Honeymoon - Day 1 - We are Married

Day 1 - Waking up married was the weirdest thing. Bryan was in a bed with me, laying next me and asleep. I'm not going to lie, I almost felt like we were doing something we weren't supposed to. I guess it takes time to realize you're actually married ha.

We went down to breakfast at the Hotel and he paid for this really expensive nice buffet. I still couldn't get over the weirdness of it all, but I just loved how much I could tell he loved me. The safe feeling was there, and I knew everything would be great.

After Breakfast we drove to target and bought mothers day gifts because we realized we would be missing it the next day. We then went to his parents house, I ate lunch, and Bryan arranged a few disneyland things.

Sam wanted to be our little stow away :)

We packed up in his dads car and left for the car rental place! On the way there, Bryan had realized that he had forgotten his credit card... so we got the car, and drove back to his house and then off we went! We drove to Provo to get all of my things for our trip. I had packed most everything a few days before, but I didn't get to completely finish since I was more concerned with getting everything ready for the wedding!

Well, we started our drive to Vegas and it was fun! I still felt silly that we were married, but I was excited to get away and be with my best friend. We listened to music, we told each other stories, I listened to comedy for him after he begged, we read part of a book together and even listened to a book on CD that Kylie had given us.

The drive was long, but we arrived in Vegas that night at a nice hotel. That night was really great because we decided to share each others patriarchal blessings with each other. Bryan read mine first and I felt embarrassed because I always had thought mine didn't give much direction. Bryan finished reading and told me that I am a pretty amazing person. He gave me his and I began to read. I had to try SO hard not to cry. It was amazing. He is amazing.  There are so many things that Heavenly Father has in store for him, and I am supposed to be his wife. I hope I can live up to the person his blessing speaks of and the person he needs to accomplish all that it promises. The blessing also spoke of our children. My blessing doesn't so it was so incredibly beautiful to me. I was so emotional inside. Both our blessings mention service in temples and missions. It was overwhelming, but very beautiful. I just pray that I can become the person Heavenly Father knows I can be.

OH! The best part of today. Mr. Frandsen posted a picture of me on Facebook :) Now that's a first :)

Wedding Day - I love you Forever

BRIDAL Shower Time.

So on Wednesday, May 7th - my cute friends threw a bridal shower for me. I was a little stressed about it being right before the wedding, but I honestly just couldn't wait to see all of my friends! When I arrived with my sister, it was decorated so incredibly cute! 

All of my fun friends were sitting at a table with scrapbook paper and pictures of Bryan and I. They had yummy food and a chocolate fountain. But most importantly, my closest friends were there. We scrapbooked for the first part of the evening and the pages turned out so cute! The activity was all because of Merrill. She ordered it online, and got all the supplies that made it so fun! She's such a darling and thoughtful friend. 

I had seen this Bryan's mission picture on one of the walls and thought it was random and funny, but then my friends announce that we are going to play "pin the mustache on Bryan"... how funny is that?! We all got a turn, and none of us got even close... haha

Gotta love how cute Merril and Heater are while the spun me around. I'm so grateful for these two girls in my life. I'm so blessed! 

Heather made darling party favors, and we played a game her and Merrill had made previously that is this "Guess the Famous couple" game. I like it a lot!

We later opened gifts, and it still amazes me how kind and giving all of my friends have been. They are so thoughtful! Spending that night with them really made me so happy, and it calmed me down a bit before the big day came. It was so nice to just chill, laugh and talk. Thanks to my friend Rachel Farner we have pictures of the event! :)

Here's to this cute best friend of mine who put on the party on her house! I love miss Merrill Face so very much. She is always there for me, to listen to me vent, cry or listen to me tell all of my stories! I honestly don't know what I would do without her. The last four years have had some crazy ups and crazy downs, and she has always been the kindest. I'm so glad that her family let's me be apart of their family too. The Merrill's are amazing :) 

Him & I

Well, I have to say I am pretty blessed! How cute is this boy? Bryan O'Dell I love you more than you know! Waiting for you and writing you every week of your mission was so incredibly worth it. You make me want to be a better person, you make me happier than I could ever imagine. I am excited to start forever even though I know that it will be tough at times. I know all the good is far better. Thank you for loving me even though I can be so stubborn, impatient  and insane :) I'm a lucky girl, and I am so happy we are starting our life together. I love you forever favorite. 

Bridal Shower # 2

My second bridal shower was planned for this day. I was excited, and a bit nervous because I still am surprised that anyone would show up to celebrate me and even more surprised that they would bring gifts! Ha.

Well, I arrived at the shower to find that there were so many people I loved  there who have been there for me throughout my life thus far. Even my babysitter (Amber) from growing up was there. How sweet is that?! She is darling, and has like 3 of her own kids!

