On our video guest book

Some of you might remember the guest book from our wedding reception. For those of you who weren't there, we had a video guest book/booth. Instead of signing your name in a traditional guest book, you sat in front of a camera and told us who you are, how you know us, and a memory or something to make us laugh. We had loads of fun making up a little explanation sheet, which I'm sure no one read.


We promised a prize for the person or people who made us laugh the hardest. After the wedding several of my friends and family asked me excitedly if I had seen their guest book entry and who had won the prize. Unfortunately, there have been unexpected delays in post-production, and I haven't seen the video yet. I'm really sad about this and am starting to get frustrated with the situation.


I'm worried that the jokes won't be funny anymore, or that there was time sensitive information in there. I just hope that none of my friends or family members are hurt that I never commented on their guest book entry or that they didn't win the prize. Just so you know, the prize hasn't been awarded yet. I am holding on to the faint hope that maybe we'll get the video as a first anniversary present, but I wouldn't be surprised if we never see it. This is a difficult situation because it involves family. I'm trying to rise above and be the big person and not let this be a sore spot. It's hard though. Any suggestions?

On birthday week (and a general update)

My birthday was last Wednesday, which means that I got to have an awesome birthday week leading up to that day. We got the idea for birthday week from my awesome cousins D&S. When it's my birthday week, I get to call the shots. I decided where we went out to dinner, what we watched on TV, etc. It works really well for us, because I prefer to do things rather than get things. I made Blake come with me to see a chick-flick one day and to go mini-golfing another. It was great! On my birthday we went for a lovely dinner at the Goldener-Hirsch at Deer Valley in Park City. It was delicious and very romantic. Blake gave me some wonderful and thoughtful gifts; he knows me so well. He gave me an adorable stuffed baby Dumbo because Dumbo was my favorite ride at Disneyland when I was a wee lass, a cookbook stand, and a beginning How-to-Quilt video. Learning to quilt is on my bucket list. Thanks for a great birthday, Blake!

Cookbook stand and Baby Dumbo



In the middle of birthday week, we went to Moab with my dad for Labor day weekend. It seemed like a good idea, but I should have known that 4 days in a row with my dad would be too many. We have bad history, and it's still anxiety provoking for me to spend time with him. Also, Jeeping off-road is not really my thing.

Blake driving and feeling very manly.

Being a good sport about it while trying to keep my fear of heights in check on those crazy trails was just a little too much for me. I got out and walked a portion of the last trail I went on. Everyone else went on another trail the next day while I stayed in town and went for a walk and read a book.

This isn't us, but it's where I got out and walked. One wrong move and you roll off that cliff!

I've been having crazy dreams about jeeps falling off cliffs and getting attacked by weird desert animals ever since. I'm telling you all this so that next time someone can remind me that this wasn't such a good idea after all; I might forget.

We found a place to live in Moreno Valley, and are moving on Friday. Yikes! Packing and cleaning are overwhelming. We're making progress one box at a time. Even though it's a lot to do, I'm so happy that things are falling into place and we get to live together again. We're also really hoping that people will want to come visit us. We'll have an extra bedroom and bathroom. We're fun. We have a pool and hot tub. I'll put a mint on your pillow. Come visit us!

On maybe starting a new blog?

I get all passionate about the things that I'm learning in my classes. Even though I want to, I usually don't post them on my blog, because I figure most of you wouldn't be that interested in how to run a good therapy group, or what I'm learning about kids and play therapy, or my opinion on antidepressant medications. Am I right?

I'm thinking about starting a new blog where I can write about all those things and not bore my friends and family who read this blog. What are your thoughts on this idea?

On . . . I'm embarrassed for us . . . seriously, people?

I don't really know where to start with this one. I don't have the words.

A friend directed me to this story from the Deseret News. Next week, President Obama is planning a live broadcast for America's school children. According to the White House website, "the President will talk directly to students across the country on the importance of taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed." (The English major in me has a hard time with that sentence. Come on, White House, did no one edit?)

Apparently some parents are upset about this and another video encouraging community service shown in a Utah school last week. They are planning on taking their kids out of school so that they don't have to see the video.

Really, people? Really? In the news story, parents are saying they'll do something useful during that time like read the constitution and are wondering what President Obama's motive is. He's the President! The President of the United States! How is it at all suspicious that he's sending a message to kids to do well in school and strive to succeed? I just don't see the harm in it.

It's these kinds of things that make me embarrassed for our state. We're really not all like this. Most of us are fairly normal people, good citizens, and all that. It's just that these are the people that make the news and make the rest of us look bad. If anything, what they've accomplished with this protest is to draw more attention to the broadcast. You better believe I'll be watching it now; I want to see what the fuss is all about.