SKYPE!

GREATEST invention ever!!!

I didn't think I would be able to say this but..

Today I got a texted from bradens mom saying braden called her and that he said he gets to skype at their house tonight!

Well I went over there and I saw him and got to talk to him!!!! :)))

I was seriously love struck like I just sat there smiling as big as I could!!

haha! I love that boy!! It was super hard to hold back in the tears though!!

But such an awesome thing!! We got to talk to him for a long time it seemed bout like more than a hour!! it was really nice!! :)

Aw!!! I'm still smiling!!! And it's like 4 hours later hahah!

I've never been so happy in my life! :)

I can't wait till he comes back!

His mom was like matti is counting 22 more months! :)

I sat like a little far away and tried to get a picture so no one notice!

Its a little blurry! but it's him! :)

As I was trying to take the picture,

he goes "hey you no texting!" And I was like crap ha i'm not texting! Ha! I'm taking a picture of you!

My cover was blown ha ha!

can't wait till mothers day! to see him again! :)

Seeing him makes me feel so much better!

I can do this!!! :) :)

Its really blurry:/

2 months;

2 months down<3 yay!!! Only 22 more!!

Only one more christmas now! :)

It's so crazy how fast it's already gone by, even though it's not that long.

To me it seems like 200000000 years haha. I miss him more and more everyday!

Yesterday was a good day, I went to his parents house for Christmas.

And his whole family was there, it was so fun i love being around them :)

His mom and dad got me a giftcard and some jewerly it was super sweet of them to do that! :)

I had gotten them a basket full of stuff, like soda, popcorn, candy and a movie!

But it was really weird since braden wasn't there. :(

it was my first time being around his whole family since the night he got separted. So it was a little weird to me. But i still enjoyed being around them and glad I went :)

I am finally putting up pictures of what I sent up in  my room :)

These are on my dresser!

Okay to explain the picture on the right, haha it was when he got his wisdom teeth out and he was out ha!

But the best part about it, he works for cutco, it's like knives he sells.

And he has his cucto buisness cards in his hand cause he told his mom and dad to hand them out hahahaha oh boy do i love that boy :) :) :)

Christmas;

Merry, Merry Christmas!(:

Cutest elf :) ha my niece hadli!

Christmas Eve I had to work till about 7! Bummer I know! Then I came home and my whole family was over and we ate and opened presents!

My mom started a tradition with us that we each get three gifts.

To Cherish, For Fun & to Use.

Plus Santa presents of course.

But as we were about to open my sister Whitni goes one of your gifts might make you cry so stay strong ha! And i said does it have to do with Braden?

And she didn't answer, so I thought oh great! haha I'm gonna end up crying!

Well, I did ha. But it was such a strong moment.

I started opening my cherish gift and there were 3 gifts that went all together.

Opened up the first one and it was a license plat border that says I love my missionary and at the bottom it says faithfully waiting ha it was cute!

Then the next one is where it went down hill ha, it was a little key chain and I didn't even get done reading it but once I read the my heart is in Peru the tears just came down.

But it was so strong, my mom and sister Whitni started crying! It was just such a cool moment!

But then my other gifts to go along with it was a box that says love letters where I can put all his letters in!

And it also came with cards that say I love my Missionary! And I also got these blocks that count down till he comes back!!

It was way cute! :) I loved it so much!

My mom is the best :)

My sister Mckinli, got me this sticker I can put on my back windshield that says I love my missionary ha :)

The sticker for my car :)

The box & license plate border ha

My blocks!

Key chain!

After opening presents and when some of the family left, my mom got gingerbread houses to make because braden wanted me to make one for him!

Well, it didn't turn out well AT ALL! hahahah :)

So I like to say its what the houses in Peru look like!

Five minutes later hahaha.

Greatest Aunt right here :)



Merry Christmas Everyone! :)

Hope you rememeber the true meaning, and to thank God for all the wonderful gifts you recieved! :)



A Dear John song, "My Letter" by 10th Concession

Christmas Eve News;

Got a email at 7am this morning from him saying he's not allowed to call nor skype on Christmas.

