Familiar Faces

Had the lovely opportunity of going downtown with my best friend and her family to take their christmas card pictures. Crazy group and still I call them family ;)

Cade, Cooper, Kaitlin, Connor, and Cole

Pinterest to the Rescue!!

So lots of people have the theory that Pinterest is a time waster and that is doesn't provide any useful things... I completely disagree.

To me, Pinterest is

-Teaching me new skills

-Adding to my recipe stash

-Helping me dress better

-Boosting my photography knowledge

AND

-Completed my wedding planning process.

Nick and I needed a breakfast recipe yesterday.... and Pinterest came to our rescue.

We made a low carb-low fat breakfast pizza and LOVED IT!! I think next time we will try the crust out of biscuits for a more fluffy texture, but overall it was a huge success, thus only solidifying my love and PRO Pinterest thoughts =)

Breakfast Pizza Recipe!!

give it a go!

IN YOUR FACE!

Well.. my dear friends...

My lovely fiance decided that it would be a funny little joke to do this on Thanksgiving...

(apparently this is something that people do... hahah. Didn't know it really happened.)

He asked me so nicely, "Madison, does this whip cream smell sour??" And I so happily stuck my face down next to it to take a whiff.... and ended up with pie-filled-nostrils!! =) This however was a good experience for me.. I will be the first to admit that I need to loosen up sometimes!!

Wife'N it Up!!!

So Tuesday was the first day of my Wifey-ness kicking in. Nick called and told me he wasnt feeling well, so I decided to go down to Bountiful and baby him... (so nice right?! haha)

But turns out he really was super duper sick!!!!

Long story short-- His doctor gave him medicine for High Bloop Pressure (which he doesnt have) but it can also be a preventative medicine for renal failure (also which he has no signs of)... and it dropped his BP so low that he was non functional.

--Hard to breath, difficult to walk, fever, chills, dizzy like crazy... NO BUENO!!!

We went to the ER at 12:30am and stayed till about 3:00am and then just took it easy the next day. Thankfully, he is off the medicine and is feeling much better!!! It was the first of many experiences I will have has a wife (even though I'm not quite yet to that title haha) And I can't WAIT!!!! <3

The Pocket Foundation

Hello to my lovely friends and family!!! I did better this time at posting in a reasonable amount of time. =)

This is a special post that is focused on Cole Larson, one of my new nephew's. A foundation has been set up in Cole's memory that is geared toward helping the underprivileged. Cole loved helping others and always wanted to make sure everyone had what they needed. The Pocket Foundation is a foundation that collects necessities such as coats, hats, shoes, school supplies, etc. for children in need.

For those of you who like to donate or help out the less fortunate during the holiday season, The Pocket Foundation would be a great way for you to do so.

Please visit our website!!!

The Pocket Foundation

You can also find The Pocket Foundation on Facebook and like our page for updates!!!

Quick Update

So I have obviously been MIA for the past while... oops. Been busy busy planning my wedding.. and I AM DONE!!! There are a few minor details that will be on my to-do list for the next little while, but other than that... D.O.N.E.

Wedding dress, cake, reception location, bridesmaids dresses, flowers, linens, wedding party clothes, photographer. CHECK CHECK AND CHECK!!

This is why we are made for one another.... this is our

best angle for sure..

Pumpkin carving afternoon!!!

Danny and Sandy for Halloween

Here are a few pictures of events of the past little while!!!

Greatest day of my life

Soooooo last night I got ENGAGED!!!!! To the most amazing man I have ever met in my whole entire life. I love him so much and cannot wait to get married!

For all of those wanting to know the engagement story and how it all went down... here it goes!

--Nick and my mother have been plotting this for a little while now and I had NO CLUE. My mom is coming out to Utah on October 19 and Nick kept telling me that he just didn't feel right about asking me before she came out so they could "formally" talk... and I completely believed him.. I mean why wouldn't I???

