Happiness!

Yes, I'M MARRIED!

I have SO MANY fun and happy details to share with you all!

But for now I will share this little tidbit of advice, designed by yours truly in the most fabulous font I've EVER beheld! :)

I'll be back REAL soon!

Photo by J. Taylor

Our Story - Part I

Alright, all you patient people, here it is - James & my "once upon a time..."! So get comfortable and grab a box of tissues...or a box of chocolates, cause you're about to hear my favorite love story of all time! :)

It was March 27th, a Sunday, when I first saw James. He was visiting my ward with his sister Liz for Easter Sunday. Liz and I had been asked by Sister Larsen, the teacher of the Temple class, to share our testimonies, since we had both recently received our temple endowment. Thus, James was also in attendance in that class.

(Originally, my favorite picture of James to stalk on Facebook)

I remember seeing him and thinking, "That has to be Liz's brother! Wait a minute...Liz is awesome, I bet he's awesome, too... Hm, he's cute!" After Liz and I bore our testimonies and love of the temple, Sister Larsen opened it up for anyone else. James bore his own beautiful testimony of the temple and thus...my first impression of him was..."Spiritual? Check. RM? Check. Loves Gospel? Check." :) Not a bad way to start.

I found out later that I wasn't the only one running a secret "date inspection" in that Sunday school class. Liz apparently had mentioned to James that she wanted to set him up with me. In Sunday school she nudged him when I came in - "That's Lindsay." So, the next day Liz got my approval and my number to pass on to James and on Wednesday James called me. By week's end we had been on two dates and I was feeling great about "Liz's brother."

Well, let's just say that James wasn't as "gung ho" as early on in our relationship as I was. He took some convincing...some "chasing" if you will. I attribute it to the fact that, at BYU, where James goes to school, there is an abundance of beautiful, awesome and spiritually-founded young women to date (guys, too), and thus, unfortunately I feel like the general population have gotten fairly comfortable that there will always be someone "bigger and better". At least, James agrees, that this is the case with some, if not most.

So, that said, it wasn't till late May, when James got back from a tour in Russia with a BYU folk dance group, that James and I went out again. Though, I should mention that he called me the day after he got home and we went out that night ;)

(James and some of his friends from "Living Legends" - the folk dance group at BYU)

After some more casual dating on his end and some more casual chasing on my end, James invited me for a weekend at his friends' cabin with a bunch of his buddies. By this time it was June and I, frankly, was sick of this "casual" thing. I knew that I liked him, we had spent nearly 4 days a week every week with each other, and I was either wanting to move forward or to stop wasting each others time. I was never very bold in dating before, but I knew that with James I could and should be as open and honest as I he would be with me, so I basically said, "I can find happiness with or without you, but I need you to make a decision." I know. I surprised myself, too...but it worked ;)

The next night at ward FHE (Yes, I was lucky enough to have James in my ward for the whole Summer! Tender mercy!) I determined to just be me, not focus too much on James, and just enjoy everything and everyone. When the night was over, I left James with nothing but a brief and polite wave and a "see you later." He caught up to me in the parking lot and we talked...for two hours. He said he still wanted to date me, thought I was awesome, etc. which satisfied me enough that I decided to accompany him to his friends' cabin for the weekend.

(James and some of his friends at the cabin)

After that beautiful weekend of relaxation, games, laughter and fun with all of James' awesome friends and plenty of flirtation between James and me...he held my hand and asked me to be his girlfriend. And, you can guess that without any hesitation at all, I said yes.

Since that point James and I have been pretty into each other :) It was such a blessing to have the Summer together. Seeing each other nearly every day, our relationship was able to move along fairly quickly. A month later, we found ourselves sitting on his parents' front lawn in Nevada, looking at the stars on the Fourth of July and exchanging a first kiss and our first "I love you"s. Giddiness and butterflies and happiness, I tell you what :) Haha, ok, I promised myself I would limit the "mushy" stuff.

(James and I in his parents' front yard...and the spot where we smooched ;)

I can't even express how grateful I am and how blessed I feel that Heavenly Father would orchestrate such a beautiful relationship in my life and introduce me to such a remarkable young man. James and I find ourselves saying often, "Heavenly Father must really love me."