It's kind of a damper on my Christmas but at least I have his letters and his family, which is the closet I can get to him.

&I'm okay with that!

I didn't think last Christmas it would be the last Christmas with him, it never really hit me.

But I can definitely say it's hitting me right now.

It just makes you want to really CHERISH your loved ones on Christmas.

I'm so grateful for my family and how they have been here for me through this hard time for him. I know it hasn't been that long since he left but my family has been right here beside me.

And i'm so grateful for that, I love them so much! :)

Also grateful for his family for being so welcoming to invite me over for Christmas!

They are literally my second family!

For all you missionary girlfriends out there listen to this song, if you don't get a call on Christmas or you just need some encouragment!

(:

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!! :)



Dream;

Last night I had the worst and best dream at the same time. 

I had a dream Braden came home, and it felt sooo real to me. 

Like he called me from his phone and said he's home & i rushed over there. 

We spent the whole day together & the next morning I got a good morning text. 

It all felt so real. :( I woke up and just started balling. 

No one really understands like what i'm going through. I was talking to this kid about it and he's like your such a baby, your too obsessed. 

?? It doesn't help when someone says that to you, it just made me cry even more. 

I think i'm a pretty strong person to be doing this. And hey, yeah maybe ill cry along the way just because i miss the boy i love. I don't think it makes me a baby, or obsessed. 

It just frustrated when they don't know nor understand. 

I don't want him to come home because that would cause problems with his family and everything. 

Is it bad to say I wish he was here, cuddling with me? 

But i know he's there and needs to be there. God needs him more than me. And that's so selfish of me to think like that. 

I guess i'm just a little emotional but it's Christmas time. So i have an excuse ha :) 

At least he's just gone for two years and not forever! 

I love this boy more than anyone else. 

Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree.

Last night I was working till 1am and I had school the next day so I was pretty pissy! Well, I came home and found the greatest thing in my room!! 

My sister Whitni and my mom had put this Christmas tree in my room all light up! 

But the best thing about it was that it had ornaments of like paper t shirts with elder bybee on it, hearts cut out, pictures of him, a book of Mormon, and name tags that say Elder braden bybee it was the cutest thing! And also the Peru Flag at the top!

I just sat on my bed and balled for like 30 minutes! I love it sooo much! I seriously have the greatest, creativeness family in the whole wide world!! :) 

Thanks so much guys I love you!! :)) I love it! 

All light up :) 

You are my strength when I'm weak.

Letter numero 2 in one week!! Yayy!!! So excited!! I saw it in the mail and seriously started jumping up and down! Pretty sure people that drive past me think i'm insane!! ha ha it's whatever I don't care ha! :) 
I can never open it before I start to ball :( It's like tears of happiness and tears of i miss him! :( It's really good to hear from him though! he's just super i mean SUPER home sick :( 
It just makes it worse for me cause I don't want him suffering or being home sick! I want him happy and doing good! like he is doing good just wish he wasn't home sick!! 
Hopefully things get better in time and I will pray more and more for him to get better! Poor little kid :( I bet it's hard around Christmas too! 
Cutest thing ever though: "I'm going to be the ideal husband for you i'll cook, clean, make you food, change diapers, make you feel like a princess!" 
He's soo cute! I literally am the luckiest girl in the whole wide world!! I know everyone says that but I really am! :) 
I drove past my neighbors house and saw a welcome home poster and it made me get a little teary eyed but more excited for the day when my baby gets home!! 
I'm very proud of him!! I just hope starts not to get home sick anymore! 
I love this boy. 
& miss him WAY TOO MUCH! 

My picture that's in my room!! :) 

His pictures are perfect! Boston is the boys name we like when he have kids! ha 

Wreck;

Saturday morning, I was picking up my friend and we were headed to a wrestling match for the little league at my school. My friend and I were going to help out. Taylor, Braden's little brother that is my age is a wrestler. Just some info! 

