One Year Ago....

Exactly one year ago Jared and I became engaged! Since my handsome husband proposed with the best proposal known to man, I thought I would reminisce by sharing our story! We hope you enjoy!!!

April 30, 2008

At 10:30 am, I received a page from the front desk which read: “Rachel, could you come to the desk ASAP, I have a package for you. Thanks.” An agonizing hour later, I was finally able to break away to go retrieve my package; which contained a scroll and a beautiful corsage.

Scroll #1
To Thee, my love, these flowers commend.
In which a model of thyself I send.
That bouquet precious is, the rose is true.
As true, and then how much more precious you;
But this, as all things else, wastes with wearing,
Without haste go home to start preparing.
It is a rendezvous I seek with a true princess
I anticipate tonight I will experience success.

The ladies at work were really excited, as was I. We spent the whole afternoon trying to figure out what Jared might have planned. We finally concluded that since there were 4 roses in the corsage, and May 1 was our 4 month anniversary, that the event would be to celebrate our 4 months of dating.

So, at this point I had a corsage, but had no idea about any other details. As I was leaving work, I texted Jared letting him know I was on my way home and asked about the attire for the evening. Very uncharacteristically, he didn't text me back (until a little later when he knew I would already be at home!).

When I got home, I found a beautiful princess dress spread out on my bed and the second scroll.

Scroll #2
My lady's presence makes my heart's loud pulse sound
Terry not long to slip into your gown;
I have summoned a carriage you soon will see.
I plead, bring together my princess and me.
When six strikes from the clock you will hear
Take heed to precede your journey my dear.

My first thought was, "Jared is good!" Which of course, he is! As I was getting ready, Jared did text me back letting me know that all I needed to do was follow the instructions given and I would be fine. And that he couldn't wait to see me!

I was ready and waiting at 6, just as my instructions stated. But I was totally expecting Jared to be at the door. So when I answered and saw two people I had never met, I was a little taken aback. But my Fairy Godmother (aka Aunt Paula) quickly introduced herself and said her job was to help me throughout the evening. She was absolutely wonderful and filled me in on her extensive career as a Fairy Godmother, she has been at it for several hundred years! My chauffeur was very helpful as well, he even put my corsage on for me. As we stepped out of my house, I was met with my carriage- a beautiful white limousine. I really wasn’t expecting that at all and kept saying wow over and over again! Before leaving my house, Tommy the Chauffeur presented me with the third scroll.

Scroll #3

Inform the chauffeur the five note Cinema you seek

As the film previous viewed so tender and meek

Thy sweet loved remember such wealth brings,

Such as that of his cherished jewels to the King.

For like a treasured diamond thou are to me

This purpose request, the bureaucrat awareness unto thee.

This scroll took me to a movie theater that Jared and I have frequented. As my carriage pulled up, the Butler (aka Uncle Jim) stepped out and met me at my door. He helped me out of the car and then presented me with my jewelry - a blue necklace and blue earrings to match my dress! The Butler helped get my necklace on and presented the next scroll as he helped me back into my carriage. He really was a wonderful butler! He even told me how beautiful I looked!

Scroll #4

Depart swiftly thy Chauffeur ought to be enlighten

Tis' Madame Marrs the physician of science thy mission

Where at school I am of education clear

Shoes to clad thy feet will find thee there

When I count the clock that tells the time

Thoughts of thee behold my inquisitive mind.

This scroll led me to IUPUI campus and Dr. Marrs (one of Jared’s professors). I met her the night that I attended Jared's lab. She is just fantastic and was so excited to give me my shoes! She also gave me a big hug and my next scroll before I left her office.

Scroll #5
Ask ye my princess thou Chauffeur to bring,
Thy place we worship our Heavenly King.
Whom shall ye inquire, but the father who serves
My true princess now known to all who observe
I yearn to behold thy majestic sweeting
Journeys end in lovers meeting.

The scroll from Dr. Marrs led me to the church and President Malone. President Malone had my princess tiara- and tried valiantly to put it on for me. He also had the sixth and last scroll for me!

