a fresh start...

So, I spent the greater part of yesterday reading some excellent blogger pages. I loved the way people were able to convey into words their thoughts and feelings in the most descriptive ways. I was so impressed, and also a little jealous that I couldn't always translate my thoughts and feelings so fluidly. So bear with me, because from now on I am going to attempt to improve my blogging abilities. I'm not expecting perfection, or posts absent of grammatical errors, or even a cute background, just more thought in the stories that I share and a reflection on how I feel. But most importantly, I would like to better portray my life as it is. "Keepin' it real", like blogger extraordinaire PW always says.

So here's to a FRESH START of blogging...

...some GREAT sushi!

We have FINALLY come across some DELICIOUS sushi here in the desert! No, it's really a reason to celebrate! We've lived in the desert for almost four years and have yet to find an excellent sushi bar, yet we crave it ALL THE TIME! So since gas prices won't permit the usual trip down the hill to visit Kabuki's we've had to scout around for a local bar with comparible quality and freshness and we found a GREAT spot across the street and kitty corner Costco's tire shop, right next to Johnny Fingers Bar and Grill. I've found it blog worthy since, like I said, we've tried and failed for four years to find quality sushi up here. Jared and I went to town, ordering all our favorites. Lobster roll (specialty) fried tempura style then baked in a creamy sauce. YUMMMMMMMYYY! Shrimp tempura, Redondo (crab special).... the list goes on. We ordered about 9 rolls and had plenty to bring home and share with the family! Anyways... If your craving YUMMY sushi, give it a try-- you won't be disappointed! (And no, I'm not being paid for this ad...LOL)

Anyways, felt the need to let all my fellow Sushi lovers in on the find. It's called: Samurai Sushi and it is DELICIOUS.

Kung Fu PANDA EXPRESS...

First, I know I've been horrible at blogging. My camera broke and I hate to blog without pics, which is why you haven't seen updated pics. So one day, when I can shell out a grand for the fancy Canon one, then I'll have you all updated. These one's I had to "borrow" from a few friends (thanks Rachael and Jenni!)




The Ray children invited us to have a YUMMY dinner at their home which consisted of; orange chicken, chow mein, rice, cream cheese wontons, and asian salad and fortune and almond cookies



We visited and ate and then were crazy enough to load all 15 kids into our cars and head to the theatre to watch 'Kung Fu Panda'. The movie was really funny and cute. The kids LOVED it. Especially Salo, who had to be shushed for cheering and hooraying. He loved Po!



Jocelyn and her good friend Shaylee, who think they are almost 'too cool' for the kid flick, headed to the top row to enjoy the show. They are so fun... I think I almost remember this age (lol)!!!

SO FUN!!! Thanks to the Ray's for the invite!

Happy 9th Anniversary to My Love, My Life...

When we were dating Jared asked me to retrieve some assignments from his email account. I found that he had created a folder where he saved all of our emails to which he titled: My Love, My Life. I was so floored when I saw it because at the time neither one of us had really confessed the direction of our relationship. I know, I am such a sucker for romance. So for anniversary's sake, I am now doing your 'Love Tag' Pinky!

Where did you meet your husband?

We met Sept. 18th 1998. A couple of roommates at good 'ole 'Pinnacle Canyonview' convinced me to join them as they ventured out to the 'meat market' (aka BYU dance) in Provo. I hesitantly agreed. It was a fun night, we danced- with each other (LOL) and caught a few glances from the circle of guys surrounding the dance floor. I remember thinking "what a bunch of playas!". We hung around after the dance was done and then we all headed back to our apartment to watch some movies. After we got home I got into my pajamas and was ready for a good movie, when there was knocking at the door. I opened it to find a bunch of Polynesian guys hiding to the right(don't ask me why, they were retarded). I was like "Uh. Hi?" then I hear my roommates giggling inside. They had all planned on having 'friends' over. One of the guys in particular caught my eye because he was the first to grab the guitar from the family room and play his own rendition of Eric Clapton's, 'Wonderful Tonight'. I grabbed a seat to sit by him, and he turned to face the wall... I laughed and was like "alrighty then!". It still makes me laugh thinking about it! I learned later that I had made him extremely nervous. I thought that he was cute, but didn't think much about it that night. I had decided prior to that evening that I wouldn't date anymore but focus on school. Didn't last very long.

What was the first thing he said to you?

Jared asked if I'd like to go on a walk with him. So I did. I thought he was handsome and sweet.

When was your first date?

We went to Leatherby's in Provo and had their HUMONGOUS ice cream Sunday. I don't remember what else we did that night, just that we held hands all night long.



