I've been Showered!

A week after my 'ward' shower, my mom's side threw me a family bridal shower. Usually we only see the Barker/Olsen clan once a year for the family reunion, so it was great to have an excuse to see everyone again!

My grandma Mitchell and Aunt Becky worked with my mom to do all the planning.

My closest cousin Leanne. It was the first time I'd seen her pregnant and I couldn't be more excited for her and Ben. We'll be having another shower pretty soon, this time for baby LeCheminant!

The cousins old enough to attend a grown-up shower. ;)

It's a rare occasion to spend time with both grandmas at once, so I was sure to snap a picture. I love these women!

Since every bride must have a bouquet, I had to earn a flower for each question I answered correctly about Jason. I didn't know I'd have to earn my keep!

Easiest question: My biggest pet peeve about my soon-to-be-husband. Shh ladies no telling! ;)

Hardest question: Where was our first date? Haha Jace and I still debate about that! I believe it is yet to be determined because I will never admit that Alvaro's was where we began our relationship.

Sidenote: The day of my shower marked two years that Jason and I have dated each other. Oh how time flies when you're having fun!

Look at that smile! What a sweetheart he is!

Leanne, Kataya, Ashley, Larissa

I must be loved! Leanne came up from Orem and Courteney came from Logan. Thanks ladies!

Devrie and Karen. What babes!

After the shower began, Becky attached names of famous women to everyone's backs. The goal was to find out who you 'were' by asking questions and giving clues good enough to figure out who you are. Karen told me that I have many accomplishments, I live in a different country but I speak english, and I am no longer living. Who am I? Princess Di!

Becky did a great job with the shower- putting together a salad bar and making fresh rolls. She's always been such a good planner. Jason had only met her once when he pegged her as the family link. I'd never thought about it before, but it's true. She's the one that gets everyone together for holidays and special occasions. What did we ever do without her?

It was definitely a good Saturday to enjoy good food and good company. I've been showered in love, and for that I am grateful!

Refurbishing and Repentance

42 degrees and a day off work made today ideal for some good old fashioned refurbishing.

Naturally my projects have taken a back seat what with the demanding wedding plans, ever-falling snow and the crazy holiday season. The dermatologist was first on my list today and since extractions left moon craters on my face I figured my usual errands could be left alone for one day. The skies were blue and the air was warm (er than usual), so I threw on a jacket and got to work on my long lost project.

Months ago, August I'm ashamed to say, I purchased a disaster of a dining set from a local thrift store. I was at the prime of my refurbishing days and confident that I could transfer the little table and chairs into a beauty for my newly-married kitchen. Sadly, I barely made it through the first chair before the excitement wore off. The set was in bad condition and needed more love than I could give one chair... times three. The once-white paint was yellowing in some spots, green in others. The paint job was uneven and peeling, as if the previous owner had only two minutes to paint the whole set.

Anyways, I definitely overestimated the potential of this table and chairs. I finished only one chair before the weather turned icy and eventually kicked me back inside. Too bad I'm one of those people that can't stand unfinished projects. I had to finish the chairs and I would find a place to do it! Unfortunately for my mom, that place was right smack in the middle of her kitchen. I sanded, stapled and painted until finally I had myself two beautifully transformed chairs.

The table, however, was a different story. Too big to fit in the kitchen, basement or garage, it sat in my backyard from August to January, standing strong in even the worst weather conditions. I mean seriously, that's a hero of a table to withstand the Utah blizzard of 2010. ;)

So with married life two weeks away, it is critical I get to work on our kitchen table! I'm sure The Captain would love a picnic on our floor every night, but I wouldn't be so thrilled. Anyways, today was get-the-table-done-or-else-I'll-come-unglued day. I figured my work would get pretty old without some kind of entertainment, so I scoured the house for an ipod. Eventually I returned to my project empty handed and I turned to my thoughts as the scream of the sander blazed in my ears.

I wish I had a picture of the table! Just image these chairs but five times worse.

Refurbishing old furniture is an interesting thing. It's fascinating, really, to transform an unattractive object into a completely different form. You start with such a hopeless mess and slowly move from one issue to another, correcting old flaws and replacing them instead with something wholesome, something new, and something beautiful.

As I sanded, I was struck with the parallels this thought drew to certain gospel teachings I've heard all my life. Repentance tranforms hopeless things into something manageable. It gives us the tools we need to correct ugly markings that slowly form on our life. But with Christ's help we can overcome weaknesses and become stronger and better than ever before.

I sanded over and over the surface over my table, marveling in the drastic success and distress of the wood. Some areas were clear and smooth with not a flaw in sight. Other areas, however, cracked under the smallest amount of pressure. Previous days had left the surface nicked, and harsh weather conditions had created ridges in the wood that would surely leave the tabletop uneven.

But much to my amazement, each flaw could be completely removed with the right amount of effort. It took time and work, some more difficult than others, and each different from the last, but as long as I persevered any flaw could be smoothed over, disappearing completely from view.

What comforting knowledge we possess.

After a great deal of time my table was nearly complete. It was a tremendous transformation, literally the difference between black and white. My ultra-fine sand paper had done it's job, and the surface of my table was smooth as can be. But it wasn't done. One tiny dent disrupted the peace. It will never be perfect, I thought. In fact, there will always be dents, scratches and bumps in my table, but I'm okay with that. It's a part of life. I'll go about filling them in, patching them up and starting over with the knowledge in mind that my work will pay off in the end.

Anything can be fixed with the right kind of aid.

Can one moment in time change everything?

It's here...the moment we've all been waiting for!

