Who do they think they are?!

A few days ago I was at the gym. Yeah, the gym. I go through phases of being a gym person-sometimes I'm hard core and feel great, and other times that's one of the things that doesn't make it onto my priority list. Well, seeing as it's summertime I have a little more time that usual, so my friend Tessa and I have been going regularly for the last couple months. [okay, I'm going to be completely honest with you, it's not just because it's summertime that I've been going to the gym more... I'm getting married in 90 days and I need to look good. If you know what I mean...]

So earlier this week after doing some cardio. I sat down at a weight machine to try to define my pitiful excuses for muscles. Well as I started lifting I was feeling particularly bad about myself and my body. At first I didn't know why, and then out of the corner of my eye, I saw this...



And this...

WHAT THE HECK?! Right? Who do those weight machine manufacturers think they are?! It was as if I had seen these pictures without realizing it and my subconscious mind was saying "Lift all you want Lindsey, but you're never, NEVER, in a million years going to look as good as this computer generated, buff, incredibly defined, strong, man."

Sure, it's great to know which muscles each machine works out [I really do love that], but they should have created someone slightly fatter, or at least uglier... I mean give the guy a really hairy chest, some moles, or a growth of some sort.

Well those little pictures got me to thinking and I decided to look around the gym with new eyes and see what else they had lying around there-waiting to make unsuspecting fools feel bad about themselves.


A scale, now that's quite typical for a gym. And I actually think this is a good idea. Get on the scale, and one of two things happens: "Wow, coming to the gym is really paying off! I'm dropping pounds! I'm going to keep this up!" or the not so great "What?! How did this happen? I can't possibly weigh this much! I've got to step it up here at the gym, and start working harder!" Come to think of it, there might actually be a third response to stepping on the scale, "Oh, it's no use..." Regardless, I think the scale is an appropriate thing to have in a gym [unlike that wretched muscle man plastered on all the machines].


They also had these two machines sitting casually in the corner. I don't blame the water machine for being there-that's healthy, though pricey-but I hate his friend. I don't know who in their right mind is going to go to the gym, have a good workout, and then buy a soda on the way out the door. Isn't that slightly oxymoronic? Burn the calories, them put them back on before you're even out the door...


FREE WATER! That's a good call. Probably my favorite part of the gym to be completely honest. Unpresumptuous. Humble. Non-judgmental. Calorie free. It doesn't tell you you're not working hard enough. It doesn't look way better than you ever could. Yeah, definitely my favorite part of the gym.

**Side note: People think it's strange when you take pictures at the gym. Especially of things like soda machines and scales!**

If it were a contest, I'm pretty sure I would win!

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to hurt anyones feelings, make anyone feel bad about their current situation, think less of themselves, have feelings of jealousy, or wish they could be in my situation. Take note that it shouldn't, but it probably will...

Disclaimer 2: I NEVER wanted to become a sappy person, or be categorized with those people, so I hope this post doesn't make me one of them in your mind.

My fiance, he loves me.


Right now you might be thinking something like, "Lindsey, you're getting married to this guy, and will be with him FOREVER... so I hope he loves you!!!"

But when I say that my fiance loves me, I'm not just saying that he loves me a little bit, or that he's fairly fond of me... What I mean, is just what my title said--if being loved were a contest, I'm pretty sure I would win!

Let me illustrate:

I'm lactose intolerant, yet I really like to eat Frosties from Wendy's. Tanner {that's the name that belongs to my fiance, for those of you who don't know}, he loves me so much that when I am really craving a Frosty he'll get one and let me eat a few bites--enough to satisfy my craving, but not so much as to make me ill. Then he will eat the melty remains whenever I decide I'm done. He's a good man.

I have often hear the stories of women who say that their men/husbands/fiances/lovers/whatever-it-is-you-want-to-put-in-heres don't tell them they love them very often. It's always the woman saying "I love you" and the man has a hard time expressing him emotions. Not Tanner: he reminds me often that he loves me. [And when I need it, he reminds me why he loves me].

