This Girl

The other night (like last week) Kenz and I were talking and I said, "I can't believe you will be 27 soon!" She looked at me smiling and said, "I'm 27 now!" Then we busted up laughing at ourselves.

In my mind, Kenz is that spunky 20-year-old I met in English 315. In so many ways she is that girl I met 8-ish years ago, but now she is also so much more. She is my sweetheart, my confidant and greatest support. She effortlessly juggles the never-ending and ever-changing tasks of our little family and is a good mother and example to the Binx. She is without guile and I cherish her kind and generous heart, her smile, cleverness, charm, patience, sense of adventure, zest for life, and love for God and others.

So happy 28th to this girl who brightens every day and is the love of my life. 

I honestly don't know how I got her or how she just becomes more beautiful as time goes by.

Best Friends

Some days I can't help feeling so grateful that I have these two beauties in my life.

They are my best friends and I can't wait until I see them on Saturday!

Things.

Things.

I really enjoy and like things. 

Many of us do and there is nothing wrong with that. 

A watch here, a car there.

But, an experience recently helped me see more clearly and in new light the importance of the scripture Matthew 6:19-21:

 "19 Lay not up for yourselves atreasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 

 20 But lay up for yourselves atreasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor bsteal: 

 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

As I sat in a hip restaurant in Washington, alone and contemplative I couldn't help but think of a recent acquaintance. Mid-thirties, pretty, successful professionally and financially, chic, well-dressed, and well-traveled. I felt a pang of jealousy as I thought about what her life must be like. In fact, when she commented on how little luggage I had in comparison I felt a little small that I didn't have a more complete wardrobe to pack and show off.

But, like I said as I sat there, alone and contemplative a small thought grew brighter and brighter, "Yes, it would be nice, but don't you realize that you everything."

And I realized it. was. true. 

I could hypothetically collect Gucci, Coach, and Prada shoes for a conference, or I could watch Adi grow through Swimming lessons, Dance, and Preschool. 

I could drive a fancy car, or I could plan a trip or two to Disneyland. 

Here's the rub: I can't have both. 

Yet.

The emerging conclusion in my mind flashed across my mind: each stage of life is accompanied by things (material and otherwise) whether great or small, but the important thing is being able to appreciate what it is that you have right now. 

The Mothers

I am lucky. Yesterday, I had the chance to reflect a little about the amazing mothers in my life and the amazing and beautiful mother who is also my wife.

I think these pictures give insight into just how amazing Kenz is as a mother and the special relationship she has with the Binx.

I am grateful for the amazing woman I married and for the mother she is. She values relationships, education, and ambition to pursue goals and dreams like few others I know.

(MPA Graduation)

Yes, I am lucky to be married to this smarty pants, social butterfly. 

I'm lucky to have my own hard-working mother as an example of Christlike love and selfless service. I am lucky to have a mother in-law who raised my amazing wife, who is amazingly supportive and treats me like one of her own. I am lucky to have examples of wonderful grandmothers, one surviving, who have blessed my life in ways I cannot count. 

All of these beautiful women, with their love for learning, faith, focus on what's important, and pursuit of excellence have blessed my life. And I'm lucky to have them. 

Paniolo Coconut-Lime Cookies

So, when Heidi and I were in Washington, Sheri Dew gifted each attendee at the Management Society dinner a copy of Our Best Bites. I had heard so many good things and was ecstatic.

A couple weeks ago I started with the Strawberry-Lemon Butter Cookies, but substituted blackberry jam and lime zest out of necessity.

Blackberry-Lime Butter Cookies 

They were yummy, although a little too buttery. And I must say better than anything strawberry lemon I'd had before (score for random substitution).

Then over the weekend we headed to the cabin and I wanted to make some cookies, so I followed another Our Best Bites recipe for Lime-Coconut White Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies. I followed the recipe, down to the random melted butter.

Lime-Coconut White Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

Again, they were yummy, although a little too buttery. And, the Diamond Macadamia nuts weren't my favorite (although to be fair, they weren't chopped or toasted). And while yummy, the cookies weren't what I was expecting, I wanted a more solid chocolate-chip cookie texture, and I created a plan for improvement.

