Uncle Larry's Funeral

I recently attended my Uncle Larry's funeral in Grand Junction, CO.

While funerals are a horrible reason to get together...it was nice to see all of my extended family, most of which I haven't seen in years. I was excited to introduce Chris to them. They are anxious to get Chris to the golf course.

There was a pretty embarassing incident. I was taking Chris to my cousins table, to show him off. He began pulling the chair out. I thought he was pulling it out for me. I thought, "Wow, that's sweet of him, he usually doesn't do this." Turns out, he was taking the chair for himself, so I could sit by my cousins. Boom! I landed flat on the floor! Everyone there laughed. I even got applause. I ended up with a couple of bruises. It was a serious fall. I'm at least glad everyone got a laugh out of it. I don't even think Chris feels bad about it, "I should've seen it coming." Haha!

My sister, JoAnn, and my cousin, Curtis, have been long time friends. It makes me laugh now, but when I was a kid, I had the BIGGEST crush on Curtis! I guess stuff like that only happens in Wyoming!?

I was sad JoAnn didn't get to bring her kids. They're busy with school, sports, and the school choir show or something. Doesn't it suck living so far away? I hate missing everything they're in.

My mom & dad recently visited as well. It's always nice to see them, though I usually take a backseat to the grandkids. It's understandable, I do have cute nieces & nephews! My mom & dad are getting old. I hate it. I remember my grandma playing a huge role in my life growing up, I worry my children won't get to have the same experiences, either because we don't live close to my parents, or because I'm waiting too long to have kids. Either way, it worries me. I love my parents! Aren't they just the cutest couple?

Private Practice

I'm doing it! I'm opening a private practice! It's a lot more work than I realized, but it will be worth it, I'm sure. My company's name is
Life's Solutions Counseling.
I have a web page & everything. But don't look yet, it's still being built. Also, more work than I realized. HA!

Chris is being very supportive. I've turned into the most boring wife. I'm always working on marketing, reading, or my financial business plan. I'm learning lots. Chris's grandfather has been teaching me the accounting, tax, legal aspect of setting up a business. Wow. He's an intelligent man! I'm lucky to get to pick apart his brain before he & his wife take off on a mission in 2 weeks.

For a while I'll be seeing private clients at my office in Orem, and a select few private clients at home. After a few months, when I have more of a clientele, I'll open an office in the Orem area. I'm excited to be doing this. I hope I can set it up to be successful, profiting, and helpful to all those who come see me. I'm planning on specializing in grief & loss (cause of personal experience), marriage counseling (cause I LOVE it), and work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (cause I sign). If I need to add specialties, I can do that, but I've learned focus is power. Listen to me...I'm a small business owner! :)

New SUV

Chris & I found a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder in Colorado. Chris's dad was able to get it for us & Chris flew home to drive it back. It's great! I love this automobile. It's too bad I have to get in an accident to get a vehicle I like this much, but I guess I'll take it any way I can get it. I feel so spoiled. I can hardly wait to get something to pull behind it!

Accidents

I swear, I'm cursed. I was on my way home from work last night & the big pick-up truck in front of me had to slam on their brakes. I then had to slam on my brakes. But, you know it, I rear-ended them. Their truck received a scratch and maybe a slight adjustment of their rear bumper. My car, on the other hand, was BEAT UP! It doesn't look too bad in this picture at the towing facility, but it was worse before they moved it. Both airbags were deployed, the front of the car & hood smashed, the tires smoking, windshield broken, and something under the hood wouldn't stop smoking. The fireman had to cut the battery to prevent a fire. Why does this happen, just as I was celebrating the moderate amount still owed on my auto loan?


I was pretty shaken up by the accident. The smells freaked me out. I'm sure everyone at the scene thought I was a bit dramatic. Oh well, they don't understand. I'm grateful it wasn't any worse than it was and I only received scrapes, burns, & bruises. But, I HATE accidents!


It's the worst feeling having to call your husband to say "I've been in an accident." It's not fair to him. That's got to be the most terrifying thing to hear on the other end of the phone. Chris raced to be by my side and drive me home. I've got to be the most irritating wife on the planet!


