Wednesday, May 28, 2008

#4 : the henry ford

visiting the henry ford was really fun! so much to do... so little time!

we actually went 2 days and still was not able to see everything!

so the henry ford property has tons of stuff to do... the factory's where the vehicles are made (of course...), museum, imax theater, and greenfield village.

the first day we went to tour the ford rouge factory. we were able to tour the building where they make the ford F 150. unfortunately they weren't in production due to lower sales, but it was still pretty cool!

there was 5 parts to the tour:

the assembly plant walking tour: this was neat... lots of little videos around the walkway to explain what parts were being put on at each station. too bad we weren't able to see it in action!

historic footage and movie: this was a little film that had lots of detroit and ford history. very informative!

multi-sensory theater experience: very cool! there were huge screens all the way around the room and all of the seats covered the entire room. the seats also swiveled all the way around so you could look at any screen you wanted. they showed the entire process in making a car/truck. very cool effects!

worlds largest living roof: the roof of the truck plant has been turned into a 10.4-acre garden! it allows cleaner storm water, cooler surroundings, creates a habitat for birds, butterflies and insects and has a longer roof life.

legacy gallery: five historic vehicles made at the rouge including the 20,000,000th ford.

all in all, i really enjoyed this! it was very informative and fun!

that afternoon we went to the imax theater and saw speedracer. it was very cool to watch in the imax theater! the movie itself was just ok for me... good story... crazy effects... great theater though!

the next day we went to greenfield village! that was very neat! we were only able to do half of it! read more about what greenfield village is and how it came to be...

"Greenfield Village was founded on October 21, 1929 as an educational and historic landmark, maintaining the buildings and stories of America’s past for future generations. Entering Greenfield Village is like stepping into an 80-acre time machine. It takes you back to the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s past. There are 83 authentic, historic structures, from Noah Webster’s home, where he wrote the first American dictionary, to Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, to the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. The buildings and the things to see are only the beginning.

There’s the fun stuff, too. In Greenfield Village, you can ride in a genuine Model T or “pull” glass with world-class artisans; you can watch 1867 baseball or ride a train with a 19th-century steam engine. It’s a place where you can choose your lunch from an 1850s menu or spend a quiet moment pondering the home and workshop where the Wright brothers invented the airplane. Greenfield Village is a celebration of people — people whose unbridled optimism came to define modern-day America."

we ate lunch at the eagle tavern. it was originally built in 1831 as a stagecoach stop for weary travelers. everything is authentic to the time period, including the food. nothing on the menu is made with things that weren't around in that time frame. interesting...

i really enjoyed learning about thomas edison, and the wright brothers plane adventures, but i have to say that my favorite part of the day was riding in the model t with my dad! it was so fun! our cute little driver was so nice and you could tell he sure loved his job!

i know this is a long post, but it is only part of the adventures that my dad and i had at ford! it was an amazing couple of days! if you are ever in the area, i suggest you go to the henry ford! you won't regret it!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

#3 : hell

so, my dad and i are huge fans of survivor...

and one of the cast members (erik) is from... HELL! (michigan that is!)

erik works at an ice cream shop in hell, michigan. my dad lives only about 30 minutes from HELL, so off we went! we even had ice cream at "Screams", the shop where erik works! let me tell you... it is really good to know that there is ice cream in hell... i would have missed it! lol!

erik is known for being the dumbest survivor ever... however, i think he was great. he is a very trusting guy that got suckered by the girls!

here is his bio from the show...


"Erik Reichenbach, a true SURVIVOR junkie, was too young to be in the first 14 seasons of Survivor. Reichenbach religiously studied the game from the comfort of his home, until he was of age to audition. Determined to play the game, Erik practiced his survival skills last summer off a small island in Florida. Reichenbach was born and raised in Pinckney, Michigan.

He is currently in his senior year of studying art at Eastern Michigan University, and is a member of the college's track team. Reichenbach works at an ice cream parlor called "Screams" in Hell, Michigan, where he also designs t-shirts, hauls canoes and entertains his customers. He previously worked in landscaping, construction and as a freelance graphic designer. His hobbies include drawing, writing comic books, rock-climbing and studying philosophy/religion. He describes himself as animated, earnest and familiar. He is very proud of his running accomplishments during his senior year of high school, where he set the school's 400 yard record (49.3 seconds), and being able to run in the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Carolina. Reichenbach is a member of the Eastern Michigan Cross Country and Track team, Pinckney Pirate Track and Field Alumni and a rock climbing club.

Reichenbach believes he'll go far on SURVIVOR because he is a good listener, entertaining, optimistic, athletic, a creative thinker and can easily be a leader or a follower. Reichenbach is currently single and lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with his cats, Furrball and Kittyfizzle (K-Fizz for short). His birth date is November 27, 1985. "


we started chatting with a couple of ladies that were working in the country store and then at screams! they were so nice and very proud of erik!

screams is also a halloween store! i love halloween! it was so fun! lots of little things for the holiday... most of them were for the scary halloween and i do much more of the cute and fun halloween... but it was still amazing!

i have to say... my overall experience to hell was great! i would love to go back! lol!



