Chicken Cordon Bleu

        This weekend my parents were in town celebrating their 33rd anniversary (as mentioned in a previous post) and they wanted to do something special with all of us (we were missing a few family members -- we missed you Josh, Kristine, Emma and Allred!). We ended up at The Roof Restaurant in Salt Lake City in our own private room with a gorgeous view of the city. Not only was it a spectacular atmosphere, it was hands down the best food I've ever had. Mitch and I have already made plans to go back there for our one year anniversary.
        To set the stage for the following ridiculous conversation, let me describe the layout. Our room had a giant round table, which was awesome because we could all participate in one giant conversation instead of being grouped off into sections around a long rectangular table. The table could probably seat 18 people around it comfortably and had a floral arrangement in the center. Our room also had a door, we closed it so as not to annoy the customers in the main area because I think somehow we knew some ridiculousness would most likely ensue. At one point in the evening between appetizers and entrees, we started discussing the enormity of the table and the possibilities for hilarious activities (obviously).

Tyler: Guys, let's play duck, duck goose!
Me: What if we moved the flowers and played twister?
Jake: Yeah we could use plates of food for the board!
Everyone: (makes sounds of agreement)
Jake: Right hand, CHICKEN CORDON BLEU

        At this point, our waiter (who was trying desperately to keep his professional composure) left the room with a huge grin on his face obviously trying not to audibly laugh as he closed the door. I just find it hilarious that in such a gorgeous and upscale place, my family obviously considers the possibility of a round of duck, duck goose.
        But seriously, if you haven't been to The Roof I absolutely recommend it. And definitely get the chicken cordon bleu, it's fantastic ;)

McKenzie's Makeover

        I've been looking forward to this since the day this child was born. McKenzie finally let me doll her up! I cut her hair, styled it and applied (a little) make up to her cute little face!

        She turns 13 in a couple months which makes me feel pretty old. Wasn't this like yesterday?

Can time just slow down please?

Look out, world! #babealert 

Anyway, sisters are the best. Despite our 12 year age gap, this girl is my BFF.

Joyeux Anniversaire

        Thirty-three years ago my parents sealed the deal in the Seattle temple. I could write a really long sappy post about it but I'll just say this: I'm super grateful the Provo MTC brought these amazing people together in 1981 so they could meet, fall in love and together bless so many lives.

The Emergency Room

        Last night after our weekly Skype call with my family, my husband and I hopped on our bikes and headed to our friends' for a birthday backyard bonfire (at our soon-to-be residence!) which is only a few blocks from where we currently live. We were literally five houses away when Mitch went to hop his bike off the sidewalk and onto the street. Mid-hop, his tire came loose and he crashed to the ground. It took him a minute to stand up but upon first glance he looked okay. We walked the rest of the way and when we arrived we discovered his arm bleeding pretty bad. Our friends helped us clean the wound when I noticed Mitch couldn't move his arm away from his body. He's pretty tough so I knew something was wrong. He then said quietly but firmly, "I think I need to go to the hospital".
         I had never been to the ER for myself or anyone else and I was terrified. I knew if Mitch was asking for the hospital that we needed to go. Our friend kindly offered to drive us there and then...there we were. Lucky for us, the waiting room was empty and the nurses quickly got the process started. What I thought an ER was like: Grey's Anatomy style, people everywhere rushing around, shouting, bloody gowns and nurses pushing gurneys with bleeding people. Reality: A couple nurses standing around, quiet, one other family there and absolutely no blood anywhere.
        We were escorted to a little room, a doctor came and examined Mitch and requested some x-rays. Mitch got shot up with some morphine and his pain began to subside. I felt awkward there and wished I knew of a better way to comfort Mitch than cracking jokes and rubbing his leg. We learned from the x-rays that Mitch had torn some ligaments in his shoulder and that he may need surgery. After the doctor gave us the news, Mitch (a little out of it) slurred, "So...you're a doctor. What does the recovery time look like? Six months?". I winced, hoping the doctor would scoff at such a long time frame. "Not six but probably three." His last word landed in the pit of my stomach with a thud. We are moving in six weeks. Summer is quickly approaching and there are adventures to be had! We have trips planned. All the things he couldn't do were quickly running through my mind but I tried to not let it show on my face as I held his hand. The doctor gave us a name of a specialist to call the next morning, wrote a prescription for some pain meds and gave Mitch a sling. As we were about to leave Mitch muttered three words that broke my heart, "This is bad". I tried to keep my plastered brave face from slipping into a mess of tears and drove us home.
        Finally at home, every feeling, reality and possibility hit me. Our summer plans changed in an evening, in a 5 second accident. Why didn't we drive to our friend's house -- this is so unfair! Why wasn't the tire secured? Other people deal with things MUCH worse that affect their whole lives -- we are so lucky! What will this mean for us long term? This week? Tomorrow? How much of our savings are we going to put toward this 5 second accident? How did we end this day in a sling? After I helped him into clean clothes and picked up his medicine we sat on the couch, dazed. I looked over at him and saw a look I don't see on his face often: grief. "I wanted to build you a table," he sighed. "I want to take care of you." I finally let some tears fall and told him it was okay and that I was capable of taking care of him for once.
         During the moments of helping him gingerly get his arm through his shirt, cleaning the blood off his pants and going to Walgreens at midnight to get his medicine -- I realized that I would do anything for him. Of course I thought I would before this all happened, but after these small acts I knew that if circumstances were worse I would do whatever it took for the rest of our lives. And honestly, it brought me so much joy and I felt a love for him I have never before felt. I learned in an evening what I've heard my whole life long -- hard things bring people together.
        Today at the specialist we learned that he will not need surgery (hooray!) but his shoulder will only ever return to about 93%. As we were leaving he said half joking/half serious, "Well, I guess my dream of pitching major league is over." I sighed, not knowing what to say. He looked at me and said, "It's okay. You are my dream." And right then I melted into a puddle of love for this man I am somehow lucky enough to spend my life with. Even though this accident is only a taste of the tragedy some people go through in life, I know I can do anything with Mitch by my side and a loving Heavenly Father watching out for us.

I dare you

to listen to this and not feel something.

Some Love for my Hero

On this day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford's theater. 

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love this man. Here's why: 

He came from humble beginnings and obtained an office that could bring change. From a log cabin to the presidential office, he didn't let the circumstances of his birth decide his future. “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” 


He was passionate about human equality and never gave up. He spent his whole life fighting for it and eventually gave his life for it. “Hold on with a bulldog grip, and chew and choke as much as possible.” 


He made a conscious decision to never speak negatively of anyone and held to it. He always saw the good in people. “If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.”

Love you, Linc. You'll always be my hero.

File Sorting

I've recently taken on the enormous project of cleaning up my hard drive. I am definitely a file hoarder -- but maybe someday I will need that essay on adolescent neuroplasticity or that chart with pros and cons of early vs late maturation? I have a problem.

However treacherous this process has been (and it's definitely taking much longer than I anticipated) it has come with it's fair share of gem finding -- like THESE photos from my husband's senior pictures!

I am instantly transported to the days we spent by the water on the boardwalk. The nights we spent on the phone for hours talking about nothing. The hours we spent at dance practice in the studio. The times we planned on doing our homework but gave each other temporary tattoo sleeves instead. Before we had to worry about things like rent, taxes and realistic five year plans.

Also, this makes me miss Seattle SO SO MUCH. Hopefully we can get out there at least once this summer. Fingers crossed.