Merry Christmas!

Jordan and I had our very first Christmas together; not just as a married couple but as a couple. We started dating in August so we’ve never had a Christmas together. It was so wonderful to spend the holidays with my best friend.

Christmas Eve we went over to Jordan’s Aunt Sarah’s house for brunch with the family. It was so good! Jordan and I even got to watch our wedding video for the first time. It made me want to get married to Jordan all over again! Ok really I just want to put the dress on again haha. In the evening we went back and had a bonfire outside roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. I started hearing fire trucks and everyone else started to get excited. The next thing I know I’m hearing someone yell “Hurry before we miss it”, Jo grabbing my hand, and then we all started running. There were police cars and fire trucks all lit up with Christmas lights and playing Christmas music. Santa was even on top of the fire truck. I tried to take a video of it but forgot to press the record button so all I have is a picture. I’ll be doing a post soon filled with just pictures from our trip to Ontario, Utah, and Christmas. It was so exciting though!!! I already can’t wait until next year to see it again!

Christmas morning I woke up at 4:00am and put Jo’s surprise present under the tree. I’ve had it hidden in our closet for a couple of weeks and luckily he never found it. I tried so hard not to make any noise and ruin the surprise. After that I couldn’t really get back to sleep. I tried to get Jo up at 6am to open presents but he made me wait until 7 haha. He was totally surprised by the extra gift by the tree. We took lots of pictures opening the presents my family sent from Ontario so we could share that with them later. Jo did an amazing job picking out presents for me. I loved everything he got me! One of my presents was a sapphire and diamond ring, necklace, and earrings set. It looks kind of like Katie Middleton’s ring but obviously a lot smaller. I love it!!! One of our family gifts was a Star Wars puzzle that we found in Utah. The set came with two puzzles and we put the smaller one together before church. We had a lot of fun together and sharing our love of Star Wars (seriously this guy is perfect for me – which I obviously caught on to very early in our relationship).

The Christmas program at church was amazing! I felt the Spirit so strongly during the choir numbers. We did the four-handed with organ arrangement of Angels We Have Heard on High and I always love playing that. I love playing any music that includes the organ and makes a statement and this song definitely does that. After church we got together for Christmas dinner with Jo’s family and then Skyped with my parents and Katie in Ontario. I think Skype is one of the best inventions! It makes it so much easier to see my family back home. I am definitely going to be taking advantage of that more often! We got together with my side of the family for Christmas dinner on Boxing Day. It’s so great to spend so much time with family!

I have to say that my first Christmas with Jo was amazing!! We both had two days off from work and spent a lot of time together and with family. Each day I remembered just how grateful I am for him. He’s always helping me with the cleaning and offering to help make all the meals and even makes them himself sometimes if I’m busy or tired. He holds my hand when I’m walking outside in my high heels so I don’t fall and to help me get into the Sorento since it’s higher up. He makes the bed every morning. He tells me I’m beautiful even when I definitely don’t feel that way. He watches Say Yes to the Dress with me (and doesn’t even complain about it!). Jo does so much for me that I’m so grateful for. There is no one else I would rather have spent this Christmas and every Christmas with in the future.

Merry Christmas from the Martins!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I haven't posted a blog entry since June 29! Can that really be right?  Wow how time flies. My roommate Kristi updated her blog today (I'll miss you too! And you too Chantelle! You girls were the best roommates ever!!) and I realized that mine needed an update as well.

I'm getting married! Most of you probably already know that by now but I just really like saying it :) Only 24 days to go and I will officially be Mrs. Megan Martins. I can't wait!! So here's the story of how we met and our whirlwind romance...

Jordan and I met at an IRC Fireside on August 21 (see, those programs really do work!). A few months before at Battle of the Bands I was standing there with my roommates and this random guy waved at me like he knew me. I looked behind me totally confused cause I had no idea who he was. So at the fireside I decided to finally say hi and see who he thought I was. I definitely wasn't who he thought but we had a good laugh about it and it kicked off a great conversation! He was hilarious and I really enjoyed talking to him so we met up at institute that week. We went on a couple of the most amazing dates ever (I even skipped double gym for him! I know!) and by September 5 we were looking at engagement rings at Spence Diamonds and knew we wanted to marry each other. We went a couple of weeks later to Ontario so he could meet my family and ask my dad for permission. On September 21, one month after we met, Jordan proposed. He had me leave work a bit early and meet him outside my house. He drove me out to Kananaskis where he had arranged for a helicopter to tour us around the mountains. We landed in a grassy area of the mountains and went up into a grove of trees. That is where my best friend in the whole world told me how much he loved me and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was one of the best moments of my life.

Jordan and I are going to be sealed for time and all eternity on 5 November 2011. I'm so excited and can't wait to marry the best man I've ever met. I've never been this happy in my entire life. Ok, I promise all the mushy stuff is over now haha

Wedding planning has taken up all of my time for the past month. My dress was surprisely easy to find and fits perfectly! It's exactly what I was looking for! Our flowers are ordered and the reception planned. We even found a place to live this past weekend! That was probably the most stressful part - looking at places and having none of them work out. It's a great condo in the NE of Calgary and I can't wait to live there with Jordan. Even though I'll miss the Franklin Park Ward and living with my amazing roommates, I can't wait to start this next part of my life with Jordan.

