James' Wedding

James' wedding was on Saturday, April 21st. It was a roller coaster day but it was a very nice day. The weather was perfect so their pictures are gorgeous! I'm jealous of all the flowers (that's what I get for getting married in December!).

I can't post any photos because they are copyrighted but if you would like to see them go to www.swensenphotography.com and click on "online proofing." Then you can search by the event date (April 21). Click on "M.Shipp" and the password is "maryann."

It is still very strange that they are married but they are very happy so we wish them the best!!

NFL Draft

The NFL Draft was last Saturday and my beloved Raiders had the first pick. I am pleased with their decision to draft JaMarcus Russell; that guy is huge!!! Plus he can throw 60 yards while on his knees! It is pretty cool to watch.

We are also so excited for Eric Weddle! He was drafted in the second round to the San Diego Chargers!! He was such a fun player to watch these last couple of years and we hope he is very successful!!

FUNNY!

Someone just emailed me this picture and I thought it was so funny that I had to share it with all of you!!! I love the dog's face and it makes me want a puppy even more!!

Jesse's New Job

We are so excited to announce that Jesse recently got a job. Not just any job; a full-time job that he will be starting this week!! The company is called Fluid Studios (http://www.fluid-studio.net/) and they are an advertising agency. We never thought that Jesse would go into advertising but it seems like the perfect fit. He is very excited to start working and I'm jealous that he found a job so quickly; it took me a whole year to find a full-time job after I graduated!!! I am very happy for him!

FOREVER 21

I'm so excited because one of my favorite stores has just opened in the Gateway: FOREVER 21!! The clothes can sometimes be a little questionable but they also have really cute things that look great with a Shade top underneath. And their prices are so low!!! I can't wait to go shopping!!! Here are a few cute things from their website.

TIME

At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07.

This will never happen again.

PRETTY COOL!!

Church Calling

Ok, so Jesse and I have been in our new ward since January. It is a downtown ward so we have young couples (students) and older people; there isn't really anything in between. I don't know if we even have a primary.

Anyways, I was called into the bishop's office yesterday to receive a calling. I wasn't too thrilled because I was hoping I would not get a calling in the ward because I don't know how long we will be there. We are hoping to move out of the mortuary pretty soon.

Well, I can't believe what they have asked me to do! GOSPEL DOCTRINE TEACHER!!!! My jaw literally dropped when they asked me. Like I know anything about gospel doctrine!

I asked them if I could have some time to think about it so I still don't know what I'm going to do. I would only have to teach once a month, which is nice, but I would be so worried that someone would ask me a question and I would have no idea what the answer is.

So I have a lot to think about this week. I absolutely hate saying "no" to a calling but I just don't know if I can do this one!

HELP!!

(thank you for listening to my dilemma!)

Eric Aikhionbare

Our good friend from high school, Eric Aikhionbare, passed away last week. It is strange because I haven't seen him since high school but I am so sad to get this news.

You can read his obituary at http://www.legacy.com/SaltLakeTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=87190581

EASTER

Our Easter weekend was very low key. We were able to go to church with Jesse's family and then we spent the evening with my family. I was just excited to wear my new Easter outfit!

Marcus' 14th B-Day!

On Friday we celebrated Marcus' 14th Birthday! I can't belive he is that old. We had a bowling party and it was super fun!

Here's Elise in action! Doesn't she have good form? :)

Here we are modeling our super cute bowling shoes!

Yes, Marcus is taller than me! And his voice is getting much lower. Oh the joys of puberty!
We gave Marcus this ESPN Trivia Game. I guarantee he will have all the answers memorized by the end of the month!

IKEA!

Last night I heard the best news: IKEA opens on May 23rd!!!! I didn't think it would be done for another year. I am sooooo excited! I love that store! You can be sure that when we move into a house the whole thing will be decorated with IKEA. Check out the news story on KSL: http://www.ksl.com/?sid=1072932&nid=148