Shoes...glorious shoes!!!!

This is one of the best parts of the prep work for getting married. Looking for shoes. *sigh* who doesn't love shoe shopping? Shoes always fit, they never hug your thighs wrong or make your hips look like saddle bags. I know if I ask for a size 8.5 I won't get what should be a size 6.

But I need help, my dress lady suggested a website and now I'm caught. I can't decide on which one. I need help with this HUGE decision.

I need your vote. Imagine me in a red, white, and blue outfit pointing at you with a huge, meaty finger. And a stove pipe hat. And a beard. No, scratch the beard.

Initially I thought I'd do something fun like this.

But I can't find anything. All the greens are sea foam and I'm more of a sage green. Or a brown.

Here are the contestants so far, please feel free to vote or add a suggestion. My dress will be ivory.

Unlisted File Complete Platform
Ivy Ankle Strap Sandal
Lasonia Wedge Sandal
Chinese Laundry Platform Sandal
Hannah Sandal
Karla Slingback
Ashley Platform Sandal
Electra Platform Sandal
Forbes Peep-toe Pump

That's it. What do you think? I'm open to suggestions. I've looked at Macy's, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Zappos, Overstock, Payless, and few others. I have just over a month to go and I need to get these ordered.

Brown bag anyone?

Two months...that's all I have left. The time has been flying by and I feel like I have used it well. Would you like a sneak peek of the wedding and open house? Well you are invited.

Where are you having said open house?
At my parent's house in Bountiful. Their large, open house is perfect for an event of such magnitude. The upstairs will be for the guests and the downstairs open to family.

What are you colors?
They WERE green and white. Crisp and clean. Then it was green and ivory (my dress is ivory). Final answer? Ivory, chocolate, and green.

What will your cake (hopefully) look like?
Ivory fondant and chocolate royal icing scrolled like this:

What flavors will the cake be?
Chocolate cake with Bavarian custard goodness in the middle.

What do your invitations look like?
This link is to our second proof. I'm trying to find a linen paper so it has the fabulous texture of linen. (Linen is the accent fabric we're using)

What do your flowers look like?
This is the inspiration bouquet, I will be using the cream and ivory colored peonies.

What color suit is Alex going to wear?
Brown, he looks AMAZING in brown.

Where are you going on your honeymoon?
Where AREN'T we going? We decided to drive to CA. We love driving. We talk talk talk talk talk talk talk. Plus flying was $500 per person. Eek!

No seriously, Becka, where are you going?
First stop on Saturday is the glorious but not so far away Park City. We needed somewhere close [let's get this party started, right?! TMI??]

Aaaaanywho, we're staying our first night at the Newpark Resort & Hotel. I am so stinkin' excited for this room, it has it's own private deck with hot tub overlooking the nature preserve. HELLO!

The next morning we're off to Las Vegas. We both hate Las Vegas but it's more than halfway from Salt Lake to CA and there's no way in H-E-Double hockey sticks we're staying in Cedar City or St. George. We're booked at the fabulously-not-as-grand-as-anywhere-else-in-the-USA Hilton.

Then the fun begins. We're staying in the most darling hotel in Anaheim. Yes we're going to Disneyland for 2 days. We will stay at the Anabella Hotel for 2 days, it's just around the corner from the park. I requested the rooms with the woodfloors and plantation blinds. Isn't so darling?! Gah!

Next we're staying at probably the nicest Best Western I've ever seen. Since we're checking out of the Anabella the last day we're in the park we needed somewhere close by to crash that night. This one fit the bill.

Our last hotel is the BEST. You will all be drooling and so jealous. We're going to the Loews Coronado Bay Resort. On Coronado Island. Yes, THE Coronado Island. Oh.my.gosh! I am so excited. SO EXCITED!!!! Just laying on the beach or by the pool and not moving...unless it's for extra-curricular activities. I am so stinkin' stoked.

This is going to be the longest and shortest two months of my life. More to come. We're going to start collecting plates and centerpieces and putting them together. Maybe I'll have some pictures later.

Birthdays x 4

Our family has become relatively large. Not according to most Mormon families, but considering we started off as 5 and now we're 12, we're HUGE! Last year everyone had their own birthday party. Mine last year was the "crazy" birthday. Since we are such a gigantic family now, we're combining birthdays. We have 3 in January, 2 in February, 5 in March (including Alex's siblings), 2 September, and 1 lonely June and November birthday.

