So, it appears that Mitch and I have come upon some really bad luck lately. This has been one of the worst weeks yet. It all started with Mitch calling me on my way to work Monday morning to inform me he got in a car accident on his way to his first final. Luckily, it was a fairly minor accident and no one was injured. This did not help him take his final though. We should have known something bad was coming because there seems to be something about bad luck and law school finals. He has had numerous classmates have their laptops stolen or their apartments burn down just in time for finals. As if law school isn’t hard enough?

After I hung up the phone with Mitch, I arrived at work where I promptly started to get a migraine. I haven’t had one in almost a year so I was surprised and unsure as to what set it off. The bad thing is the first sign is my vision gets all messed up which means I can’t drive home. The next phase is the pain and then the vomiting. I never know how quickly it is going to progress so I have to do my best to make it home ASAP. Well, as I mentioned before Mitch had just gone to take his final so he couldn’t come get me to take me home. Luckily, my mom works next door so she took time off work to take me home and get me situated. I probably would have had her stay with me if I would have know this was going to be the worst migraine I’ve had since Junior High. Somehow I made it through the day very tired and dehydrated hoping that Tuesday would be better.

Little did I know Tuesday wasn’t going to be any better. On my way to work, it was snowing so I was trying to slowing and cautiously make it to work. I got half way there when a second migraine hit me. I spent the rest of the day in bed with a headache worrying about the big project I was supposed to be finishing at work.

Then Thursday came and I finally thought things were looking up. Then I got a call from my former employers who informed me that Mitch was never added to my health insurance after we got married even though we filled out all the forms and turned them in. The best part was the lady had the gall to laugh about it when it was her mistake. I really hate people sometimes. As a result of her mistake, Mitch cannot be on Cobra while we wait for my insurance with my new job to kick in. Thank goodness he was not hurt in the car accident on Monday. Let’s pray this gets fixed or that he has another healthy two months.

In the mean time, we will be grateful for all of our blessings, the things that are going right, for this Christmas season, but most of all, that this week is OVER!!!

Picture of their CD cover

Last night my mom, Mitch, and I went to my sister’s concert. She is in a band with her friend Jake called the Sweater Friends and this was their cd release concert at Kilby Court. It was a good concert, but the venue was scary!! It is located down an alley downtown in an old garage that has been converted into a stage. It was dirty with no where to sit and complete with its own fire pit out back. The only redeeming thing was that it seemed to be air conditioned or at least had some sort of air circulation.

Anyway, on to the concert. The opening act was a girl by the name of Mari Ellon who sang and played the guitar. Her husband joined her on a few songs to play the bongos. He did a good job, but he stared at her the entire time he was playing…it was awkward and creepy at the same time. The girl did have a nice voice although as my mom said, she sounds like the Little Mermaid. It was clearly her first show and she was really nervous – so nervous that she misspelled her name for us. Good times. She played 5 or 6 songs and then it was on to the Sweater Friends.

Their set included some new songs as well as some old goodies. They did a good job, but their guitars were so loud it was hard to hear the vocals at some parts. Nevertheless, there was a good sized crow there to support them including Danielle (my sister’s co-worker) who was ideal. After their set they sold their CDs for $5 (well worth the 5 bucks for 11 songs of fun music). Sadly, we had to take off so Mitch could study, but apparently up next was a traveling band from Seattle. There were supposed to be really good, so it is too bad we couldn’t stay to partake - maybe next time.

If you are interested in learning more about the Sweater Friends, check out their myspace page at: www.myspace.com/thesweaterfriends

One week ago from today, Mitchell and I were jointed together as husband and wife in front of our family and friends. We were blessed to have such a lovely day to cherish forever, but it wasn’t without some bumps (but not the normal wedding bumps – those were somehow meaningless and at the back of my mind). A few days before the wedding, my dad was rushed to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. They discovered he had a blockage in his small intestine. Then the day before the wedding, the doctors decided they needed to operate, but were hoping they could do it mainly with just lasers. However, after they began the operation, they discovered they would have to make at least a small incision. The doctors told us he would most likely be able to come home the day of the wedding. We were all so relieved and happy he was going to be okay.

Then came the day of the wedding. Things were hectic but running smoothly. We had a morning rehearsal and did some decorating and then I was off to get my hair and make-up done. Things had been going back and forth between whether or not my dad would be released all day. Then my mom called me about 2:00pm to tell me that dad had not been released and that he would not be released at all that day. I was devastated and my heart broke. I wanted more than anything in the moment to have my dad walk be the one to walk me down the aisle. Shortly thereafter, the doctors decided to let him go to just the ceremony and then he would have to go right back to the hospital. Prayers are answered. My dad did indeed make it and in his pale and pain-ridden state, he walked me lovingly down the aisle and gave me away.

The ceremony was performed by my bishop. He explained covenants, gave us some advice, and then we exchanged vows and rings. It was an amazing moment in both of our lives and we are both so happy to be together!! The rest of the night was spent taking pictures, greeting guests, cutting the cake, throwing the bouquet, and dancing. We were exhausted, but happy by the end of the night. Then it was off to Seattle to the Salish Lodge and Spa. We spent six days there relaxing and site-seeing. Now we are back to reality and trying to figure out how to live life as husband and wife. Yeah!!

So the lesson is – don’t sweat the small stuff and remember what is really important. I have seen way too many brides cry over flowers, jewelry, and dresses. Well, after crying over my dad, I have a whole new perspective of what weddings are all about.

I just realized I never posted our big decision. We have decided to stay in the beehive state and attend the University of Utah. We think this will be the best for us in the long run. It is a better school and it increases our chances of getting a job here in Utah. I am also excited because this means that Mitch and I will share a school and will both have graduated from The U.

California would have been a nice change and a growing experience for Mitch and me (not to mention MUCH better weather year round) but it just wasn't meant to be. It saves us the stress of moving and me finding a job all while we are planning the wedding. Now we can just focus on the wedding and starting our lives together here amongst our families. For now, we will leave California just to vacations (which we will be doing next week with Mitch's family). So, GO UTES!!

A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks and there is only more to come. I survived another tax season despite a horrible April 15 and I am questioning if taxes are for me. I love the work, but the up and downs kill me. I like more steady work, so it will be interesting to see what the next couple of months have in store for me. Mitch has been hearing back from law schools here and there. He still has a couple left to hear from, but so far the important ones are Chapman (accepted and he got offered a full ride), the UofU (wait listed), and Colorado (wait listed). He also got into Pepperdine, but he decided against going there. He should be making a decision in the next couple of weeks so stayed tuned.

To celebrate surviving this stressful time, we decided to take a little trip to Orange County, CA. It was a much needed break and it gave me a chance to see where Mitch grew up and meet some of his extended family (Uncle Bill is a little intense and he likes to lecture, but other than that I came through with flying colors). The weather was a lot warmer than it has been in Utah which was so nice!! I enjoyed walking around the lake, attempting to hit a few golf balls, shopping, cruising around in the mini van, and eating pizookie on the beach. We also took sometime to walk around Chapman and tour the area. It is an older town that has a small town feel to it – it reminded me a lot of Logan and not in a good way. However, the school was really nice and I think Mitch would do really well there. It was a great vacation and the best part was Mitch and didn’t sick of each other and in fact we grew closer together, so yeah for California!!