Brandon Johnson, the stud.

1. He stays up until 11 pm (on a work night) at my parents house as I snuggle and sob over old and dying family dog...only to find out the next day that Yoda (old and dying family dog) is running around, happy as a clown and execution has been stayed.

2. He will join in on ridiculous Shaw family traditions, like birthday balloon wishes and other crazy expressions of celebration. And I think he kind of likes it.

Dad's 50th Birthday: 1/9/2011

(p.s. I don't know what Park and Whit are doing.

I think he's doing what he does best: being gross.

And I think she's doing what she does best: threatening to punch him.)

3. He'll wear tight and uncomfortable khaki pants to a wedding reception of someone he doesn't know. And he'll do it with a smile.

(He'll even wear his BYU polo in support of yesterday's game...although his beloved Aggies lost. Such a trooper.)

4. He would do almost ANYTHING for these two. Even driving them to the store so they could pick up m&m's, chocolate milk, and potato chips. (He'll even pay for the m&m's if you ask nicely.)

5. He loves, loves, LOVES me. To the moon, is what he says.

I mean, any guy willing to sit down on a weekend night and watch "Emma" with his lovely wife is bound to be pretty much the "Stud of all Studs".

I love you B! Love, your Mrs. Johnson.

Don't "sweat" the small stuff...unless it's Bikram Yoga, then sweat til' you drop dead. Like me.

Friday found me at Bikram Yoga studio in Sugar House. A friend (mind you, a VERY in shape and athletic friend) invited me to "try" it out. It wasn't until about 1 day before our exercise date that I decided I should look it up and get an idea of what I was getting myself into. As I read aloud to Brandon what this entailed, his eyebrows continued to raise higher and higher.

1. Heated room

2. 26 poses

3. 90 minutes

couldn't be that bad.

I even woke up at 7 am Friday morning (which I try hard to NOT to do, usually) to shower, shave my legs and armpits, and comb my hair just right. I ran to Target and picked up a mat, drove to Sugar House, and pulled into the parking lot exactly 15 minutes before class started so I could register. I paid my money and listened to the instructor intently discuss things like "nausea" and "fainting", "keeping your eyes open", and "not talking when you get into the room". Yeah, yeah, I got this.

As I followed my friend into the room WHAM!!!! ... it hit me. Hard. The extreme heat, the sweaty body smell, and the all the people lying on the ground, apparently relaxed, with their eyes closed...looking as if this were just another day in paradise. Of course, there's no talking, so I decide to "follow the crowd" and unfold my mat and towel on the floor...and lay down with my eyes closed and arms sprawled to my side, trying to convince myself that I'm a total "natural".

As I lay there, tiny drops of sweat start to trickle down my forehead. Then the instructor enters, advising us to "Come alive!" I follow the others and get up on my feet, awkwardly clasping my hands together and lifting them under my chin...at least I think that's what I'm supposed to do...as we breath in through our noses and loudly out through our mouths.

As we do these "breathing exercises", the instructor comments "Looking good, Megan." Now, you know she probably had to get this comment out at the very first, because I KNOW she KNEW there was no way that comment would hold any sort of sincerity or legitimacy at the end of these painful 90 minutes...with me on the ground, literally sucking air.

I could go through my body's reaction to each of the 26 poses, but I think I'll save you the gruesome details. Let's just say, it wasn't pretty and I definitely wasn't pretty. About 15 minutes before the class ended, I'm laying on my mat like a limp noodle, sopping wet, and pleading in my head "Cooooommme ooooooon clooooock....cooomme ooooon cloooooooock!!" I couldn't even think in a straight line. I was pathetic.

After the class ended I "jumped" up and wobbled outside. When I sat down on the bench in the lobby area, my friend came "bounding" out, along with the instructor. They so graciously asked "How do you feel?" How do I explain to them, like the ever-hilarious Brian Regan, that "Everything on my inside wants to be on my outside." without feeling like a total wuss and a "Debbie Downer" to their excitement and love for this intensely insane workout? So, I just nod, quickly changing the subject to my friend's super-human ability to make this ragged exercise look easy and her natural athleticism. Hoping I have avoided the one question I didn't want to answer, I grab my bag, slip on my flip flops, and pull out my keys just as I hear "So, we'll see you again?" Looking back at the instructor and my friend, I hear "You can't give up after one try. It'll only get better."

And just like the the sissy I am...I simply say "Yeah, I guess I could give it another try..."

My body had a few words about that...all. the. way. home.

