On Route

En Route back to Utah this morning. 

Have a wonderful New Years Eve!

Wednesday Wedding Details: Is he the one? How to tell.

Do you think you've found him?
Are you trying to make a big decision?
Or are you just wondering what to look for in the future?

I  had to make that choice just a few months back.

Its not an easy one.

How do you know he is the one?

1. Does he inspire you to be a better you?

What kind of person does he make you want to be? Does he support things that improve you? It is important that he accepts completely who you are, but also expects you to change, improve, develop, and succeed. We say we want people to love us for who we are, but I think its also important to love someone for who they can become, and help them get there. 

2. How does he treat other people?

Its easy to say that he's a good guy because he's nice to you, but how does he treat other people? How does he treat his friends, your friends, his mother, or strangers? ( Its also really fun to see the way he interacts around kids :P )

3. What do you think about when you're not with him? What are you excited for?

I love the quote, "To know where your heart is, see where your mind goes when it wanders." When the two of you aren't together are you thinking about him or are you more excited for getting back your most recent test grade or hanging out with your girlfriends? It is easy to tell what you're really into when you see where your mind goes. 

4. What are his ambitions?Do you know what they are? Does he talk about them? Is he working toward something? Does he get excited about it? Does he have a good work ethic? 

5.  Do you enjoy doing things together?

Are you willing to do things the other wants to do? Can you have fun doing the things he is into and will he get involved in things you want him to do? Can you try new things together? Does he support you in what you're doing? 

Anything else you can do to gage his levels of selfishness and his ability to sacrifice will help you determine how committed he is and how well he will be able to adapt and give in a relationship. 

And the other wonderful thing, is you can pray about it. I don't believe that there is one person out there for everyone, one person that you can be happy with, one person that was meant for you. But there are people that are good for you, people who are better for you. God can help you know whether or he is one of those people, like He did for me with Ben, and then you can choose whether or not you want to spend the rest of your life with him. You don't have to worry about whether or not its the right decision. All I had to do was determine that Ben was what I wanted, that God thought it was a good idea, and now I know that if we both work at it, our marriage can last. 

Love,

Elisabeth

PS. What do you think is important in a husband?

What are you looking for/ what did you look for in a soulmate?

You Are Not A Tree

You have the power to change your circumstance.

You are not a tree.

He Lives

He lives. I know that thousands of years ago, in a meager stable a virgin gave birth to a baby boy. His life and death changed the world, and they have changed my life. They can change yours.

Jesus Christ is my savior, my redeemer, and my friend.

 He is my comfort, my salvation, and my grace. 

He is my lord, my confidant, and my god. 

Merry Christmas!

 

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A Shepherds Tale: The Forgotten Carols

The flock was more than peaceful, the night was dark and deep

The stillness wrapped around me; I drifted off to sleep

And when my friends awoke me, oh, what a tale they had to tell

They said the angels told them bout a newborn King

They had a star to guide them

They heard the heavens sing

They said that when they found Him they knew they'd never be the same

Somehow I did believe them, 

Though everything I knew said I should not believe them

This story can't be true

But there was something magic in the air

That made me feel as if I had been there

I asked a thousand questions

Their answers startled me

The more I heard, the more I thought I knew

This cannot be

And then the struggle started, my head was wrestling with my heart.

Why would a God from Heaven

Come to the world this way?

Why in a lowly stable

Would the Messiah lay?

I shook my head and asked them

To tell the story one more time

Yes I did believe them

Though I'd not seen a thing

I did not go to Bethlehem

Or hear the angels sing

But there was something magic

In the air

That made me feel as if

I had been there

I knew that as the world moves on

through time

There would be more stories

just like mine

About the souls who've chosen

to believe

In something that they never

got to see

Do you think you'll join us

Though you've not seen a thing?

You were not there in Bethlehem

To hear the angels sing

But if you feel the spirit in the air

Then just like me you'd know

That He was here

He was here

The King of kings

And Lord of lords was here

And He will come again

For He was here

Snapshots of NYC

Christmas Eve!