Well, I was headed to the school and was about to pass in the middle of a intersection when I looked to my right and saw this big crash, like pieces of car all over the road. And two looking trucks were up on the curb. Well, I look closer and it was a truck and a red explorer. Taylor drives a red explorer so I started freaking out and was saying to my friend, "IS THAT TAYLOR?!!! Please please don't tell me that is Taylor! 

I look in my rear view mirror and see a red jacket and last year they all got red winter jackets for Christmas. So by now I knew it was him, so i hurried and did a U turn. And pulled into a gas station and ran to Taylor. 

Luckily, he was okay! Just a little shaken up since it's his first wreck! I just keep rubbing his back I felt sooo bad! Poor kid :( If something happened to one of his family members I would be crushed! they are like my own family! And Taylor is like a little brother to me! 

He totaled his explorer and the truck he hit was totaled as well. 

It wasn't his fault, he said he was going straight through the intersection and it was about 730 am so it wasn't too dark or too light and he didn't have his lights on. So the guy driving the truck probably didn't see him and was taking a left. And Taylor just t bowed him.

No ticket for Taylor and he has another truck to drive! And he's okay :) Not hurt, just a little sore!

So grateful Braden is where he is, I'm sure Heavenly Father was definitely protected Taylor. Got to love blessings!! :) 

Taylor's Explorer 

Truck he hit

For the times we can't be together, I've got your letter.

Its been oh i don't know 4 flippin WEEKS!!!!! Since I haven't gotten a letter since he's been in Peru!! Today was the perfect day to get one! I didn't even open it yet before I started balling! But tears of happiness!! :) until i read the letter then those tears turned into i miss you tears :( 

Today, getting ready for school and I go out to start my car and NOTHING!! :( Not even a sound goes off. It's completely dead :( and it's not the battery because the radio turns on! So I was running late for seminary! And i had to have someone come get me! And today just hasn't been a good day since my car ruined it! 

I get home check the mail and find " Mattisyn Lynn Fennell" Instantly I knew it was from him!! I've NEVER been so happy!! Awh! :) loved it! He's very home sick :( so it's really hard knowing he is like that. :( 

But his letters are always without a doubt thee cutest things :) he loves to draw pictures! 

In like all the letters or emails, it's "don't leave me or don't forget about us" haha it's cute! but way sad :/ 

In his letter today he wrote that he wants to change the promise ring he gave me to a engaged ring haha and that i'm his fiance! (: haha he's too cute! 

I miss him so much! And his kisses and hugs! 

I hate this kind of weather cause we would always cuddle up! 
To explain this picture below!!
I have always wanted to name my first girl Hollynn! (: 

When you're weak, I'll be strong. When you let go, I'll hold on.

When you need to cry, I swear that I'll be there to dry your eyes.

 When you are lost & scared to death, like you can't take one more step,

Just take my hand, and together we can do it. 

I'm gonna love you through it. <3 

Love who God gave you, because it's for a reason.

This picture takes place when he was leaving for the MTC! All packed up ready to go! :) 

My baby, the man of my dreams. He came into my life for a reason and i'm SO grateful for that. He sweeped me off my feet with his good looks and charm<3 He's the reason my life is more than amazing. He simply makes the word "amazing" happen. As my dad likes to call him Mr. Wonderful :) I feel like it's the perfect name for him! He has always been here for me when I need him. I miss calling him when something funny, exciting, or any kind of news happens! It's going to be a weird Christmas this year without him! Last year we spent the whole day together! I might not get a call on Christmas because he will still be in the MTC in Peru  :( but maybe Skype! hopefully!! :)

It's been a rough week :( I don't know why. But once I like think about him or someone mentions his name my eyes just start watering :(

On this past Saturday, I was just driving not even thinking about him. And just all the sudden started balling my eyes out :( 

I'm so grateful for the waiting for a missionary on Facebook girls because they of course know what i'm going through!! Its hard to explain to friends and others how hard it really is and why i'm having a hard time with this. 

I was with this boy, EVERY DAY allll day long. Going from that to nothing and only emails every week. No phone calls only christmas, mothers day and when he was in Atlanta leaving for Peru. It's extremely hard because his younger brother is in my grade and goes to my school. 