I could call Tanner anytime--day or night--and he would be okay with that. He wouldn't be angry or upset at all.

Tanner, he can read my moods. If we are chatting, he can tell just by looking at me if I have suudenly changed moods and something is not okay: that, my friends, is a talent. Not only can he read my mood in person, but he can do it over the phone as well. I have no idea how he does it, but he can tell the good silences from the bad ones over the phone! It's a miracle really!

I like to be strong, and cry in front of VERY few people. Tanner makes me feel comfortable enough that I can cry in front of him. And when I cry for stupid reasons, I mean really stupid reasons--like how much I hate not being able to eat ice cream, how sad it is to see a one legged bird at Sonic, or for absolutely no reason at all--he doesn't make me feel dumb for it. He makes me feel like that is a perfectly okay thing to do, and he will just hold me and be there for me. That, is love.

Tanner always lets me choose things, like what we're going to do, or eat, or see. Yet when I am having a really hard 'decision making day' he can tell, and he'll make the choices {though probably just so he doesn't have to see me cry for 'no reason at all'...}.

One of his goals is to make me laugh because he loves to see me happy!

And above all, he would do anything for me!!! In case you don't believe that last statement, I have a story to prove it:

{When we were a bit younger and unbetrothed, my friend Camille and I talked about asking out future husbands if they would take our last names, instead of us taking theirs. While Camille was engaged she asked Poor Kyle, and I got the biggest kick out of her story, so I decided that I just HAD to do the same thing someday. When 'someday' presented itself, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity. [And I promise, I'm not normally this greedy!]}

One late night Tanner and I went for a Jack in the Box taco run in my trusty car Stella


As we were sitting in the car munching we had a conversation that went something like this:

Me: Tanner, I have something I need to talk to you about...

Tanner: Yeah, anything. What is it?

Me: Well, you know how we've been talking a lot about marriage lately?

Tanner: Yeah...

Me: Well, Before it goes any further, I think there's something that needs to be brought up.

Tanner: And what's that?

Me: I have been thinking A LOT. You know how much my last name means to me, right...? I mean being a Burnham is a big deal to me--I'm really proud of all that stands for.

Tanner: Okay. So what exactly have you been thinking?

Me: Well, I don't know if I can give up my last name... I don't know if I'm ready for that.

Tanner: I see.

Me: So... I was thinking. What if instead of ME changing my last name, you changed YOURS!

Tanner: {awkward silence} Umm...

Me: What if you became Tanner Burnham?

Tanner: Uhh....

Me: Do you hate my last name?!

Tanner: No! Of course not... Why? Do you hate mine?

Me: No... You know what, never mind. Just forget it. I don't want to talk about this any more...

Tanner: Come on Linds. We need to talk about this. It's obviously important to you and I want to work through it.

Me: Tanner Burnham doesn't sound bad! I mean that's almost what my nephew was named... or we could hyphenate: Burnham-Layton or Layton-Burnham. Unless you just totally hate the idea all together...

Tanner: I don't hate the idea, it's just a lot to take in... I mean it's nothing I've ever thought about. My whole entire life I just thought I would keep my name just like it was.

Me: Tanner, we don't have to talk about this right now... I mean it's not a big deal.

Tanner: No, I want to talk about it right now. Tanner Burnham... Hmm... Tanner Burnham...

Me: Oh, just forget it... It doesn't matter.

Tanner: Lindsey, I don't think you realize how much I love you!! Sure, changing my name is something totally unexpected and a big change, but if that's what I need to do for you, I'll DO IT!

Me: Are you kidding me?!

Tanner: What? {So confused... poor guy}

Me: That's just ridiculous!!!

Tanner: Wait... {Really confused...}

Me: I would never really ask you to to that. I just wanted to see what you'd say!

Tanner: {still a bit confused} So you don't want me to change my name...?

Me: Nope.

