I've been in Ukraine

The first time I was really impressed with Bobby was when I called him and asked what he was doing. He told me he was at the nursing home- just for fun- playing Bingo with the residents. Sigh.

Well the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. My mother-in-law is a wonderful, serving person. Years ago she began a program called TOUCH (Take One Ukrainian Child's Hand) in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. The organization supports an orphanage, a program for girls to learn skills to take them into the workplace, a program for children without parents in the home, a Roma school, and even more stuff I can't remember right now. AND Bobby's dad helps in the medical field in Ukraine, and they send shipments of needed supplies from the US.

I had the opportunity to go with my in-laws to Ukraine! And what a incredible time I had. So many thank-yous to the Ramptons. I would love to go again next year with my mom. Here are some pictures of Ukraine, and our day in Budapest, Hungary the day before our flight home...

This is me with some darling kids from the Roma school. They were so so sweet.

This is our church in our hotel room on Sunday! Three members in Uzhhorod. So great meeting them.

This is of the wonderful TOUCH delegation. I met some really inspirational people there.

Below is me with the girl Bobby and I sponsor, Anna. She is a real sweetheart.

Here is a doctor his family we ate with one night. Ukrainians are SO hospitable.

The younger kids loved to have pictures taken of them, then to look at their reflection. So I have a lot of pictures of kids! I made collages of some of them to show you how cute they were.

This is the orphanage kids getting homemade quilts.

This is a picture of my father-in-law giving a speech at a rally against breast cancer.

We painted at the orphanage. Except the kids were so excited that they actually did the majority of the painting.









A bunch of kids that are part of an after school program supported by TOUCH. They put on a show for us, that I will have to download a video of later.

We went to a "hot tub" that had fire heating it underneath!

One of quite a few castles we got to see! The Ramptons took me to one up-close.

We got-by without knowing Ukrainian because of wonderful student volunteers who would translate for us. Ira was my favorite. I miss her!

One of Bobby's good friends, Nandan was there. And it was so fun to get to know him better. This is us in front of some orthodox church.






Although I knew we would be in Budapest for a few days, I didn't think about it until we were there! Budapest is a beautiful, incredible city! I have a lot of pictures from here but here are some favorites...

Getting gelatos :)

St. Mark's Cathedral

Looking over Budapest

Alice :)

Budapest at night

Going to Ukraine was such a special, life-changing experience. A big, huge, enormous, gigantic colossal thanks to the Ramptons for the opportunity. I feel so blessed to have gone. Thank you!

Should We Respond??

Mom

My mom left this morning back for Colorado. It was SO good to have her, and sad to see her go. What did her relaxing vacation entail, you might ask? Decorating my house! Not relaxing, but boy did I appreciate her help. She is a wonderful interior designer. We also ate at this great Mexican restaurant, went to Stake Conference, watched the BYU game, and played at the pool.

My mom is the best! I love being around her and so does everyone else that she meets. I want to be like her in so many ways. Thanks for coming out, mom!!!!

Next stop, seeing mom #2 in Ukraine!

"The Y"

As everyone (it seems) on my news feed updates their statuses about back to school, BYU, football, and pulling out their uggs, I begin to feel...not homesick, just sentimental- an emotion which Bobby thinks he sees much too much of.

This blog post is in memory of our Alma Mater (not Dura Mater, Bobby & friends), Brigham Young University. Here is to the game on Saturday (well done!) and to all the BYU football and basketball games we watched. Oh and frisbee, of course. Here is to those ward directories and dating classes during Sunday school, mona lake and Y mount. Here is to class prayers before starting algebra and cramming for religion tests. Here's to Jimmer.

We are grateful alumni. We loved our time spent at BYU. I seriously can't believe it's over. To all you freshman, get the kids meal at the creamery and sit by a window in the music room while in the testing center. Register for classes at 2:00 am instead of 12:00 am. And true story- if you get denied adding a class, it must be so that two young lovers such as Bobby and I could meet. Date those who follow the honor code. Rent movies from the library, and remember that you can always talk your way out of library fines. Take your History of Creativity project seriously. If you ask to shoot the canon during the football games, they will let you. And it's possible to live without a car for three years, but not four (dad). And common, cougars don't cut corners.

And enjoy beautiful BYU in the fall...while it lasts.

I've a Feeling We're Not In Utah Anymore

My suspicion why...

1. It is CAUTION:HOT here! This week the high was 118 degrees (or so I hear)! And instead of being cold when I go outside, it is cold inside of buildings. Especially in church, darn suit wearers.

2. (Related to #1) People want to come visit us! But not until the winter. Come winter time, our house will be hoppin'. (Our first ever guests- The Fowlers)

3. I have been corrected twice now to use significant other instead of assuming husband/wife.

4. After having trouble remembering names, I realized it is because there is no ward directory

for my neighbors. This...

makes remembering my neighbors names so much easier! Don't take it for granted, Provo kids!

