Get your jump on, it's Leap Day!

I knew I was marrying into a jumpy-picture family when we did this at Yellowstone:

I like their concept of jumping when you're happy, and this was a jump-for-joy day:

HAPPY LEAP DAY!

Get your jump on ...

On Her Birthday, Quotes Melanie Loved

I love and miss my Auntie Melanie. She passed away just over two months ago. Wish I could call her on heaven's phone. Do they have free long distance there?

I think of Melanie often, and wish we could go running together. She was always so good at blazing the trail, a super hero with sweet feet. As she did for so many, Melanie touched my life in many ways. For example, the earrings she wore for this picture were my "something borrowed" on my wedding day.

Anyone who has visited the Kau home knows Melanie loved inspirational quotes. A few years ago, I asked Melanie her favorite quotes to make a personalized Christmas gift. The following were the three she chose, and I believe they symbolize how she lived her lovely life: a happy disposition, a forgiving heart, and the faith to endure hard things. Love you Mel, Happy Birthday in heaven.

His & Hers: Adrenaline-Seeking Differences

Yes, that's Ryan doing a yoga pose atop a decaying tree. From a family of five brothers and one sister, it's no wonder Ryan gets a rush from stunts like climbing old trees, sneaking in Ultimate sledding runs down ski resort trails, and backflipping off high dives. Yesterday he watched the newly popular YouTube video, "The World's Largest Rope Swing," and wished he was joining the adrenaline junkies in Moab. Click here to see some serious fly-high action.

As for me, the girl who grew up with two sisters, (and then got bonus a sister and two brothers when my dad remarried) I'm definitely more cautious. I get an adrenaline high from finishing a grueling half marathon. I feel the fire when pulling off a seemingly impossible writing deadline. Discovering new places, and checking off the bucket list give me a serious rush.

Ryan and I often find FEEL ALIVE moments in different ways, but we've found areas of overlap: traveling, playing group games like Murderer in the Dark, and being in the company of hilarious little kids. Part of the fun of our Beck treks is finding more ways we both feel alive; minus the fear of falling out of a tree.

Thanks to Tami Beck, our rad sister, who took this shot of Ryan in Lamb's Canyon.

Ring Power on Valentine's Day

THE STORY OF OUR RINGS

Ryan proposed on May 29, 2010 on Temple Square with a temporary ring. He then let Crystalee design her own custom ring (smart man!) When she thought it was still in the shop, he presented a sparkling surprise during the Grande Finale of the Sugarhouse Park 4th of July fireworks. What a magical second proposal!

As for Ryan's ring...being the bargain shopper he is, he can proudly say he found his titanium band online for not $100, not $50, not even $25, but seven dollars! Yes, it's true. At that price, we're thinking he should have a collection to mix and match with his outfits. Yeah?

It's nice to have a symbol of belonging to each other. Ring power, baby!

Happy Hearts Day to you and yours. What's your ring story?

To my husband, who lets me fly

Ryan just returned from a few days in Reno for a construction team competition. Being apart gave me time to miss him. Thus, this post.

When I was a teenager, I read an Ensign article I highly recommend called “Home with the Hinckleys.” As quoted above, President Hinckley gives his advice on being a supportive husband, and his sweet wife shares her wisdom too. Their home sounded heavenly. I kept that article to remember the type of man I wanted to marry and the kind of home I hoped we'd have.

Today marks 18 months since we were married. I was blessed with my heart's desire; in a very literal sense, Ryan lets me fly all over the country. (Thanks, husband!)

More importantly, he gives me freedom to be myself. He knows me and still loves me anyways. He teaches me to be real and genuine. He supports my big dreams yet reels me back to reality when I get carried away. Even in our tense moments, he's the husband I hoped for - quick to forgive, quick to love me, and oh, so loveable.

Meet Our Pals, Dr. Quinn and Sully

Fact: If you were a regular at our place, you'd hear "Wanna watch a Dr. Quinn?" quite often.

Last Spring I had a cold, and checked out a pick-me-up movie at the library. That first season of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman got Ryan and me started on a year-long habit. It's rare to find shows we both love, but we've spent hours upon hours snuggled up watching Dr. Quinn together.

You probably remember catching episodes years ago? It's an older show but we really love it and Dr. Quinn and Sully make such frequent appearances in our home they feel like friends. Each episode shares strong family values and powerful story lines. Hunky Sully always comes to the rescue, and wise (and gorgeous!) Dr. Quinn knows just the right thing to say.

Ryan and I have watched them fall in love, save the Indians, survive tragedies, see the Indians be massacred, build a new home, have the railroad come to Colorado Springs and get engaged. We've come to know the personalities in their old western town. Their adopted kids Matthew, Coleen and Bryan have grown up before our eyes. I was giddy when we watched Dr. Quinn and Sully's wedding a couple months ago! Now we're on Season 4 and Dr. Quinn is expecting a baby soon.