Last weekend Nick had a work convention in Las Vegas and came home telling me about this class that was taught at their convention on making a time capsule and that he thought we should do it. So the whole week I gathered odds and ends that reminded me of the love of my life and brought it all to Bountiful so we could bury the time capsule. We decided that we would bury it up on the side of the mountain that overlooks the temple because it is a special place to Nick.

He then told me that we were to attend a wedding reception last night for a girl that works with him. So I put on a dress and some sandals all ready for the reception. He told me that we would go to the reception and then head to the mountain (so I figured I could change clothes that were suitable for hiking up a mountain)::: not so much the case:::

Nick, being the sly man he is, goes to the mountain and says "Let's do the time capsule first because I want you to see the view from up there at sunset and if we go to the reception first we will miss the sunset!" I was a titch upset at this thought because... HELLO... I'm wearing a dress!!! So we gather all of our time capsule items and Nick also brought his guitar. (odd...?? I wasn't really sure but he said he wanted to sing a song for one of his items.. ok I believe that!)

As we are hiking up the mountain, Nick decided to bust out the video camera that we were going to put in the capsule and film me griping the whole way up and being a total brat about sweating and hiking in a dress.. :::so cute of me I know:::

We get to the spot and go back and forth showing and telling about the items we chose all on the video camera. I show my last one and so does Nick and then he says " Ok, now I will play my song for you! I hope you know this song...." Well I didn't know the song.. haha. The song was called "Question" by the Old 97's. The chorus says, "Someday someone will ask you a question that you should say 'yes' to..." He then asked me if what that meant to me.. and I responded in a bratty way by saying " What... like maybe you should ask me a question sometime and I will say yes!!"

Still completely oblivious at what is going on, Nick says "When should I ask you that question??" I say, in a joking matter, "Oh maybe like tomorrow or something..."

Then he reaches in his backpack, pulls out a ring box, gets on one knee, and asked me to marry him. It was honestly 100% the most perfect proposal I could have ever imagined. I was completely shocked, because I thought it would be at least 3 more weeks until we were engaged. And it was truly one of the only times in my life that I have ever been surprised! (which I LOVE!)--

Words cannot express how happy I am to be marrying my best friend. We are getting married on June 2,2012 in the Bountiful Utah temple. I simply cannot wait!

Bear Lake

This weekend while Nick was out of town at a conference in Las Vegas I went with the rest of his family up to Bear Lake for one GREAT WEEKEND!!! We had a blast! Such a great family and I am so glad that I get to be a part of it.

Family blackjack night... ( I won... no big deal.)

Some of my adorable nieces and nephews-to-be!!

Heading out for a day on the lake!

Jayci was my bud the whole weekend. She is the sweetest little thing.

It's Ya Burfday...

Today is the day that the woman I call my mother was born... She is the greatest woman I know. She teaches me daily and makes me want to be better. She has shown me that ANYTHING is possible--whether that is raising children on your own or getting blood out of something that has been there for 3 years--

We do go at it from time to time... which more times than not is because we are more alike than we realize. She taught me how to be independent, how to tie my shoes, how to make my own lunch in kindergarten consisting of a cheese and bread sandwich, cheetos, string cheese, and orange tang.

My mom is wonder woman (if you didn't know). She can pack a suitcase to perfection and make a mean homemade pizza.

She is currently helping me plan a wedding... which I do believe may be the largest challenge she has yet to face =) I can't think of a better person to help me do this.

Thank you Mom, for being the best person I know and teaching me to always love those around me... even if it isn't what I want to do. I LOVE YOU!

Bow to your partner.

This morning at the prime time of 7:30 am I had the lovely privilege of learning how to SQAURE DANCE!!!!

Not going to lie... probably the most fun I have had in a long time. I feel somewhat deprived that being from the south that I haven't been square dancing before now. I wouldn't mind one bit keeping this up till I'm an old lady =)

In my class, we will be square dancing for the next 3 weeks. CANNOT WAIT! We are also going to learn ballroom, the waltz, swing, and aerobic dance. This class is right up my ally!

