A Night Out On the Town (going solo)

So here is something fun! Shawn has recently decided to fill in the last few free minutes of his days (or just creating more minutes to use...somehow) by joining a research team On-Campus. He loves it and I am going to force him to post about it as soon as he decides to create more minutes. But until then, let me tell you about what he did with his research team on Tuesday night.

So, he decided to take a little nap when he got home that night before delving back into his homework load. The time was about 6:15 and he was finally getting into his “unconscious” state, when his phone started vibrating. He sleeping answered, still a little unaware of whether it was his alarm or a phone call, until the voice on the other line started talking back. Ryan, one of his research colleagues, was apparently inviting him and his fiancé (that would be me) out to dinner. The research sponsors who are providing all of the funding for their project are in town this week from far away Denmark for meetings and to check on the progress of their investments. It is a well known fact that when sponsors come into town, you get treated to a night out on the town. Sadly, oh so very very very sadly, I was working that night. Shawn expressed that he was a little uneasy about going without me, especially since everyone else going along had a date. In fact, they offered to find him one. They thought a lowly freshman would fit the part perfectly. But, luckily for me, Shawn knew because of some prior experiences, and because…well…we’re engaged, so that probably wasn’t a good idea. He had no idea what to expect for the night, so when they started heading up Provo Canyon, he got a little suspicious. They ended up here (click it).

Yeah...I know. "The Tree Room" at Sundance Resort… Just read the opening paragraph and you’ll start to understand the bitterness in my voice. Let explain though, just so that you'll have the big picture. I happen to love food. The culinary arts (now notice I say art, because it is an ART) is my passion. Gourmet food markets and a well out-fitted kitchen would really be enough to make happy. Well, maybe a nice place setting to enjoy the deliciousness would be nice too, but you can’t have it all. It’s a little ironic really that one of my greatest wishes since Shawn and I met was to treat him to a top of the line dining experience and then hopefully have him understand better my love for cuisine. I just never thought he would have it without me...

So here’s what he ate.Four courses....(I'm really trying hard not to be bitter...)

Buffalo Carpaccio Pecorino Romano, Olive Oil, Fleur De Sel

Soup Exploration Their soup of the day was (TBA)

Sauteed Utah Trout Brussels Sprouts, Petite Fingerling Potatoes, Chive Beurre Blanc

Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake Hazelnut Caramel Sauce, Salted Caramel Ice Cream

He raved about the evening. They were there for 3 hours, and he loved every minute. I was a little jealous…okay, A LOT jealous, but he broke the news to me lightly by surprising me outside my work when I got off at 10:00 that night.He gave me a huge hug and had a suspiciously big smile on his face. I pestered him enough to quell his need for a good reaction and he finally spilled the news. Lucky for him, the surprise was good enough curb the ugly green monster from over taking me. It was so fun to hear him talk about the food like it was from heaven and to hear all the funny conversations and things he learned about Denmark (ask him for stories on that one). Needless to say, it was night to remember. It’s not everyday a poor, soon to be poorer, college student gets taken out to a $100 a head restaurant at one of the most famous resorts in the country now is it. Yay for fun memories that we will never be able to afford to make ourselves.

P.S. To Shawn's credit, he was sure to tell me that he was thinking of me through out the entire meal and wishing I was there to experience it with him... I love you honey....and I wish I had been there too.

Where have we been all your life???

So…stepping into the world of blogging must not mean you are going to stay there. It was been exactly 25 days since we created this sight, and 25 days since we have posted on it. I’m hoping that the habit will start forming now, and that we can work up to a post every 7 days, rather than 25. :)

Well, at least the long hiatus means there is much to tell! We finally have the wedding planned! OK, well, maybe not all the way planned, but at least the scaffolding is up! My Mom and I have been trying to plan the wedding day celebrations since Shawn and got engaged over 2 months ago, and we changed our minds so many times that Shawn almost started counting. With every new “Ok, Honey, this is it this time. Our final decision!” he would just roll his eyes a little and listen intently as I told him all the reasons why our current idea was going to work out best. Then he would patiently let me repeat the process again, 4 days later, after everything completely changed, and then again 5 days later, etc. But my wonderful extraordinary mother, discovered our niche! Canterbury Place! We put down our deposit on Monday, and I can finally breathe easy! But before I go on, I need to say thank you again to my Mommy. I have been swamped working 40 hours a week, full time school, and still trying to spend at least 45 minutes a day with the man I love, and so she is doing all of the hard work! Last week end she spent all Saturday putting together lists of options. After hours of searching and calling sweet voiced wedding coordinators and reception centers, park services, rental companies, she called me that night and laid out the top three with prices, locations, amenities, menus; everything I would need to make a decision. I choose an option, made a call, and waa-laa! So thank you Mom! This wedding is going to be wonderful because of you!

So everyone can write April 24 in their calendars. The sealing is at 11:30 in the Bountiful Utah Temple, and the Luncheon is from 1-3pm that afternoon at Canterbury Place in Bountiful. We are not going to have a reception in Utah or Maryland. We thought an intimate wedding luncheon with family and friends would fit perfectly with our circumstances. Afterwards Shawn and I will drive into the sunset to Park City for the weekend. Sadly, I have to be back to work bright and early Monday (I’m pressing for Tuesday) because we have Women’s Conference that week. The next 4 days will be the busiest and craziest of the year for our office, besides maybe Education Week. So that will be a fun dynamic for the first week of married life!! Shawn will either delve into Spring semester with math and engineering classes or start working full time (we have yet to decide on that one).

The good news is we have a place to live! They are usually men’s housing, but lucky for us, they rent out five to six apartments every spring/summer for extremely reasonable prices. It’s a block away from campus, and it usually fits six guys, so needless to say, there is plenty of space for our “starter apartment.” We are more than excited and sincerely feel like the Lord blessed us with exactly what we needed.

Well, that’s all the news for now. The Utah Bridal Shower and Maryland Engagement Party are coming up in March (thank you Jessica and Mom!) Shawn and I are so excited for all of the celebrations, but especially for being able to walk out of the temple holding hands, ready to embark on our new life together (possibly dripping with corniness, but you can’t help how you feel!)

So tune in next time for updates, and maybe I’ll finally give a little overview of how he proposed!

The beggining....

Shawn and Laurie have officially stepped into the world of blogging! We look forward to keeping our family and friends up-to-date on all of the blithesome happenings and non-deserved blessings that are over flowing in our lives. We are hoping to brighten a day, bring on a smile, and overall, just spread a little bit of our joy! So come visit often, and don't forget that we love you!