We did our traditional last-minute Christmas Eve shopping this morning, and now are already for our evening guests and celebrations :) I'll be sure to fill you in on our Christmas Eve traditions soon :) 

But for now, here are some snapshots of our great day in NYC.

It was about 53 degrees.

And sunny.

In December.

Wonderful

We spent the morning on the ferry seeing the Statue of Libery and Ellis Island (think Hitch :P).

Then a street show, some fabulous pizza, and wallstreet.

Then over to Times Square, Central Park, and the greatest toy store in existence.

Local Chinese, Christmas Lights, and sweet reunions.

Then the beautiful Manhattan Temple (an oasis in a city of chaos).

Our wonderful tour guide and hostess, Michele. 

Grand Central Station

New York Skyline courtesy of our new camera :) 

From the ferry..

Staten Island Ferry

Gorgeous isn't it?

You could smell the corruption :P

Look at my button, and I promise I didn't steal my blog name and font from this little store...funny though right?

Times Square!

More pictures to come...but now off for Christmas festivities :) 

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elisabeth

Listening RIght Now: You Are Loved

Being back on the East Coast is wonderful!

Ben and I had a blast in NYC yesterday (details to come)...

and this morning we head back to NH. 

I love home.

I'm almost there.

But I can feel the love already. 

If you haven't heard this song, I've provided a way to fix that. 

And don't forget,

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside
I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Every one needs to be heard
You are loved

How to know its HIM.

I had lunch with some lovely girls last week. They're great. We have a class together, and one I happened to be in play group with when we were 1 in Tokyo.

She asked me how I knew. 

How did you know you wouldn't have wandering eyes? 

How do you know?

1. He brings you roses before you're even dating, for no real reason.

2. He believes you when you tell him ridiculous lies.

3. He sends you cheesy texts.

4. You cancel dates on the chance that he might ask you out. 

5. You count down the minutes till you see him once he leaves. 

6. You decide you can function consistently on five hours of sleep when you really need eight.

7. You can't get over how amazing he is.

8. He begins eating all his meals at your house. 

9. He's more comfortable with your roommates than you are.

10. You hate using the word boyfriend because it seems mundane. 

No, thats not how I knew Ben was the boy I wanted to marry.

But its a pretty good list right?

Next week, maybe I"ll tell you next week. 

Today we are flying back to the east coast.

Tomorrow: NYC

Friday: JENS BAPTISM!

Saturday: Christmas Eve. 

Life is wonderful. 

Holiday Traditions Swap: The Zufelts!

This holiday season I was lucky enough to participate in my first blogging gift swap hosted by the wonderful Whitney Zufelt over at The Zufelts.

I was also lucky enough to get Whitney as a Holiday Traditions Swap partner!

You can check out her blog for details on my package..

Oh and isn't she gorgeous?

Yupp, simply adorable. 

My package included:

cute packaging (love the brown paper bag and lace look :) 

a beautiful copy of "The Night Before Christmas"

gap white and silver PJs!

I love my new pjs and I'm excited to have new books to add to our new Christmas tradition of wrapping books in December (see first picture). 

Thanks Whitney! You're great :) 

If you guys don't follow Whitney's blog you should hop over there and check it out!

Merry Christmas,

Elisabeth 

PS. What are your favorite holiday traditions?

New York City Style

Oh the joys of having nothing to do. This morning I am relaxing at my cousins house while Ben spends the day at work. We got a light dust of snow last night with some flurries this morning. We are tucked into the mountains here, amid the sprinkling flakes. 

Just two days and I'm flying to the east coast. And two days after that I'll be snuggled into the woods of New Hampshire. Before I get home though, we'll be spending a day in New York City (Ben's NEVER been - so I'm fixing that). I've gotten most of our day planned: 

Staten Island Ferry: views of Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn

Central Park: iceskating, pictures, stroll to ground zero and rockefeller center

5th Avenue: christmas shop windows 

Times Square: dinner, lights, and then grand central back to CT

Now I need to find the perfect places to stop for lunch and dinner, and I've also been thinking about outfits for the city. Here are some of my favorite outfit inspirations...