You see that!!! He loves me enough to change his name! ...That's a LOT! {We look back on that story now and laugh! Good 'ol Tanner Burnham}

Yeah, he loves me a lot! I guess it's a good thing it's not a contest, because then everyone else would feel bad... haha. Tanner, You're amazing! I love you!

Yeah... Pretty sure that was a bit on the sappy side...

Not Living up to its Potential...

I've been a terrible blogger lately...  I've had lots of good ideas for blogs, but that's just the problem: they haven't made it past the idea stage.  It's a shame really.  I could have an INCREDIBLE blog--one of the best out there.  I'm just not dedicated enough.  I know a few people who are really dedicated.  SO dedicated, in fact, that they not only have one blog, or two blogs, but THREE!  Yeah, I could never be like that...  This one, scanty, sad, little blog that I have is hardly surviving.

So here I am, typing away, trying to redeem myself, even though I know that I'll never be as good as some.  Some who get what seems like millions of comments on each post.  But then again, other blogs are deserving, consistent, and thoroughly entertaining.

The other day I was at the gym and I came up with one of the most entertaining posts ever in my mind!  I thought about telling you guys about how my arm muscles are disintegrating, about an incredibly uncomfortable encounter {or rather lack thereof--it was mainly him staring and my doing everything in my power to avoid his gaze} with a decrepit, middle-aged man, and about how I could totally have the body of a supermodel if I loved exercising as much as i loved stretching.

I could tell you about the other night when I dreamt that I ran a 5K  with my shoe laces untied, carrying a 30 pound inner-tube around my middle, with Michael Scott as my running partner {and my miraculous finishing time of 11 minutes...} 

I went to the dentist today and got two fillings without getting a shot and getting my mouth numb.  I could tell you about that little experience.

I could tell you about the time my incredible brother Brad took bridal pictures of me up in Heber, AZ and we had about 25 people honk at us.

{A picture is worth a thousand words, eh?}

I could tell you about going on the family computer and taking copying some of Brad's pictures so I could have them on my computer, and how he called then "contraband pictures", and how that's probably the first thing he though when he saw the above picture!

I could tell you about all the incredibly funny conversations Tanner and I have on the phone.

We got our house sprayed this morning.  We have been having problems with ants.  Many of then have decided to take refuge on my window sill and are climbing up my wall to reach this safe-haven , much to my absolute disgust and horror. I could tell you about that.

I could tell you about how I am SO INCREDIBLY ADDICTED to So You Think You Can Dance it's ridiculous and I've watched this clip on youtube probably 50 times...

So many things happen in my life.  I have impeccable storytelling skills, wicked writing wit, and a sensational vocabulary.  My poor blog...  It could be so amazing...

Smorgasbord

There was this one time I got engaged and then didn’t write a blog for over a month—that was this last month…

Well, I suppose it’s time to get my act together and write again. Now, I’m a funny person, and there are a lot of things I could write about, but I’ve decided {as the title denotes} to write a little bit about everything. I’m just going to let you guys know what I’ve been up to in my more-than-a-month absence.

1) THE MOST recent thing was learning the correct way to spell smörgåsbord. ‘Tis a funny word with an oh so funny spelling. Now I learned this word about 15 years ago when watching Charlotte’s Webb, yet it was not until today that I learned how to spell the word. For some reason I always thought that word ended with a ‘g’. That, however, is not the case…

2) Going to Washington D.C. I needed some adventure, so 3 of my roommates {Tessa, Amanda, and Erin} and I went to D.C. Why? You may be asking… Why not! Well, it’s always been a dream of mine, and we got a SMOKIN’ deal, so I couldn’t afford not to go.







3) Moving home. That’s right. The lease at 5 East Hillside expired {if that’s the right phraseology… like they can go bad like milk or something…}. Well, due to my sour lease, I had to vacate the premise. I decided that the choice that was the most wise was to move home for 5 months until I become Lindsey Layton. So my sister and I are now like a couple sardines squished into a space much too small for either of our liking.


(Here's the inside of 5 East Hillside. This is just one of the many good times we had there!)