So, tonight when we were at the grocery store and I saw macadamia nuts, I asked Ryan if he would be up for another go at it. For some friends and neighbors, and perhaps some friends that we visit and home teach?

Sure!

First thing's first, macadamia nuts. How many to buy? At more than $3.00 at ounce for the Diamond brand, I figured we go with as few as possible. Then we found the Archer Farm brand! They were cheaper and pre-toasted. Excellent.

After a little experimentation, a few miserable cookies, and some help from Ryan, we had the most delicious, beautiful cookie ever baked. (Yes, cookie, I wanted to start with just one.) And they kept coming!  Each batch, better than the previous!

They are super yummy, although I might reduce the sugar just a little because the white chocolate chips naturally add a very robust, sugary richness, but that is incredibly minor... (:

So, without further adieu, McKenzie's Paniolo Coconut Lime Cookies! (Paniolo means "Cowboy" in Hawaiian, and considering this recipe combines my favorite "Cowboy Cookie" recipe with the Lime-Coconut recipe, I thought it was quite fitting!)

Paniolo Coconut-Lime Cookies 

Ingredients (Yields approximately 4 dozen cookies)

1 Cup butter (room temperature)
1 Cup packed brown sugar
1 Cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 Cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Cup shredded coconut
1 Cup white chocolate chips (optional for texture: coarsely chopped)
1 Cup roasted macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
Zest from two medium limes


Instructions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
3) Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
4) In a separate bowl, sift flour, soda, powder, and salt together.
5) Add flour mixture to creamed mixture one cup at a time.
6) Add coconut and zest and mix thoroughly.
7) Stir in chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.
8) Spoon 2 Tbsp dough into ball and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet
9) Back at 350 for 10-12 minutes (until very lightly brown)
10) Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes, transfer to wire cooling rack

My Favorites

Kenz and the Binx came home last night and life was good again.

These two are my favorites.

(Even if they don't let me in on the meaning of their secret signs.)

Friday Letters

Dear Binx, 

I love you so much. 

The sun came out this week and you loved it. (You ran straight to the park from the car before we even had a chance to grab you on multiple occasions.)

I think you would live at the park if we let you. 

Monday I took an impromptu day off, but before we left BYU you met my class.

You were shy, but friendly and even gave them your cheer "Blue and White, Fight, Fight, Fight" in  your BYU cheerleading outfit. Go cougars!

I had book club this week and you charmed all my friends. (I think that quality time is definitely your love language.) 

You are the best little buddy I could ever ask for. 

I love you. 

Love, your bestest buddy.

Dear Ryan, 

You are seriously the most wonderful guy ever. 

I couldn't have asked for a better husband and best friend. 

Thank you for being so loving in every aspect of our marriage! You really do put other men to shame when you cook, clean, take care of Adi, go to work, buy me flowers, paint the walls, study for tests, and other million and one things you do regularly. Thank you. 

You're on call for the Red Cross the next few days. I know you're just waiting to save the day. ;) Don't worry, we'll cheer for you. 

You started writing your second attempt at a personal statement for med school this week. You are going to make one amazing doctor. 

I love you so much. And I'm totally obsessed with you. 

Love, your wifey.

Dear self, 

What a busy week! What a great week!

Teaching is almost over for the semester (oh my goodness)! 

Book club was a success! 

We're almost to spring... almost. 

And you're going to Washington next week. 

Today you heard someone say something not so nice about a former student. You had defensive instincts and you stood up for him. Good for you. 

By the way, you are one lucky girl. Adi and Ryan are the best. 

Don't ever forget it. 

Have fun this weekend and enjoy the little things, especially that little girl. 

Go have fun "running" the Vineyard 5k with Adi. Who knows, you might surprise yourself 

Love, self. 

A week in the life of us...

