Me

I am...me.  a big mixture of so many things.  I think...about things over and over again in my head after they happen.  I can't just let them go.  I replay them again over and over again wondering what I could do differently. I know...that Marcus and I were meant to find each other. I want...to go back to Hawaii. and to be a good cook. I have...so many things to be grateful for.  I wish...I didn't compare myself with others, or get jealous. I hate...going to work everyday.  and sitting there bored when I have so many better things to be doing. I miss...being in school.  I fear...being alone. I feel...hopeful.  I hear...Ben Kweller, my printer, and someone on the telephone. I smell...everything. I search...to know what I should be doing with my time right now. I wonder...why my feet are always cold.  or why it had to snow already. I regret...quitting piano lessons. I love...so many things.  Marcus. My family. My friends. and finding a blog I really like and reading it backwards all the way to the beginning. I care...what people think about me.  Even if that is sometimes a bad thing. I always...read nutrition facts.  It's just who I am. I am not...an optimist. (I'm working on it). I believe...that there is a plan for each of us.  I work to have faith to believe that even while I sometimes might not understand it.   I dance...poorly.  and when I am alone.  I sing...to Marcus.  He tells me to stop, but I know he likes it.  I don't...like to feel out of control.   I write...when I am confused, upset, sad and angry.  and then I usually delete it. I win...games that have to do with luck, not skill.  I lose...every single time I play Ticket to Ride with Marcus.  I never...like to be the center of attention or put on the spot.  Especially in front of big groups. I listen...to my friends.  I can usually be found...either at work or with Marcus. I am scared of...quitting. or failing. I read...in phases.  Sometimes I'm into it and sometimes I'm not. I am happy about...so many things.  Mostly my life, and all of the good things in it. 

I tag: Jamiejo. Tierra.  Tara. April. and anyone else who wants to do it.  I don't know who will do this.

Moosen

Last week we went and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors up American Fork Canyon before the weather turned bad.  There were two moose right there in the water in front of us.  The leaves were beautiful and the air was so crisp and cool. 

Lake Powell

We said goodbye to our summer with one last warm, sunny trip to Lake Powell with Marcus's family.  The weather was absolutely beautiful and we had a wonderful time.  We were able to stay on a houseboat with several other families and completely enjoyed ourselves.
*All photos were taken by Marcus's brother, Scott*

Meet Jill

Jill is such an amazing girl that I have gotten to know over the last few months.  She is one of those people that you just feel like you've known forever.  Jill grew up with Marcus, so I have always heard stories about them growing up together, crushes amongst friends, nicknames, etc.  I met her briefly at my wedding, but then didn't have any contact with her for the next three years.  Back in the beginning of the summer Jill and I decided to go to lunch together.  I was so nervous to meet her (for more than the 2 seconds from our wedding day), and to be at lunch with her, without our husbands.  But the second I saw her we were instant friends and I knew that she was placed in my life for a reason.

Jill and her husband Allen have recently been told that without the help of invitro they have a very small chance of getting pregnant.  You can read more about their story on her infertility blog here.  They are doing all that they can to raise the money to do this.  They are going to be doing a huge garage sale on November 6th and a 5k run on November 13th.  Check out her blog for more details.  If anyone has items to donate for the garage sale let me know and Marcus and I would be happy to pick them up from you.

Jill is also an amazing photographer and is offering discounted photo shoots as another way to raise money.  Check out her photography blog here.  Jill and Allen are going to make wonderful parents and I just wanted to get the word out there so that if anyone is able to help, they can.

Snaggle Tooth

Our trip to Lake Powell quickly came to an end Saturday afternoon after a little accident on the waverunners.  Marcus was driving a little crazy and we hit a huge wave going a little too fast and my face smacked down onto the steering wheel. A big portion of what I lost of the tooth was on the inside and I know it really could have been a lot worse.

Luckily I married into the right family for this kind of an accident.  Marcus's dad and brother are both dentists and they fixed me up good as new.  If anyone needs a good dentist, let me know, because they are both excellent and work out of Sandy.  (There is no way I would be posting such a horrific picture if they hadn't been able to fix me up!)

*pictures of our trip to come*

Look what is growing in our living room

Hollistic Approach

A lot of people have been asking me about my gluten free/dairy free/sugar free diet that I am doing.  Usually the first question people ask me is do I have celiac disease?  I don't.  Here is my story.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with a bladder disease.  {Have I made you feel uncomfortable?  It is amazing how many people get a little squeemish when I say "bladder disease".  They immediately try to change the subject and feel uncomfortable.  I'm not sure why that is -- if I had a "liver disease" or "heart disease" I don't think I would have the same reaction?  It's like I'm talking about something that is completely taboo.}

I have always had complete faith in the medical profession and have never considered going anywhere else (homeopathics, herbs, accupunture, etc.).  I did everything they told me to do.  I stopped drinking soda that very day and avoided all of the foods they told me to.  I had a very painful surgery and an awful experience with a medication that did not work for me, and after all of that I was finally told that I was "just going to have to learn to live with it."  It was not a good thing to hear but I accepted it and tried to move on, while having this disease affect my life on a daily basis. 