So when I see him, I think of Braden. :( And his little brother like wears Braden's shoes and it just makes me miss him even more! :( 

Saying goodbye at the MTC, I wasn't there though because I knew it would be WAY to hard. His little brother in background, and Braden hugging his dad. 

His dad, Braden, his mom and little brother Taylor. 

Not his companion, but a really good friend of his that he used to play soccer with! They both got sent to Peru! 

This seriously just makes me laugh every time I see it :) 

16 months;

August 8th 2010, was when our journey began! It's been the best 16 months of my life and I wouldn't change it for the world! He means so much to me! In my letter that I was writing today I thought of a cute little idea! 

I decided to write to him 17 reasons why I love him! :) here they are! 

1. I love you because you make me laugh when I'm sad. 

2. I love you because you've always been here for me when I need you. You're the one person I know I can count on with anything & everything.

3. I love you because you treat me perfect, just the way I deserve :) 

4. I love you because you call me beautiful when I think I look my worst. 

5. I love you because you wrap your arms around me and protect me when i'm feeling scared. 

6. I love you because you can never stay mad at me, even if you tried :)

7. I love you because you put me first, before yourself and anyone else. 

8. I love you because your the sexiest, most handsomest guy to me (: 

9. I love you because you have the best looking facial hair ha ha ha :) i love it! 

10. I love you because you call me every night to say goodnight and every morning to say good morning! Well used to :) 

11. I love you because when I've been at the hospital all those times, you were right there holding my hand, laying in bed with me taking care of me. 

12. I love you because you don't make me do things I don't want to do. 

13. I love you because you're scared of heights too :) and we have so much in common! 

14. I love you because you know me better than I know my own self. 

15. I love you because how of outgoing you are to my family and caring you are towards them. 

16. I love you because you left behind everything and your loved ones to serve our Heavenly Father. Because your willing to put him first and I love that about you. You're an amazing example to me and I'm so grateful to have you in my life babe. 

I love my Elder :)  

Advice for Missionary Girlfriends;

A Little Word Of Advice; 

Whether he just left, is going too or has been for a while. ALWAYS stay positive! It is the one thing that will help you get through this. I know I don't have too much experience yet but I think I can help a little. My mom waited for my dad while he went on his mission. I can't say they are still happily married but the mission thing wasn't the reason why they aren't together. My mom wouldn't change waiting for my dad, she grew so much stronger from the experience. And I know all you missionary girlfriends out there will too. Hang in there and stay strong for your boy. When writing letters or emails, what you wanna do is like I said STAY POSITIVE! The last thing he wants to hear is how much you miss him and how much you can't live without him! That will just make him wanna come home even more. 

I know it's hard for you but think of how much harder it is for him. He has to go to a new place, new home with no family or people he knows and live there for the next 2 years. Share your testimony with him in the letters or emails. Share cool, fun experiences you've had and sometimes share funny, good memories you two have had. If you're ever feeling sad write in a journal and let it all out. Also, PRAY PRAY PRAY it helps so so much. I can tell you I haven't prayed this much in a while. Because he's been gone I've prayed a lot more. And grown closer to my Heavenly Father much more already. You get so much comfort from it and reassurance that your boy is doing good. 

Surround yourself with good friends that will have a good influence on you. This one has been the hardest for me because one of my best friends isn't strong in the church and doesn't have the same standards as me. And I had to stop hanging around her because of that. It's not easy, of course, but it will definitely be worth it. 

Try to hang around his family as much as you can. Especially on the holidays to show you care. If you can't, try and talk to them as much as possible. That would be bad if you didn't see them the whole two years and then you guys end up together when he gets home and they are like "where have you been?" Ya know? 

Turn to your Heavenly Father and family. Those are definitely my two biggest support systems. My family has been here so far with me and support me. I'm so grateful for them, they are amazing! 

Date around, I haven't yet because it's only been a little over a month. But I have heard that if you date around it will help a lot. Even if you don't want to, just go and see all the things that, that boy doesn't do that your missionary does. What you love about your missionary and how your missionary is better for you. Maybe just take a really good guy friend out on a date just for fun because you know there will never be any feelings towards it. 