Not only have we found every crucial thing we've ever needed in a future spouse, but Heavenly Father has lovingly allowed us to have some of the "Would Like to Have's", too. For instance, James can cook, he can dance, he's  thoughtful and romantic, he supports my love for Harry Potter and allowed me to convert him and bring him to the pre-screening of the last movie, his smile makes me melt and he served an LDS mission in ITALY!! - thus he speaks Italian, shares my love for everything Italian and, best of all, he wants to take me there :) For James, well, he happens to love the fact that I can sing. In fact, I invited him to my vocal recital (where I sang in Italian, too) and he said that when he heard me sing he melted and realized a whole new depth to me that he really enjoys. So, guys and gals, it never hurts to magnify your talents ;)

(Harry Potter 7.2 prescreening with our friend Carrie)

Next up: The Proposal :) Stay tuned.

The Good News & The Bad News

The bad news first? I think so.

So... I realized my pedometer was missing about 5 hours after my run yesterday morning. When I realized it was gone, I went on a walk, retracing every step I had taken in my run. I crossed the busy street and passed junior high kids as they walked home from school. A group of junior high skater boys said "Hey! How's it goin?" as I passed and, thinking nothing of it (teenagers don't really need excuses to do things "differently"), I responded, "Hey! Fine thanks." I walked a bit further and saw a little grey lump sitting in the middle of the parking lot. MY PEDOMETER! I quickened my pace and picked it up and held its little broken shell in my hands. The screen was smashed, the edges gashed (that rhymes!) and my poor little pedometer was dead. Run over by a car no doubt :(


You know how much I love my pedometer. What, with all the posts I've written about how it keeps me focused on fitness, the one about the time in San Diego that I walked double my daily goal around Coronado Island. :( I'm sad. Much more sad about losing this than I was about Madre sucking up my earbuds with the vacuum. I've been wearing my pedometer for the past like 3 years straight... So, I'm now on the hunt for a new one. Anyone know were to find an Omron Pedometer? They're amazing.

*sigh*

The good news?

Well, on my way back, the same group of little 14 year-old skater boys saw me coming and walked up to me. One of them said,


"Hey! What's your name."


"Lindsay," I responded, still walking.


"Hey, guys, this is Lindsay!"


The "guys" chimed, "Hey, Lindsay!" and laughed


Then he said, "Are you in high school? You look like you're in high school."


I laughed and said, "Haha. Nope I'm not. But thanks!" still walking.


"Oh. Well where do you go to school?"


I paused before responding...then turned and said,


"I'm about to graduate from the U of U."


You should've seen his face. That image alone made my day! Haha. Oh yeah! And the fact that I apparenetly still look like I'm in high school. BOOYAH!

The End.

Enjoy your Saturday :)

Heartstrings of the Week: For Grandma

Welcome to today's episode of "When Music Makes Me Cry":

Alright, people. Here it is! My favorite aria of all time...Annnnd, it's story time! Pull up a comfy chair and mug of hot cocoa and here we go:

Once upon a time I had a voice teacher that, when she found out I was a soprano, hooked me up with every operatic aria and art song she could think of. Thus, began my love for opera.

Then, one day after a recital I overheard my dad talking with her about my grandma's love for Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly. "She used to sing it around the house and with her sister," he said, "She had a beautiful voice!" This touched me. My grandma passed away when I was 12 and yet suddenly there was the connection with her that I had longed for - opera. Someone once said,

"Music is what feelings sound like."

From that point on, I aspired to the point in my "vocal career" (if you can call it that) that I'd be able to at last sing, with confidence, THE aria from Madame Butterfly. Arguably, THE most passionate and heart-wrenching aria of all time - "Un Bel Di Vedremo"

Well, the time has come. I nearly cried the day my amazing voice teacher stated, "Oh, you're ready!" Ready to sing for grandma!

This opera is much like the musical Miss Saigon, neither of which I have seen, but I know the music from Madame Butterfly like I know how to breathe. Here is a brief synopsis:

Location: Nagasaki, Japan

Time: 1904

Cio-Cio-San is the heroine of the opera - "Madame Butterfly" to her American Lieutenant, B.F. Pinkerton. Pinkerton is in Japan at war (whatever war took place at that time?) and they fall in love and get married. Her family is completely against the idea and they disown her at her betrothal. Pinkerton then leaves to America but swears to return. Butterfly has his baby, a son, and three years go by. She is still intent on believing that he will return. When, at last, he does return he brings...his American wife with him and they come to take away "his" son. Butterfly realizes this when she sees him coming with his wife and is heartbroken times 10, so she says goodbye to her son and...kills herself.

