Happy Umbrella #4: A New First

    Marriage goals are a good thing for every couple...There Luke and I sat on Friday night at a couple activity planning session (Luke loves when he gets dragged to extra credit family life events with me :) ), and realized that we needed to create at least one marriage goal. A brilliant idea was born in that session that stemmed from a common theme in our relationship.
    We have always loved doing "firsts" together or being each other's "first" at something. Let me highlight a few: I was Luke's first kiss after his mission; Luke gifted me my first professional massage; together, we tried Peruvian food (this first has become a delicious tradition!). These firsts have provided so much fun....so many memories.
    In regards to such a positive experience with "firsts," Luke and I decided that we should build our marriage goal around this concept. Therefore, our marriage goal as stated: achieve one new "first" each month. We are pumped!!
   So...to start off right we charged ahead and discovered a new first...attended an art exhibition opening. An exhibit, called Beauty and Belief featuring Islamic art, has come to the Museum of Art here at BYU and we enjoyed an evening of Middle Eastern music, baklava, and astounding art. It was a spectacular first...one to be remembered!!

A few pictures from the night..too bad I couldn't take more..no pictures allowed :(.

Getting pumped for our first (officially stated) "first" as a married couple

Wish us luck on our new goal ...and...Best wishes in your goal setting!!!

Happy Umbrellaz!

Happy Umbrella #3: A Candle Burner

    Fresh pine, cinnamon strudel, razzleberry delight...whatever the scent, we all enjoy entrances filled with comfy-cozy smells that seem to relax the mind and give the slightest urge to curl up on the nearest couch. Especially for someone like me, and undoubtedly my sister Richelle, good smells are important! Thanks to a lucky draw in my family's white elephant exchange this year, I became the proud owner of a candle lighter and an autumn-scented candle (kudos to my sister, Natalie, for selecting such a gift...not so white elephant to me). A couple of evenings ago, as I watched the autumn flame flicker and enjoyed the pleasant aroma of fall leaves, I glanced at Luke and said,
  "Someday, I want to be a candle burner. You know, the kind of person, who every time you walk into their home you just want to stay forever because it smells so GOOD."

  His next words made my night, possibly my week.

 "Honey, you are. Look, it is already done. You are a candle burner."

And he was and is right...so right! I don't have to wait until later life to fulfill this little dream. So with pure joy and happiness that I am adding to the pleasant scents of this world, and creating an inviting smell-good home (or apartment ;) ), I officially announce:  I AM A CANDLE BURNER!!

An old picture, but let's be honest here:
I am pretty ecstatic with that candle!
I think this dream was meant to be realized sooner or later :)

Go and realize one of your simple dreams today...

                                                                     Happy Umbrellaz!

Happy Umbrella #2: Dizzying Dreams

Dreams are a puzzlement. Twists, turns, symbols, and signs have grasped the attention of psychologists, theologists, and ordinary people today and for centuries past. Beyond this hullabaloo, I simply am puzzled by the fact that for the past several weeks every night is filled with bizarre and often hilarious adventures that fill Luke's ear in the morning with the clearest detail and the most random thought. Am I worried about it?...not in the least! Would I like to share with you a piece of the fortuitous journey that occurred last night...Absolutely :).

There I sat with one of my best friends, Alyssa Atkins, a dear friend from my growing up years, Emma Ward, and who knows why but none other than Shaquille O'Neal. Frankly, I have never been a fan of Shaq and of all professional ball players, at least my mind could have chosen a more well-liked player. Nevertheless, there they sat waiting for me to critique their resumes (- is this screaming workaholic??;) ). As dreamless states often include some unsolvable issue, mine revealed itself in uncontrollable laughter.  I determined to bring Alyssa in first as my peals of laughter may not be such a barrier with her. She joined in the laughter, and unfortunately the giggles increased to the point that Emma's critique included about three words of advice every spare breath. Shaq's resume did not even get a glance, yet secretly gratitude spread within as I did not have to deal with.....I am awake and I don't know what's going on except that that was the strangest dream ever. All I can say is:

• Resumes = Yeah, I think about them all the time. My internship is keeping me busy and I am constantly brainstorming about possible sample ideas. 
• Alyssa = I have dreamed about her three nights in a row. Obviously I need to write her on her mission in Romania. I miss her...a lot!!!
• Emma = I need to start writing my wedding Thank-You's. The Ward family gave me a very nice gift, and I need to thank them and so many others!!
• Shaq = You know, I am not really sure...maybe I need to keep up with my parents in their attention to the NBA. But then again, maybe not. I like when they fill me in. And I prefer college ball anyway. 

Alyssa

Emma

We all know who this is...

Dreams will continue to puzzle the world, and me most of all. Not a big deal, just funny to think about. And on the bright side, it sometimes reminds us of important things we need to attend to...at least in my case. Happy Umbrellaz!!!

Happy Umbrellaz you ask?

You wake up, glance out the window and see that the day looks relatively clear. It’s a busy morning as usual so the rush has you making the statement, “I hope I got everything,” as you hurry out the door.

Before you know it work is over. You can’t wait to go home for a little bit of R&R. Just as you are about to take your first steps to the outside world you see an unexpected sight and your unexpected need. RAIN…UMBRELLA. “But the day looked so clear,” you think. Well, of course it did. It almost always does right before that unforeseen drizzle approaches. At this point there is nothing left to do, but march into your early shower for the evening, which will most likely be followed by another later on.


The unanticipated need for an umbrella can be viewed two ways. Either you can be greatly upset and thrown off by this distressing, unprepared moment, or you can internalize the beauty of the unexpected and delight in what life brings you day to day. Life provides you happy umbrellaz on a regular basis, you just have to be willing to recognize them and appreciate them. For example, December 28^th, 2011 was a Happy Umbrella for me. Upon coming out of my wedding ceremony, instead of being greeted by a sunny day and warm temperatures that almost every bride dreams of, I was met by…raindrops. But these raindrops were the sweetest of any other and will be forever remembered by the black, sleek, happy umbrella that decorates our photos.

  Did I marry a model?

This is the official HAPPY UMBRELLA #1

As for the “Z” and my random writings…I’m a random person. My family reliably reminds me that I am the Queen of Random and many times have no clue how I create certain connections in conversation when they seem 100% unrelated. The beautiful thing is though, that the connections always make sense to me :). I want a place where I can share them and I think here is the perfect spot.

Creative expression is a gift and one that I am striving to capture as I write about the random surprises in my life that make it that much better. I hope you can enjoy the journey along with me. Happy Umbrellaz to you!