IN OTHER NEWS:

BYU vs. Wofford

Thursday, March 17th 2011

I'll be there. Will you?

Babysitting 101

What makes a good babysitter?

1. Coco Dyno-Bites for dinner (even 2 bowls if you like)

2. Your very own bowl of movie theater popcorn

3. While you play Xbox with the video game king of the world

4. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, straight out of the oven

5. Waiting for you after a good round of "Halo" (which you sneakily convinced clueless couple was 'okay' with your parents to play)

6.Robot Unicorn Attack on IMac after Megan decides "Halo" probably isn't 'okay' with your parents to play.

7. Happy Parents pick you up after a few hours of kid-free playtime :)

...and another one bites the dust. Eat that Nanny McPhee.

In other news: I want to be here.

Scratch that. I want to be HERE.

yummy.

Happy 1 Month Brandon Johnson

I know everyone already knows how awesome Megan and Brandon Johnson are, so it's no surprise we planned it "perfectly" to have our 1 month anniversary fall on the world's sexiest holiday....which would be February 14th.

I don't know why having a Valentine of my own made this celebration so much more exciting, but I was SO giddy to spend "lover's day" with my sweet companion....especially with my bright red toenails.

Which reminds me: Last weekend was one of many milestones, which included B getting his first pedicure. He surprised me when I told him I needed to get a pedi BAD due to bad foot genes passed down by my lovely mother, who's heels have this remarkable ability to dry, crack, and bleed. Unfortunately, my heels carry this same extraordinary quality. Anyway, B totally threw me off when he said "Okay. Can I come with you?" HA! Absolutely, my sweet and adorable husband. Some highlights of this experience:

1. B not understanding anything little vietnamese lady was saying to him.

2. B not knowing why vietnamese lady was holding a bucket of purple hot stuff (also known as wax) and encouraging him to step into it.

3. B totally reading "US Weekly" and commenting on Martha Stewart's love of Eminem like it was yesterday's gossip.

4. B almost falling out of his chair as he looks over and sees lady grating my heels with what seems to look like an actual cheese grater. He just laughed nervously as bits of skin flew everywhere.

5. Other manly man comes in and sits down next to B for a pedi as well. Manly man asks B for a US Weekly magazine. When B asks which one, manly man responds "Doesn't matter. It's all garbage." B thinks this is hilarious. :)

(Maui, Hawaii. I want to be there right now.)

I love my husband. I love Valentines' Day.

*I also love Cajun Chicken Pasta, which is what we ate for Vday dinner. Interested? Let me know and I'll share the recipe...you'll feel like you've died and gone to heaven. (Which I feel like every day with Brandon Johnson. Just had to add my cheese.)

2011: My new adventure begins...

What is so hard about Fridays? I mean, work has ended for the week, I get to sleep in, catch up on my favorite TV shows (thank you Hulu), and get all my "lists" done (well, at least attempt). Maybe it's because I'm having withdrawals from this:

Work is a drag, but marriage is FAB.

One "perk" to working for the State: Fridays off. One "un-perk" to marriage: This rule does not apply to Husband. For some weird reason his non-government job has this idea that they employed him to work on Fridays.

Ugh, total bummer.

How much do I love marriage? This much: ______________________...and it just keeps going and going and going and going....kind of like eternity.

How much do I love Brandon Johnson? I think my heart just might burst, because that amount of love can't be contained. Again, total cheese. But I've decided I like cheese...especially with Brandon Johnson.

On January 14, 2011 my life changed forever.

Brandon Johnson officially married me.

The. Best. Day. Ever.

Marriage rocks.

Don't try to convince us otherwise.

Because we won't believe you.

Recipe for a Great Christmas

Considering that our wedding is less than three week away, Christmas this year was kind of put on the back burner. That doesn't mean, though, awesome memories weren't made and gifts weren't given with love and tenderness. It was a smaller Christmas this year, but still full of joy and happiness as we spent time with family and friends, celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Here's my recipe for a Great Christmas:

#1 An epic Christmas Eve breakfast, filled with

Did I mention that I LOVE him? Okay, because I do. Def do.

#2 Annual Christmas Eve snowshoeing hike to Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon (it's time to hit the pavement again, because those hills kicked my fanny WAY too hard.)

It was the whole Fam minus one fabulous mama, as she thoroughly enjoyed some much-needed peace and quiet in a home deserted of needy children and husband.

Can't imagine why, can you?

Fact: We're nothing but a bunch of loonies.

Fact: Spending too much time with us could make you're

face look like this.

