Never Forgotten

I'm not a big fan of watching football on T.V. I like going to games and being in the stands with the fans, music, and food, but it's not the same watching it from home. Football is on in our house every Sunday and I almost dread it... but today was an exception. I've cried on this day for the last ten years and I probably will in the years to come. Nothing brought tears to my eyes like listening to Jim Cornelison sing the Star Spangled Banner at the NFL commemoration before the Bears Vs. Falcons game today. The gigantic American flag was stretched across the field while the fans cheered like I've never heard them cheer before. He sang with such intensity and fervor, it gave me the chills.

I don't know anyone personally who died in the attacks that day, and I could never begin to understand how they or their families felt or continue to feel. My heart still breaks for them every time I relive the unbelievable moment I saw the second plane crash into the tower. It breaks when I see the children of parents lost that never knew them, as well as other relatives, lovers, and friends. I pray that we never have to experience a loss of such magnitude ever again and that people can learn to live harmoniously regardless of religion, politics, or personal beliefs.

I love this country and I am grateful to all of the people who willingly place themselves in harms way to protect it, and to all of the people who never imagined they would have to fight but did it anyway to save a coworker, stranger, or a friend. We truly will never forget...

Seriously Summer?

 

This is the view we have of the mountains from our house. 

Beautiful, yes? A perfect summer night.

I am struggling with the realization that summer is almost gone. I didn't have much of one because I chose to finish my classes, so I feel like it happened without me. It's sad that I have to prepare myself for the impending gloom of winter, but I do. Everyone in our neighborhood skis, snowboards, or participates in some winter activity and they swear that if I get into it that I won't mind winter so much. Maybe they're right, but that involves buying a lot of equipment and having to pile on a bunch of clothes to keep warm, and spending a ton of money to get on the slope of a resort. That doesn't tempt me so much. 

Maybe that's one reason I love summer as much as I do... the simplicity of it.

Simple, yes. All you have to do is walk out into your front yard, pull up an awesomely cheap Adirondack chair from ShopKo and sit. It's warm so you don't need layers of clothes (love it), while the kids roam around the neighborhood with bikes, water guns, and games of tag (love it). If that doesn't tickle your fancy, you can go for a walk up to Bridal Veil Falls, ride your bike, have a picnic outside, take the kids to the park, go to an Owlz game, or go for a drive up the canyon or around the lake (love it all).

But you know, it's September 6th.  Glorious September 6th. It's going to be a good month. The weather has been beautiful and I'm soaking it in. I have to store it away until May, yes I do. There has to be a way to make the winter as awesome as the summer, right? I'm going to figure that one out... if I could just find a way to keep my feet from being so cold all winter long. That would be a start:)

Refreshed

Tamsen, Melanie and I have been friends for 12 years.

We went to college and were in a sorority together at Weber State.

They are the kind of friends that you see every so often 

but you are as comfortable together as if you'd seen each other yesterday.

We decided to take a celebratory graduation trip to Las Vegas 

and it was just what the doctor ordered.

It's pretty sad that 3 girls needed 27 pairs of shoes

 between them for a three day trip.

But hey, you never know what you might want to wear.

Thursday night was like Disneyland on the strip. Tamsen just had 

to get a picture with Tinkerbell and Mario for her chillins.

The fountains at the Bellagio were gorgeous as always.

Thursday night we decided to splurge and see Phantom of the Opera.

It was the most amazing show I've ever seen.

I highly recommend it if you get a chance.

We spent Friday at the pool which felt fantastic in the 106 degree heat.

I was finally able to soak up some rays this summer.

After the pool we took a 3 hour nap then headed to the Palms to check

out Mel's favorite spot, the Ghostbar.

It happens to be outside of the 55th floor and has a gorgeous view.

This was an amazing trip and it was great to catch up with the girls. 

It was relaxing and nice to take it easy for a few days, and we are looking forward to doing it again!

Hit the Refresh Button

I feel like a web page that has been loading and loading that never quite makes it to its destination. You know what I'm talking about... you sit there waiting forever for it to finish and it never does, so you hit refresh and that does the trick. I think I'm finally in the process of refreshing. I can't stop in the middle of something, even if it isn't good for me; I have to finish just to finish.

I spent the last 7 weeks in the most horrid class of my life (never take summer semester anatomy from UVU). It was the last class I needed for my undergrad and that made it even worse; I just wanted to be done. I was going all day every day. I spent 6 days a week in class or in the lab from 3 to 6 hours at a time. On top of that was 3 hours studying (minimum) a day, sometimes 6. Oh yes, add to it 2 lab quizzes and 1 lecture quiz a week, 2 midterms and 2 finals, all in 7 weeks. Horrible I say... horrible. This was one class.

My guts are a mess, my skin is a mess, my brain is a mess, all because of the insane amount of stress placed upon you by instructors (and myself, of course). I hate stress. This doesn't work for me because I am a stress-case. Can I tell you how sick I am of being stressed? I stress about everything, EVERYTHING, and I'm tired of it. I've caused myself many physical and emotional issues because of the insane amount of stress I take on. I forgot to mention that on top of school stress, my son broke his little tiny adorable baby leg and we had to give our dog away. Nice, nice.

So this is it! I am done. Done with school (finally officially graduated). Done with stress. I need to figure out some good techniques that work for me. I need to start doing yoga again, that works. I need to meditate, I need to read, I need to go on vacation. Oh wait, I will be going to Vegas tomorrow with the girls for a few days and that is going to rock! 106 degrees, bring it on!

Have you heard of Whole Living Magazine? I love it. It has some great stuff in there. I received the September issue in the mail today and it included 10 thoughts on whole living. Here they are:

1 - You won't know how fast you can go until you try.
2 - Changing the way you eat may be the most transformative
     action you can take.
3 - When you fully inhabit the moment, inspiration is likely to join you there.
4 - Nature can only work its healing magic if you immerse yourself in it.
5 - Blaming never fixes what you think it will.
6 - Don't confuse what you think with who you are.
7 - Flowers, herbs, oil: beauty begins with the simplest elements.
8 - The first step to good health care is making yourself heard.
9 - Financial ease comes from understanding what your money is doing for you
     - as well as to you.
10 - When you're overloaded, fight the urge to work harder. Instead, slow down
     and reflect on what matters most.

Love it. Here is to the beginning of refreshing, cleansing, and taking it easy for a while.

Picture of the Day

 

Summer, summer, summertime.

Kenny

My mom and I have a tradition. Whenever Kenny (Chesney) is in town for a show, we go. It's one of my favorite things ever. I'm not a huge fan of country music entirely, but there are a few people that I enjoy and Kenny is certainly one of them. I really can't remember how many years we have gone... 6, maybe 7; I just hope he keeps touring. There is nothing better than being in West Valley on a warm summer night, dancing and singing under the light of the moon, gazing at the beautiful mountains and stars in the sky, while listening to live music. I love it, love, love it.

Thanks for the early birthday present mom and Davis. It rocked. I had a fantastic time and I can't wait to do it again.

Tubercle, Tuber, Tuberocity

Why does no one speak about the difficulty of taking anatomy during the summer? I want to tell the world. This is my last class, my very last one and it's the hardest class I've ever taken in my life. I'm exhausted, my eyes hurt, I read all day and go to class all night. My poor family.

Of course I have to look on the bright side. Only five weeks left; five weeks of torturous studying and this will be over. I will then be able to enjoy two weeks of summer before Adelaide starts school. What? My little girl is going to kindergarten?! I know, it's crazy. She's almost six you know.

Well... wish me luck. Two weeks down, I can do it. So sleepy... pray for a miracle.