What do you think for a day in the city? 

High of 55 degrees! (so I'm not sure how that fits in with my new pink tweed pea coat...)

Love, 

Elisabeth 

57. My cousin Nolan, especially when he makes me cinnamon rolls.

58. good, long conversations.

59. real friends.

60. the temple, and having one so close.

61. a husband that has such excellent taste in TV shows (24).

62. having access to laundry machines (even if its down two flights of stairs and I have to do seven loads at once).

63. plane tickets to the east coast! 

64. the increased chance of snow in NH on christmas day. 

65. the best family ever. 

Then and Now: Gingerbread House Edition

For our very first date, last December, Ben and I decorated this gingerbread house. 

This weekend we made another one, in honor of that very first date. 

Please appreciate the snow covered thatched roofs and cobblestone paths. 

What a wonderful year it has been :) 

Love,

Elisabeth

PS. Which one do you like better? 

Do you have any favorite Christmas dates?

Which are you?

Just a question for you this Christmas... Happy Sunday :) 

Actions Speak Louder Than Words (just in case Gingrich didn't get the memo)

Be the kind of person you talk about.
Be the things you expect in others.
Do what you say you will.
Have your word mean something.

Its like when Newt Gingrich (he's running for president by the way) stood up in congress and ranted about the evils of Bill Clinton for cheating on his wife  - at the same time he, married, was sleeping with a political aid 27 years his younger.

Other funny story. The bible belt has decided this 'Christian' (he sits and reads the bible as he waits to pick up his mistress), is a more moral candidate choice than Romney. And we thought we'd gotten over prejudices.

Practice what you preach.
We can't all be perfect.
We'll make mistakes.
But your actions speak louder than words, give them something good to say.

Happy Christmas Break

I am DONE with finals!

I only have three real semesters left of college. 

Holy Cow.

Thanks to the three lovely ladies for guest posting while I studied my heart out (intermingled with lots of 24, chicken and cheese quasidillas, and rock climbing). 

If you missed the guest posts be sure to check out them out

Taylor Ann from Love Always: Holiday Cheer

Gentri Lee: Santa Clause

Lauren from My Happy Thought

To Do list now that I am done with finals: 

1. Think: There are so many things I want to think about, decide on, and just ponder that I push aside to get done the little things during a semester. 

2. Finish the seventh season of 24. ITS KILLING ME. I want to watch all of it. Right now. Too bad Ben's still at work. 

3. CLEAN THIS APARTMENT. Oh my gosh. If you could only see the pile of laundry in our bedroom, you would understand. 

Just FIVE days 'till we had back to the winter beauty of the East Coast. 

I cannot wait. 

Merry Christmas,

Elisabeth 

Guest Post: My Happy Thought

Today I am excited to introduce you to a blogging friend of mine, and sponsor.
I love her blog theme and how she incorporates that positivity into everything.
I'll save the rest of my comments for after ...so without further ado:
Lauren, from My Happy Thought
---

Well hello Elisabeth's Readers!

I was THRILLED when Elisabeth asked me to do a guest post for her.

Isnt she the cutest thing ever? I love her positive thinking and fun/adventurous spirit!

I think we can all strive to be a little bit more like her.

I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Lauren and I blog over at My Happy Thought.

Some people don't quite understand the meaning of my blog title.

Peter Pan is one of my ALL time favorite stories.

Something about it is so magical and really strikes a cord in my heart.

One of my favorite themes in the story is the fact that, in order to fly, all you need is to simply

think happy thoughts.

I found my  happy thought on New Years Eve 2008.

He had sandy colored hair, adorable dimples, a strong jawline and the most handsome freckles.

My heart literally skipped a beat.

We were inseparable and made new and everlasting happy thoughts every day. I married my Prince on February 12, 2010.

Every day has been such an adventure and I wouldnt have it any other way.

We both get to add a New Happy Thought to our collection this coming May.

We are estatic to be parents.

(And a bit nervous!)