Each summer Jason's job requires him to pack up his life and move to a new major city. He began working for Pinnacle in Phoenix, then Las Vegas, followed by Miami and finally New Jersey. But his fifth summer will be different than all the rest. This summer he'll be taking along a wife!

We've been waiting for months for the stats to roll in and the area to be announced. The anticipation is overwhelming, not knowing where you'll be spending the next chapter of your life. But the wait is finally over, and we can't wait to leave!

Friday night I met Jason in Midway for the 2011 Draft Party at the beautiful Zermatt Resort. Jason had been there all day long attending training and meetings and I met up with him to hear motivational speaker Dan Clark pump up the sales guys. He talked about the crucial role wives play in their husbands' success. It's a partnership, he said, that he's not going out to sell, we are going out to sell.

My favorite part of the speech however, was when he asked, "Do you think one moment in time can change everything?" Clark went on, but I was still pondering the question. One moment. Does one single moment hold the power to change a life?


Jason and I sat side by side waiting to hear our future. There are over 60 offices sent throughout the country, and statistics decide what number you are in the draft. Lucky for us we were number 12 so we didn't have to wait long before our manager announced our home for the summer.

This summer Jason and I will be living in Charlotte, North Carolina!

Jason had been rooting for NC all along so he was stoked. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and nearby Raleigh is rated one of the best cities for singles as well as one of the best places to reinvent yourself. "Perfect for those of you are beginning the next stage in life." Could we have asked for a better place? Maybe not so much the single part though. ;)

The Trey Warner Team

As we were leaving Zermatt, one of the company VP's stopped to officially introduce himself to me. He had seen us headed toward the parking lot and offered to get us a free room. The idea was that everyone spend the night at the resort, then snowboard at The Canyons the next day, all on the company tab. It was late and I really didn't want to make the drive back to Ogden, and a day of boarding sounded much more appealing than work the next day. But alas, we declined his offer and headed home. Sigh... 17 more days!

Anyway, I can't wait to see what NC has to offer. There are a dozen states I'd be less than thrilled to live, and North Carolina is exactly the kind of place I had in mind. Beautiful scenery, southern hospitality and weekend beach trips will make this summer a good one for sure. We'll be married and beginning a life together.

Can one moment in time change everything?

Absolutely.

Bridal Shower #1

I'm convinced I have the best friends ever. Soon after I became engaged I had multiple offers for bridal showers, luncheons and bachelorette parties. In fact, since three ladies in my home ward offered to host a shower, I asked them to work with each other to plan one. So yesterday Carol, Brooke and Machelle held an open house for me. They delivered the cute invitations, set up the house and made some great food, so all I had to do was show up. How grateful I am for the amazing women in my life.

My 'red and lacy' gift from Jenni. Everyone got a good laugh out of that.

My mom's gift to me. Hmm maybe some nice silverware or something....

Nope! The card read, "Shannon. Use this OFTEN. You'll find it's a great fix-all." Haha Wow mom, that's probably the best advice I've ever heard. ;)

Wanda and Thelma. Wanda is partially blind and she walked all the way to Carol's house.

Riss Wiss. She recorded all the gifts I received for thank-you purposes later.

Pam and Brooke. Brooke made the most amazing fruit dip! Mmm I have got to try making that.


Tam and Mattie right before her big soccer game. Go Strikers!

Rachel and Lydia got me some super cute mugs, perfect for cold nights of hot cocoa.

Laurie and Elizabeth. It was Laurie's first outing since having baby Max. I'm honored she came!

Marie will be at Disneyland the week of my wedding so I am so glad she was able to make it to my shower. The cleaning supplies she brought me will be much appreciated!

Sherrie, Janine and Jenni. Gorgeous ladies! Yes Jenni you look like Cindy Crawford. ;)

My cousins Jen and Kris and their girls Jaeger and Brookie. They came clear from Holliday!

Yesterday was the first time I'd met little Jaeger! She was such a happy girl! As long as mom was around she was perfectly content just playing with the wrapping paper.

The Johnson side of my family. With their help my kitchen is all set now! ;)

It's no surprise my first bridal shower was a success. With the help of my incredible neighbors, friends and family, Jason and I have amazing things for our new home. I immediately went to our house, hanging up my new clock, putting the fresh pillows in the bedroom and organizing my new supplies for the kitchen. Although I haven't been to my home ward since high school, these ladies came out of the woodwork to celebrate this happy time in my life. How grateful I am for such good friends!

Warmin' up my feet!

Maybe it's the 30-day mark looming about. Maybe it's the number of my close friends, family and co-workers suddenly thrown back into single life. Maybe every tiff, argument or disagreement seems worse than it really is because in a matter of weeks those disagreements will hold much bigger consequences.

Whatever it is, I admit I've had cold feet as of late.

It's normal, I understand, to experience feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about the big day. It's a life-altering step that ultimately changes the course of one's life. Those two little words of "I do" have the ability to create repercussions for years to come.

Certain comments don't exactly help my uncertainty either. I've heard more than once the mentality from family and friends, "It's easier to get out sooner than later," or "Don't ignore cold feet, they could be serious red flags," and my personal favorite, "Don't worry honey, if you call it off and move to Kansas we'll still love you."

No matter what my nerves are, I am grateful Jason and I have a relationship honest enough to discuss our concerns. I am grateful for the power of prayer and the blessing fasting can be.

It's a scary thing, marriage. But it is also a very exciting time, to know that you can be with the person you love forever. What an incredible promise.

Who knows, maybe I just need warmer socks! ;)