Kevin

Dearest Kevin,

I have been thinking A LOT about you the past couple days.  Last night I went back and read from my journal.  It was all about when I met you and our dating experiences.  It was hilarious to say the least.  I was such a dork and had no idea what an amazing man I had found. 

Today I spent some time at the cemetary.  I wasn't able to go to the temple because of scheduling conflicts, but I thought the cemetary was the second best place to be with you.  So I wrote in my journal, and then read what I had written 4 years ago about your last days on earth.  I might have bawled my eyes out.  Then I went and got some ice cream and stopped at the bookstore to buy a few books.  Remember how you sent me books from heaven?  Well, those aren't coming anymore so I thought it would be fitting to go buy some for myself today.  I love how much you loved to read.  Just now I went back and read tons of emails from family and friends just before you passed away.  I hope you know how much  you are loved.  I wrote in my journal "I hope Kevin knows how intensely and profoundly I love him--the most amazing person I know and the best husband in the entire world!"  Those words seem so trite, but I mean them.

 As I read those emails I was reminded of the angels surrounding me at that time.  There were many angels holding me up.  I wish I could remember them all, from the angels in heaven to the angels in Peoria, my ward, family, friends all over, and even complete strangers at the airports, hospital, insurance, etc.  I am amazed at the love I felt at that time.  I think you are one of those angels in my life then and now.  I know the veil is thin and that you are near.  I sent this email to my family, but think angel friends and strangers would be included as well..
"I am continually amazed at the love the Lord has for me.  I have truly felt the comfort and peace of the spirit through all of this.  I know that many times, you all have been the ones putting your arms around me and helping to bring that peace and comfort.  I don't know what I would do without such a supportive family.  My loss seems so insignificant compared to the eternities, but thank you for taking my emotions and this terrible loss seriously.  (Just like Kevin said many times in his half wakefulness--"I'm being serious guys.  Serious."  I know that Kevin was okay with death--and I know he knew Heavenly Father and all of you would take care of me during these sad and lonely times.  I don't think I could ever express how I feel about each and everyone of you and your love and support.  Simply put, I love you!  Thank you for being here for me."
  
Kevin, I love you so much.  I am grateful for your testimony.  I am grateful for my testimony.  I will continue to work hard to be worthy of you.  Brock shared this scripture with me right after you died that is so fitting.

Alma 27:27-28 "And Kevin was distinguished for his zeal towards God, and also towards men; for he was perfectly honest and upright in all things; and he was firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end... and he never did look upon death with any degree of terror, [because of] his hope and views of Christ, and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to him by the victory of Christ over it." 

Love your wife, always and forever!

Busy, Busy May

This month was crazy busy!  It included birthday celebrations, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day trip to Park City, yard work, the end of the school year (always crazy!),  and a last minute trip with the Hardy's to California.  May was full of lots of fun!

 Cafe Rio-homemade?  Yes please!

 Mother's Day 2012

OUCH! (It doesn't look as bad in the picture as it actually was.)

Traveling...

 Fun at the beach.

 The Happiest Place on Earth!

Patiently waiting at Space Mountain-one of my faves.

 Thanks for the Dole Whip, Al!  My favorite!

 Waiting for a 3-D show.

Whew!  Made it through May.  I think I need a break for the month of June. :)

April Adventures

Be warned-it's a LONG post!

My April Adventure was an amazing cruise to the Western Caribbean!  Thanks to Heather for being my travel friend and for actually encouraging me to just BOOK IT!  We had a lot of fun and want to go back to the warmth, soaking up the sun and eating to our hearts content.

DAY 1 
Flight and Board Ship

 Heather and I at the Denver Airport.  We (I mean "I") were very concerned that we wouldn't make our connection to New Orleans, but it all worked out just fine. 

 

When we first got on the ship we had our safety talk.  I was a little bored so we took a few pictures of the boredom.  It was always cold in our room so I snuggled up in my jacket and the blankets.  Why does the ship have to be so cold?

DAY 2

At Sea

It was Easter Sunday.  We relaxed and sat in the sun for a while.  It was also formal night, so we dressed up-sort of.

We ate in the formal dining room for dinners and lucky us-we were the only ones at our table the entire week.  We got to watch the crazy people around us get upset with the chef.  He even came out during one of the dinners to talk to them.  I think they were looking for a discounted cruise.  Really people?!  You get to eat whatever you want and you are going to complain?

DAY 3

At Sea

We were at sea again, so we spent a lot of time laying out in the sun, braving the wind, reading, eating, and taking pictures.  We also created some awesome movie clips of our adventures. 