My Grandma Sherry and Aunt Kim flew out that morning just for the shower! Seriously! They couldn't be any cuter. I love them so much!! Seeing them made me very happy and I still cannot get over the fact that they flew here and back that day just for me.

My aunts were all there except for Brenda since she lives in Georgia, but she is even coming out to the wedding! Young Women leaders were there, my friend Jaylin from all my college classes was there, and Janet and Erika came as well! I really enjoyed talking to so many people and getting to catch up with them.

My mom decorated the place so beautifully and had made some cute decorations and food. They reminded me how blessed I am.

I did get some pretty awesome gifts too!!! A kitchen Aid, dishes that are gorgeous, a blender, a rice cooker, silverware,  table linens, tools, sheets and more! I'm glad people are so kind to couples who are just starting out! There is no way we would be able to get all of those things on our own.

The rest of the day was filled with me running around to get a few projects done. Later that night I met Bryan at IHop for dinner. That boy has been working like crazy during finals and still taking his own. I was really happy that we did get to go to dinner together and spend a bit of time even though it wasn't a lot. I feel bad because sometimes I complain and stress, but he really does always make sure he spends time with me. He is kind of great, and I am excited to marry him!

Bridal Shower Fun

So. One of the many adventures that comes with getting engaged, are Bridal Showers. I've been to many, I've seen all the girls, and the embarrassing gifts -I've just never been on the receiving end!


My cute friend Kelsie Cook Yeoman decided to plan a fun bridal shower with all of our friends from our previous singles ward, as well as any other random friends I wanted to invite. I'm not going to lie, I was nervous about people actually showing up for me. I know I have many friends, and I love them. I guess I just didn't picture a bunch of girls taking a night away from their lives to come be with me and celebrate Bryan and I. Well, I shouldn't have been nervous!

I arrived at the party and all down the street were cars parked for the shower! I walked in and saw some of my very favorite faces. The place was decorated and cute, the food was darling and everyone was SO sweet. All of the people that were there have been there for me for the last few years, and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father placed them in my life because I know they will be lifelong friends. The list of people whom were in attendance was McCal Takos, Kelsie Yeoman, Katie Berry Tall, Kayla Jacobsen, Lacey Edwards, Angela Thomas, Cassie Marshall, Linsey Pickup, Jessica Atkinson Campbell, Callie Varner, Breana Linton, Meagan Reginio, Sister Diane Bartlome, Sister Debbie Kakola and  Sister Janel Frost! How amazing are they?!?! Seriously, all of them are dolls.

Kelsie had set up this milk and cookie bar with darling glass milk jars, platters with cookies, pictures of Bryan and I, balloons ah. SO cute. She also had everyone write little "love notes" for Bryan and I and hung them with clothes line pins over the gifts. Kayla talked to Bryan and asked him a series of questions for me to answer and if I was wrong on any I had to stick a big fat piece of bubble gum in my mouth. I think I did pretty well at that game! My favorite was her question of "When did Bryan know he loved you?"... I just sat there. I had NO idea. I know WHEN he told me he loved me, but I didn't know when he actually knew. His response was "When she made me a better missionary". I'm not gonna lie, I was getting some happy tears there.

Now, the gifts. Holy cow. I've never seen so many weird games and lubricants. ha. They made me all nervous for this marriage thing. But! I did get some beautiful lingerie and some fun home essentials and gift cards! Those girls are just so sweet!

I seriously needed a night like that. I night to catch up with some amazing, amazing girls. I felt loved, and just so happy. They are just showing me how truly blessed I am. Heavenly Father really does know us. He knows who to place in our lives. He knows what we need, and WHO we need to helps us get what we need. I couldn't have asked for a better evening and shower! I wish I had gotten a picture with all of my girls. Instead, I'm just going to post some of my favs from the years I have spent with them.

Engagement Love

Our Favorite. Ps. He's my Favorite.

For those of you who know me, you know that I have a serious obsession with pictures and documenting everything, and I mean everything! Engagement pictures have been something I have looked forward to for years. I had this image in my head that I would look perfect, he would look perfect, the location would be perfect and our outfits would be perfect. That isn't too much to ask for is it...?

Because I had these expectations in my head, the day we had scheduled for our engagement pictures was drawing nearer and nearer and I had NOTHING. I could not think of one outfit that I already owned that I could live with. I decided it was time to shop. The week before I began my search.

Wednesday - no success.
Thursday - even worse.
Friday - painfully worse. I cried.

And...... the next few days were the same. I would walk into a store already knowing they would not have what my little girl heart had imagined. Way to go Chels - setting yourself up for failure! Thankfully I have the most amazing Fiance who let me cry it out, and continued to tell me that no matter what we were wearing, they would be great because we would be in them together.