5. The sky is huge in Arizona! Bobby and I think it's because there are no mountains in the way? Regardless, we love the blue blue blue in the day and the red paintings from Heavenly Father each night.

6. Craigslist.com is a new bookmark of mine. And found in purple instead of blue are "Furniture" and "Medical/ Health." If you know of any jobs in Public Health in Glendale, let me know. Never before have I bought furniture! Boy, has it been an adventure. We bought our couch from someone that looked like this:

(Pic had to be removed so I could put ads on my blog lol. Just imagine a gangster.)

(Here is the story- We found a sectional couch we really liked on Craigslist. We drive down down town to this sketchy neighborhood where we meet this gangster who is going to sell it to us. He leads us to his garage where I thought he was going to lock us up to the couch. He points, "There it is." Only problem was that was wrapped up and covered in boxes and mattresses and stuff. Bobby said, "Can we pull it out and look at it?" And the gangster replied, "Ah man, if we pull it out everything is going to fall." Well eventually he did let us take it out, but the couch that was supposed to be 4 parts was only 3. Looking shocked, he said that we could buy the middle section at any store....So we left. The gangster called us back a few minutes later and said that he really needed to sell it, and that we had been looking at the wrong picture- the sectional was really only a 3 piece sectional. We went back and again convinced him to take it out of the dark garage. He said that if we were to unwrap it, we would have to buy it because it would lose it's value. I know, sketchy right? Against our better judgement, we told him we'd take it if he would deliver right then. He agreed and stacked 3 parts of the couch on top of his truck- about 25 feet high. Bobby told me to unwrap that couch as soon as I could to look for tears or drugs or who knows what as he paid the gangster. He couldn't help us bring it upstairs because he was late for the casino. Turns out- it really is a brand new, spotless couch! And we love it. )

7. Meet our new friends, the Jacksons.

8. My baby is going to medical school! Wish us luck!! (He was too embarrassed to take this picture during the daytime)

Welcome to Grandview Village #21

 

The Love Story

 For those of you who want the long story...

Last May 15th, 2010ish Michael McConkie invited me, my roommate Anna Carnel and her twin, Crystal, to go on a big double date with his three friends- plus a bunch of other people- to Austin Story's dream cabin.

It was a great day! We went four-wheeling, played baseball in the barn, played with the baby chickens and horses, ate and played sardines. Us three girls got there like an hour before the boys got there. I think we went on the four-wheelers without the boys there yet. I went on the four-wheeler with Parley Vernon, which was fun, then with Michael and Anna. Michael tipped the four-wheeler and I fell off! (This picture is of the day I met Bobby Rampton)

I remember when Bobby Rampton finally arrived. How could you miss it?! He was so tall! And soo handsome. That was my first thought. He was dressed up- if I remember right he was wearing a white and blue stripped long polo. I honestly remember trying not to look at him so much, or else he was going to think I was weird. Although I wouldn't have felt out of place because every girl was drooling. I think Anna or Crystal made some sort of "Hello!!" comment.

Finally the date night began, since all our dates had finally arrived. We went into the barn to play wiffleball. I remember asking Anna or Crystal which of us three were paired with who. I wanted to know if I had been paired with this stud! She said it didn't matter since it was such a big group date, that we didn't know who we were paired with. So I dropped it. We played wiffleball and it was fun!

After that, we played sardines. Here we had to pair off into couples because we were playing couples. Unfortunately, Crystal was paired with Bobby. I remember they were "it" and they hid under a bed. I was so jealous! They were cuddling under that bed- I even remember Crystal bringing it up later. So I tried to forget about that ladies man.

Austin and I dated for a little while that summer. Once he took me out to the batting range. And who should double with us but Bobby Rampton and his date. Bobby payed no attention to me whatsoever. He was completely consumed with his girlfriend. I ached for a little attention, but I was ok with Austin. The couples had a competition together, who could hit it farthest and with the most accurately. I had never hit a golf ball before in my life, besides mini-golfing. His date was on the golfing team in high school. But we still won! Bobby still owes my date and I desert!

From then until October(ish), all I remember is running into him now and then on campus. We would say hi, but I didn't even know if he remembered my name. Somehow we got each others numbers, but I don't remember him asking for it. And I certainly did not ask for his. In about October I had a missed call from "Bobby Rampton!!!" That is what his name was under in my phone- three exclamation points. He didn't leave a message so I didn't know if he called me on accident or if he wanted me to call him back or what. So I tected him, "Hey! Do you want me to call you back?" He never responded. Rude. Yet it still made my day that he called me. I hoped it would happen again.

