ABC Tag

My nephews "hiding" under my desk at work

A. Attached or Single: Happily attached to my fiance George!

B. Best Friends: FAMILY which will soon be George too :) and I couldn't live without my GIRLS: Aly, Shena, Lisa, Elaine, Eliza...the list goes on!

C. Cake or Pie: This is TOUGH because I have such a sweet tooth. I LOVE, love, love Rhubarb Pie, but the THE CAKE is to die for.

D. Day of Choice: Hmmm Saturday. It's a FREE day and I can do whatever I want!

E. Essential item: Water and/or Chocolate - are these "items"?

F. Favorite color: Definitely blue

G. Greatest accomplishment: Living happily I suppose?

H. Hometown: Cedaredge, CO and Alaska is my second home :)

I. Indulgences: Playing (traveling, camping, hiking, etc.) and Food

J. January or July: July…I love sunshine and warmth!

K. Kids: Still in heaven, but definitely someday

L. Life is incomplete without: My family of course...

M. Marriage date: 07 June 2008

N. Number of siblings: 6 - 4 girls and 2 boys...I'm no. 5

O. Oranges or apples: Apples (not the red ones) - I hate peeling oranges.

P. Phobias or fears: The Dentist...eek!

Q. Quotes: "The significant problems in your life cannot be solved with the same level of thinking that created them." -Albert Einstein

R. Reason to smile: George loves me :)

S. Season: Summer...as long as there is water around to play in!

T. Tag 3 friends: Lisa, Melissa, Paige, Kaitlin, Mair, Jamie, Analee any and all of my fellow bloggers.

U. Unknown fact about me: I have 3 tiny pebbles in my side.

V. Very favorite store: REI? But really I don't like shopping very much.

W. Worst habit: Popping my knuckles...does it really cause arthritis?

X. X-ray or ultrasound: Ultrasound I suppose b/c an x-ray means I'm at the dentist or have a broken bone.

Y. Your favorite food: I love Italian and Thai...and ice cream and chocolate...and fresh fruit and vegetables and and and...basilly I just love food, period.

Z. Zodiac: Pisces

Who is George Bates?

For one...he is now my fiance! George asked me to marry him Monday night and I said YES!!! I've been smiling ever since and am SO excited and happy :) I knew it was coming...in fact a few weeks prior he told me that he knew he wanted to marry me. I told him I loved him and definitely liked where things were headed, but that I needed a couple weeks to make SURE that is what I wanted. I pretty much already knew, but those two weeks gave me time to digest it all and now I know that I'm ready for such a big commitment!

For the proposal he took me to a red rock canyon that has a few small waterfalls. We hiked for a couple of hours enjoying the beautiful scenery. I loved how the the budding green leaves on the trees contrasted the red rock. The canyon seemed to be glowing too because it was just before sunset.

The Beginning of the Trail

We got up to one of the waterfalls that has a small pool at the bottom...he gathered a handful of flat rocks so we could have a rock-skipping contest. As he came over to give me the rocks I gave him a big hug and he dropped all the rocks, got down on his knee, and asked me to be his wife! At first I didn't believe him because the ring he pulled out was everything I DID NOT want in my ring. And we'd gone ring shopping so I knew he knew my style, so I was confused why he was holding this yellow gold, marquise-cut, gaudy diamond ring. He just kept kneeling there waiting for my reply, so despite the ring; I looked at him, took a deep breath gave him a kiss, and said YES!

Right after we got engaged :)

I still was a little thrown off by the ring because as he put it on my finger it was about 3 sizes too big! He asked me if I liked my ring...I didn't want to lie, but if he was really serious I didn't want to hurt his feelings either. So I told him I would learn to like it and that really the ring didn't matter, it was the MAN I was marrying that really mattered. We layed down on the red rock slab looking up at the sky soaking in our beautiful surroundings and thinking about what we'd just done.