4) Family Reunion. As I type I am on a train in California. Every year {for the last 10 at least} my mom’s side of the family comes to San Diego and stays in beach cottages. I simply LOVE the beach! There’s something so soothing about the sand and waves. ‘Tis good for the soul!

5) Planning a wedding. Making decisions is something I do not do well. So as you can imagine, it has been harder than anticipated… GOOD though! The last couple days I have been working on my wedding video and that is coming along quite nicely {in my opinion [and I guess that’s who’s opinion really matters…]} Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the video so far:









6) Planning my trip to Texas. I’ve never been to Texas before, but on Friday that will no longer be the case.

So there you have it—my smorgasbord of a life this last month!

Six months, a Gazebo, and a Song

Once upon a time there was a girl named Lindsey Burnham. All her life she dreamed of growing up and meeting her wonderful 'Prince Charming'. Once she became of dating age, she started dating here and there; getting to know her guy friends better, and going out with some pretty good people. She had her share of crushes and heartache, but it wasn't until about 6 months ago that the real magic began!

Tanner and Lindsey met within the quaint walls of their kindergarten classroom at Emerson Elementary, some 16 years ago, but of course neither of them really remember that... What they do remember is going to the same junior high {Carson} and high school {Westwood}. They were friends, but never really dated.

When Tanner came home from his mission 9 months ago he looked for girls worth taking out--he looked high and low. He found plenty of girls who wanted to be taken out, but none that he wanted to take out. Three months later he found a girl more than worthy of his time and effort!

The next couple of months weren't the easiest for Tanner, for Lindsey's heart would not be easily won! At first, Lindsey and her locked heart weren't sure how they felt about Tanner and his intentions. After a lot of time, too much thinking, and trying Tanner's patience, Lindsey realized that she was in love! She was more surprised than anyone, at that discovery!

Well the two of these kids {for lack of a better word} talked about marriage, and with the help of the Lord decided that was the right choice for them. And so that brings us up to this next story...

Wednesday, April 23rd marked 6 months of Tanner and Lindsey and their dating adventure. In celebration they decided to go to dinner the following Friday. They decided that Bill Johnson's Big Apple would be fun--seeing as neither of them had ever been there, and it seemed like an intriguing place.

When Friday rolled around Tanner had the fortune of falling into VIP tickets to a music festival. They went and parked in VIP parking, got free VIP t-shirts, sat on VIP couches, and ate at a VIP buffet. {Any guesses as to who catered the food? ...That's right... Bill Johnson's Big Apple!!! I wonder what kind of strings Tanner had to pull for that!}

The couple got home around 8 that evening.

"What do you want to do now? We've already eaten..." Tanner said

"And if we can't eat there's nothing else, is there?!" Lindsey quipped, and they laughed together. "I don't know... Do you have any ideas?"

"Well, we could go to the gazebo."

**Sidenote: there is a cute little gazebo off of center that Lindsey and Tanner frequent. It is pleasant when the weather is nice, and is the cutest little spot. It could be said that this gazebo is their 'spot'.**


"Oh, I DO love that gazebo!" Lindsey replied in delight.

"Okay, what shall we do there?"

"Now that's a good question; the one that always gets us!"

"I could take my guitar and sing to you," Tanner suggested nonchallantly.

"What a splendid idea! I'll take it!" Now at this point Lindsey was thinking that this was slightly atypical of Tanner: offering freely to play and sing for her--suggesting such a thing so casually, but she wasn't going to complain. If she didn't know better, she would think he was setting something up... but she DID know better. They had picked out a ring together and it wasn't going to be ready for a few more days--almost a week. So she dismissed this odd behavior and decided to go along with this romantic scene.

