The Dating Life

Well, that lasted about 2 weeks (the dating thing...).  We saw each other everyday except for 2 days within that time and now it is just history.  So let me take you back.

Easter Sunday-I went and played games with his family.  It was a good time.  Dallin's brother, Bryson, LOVES attention and was loving being in the spotlight...typical of a 14 year old, right?  Since there was someone new around he had to win all of the games we played.  What a funny boy!  We had FHE with his family that night and then we just talked (and cuddled) the night away. 

Monday we didn't see each other.  :(  But he did text me, which I was super happy about.  I had never had someone seem to pay so much attention to me.  So...was this boy warming up to the idea of dating me?  Quite possibly!

Tuesday, he came to my apartment after school was out (I was on Spring Break).  We just talked for about 4 hours getting to know each other more.  I couldn't believe how easy conversation was with him.  He was interested in my life too!  I knew from the very beginning what a kind guy he was but it was this day that I really knew how AWESOME he was!

Wednesday, didn't see each other again.  That was the last of that!  I couldn't take not being able to see him.  I am not sure if he cared much, but I was becoming smitten. 

Thursday we had planned to go out with his family.  Most of them were on spring break too and so we all went to the Provo Beach resort.  There we played miniture croquet...if you've never played it you should.  Kinda fun, kind of like miniture golf.  Then we played a game of bowling...I beat Dallin by one point!  WAHOO!  ;)  He says that he let me win...I don't believe it!  It was when we were driving back home that I felt like he had started to really like me.  I learned later that was the day he realized he LOVED me, but he didn't tell me until later.  (Story for another time...gotta keep you coming back for more!)  It was rainy outside and we stopped at Wendy's to get some food then went back to his house.  While we were driving he looked at me and said..."It's raining, you know what that means, right?"  I just looked back at him kind of funny and he replied with, "A movie and cuddling!"  And that is just what we did.  We were on the lovesac (glorious thing!) and it was that night that he kissed me.

For those of you who know my dating history, or lack thereof, Dallin was my first kiss!  I will never forget when my best friend, Crystal, got her first kiss and she came in to my room just to tell me that it was WET!  For real?  I was fully anticipating kisses to be nasty and WET just as Crystal had described.  Well, rather than wet our first kiss was FLAT (if you know what I mean).  Don't worry, Dallin has taught me well and they are much better now.  Dallin wanted the 1st kiss to be somewhere romantic and special...instead we were in his house on the lovesac.  Fab!  I totally didn't mind!

That coming weekend was my dad's birthday and I had invited Dallin to our family dinner.  Since he already knew my mom that wasn't a big deal, but he did mention that it is really intimidating to meet a girl's dad.  I was talking to my mom about this and she insisted that we come to dinner with them so Dad could meet Dallin without everyone else around.  I made sure that was ok with him and he happily agreed.  So, Saturday night we went to Texas Roadhouse with the parentals.  That is when they told us their WHOLE story, meeting, dating, engagement.  Um...I hope that didn't scare Dallin off!  But, it turns out he stuck around!  It was a fun evening out and nice for Dad to meet Dallin and get the "approval." When we were walking to the car it was FREEZING!  I didn't have a jacket, just a cardigan...silly me! Dallin insisted that I wear his jacket...my mom saw this sweet gesture and she  gave even more of her approval.  She LOVED that he was being such a gentleman (and he totally is!  I LOVE it!). 

Sunday was a musical fireside that my sister was in charge of and performing in.  (Do you know how AMAZING she is?  If you don't...she is pretty fabulous!)  Dallin met my grandparents that night...they were pretty quick to give their approval too.  Dallin served his mission in Indpendence and my Grandpa served in some chruch history areas so I knew they would bond over that.  They did.  Ha! Ha!  Dallin also met Jen for the 1st time that night.  She was super excited to meet him but she was also super busy with the fireside.  All in all, it was a good night.

Moday was the family dinner for Dad's birthday.  My parents got a hammock while in Guatemala and so it was hanging up.  I was sitting on it and then Dallin decided to join.  He had never been on one before...right when he sat down we were immediately on the ground...it broke!  Oops!  It wasn't us, it was the hammock hanger thingy, promise!  But we had a good laugh and then enjoyed the food and company of the evening.  That night we had a leg competition...who has the best "w's" as my family calls them.  You know, the calf muscles?  That same night we were on my parents couch just talking and I said something like, "If this works out between us, when would this possibly happen?"  I think this is the 1st time that getting married was mentioned...but notice that the word 'marriage' was not said when I asked Dallin about it.  We looked at his phone calendar and looked at dates in the fall of when things were happening around school time.  We put the phone away and I looked at him and just said, "I can't believe we just looked at the calendar!"