Fact: There's no hope for B. He's a goner.

#3 A pleasant Christmas Eve night out with the in-laws. The Johnson's treated us to a lovely dinner at Olive Garden and presents back at their house. Of course I was too lame to remember my camera to document such events. The evening was topped off with happy tears (in-laws presented me and B with our gifts: framed picture of the Salt Lake Temple and hand-made sign that read: Dreams do come true. Prayers are answered. Miracles do happen) AND a legit game of Uno. Ask me who won. Go on, ask me. Need you even guess- OF COURSE it was I ... Uno Champion of the Universe. Eat that Brandon Johnson. :)

#4 A happy Christmas morning, full of really awesome Mickey Slurps and morning breath. After about the first 30 minutes, I started to wake up and thoroughly enjoyed the new 55-200 mm lens B got me for my camera and license plate cover "Brigham Young University Alumni". Of course my gifts to B weren't nearly as exciting- slippers, clothes, and a gift basket full of Warm Vanilla scent (okay, for me to wear as a gift to him :) ) Am I lame? Possibly.

NOT these pics, though. They are the epitome of Christmas morning at the Shaw household. Epitome.

say cheese...

If there is anything I remember worthwhile from Kate Gosselin, it's this:

It may be a crazy life, but it's our life.

Ha. And so it is.

(just minus the 8 screaming kids, trendy blonde hairdos, and paparazzi bikini pictures.)

Ok, I'll stop.

For the record: I really REALLY liked that show, until it got very VERY sad.

I am so SO grateful for the family I do have and the eternal bonds we have to each other, which are the foundation to our happiness. We are not perfect. But we rely on the gift of the Gospel to keep those special ties strong and immovable. How excited I am to continue this legacy of love and strength with my amazing future husband and children.

Fact: Families can be TOGETHER FOREVER.

#5: A Christmas evening with the Birch and Johnson families. We gathered together at B's aunt and uncle's house for good food, games (including Seinfeld Scene It, Scategories, and a game called "Things". Unfortunately B won that one, with me coming in close second.), and laughing. I don't think there is anything better than gut laughing OVER and OVER again with the ones you love! I am so glad to be part of this great family- love them!

Last, but not least, ingredient for a GREAT CHRISTMAS:

#6 A good-night snuggle session and kiss, with the love of your life whispering "I love you." in your ear. I submit there is NO better way to end the season! ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Now the REAL count-down begins....19 MORE DAYS!!!!!!! And a post entitled "The up's and down's of wedding planning: How to keep a healthy sleep schedule and help your man STAY up and interested in wedding details for the next 2 1/2 weeks."

Bless his little patient heart. He's been a champion.

Happy New Year, because it is for us!

Engaged, why is it so fun?

For the female variety, there are certain days of our lives we plan and prepare for from the time we are little. I can remember many nights, lying in my bed, dreaming about the day the man of my dreams would get on his knee and ask me to marry him. Why is it that I still get a little mushy and my heart skips a beat when I hear these words from Taylor:

He knelt to the ground, and pulled out a ring, and said.....

"Marry me Juliet, you never have to be alone.

I love you, and that's all I really know."...

Oh goodness, even writing it makes me soggy inside.

It's because, getting engaged is lovely. Perfectly lovely. I know this now, because the man of my dreams knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring November 11, 2010- on a blustery Thursday afternoon. September 11th, being a day celebrated and cherished by Brandon and I, he thought it would be sweet to take me to eat at a little Greek place down the street during his lunch break. We chatted and chatted, and then headed back to his apartment to look at drawer space and potential couch placement (okay, you got me. We even had our date at the temple set. Always be prepared, right?) As we entered the apartment, B gave me a letter with my name on it. I looked at him a little surprised, then opened it up and started reading. As I got to the end, I read "Will you be my wife for time and all eternity?" Completely thrown off (really...truly), I gave a short squeak and looked up to find B on his knee with the ring.

It was sweet and straight from his heart. As he slipped the ring on my finger and I looked at him before smooching his face, I thought my heart was going to burst as it grew bigger and bigger with all the love and emotion I felt for this amazing person. (Cheesy? Yes. But that's my new life- full of love and cheese.) ;)

8 weeks. I have to wait 8 weeks until I can be married to my best friend. And, I CAN'T WAIT. Well, I can. But, I can't...but, I can. But really... I can't wait. We have picked January 14th, 2011 to be sealed and could not be happier.

(okay, hair is a little "skeewampus", but I feel no guilt. I'M ENGAGED!)