Letter from the past

It's strange how the past can hit you. Sometimes hard. Other times it's just a sweet memory one savors when reminded.

I was cleaning out some boxes and found a letter addressed to Anne and I.

Anne and Lisba,
I guess it's coming time for the "leaving-home-rebellion-stage" talk. I think I'm mostly out of the stage now. But when you leave, you find yourself wanting to try a lot of things you've always been told not to do, like going to a frat party... always and interesting experience, and as USU is a non-alcohol tolerant school, I don't want to know what would happen at other schools. I guess the thing most people most often (because it's not too risky) is staying out too late and not getting up for classes the next day. (you'll end up sluffing to sleep). A good thing to remember is that most professors don't particularly care if your there, because you already paid tuition. They get paid whether your there or not, show up or not. It truly is an interesting phenomenon to see new freshmen. At first they are so timid, then it's life they all dare each other to go out and do crazy things. (buy a tub of ice cream and start a war.) Those events don't take very long to clean up; a 1/2 hour at the most. One drink, one morality slip can take weeks, months and years to clean up. Also a warning that life comes pretty fast. Remember to take time out to go over the new events and to accept them, acclimatise to them, understand them.
You see so much and hear so much. Practice what you learned at a child, SELECTIVE HEARING. The hard part about this is to be careful that you're not TOO selective. Most people are out there to help you. Some are there to hurt you. Learn to rely on and obey the spirit. You'll still have heartache and pain, but it will be easier to bare, and will pass much more quickly if you do so. So listen, learn to read people and their actions (intentions) and you'll be able to avoid so much it will drive you nuts!! (oh wait you already are nuts, your a Genther!!) And if you need to talk you have all the family who's moved out to talk to. WE love you and want the best for you, don't hesitate to call or write. Laura Moore

Thanks Laura... It was a letter I don't remember reading... but the advice was good now all the same. I don't think I'll be visiting any frat houses though. Thanks for the warning. I love you and hope everyone that reads this letter can really enjoy who Laura is and how caring she is. Such a good little-big sister!! Thanks! LIS

If only you were there...

It was beautiful. Well, according to Dan, it wouldn't have been a wedding, "HIS WEDDING" without the rain. And so that's what it did. It rained on our wedding day... only for a short while. It warmed up, and everything went so smooth, that before I knew it, the day had ended.

I love being married. Dan treats me like an angel. Even on those days that when I'm down, he's there to make sure I get back up. Just the other day... Dan made spaghetti while I finished up an online test. I was feeling stressed so he wanted to jump in and help. I set the table after finishing my test, and clumsily knocked over a glass. It fell, smashed, splintered pieces all over the floor and table. Our plates had been served with spaghetti, and Dan's was near the crash sight. I cleaned up the mess... Hoping that none of it got into our food.

Dan bravely ate, hoping that his food was safe from glass shards too. A minute our two later, Dan had eaten half of his dish when we both heard a loud "CRUNCH". Oh no! I guess we can now say that Dan has had his fair share of glass for the year. Luckily we had more spaghetti to go around.. not that he felt like eating anymore.

HAND SCREAMin good times!

This one is a picture of Chad, Anne and I. I wondered if you guys wanted to hear a great story, that most of you remember as HAND SCREAM.

Remember, when we would all have sleepovers at the old Josephson apartments?
Chad came over one time, Kirsten told him Becca wouldn't be home from work for a few minutes and he could wait around if he wanted to.

Well, when becca pulled up, Chad had this crazy idea to hide. He wanted to surprise becca by jumping out of the linen closet. Well, his only problem was "How could he get becca to open the linen closet door?" easy fix. he asked me to ask becca for hand cream.

Before I could make sure of my assignment, he quickly hid himself in the closet right as becca walked in the apartment. I hurried over to her, and in my hurry, tripped over the words, "Becca, I really need some hand scream" she looked at me pretty weird, and said , "Do you mean HAND CREAM?" I nodded, hoping I didn't give myself away. She opened the closet, and Chad jumped out at her! I guess I didn't give much away, but everyone sure had a laugh about that one.

Aftermath...

Ok, so my last posts were pretty cheesy. According to Jon, it's because when you're in love, anything you say seems alright.

The wedding was spectacular. I loved all the decor at the reception, everything came together so well. The best part was having everyone there! It was so much fun to see everyone. I have only one regret; (I don't think it could have been avoided tho) that is... not being able to spend more time with everyone. Too much all at once, and I think I would have loved to hang out with people more. I did end up taking a nap in the middle of the day (Dan wanted me to..) it was a good thing too, I would have been one crabby bride.