Classic Utah County BYU Couple pose.

I began to be stressed about the location as well. I had pushed our pictures out to March thinking that the snow would be gone, and We could take pictures up American Fork Canyon at Tibble Fork  Resevoir. Well guess what? There was still snow. Obviously I cried again and made it into a bigger deal than I needed to. Bryan again, was a sweetheart. He spent 4 hours on the Saturday before our scheduled appt (March 15th) driving ALL over the Utah County with me trying to find a place that would live up to my expectations. How does this boy put up with me? He is seriously amazing. I feel bad for being so dramatic about the whole thing, but I just love that he is willing to do whatever he can to make me happy even when my expectations are impossible.

I had many friends over the course of that week who spent hours with me at many different malls and in countless dressing rooms. Heather, Merrill, Kylie and Kate - I have no idea what I would do without you girls. You listen to my nonesense, you waste time you could use otherwise to help me out, you make me laugh and you help me feel beautiful. Thank you :)

The Thursday before I went to get my hair cut. Well, not MY hair, my hair extensions. Gentry Campbell Hone did an amazing job. She worked for 2 hours to make sure that I understood how to put the extensions in myself and to cut and blend the hair so that it looked SO incredibly natural. I love them :) That night Bryan and I drove up to the Outlet mall to buy him some clothes for engagements. We found him an attractive button up and a pair of nice slacks that would work well with my formal outfit. After that we ran to  South Jordan for me to finish up some of my shopping and then we went home!

Mmmmmmmm Pie. 3.14

Friday, I was able to work all day and then that night Bryan and I hung out, registered at Target!! Once we finished registering we went to Village Inn with Kyle, Mark, Shaylea and Colton for 3.14 (Pie day). Afterwards Bryan and I watched Once Upon a time while I painted my nails and toe nails. We even plucked his eye brows! ha.

Saturday rolled around and I was so tired. I had spent the night before washing and ironing and laying out clothing for the both of us until 3am. Around 11am I got myself ready and out of the apartment to attend Maegan Reginio's bridal shower. The shower was small, but very fun! I then left to go to Sephora to get myself some new make up and a make over lesson. The girl was so kind and helpful. She got my everything I needed to feel beautiful. I received a  text message from my photographer Aimee Crandall saying that she thought it would be best to reschedule because the wind was out of control. A good 20mph...... Needless  to say, engagement pictures were rescheduled.

Happy 1 Year HOME

That night, ended up being really good for me. Bryan picked me up  and we went to Dinner at Applebees. It was nice to be out of my apartment, away from work, and not worrying about finding outfits anymore. Bryan was sweet and it was just wonderful to sit with him. It was fun sitting there and realizing that we are really getting married, we are really getting sealed for time and all eternity. Who knows what I would do without that boy. I sure don't. We finished off the night by doing the rest of our registering at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Wednesday rolled around it was time for our postponed session for Engagements. The day was a bit stresseful, but everything came together! Our photographer asked to move it from 4:30 to 5pm to begin and that made a world of a difference because we were able to get the last things we needed and still make it on time! What a blessing.

As  we began driving up American Fork Canyon I realized what a blessing it was that our pictures had been postponed. Much of the snow had melted, there was hardly any wind and it was a gorgeous day. My skin was clear, and Bryan told me I was beautiful. Aimee stepped out of her car and she was just the most darling thing the whole time! She made us feel so comfortable, she let us have fun and I actually did feel beautiful. We laughed lots, we kissed and played around. I have to say, Bryan O'dell is the man for me!

Sorry future children, Mommy and Daddy like to kiss :)

Once we finished, Bryan heated up the car to get my cold little hands and feet to a normal temperature. We drove down the canyon and into Lehi for Rib City. After all, it was March 19th, 2014. My sweet boy has been home from his mission for 1 year! I'm so excited, for all the years to come. It amazes me how fast time flies! Bryan reminded me how I was freaking out this time of year last year. I can't believe how everything worked and is working out. For 2 years I dreamed that my sweet amazing best friend would come home to me and that we would magically feel the same about each other and live happily ever after! I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father placed this man in my life. I'm grateful that he is my very best friend and that he makes me WANT to be better. He will be my favorite forever.

Now that we are at the end of my rant, I have to say that I am incredibly blessed. Everything turned out as perfectly as I had imagined, actually better. I love that you can see how happy we are in these pictures. I love that you can see how much we love each other. I love that he towers over me. I love that he is adorable. Most of all, I love that he is mine. Our sweet photographer posted some sneak peak photos that evening, ENJOY :)

So happy, so in love.

My life is PERFECT. HE IS PERFECT :)