finallly

Chase and I are gettting married :)

We've been dating just over a year and on 11.13 he finally proposed!

Both of our families went to California to go to Disney Land and Knott's Berry Farm. Knotts was first! It was fun but there were SOOO many people there. The lines were all an hour wait and you could barely get around without running into people! And i got sick from one of the rides so i was bummin for part of the day. The next day was Disney Land and California Adventure. It was even more crowded. But over all our experience was a good one. The World of Color or whatever its called was pretty good. It was a little difficult to see and they had a fit when i got on Chase's shoulders. Apparently its a "safety hazard". Whatever.

The next day we went to the beach. Oh how i love the beach. We all just hung out and enjoyed the weather. Then we ate BJs mmmmm. That night my family went home so Chase and I went to the huntington beach pier while his family went to knotts again. We went fishing off the pier and drank my favorite hot chocolate. We didnt catch anything but it was a lot of fun. Then we went out and walked along the beach. There werent very many people around so that was nice. We were just walking along the beach (chase was being all cute of course, telling me how much he loved me and all that good stuff!) Then he turned, took my hands and got down on his knee. I WAS SHOCKED! i mean i knew it was coming soon but i had no idea he had even talked to my dad or had the ring with him that night! anyways... he pulled out THE box with the most gorgeous ring and proceeded to say "Erika Inez McDowell...Will you marry me?" All i could do was smile and nod my head real fast. He stood up and hugged me and then told me that i could then put on the ring. I told him that was his job! Even though it was dark i could see it sparkling! Its gorgeous. But then we made all the calls and let everyone know we were engaged, Finished the night strong with some passion iced tea lemonade and called it a night.

It has now been two weeks and i still cannot stop looking at my ring! He did an amazing job :) So we are getting married 1.11.11 at 10:30 am and our reception will be the 15th at 6pm. We couldnt be more excited! Chase is the love of my life and my best friend. GOSH that sounds soo cheesy but it is so very true.. I love him to death and cannot wait to enter the temple to be sealed to him for all eternity!

I am one lucky girl.

Its about time...

I havent blogged in what... 8 months? Yeahh its about time.
The past months have been wonderful yet terrible.
Here is the wonderful:
The oh so fabulous summer weather
Swimming in our newly finished pool
Spending time with my lovely boyy
New Job (juggling 6 kids and school was a nightmare)
Reuniting with the fabulous Kaitlin Gray and family
Now for the terrible:
I am back in school and so is Chase.
My kidney is still broken
Still searching for a car
Allyse is in Virginia
The good definitely outweighs the bad. So why is it that the bad seems to be what i focus on? Anyway. I had another kidney flare up yesterday. Mom came to the rescue with my pain meds from when I had my surgery. Thank heavens for her. I have an appointment Tuesday October 12th to see what needs to be done so I dont end up in the hospital again.
oh oh oh! new project.. I got an old nightstand, picture frame and lamp that i am going to fix up. The nightstand will be a chore, sanding and stripping.. but it will be worth it in the end :) I havent decided the color yet. But when i figure it out ill be posting the before and afters. Miss Haleigh i will be needing your help when i decide to do reupholstering. I saw the cutest little chair at goodwill. Welp im off for the next 8 months........

happy days.

Honestly this is the happiest time of my life. I am loving every second of it. Chase taught relief society today and he did an amazing job. He is such an amazing guy and i honestly feel he deserves someone so much better than me. But he disagrees and i am really glad about that. Anyways! He talked about the priesthood and how women play a huge role in the mens' lives. It just got me to thinking about how awful the world is around us. Chase, along with many other men, are worthy to hold the priesthood even in these though times. He was saying how the women in their lives influence this and help to steer them in the right direction. Well i feel completely opposite with him! He keeps me on track. Ive always loved the church and done the right thing, but he makes me want to be so much better, and i thank him soo much for that. He is such an example to me and he just blows me away with how strong he is. I am so blessed to have him in my life.

I see skies of blue..

and clouds of white :)

Seriously everything in my life is fabulous. I really have nothing to complain about. I have an amazing family, a boy that makes me soo happy, supportive and crazy fun friends, and a heavenly father that is always there for me. What more can i ask for?

The only bummer is that my ali bean is in idaho. I miss her lots but hope she is having a blast!

Christmas was awesome. I loved spending time with family and friends. I love my family. They are all so much fun to be around and have such amazing characteristics.

My sisters are amazing. They both set such good examples for me and i only hope i can be as good to them as they are to me.

My parents are the best in the whole world. They are always doing their best to have the spirit in our home. I look up to them a lot and hope to be just like them when i grow up!

Also this past week i got to go to the sand dunes with my family. Chase boy came too and made the trip even more fun :)

Chase is such an example to me. He has such a strong testimony of the church and it definitely shows in his everyday actions. He is so kind and patient and he makes me want to be that much better. He's definitely my favorite.

What a wonderful world!