Then this leaves me at winter break 2010. My family made predictions on when I was going to get married. I said something like 2014. I don't think anyone guessed this summer, but if they had I would have rolled my eyes at them. I accepted the fact that I would be graduating without finding someone to be with.

January 10, 2010- Bobby Rampton's Birthday. I read it on facebook. I considered writing happy birthday on his wall, but there were too many girls, I would have been forgotten in a second. So I nervously wrote, and re-wrote a draft of a text message to him. It was a happy birthday poem. Pretty cheesy. I was so scared to send it. But I figured, what is the worst that can happen?

He texted me back that it was the best happy birthday he'd received all day. Then he sarcastically asked if I'd marry him. We were being pretty brave considering how little we knew of each other. I responded that he was asking for a pretty big birthday present. He told me I had until midnight to decide. I never responded! I know, I feel bad. But what could I say? I already did want to marry him! But I couldn't tell him that! So I chickened out and didn't say anything. Luckily for me, he texted me a couple of times more until our class. I remember this because the day before I dropped my sister off at the MTC she asked me who I was texting. I asked if she wanted to meet him, but she asked me "Why would she?" And I couldn't think of a legitimate answer besides that I had a huge crush on him. (This is an extract from Bobby's facebook page on his birthday. Notice all the ladies! Of course I would have been lost in this!)

Two days later, we had a class together. The previous week, my two guy friends had tried to add the class with me. However, the teacher (my future brother-in-law) wouldn't add them because the class was too full. What a blessing that turned out to be. Had he added them, I would have obviously sat by them all semester. On Wednesday the 12th, I instead sat with Derek Spitzer, but during break I talked to Bobby Rampton. He asked me to come sit with him, I left and sat with Bobby and his friends. I was a little timid because his friend Luke asked me to do a creativity project and roll around the classroom in saran wrap, I didn't know how to respond. I began wishing I had continued to sit with Derek (just kidding). After class Derek still drive me home. He asked me out for that weekend. But I hoped that maybe I'd do something with Bobby. 
(Our class together)

That Thursday, Bobby called me and asked me to go to the hot pots with his friends. He made it really casual saying that a lot of people were going and that I could bring any of my girlfriends. I pleaded with my roommates to go with me, but they all had plans already. That also proved to be a blessing. Normally I would never consider going in a situation like this. They were staying for two days. I knew no one in the group besides Bobby, who was extremely social. Against my better judgment, I told him I'd go. When I called to tell him that, I asked him what he was doing right then. He said he was playing BINGO at the local nursing home. At that moment, it changed from a teenage crush to someone I could consider actually being with. I remember thinking-wow. This guy has got it together. I was so very impressed. I was still so nervous to go, but I was so excited. I wanted more time with this Bobby Rampton kid.

Bobby totally made that trip for me. He could have messed around with his friends all day, but he made sure that I was taken care of. If he hadn't of, that trip would have been miserable. The first stop was at Helaman Halls, where a dance was taking place. First of all, he blatantly ran a red light. I was scared for my life. Then him and his friends dressed up crazy and danced like crazy people. I was the only rational one there. They even made me dress up, but instead I talked to some freshman. I began to think up excuses to go home. But I made up for my lack of spontaneity by closing Bobby's eye as he drove and steering for him.

But the long ride to Idaho made up for it. I didn't even know we were driving all the way to Idaho until I was in the car. Bobby and I were the only ones awake. We talked and laughed and played games. I really started falling for him. I remember him saying we were getting closer and I prayed that we would get lost or something, because I didn't want our drive to end! I kept thinking to myself, "Oh my gosh. I am on a roadtrip with Bobby Rampton. Keep cool, Jessica."

We got there late, but we still wanted to go see the hot pots. We hiked through the snow and finally found them. Correction- Bobby hiked and carried me through the snow. Bless his heart. People came and went but Bobby, Ryan Griffiths and I were there the longest. We had fun talking. When we started the way back, Bobby was carrying me close to the river. We didn't realize we were walking on a snow ledge. We fell through and into the river! It was so cold we could have really been in trouble. Poor Bobby! He did his best to get me out of there as soon as possible. He dropped me off at the girls room. The beds were packed already, so I had to sleep on the floor. Bobby ran down his pillow and blankets and Ryan let me use his heated blanket. I was totally smitten. He was so selfless. (Bobby and I on the left)

That day was fun too. We went to the legitimate hot pots, the ones you had to pay to get into. Bobby paid for me. In there he put his arm around me. We headed back and had more good car talks. Then he grabbed my hand!! We held hands the entire way back.

When he dropped me off, he asked if we could hang out that night. I wanted to SO badly, but I told him how I had Chemistry homework that was due that night at midnight. He told me that he could come help. I was on cloud nine. He really did come help me. And he kissed my hand as we continued to hold hands. It was like a dream. I don't ever remember being happier. I had to pinch myself because he was so attractive I couldn't believe he was kissing me.