 

Something I always try to do, not only on my blog, but everyday, is count my blessings

-OR-

My Happy Thoughts

I recently started a series on my blog where friends, family and fellow bloggers can send me their happy thoughts.

You can see A Plethora of Happy Thoughts here.

(If you are interested in participating, contact me at lauren_e_jones{at}yahoo.com)

This Christmas season, I have felt particularly grateful and I'd like to share some of those happy thoughts with you.

1} Of course my sweet husband, Gavin, is at the top of my list.

Christmas can be stressful, and being pregnant only amplifies that!

I am so thankful for his support through hard and difficult times.

Its so great knowing he is there to comfort me and support me.

2} My new baby!

I have had a pretty easy pregnancy so far so thank my lucky stars!

I am so glad little baby Gardner is healthy!

3} My awesome family.

I couldnt ask for a more fun and supportive family.

They are there to make me laugh, to make me smile.

To support me when times are rough and to have crazy adventures together

Those are my MAIN happy thoughts, but of course, there are TONS of little ones to be thankful for:

A full nights sleep Graceful snowflakes

Smell of fresh pine trees

Laughter

True love

Twinkle lights on trees

Warm oatmeal

Seat warmers

Apple cinnamon cherrios

Naps

Christmas decorations

Love letters

A clean house

Good hair days

Hats for bad hair days

Locksley (my horse)

Movie quotes

Crafts

The Gospel The color red

Wishing on a star

Funny dreams

New and old friends

I would love for you to swing by my blog and say hello and maybe tell me a few of YOUR happy thoughts!

Thanks again Elisabeth for the opportunity!

Oh and dont forget to...

-----

Isn't she great? 

Funny story for you, when I was little I was in love with Peter Pan. 

We lived in Tokyo, close to Disney. 

One day, at around age 3 I decided I needed to make my love official.

So when I got to see Peter Pan that day, I proposed.

Yes, I asked Peter Pan to marry me.

He told me he couldn't go back to neverland if he got married. 

Somehow I survived the traumatic denial. 

But anyway - Lauren is great. And I love the reminder to think happy thoughts, to look for the best in things, and to always be positive. So go head over and check out her blog :) 

Love,

Elisabeth

PS. What are some of your happy thoughts this week? 

Holiday Guest Post: Gentri Lee

Just two more days of finals ...in the meantime I am excited to introduce you to my second holiday guest poster...Gentri Lee! I hope you already follow her adorable blog, but if not, you really should hop over and get to know her! I love her sense of style and happy posts :) 

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Merry Christmas to all of you La Vita e Bella readers! My name is Gentri and I blog over at Gentri Lee.

Wanna know something cool? Santa Clause is my grandpa. He has the cherry red nose, twinkle in his eye, and everything! Being related to Santa was great! He would come to all of our Christmas parties  and would show up at our house every Christmas Eve.

(That's me on your left in the white t-shirt, my younger sister is on your right, my older sister is center, and my two cousins are the little ones.)

My grandpa is gone now, but I love thinking of these memories every Christmas. He brought lots of joy to lots of kiddos. They couldn't even get my cousin to look away from him for this picture. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season that is filled with love and happiness. I'd love for you to stop by my blog sometime and say hello! I love making new bloggy friends!

And thank you Elisabeth for letting me guest post!

Happy Holidays!

Love,

Gentri

---

Short and sweet - lovely isn't she?

Back to studying :) 

Guest Post from Love Always: Christmas Cheer

Good Morning guys!
I am excited to be introducing my first of my lovely finals guest posts. This week is a little crazy and I decided to take the opportunity to share some wonderful girls and their wonderful blogs with you.

I am lucky enough to have first met Taylor my freshman year of college. She is fantastic. She is always happy, and always dressed in the cutest clothes! I don't see her as much anymore, but its always a treat when I do - and to substitute, I stalk her blog ..and I love it.
Enjoy!

----

Hey everyone :)

I'm so glad Elisabeth asked me to be a guest over here on La Vite e Bella today.

Seeing that I know her in real life, let me just inform you. 

She's an absolute doll, and darling to boot!

Today I get to blog about one of my favorite subjects...