The Honeymoon rocked!!! I loved it! We spent our first night in Logan, loved it. It was at the famous Anniversary Inn. Dan picked out a beautiful room, jetted tub, sitting area, dimming lights, candles, king size bed. It was pretty cool. The trip then went towards California... we were hoping for sunny skies. We got our wish throughout Nevada, and part of San Francisco. I loved the city, all the huge buildings and so many people. We crossed the golden gate bridge, Dan let me stick my head out the top of his car as we drove down, so I could get some good pictures. (Ha ha; so the pictures weren't all that great.) We rode the trolley around town to China town, and down to the fishermans Wharf. There we ate at a famous Neptune's restaurant.

It was really cool to stop at the bay, late at night, you can hear the barking of seals, and to our surprise, we found that over 50 seals had beached themselves on all of the docks in the harbor. They were laying down for the night. Boy were they loud! It was amazing. We watched them for a while, joking and enjoying. Then we found that right across the waters from where we were standing was ALCATRAZ!! The lighthouse was lit, flashing across the water at us! It was amazing! The next morning, we drove to the beach, walked along the water, getting soaked... and poking at Jelly Fish. Dan was amazed by them, we didn't dare touch them for fear of getting stung.

Does anyone know if Jellies sting when they're dead?

Our trip continued South to Santa Cruz. it was rainy the whole day... The wharf there was supposed to be pretty cool, but the rain didn't help...everything except for restaurants was closed. We watched a movie that evening at the hotel...

I thought Santa Cruz might be a bust, but we talked with Dan's dad, James... he told us to stop at the Mystery Spot just outside of Santa Cruz before we left.

The Mystery Spot is pretty famous. Look it up online, you will be amazed at what you learn. No one know's why things are the way they are on the mystery spot. It's been a mystery for years. Time magizine, and researchers, tourists all over the world can't figure this place out. Dan and I found it pretty cool. I'll have to post pictures!!!

Our next stop was on my Birthday! (thanks anne, mom and Dad, and Kirsten for calling!! Sorry I missed chatting!!) We went to Monteray Aquarium. It rocked! My favorite was being able to pet a Manteray, and seeing the Jelly fish. the Sea Otters were really neat too.
Dan took me to a beach, we watched the sunset. I stubbed my toe on a rock, now I guess you could say I was more of beach bum, then a sunset watching romantic.
Later that evening he took me to a restaurant, we ate and talked by writing on the paper butcher paper under our food trays. It was fun to whisper things to eachother, and write notes, (the restaurant for full of loud people). We shared a chocolate mouse cake after Dan sang "happy birthday" to me. (he's so sweet)
Later that night, we snuck into the pool after hours and played until we tired ourselves out.

Our trip ended with a quick drive back! Very quick, Dan drove it all in one day. Did I ever tell you he loves to drive? Or maybe he's just crazy! Lis

Engagement?

He took her to the temple, they talked and watched the sun set lower behind the mountains. It was a beautiful sight. The evening was beautiful. He spoke for a while, then he knelt and said, "Elisabeth, WILL YOU... help me tie my shoe?"

AHH.. the nerve!!

Then, a month later he felt inclined to take her to the same spot behind the temple. Again, the sun began to set, and conversation simplified... relaxed between them. Those once asked questions lingered in the air,

"Have you ever loved?"
"Have you ever been loved?"
"You're beautiful."

She answered with honesty, sincerely thinking out her feelings. He smiled at the answers while listening quietly. There, in the grass he slowly knelt, looking into her eyes, he said, "Elisabeth, will you marry me?" She could feel him reaching for her hand. "Are you serious?! Words of shock, and surprise rolled in one. Was he actually proposing that 'She, a plain girl... marry him?!' He smiled nodding, "Yes, I'm serious!"

"Yes!" escaped her lips her lips quickly, automatically. This is what she had wanted; this gift from him... to be his wife. She finally got her wish.

The MAN

Great news, I have a man! Not just any man, but THE MAN of my dreams. Want to see him? Want to know him...that would take some time. Funny story, I brought my man home to meet the parents... my niece came. She decided that she wanted a man too... so she inconspicuously sat next to Dan, held his had and smiled sweetly at him. She stole him! She's only four! I was crushed. But Dan, well, he seemed to feel pretty proud of himself that day.