Wedding Gifts

So Cyndi and I were sitting around the living room wondering what to put on a registry. We quickly realized we already have just about everything we need to play house. More importantly, we've both been abundantly blessed. It just doesn't make sense to ask people to give us stuff.

In lieu of gifts we'd really like our friends and family to consider donating to a charity of their choice. We very much like the idea of providing for the less fortunate. We feel it's a great way to start a life of service together.

We know of two charities that we feel are particularly worthy. Heifer International uses donations to provide farm animals and training to needy families in developing countries. Their website has all the details, but the essential idea is that they provide cows, sheep, goats, chickens, etc., and then teach people how to tend the animals so that they continue to produce income (e.g. milk, eggs, wool, etc.). We like their idea of "teaching to fish" as opposed to "giving fish."

For that reason we also like the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Donations fund low-interest (3%) education loans for Church members throughout the world. The PEF emphasizes technical and/or vocational skills, with the idea that the recipient will apply those skills in their home community. Once again, it's a great program for building up families and local communities.

We suggest those two charities because we like them, but we want our guests to feel free to donate wherever it'll do the most good. We also don't want anyone to feel obligated to do anything for us. Our family and friends have done so much, we thank them for their love and generosity.

Latest news

• Cyndi has made the move.


• Planning proceeds, but we're now down to details.


• We'll have the first proof for the announcements on Wednesday. If that looks good, we should be sending them out next week.

Our First Dance

You'll have to see it to believe it!

Belaboring Photos

It's hard to choose the photo you want everyone to see. I just went through them again and, with some adustments, I found another possible choice. I like some things about it, but I'm not sure it's "the one." The other two photos are really good, even if one of them has an outhouse in the background. Maybe that's a reason to like it more!

Isn't he adorable? I love that man!

Invitation Photo

We like these. We especially like the first one. But I did some adjusting on it and I'm not sure it's got enough resolution for the printer. If it does, that's the one we'll go with.




These were taken at Aspen Grove up Provo Canyon. Meredith Carlson was the photographer, we think she did a great job.

"Where are you going for the honeymoon?"

We've had this question asked several times. It's often the first question asked after we tell someone we're getting married. Which perplexes us. Given the rather personal nature of the honeymoon, we really weren't expecting to discuss it with anyone. Especially since we're not twenty-year-olds. Seriously, what's up with that?

So in case anyone else is wondering, we've discussed options but haven't made any plans. We've definitely ruled out Hawaii and California, and don't want the hassle of traveling abroad. We also considered a mountain retreat, but the tourist season approaches and neither of us is a big skier. (Actually, I would in fact be a big skier if I were to strap on a couple planks and point 'em downhill, but I wouldn't be particularly avid.)

Cyndi has suggested we set up a lottery. Pay $5 and guess where we're going. Whoever is closest gets half the money, and the rest goes for our airfare and hotel. I think it's a great idea, but gambling is both morally wrong and against the law. So we're just gonna hit up my parents for the dough.

The Ring

Cyndi's engagement ring features a single blue diamond. The stone is a cultured gem from Chatham. This type of gem is also called "synthetic" or "laboratory-made." I personally don't like to call it "synthetic," since that suggests the diamond is artificial. It is in fact a pure diamond, composed of carbon and a few stray boron atoms (which give it the wonderful blue color). Like diamonds created in the Earth's crust, it has a cubic crystalline structure, a refractive index of 2.42, hardness of 10, and density of 3.52. It truly is a real diamond.

Cyndi and I wanted a cultured stone for a few reasons. First, it's the only way to guarantee that the gem doesn't come from a conflict zone or from exploitative circumstances. Second, we don't like the idea of a single cartel monopolizing the diamond industry. Third, cultured stones are actually quite rare, much rarer than natural stones (over 150 million carats worth of diamonds are produced annually).

We bought the ring at Goldsmith Jewelers in downtown Provo. Rian Robison was extremely helpful. And, more importantly, he was the only jeweler I talked to that didn't look at me funny when I asked about cultured diamonds.

January 11th!

That's the day. Marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, reception that night at the Springville Museum of Art at 6:30 pm. As of right now, that's eight weeks away. We're rather excited.