Rockin' around the Christmas tree...

Well, the time has come. My tree is up, the music is playing, and Christmas is here! This is the first year that I have taken tree decorating very seriously. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I love to just sit on my sofa and see it glitter and glow! My favorite ornaments are my snowflakes. My Grandma made them and always had them on her tree. Last year I just happened to stop by her house in the fall and she was going through her old ornaments. These were in the pile of ornaments she was going to donate and I snagged them. I couldn't let them go to just anybody!!!! Anyway I love them. They remind me of all the best things about Christmas and also of my beloved Grandma.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

A not so very Happy Birthday.

The last couple of months have been quite the roller coaster. At the end of September we found out that I was pregnant. It was such exciting news and I couldn't have been happier. It just all seemed to be working out perfectly. We decided to not tell everyone until after our first visit.

Well, needless to say, the time dragged and dragged until Oct. 30th, when we could go to the doctor and have our first ultrasound. I don't think I will ever forget the moment that the Dr. told us that she was sorry but there was no heartbeat. It was absolutely devastating. It was so weird because my body was telling me that I was still pregnant, but I wasnt'. Since my body did not pass the baby on it's own I had to schedule an emergency D&C. The soonest that they could get me in was Nov. 3, which happens to be my birthday. Not so much fun.

I went in and the procedure went well. I am pretty much healed physically, but I don't know about emotionally. I didn't know I could have such a range of emotions. I know that these things happen for a reason. I know that at least now I know that I can get pregnant. And I know that it will happen again when the time is right. I have had some good days where I feel okay, and then I have days like today, where I am totally emotional and just feel like having a good cry. I have never known such disappointment and loss. At least I know it will get better. This is just a process I have to go through.

I have to say that I couldn't have gone through this without Levi. He has been my rock. He has taken care of me and looked after my every need. The thing that kills me is the fact that I know he is disappointed too, and then he has to worry about me on top of everything else. All I know is I couldn't have made it through this without him.

I am also so grateful for all my family and friends who have all been so supportive. It really has helped to have you all there for me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

This has been a really challenging experience. However, I think it has made me stronger, and someday I am sure I will be able to think back on this and understand why these things happen. I also have a lot of hope that we will become parents when the time is right. I can hardly wait and really look forward to it. Plus I can't wait to see Levi as a Daddy. He will be so cute!

Teach your children well...

I have been told that apparently there is something wrong with the way I was raised. They say music is the soundtrack to your life. Thus, my life must be that of an adult contemporary radio station.

A while ago, Levi and I were talking about music and AC/DC came up. I told him that I don't really care for AC/DC. I much prefer listening to some good ole' Lionel Richie. He says that if he had known this before, we certainly would never have been married. I beg to differ! I think a lot of it has to do with what my parents listened to while I was growing up. It was as "wonder bread" as it gets. Some of my favorites from childhood are Chicago, Air Supply, Phil Collins, and the aforementioned Lionel Richie. I am even able to sing along to many, many Bee Gees songs. So you see, while everyone else is jamming out to CCR, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC, I am belting my heart out KOSY 106.5 FM!

This is what make ME a Maverick!

I AM REVOLTING!

I have seen everybody's cute little Fall pages. I have read and enjoyed about the many virtues of Fall and all that it promises. I have even found myself enjoying spicy smells and craving warm soup, but to all of this I say FORGET IT! I dread Fall because it only means that the brutal, unforgiving, hateful Winter is coming. I want SPRING! Therefore, I have switched my background and am going to write an ode to Spring.

Oh how I love the beautiful brilliant skys, which when I look up I feel the glorious sun laying a blanket of warmth on my face. As the snow melts away, tiny blades of velvety grass pierce their way through the soil to blanket the earth in emerald majesty.

The trees are blooming and everywhere you look there are bursts of soft petals promising the sweet fruits of summer.

And who can forget the beauteous blooms of tulips and daffodils lining our paths?

Alas, Spring you fair maiden, I await your return and the promise of Summer with bated breath.

Fall, I could take you or leave you.

As for winter, you nasty old Bitch, you can

SUCK IT!

Ahhhh... the relief!

Well, after much anticipation and anxiety I received the results back from my final...I passed with honors! I am now able to look for a job as a part time transcriptionist. Yay! It was a lot of work but I am actually really proud of myself and I am glad that I was able to stick to it and finish. I had to take 2 days off of work to take the final and it took a good chunk of both of those, then I had to wait TWO WHOLE WEEKS for the results! Now I can breathe a huge sigh of relief and move on to "other projects!"

Levi Lovin'

I am dedicating this post to my super duper fabulous HUSBAND LEVI! He really is the greatest guy and I consider myself one of the luckiest girls in the world!

***SPOILER ALERT!!!*** This is about to get really mushy, so if you have a weak constitution I suggest that you do not read any further!

For those of you who have not heard the story... Levi and I met through some mutual friends at a vintage car parade around the 4th of July. I remember seeing his tattoos and thinking " Oh boy! Mom and Dad would just DIE if I brought him home!" Well I thought he was pretty cute and we were having a good time. A group of us somehow ended up in the back of someones truck and went "cruising on main" to see all the vintage cars. I specifically remember leaning back on my hand and "accidentally" brushing his leg. And that is why it will forever go down in the history books that I made the first move!!!!