When they reached the above mentioned gazebo Tanner started serenading his love. She sat in the cool weather, enjoying the night, company, and pleasant music. The last song he sang was one of Lindsey's favorites! {In fact just the week before while Lindsey had been doing the dishes, Tanner had sang this very song to her to make the job more pleasant. One line at the end of the song says "All I've got, ain't that much, but lots of love and a diamond ring." The week before--to be funny--he had changed the end of that line to "diamond less ring" [for at that point they had a ring, but no center stone...]}

When he played that final song and got to that line, Lindsey thought she would try to be funny and witty--not knowing she was walking RIGHT into a trap! While he sang the line "All I got ain't that much, but lots of love and a diamond ring," Lindsey inserted some questions... It went a little something like this:

"All I got, ain't that much..."

Lindsey: "What do you have Tanner?"

"but lots of love..."

Lindsey: "And what else?"

"and a diamond ring!"

Lindsey: "Oh yeah?" {sarcastic undertones...}

Tanner smirked and finished the song with the last round of the chorus.

Lindsey lovingly applauded and expressed her delight.

"I do have something else for you," Tanner said as he reached down into his guitar case.

"Really...?"

Next, he did something that Lindsey least expected! He pulled out a little box and opened it to expose this:


He followed that presentation with a question: "Lindsey, will you marry me?"



All Lindsey could say was "YES!!!!"


He slid the ring on her finger perfectly as her mind flooded with emotion and questions. She was so excited, and was filled with so much love. Yet at the same time she was wondering how he had got the ring so soon, when he had picked it up, and so much more! Tanner set his guitar in its case and Lindsey slid into his arms. Lindsey then did something she had never done before... she let out a little squeak! {For those of you who know Lindsey, you realize how peculiar this is... Lindsey is NOT the squeaking type. It seems that all her excitement had to get out, and it chose the form of a squeak!}

It was the most perfect engagement Lindsey could have ever imagined! Is was the perfect blend of surprise, romance, and sentiment. She feels SO lucky, and SO blessed to have such a wonderful 'prince charming' in her life--forever!


Lindsey and Tanner left the gazebo and went to Lindsey's brother and sister-in-law's house.


At Karlie's {the sister-in-law} request, the four of them did a little toast in celebration.

Then the newly engaged couple headed over to Lindsey's family's house to share the news. Everyone was really happy!

Dad even got out of bed to come hear the story and join the festivities!

After celebrating with Lindsey's family, the two of them headed over and told Tanner's family the glorious news. Everyone there was really excited as well and welcomed Lindsey into the family!

So it's official! Lindsey and Tanner are getting married. They will be wed October 24th 2008, and live happily ever after!

Easter Eggs!

Happy Easter! Yeah, I realize it's a little belated, but you know what they say... better late than never! This Easter was my first away from home, so it was different than normal. Saturday night Tessa, Josh, Tanner, and I decided that it would be splendid to color eggs together on Sunday. We took an adventure to the grocery store to get the materials necessary. While we were there Tessa and I grabbed a bunch of goodies to put an Easter basket together for the roomies! We also got some plastic eggs to hide around the house for a hunt. When we got home Tessa and I made a HAPPY EASTER sign and set out the goods in a basket.

Sunday morning Tanner and Josh came over and searched for the eggs Tessa and I had hid. We had been quite sneaky and it was fun to see then hunt about 5 East Hillside for those plastic eggs. After tracking them all down, they re-hid them for the roomies to find later. We then got to the coloring of the eggs. It was quite splendid really! We busted out a box of Crayola crayons and got creative.

Here are the eggs that I colored: the first one looks like.... yup, the earth. The second one was just fun, but one person did say it looked like Charlie Brown. The third has hearts on it--it's kind of hard to see...

Here's my 'world' up a little closer. Nice, eh?

Tanner made an egg to match his tie.

So I would have to say it was a successful Easter! I did end up taking a nap later in the day and sleeping through dinner with my family and the food was mainly gone when I got there... but other than that it was GREAT!

So once again, HAPPY EASTER! ... Belated :o)

BRIG

My nephew Brigham, he's so dang cute!

But the great thing is that he's not only cute, but he's sweet,
always happy, and so cuddly.

Man, I love that kid!