Scroll #6:
What's to come is still unsure
Till journeys end lovers can endure
Princess, notify thy Chauffeur proceed to thy castle.
Thy route knows he it shalt not be a hassle.
In thy honor a banquet held shall be
Where you will find your prince on bended knee.

As I read this scroll in President Malone's office, I finally started thinking that Jared might just be proposing! But then I told myself not to think that, just in case he wasn't, I didn't want to be disappointed. But as we were riding in the carriage to the castle, I thought that he would have to be proposing, because he would have a really hard time topping this!

When my carriage arrived at the castle, I was met by the Butler again. He escorted me up to the third floor to meet my Prince. Jared was dressed in full King attire and looked so awesome. And I was so excited to finally join him on my adventure. After Jared greeted me at the top of his landing, he escorted me down the hall and through a fantastic stone-looking cardboard archway with ivy trim. (Thanks AJ and Shantelle for painting cardboard for two weeks!!!) We then stepped into Jared’s apartment, which had been transformed into a castle, complete with a stone balcony! I really did feel like a princess in a fairy tale!

Jared seated me at the table on the balcony, retrieved a white pillow holding a Queen’s crown, and knelt before me on one knee. As part of his proposal, he asked if I would be his Queen and marry him! 

As Jared finished his wonderful speech, he pulled the ring box out of the pillow. After I had said yes (which I did not hesitate to say!), Jared slipped the most fantastic ring onto my finger. Then he replaced my Princess tiara with my Queen’s crown. Needless to say, it was the most perfect proposal!

Gardening Apartment Style or Parenting 101

A few weeks ago, Jared came home from teaching with a strawberry plant. A group had come in to teach the 7th graders how to plant and take care of strawberries. So we have been taking great care of our first plant - which is looking great. Today, Jared met me at the car with 7 vegetable plants - 5 tomato plants (all different flavors!) and 2 bell pepper plants. The biology club at IUPUI was having a fund raiser - 7 plants for $2.00. On our way home we stopped by the store for all of the supplies we would need to help our plants to grow big and strong. While we had a great time shopping, it was a little sad to have to buy rocks and dirt. Anyway, once we got home we started putting together our "garden."

Jared would get the soil all ready for our plant.

Then I would add a little water.

And voila - we now have a garden!!!!

As we were getting ready for bed, I was a little worried about our plants being out on the patio. So, Jared and I went to check on our "kids." We decided it might be a little too cold and windy for them to stay outside. So, our plants spent the night nice and warm and inside. Jared and I have decided that having a garden may be awesome parent training as well!!!

Our BIG Decision

So as many of you know my wife and I arrived at a crossroads not too long ago. I initially wanted to become a genetic counselor right out of my undergrad but Heavenly Father had a different plan for me. He led me here to Indy and to my beautiful wife. I thank Him everyday for stepping in and interrupting my plan. Well while I was being interrupted I decided to get a masters degree in Genetics. Well now that is coming to a close and I decided it was time to continue on with my original plan. I applied to 4 different genetic counseling programs and it was during this time my wonderful Heavenly Father decided to interrupt again and throw another option in my way....another masters degree in secondary education. While I was here in Indy I have had many wonderful opportunities to teach...freshman biology lab, guest lecture for freshman biology, high school teacher..etc! I developed a love for teaching and so now I had a decision to make...counseling or teaching! I interviewed for the teaching position and was selected as one of the top 30 candidates for the program before I even had an interview for the counseling programs. I decided to accept this route in case my others failed as a back-up...but with full intentions in sticking to my guns and going with my original plan. I interviewed at Denver, Cincinnati, and Houston. All were fabulous places and my wife and I discussed the details about all three and felt we could go to any of them. It would be a challenge, especially with Tori on the way when school started, but being the wonderful supporting wife Rachel is...she would go anywhere to make me happy. Finally decision day came and rejection came from all three schools. We were both depressed but once it set in we were at peace. It all made sense and so once again Heavenly Father had to show me His plan for me and that it was the better one. We do not know what is in store for us here in Indy, but as long as He is on our side we will stay with open hearts and bloom where we are planted!!! So for all you Hoosiers....hope you have room to accept three more into the Hoosier Clan because we Allen's are here to stay for a bit longer!!!!