1) Rootbeer floats
2) Excitement at the mall
3) Feeding the ducks on the Provo River Trail 
4) Snuggle time
5) Play date with Coral and Vinny 
6) The Provo Temple 
7) Grandpa and Adi sharing treats 
8) Nate, Austin, and Adi on the morning Kostia flew to California
9) Lunch at Station 22 with Shiloh 

Speak Up!

There's a lot going on in our lives, and work takes up a pretty percentage. Sometimes I get discouraged by that fact, then other times I see the good we're doing. 

Getting excited about this... 

(Remember that am-I-insane post? This happens to be between the day I get back and the egg hunt.

C'est la vie. 

Section 001

On the first day of my job in 2010, a colleague approached me and asked if I would team teach a section of Student Development 117, Career Exploration. Without really knowing what it entailed, I said yes. It was a good experience, and I've done it twice since then... 

But, it wasn't until this last semester that I developed a love of teaching and saw parts of my patriarchal blessing come to fruition.

This semester I taught Section 001 of Student Development 317R, Career Strategies at BYU and I. loved. it. 

But it wasn't necessarily the subject matter or lectures that helped me develop this love. It was these incredible students. 

The best group of students on BYU campus.
(Front Row, Left to Right: Chase, Carlee, Olivia, Amorrette, Kirsten, Anne, Emily D., Honivah, Brindy, Kathy, Ben, Rhiannon, Lyndsey, Emily B., Amelia, Kylie)(Back Row, Left to Right: Nate, Meredith, Kalisha, Whitney, Kendall, Cameron, Cody, Lauren, Ethan, Guissepe, Mitch, Spencer, Easton, Laura, Janea, Sabrina, Stephanie, Joe, Sarah, Stefani)

It's quite a unique experience to be a near peer to your students; once you've gained their trust and respect it becomes more like a learning friendship than a teacher-student relationship. 

To be frankly honest, I was so nervous at the beginning of the semester, but as I got to know these students it became one of the best parts of my week where we discussed some of the keys to professional success. 

We started each class with a question of the day led by a student. We talked about our dream cars, where we'd been around the world, what our dream jobs are, and which store (or we hoped) described us. 

It was so much fun. 

But, as the semester came to an end, I couldn't help but feel a deep, deep love for these students. My students. 

As their final, each student was required to put together some kind of presentation. It could be a simple PowerPoint, a Poem, or a Song; I just wanted to know what they had learned during the semester. 

I was surprised that every. single. student. gave a unique presentation catered to their own preferences, talents, and styles. Songs (on the piano and guitar), poems, movies, PowerPoints and everything in between with corky lyrics, references to our questions of the day and more. 

I was also surprised at how emotional I was as I realized that I may have touched these students in some small way and that Heavenly Father had given me the opportunity to make a difference in these students' lives. But, I was even more surprised as I saw that these students will be the future leadership of our society. 

Since the end of the semester I have received multiple thank-you cards and e-mails expressing gratitude "for the most practical class I've ever taken" and thoughts about how my class is the class that students have missed most since the semester ended.

I even had one amazing student bring me a gift: an official LinkedIn t-shirt. How awesome. (And yes, call me nerd. I immediately changed into it.)

Needless to say, these students changed me and I am ever grateful to them, thank you. 

My Girlies

Just have to say how lucky I am to have these two girls in my life.

They sure do know how to put up with a guy.

Fall Retreat 2012

Remember last winter, when I mentioned that I had been tasked as the social committee chair for our [large] department? 

Well, I didn't really mention the Spring Retreat, but thought I should definitely document the fun of this Fall retreat! 

We started the day off at Rocky Canyon Park where we had fun chatting, playing volleyball, and playing games. 

Volleyball Activities 

We were supposed to eat around noon when my student employee arrived with the food. But, around 11:55, my colleague tapped me on the shoulder and said "Alec locked his keys in the car, we're going to get the food now." 

I took it fairly well. In fact, I thought that it wasn't a big deal. 

Then I get a text from Alec. 

It all goes back to our experiment with the Career Fair caterer which was a nightmare. 