Then I said, "George don't be offended by this question, but I'm just wondering why we went ring shopping? Was it so I'd get used to the idea of wearing a ring? I mean it, it just doesn't seem like this is the same style I was showing you." His reply, "Well this ring is sort of like what you pointed out to me isn't it?" I just looked at him still confused. Then he started laughing and said, "I can't take it anymore... Liz please tell me you hate the ring and that it is NOTHING like what you wanted."

My "fake" ring

I was so relieved when I realized that it wasn't "my" ring. I started to cry as he continued to tell me that he was going to do EVERYTHING he could to make me happy. My ring wasn't quite ready yet, but that it would be soon. He wanted to propose before he left to Nebraska for two weeks (he left the next morning). Years ago he worked in a pawn shop and the ring he used was one of the "left-over" ones at the shop. It is real diamonds so he said I could make it into a necklace or something if I wanted.

Oh and I forgot that at the beginning of the hike he said he didn't have a pocket and asked if I wouldn't mind carrying a little black box. I looked at him in disbelief and told him he was breaking ALL the rules and that I couldn't carry my own ring box. But he really didn't have pockets so I carried it because I guess there really aren't rules to proposals after all. But as it turned out, that ring box was empty, and he was just doing it because he thought I'd be more comfortable as long as I had the box with me because I knew he wouldn't propose until I gave it to him. Instead I felt like I had this huge box burning a hole in my pocket that I was dying to open!

I just went to try on my "wax" ring today to make sure everything looked good...it was perfect and I can't wait to get the real one! I'll definitely post photos when I get it.

After hiking up a few small waterfalls

Our history: My brother-in-law, Joe, and sister, Sara, had been trying to set us up since 2005. But we were both a little stubborn (and dating other people at the time). He actually asked me out (indirectly) to go 4-wheeling with him when I was in Cedar City right after my nephew, Kaden’s, birth (Nov ’05). I didn’t go, but my little sister did! That was about it for a year. Then in August of 2006 I moved to Cedar City for a month to landscape my dad’s office building. George and I started dating then…but it didn’t go so well and it only lasted a couple months. We were both on the rebound from our previous serious relationships. We liked each other, but weren’t ready for another relationship just yet. I moved back to Provo to finish my degree and we occasionally talked and George would take me out when I came to Cedar City to visit family. My brother-in-law, Joe, made a generous job offer to me after graduation so I found myself back in Cedar City (with no intention of dating George again). In fact I didn't even tell him that I'd moved back to town. He happened to stop by Sara and Joe’s house and found out that I’d moved back to town. He invited me to go with his group of friends to Havasupai Falls (a beautiful vein on the south end of of the Grand Canyon). I couldn't resist an invite like that and it turned out to be a great trip. We continued to spend all summer long together...but we were nothing ever more than just friends. We even took a trip out to California together when I for sure thought he’d kiss me, but nothing! I was a little mad at him by that point, because we'd spent so much time together but hadn’t had any DTRs (talks - defining the relationship) and he hadn’t held my hand or kissed me. But finally in November after not talking to each other for 3 weeks (a minor fall out, mostly on my part) we came to terms that we liked each other (talk about stubborn!) George finally initiated the "talk" and gave me a smooch. We've been exclusive ever since. We definitely have our ups and downs, but it's mostly UP and I love how real our relationship is. It will be such an adventure being married to George and I can't wait for it to begin!

We plan on being married in the LDS Manti Temple June 7th. The reception will be held the day before up a canyon just outside of Cedar City at a place called the "Mountain Center". We will keep everyone posted...but please send your address if you would like an announcement.

I love you George!

Happy Easter!

Easter came so early this year. I learned that it occurs on the first Sunday following the first full moon that occurs on or after the day of the vernal equinox (the first day of spring)...so basically the lunar calendar. I spent a wonderful weekend in Zion Nat'l. Park with Sara and Joe and all of Joe's extended family. We stayed in a great little resort just a 3 minute walk outside the park. Usually when I go to visit parks I'm camping, so this was a new experience for me. The resort was PERFECT for kids. Tons of grassy areas, a sandbox full of excavating machinery, jungle gym, pool, hot tub, etc. Saturday morning we had the easter egg hunt for all the kids...they had two dozen eggs for each child, there are 27 grandchildren...so that is 648 eggs!