Back to school it is!!! It has been great the first two days!! Long and tiring but great. Senior year is going to be a blast and I can't wait for it to all come full circle.

Lots of things have changed... friends gone, new friends to come, new roommates, new classes. But as my best friend Natalie always says... " A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet!" Such wise words Nat =)

Life is beautiful.

So I never really thought I would post about this, but it has happened. I AM IN LOVE!!!!! truly this time...not with like a song, or a food, or a piece of clothing... With the most amazing guy.

Love him so much.

Best trip ever.

I just returned from the one and only NYC and can I just say out of all the places that I have ever visited, it is my absolute FAVORITE!!!!! I will go back... soon.

Lauren, Me, and Emily going to dinner

Oh Hey Utah friends in NYC!

looooooove them

Who couldnt have fun with this group?!?

G-man

My sister Lindsey and her new baby boy Graham came to visit this past week. G had a little photo shoot and they are PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!! He was a champ. And quite the photogenic child if I don't say so myself!

Take a look!

(this is my fav!)

This past week was a very difficult one. I lost my godbrother Scott Van Asche. He was 34 years old and passed away of July 3. He was an amazing person and I loved him with my whole heart. I will miss him greatly and I know that he is still with us and always will be.

A few days before Scott passed away, Nick (the boy I am liking a whole whole lot) came to visit me in Arkansas. He was so great through it all and was so understanding and caring to all of us. I don't know what I would have done without him here. He is absolutely a great person.

Happy Birthday Jack

Today was Jack's 3rd birthday! Can't believe he is growing up so fast. He is currently obessed with grills, grill tools, and tools in general. Rarely does he go anywhere without his channel locks, pliers, or screwdriver. He is such a boy.

Cupcake time!!

Checking out his new grill

Here I Come

NYC

+

Madison

=

VERY HAPPY

7.28.2011

I wanna go back!

This happens to be another post relating back to the Bachelorette... however this time it has nothing to do with the contestants or the show. Only to do with the fact that they are in Thailand!!!

I went to Thailand in the 7th grade to visit my sister who was living there at the time and I WANT TO GO BACK! It is such a beautiful place and I would love nothing more than to go back at an older age and truly be able to appreciate all of the wonderful experiences that it has to offer!

Please don't end

I have spent the last week at my favorite place in the whole world. Navarre, FL.

It is pure perfection in an island.

Isolated

Cozy

Crisp

Hot

&

Beautiful

The best part of all... the memories.

Today's Find

Sometimes StumbleUpon is my arch nemesis..

Today, not so much.

I found this blessed little saying and I truly need to reflect upon life in this way.

Have an outstanding day!!!!

I am thankful for...

by Nancie J. Carmody

...the mess to clean up after a party

because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

...the taxes I pay

because it means that I'm employed.

...the clothes that fit a little too snug

because it means I have enough to eat.

...my shadow who watches me work

because it means I am out in the sunshine.

...the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot

because it means I am capable of walking.

...all the complaining I hear about our government

because it means we have freedom of speech.

...that lady behind me in church who sings off key

because it means that I can hear.

...lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing

because it means I have a home.

...my huge heating bill

because it means that I am warm.

...weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day

because it means that I have been productive.

...the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours

because it means that I am alive.

There are three kinds of days:

1. Good days,
2. Great days, and
3. Outstanding days.

I hope yours is Outstanding!
Steve

Anticipating the End.

So...... As tacky, trashy, dumb, idiotic, etc. the Bachelor/Bachelorette is, this season, I AM HOOKED. It is a waste of time in all honesty, but I can't help it.

After tonight's episode, so many things went so incredibly wrong, that I am in total anticipation of the episode, After the Final Rose.... wow.

Our dear ol' Bentley from SLC is a D- BAG to the max! Wow.. I cannot wait for Ashley to watch this whole thing and see his moronic and arrogant personality.

Ok that's it.

Loves!

