise. Then Parker pulled it out....

His guitar. And, since we already established he was so good at serenading, began to serenade me:

Someday somebody's gonna ask you

A question that you should say yes to

Once in your life

Maybe tonight, I've got a question for you

("The Question" by Rhett Miller)

And then, he put his guitar away and pulled out a little black box. Got down on his knee (this is when my heart was sprinting). "Laci, will you marry me?"

YES!

I didn't even let him get off his knee. I just jumped on him-- barely even glanced at the ring on my way into the hug. Came to find out later though, it was absolutely stunning. (Sidenote: Parker and I had been shopping so he'd known what kind of things I liked, but he designed it by himself. Which I also love.) I couldn't stop smiling!

We finally made it to my house to announce the news to my family and called a couple other friends. Now we just wait....

July 22, 2009 can't come soon enough! I love you Parker!

Life is Good

Although posting is CLEARLY my forte, I do have some updating to do. Where to start? Hmm.... Christmas was wonderful! The break was so nice and I loved spending so much time with family and some of my best friends! My parents asked us to do service this year as part of their gift so I was able to read Christmas picture books at the Rest Home and that was so fun. You can never escape that place without lots of great stories. Christmas was also nice- we had the Naylor traditional Christmas Eve party (Santa came this year!) and then all my siblings and I slept downstairs in our new PJ bottoms and the hoodies Mike and Hayley made. Dad's trap was creative, but nothing we couldn't handle-- the fog machine, black lights, and motion detectors were neat, but a cinch to break through. Of course we all needed naps the next day after Mom's amazing breakfast, but it was the perfect day for it. I ended up watching August Rush that night and who doesn't love that? I did.

Naylor Family Christmas Eve Party

My Family with our Holiday get up and our Zoolander Faces

New Year's was great too. Although our house stunk like seafood for days, Dad's "Fisherman Stew" was fun. I always love having so many friends and neighbors over for that. Parker and I had plans with some of his friends that night, but first we went to Mike and Hayley's with Matt and Kaylin to dominate the boys in Family Feud. Then Parker and I went to Jami's house for more games and the first half of "Dark Knight" before midnight came-- it was all a fun way to ring in the New Year!

Now I'm back in school- taking less hours this semester than last, which I hope will be nice, but my classes seem to be more demanding and that still puts me at school from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm on Tuesdays. I'm sure I'll be fine though. Actually, this past weekend, even with school, work, church, and Parker, I've felt like I've had a lot of time-- so that's nice. Apart from my life, my friends' weddings seem to be a huge emphasis currently. Rebecca's wedding (January 2, 2009) was so fun and perfect for her. I'm a bridesmaid for both Sara Whipperman soon-to-be Davis (March 12) and Ashton Monson soon-to-be Jensen (May 8). And I'm so excited for them both! It's interesting to see the differences in the bride stress level because Sara's wedding has been more rushed while Ashton has been engaged forever already, but, regardless of stressors, they're both very happy. I also have my suspicions (confirmed or otherwise) about my brother. But we'll leave it at that for now.

Life is good- really good.