The next day my mom called me, the 1st thing out of her mouth..."Did you set a date yet?"  I kind of laughed and told her how serious we really are at this point.  She was super excited!  Tuesday evening I told Dallin what my mom had asked...and so we did it!  We set the date for August 10!  Over a period of 2 days the date changed twice and it is now FRIDAY JULY 20, 2012!!!  We are SO excited and SO in love! 

Stay tuned for the I Love You story and the proposal!

And so it begins...

Well, let's back up to about a month and a half ago...my mom called me and this is how the conversation went,

Mom: "Hi, so I have to tell you something funny!  I met your future husband today at the Credit Union!"
Me: "Um...ok?  What is his name?"
Mom: "I don't remember"
Me: "Well, did you give him my phone number?"
Mom: "No, I didn't want to freak him out! A little at a time, Michelle."
Me: "Mom, how is he ever going to be my husband if you a) don't know his name and b) didn't give him my number?"
Mom: "Oh, I will see him again and I will give it to him."
Me: "Yup" (With I am sure the most dull tone possible)

At this point I was thinking to myself, "welp, sounds like another one of 'those' set ups...you hear about it once and never hear of it again."

But sure enough, a few days later my mom called me to tell me that she had seen this boy's mom and gave her my phone number to give to "the boy."  I asked my mom how that conversation went.  She said it went well and that she told his mom what I like to do.  You know, eat sushi, go skydiving, travel the world...simple enough right?  I am sure he could satisfy my desires to travel, eat exotic foods and do daring fabulous things...at the tender age of TWENTY-THREE!!!! Yup, that is right.  I found out a couple more things about this boy after my mom gave my phone number out.  He is 23...seriously?  When is his birthday?  He knows Jaime Pyne, a boy in my home ward that I remember being 5!  Really?  That means he is younger than my younger brother.  WOW!  Whatever, I am over it.  I have come to terms with going out with younger boys, and really what could possibly happen?  Also, his name is Dallin...Dallin Johnson.

Fast forward to Conference Sunday night...I was sitting in a hotel room with my former Professor and a fabulous mentor, Jillisa Cranmer!  She is amazing and we were bonding over being "older and single."  Talking about boys, life, plans, dating, expectations and we even talked about this "future husband" that my mom was planning to set me up with...you name it we talked about it.  I LOVE HER!  Suddenly my phone rang, unknown number...meh...not answering it.  I leave the hotel around 11 pm and look at the number again...I gasped out loud.  Literally.  I realized that the number was from American Fork and that boy was from there.  I knew it had to be him.  I was quite surprised, I listened to the message.  Whatever, cheers to another blind date, right?  It was a busy week coming up but I had a goal to go out on a date every month in 2012.  I had met my goal so far and this date would help me in the right direction.  It was obviously too late to call this boy back that night and he said that he would call back the next day if he didn't hear from me.

Monday, April 2- Dallin the "future husband" calls again, we chat.  It was a little awkward.  He tells me that he is an Elementary Education major.  Um, not my 1st choice, but not a deal breaker.  Whatever, we can talk about kids, right?  Uhhhh....yeah!  (Love you, sweetheart!)  He asks what day works best, well I give him 3 options, he picks the last.  Saturday night.  In all honesty, I was excited to meet this boy since my mom liked him so much.  But I had NO expectations...not.a.one!

Saturday April 7-I attend a wedding reception of some dear friends from Pleasant Grove in the late afternoon.  Go out to dinner with a group of friends (didn't eat of course, just wanted to mingle with them) and then head to my parents house.  I decided, I would feel bad if I had just been in PG and then drove all the way to Provo just for him to pick me up down there.  So I went to my parents house, he picked me up at 7.  My mom was thrilled when I told her that he would be coming there to get me.  He knocks at the door and mom was more than happy to answer it.  Haley and the kids we over.  The kids run up the stairs and Haley "needed to get something", er, needed to check this dude out.  Apparently she approved and I think Easton did too because the boy was wearing a BYU jacket.  What more could a 6 year old ask for?  He just needs a cheering buddy and he's happy!  Averie on the other hand would have NOTHING to do with the boy...didn't even want to look at him.  We say hello, walk out and he opens the car door.  Good boy!