No more accidents for me...I promise! I won't even use my cell phone unless I have my bluetooth headset. No mistakes for me. I have WAY to much to live for!

Vacation

Chris & I recently returned from a fun filled week with family. First we went to Victor, ID with Chris's family to camp, hike, relax, and of course...play golf. The weather was perfect and the camping spot was in a great location. Chris & I went 4-wheeling on amazing back country trails. We also played a long, competitive game of Hand & Foot with Chris's family. To tell you the truth, I'm surprised they still like me! The last day there, Chris, Danny, Kelsey, & I hiked to Inspiration Point in Jackson, WY. We obviously had fun with the fruit roll-up tongue tattoos!












We then drove to the San Luis Valley for a few days with my family. We hiked to my favorite waterfall with my sister, JoAnn, and 3 of her kids, Kyle, Chad, & Blair. It was beautiful! I got to teach my brother-in-law, Anthony, and Kyle how to play Settlers of Catan. I love that game! What am I saying, I love most games! Chris & I also enjoyed watching the Olympics with my mom and dad. Go Michael Phelps!!



After that, we went to the National Sand Dunes Park for my 10 year reunion. Can I really be that old!? There was a small turnout, but it was still fun to see a few old faces and catch up. Most of my classmates had cute little kids. Hard to believe they're all parents!
Chris & I also hiked to Zapata Falls. Talk about cold water! Our feet could only handle so much. It was fun to spend time with Chris. We seriously need to go on more vacations.

It was great missing that much work! Now back to reality...

Published

One of my widow friends asked me, and some of the girls I know that have been through similar experiences, if we wanted to submit an essay for a new book, "Alone But Not Lonely." Her friend was the editor for the book and there is a chapter on loss. She wanted us to share our experiences, advice, etc. I decided to submit an essay with my story and they accepted it. It was hard to write something so short when I could have written hundreds of pages about my experience. But I did it. Whew!

The book is only at Deseret Book, but I'm still excited to say I have something published! I don't have a copy yet but they should be mailing me one soon and a small check. If you are interested in checking it out, it's available at: http://deseretbook.com/store/product?sku=4959381

Holiday Month

Isn't July great? I love all the holidays & visits from family. The fireworks are my favorite part! The fireworks on Independence Day in Washington, DC were absolutely amazing. I don't know that the fireworks I'll see this year will compare, but at least I'll be with Chris. Fireworks are that much better when you're with the one that you love. How's that for corny!? It's true though, cuddling under a blanket with fireworks going off above your head is one of the highlights of the year for me.

Family visits are lots of fun as well. I'm looking forward to my 10 year reunion. I'll get to spend time with my sister, JoAnn, and her family, as well as my parents. It's been a long time since I spent time in my good 'ole hometown. It should be fun. The Mormon Pioneer Days are always a good time down there.

My nieces & nephews sure love visits from Grandma & Grandpa, as you can see from the picture of Kaylynn, Grandpa, & Ryan. Blake sure loves the fireworks as well. It's amazing how quickly they grow. Sometimes I wish it could stay this time forever. But, every year I get a little older, and so do they. In fact, my niece, Nicole, visited for a week. She's going to be a senior. I can hardly believe it. She's beautiful, intelligent, and talented. I'm proud of her.

Kids are amazing. Every once & a while Chris & I talk about when we'll have kids & what we'll name them. You can only imagine the discussions (AKA arguments) that begin. I love the names Rylee, Jaycee, Jackson, and Carter. Chris once mentioned the name Dash, for a boy. I think we have a LONG way to go before we have kids, if those are the names he's thinking about using! :)

Actually, I recently learned that my LPC license is a little further off than I thought. I have more supervised hours than I realized, as well as Utah requires LPC's to take 2 tests, in addition to the NCE that I just passed. I'm looking at a lot more studying and a lot more $. Blah. Maybe I should've pursued my LCSW, or maybe I should use my 2nd degree instead? No, I love the work I do. I guess I just have to settle with VERY little money and working forever to get credit for the work I do. HA!