Monday, May 26, 2008

#2 : the Show

i love going to the shows! this one was in novi, michigan!

it was great to work with my good friends, kris and dick! i did the make and take at this show... the first and only one this year. it was fun! it was a 3 day show- that part is a little harder- but it seemed to go by fast!




we were able to go to dinner with our good friends from paperloft! marsha, sandi and ila! they are so much fun and we love spending time with them!
i was also able to visit with a friend of mine who used to live here in logan! last year she and her little family moved to michigan to continue their schooling. julie! it was so great to see you for a minute too!
it was great to see so many friends! too bad we all had to work! lol!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

#1 : the Host



the day before i flew out to michigan for my trip i began to panic because i didn't have any books to read! i knew that i would be gone for over a week and i needed at least 3 books...

the host by stephanie meyer just came out that day and i love her as an author (she wrote the twilight series), so i went and bought this book! as i am waiting in line kevin asked me what the book was about and i told him that i had no idea! we chuckled about it and i read the inside cover.

as i read it i hoped that i would like it. it didn't really sound like something i would normally read! lol! too late now... i was buying it!

i started it on the plane the next day and it was a little confusing the first few chapters, but then all of a sudden it clicked! i got it! after that i couldn't put the book down! i read it all day! (good thing i had about 6 hours on a plane! lol!)

anyway... i really enjoyed it! and highly recommend it!

Friday, May 23, 2008

let the adventure begin...

ok... so i decided that i had too much to share for just one post. so... i am going to break it up into 5 posts!

post #1 : The Host
post #2 : The Show



post #3 : Visit with my Dad- part 1 : Hell, Michigan



post #4 : Visit with my Dad- part 2 : the Henry Ford

post #5 : Visit to see Sam

stay tuned....

Thursday, May 15, 2008

i am back!... did ya miss me?

ok... so i am back... sorta!

i am heading out of town again tomorrow- just for the day though.

i promise i will post on sunday... or monday... hee hee!

anyway... just wanted all of you to know that i was alive and had a great time on my trip!

chat with you soon!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

bye bye...

so i am leaving tomorrow for a week! i am so excited!
i will be at the mega meet scrapbook show in novi, michigan for a few days!


and then visiting my dad for a few more days! so fun!



i will post the story when i get home next week!

Saturday, May 03, 2008

sweets and sours...

Sours:

* i have a huge to do list today...

* we are working overnight on sunday and monday night... yuck!

Sweets:

* i have a huge to do list today... but i love to check things off of it! so here is my list! ( i will update as i go...)

~ dishes DONE

~ vacuum DONE

~ put laundry away DONE

~ shop for a few groceries DONE

~ make dessert for dinner tonight DONE - bring one to friend too DONE

~ organize calender events and hang calender DONE

~ update personal progress DONE

~ start t-shirt quilt DONE

~ make more cards DONE ( i have made over 100 cards this week! i am on fire!!! lol! )

* i am leaving wednesday for a week! i have a scrapbook show in michigan this weekend i haven't seen my scrapbook friends in awhile and i have missed them! i can't wait!

* then i am extending my trip a few days to spend some time with my dad! i am so excited! i haven't seen him in a couple of years, so this visit will be great! plus, i haven't seen his new place since he moved to michigan last year... very exciting!

* i went to a friends wedding reception last night. dave works with me at sam's club and he is so great! he is so happy and his new wife is darling! i am thrilled for them!

* lots of fun baby news too... this week i found out that my cute friend maryruth is having a boy! and a good friend from church, tiff, just adopted a little girl! i can't even begin to describe how excited i am for both of these wonderful ladies!

* i have been watching gilmore girls again and still love it! last night i finished season 2! so great!

* i can't remember if i shared this or not, but i am an official member of curves! i am happy to get this next phase of my life started! the trainers are great and i love the way i feel when i am done!

* we had lots of milk left over from the breakfast last week and that means that i get to drink chocolate milk everyday if i want too! yummy! i love chocolate milk! (ok...i realize that this comment kinda contradicts the previous one on curves... but... the the chocolate milk calls to me!)

well, i better get going on that to do list! have a great weekend!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

great day!

what an amazing day!
this breakfast was lots of hard work, but i would do it again- in a heartbeat!



ann made this wonderful signs and i printed off jami's story and picture of her.


i had 4 girls from my church group help out too! they were amazing to help!


we didn't do as well financially as we were hoping, but we had a great time! every little bit helps, so we walked away happy!

i COULD NOT have done this breakfast without the help of ann and julie! they are great friends!

if anyone still wants to help, but wasn't able to come to the breakfast, there is an account opened at the Bank of Utah ~ Jami Petersen.

thanks to everyone for your sweet comments and support!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Pancake Breakfast!

it is finally here!
the BENEFIT PANCAKE BREAKFAST!
Saturday, 26 April
8am to 11am
Sam's Club Parking Lot
Logan Utah
All you can eat PANCAKES,
2 links of sausage
and your choice of milk or orange juice!
only $4.00!
* all donations will go to Jami Peterson and her family to help pay for medical bills.
i know many of you are local and i would love to have you come have breakfast tomorrow!
bring your families!
tell your friends!
spread the word!
this is for a wonderful cause! thanks for helping!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

so much fun...