It's been such a great show for us to explore together. We'll run out of seasons in a couple months, and I'll be sad! We will need something new for our regular fix.

Did you watch Dr. Quinn once upon a time? Any other fun shows you recommend?

P.S. I am a huge fan of actress Jane Seymour; such a beautiful person on screen and off. Did you know she has a blog? Check it out!

Image Courtesy of FanPop

When I Met the "Groundhog Day" Actress (Again!)

"What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today." (Bill Murray in Groundhog Day)

In honor of the Groundhog Day movie, you're seeing this post for the second time.

As a flight attendant, I’ve had my share of celebrity passengers. To drop a few names, I’ve made small talk with legendary Robert Redford, served beverages to actors Scott Wolf, Wilford Brimley, passed by snoozing musician Peter Cetera, and loaned comedian Louie Anderson a pen to write up a comic piece. And basketball Hall-of-Famer Jimmer Fredette definitely gave me a fist bump on a flight too!

Mind you, I’m not “famous people worshipper.” Meeting these folks only solidified my belief that people are just people – no matter how recognizable their name or face may be. It is interesting, though, to see what characters are like in real life.

In honor of Groundhog Day today, let me tell you how actress Andie MacDowellsurprised me!

She walked on the plane, the image of beauty with the Los Angeles sun highlighting her dark bouncy curls. I was stunned. She is a striking woman, just as beautiful as her on-screen role in classic namesake film “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray. If you haven't seen it (repent today!), she plays a sweet and gentle news producer, the girl who Bill Murray can't help but fall for despite his pretentious, pompous beginnings.

The Andie MacDowell on my plane had some Southern belle sass. She has a slight drawl, and knows how to command attention. She made friends with other First Class passengers, and when the captain announced we'd be about 15 minutes late, she rallied them up in protest! She had a tight connection and told me she was desperate to get on her next flight to go see her college-age son.

At one point, she asked for decaf coffee. I put it on brew in the galley, and went back to check on the main cabin. When I returned a couple minutes later, imagine my surprise to find Andie in the galley, pouring herself decaf coffee into a cup she'd found - quite the fiery, forward gal! We had our own little chat about the films she's been in, and couldn't help but like her spunk.

When we landed, she raced off to her next flight, snatching her black carry-on bag. A few minutes later, another passenger approached me and said his bag was missing. Andie's bag and his were almost identical. Since I knew she had such a tight connection and he wanted his bag back too, I decided to go the literal extra mile and sprinted with his bag to make the exchange. Heart pounding as a raced through the airport, I barely made it to her next plane. Bag switch fixed!

Have you met any well-known folks at the airport or on a plane? Tell, tell.

Image courtesy of Movie Retrospect blogger.

When I Met the "Groundhog Day" Actress

As a flight attendant, I’ve had my share of celebrity passengers. To drop a few names, I’ve made small talk with legendary Robert Redford, served beverages to actors Scott Wolf, Wilford Brimley, passed by snoozing musician Peter Cetera, and loaned comedian Louie Anderson a pen to write up a comic piece. And basketball Hall-of-Famer Jimmer Fredette definitely gave me a fist bump on a flight too!

Mind you, I’m not “famous people worshipper.” Meeting these folks only solidified my belief that people are just people – no matter how recognizable their name or face may be. It is interesting, though, to see what characters are like in real life.

In honor of Groundhog Day today, let me tell you how actress Andie MacDowell surprised me!

She walked on the plane, the image of beauty with the Los Angeles sun highlighting her dark bouncy curls. I was stunned. She is a striking woman, just as beautiful as her on-screen role in classic namesake film “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray. If you haven't seen it (repent today!), she plays a sweet and gentle news producer, the girl who Bill Murray can't help but fall for despite his pretentious, pompous beginnings.

The Andie MacDowell on my plane had some Southern belle sass. She has a slight drawl, and knows how to command attention. She made friends with other First Class passengers, and when the captain announced we'd be about 15 minutes late, she rallied them up in protest! She had a tight connection and told me she was desperate to get on her next flight to go see her college-age son.

At one point, she asked for decaf coffee. I put it on brew in the galley, and went back to check on the main cabin. When I returned a couple minutes later, imagine my surprise to find Andie in the galley, pouring herself decaf coffee into a cup she'd found - quite the fiery, forward gal! We had our own little chat about the films she's been in, and couldn't help but like her spunk.

When we landed, she raced off to her next flight, snatching her black carry-on bag. A few minutes later, another passenger approached me and said his bag was missing. Andie's bag and his were almost identical. Since I knew she had such a tight connection and he wanted his bag back too, I decided to go the literal extra mile and sprinted with his bag to make the exchange. Heart pounding as a raced through the airport, I barely made it to her next plane. Bag switch fixed!

Have you met any well-known folks at the airport or on a plane? Tell, tell.

Image courtesy of Movie Retrospect blogger.