 Don't dwell on the days he's been gone. Always look forward to how many till he comes home. This falls under the category always stay positive. What helps me is thinking of the lesser number with everything. For example, 2 more Christmas's or in 1 more Halloween for me.

"Missing someone gets easier everyday, because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will." :) 

Also, get a calendar! It helps so much! At first it might seem like it's gonna be forever but it does help! You can get them at Deseret Book or I'm sure Seagull Book. I made a board that I hang in my room of pictures of him and my calendar, that's by my bed. So I can look out it before I go to bed and when I wake up! :) 

Here's some quotes that might help; :) 

"The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason why you held on for so long." 

"Missing someone is your heart's way of reminding you that you love them."

"We have something special that no one, no distance, no time can take away... We have each other."

"If I could plant a seed every time I think of you, I could walk forever in my garden."

"Remember that wherever you are or whatever you do, your never alone our Heavenly Father is always near you can reach out & receive his aid through pray."

"All trails are to see how obedient we are to what the Lord has commanded us."

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail." 

Promise Ring, Letters & More;

First off, before he left he got me thee prettiest promise ring!! :) I wear it all the time! Right now it is getting resized though because it was a little too big! I just have such tiny fingers ha! It was kept a secret for a little bit from his family because they aren't super supportive on that. My family on the other hand was so excited! They think of braden was already part of the family! I love my fam :) they are so supportive to me! They have helped me so much already getting through this! Sooner or later his family found out but haven't really said anything to me about it! 

There it is :) 

In his letters, he is soo cute!! :) he's a little homesick but he's loving it there! He's always gotten homesick easily though, like going on vacation and what not! But he's doing great so far :) He left the MTC in Provo on the 16th of November. I got an amazing, suprising phone call from him later that day from Atlanta!! Best 20 minutes<3  He says they are very accepting there in Peru and he says he's a "latino with a bad tan line." hahahah. In his letters he loves to draw pictures :) here are some! 

December 4th 2011;

Today was such a special day. A cute baby got blessed, not any cute baby. My beautiful niece!! It was such a cool, spiritual experience! I'm so grateful to be a aunt, I love it so much!! Its literally the greatest thing! Watching them grow up will be such a cool thing! I'm so very blessed with my family. They mean the world to me. I wish Braden could have been there today, but thank goodness for email cause I can just send him some pictures of it! My family sure misses him a lot but we're very grateful for what he's doing and so proud!! 

 My beautiful niece Hadli :) 

Our Journey;

My missionary is named Elder Braden Bybee, he is called to serve in the Lima Central, Peru mission. He left October 26, 2011. I've never been so proud of him! He's such an amazing person for doing this and will be blessed in so many ways! He left his family for 2 years so others can have theirs for eternity! 

He's my strength, my foundation, my everything! <3 He literally means the universe to me! 

We met from one of my friends Lexie, sophomore year! She told me to text him so I did ha ha! We hung out and instantly connected! Then we sort of went our ways and didn't really talk for a bit! Then my junior year rolls around and we started talking up again. August 8th of 2010 was when he asked me to be his girlfriend<3 I'm his very first girlfriend!! :) & last!! We were laying on my tramp looking at the stars, it was thee cutest moment! We've been together ever since! Almost 16 months! 

We talked every single day, we were together every day all day :) Saying not "goodbye" but "ill see you later" on October 25th was the hardest day of my life. I'm so lucky to have someone like him! I'm definitely waiting the whole 2 years for this boy :) yes, he's THAT special!! :) We've been through thick and thin! 

This past summer we went on the most amazing trip ever! My sister Mckinli, her husband Devan, their kid Ty, Braden and Me went to California! It was amazing and I loved it so much!! We went to beaches, Disneyland & California Adventures! And we stopped in at Vegas for a night! 

I loved waking up to him every morning and kissing him goodnight :) I miss that! But looking forward to when he gets back<3 

I love my Elder with all my heart! <3