Yeah, like I said, THE most heart-wrenching and passionate opera ever. This aria takes place as Butterfly is consoling her crying maid (and friend) who believes that Pinkerton will not return. With assurance in their long awaited reunion, Butterfly describes the whole beautiful scene that she's relived in her mind for the past 3 years. It's not everyday you get an aria that translates so poetically, so I encourage you to read this. It's beautiful! Poor, Butterfly.

Translation:

You're crying? Why?

Ah, faith is lacking in you!

Listen.

One beautiful day we will see

a thread of smoke rise

on the far horizon of the sea.

And then the ship appears.

Then the white ship enters the port,

roars its solute.

You see? He has come!

I will not go down to meet him - not I.

I will position myself there

on the edge of the hill

and wait a long time;

and the long wait

            will not be hard on me.

And…having emerged from the town crowd,

a man – a tiny speck –

sets out for the hill.

Who will it be?

And when he has arrived,

what will he say?

He will call Butterfly from the distance,

I, without giving answer,

will remain concealed from him –

a bit in play

and a bit so as not to die

at the first reunion.

And he, somewhat anxious will call:

“dear little wife”

“fragrance of verbena” –

the names he used to call me whenever he arrived

All this will happen, I promise you.

Persist in your fear;

I, with sure faith, await him!

I might cry when, at last, I perform this song... for grandma and at the thought of such a tragic tale, but I can't help but love this opera and I think you can see why.

Enjoy the passion!

GAH! Get's me right in the tear duct every time!

 P.S. Thanks to all of you cute people for you kind compliments on my aria video. I really appreciate your loving feedback. Thanks! :)

Story of My Life

I hope you all have a fantabulous weekend and that the sun sticks around for a long long time! Go away till next Christmas, snow. K? Thanks. HAPPY FRIDAY!

Brian Regan tonight! WAHOO!

P.S. Anyone know how to make my header look as crisp as these images?

P.P.S. I'll announce the giveaway winner next wednesday, so make sure you enter! :)

*All images copyright of Lindsay Kay. Thank you.

Dad.

It wasn't a date.

I had thought it would be,

But there was another girl there.

"He" didn't know,

Just stuck in an awkward place.

"No worries," I told myself

"Just have fun."

The Sweetheart 5k,

My first official race.

After a little bit of awkwardness,

And reassuring kindness

We were ready to go,

All three of us,

Ready to run 3.2 miles.

I turned my iPod to Kelly

And we were off at a steady pace.

"I'm doing it," I thought

And I pushed on, determinedly.

Almost a mile

"He" and "She" passed,

Left me in the dust,

Leaving me to run the Sweetheart

By myself.

"I'll catch up," I told myself,

But my side ached and I got slower.

Off they ran together.

"You belong with me-ee-ee,"

Taylor Swift taunted from my iPod.

I changed the song,

Kept running.

Past mile 2,

I needed a break.

Physically and emotionally drained,

I walked.

Quickly. But pathetically.

The rain washed over my face

As if daring me to cry.

I almost did,

But someone honked,

Dad.

He beamed encouragingly

And gave me a thumbs up.

I ran again,

Filled with a renewed strength,

Love.

Almost done,

I could feel the end getting close,

But how close?

Again, my legs turned to jello

And my breathing got tighter in my chest.

I wanted to turn down the street and run home,

Kind of.

I looked up ahead and smiled

Dad.

Waiting for me,

I ran faster.

He high-fived me as I passed,

"You're doing great! Keep going!"

I smiled and breathed in real deep.

Turning my head as I ran, I called back,

"Thanks. I love you."

He jumped back in the truck

And rode beside me,

Keeping my pace.

As I rounded the corner

He rolled down the window,

"You're almost there.

The end is close,

...Sprint!"

And with childlike trust

I sprinted.

I pushed to the finish.

I was done!

Did it feel good?

Honestly? I wanted to throw up,

But I was proud of myself!

I found "He" and "She"

Eating oranges

Holding there numbers:

80-somethings.

I took an orange

And began to munch on it.

Someone came up behind me

Hugged me,

Twirled me,

Dad.