After the big hunt we played human foosball. Then it was pool time...I played with Kyson and Kaden in the pool for 4 hours, complete with my first sunburn of the season.


I have such fun nephews and am grateful that Joe's family makes a point to include me in all their activities.

After swimming Kyson and I thought it appropriate to go lizard hunting. Kyson is the world's best lizard hunter and unfortunately the lizards in southern Utah found out he was in the area so they all went into hiding...except for two brave ones. Although we didn't catch any that day, Kyson has caught three lizards and is quite fast!


At a spec house Joe and Sara are building the landscapers ordered way too much sod, so we laid it at the house. We put the sprinklers on it all night and woke up to the scene below.

On Sunday I went to church with Joe and Sara because Joe, Sally (Joe's mom), and Susan (Joe's sister) were speaking in church. They gave touching talks that helped remind me the real reason we celebrate Eater...the resurrection of our Savior. It was a wonderful weekend, I truly live a blessed life!

The Whole Melling Clan

Happy Birthday!

Elizabeth Ann Lewis
Born 13 March 1982 at 1:45 a.m. Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz. Length: 22"
Disclaimer: These were just off the top of my mom's head, and I'm #5 so who knows how accurate it is :)

So according to Lisa 26 is almost 30....ahhh! But shoot it's always fun to have a reason to party...what's wrong with almost being 30, haha?! My birthday was full of smiles and love, thanks to all my family and friends :) I didn't have anything too exciting planned...work from 9 to 5, then study in the evening for the exam I had in pathophys the next morning. But it was still a wonderful day and I have to give special props to my George. He brought me some beautiful spring flowers to work. They smelled SO good at my desk I had trouble concentrating.

Then Sara, Mair, and George made me enchiladas for dinner, mmmm! And for dessert my favorite ice cream - Ben & Jerry's Phish Food and The Cake...which is absolutely to die for. Here is the recipe (you have to follow it precisely to get the right results):

The Cake

Melt in double boilder: 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 c. butter - cut in chunks.

Mix until turns lighter color: 5 eggs, 1/2 c. sugar

Mix thoroughly into eggs: 1 T. cocoa

Then mix in slowly melted chocolate mixture;

Add 2 t. vanilla

Bake at 325F for 40-50 min in a bain marie

Works best if you use a spring form pan that is greased and sugared.

Enjoy...it's delightful!

One of George and my recent activities has been putting together 72-hour kits. We have most of the items gathered, but the problem was that I had mine stored in plastic bags on the floor. So for my birthday present he got me an awesome backpack for my 72-hour kit. Now I'm ready!

And this was probably more of a birthday present for Sara...but it was so sweet. Sadie was being fussy and wouldn't sleep unless someone was holding her, so George stayed up holding her til 4 a.m. Auh :)

Canyonlands Half Marathon

My little sister, Alethea, is my hero. Although slightly illegal, last Saturday she ran the half marathon for me. She not only ran it, but ROCKED it. Her time was 2:00:59 which is a 9:23 minute mile for 13.1 miles!! I'd been training to run this half marathon for a few months now. From my last post you noticed that I got the flu (which I just can't seem to kick STILL). So the morning of the race I asked Alethea if she wanted to run it for me since I was still sick. She said SURE. Who runs a half marathon with no training and just an hours notice, haha! Even though it was hard on my pride to wuss out I think it was the wise thing to do considering I was getting out of breath just walking around. It was a great weekend...I love red rocks!

The star herself cruising along...

FINISH LINE after 2:00:59 and 13.1 miles!!

George, Lisa, & Shena on a morning hike near our campsite

Lisa & icicles!

Desert Princess? Red Rock Princess?

Beautiful desert sunset

George and Shena at Landscape Arch

Alethea enjoying the campfire while the taco soup boils over.

It was wonderful to wake up to the sun shining on the red rocks...

I LOVE camping!