Ok, let's get to the good part.  We go to Cafe Rio...good choice.  Take it to a park (per my suggestion! yeah, I think I got a point for that one) and carry on a regular conversation. We talk about missions, family vacations, school, traditions, hobbies etc etc.  I felt comfortable and conversation was easy.  I was just myself...that's all I could be.  We went back to his place, aka his parents house.  While walking up to the door I asked, "Is your family home?"  (In a tone that was saying, seriously...am I meeting your family?)  Dallin very calmly, "Yeah, I think so."  Uh, yup...ok...wow...I am going to meet this boy's family.  Talking to myself...ok, don't read into this, he is just trying to make this a good date, I am sure he has only good intentions...just wants to have fun.  Yes, of course!  Ok, breathe...just enjoy.  Alright, relaxed.  His mom comes down, "Hi Michelle, I've heard so much about you!"  In my mind thinking, oh great she knows that I like sushi, skydiving and traveling.  My reply, "Well, I hope that is a good thing!"  We continue to chat for the next few minutes.  She is a 1st year teacher and I can't help but feel so blessed that I don't have to do lesson plans.  Yup, that is what I thought.

Next up: Easter egg dying.  Meanwhile the dad and brother come in and I meet them.  They had gone to red box to get a movie.  Movie of choice: Planet of the Apes.  Yeah, not my 1st choice, nor Dallin's yet we end up watching it with them.  I was having a good time with Dallin so why not stick around?

We sit down to watch the movie and it felt like Dallin sat 10 feet away from me.  In my mind went something like this..."For real?  Are we in jr high?  You can at least sit semi close to me."  So, I then, against all that I would normally do, begin to move closer to him.  Throughout the movie I get closer and closer and closer.  At the end of the movie his arm was on mine, all I thought was, he does not have to hold my hand if he does not want to.  He is not showing any signs of not wanting to...so hear it goes!  My pointer finger links with his pinky...I couldn't handle it and we hold hands.  I claim that I held his hand...it may have been a joint effort but he will tell you that he was SCARED OUT OF HIS MIND!!!  Ha! Ha!  Poor kid, on a date with the bank teller's daughter, who is 27 and an RM (which he never wanted to date...).  He must have been a little nervous.  Meh...I felt completely comfortable with it.  Funny to those who know my dating history.

That night he invited me over to play games with his family the next day, Easter Sunday.  I accepted.

To be continued...

This is my life...

I do apologize for the lack of posts...I'll admit it, I am usually online on my the work iPad.  I know, I am spoiled that way.  BUT, that is my lame excuse, I just don't blog from the iPad...never have.


But, I have a lot to say...the beginning of the year came and went.  I threw a bridal shower for my best friend, Crystal.  February seemed like the LONGEST month ever (must have been the 29th day, eh?!), my caseload at work EXPLODED went up, I am in the process of thinking about Grad school, and my best friend got married. Well, that was interesting.  Let me explain.

If any of you have had your best friend get married before you when you are my age, you may know what it feels like.  SUPER exciting, but so many emotions that go along with it!  So, last week and this week have been somewhat challenging.  Crystal married such an awesome guy, Aaron.  I love him, and that is saying a lot.  :)  I have not approved very many boys that she has previously dated.  I could not have hand picked a better fit for Crystal and I am so happy for them in their new life together!  The sealing was beautiful, she was radiant and looked so happy.  She seemed extremely calm, very rare for her.  Her cute Grandpa Lyman sealed them, what a special experience!  But let it be clear, this day did not pass with out tears being shed.  I felt happy, sad, excited, frustrated, mad, and completely and utterly exhausted!  I am pretty sure I felt every emotion possible on that day...and many emotions have carried into this week.

Mr & Mrs. Butler

With all of this being said, I have felt extremely loved this week too!  I mean really...I have been SO blessed by loving and amazing families that I work with.  Tender mercies really happened this week and I will be forever grateful for the timing of these things.

1-I have received 2 gifts this week from different families.

The flowers I got today.  I have been working with one little guy for about a year and a half now and he turns 3 tomorrow.  This was their 'Thank You' gift.  The little card said, "Thanks for helping me GROW!"

The green cup is another 'Thank You', but this was just because.  So thoughtful and sweet.  The note on the back says, "We are so LUCKY to have you! You are our POT OF GOLD at the end of our rainbow! Thanks for everything!" Really?  REALLY?  I honestly could not work with better families and I am SO grateful for the relationships that I am able to build with them.

2-This little guy turned ONE yesterday and they were kind enough to invite me to his awesome party!

Is he not adorable?  You should hear his giggle...makes him even cuter, if you can imagine!

3-I got this little gem on Facebook with a note that said "Just wanted to say hello and we miss you!!"

Love them!