I'm the luckiest girl in the world :)

Always in a Hurry...

Why are people always in such a rush?

I'm wondering if this is generational thing or the nature of human beings. I think I'm leaning more toward the generational idea. In a world of smart phones, internet, and microwavable dinners it's almost unavoidable for it to become part of our nature or atleast our expectations and assumptions. We want the "all American dream" and we want it right now. Nevermind that it took our parents years to accumulate what they have now, we want the house, the car, the vacations, the extravagant camper but we want it all in the next five years. Five years...I think that's pretty much the extent of our patience if we're lucky.

So what brought on this little rant of mine? Drivers that are in a hurry.

Yesterday I had two experiences with these type of drivers. First, on my way home from the bank. I was coming up to the line that was formulating at the four-way stop when this car starts squeezing past all of us on the right shoulder to get to the front so they could turn right. He/She narrowly missed sideswiping all of our cars because they couldn't wait the extra two minutes in the line. And please don't get me started on people who go out of turn at four-way stops. Second, I was walking through the parking lot at Superstore after being at the gym and a car stopped for me to cross. As I politely wave thank you and start to cross, another car comes speeding around from behind the other because he didn't want to wait not realizing the car ahead of it had stopped for a pedestrian. Luckily he still had enough time to stop.

Now I will admit that on more than one occasion I have been one of these drivers in a hurry. But for all of you who have heard the story of my accident will now that I have since learned my lesson. I was on 16th Ave on my way to return an item at Bed, Bath, and Beyond before the institute fireside started. I was in a rush to get there so I wouldn't be late. Not wanting to wait for all the traffic and lights on 16th Ave I decided to take 18th Ave. I was going the speed limit but I'll admit I wasn't driving as carefully as I should have. Whether it was my lack of attention or the sign not being visible but I completely ran through the Stop sign without seeing it and hitting the back bumper of the Nissan Versa crossing through. My dad has always taught me that it's better to arrive safely and late. I now have firsthand experience with that.

Why do we have so much trouble waiting? Why do we feel entitlement to have what we want right now without the much needed work? What unnecessary hardships are we placing on ourselves because we are unwilling to wait? What great opportunities or blessings could we be missing out on?

Life is Made of These...

Since I haven't blogged in awhile I figure as a way to catch up on things I'll make a list of 5 things that have made my life so much better lately and that I'm really grateful for...

1. Roommates
I love my roommates! They are the most amazing group of girls. It's so great knowing that I have some awesome friends to come home to at the end of the day, especially when the day has been challenging. They have really been a great support and example to me. I love our games nights, dance parties in the car, staying up late talking, and spontaneous cookie making (HALF....HALF CUP.....haha good times).

2. The Temple
Last Saturday we had a ward temple trip and picnic afterwards and it was a great time.
Before meeting up with everyone else, Chantelle and I went early to the temple to do a session in the morning. I love everything about the temple and especially those quiet moments that you get. The one temple worker kept making me laugh so hard and I was trying not to but how can anyone laugh in a whisper? haha. Temple trips always bring the ward closer together. After the spirit that was felt in the temple, we went to a nearby park for our picnic. Sister Veroni made amazing food. I was afraid I’d having nothing to eat with being vegetarian but there was tons to choose from. On the way home I had a nice little race with Chris. I won of course :). Although it was touch and go for awhile when I tried to pass him and once my car hit 130km/h my traction control went crazy and my car starting decelerating even though my foot was to the floor. So I turned the traction control off and I was on my way!

3. Body Pump

I’ve always been someone who likes exercising but of course I still find it hard to go to the gym regularly. I discovered Body Pump at the end of March and I love going! I hate it when I have to miss a day! I love being able to push myself and finish the set or track when I feel like I absolutely can’t. I’m disappointed that when the new schedule comes out next week the Thursday class has been replaced with a different one so I’ll have to go to one of the other gyms in Calgary to make up for. Totally worth it though!

4. That One Best Friend

Have you ever had that one best friend that just makes your life better? The one that you talk to about everything and anything? The one that you can fight with and have disagreements with but you still know you’re there for each other and you get through it? I love my best friend.

5. The Book of Mormon

I love this book. There is no book like it at all. Every single time I read it my testimony of how true it is grows a little bit more. I only have to read one verse and immediately I feel comforted and at peace. In the past couple of months my testimony of the Book of Mormon has increased dramatically and I have no doubt that it’s true. I feel it and I know it.

A Little Retail Therapy

Not gonna lie that whole "30 Day Photo Challenge" thing just wasn't for me. Plus my Mac was having issues with my pictures and I ran out of patience. So on to bigger and better things...