 The interior of our ship

Just being silly...

DAY 4

Falmouth, Jamaica

Ziplining

Early on the morning of day 4, we all crowded to the bottom level of the ship to wait for a good 45 minutes to even get off the ship.  I think everyone was ready for a change of scenery!  We found our tour bus and headed to the "mountains" (if you can even call them that) and went ziplining.  In the end there were 7 ziplines and 2 crazy drops.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  I would definitely do this tour again.  I also wanted to bring back some of those Jamaican men!  :)

The views of the ocean when we were ziplining were amazing!

DAY 5

Grand Cayman

Sting Ray City and shopping

We started the day by tendering over to Grand Cayman.  Didn't love having to tender.  It was s stormy day-rainy and windy.  It was beautiful when the sun was shining.

 Sting Ray City was fun.  I kissed one of those sting rays and am really hoping that I get those 7 years of good luck.  I also got a back massage from one of the sting rays so that's got to up those years to at least 10!

 We got back to the ship and wanted to lay out.  The sun was shining, but the sun would quickly disappear and reappear with some intermittent rain.  So we decided that rather than finding cover we would just cover ourselves in our towels.  It worked quite well and we stayed warm until the sun came out again.

Dinner in the dining room.

DAY 5

Cozumel, Mexico

(My favorite stop!)

 We went snorkeling!  It was my first time and it was SO COOL!

 We also found a beach-after some indecisiveness!  We took a taxi which was another first for me.  It all worked out.  I really enjoyed laying out on the beach.  It was perfect weather and the water was so blue and beautiful!

 Seriously so amazed by the color of the water here.  It was gorgeous!

Our towel monkey!

DAY 6
Back at Sea

We spent Friday sailing back to New Orleans.  The only truly exciting thing that happened that day was life flight coming after dinner.  It caused quite a stir.  We learned that life flight comes more often than you might think.

 There's life flight trying to land.

DAY 7
Back to New Orleans

We were the last ones off the ship, so we spent some time making a quick (well, it is kind of long) video of our cruise top 10.  Don't worry, we made a movie each day, but I will only share this one.  Don't be too impressed by our stellar video making skills!  Bless you if you even make it through the video! (Well, it's not working, so I have spared you from some real excitement!.  Try back another time.)

We also spent about 7 hours in airports that day.  Not very fun!

Can't wait until the next adventure!

March Fun

March was crazy busy. I didn't have any of my own real "planned" getaways. But I did get to go four-wheeling with my dad and brother. That was fun to get out and enjoy the sunshine.

I was lucky and got to have a few sleepovers with some of the cutest kids on the planet!
The Hardy girls did a St. Patrick's Day treasure hunt.

The Blake kids and I went to the park and made some yummy cookies.
I also went to Las Vegas to attend a conference for work.
Even though I was at the conference most of the 2 days, I got to explore Vegas with my friend Jill. We found a cool chocolate fountain, stopped at the M&M Factory and enjoyed the water show at the Bellagio.

These monthly adventures sure are nice. It is great to have something to look forward to.
An April post is coming soon...CRUISE 2012!!!

February Adventures

I know I say it a lot, but time is flying by! It is March already!!! February was full of lots of good. Now for the highlights...

Snowshoeing

I have been wanting to try snowshoeing for quite a while. So I decided this was the year to do it. Heather, Alyssa and I headed up to Sundance and ventured out through the snowy wilderness. We got lost, but we did find our way back to base. (I guess that is what you would call it.) It was beautiful and so much fun!

Keegan Returns

The missionary (little brother Keegan) returns. It was an exciting day. I ended up taking the day off and enjoyed a trip to the post office to apply for a passport (yay!) and a trip to the temple. The whole family met at the airport park and ride and it just so happened that his flight was delayed 2 hours! So some of us played at the airport and others played at Target. After all the anticipation we found him! Then we had a yummy family dinner together and heard all about Chile. It was a very memorable day.

Moab

The last weekend in February Heather and I headed to Moab. We had a great time. Delicate arch was, well, we got lost. This seems to be a pattern, eh? We saw it from the bottom instead of the top. Crazy how big it is. I look so small and insignificant there at the bottom!

It was really fun though. We stopped at Sand Dune arch and a few others. It was so nice to just get away from the craziness that is life. And it was beautiful!


It is always fun to head south and stay at Grandma's house. She is always so accommodating, makes great food, and is great company!

Thanks so much to all you Southeast Utah family for such a fun weekend!