4-One of my families has a blog.  Both of their kids have the same syndrome, but it has affected them each so differently.  I work with Xander and have since he was about 4 months old, he will be 2 in April.  He is a HANDFUL and a joy...love, Love, LOVE that little boy and he truly is turning into a boy and no longer seems to be a baby!  One more tender mercy to add can be found here. I honestly wanted to cry when I read this post...they are the best!

And there it is folks, just when you think you can't handle anything more and question so many things, the Lord blesses you through others, and that is truly how I feel.  I LOVE my job, it is so rewarding!  Lots of love being sent this girl's way...my love language is words of affirmation if you can't tell.  Now I send YOU all my love.  Thank you to all of you who have touched my life.  I love you, appreciate you and truly love each of you!  (That is if you are not creeping on this blog and I know you!)

Anitgua, Missionaries and McDonald's

DAY 2: This may be a picture overload, but I am a very FIRM believer that pictures tell the best stories.  So may I guide you through our day with pictures...it was a fabulous/beautiful day!

The girls first ride on a chicken bus..the guy I was sitting by obviously was interested in the camera.  Ha! Ha!  No, he was super nice and told us how much we should pay to get to Antigua.  The good thing about this bus too was that it was SUPER empty, so no pick pocketers here!

This market is so fun!  Here is where we saw SEVERAL missionaries.  Apparently it was p-day and they were having a Zone activity.  Way fun!  We met some missionaries from Utah, one from Oklahoma and then several from central and south america.  They were the funniest to talk to!

Dear Ronald,

You have not aged one bit since we last saw you in 2003. 

Thank you for remaining faithful and waiting for our return.

Yours truly,

Jen and Michelle

(no, I am not suggesting that we become polygamist!)

Reminiscing our almost fateful evening all-nighter back in 2003.  Jen, Heidi, Annie, Laura and myself stayed here in June 2003 until they closed for the night.  We played canasta right here...for several hours until we go the boot.  Then we went to a bar (yup, a bar) and stayed there for a couple of hours.  Once we had to leave the bar we sat on the sidewalk in the middle of Antigua until about 4am when our bus was ready to leave to take us to Honduras.  No, we did not tell our family that we did that until we returned home to the states...we were just babies and they would have not been too thrilled of our choice.  When we were home and told them...they kinda freaked out! Funny, right?

P.S.  This is one of THE nicest McDonald's I have ever been to!  Nice waterfalls/gardens and beautiful interior.  I wonder what people would think if we had McDonald's like that in the states!

Our lunch destination...I don't remember the name but it was all typical food/decor.  So fun!

We ate this...

And this...

We enjoyed the architecture of Antigua, 

soaked in the cobble stone roads, the bright colors

and continued to marvel at the beautiful people!

More achitecture.  This was a beautiful cathedral that we went to.

Ate helados...YUM!  I swear ice cream is better in 3rd world countries!

Paolo, Emiliana, Manola, me, Jen

Patricia, Eddy (my dad's oldest brother)

Our family was so gracious to feed all 5 of us and allow us into their beautiful home!  They are wonderful and I am so glad that I can call them family!  This night was also the 1st time we met Gianna (Emi's daughter) and Paolo (Emi's husband).  It was so fun getting to know them...we love them all! 

Ok, for my own personal rememberance...Patricia had called us the morning that we left for Antigua.  We had already made plans with Emi that we would be going to our aunt and uncle's home for dinner after we arrived back to the city.  Patricia let us know that she had a meeting in Antigua and she would be able to take us directly to her house...AWESOME!  We met her at a very beautiful hotel and got in her car.  We were TOTALLY SMUSHED!  But I suppose that is another part of the Guatemalan experience.  You don't have to wear seat belts, you are always squished.  Rebecca and I's legs were totally dead when we arrived at their house.  Good news was...when we returned to Grandpa's house we got a personal chauffer and we had plenty of room for everyone and great leg room.  Worked out fab!

I know, I know...

I am such a BAD blogger.  But I have had lot's of requests to hear about my trip to the Motherland.  If you are reading this and don't know that my family is from Guatemala...well...then, you probably shouldn't be reading this because you are most likely a sick stocker!  Sorry, was that a little bold...but really, am I right, or am I right?  And if you are a friend reading this and didn't know that, well, then...get to know me!