Retail Therapy! :)

I know you're probably all tired of hearing about my car (well atleast my friends, family, and coworkers are) but for some reason it's been such a huge trial for me. Every day I get up hoping that today will be the day I get the phone call that it's finished but each day passes and I'm still taking the bus home. But yesterday I decided it was finally time for some much needed retail therapy!! :)

I was planning a trip to Europe in October but due to other circumstances that trip has been postponed until next year. I've barely spent any money on myself at all lately because I've been trying to save up as much money as possible for the trip. So last night I decided I didn't really care what the cost I was going to shop and buy some things I've really been wanting lately. Check out what I got...



I didn't even see these until Chantelle pointed them out! They're perfect for summer and exactly what I was looking for! Thanks Chantelle :)





(But in light pink)

 I'm so glad Chantelle came shopping with me. It was so much fun to just hang out and shop and eat Sushi :) It's nights like these, dance parties in the car on the way home from FHE, and going to Institute with friends that makes me so grateful that I moved so I could get to know all of these girls so much better!



30 Day Photo Challenge

Day 1 - A picture of yourself with 15 facts

1. Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel is my favourite piece of music
2. My favourite cartoon movie is Anastasia
3. I'd rather eat chips or candy over chocolate any day
4. I don't really like ice cream
5. My favourite movie is Star Wars (the original three)
6. I can't drink the last bit of juice in my cup
7. I hate touching taps and door handles in public washrooms and I use my foot to flush
8. Friends is my favourite TV show
9. I love to organize things
10. I can't whistle
11. When I was little I wanted to be She-ra because her red boots and flying horse were so cool
12. I can play the piano, organ, saxophone, and bass guitar
13. I never settle for less than my best
14. The Salt Lake Temple is my favourite temple
15. I absolutely love Christmas!

My Life Without Damon

Before anybody starts wondering who the new man in my life is and what the story is I'll put up a picture of my Damon...

Yes, Damon is my car. Not gonna lie...I do not like being without Damon. I know he's just a car and there are people out there with MUCH bigger problems than me (Japan...) but some days it gets really frustrating realizing that he's still so far away from being repaired (another 3 weeks!). And you combine this with all the other incidents: vandalism to my bumper and tail light, dropping a cheesecake in my car, and a stolen license plate. There's also the fact that I'm making car payments and insurance payments on a car that will have sat there for 6 weeks. For all you mechanics out there, does it really take 6 weeks to turn around a car? Maybe I just know nothing about car repairs but that seems like a long time to me. But I'm trying really really hard to be grateful throughout this whole thing. For example:

1. I'm alive and wasn't injured in the accident.

2. The woman in the other car is alive and wasn't injured in the accident.

3. I do have a car the will eventually come back. There are a lot of people who don't even have the option for a car so I'm very lucky to have one.

4. All the parts will be warrantied by my insurance company for the rest of the time I own my vehicle.

5. All the scratches on the front of my car I didn't like will now be gone.

6. I have insurance to cover the $10,000 cost to repair my car.

7. I get to walk outside a lot more on nice days.

8. I saved money on gas this month.

9. My brand new car alarm system wasn't damaged.

10. The moving date for my office to Airdrie was pushed back again until June so I can still take the bus to work for now.

11. The weather has been nice and I'm not taking the bus in -30C weather.

12. I have wonderful friends and family who help me with rides.

Between the inspiration of Kris Belcher at Time Out for Women and Chantelle's lesson at FHE last night, I am choosing to just keep laughing and pushing through. And what better way to start then a dance party in the car on the way home from FHE with my friends! Honestly, I laughed so hard and it's so true...laughter is the best medicine!

My Very First Blog Post!

That's right! I have finally joined the blogging world! Ok so I know my blog design is really really boring but hopefully as I find out more about blogs it will change and start to reflect more of my personality :)

"My Compass Works Fine"

I set up a blog a couple of months ago but by the time I got around to creating my first post a friend of mine published their blog on Facebook with the exact same name of my blog! So since she got to it first I had to come up with a whole new name. I was looking for quotes from one of my favourite movies Pirates of the Caribbean and found this one:
Elizabeth Swan: Why doesn't your compass work?
Jack Sparrow: ...My compass works fine
I like this quote because throughout the movie there's this big hanging question about why Jack has a compass that doesn't point north. But as Gibbs so nicely puts it: "But we're not trying to find North are we?"

Sometimes in life we are so focused on trying to find whatever is North in our lives. Or in other words, our Plan A for our life. But sometimes our compass doesn't point us that way. It seems like the plans I make almost never work out and I end up in a completely different direction than I had thought and sometimes even wanted...but my compass still works just fine.

Time Out For Women

This past weekend I decided at the last minute to attend Time Out For Women with my sisters. I'm so glad I did! Not only did I get to spend some amazing time with Jen and Chrissy, but I was also immensly uplifted about my life. I found new direction in an area of my life that I have been constantly thinking about and wondering what to do. If any of you haven't been to a TOFW I highly suggest you go to the next one that's in your area. You won't regret it!