Houston- Been there, done that, got a t-shirt!

Well, we didn't actually get t-shirts, but we did just get back! Jared was going out to interview at the University of Texas on Thursday and Friday. I came along so I could hang out with our Awesome Allen family while he was busy at the school. While we were there I was able to visit the Holocaust museum with Dad Allen, Douglas, and Nikki. We also got a great tour of downtown Houston - thanks Dad! Friday evening we got to have family pictures taken (to be added later). They all turned out so great, and we had such a fun time taking them! Derek's Eagle Court of Honor was held on Saturday. Getting ready for the Court of Honor turned out to be a little crazy since it was raining pretty much all day. Here is a great picture of Jared and Kurtis fixing the gutter, during the rain storm, so we all wouldn't get dripped on during the program. Don't they both look so cold?

Luckily, the rain cleared up and we had perfect weather for the Court of Honor. To start out, Dillon played the National Anthem on his bassoon. He did such an awesome job!!!

Here is a picture of the new Eagle Scout Derek with our old Bishop.

Congrats on your Eagle Derek. We are so proud of you!!!

Like always, our trip went way too fast. But we did have a ton of fun and can't wait to visit again!

Oh Boy, Oh Boy...

Our Peanut is a GIRL!!!! We had our 20 week ultrasound last Thursday (April 16th). The night before, Jared had a long pep-talk with Peanut. He explained that Thursday was going to be a very big day and not to be shy and show us who would be coming to our family. It must have worked because the ultrasound technician was almost 100% sure that we are having a girl. We just hope that she continues to listen like that for a really long time!

Just a few other updates, she is measuring 3 days smaller than our due date of September 1st and weighs 11 ounces. Her heart rate was 140. Everything is developing great - she even has two ears! We are even more excited and can't wait to have her in our home!
So, without further ado - we would like to formally introduce you to our little Victoria Mae:

In this view she is holding her hand up in front of her face.

Here are her legs.

And one adorable foot - she has all five toes!

Happy Easter

Today we celebrated our very first Easter as a married couple!!!

Check out Jared's awesome Easter tie - thanks Mom and Dad!!!

We started out our morning by watching Reflections of Christ. It was the perfect way to remind us why we really celebrate Easter. This continued as we went to church and had a wonderful Sacrament meeting. We heard such tender talks all focused on our Savior and His amazing sacrifice for us. Today we celebrate the greatest gift any of us have ever been given - Our Savior's Atonement and His Resurrection. We are so humbled and grateful that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each of us so much to give us such a wonderful gift - there really are no words to describe the depth of our gratitude. In this same spirit, we whole-heartedly wish you all a very happy Easter!

Belly Updates

The last few weeks I have been growing out of most of my pants and some of my shirts. This has been really good for me - which may sound strange. But, since I haven't been gaining much weight (which has been a little stressful), it has been nice to know that I really am growing! Last night Jared and decided it was time to start packing things away. Here is photo-documentation of our 'spring cleaning' - Krista, thanks so much for the maternity clothes you sent - I am going to need them soon! We are now 19 weeks along, so it is time for a belly shot -

But to give some perspective, here is my belly compared to Jared's (this one is my favorite) -

No Bears......

I don't know if anyone else played night games growing up. Our neighborhood in Hyde Park was full of kids, and we sure loved our night games. One of our favorites to play in the fall was called No Bears Are Out Tonight. The person who was it was buried in a pile of leaves. Then everyone else ran around the pile singing "no bears are out tonight, Daddy shot them all last night." The person in the pile (a.k.a. the bear) would then jump out of the leaves and chase everyone. The first person they caught became the new bear. And the game would start all over.

Now, this little jaunt down memory lane was sparked by my oh so handsome husband. The other night I was brushing my teeth, when I glanced over to see this:

I started laughing and images of playing No Bears are Out Tonight came rushing back. Sadly, Jared did not have the thrill of playing this game growing up. So, I explained the game and then he started to channel playing a bear- at least I think that is what he was doing:

I love my Jare-Bear so very much, he is just so adorable!!!