Old Fort Days!

Well it is time for one of my favorite activities of the year.... THE OLD FORT DAYS RODEO!!!! Yee Haw!!!

Last night my mom and I took the little girls I nanny and their mom to the rodeo and it was such a fun time!! Love being able to be true to my redneck roots!

Bull Riding: Highlight of the night!

Emily, Me, and Lauren!

Completion

My life is now semi-complete due to the fact that

SYTYCD

started tonight.

It will have to substitute for friends for the next couple of months.

Have a Six Flags Day!

There aren't too many things I love more than that initial plunge over the top of a 218 ft. metal structure. Six Flags definitely holds a special place in my heart. This weekend the fam headed down to Dallas and had a great weekend acting like children.

As much as I love the rides themselves, I have to say that my favorite part of the whole trip was listening to my mother make a noise somewhere in between a 7 year old girl being chased down the street and a billy goat having its throat slit. Priceless.

I. Love. Family. Time...and Roller coasters.

Working for the Weekend

After being back in the good ol' Fort Smith for 8 days, I am ready to get out for a couple. I absolutely LOVE being home, but I have had to make some minor adjustments for the past week. I have played Mom to everyone. Entirely exhausting, but so much fun.

Reasons for playing mother:

- My mom has worked every night since I have been home.. which means she has slept every day since I've been home.. which means I have to entertain myself.

- Martha (the godmother) had a cyst removed off of her hand and is in a soft cast... so therefore she can't cook, fit clothes over it, or drive for a week.

- Mamaw is staying at my house for 2 1/2 weeks while my aunt is in AZ.

So what, you may ask?

Well.... after all of these insignificant, yet multiple things piling on top of one another... it gets tiring!!

Yesterday I woke up, made Mamaw breakfast, went to check on Martha, helped her get some things ordered, went to the grocery store, made homemade pizza for Martha and her husband... since she can't cook, made a treat for my mom to take to a work party, spooned 3 tbs. of trailmix into 20 individual snack size baggies, packed a snack basket for the car, did Mamaw's laundry, washed the dishes, vacuumed the house, went to bed, then took Lauren (child I nanny) to the orthodontist this morning, then Martha to Wal-Mart for a few items, then back to the house.

Summary of the past 30 hours of my life... Whoever thinks being a stay-at-home mom means they sit at home and do nothing is WRONG!

My cure for all of this? SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS!!!

Yep. All that work for everyone in the fam is deserving of a weekend trip to Dallas. Me, mom, Cameron, Liz, and Mamaw are packing up and heading out.

PLEASE AND THANK YOU!

Sounds Like Life

You know how sometimes you get down on yourself and think that everything that is happening to you or people you know is the worst thing in the world??

Well.. this song helps me a little bit with that.

It is a nice comic relief and a friendly reminder that despite the unfortunate things that come our way... THAT'S JUST LIFE!!

So buckle up and enjoy the ride. =)

--click link below to view--

Darryl Worley: Sounds Like Life To Me

My Momma is the Best

I'm glad that someone once decided to designate a day to mom's... they sure do deserve it. This week my mom has gone above and beyond with planning 3 parties in one week, cooking dinner for 40 twice, and doing all of it with virtually no sleep.

I love you Mom. You amaze me everyday... even though you think that I'm a nosey, hall monitor bratty girl about 95% of the time =)

Happy Day!

21 and Counting

Yesterday was my 21st birthday.. not too big of a deal here in Utah, and that is just fine with me!!

It was a great day. I could have done without having to move out of my apartment and literally recieving 2 hours of sleep in 50 hours.... =)

I went to church, ate with the fam, hung out with friends, and did some studying for finals.

The highlight of the day was this e-mail from my sister, her husband, and my two nephews. This is what life is all about. enjoy!

To Madison:

From Miles:

From Jackson:

From Chris:

From Chutney:

Love it.

