Anxiously ENGAGED.

Well, well, well. Where to begin? So there's this boy....

Brenner Freeman and I officially met on Sunday, October 9, 2011. (Yes I did write this down in my journal) He got my number, asked me on a date for that weekend, and has been coming to Mesa every weekend since! He lives in Tucson where he is in the medical program at U of A so we only get to see each other on weekends and breaks, although we are big fans of skyping. So yes, things have been going GREAT for us to say the least! And on Thursday, March 15, 2012 we got engaged! I think he's a good cause, don't you? Anyway, he really did take me by surprise because the ring wasn't supposed to be ready until Friday. So Thursday night we went out to his parents' house by Saguaro Lake and we took a little quad ride and he popped the question at the top of their hill. I can't even describe my happiness right now! And let me apologize ahead of time if I get obnoxious about it. But hey, I get to be sealed to this guy for forever on Friday,June 8th,2012! We are going to have some crazy adventures ahead of us and I can't wait to face them together. Sure I am a young one and, well, there's an age difference if you will..but we simply fit together and it's just right. Ok, ok. Here's some pictures!

 Typical.

 You lucky bloggers get to see a sneak peak of some engagements!

 Yesssss

 There's that ring! (Yeah I may have stolen your picture idea Rachel Schlappi...)

"My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee"

This is one of my favorite songs and it's never left me feeling down, but rather lifted up with love from our Heavenly Father. A lot of things have changed this past week, including a new baby boy born on February 11, 2012 weighing only two pounds six ounces and 13 weeks premature. Milo Clark Hoffman is quite the little fighter and I cannot wait to see him this weekend. I already have so much love for him. I am so grateful for the technology we have today. It is what is keeping this little guy going and can give us much hope! Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every one of us. That I know. I expect Milo will go through trials and afflictions throughout his life but nothing can compare to the blessings he will receive in overcoming those times of difficulty with the help of our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, who know the beginning from the end. They are our advocates. His kindness and mercy will NEVER depart from us.

"The race that is set before us."

Why do I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints so much? It really is quite simple. It's perfect!  It makes me so happy and I always find comfort in it. Yesterday I came across a few comforting things that stuck with me.

"...Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." ~ Hebrews 12:1

 Another great quote is from an article in the May Ensign of 1994. This one, I believe, is the simplest truth there is to know. "Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live, and they are in charge of this world. They know me. They love me. They have a plan for my future. I will obey the commandments, work hard, and trust in their plan. (Here it is...) Sooner or later, everything will be okay." Ah I love it! Do what is right and everything will turn out okay. Now that is happy.

Well before any readers get worried, life is good! I haven't had any tragic moments or anything, I just love that when my trials do come that I have something to find comfort in. Ok the end!

At the close of 2011...

So I haven't updated in a while but boy, life has been treating me right! I ended my first semester of college with the grades I wanted and worked so hard for. All my cousins came in to town for Thanksgiving. You get a bunch of Salcidos together and it is a party! I was able to go over to the Rogers' house and skype with Elder Rogers for a bit on Christmas day, and my break was just grand. 

Why was my break so fantastic? Well the best part was spending time with ALL the people I love. And nothing makes me happier than having every one of my siblings and my little nephews in town. Oh and another boy is on his way! Surprised? You shouldn't be. I got to snowboard (for the first time in 5 years...) and try snow shoeing for the first time. It was definitely an adventure and I ended up really liking it! Yep 2011 was a great year and I have a feeling 2012 will be a fabulous one as well. Some pictures? Why of course.

 We are cousins. And best friends.

Thanks.

I know Thanksgiving is rolling around and everybody is just now channeling in on their grateful side. Don't worry, I won't use this post to explain to any of you reading this how thankful I am for everything in my life (because I have a pretty fabulous one). The list truly would go on and on. I will say that a few things I am extremely thankful for include my family, blessings that come from paying tithing, the scriptures and the power of prayer. My testimony in these areas are constantly becoming stronger through my own personal experiences. Man I feel like I'm way too blessed sometimes! Hey, I'm not complaining. Now much like my other posts I will end with some fun pictures of life recently!

 Halloween! Rivs could hardly wait for this day.

 He was soaking up the pictures and attention at first.

Then I think he kinda got fed up. Nevertheless he was a trooper. Those two are entertaining!

"Forget Me Not"

Elder Uchtdorf. What an amazing disciple of our Lord! He gave the most inspiring talk in the General Relief Society Conference. He always knows what to say and how to say it. His talk was PERFECT for me! I was once again reminded to be happy with my life now and to enjoy those precious things that matter most. 

Well, this past weekend I went camping with my sister, brother in-law, two nephews and my dad. It was an absolute blast! Seriously, I missed camping so much. My fishing skills came right back to me and I caught the biggest fish and gutted it! (Not to brag). My favorite part was being with my two adorable nephews and being around to share their first experience camping. I love my family! I am so grateful for these precious moments we have together and cherish every second of them.

 Love these boys!

 She's my best friend.

It takes guts.

Wisdom Teeth: How foolish they can make you look once they're out.

So maybe wisdom teeth really do give us some wisdom. I just got mine removed on Friday and let me tell you something, coming out of anesthesia was quite the experience! I figured out how that kind of medicine affects me... wanna know?! I would go from totally cracking up at nothing then in a matter of seconds I would start crying. Uh, I turned kinda bipolar. haha One of my favorite stories (that I was told since I don't remember anything) is when I was laughing at I don't know what, then my older brother Heath decides to mess with me and says, "Haylee are you laughing because you wanted to see Hayden earlier?" Then INSTANTLY I started bawling for Hayden! haha I'm sorry to say that for some reason I am not able to post a video but hey come over we've got a few! To make this blog post not so boring, here's some photos of my trip to Utah a couple weeks ago!

My little cougars

HP 7 midnight showing baby!

ALL the cousins. So fun to be together!

So yes this summer has been eventful and interesting to say the least. I'm SO ready for college this Thursday! It'll be a great new adventure.