Hunger Games

May the odds be ever in your favor.

 Let's be truthful. I wish I was Katniss. Emily says by the end of the series, I may not admire her so much. I couldn't help but buy the book yesterday while picking up some things at Costco, (I might as well read something awesome when Jon is studying the law in our apartment every night) and I cannot put it down. I have had four job interviews in one week, and Jon and I feel very confident that one in particular is about to stick. Blessings! 

Meanwhile, I will finish reading about the girl on fire. And maybe practice some archery skills.

Bucketlisted Billy

We all have our own bucketlists of life. Working out with Billy Blanks has been one of mine for quite some time. Ha ha! I am very pleased to announce that shortly after returning home from our "move" to Ohio last summer, this was checked off of my bucketlist. 

Post workout Chat:

It's pretty obvious we're besties by now.

Did I mention that for the past 12 years, I have always wanted to hit this?

Jon's favorite part about this clip: me mouthing the words "This is awesome!" LOL

This was everything I dreamed of and more. He screamed in my face, he held his punching bag directly in front of me so I could punch and kick harder, and he helped me with my form. I stayed for both sessions and was extremely sore the next day. LOVED it. I also got a shirt and a picture signed. Let's face it, I am an Old School gal and still a huge Tae Bo fan. And for the record, he is just as ripped as ever. Jon was pretty impressed. Seriously how could I not meet Billy? It was only a matter of time.

 If you've ever done the videos, you'll recognize Shelli, his daughter.

Now to attack the next item in the fitness category of my lifelong bucketlist: Become a certified aerobics instructor. All in a matter of time! Let's be honest, I might as well get paid for working out. I am debating between spin and turbokick.

Think I can motivate people to move?

Reflections After 26 Years of Life on Earth

Yesterday was my birthday. Jon and I have made up our minds to celebrate every year of our lives that we grow older together. No complaining about hitting that "dreaded 30 mark" and so on. When I turn 50, I'll do something outrageous to celebrate living one more life on earth and being all the wiser. Well, hopefully by then I am somewhat more wise. In the mean time, I have been thinking a lot about my reflections after 26 years...

• When I imagined my life at 26, (and I distinctly remember doing so because my license would have to be renewed) I envisioned a marriage with a wonderful man and myself as a mother of 2 children. At least part one of my dream is fulfilled.

•  God's plans for me have consistently been the most unexpected and very different from my own plans for myself. His pathways end up being the better journeys for my spiritual growth and in the end, my happiness.

•  It makes me laugh that after seven and a half years, I still live in Provo.

• God knew I had to officially move away from and say goodbye to the state of Utah to have a renewed appreciation for it. Not even the winter can bother me now, and that is what I call a miracle.

•  There are times in my past where I wish I had been more gracious. The idea of me offending someone gives me anxiety.

• There are other times in my past where I wish I had the courage to speak my mind. I have a voice. I should use it more to promote all that is wholesome and good. 

• Forgiving others is not an easy thing, but I am confident that the power of the atonement has miraculous healing effects.

• Whenever a judgment about someone passes through my mind, I feel like I let myself down. If I truly knew that individual and what he/she has dealt with or is currently dealing with in life, I doubt I would have been judgmental. 

•  I am still learning how to love myself. Jonathan is my coach.

• Even though certain cultural aspects of Mormonism sometimes make me feel out of place, I always feel at home in the temple.

• Life will only get better. The best is always yet to come.

• I am praying that I get accepted into graduate school this fall. I have learned to value education like I never did before. 

• I never thought I would wonder whether my children would come in this life or in the next, but Jonathan and I know that whatever happens we will be okay.

• The old saying is truer to me than ever before: Friends come and go, but family will forever remain.

• Life is not about competing or comparing. Life is about caring, serving, and choosing to make the best out of every situation.

• My home is wherever Jon is. If I die young, I will probably haunt him daily. In the meantime, we plan to have children, become as educated as possible, create Zion wherever we live, and travel the world together.

It's a Great Day to be a Ditto

Ring out, wild bells! Dan the bachelor is married! And I have a new sister who I adore.

Jonathan and I with Aunt Junie Ditto. Sometimes I make goals to be like people when I grow up, this woman is one of those. She is one vivacious and lively firecracker!

Here's the gorgeous bride and groom with our LeGrand Baker. He loved it when I called him my adopted Granddaddy last Thursday. LeGrand is the retired religion professor that Jon and I meet with every Sunday. Daniel used to meet weekly with him during college and shares a close bond with him as well.

 Sara made these leather headbands because she is a little wizard! I am in love and will be wearing this little baby often.

Ooo lah lah!

 Sara and I changed the words to "I Want to Spend my Lifetime Loving You" to "I want to Spend my Night-time Skyping You" and sang a passionate love song for their wedding luncheon. It worked perfectly, because it was from Dan's perspective and luckily Alicia's family sang a hilarious song from the bride's perspective. And then just to add more perfection, Dan and Alicia closed with their own song. They are so in love.

Just missing Elder Sam Ditto. He'll be home next summer though! Take it easy, ladies. There is a long line of women waiting for that missionary to come home. It's going to be like an Olympic event.

Like I said, a great day to be a Ditto!

 And a Mecham!

 What a fool I am for not taking a picture of that baby on the dashboard. It's holding a Darth Vader sign that says "Nothing can stop us."

It was a group effort, for sure. My favorite part is that those balloons have glow in the dark lights inside.

We laughed, we cried, and we celebrated the union of Daniel and Alicia. We couldn't be happier, except for the fact that they have to drive off to St. Louis Missouri now until next summer. As long as we all settle within driving distance of each other, I won't complain.

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that binds eternal families together.

Ode to Michelley!

Congrats to my dear friend Michelle, who was sealed to Spencer last Tuesday in the Draper temple. Don't they look like each other?

I met Michelle through Erin Maxwell in 2007, back in the beginning of our BYU Folk Dance glory days. Michelle toured with us to Eastern Europe as part of our tech crew, and I always admired her work ethic and how talented she was. One of her greatest gifts is how quick she is to serve those around her. Another is the ample amount of love she has to offer her friends and family.

Michelle and I became close friends during my last couple years of college and especially the summer after I graduated. She broke me in to a newfound addiction for outdoor adventures, for which Jon is particularly grateful for. We spent that summer motorbiking, rapelling, camping, rock climbing, and backpacking Havasupai. About a month after I met Jonathan, she left for her mission to Nicaragua. I missed her at my wedding but I kept her updated through letters.

I am so happy for you Michelley! Good thing Spencer and Jon can talk about sports. We'll let them do that for hours on end as they have no choice but to be great friends. 



More Decemberness

Thanks Melanie, for being my Master Jedi in sewing! The pajama pants were a success.

The in-laws get the crazy ones.

 And our annual So Jo get together was yet another hit. I sure love these people and our winner white elephant gift parties.

 And years later, I am still the darkie of course. Catching up with Mary, Whit, and Ashy Poo brings back the high school memories.

We even went to Hale Center Theater and saw A Christmas Carol just to get us all in the spirit of the season. It makes me cry every time - I know I'm a baby. Here we are with Scrooge!

This blessed Christmas break has given us a much needed rest from school and work and real life. We have loved every minute of it and are just trying to gear up mentally for semester two of law shool.