"You did it!" he exclaimed proudly.

I showed him my number disappointedly

151.

He laughed. And I laughed.

He knew I could do better,

But he didn't care.

He loved me no matter what.

I keep running.

I still get exhausted.

I want to give-up,

And then there's a voice,

Heavenly Father.

"You can do it!"

"Keep going!"

You're almost there!"

"I love you!"

My strength is renewed

And I run again.

He doesn't care what number I come in

Or that I slowed down a couple of times,

He loves me no matter what.

I'll keep running.

I'll make it to the end,

Because of Him.

For Him.

Dad.

Childhood Felicities

I've said this before, but I'm going to say it again,

Is it just me or is EVERYTHING (that isn't an exaggeration) more fun as a child?

Think about it:

Christmas = Toys on Christmas morning, Santa Clause, gingerbread houses, stockings, sledding, building snowmen and forts, having snowball fights, making snow angels, and all the while not complaining about how cold it is

Halloween = Picking out THE coolest costume, strutting your stuff in the Halloween parade at school, trick or treating, sorting your candy into groups to see how much of each one you have, trading for favorites, eating your entire collection without getting sick (man I miss that)

Valentine's Day = Decorating boxes, buying the coolest or cutest Valentine's to give out in school, making sure not to put the candy hearts that say "I love you" in any of the boys' envelopes

Easter = Dying eggs, Easter egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, candy (I see a common theme)

St. Patrick's Day = Eating green things cause your teacher and/or mom were cool like that, pinching people that weren't wearing green, getting pinched 10 times when those people revealed their hidden green sticker, bracelet or underwear

Thanksgiving = Drawing hand turkeys, making Indian headdresses and pilgrim hats, sitting at the kids table and making volcanoes in your mashed potatoes and gravy, not worrying about calories or the effects of your third piece of pie

Birthdays = Having parties with all of your friends and playing games like Don't Eat Pete or Musical Chairs, getting the cake with pink frosting and colorful sprinkles, wishing something awesome for each of your friends as they recite, "Heavy heavy hangover thy poor head, what do you wish with a bonk on the head", opening presents, playing all day long, not having to do chores and being the center of attention

Weekends = Playing night games like Cops & Robbers or Steal The Flag and finding the BEST hiding place on the block, making beds on the couch and watching TGIF on ABC with candy from the grocery store, waking up early to catch the best Saturday morning cartoons while Dad makes pancakes

"Yep, those were the days," Lindsay said as pictures of the past swam joyfully through her head and made her smile. This morning I missed Saturday morning cartoons a lot

...

So

...

I watched some

...

Bundled up on the couch

...

With a PB&H in my tummy

...

And a childish smile on my face.

...

Maybe childhood is a lot closer than we think.

Out Like a Light

Sleepy. Unfocused. Dizzy. Loopy.

I was guided into a plain room with white walls, ceiling and floor,

But it didn't look like heaven,

More like a dull and cold prison or a torture chamber.

The lady in aqua scrubs asked me to lay down on the table.

"Deep breaths" I told myself.

They strapped down my arms and feet,

Stuck heart-moniters to my chest,

And an IV in my arm

(not a needle fan),

"Good veins" they commented.

"I get that a lot," I thought, blushing.

Then the surgeon entered with a syringe

And pumped his magic sleeping potion through my system.

Then,

It went dark.

I heard beeping and distant voices.

I opened my eyes and looked up at an unfamiliar ceiling,

Which puzzled me, but I was too tired to react.

The lady in aqua scrubs helped me sit up

And I sat, quiet, like a stargazer contemplating the universe

But not fully understanding.

Moments passed.

The girl in the bed next to me was not herself.

I don't know her personally,

But I could tell that she was not "like that" on a regular basis.

Then, I was guided to the car.

Madre was in the driver's seat waiting for me.

She covered me with my coat and turned up the heater.

My legs shook uncontrollably.

Was I cold? Was I in shock?

What was going on?

The heat sunk in and slowly calmed me.

My wisdom teeth are gone forever.

I have a feeling I won't miss those teeth,

But I sure hope the wisdom grows back soon,

And brings with it the normal size of my face.

The End.

Enjoy some of Brian Regan's wisdom tooth humor...

And have an enjoyable weekend, cute people!

x o x o

P.S. Thank you for the well-wishes and the pureéd non-dairy products.