Janeal and Ryan's Wedding

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Utah and take my niece's wedding pictures. We had a grand time. Here are just a few of the 1000+ pictures I took. It was great to be with family. I love being with them all.

Spring Break in Utah

Spring Break was a fun adventure for our family. We drove to Utah and most of us went skiing or snowboarding at different ski resorts in Utah. They have had record snow fall this year and the weather was great. Here are some photos taken at Brighton Ski Resort.




This is Megan and Josh with my brother-in-law Charlie. He didn't wear goggles or a hat and you should see the burn on the top of his head and the redness of his eyes. Can you get sunburn in your eyes. I think so. But sunburn or not, they all had a great time.

While the kids were on the slopes, Tessa and I had our own kind of vacation. I went shopping with my sister-in-law, sewed with my sister, made two quilts, and dipped Chocolates. (My favorites were the ruffle potato chips.) Tessa read and watched movies and is recovering from Mono.

While in Utah we had the opportunity to go to the Draper, Utah Temple open-house. I can not describe to you my feelings as we walked quietly through this sacred building. Even though the Temple has not been dedicated yet, I felt a wonderful peace settle over me as we entered. The Bride's Room (this is where the brides get dressed for their wedding) was so beautiful. The chandelier from the ceiling looked like it was a Queen's crown. And the light fixtures on the walls looked like Tiaras. I was impressed that truly each daughter of God that gets dressed in that room should feel like they are royalty. I wish I could have taken a picture to show you, but it wasn't allowed.

The other room that took my breath away was the Celestial Room. This is the room where your experience at the Temple ends. It signifies the end of our journey as we enter into Gods presence. Kind of like coming home to a loving Father in Heaven. This room was bright and so breath taking, so beautiful. The carpets were carved and the stained glass windows so sparkling and bright. No one spoke in this room. And one could feel the presence of love and devotion.

Here is a picture of us out in front of the Temple. It was a very blustery day and cold for us Arizona people. We enjoyed our experience so much. We look forward to the Temple Open-house for the Gilbert, Az Temple after it gets built.

Pain, Pain, Go Away!

Isn't it amazing how our bodies work? Last night at 12:30 AM Alan woke with an intense pain in his lower abdomen. I thought it might be an appedicites (my spelling is terrible) attack but then he wasn't running a fever or wanting to throw up either. Just intense pain. So I asked him if he wanted me to take him to the ER. So we went at 1:00 AM. Come to find out he is passing a kidney stone. I have never experienced anyone in this circumstance before. I didn't know they were that painful. The nurse said it was just like the last stage of labor. So Alan is going through his labor today to pass a stone about 4mm. (Which I am told looks like a grain of sand. Somehow I doubt he will make a pearl out of it.) He is hoping to loose it quickly so he can referee some soccer games this weekend. Priorities eh? We got home at 5:30 AM.

I do have to mention one other thing. After they gave Alan some pain meds and muscle relaxors early this morning, they plug him up to a vitals machine to watch his blood pressure, heart, blood oxygen, and heart rate. I could not even dose as the stupid machine kept beeping because either his pulsox (oxygen level in the blood) was dropping below 90 or his pulse was dropping below 50 beats per minute. His resting pulse rate is around 50! I wonder if it was drug induced to be that low. Once it even dipped to 45. The PA even commented on it. He has worked hard exercizing. He has dropped 25 pounds and looks great. Here's to the passing of the "sand" stone. :)

At 3:45 this afternoon our "sand" stone was delivered. Yeah! :)

13 miles for 13 good years

Today the family found themselves at London's Run in Queen Creek. A 2 mile, 10K, and half Marathon. We all ran or walked in the 2 mile with exception of Alan and Seth. Seth did not walk or run at all but spent his time in the 'Bounce Zone'. Alan ran the half marathon and did wonderfully. Since yesterday happened to be his last official day of working for Starwood Hotels, he thought he would run one mile for every good year he had worked at Starwood. And he did it. We are all happy he could do it.

Daffodils

Yesterday I was suprised with a boquet of daffodil buds left at my door. I feel loved. There was no note,card or any sign of my secret admirer. It was such a thoughtful gift. Daffodils happen to be my favorite flower. Someone must have known. The giver will never know how much those beutiful buds mean to me. They are now opening up and giving me such joy. I feel as if I am opening up with them. Thank you to whomever you are. They made me feel so loved and cared about.




Notice the red paint behind the flowers? I painted my kitchen last Wednesday. 4 coats and 10 hours. I was dead tired but pleased with my efforts. I love it. I just wish I would have used eggshell instead of satin. I am sure it will be fine but I think it is a little too shiny.

Man VS. Woman

I use to think that I wanted my husband to have the exact same tastes, interests and hobbies I liked. I wanted him to love romantic movies instead of the blood and guts movies he likes. I wanted him to know exactly how I felt and run me a bubble bath or rub my back. I wanted him to talk about things I wanted to talk about. I wanted him to love reading and just sit for hours with a good book and then talk about the book and what we would do differently. I wanted him to be just like me. But then... I saw the errors of my ways.

Then I realized that I would hate to be married to myself. How boring it would be. There would be no teasing, no surprises, no inside jokes. Sure, I would have a cleaner house, and some one to share in the preparation of a meal, or even occasionally someone that liked to be in the yard planting and gardening. But who would clean out the sink trap in the kids bathroom with all the gunk that ends there because of my girl's long hair in the drain? Who would have the strength to lift heavy items and dig for hours on hardened dirt to lay a watering system in the back yard? And who would go to work day after day to a job he would rather not have. I think men are wired to take care of these needed items. Any others household duties they do is an added bonus.

So I thank the good Lord for making men and women different. I give thanks and gratitude that he made my man. I am grateful that we are married, and that we are parents. Its a ride I am glad I am taking. It is one that I hope doesn't end anytime soon. I love you Alan. :)

Getting Fit and Healthy

Okay, Okay, Okay!
I know that everyone makes new year resolutions. And this year I am no different than the rest of you. I started this particular one...Oh probably 20 years ago! Actually I really got serious about it in about October. But I have decided it is really important this year. Why? Because I have finally gotten old enough to realize that my body is slowing down and if I don't do something about it, I think I will go down hill fast. My eye sight is already there and recovering from bruises is taking a lot longer than it use to. So... I walk or ride my bike and now that Alan is not working, I go to the gym occasionally with him. I am not to the extreme that he has gone to (he is wanting to run a half marathon at the end of January) but I am doing something more than I was before. I am enjoying my time with my ipod with the wonderful podcasts that I have found on the web and I can listen to my Christmas music as loud as I want and no one bothers me. I love it!

Anyway, Alan and I got up early on New Years Day and we went to Papago Park near the Zoo and he ran the 5k and I race walked a mile. It was beautiful and we both felt better about getting up and doing something. A great way to start out our New Year too. I think we will try to do several other races this year. I think one thing in my favor is that I am actually writing this down and telling a million people online AGH! Which makes me nervous but I am going to do it. :)