Christmas!

it makes me happy just to think about it. 

wreaths and real christmas trees

baking and hot chocolate

family and friends

magic and excitement 

advent calendars

snow

& santa

and the list goes on. of course...

we know that those aren't the real reason for the season.

But I love them, and I think that's perfectly alright.

They remind me to breathe, 

and to be grateful for what I have.

To take a moment, or two, or three

to just sit and take life in.

 Mostly Christmas gives you a reason to celebrate the greatest gift we have been given: life.

We have the ability to have the greatest life there ever could be,

and it's all because He lived on earth for you and me.

Christmas gives us an excuse to have that Christlike spirit, 

to bake mini pies for your neighbors,

smile at a passerby, 

appreciate the wreaths and beautiful decor, 

and maybe dress up for a holiday themed date or two...

If you couldn't already tell...

I love the holidays for every reason there ever could be.

T-minus 2 days until I head home to enjoy them a little more fully!

...May your days be Merry and Bright.

Love Always,

Taylor Ann

If you want to check out my holiday season, stop by and say hello!

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Adorable isn't she?
What are some things you're loving this holiday season?

Love,
Elisabeth

Blogging Goals:

I have New Years goals - but I will share those with you later.
I believe that when we share our goals, we are more accountable for them.
Here are some silly, and serious blogging goals.

(Is it silly to have blogging goals?)

Tangible 
Have 2000 page views in 1 week.
147 followers by January 1, 2012.
(my first goal was 100- but I got there last month)
Link up somewhere everyday for 1 week (could be fun).
Have entered 100 different linky parties.
Have 100 AIDS quilt squares linked up.
(people making a difference).

Intangible

Make a difference.

Save (a small part of) the world.

Inspire someone.

Do you share your goals?
Do you hold yourself accountable?
Do you have blogging goals?

Our Little Weekend: Biking, Date Night, and Near Death Experiences

 

Our last weekend before finals left us with a full Friday to spend "studying."

Ben had been dying to go biking again and I was up for an excuse to try out my new camera.

Sorry for this picture overload :)

We live in a gorgeous place.

Brigham Young University. Provo, UT

He's a stud.

Our friend Tyler, the one responsible for Ben's new biking obsession.

hitting the jump

 

We had just an hour or so when we got home before we were supposed to meet friends for our triple date. I had made pizza dough and left it to rise a few hours before and so we took a stab at our very frist homemade pizzas!

 

Pizza #1. BBQ Chicken

I boiled bbq sauce, molasses, and honey together and then added pieces of chicken. After pouring that mixture on the dough we loaded it with pepperjack and cheddar cheese. Delicious.

 

Pizza #2. Silano

Inspired after Bertuccis' Silano pizza (my absolute favorite), I added some lemon pepper marinade to a basic cream sauce (butter, cream cheese, cream, flour). We added chicken, broccoli, and parmesan cheese. Not quite Bertuccis, but delicious none the less. 

 Then we headed up to Salt Lake City to see the lights at Temple Square.

We were joined by two of our favorite couples:

Carly and Ryan from Together We Can

and Brooke and Sam who blog over at Silver Lining.

We had so much fun just strolling through Temple Square, taking pictures, and enjoying dessert. I never knew eggnog icecream could taste that good :)

 

 I forgot to tell you about our near death experience on the way up to Salt Lake. We were driving rather fast, along with all the other cars in the far left lane, when suddenly the car in font of us SLAMMED on his brakes. Ben and his reflexes did the same thing and we skidded to a stop just a foot behind the other car. It took a few minutes before my breathing got back to normal. 

On the way home to Provo we started to notice the car sounding a little funny. Ben was having trouble keeping it straight and at one point I was sure the front right tire was going to fall off. We managed to get off the exit and to the side of the road just in time. We were grateful for friends a few minutes behind us who waited with us for the tow truck and took us home. It was an exciting ending to a wonderful night....although this particular type of excitement I could have gone without.

watching our little red car get towed away....

Lovely guest posts starting tomorrow so be sure to check back!

Love,

Elisabeth

PS. How was your weekend?