Fast forward to a few years later.  I got  a recommendation from a family acquaintance to go to a Hollistic Family Nurse Practitioner.  She had the same disease I have but by going here she is now completely symptom free.  I was very skeptical and did not want to go.  I knew it would be expensive and I doubted that it could work, so I put off making an appointment.   Finally after struggling with new and different medical issues, it felt right to me, and I finally made my first appointment.

I started seeing Martha Bray in May.  It is different than any kind of appointment I have ever been to.  In a completely shortened version, she uses many different scans and analyzes the meridians of your body to determine where you have a problem and what would help.  She focuses on your whole wellness and not just one specific organ or problem.

She also uses a food scan which tells you what foods are causing an inflammatory response in your body.  Those are the foods you should avoid.  My main foods to avoid have been wheat, rye, barley, bell peppers and milk, with quite a few smaller ones, like beets, bananas and coconut.    I have also been avoiding sugar as much as possible.

All of the supplements, homeopathic drops and sprays that I am currently on.

So this has been a five month journey so far and I think I have at least another six months or so.  I have seen some definite improvements in my health and certain specific things while other things have remained unchanged.  I am trying to have faith that this will work and am giving it my 100 percent effort.    Does anyone out there have any success stories with a similar approach?  Or if anyone wants any more information let me know.  I'd be happy to share more details.

Laura + Phillip

Laura and Phillip are an adorable couple and were married Friday afternoon.  It was a beautiful day, and everything seemed to go perfectly.  The sealing was beautiful and it was amazing to be there with them.  Laura looked gorgeous and you could just tell that they were completely happy and in love.  After the sealing they had a wonderful dinner in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where they played slide shows, had their friends and siblings speak, and had two incredible musical numbers.  We were so grateful to be a part of their big day! 

Phillip's sister made the cake and not only was it gorgeous but SO delicious too!  Congratulations you two!

Cake Pops

What a wonderful weekend.  We were able to spend time with both of our families and relax and listen to conference.

My sister Katie had given us all the adorable Cake Pops book by Bakerella and we took advantage of Saturday night to make these.  Sadly Katie and Nate are in Hawaii (sad for us, not them) so Katie wasn't here to make these with us, and we missed her.  Anyway, they were a lot of fun and I think they turned out so cute!

Marcus even joined in making his own creation.

My favorite talks were Elder Uchtdorf's talk on simplifying our life in times of turbulance, President Monson's talk on gratitude, and Elder Scott's talk on faith, trials and building character.  A favorite quote of his:

If you’ve determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged.  Life may seem difficult now but hold tightly to that iron rod of truth.  You are making better progress than you realize.  Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey their commandments. 

Cowboys & Indians

I had said we were going to a Cowboy & Indian party last night.  And it was lots of fun.  The party was thrown by and for Marcus' sister, Laura, and her fiance, Phillip.  They are getting married next week and this was their big party.  This was the invitation that they sent out with their wedding announcements:

The happy couple:

 

The mechanical bull was especially a hit.  It was definitely a lot harder than it looks! 

I would say the party was a HUGE success.  So many people came and were dressed up in awesome costumes.  There was lots of good food, all different kinds of rootbeers, and tons of activities.  Such a fun night!

Personal

Lately I have been wanting to be a little more personal on my blog here.  I've wanted to share what I'm really feeling, thinking, and going through all of the time, not just the good times.  But somehow, that seems a little too scary, and I am not there yet.  So instead I blog about the good things (and there are lots of them, so I have plenty to blog about!) and leave all of the other stuff hidden deep down inside.

I slowly am learning to open up and let people in, confide in them and let others share my struggles with me.  Sometimes I am disappointed by the things people say, or their lack of understanding.  But at the same time I have been lifted up by others and surprised by people's compassion.  And, everyone is so willing to pray for me.  And that is a blessing.   

So today I just really, really like this quote, and maybe someone else will too.

Everywhere in nature we are taught the lessons of patience and waiting. We want things a long time before we get them, and the fact that we want them a long time makes them all the more precious when they come.
~Joseph F. Smith

*And I am super excited because it is Friday, we have an awesome Cowboy and Indians party to go to tonight, and it is general conference this weekend.  Not to mention that it is 90 degrees outside!  Yay.