When was your first kiss?

Two weeks after we met he made it official and asked me to be his "girlfriend". That same night we walked over to UVSC and sat near the waterfall in the atrium area. That is where he planted his first kiss on the lips.

Long/ Short courtship or engagement?

We dated from September of 1998. We were engaged two months later then sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on June 5 1999.

When did he propose?

It was my birthday and he told me that he wasn't going to be able to make it down to Orem because he had to work. I was so sad. He arranged with my friends to get me to go through the local Subway for dinner and when I pulled up, I found him hanging out the window with roses and gifts. I still have the "Greatest Love Songs" by Lionel Richie that he gave me. He then took me to the top of Mile High Drive near the home I grew up in as a child overlooking all of Utah Valley and set up a picnic. I don't think he had intended on asking me on that night because he asked me to marry him with a daisy he wove into a ring (I have it saved, somewhere).

Where did you honeymoon?

We flew off to Oahu, HI. We stayed near the International Market place in Honolulu off of Waikiki. It was beautiful. My dad hooked us up with tickets to watch the famous "Don Ho" show and we just cracked up when we showed up and the tables were full of 70+ retired couples. They asked newlyweds to stand and it was Jared and I and a few 'younger' (60+) couples. It was hilarious! But it was also so sweet to watch them two-step to "Tiny Bubbles". We went to PCC, Pounders and just cruised around. It was fun, doing absolutely nothing. Wish we could revisit those carefree times.

So there you have it, part of the beginning of our life together. I've learned alot of things in our "young" marriage. First being that marriage takes alot of hard WORK! Noone can make me laugh or cry as hard as you do. You are constantly showing me love and patience and I am so grateful for that! I wouldn't choose to go through this experience with anyone else. You are my LOVE and my LIFE, Jared! Happy Anniversary!

So for anyone that wants to do this LOVE tag... TAG, you're it!

No, I'm not in mourning...

I just can't figure this darn blogger background thingy. So until I figure out how to make it all fit and have the time to actually spend laying it all out and matching the background color and changing the font colors and link colors and all that stuff then it'll just have to stay black... (Sorry Sarah! Maybe you could figure it out for me. Since you don't already have 6 kids, 2 cats and a kitten to worry about ;)! lol

Holy CALF!!

A few months ago I joined a local gym and have been dedicated in going and getting some major cardio and aerobic workouts. It's been great! and I've LOVED the challenges that I've pushed on my body. However I've been unsatisfied with the results of weight loss. I told this to a friend who told me to start first with weight training then move on to cardio. I thought... "Alright, cool... I'll try anything" (My weight training knowledge is very limited. lol. I just copy everyone else around me.) So I come into the gym and catch this friend weight training and join her in her regimen copying her as we both sweat it out. As we get close the the end of our session she shows me some calf strengthening exercises where you stand on the end of a step and bring yourself on your tip toes then down fully pushing your heel towards the floor... completing this action S L O W L Y up then down. Try that 45 X's, I dare you. Then bring your toes together on the step, with your heals apart and try that same extension 45 X's. Then put your toes at the far ends on the step and bring your heals together and try that extension the same amount of times. I tried it. My calves were hurting by the end of the series but I stretched them out, completed the rest of the exercises then called it a day. That next morning I COULD NOT STAND, let alone move my legs. The PAIN was worst then shin splines! I was fooled into thinking that because I jog everyday that my calves could endure the 'little' workout. WRONG. I hadn't ever pushed them this way. I tore the calfe muscles causing the most excruciating pain that Motrin couldn't kill. I know that it's good for some tearing during weight training so your body can build new muscle tissue, but what the heck was I thinking??? My calves are already freakin' humongous! I hope they aren't going to form into some kind of "HULK" calves. Hah! I'm getting a good laugh now that the pain has begun to subside but I think I'll be sticking to other weight training exercises and leave the step/ calve extentions for everyone else... for now.

I'm voting for EDWARD and BELLA!!!

Yes! I have jumped on the bandwagon and joined the 'twilight' club. I am IN LOVE with the series by Stephenie Meyer. Jared's been teasing me because I've been so stuck on the books. I must admit though, I had to put it down for a minute because it was making me crazy that Bella was so indecisive, but closer to the end I empathized with her character. I even cried for Jacob. yeah, CRIED! lol. My favorite so far has been 'eclipse'. I cannot WAIT for the next! I am so excited! I LOVE Edward! He's such a SWEETHEART... Jacob's wreckless, but just ADORABLE. But I root for Edward all the way... well so far that is. I have a feeling there's going to be a great twist to this love story. I can't wait to indulge, once again in another of her novels.