It ended up being okay, despite my stress, although when our VP showed up minutes before the food I did have a "freak-out moment" of panic. Ce la vie. 

Gather together listening to our VP 

After our activities at Rock Canyon Park, everyone had five choices: 1) Golf, 2) Mini-golf, 3) Men in Black III at Movies 8, 4) the Sundance Chair Lift, or 5) None of the above. 

Sherami, Lisa, and I opted for the chair lift. As did Monte and Jay on the chair behind us. 

The weather was perfect. It was overcast with a slight cool breeze. So nice. 

Taking off!

Monte and Jay are the specks in the distance...

Lisa and Shera

Lisa, Sherami, and I 

Sherami and I

Isn't it gorgeous? 

I am, however, in denial that the leaves have already started changing. 

The lift with Mount Timpanogos in the background.

Jay enjoying the ride

Finishing the ride. I would love to take the lift alone sometime. It would be some wonderful mediation. 

All in all the retreat was a success, especially the $24.99 gift cards and 1 taped-on penny ($25 becomes taxable, so our director, Steve, suggested taping on the pennies. It was well-received.) 

Fête Olympics 2012

Last Friday, Ryan, Adi, and I headed to the church park for the 2012 Fête Olympics! 

It was a blast. 

Each year, Maleen and her family throw a party to celebrate French Fête Day. (Basically an excuse-to-have-a-party day.)

They invite a couple of families, have some activities, and some yummy food; this year's activity was the Olympics. 

The caveat about Maleen's Fête Day is that each year has a color and to celebrate you must wear that color. 

This year's color was orange. 

So we dawned our (very limited) orange wardrobe and celebrated our first Fête Day with Maleen and Tyler and their kids (June, Robyn, Ivory, Daisey, and Pearl) and Kevin and Amber and their kids (Jordyn, Jaylee, and Addie)!

I must admit, Maleen is pretty creative and definitely throws a great party! 

And, included in the evening was a randomly-drawn person for which to get a $5 gift (I got really fun orange, red, and gold earrings) and dessert (who is going to ever forget that delicious, rich ice cream cake sans hands)!

Here are some shots of some of the events including a tricky obstacle course (with backwards 2x4 walking, hula hooping, and crab walking) and a water balloon toss (or should I say throw). *Not pictured, an awesome three-legged race where Jordyn and I seriously rocked it. 

The Guys 

The Girls

The Littles

Check out our medals! 

Thanks Maleen, we had so much fun!

Vintage Fun Repeat!

We had so much fun seeing Spider Man at the drive-in, that we decided to go back!

This time we saw "The Dark Knight Rises".

Adi was naughty. Naughty, naughty, naughty, and wouldn't go to sleep... But, despite my serious frustration in the moment and panic at her actually watching the movie, I can't blame her. Who wants to be stuck in a car for three hours? (Note to self: when going to the drive in, either a) get a babysitting, or b) bring real food (not just candy), a portable DVD player, and sit outside the car.)

Anyway, I actually enjoyed this Batman. I hated the Dark Knight, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Here is a wrap up of before the movie. I should have known that Adi would want to hop around the entire time.

Redwood Drive-in - August 11, 2012

Summer Weddings

Within the next week, we have four summer weddings! Yesterday began the festivities with Ryan's cousin, Dani's reception. She and Jon are the most beautiful couple and their reception was gorgeous! Jon is going to be attending BYU, so they'll be moving down to Provo in the next year or so, and we're so excited to have them close!

Congratulations Dani and Jon! 

---

We got there a few minutes early to catch the last of the photos...

And then headed inside for the party...

Dani's vision for her reception was simply gorgeous. Shabby chic with old and new touches.

It was in an old hardware building that has been converted into office space. It was beautiful The industrial feel was contemporary, but the exposed brick made it timeless.

I loved the hanging tea lights, banners, and other table decorations and flowers too! 

Adi liked meeting the "princess...

And the ice cream bar and darling chalk board ideas were darling. 

Yes, please. 

Adi had fun seeing Grandma Jennifer and Papa...

And danced her little heart out... 

It was a fun night!