Bargains Galore

My morning was occupied by aimlessly wandering through rows and rows of biographies, self-help books, and sleezy romantic fantasies. However, through all the piles of uselessness, I found some real bargains. Along side Kayde Auger, I purchased the following.

It seemed like a waste of money to NOT buy these.. (that makes zero sense... I know, but it is the logic that I use to justify spending money.)

Ready for some summer reading!

Don't Try This At Home!

Well I have a new addiction... and I haven't figured out if it is a positive or negative one yet... well I guess no matter what way you look at an addiction it's never positive. Oops.

Here's a big 'THANK YOU' to my friend Patrick Allred. He introduced me to this dear website.

www.stumbleupon.com

For those of you have not yet "stumbled"... give it a shot...

If

You

Dare

This is one beauty I stumbledupon... Love it.

STUMBLE AWAY!

A Day Down South

This past weekend I had the lovely pleasure of accompanying the one and only Brady Mathews to Provo. We left mid afternoon and headed to Draper and make a stop at IKEA. Now I don't know about yall, but IKEA gives me the biggest sensory overload of my life.. I can appreciate all it does and stands for, but after about 20 minutes, I'm ready to high tail it out of there!

Next we went to heaven. (Oh excuse me, Nordstrom.) We shopped around for a while. I bought a fantastic new pair of TOMS wedges that are grey and cream stripped. Yay.

We then ventured to Mimi's Cafe for dinner and met up with some more friends.

Then, onto the highlight of the evening. We went to the BYU ballroom dance team performance. It was truly phenomenal! It was like being in the presences of Dancing with the Stars and SYTYCD all in one!!! Enough said.

Amazing little Samba... whew!

the Finale!! INCREDIBLE!

After the show, we picked up and went to this little HOLE in the wall of a place called Sammy's. Word on the street was Sammy's was the best milkshake place in town. They make not MILKshakes, but PIEshakes. I. AM. A. FAN!! I had the Apple Cobbler pie shake and Brady got the Chocolate Oreo Cream Pie shake.

This weekend was much needed!! Great shopping, even better eats, and the best quality time with one of my best friends!

1 month and counting!

Life is always changing. Always bringing up a new challenge. Gives you joys and sorrows. Life is fantastic... I think I forget that sometimes.

Last time I checked, I was Madison Beyers. A girl going to Utah on a whim for college. Not sure what she wanted to do, and definitely not sure who she was!

I was hit upside the head this week with a world of new realizations.

1) I am going to be a senior in college...

2) People move and friends change, more than one may like.

3) Picking a career is harder than I thought.

4) Love does not come as easy as some may think it does, or that we would like it to.

So this time next month I will be moving home for the 3rd summer in a row. It will be an adventure! A couple of trips will make me one happy girl. Florida, New York, and Texas... what MORE could I ask for.

This month will go by quickly.. perhaps too quickly. But none the less it will come, so I am buckling up and hoping on... full speed!

In. Love..

Yes.. It's true. I AM IN LOVE.... with engagement videos... =)

Here is my current fave!

http://vimeo.com/19913484

Check it out!

Loves!

Life Needs A Little Variety!

So for the past 8 weeks I have been co-directing a Variety Show for the middle school where I work. I have been alongside the fabulous Mr. John Caldwell and we have had an absolute blast!

I did all the chroeography for the show and did some vocal coaching for the kids. It was honestly one of the most fun expereinces I have had thus far in my short life. Although it was stressful beyond belief, it was so worth it!

The show included numbers such as "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz, "It's a Hard Knock Life", and "It's Raining Men." Some skits were thrown in also. We had and I Love Lucy skit, Little Rascals, and the Brady Bunch.

My favorite thing about the whole process was watching these 6th and 7th graders gain confidence about themselves while developing new talents! I grew so close to them through this process. I wouldn't trade a single minute of it!

After all is said and done, this experience has made me more excited than EVER to graduate, move, and start working in a school and have students of my very own!

I LOVE TEACHING!! Seeing the joy and love on those kids faces is the most rewarding thing in the world!