So, I don't think that it is a secret that I have Guatemalan blood in me, and I like that fact.  I am proud of my heritage and I love Guatemala.  Many of you know that my sister, Jen, and I went to Guatemala in 2003 to teach English.  That was my first experience out of the country and it was...interesting.  I loved it!  But going back 8 years later with a totally new perspective in life was an AMAZING experience.  I honestly couldn't have asked for a greater experience...I suppose that the only thing that would have made it better would have been having my immediate family with me.  My parents have not been back to Guatemala for 30 years, when my mom was pregnant with Jen.  I am praying that they will be able to return soon...hoping for the beginning of next year.  Tickets are very cheap right now, so I am pressuring my dad into it.  Ha! Ha!  

Well, shall we...

DAY 1- Flights and food-kinda boring.

We traveled to Mexico City from SLC.  Holy cow...Mexico City is the LARGEST city I have EVER seen.  Kind of ridiculous!  That flight is 4 hours, it was fine.  We got off in Mexico City and the couple Elder's that were on our flight we like deer in headlights.  Oh, how I remember that feeling!  It was so fun to see missionaries and reminisce myself about my experiences as a missionary, nothing can compare!  Good luck, Elders!

The flight from Mexico City to Guate was fab.  We flew with AeroMexico and we would HIGHLY reccommend that airline, it was wonderful!  On a 2 hour flight they give you a MEAL...really?  Way better than peanuts!

When we arrived to Guatemala City, Grandpa, Olga (she is for another post I suppose), and Fernando were there to greet us.  We then went to dinner and met up with Gauti, Maritsa and their kids.  And where did we eat?  None other than...a pizza place.  Why would we go anywhere else?  We were only in GUATEMALA!!!  Ha! Ha!  We had to laugh!

Welcome to Vesuvio's!  Do you like the nice touch of the red/white checkered table cloth?  Can you tell that we had been traveling ALL day?

Cute pic of Jen and Grandpa.

Do we fit in?  One thing I learned on this trip is that I apparently look 'more' Guatemalan than Jen.  If any of you could shed some light on this for me, that would be great!  I'm guessing it is just more of my features that makes me look 'more' Guatemalan.  I definatley have the Guatemalan hands!

Family and Friends-Fernando (uncle), Jen, Becca, Dayna, Camille, me, Grandpa

Maritsa, Paula, Gauti, Jose Nascio, Olga

We were exhausted when we arrived to Grandpa's house, but as a 'thank you' to Fernando for taking us home Jen played the piano and us girls sang hymns in Spanish.  It was actually quite exhilirating, we started off our 'missionary week' off right! (Fernando is not a member of the church).  Stay tuned for many more missionary exeriences and opportunities we had through the week!

BYU COUGARS!

No, I did not graduate from BYU.  I did however grow up in an extremely blue family...if you catch my drift.  I made it to the first home game...against Utah.  We won't go there...it was UGLY to say the least.  But I had to get a BYU shirt to show my pride...

My cute parents...my dad has decided that he can't smile because everytime he does his eyes squint...like a chino!  Ha! Ha!

                                                In honor of the older bro...love you!!

GO COUGARS!!!

Last weekend the Cougars played Utah State...which I did attend.  I still love my Aggies, but because Emily my co-worker is a HUGE BYU HATER (not just a little...but A LOT!!) we had to play it up and that we did.  Coverd all of her pictures with BYU stuff and covered her husbands head with Bronco.  It was CLASSIC and gratefully the Cougars won!  I STILL BLEED BLUE!

In remembrance...

September 11, 2011 came at a very poigniant time in my life and the life of my family as well.  For those of you who don't know, my older brother Landon, has recently enlisted in the Army.  It was quite a shock to me and a few tears have been shed.  Shed while thinking about how long he will be gone, contemplating how the life of his family will change, wondering how my life will change and remembering those who have served and gone before.  I am extremely grateful for his upcoming service (even if that does mean his family will move for at least 4 years) and it has never hit so close to home to know and have a soldier in the family.  I know that his family will be blessed and have experiences that they would find no other way.  It was an honor to go up to the memorial in Sandy and walk around with the cutest kids ever!  They were both so sweet an very curious when we would read some of the cards about the people who died that day.  A was especially curious about a girl named Andrea, she couldn't figure out why Andrea was in heaven, it was so sweet. 

 Um...adroable?  YES!!  E really wanted to give A a piggy back ride. Precious!  You see why I will have a hard time when these little darlings move away? Not ready for that, yet!

Aunt Shelly, A, and Aunt Jen

Such a sweet remembrance with the rose, love it!

  I hope and pray that we will each remember those who have gone before us and those who are fighting for our freedoms right now.  It is more special to me than ever before and I am grateful for that. God bless the U.S.A.!

(You can see B's head behind Landon...kinda)