We saw each other everyday for that next week. We couldn't get enough of each other. We met in between classes. We invited each other to everything we had going on. His kissing was teasing me like crazy. He would kiss me on my cheek all the time, but never the lips. Finally, one day while trying to get out of a tight parking spot, we found ourselves stuck between cars, and he finalllllly kissed me. I was so happy! Right after he said, "I just kissed Jessica Ellsworth!" :) I was thinking the same thing about him!

Six days later, on January 25th, I heard a snowball hit my window during the day, and it was Bobby running to my house between classes. We were cuddling/talking on the couch and he told me of a recent conversation he had with a friend. His friend asked where he was going to live when he moved to Phoenix, and Bobby told me that his first thought was "With Jessica, in married housing." He told me he would "be surprised if he didn't marry [me] this summer." And then he told me that he loved me! I didn't tell him it back. It was so fast and I had certainly not been planning on this step. As soon as he left though, I was planning on when I would say it back to him. Because I definitely did love him by then. But I got nervous. I cried to my roommate that things were moving so fast. I didn't complain, I was just a little overwhelmed. But not in a bad way. I was so happy that he had said those things.

Later that night, at my intertube waterpolo game, I told him that I loved him too. And that I don't know why I had waited because I really really loved him too.

That month was pure bliss. We never went a day without seeing each other. We never went more than a couple of hours without seeing each other. My roommates called him our fifth roommate. He quickly became my best friend. My mom was shocked at how quickly I had fallen in love. Little did she know that it actually happened much quicker than she even knew. I normally tried to keep my options open, not closing any doors. But I didn't feel that way at all. I had complete tunnel vision towards Bobby Rampton. Got the worst grades of my life that semester.

We quickly talked of getting married. He wanted to ask me to marry him much sooner, but I dragged my feet a little bit. The first time I knew I was going to marry him was when I was writing my sister in the MTC. Rereading my letter, I found that I had written, "Chels, this may make it less-romantic, since it's not going to be this huge surprise or what not...but I know I am going to marry him. This trip really solidified my feelings for him. He is more then I have ever asked for in my future husband. He goes above and beyond my expectations. And I have never loved a boy 1/100ths of how much I love him. I just get so happy thinking about our future together... You will like him so much Che." I considered deleting it. It was the first time I had actually made record of my feelings. But it felt so right. And I knew it was true.

On February 18th we went down to Colorado. Two weeks earlier I said to my roommate, "You don't think Bobby is going to ask my dad for permission to marry me, do you?" But I TOTALLY didn't think he would. Until the trip got closer, then I thought he might. We were trying to take a nap on Sunday and he said, "I just have to do this." Bless his heart. He was so nervous. My parents heads were spinning I think. But my sisters sure liked playing "Just Dance 2" with him. 

By mid-February, he had emailed me a list of when his family was available for a wedding. He strategically got me into a ring store. He wanted me to choose one quickly so that he could propose on our trip to Las Vegas, but I couldn't decide, plus I was nervous to get engaged. I found a ring I loved, but didn't imagine wearing it in 1000 years.

A couple of days later, I was looking at his phone and I saw that he had sent a picture of my dream ring to his dad. He had bought it! I knew it was coming! On Saint Patrick's day (March 17th, 2011), Bobby came over to drive me to work at 6:00 AM. He came over early though, and made me a delicious breakfast, and gave me roses. I thought, "Maybe he is going to propose!" But we packed up out things and left so I thought, I guess not. Maybe later today. As I stopped for Bobby to open the car door, he got down on one knee in an empty parking lot and said a lot of nice things that I can't remember. I remember him saying that he had imagined doing this on top of a mountain, but that he couldn't wait that long. And he opened a ring box, in which I could hardly see because it was too dark. It was the most magical moment of my life. I was late to work because we had to call our parents. I texted a few lucky people, and went to work. They were the first to know, but OIT analysts that had been working since 4:00 AM weren't as excited as I was. I couldn't help but act really excited and stare at my ring. The analysts complained that it was lighting up the room :)

I started my countdown that day for June 4th. Everyday that I have with him has been immense joy. I can't wait to get married. I can't wait to start a family with him. I still have the same feelings that I had that day at the cabin with him- that he is wayyy to good looking for me! Almost every time I see him, I am shocked that he is waiting for me. It's like a dream. I feel so blessed that it sometimes hurts. I feel like someone has slapped me across the face, I am so blessed. I am just in constant awe. Bobby Rampton is the best person I know. He is thoughtful, generous, caring, service-oriented, family-focused, extremely smart, ridiculously good-looking, capable, reliable, friendly, funny, and just very very good. I feel like he is a special gift from Heavenly Father, and that I will owe him for the rest of my life. I have a lot to live up to. I can't wait to start my new life as Mrs. Robert Rampton.