I mean, talk about spring fever... did anyone count it out?

The Venue:
We convened at the blessed Costco in Bountiful for the party. "Costco?" you ask with a raised eyebrow and an incredulous tone. Why yes. Isn't it normal to have birthday parties at a special location? And isn't Costco special? You can buy tires, the best chocolate muffins ever, salmon, and the most ridiculous amount of toilet paper all in stop. Amazing I say.

Dad gave each couple $10 to spend on dinner. Cheapest meal he has provided for the entire family in years! Where can you get a hot dog and drink for $1.50. I had a chicken bake because hot dogs give me the throw-up shivers.

The Event:
We divided into teams, each team had one of Geoff's kids (or their own) to slow them down for help. We were Team A for Alex [Alex, me, Mara], Team B [Geoff, Janene, Ben], Team C was Alex's sister and fam [Nicole, Phil, Carter], Team D was named Team Destiny [Debbie, Dan, Megan].

Each team was given a list of 10 items to find in Costco. The clue was either the name of the item or a hint.

Objection of the Game:
Match the item number and write the price. Items ranged from dog jerky, to pillows, sticky notes, soup, life jackets, mac 'n' cheese, etc. We had so much fun running around trying to figure out the items. I'm sure we looked a little out of place racing up and down the aisles without a cart. Team A was the only team to find all 10 items within the 30 minute time limit. Just stating the fact. Not braggin'.

We sang a very somber and embarrassed "Happy birthday" to Mom, Alex, Dan, and Carter IN COSTCO. Talk about embarrassing. At least none of us were teens when that would have been mortifying. Still...I had a slight flush on my face I think. We had a Costco cake and everything.

The Booty:
First place: Team A won a $25 gift card to Costco.
Second place: Team B won a LED lantern
Third place: Team D won fabulous granola
Fourth place: Team C won chocolate covered pomegranate

Thank you Mom and Dad for doing the leg work of finding the items and creating the treasure hunt. Thank you Costco for inadvertently hosting our birthday party bash. It was great. See you next year!

Do I look different to you?

Last night my Dad frantically called my name from the top of the stairs. I received a letter from the First Presidency!

"Dear Sister Dietrich:

After reviewing your petition, the sealing performed at the Los Angeles California Temple on August 8, 2003, between you and your former spouse, idiot jerk-face retard, has been canceled as of the date of this letter." Dated February 28, 2011.

I've been walking around free for the last 4 days and I didn't even notice. I was sure I'd feel a change in the air, or like I had lost something. Or like I was being snipped. Or I'd sleep more soundly that night.

I was so excited and relieved that I cried. The sealing was the last thing holding me to him and that old life. GONE! HOORAY!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am. Words cannot express the joy and freedom I feel.

And now, a series of 3 word sentences:
I'm marrying Alex. On June 11th. In the temple. At 10 am. Isn't that awesome!

I finally have a sealing time. I couldn't schedule it until I had the cancellation letter. Now I can order invitations.

Let's get this party started!!

The Boulevard

This afternoon I went for a walk...by myself...on Bountiful Blvd. Dangerous times, I know. As I started out I realized this might be the first activity I've done by myself in a while. Immediately I went into Jason Bourne mode where everyone is a potential threat; each person was quickly assessed as to how I'd take them down.

Fortunately, the walk was uneventful as far as violence goes.

I did stop to watch a gaggle of wild turkeys. Are they a gaggle or a flock? Are geese the only ones that gaggle?

Don't you love the way snow looks after it's been there a while. It turns into crystal or glass. I loved that a slight breeze would send a light dusting of these ice crystals across my cheeks as I passed under evergreen trees.

I breathed deeply as I walked. I noticed I have been cooped up in the house or office way too much. I LOVE fresh air. It was so crisp (32 degrees) and clean. I felt as if I would start to lift off the ground if I took a huge gulp. I would take walks during work with my bestie Chelsea at our job years ago and when we'd come back she'd always say we smelled like "outside", sort of metallic.


Today, it smelled like blue. Bright, clean, fresh blue.

This is whatever mountain across the Great Salt Lake. Such a clear day.

I almost didn't want to go home, except my chin had frozen and was numb.