Anyway, after that fateful weekend, we saw each other every weekend (we lived in different cities) up until we got married. I just could not stand to be away from him any longer than I had to! Since then, he has been my best friend, my best support, my best confidante, and my favorite person. I am always amazed at how I can totally be 100% myself with him and I know he still loves me. He is tolerant of all of my shortcomings, and he is always so forgiving when I am being a spoiled brat. He puts up with my scatter brain ways and plays along when I blame it all on genetics! One of the things that first impressed me was how safe I feel in his big, muscular arms!

He is such a man! I mean in all things. There is not a single thing about him that does not scream masculine. I love the juxtaposition of this big strong man who loves dogs, is gentle with babies, and can be such a tender heart. It is such a contradiction. My favorite feature of his by far is his hands! I know it sounds silly, but he has real "MAN" hands. You can tell they have worked hard and to me they say they will do anything to provide for me. It just seems to be one of those subconscious things that attract people to one another.

Levi and I now work for the same department. At first I was a little worried that perhaps that might get a little difficult, but it is the opposite. When I am having a really stressful crazy day, and he walks in, I feel calmer and a little happier. This makes me know that this is for real. I am so grateful to have him. I couldn't imagine this life without him! I look forward to future and am glad to have him by my side.

Mawwiage is what bwings us togevah today!

Okay, I'm a dork, but I couldn't resist a little movie reference! Anyway, last weekend was my little brother Aaron's wedding to the lovely miss Leah. It was a whirlwind, but lots of fun seeing lots of relatives. They got married in Manti and had a reception in Alpine so we had quite the caravan. Unfortunately, my mom doesn't handle our weddings well. She gets all frazzled and acts like a basket case, but she got through it! (I think for the next wedding we should slip her a Xanax!) We got some nice pics. Below are just a few of us at the temple.

This is my cute mom and dad!

Us! (He cleans up nice!)

This is probably a preview of this year's Christmas card!!!

What Studs!!!

Please note: This is right after my brother Aaron almost dropped Leah on her face. I don't think he would have enjoyed his wedding night if she was at the hospital with a cracked jaw! Also, I love Levi's contribution! Way to pitch in!

Welcome to the world Baby Girl!

Congratulations! are in order for our good friends Derrick and Jackie! Today they welcomed a precious little bundle of joy. I can't wait to meet little Olivia, and I couldn't be happier for her Mom and Pop!

My friends and I are a BIG DEAL!

Okay, so we are totally grown up and responsible. Can't you see it written all over our faces?

You don't want to mess with us because because we are a force to be reckoned with!





However, we can be soooo sweet when we get what we want!

(Thanks girls for all the giggles!)

Brothers and Sisters

This past weekend Cicelie and I threw a shower for our brother's fiance' Leah. We really just wanted an opportunity to welcome her into our family and introduce her to family members she has not yet met. I'm not sure how fun it was for her, considering 75% of the people there were people she didn't know, but I thought it was very fun.

I grew up in an extended family that really made an effort to get together and see one another several times a year. I have such fond memories of my cousins and aunts and uncles on both sides. Through the years, as families have grown and the grandkids have had kids of their own, it has been harder and harder to get together. This makes seeing one another even more special. I don't know what it is about family, but we just GET each other. It always seems as if we are always laughing hysterically and having a good time. I guess in a way, your identity in life is based on your family and what role they played. I think my family played a huge role in who I am today.

I guess what I am really trying to say is I love my family; brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, and cousins, I can only hope that my children will someday have the fullness that family has brought to my life.

To any family members of mine that read this, I love you, and thank you for being a part of my life.

Heaven help me!

Okay, I know this blogging thing should not be that difficult, but for some reason I can't figure it out! I have been a member of the "myspace universe" for a while and I'm starting to think that maybe I am getting a little too old for that. I'm not there to "hookup" with anyone. I just think it is really fun catching up with old friends and keeping up to date with everyone. So maybe this blogger thing will be a little more fitting. That is, if I can ever learn to navigate it!


It has come to my attention that I should update everyone on what I am up to these days. We currently live in Northern Utah (where finally the weather is what one would describe as summer). My husband and I met 6 years ago (good grief! I can't believe it has been that long!) and got married 5 years ago. I work for a university as a staff assistant and Levi is an HVAC technician. I don't know how it happened, but we have 3 dogs and everyday I question whether or not I should be committed! Seriously. I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING!

I am currently doing medical transcription training which has been pretty challenging. I am ready to be done and thankfully should be by late summer/early fall. Afterward I think it will be time to consider adding another member to our little family (hopefully of the species Homo sapiens this time!) Other than that we have a pretty simple life happening right now. I am really grateful to have such wonderful friends to keep me amused! I don't know what I would do without them!

Ready or Not!

Okay, let's see if I can figure out this whole blogging thing! My cousins have the cutest pages and it is so fun to see their babies and stay updated!

Things here are pretty hectic. Between school, work, and everything else, I sometimes wonder where all the time goes. Hopefully I will be done with school by the beginning of fall, and then we can begin working on other "projects." Levi is still really loving his work and happy with the company he works for. I am so grateful that he has found something he doesn't hate!

Anyway, this is just a warm up and hopefully I will have more to write on later.