we had such a blast at the scrapbook show! the VIP section was awesome! i will definitely do that again!







our table was always full of "stuff"... projects, treats, you name it!

here are the faithful 5!

me, barbi, heather, joann and alecia.

on friday we also were able to enjoy tiff and natalie's company!

thanks ladies! what a great time!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

here we come!


watch out scrappers!
here we come!!!
a few friends of mine and i are heading to slc tomorrow to attend the scrapbook usa expo! so exciting!
we will scrap and shop all day friday, stay the night and then do it all over again on saturday! we are in the "VIP" section on saturday though! free class, goodie bag and treats! can't wait!
ok... i have to go pack and get ready! i will share my fun stories when i get back!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

tagged...

5 Things I Was Doing 5 Years Ago
1. celebrating my one year wedding anniversary
2. moving into a new apartment
3. getting ready for annie to move to logan!
4. changing positions at my job
5. making great friends in my ward

5 Things On My To-Do List Today
1. watch gilmore girls
2. workout
3. watch enchanted
4. dishes
5. go to dinner with my cute husband

5 Snacks I Enjoy
1. yougurt with granola
2. popsicles
3. carrots
4. pears
5. girl scout cookies

5 Places I've Lived
1. indianapolis, indiana
2. casper, wyoming
3. la junta, colorado
4. oakley, idaho
5. logan, utah

What I Would Do if I Became a Billionaire
1. buy a house for us and our families
2. buy some cars for them too
3. take lots of trips all over the world
4. pay off our debt and our families
5. give big to others!!

5 Bad Habits
1. watch too much tv
2. i don't exercise like I should
3. not as organized as i would like to be
4. don't enjoy yard work
5. a little bit of a homebody during down time

5 Jobs I've Had
1. sleek images: a toning salon
2. walmart: customer service desk
3. hallmark: store manager
4. telemarketer for at&t
5. sam's club: audit team lead

5 things people don't know about me...
1. i am the only girl in my family
2. i hate twisted phone cords
3. my best friend and i have been friends for almost 27 years!
4. i am a huge packrat
5. i don't really enjoy school
ok... i tag anyone who reads this! it is fun!
(thanks angie!)

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

6 years of bliss...


Today is our 6th Wedding Anniversary!
kevin text me this morning and told me that we have had 6 years of bliss... wow... bliss... cool...

our wedding day was one of the best days of my life!

how wonderful!

we love to be with each other.
what a cutie! can't wait for the next 6 years, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next...

happy anniversary babe! i love ya!

Monday, April 07, 2008

blue girl...




You Are A Blue Girl



Relationships and feelings are the most important things to you.

You are empathetic and accepting - and good at avoiding conflict.

If someone close to you is in pain, it makes you hurt as well.

You try to heal the ones you love with your kind and open heart.

Friday, April 04, 2008

amazing...

isn't i amazing what a new du will do for a girl?!

i was struggling a bit this week... but when i got my haircut, i felt tons better! who knows why... pretty sure it is a girl thing.

well, no matter what the reason, i am feeling better.

thanks to everyone for your kind comments... i really appreciate each of them.

here are some of the happenings of the week:

* i was able to sub for my neighborhood bunco night! it was so fun!

* i went to a scentsy party and found some great scents! a few of my fav's are: home sweet home, lemon lavender and falling leaves! be sure to check them out!

* i have not been feeling all that well this week... i seem to have a yucky cold... wednesday night i went to bed at 6pm!!! it was nice to get some sleep! i am finally feeling a tad bit better today... ya!

* i only was able to workout at curves twice this week because of the yucky cold... oh well... i will be back to normal next week! (i hope!)

* my mom and i are going to visit my brother tomorrow! i am so stinking excited! we are going to be able to hug him!!!!! ya! it has been too long...

* my sweethart and i are going out to dinner tonight for an early anniversary celebration. next week is our 6 year wedding anniversary. i will post more about that later...

* well... i think that is it for now... thanks for lifting me up when i was down! i love you all!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

random thoughts...

do you ever have a day when you just feel down? sad? lonely?
man... i am feeling it today!
i am not sure why...
i just feel so alone and not important!
i know that tomorrow will be better... it always is, but tonight...
i am struggling tonight...
just need sleep probably...

Saturday, March 29, 2008

sweets and sours...

good morning friends!

i haven't done "sweets and sours" for quite awhile... so here you go!

sours:

* it snowed a few times this week! yuck! i am so sick of it! come on spring! we need you!!
sweets:
* it is saturday! i love the weekends! i don't have tons planned, which i love! kevin is off today too, so we will get some time together too! ya!




* i have been working out at curves the last couple of weeks. it is awesome! i signed up to do a free survey for them... and in doing so, get to work out there for 3-4 weeks! pretty cool! i am really enjoying it so far!


* this has been a roller coaster week for my friend jami. monday she was taken back to huntsmans cancer institute because she was getting really sick. but i am happy to say that she is back home again. she had an ulcer that was giving her lots of trouble. she is feeling much better... what a relief!


* i have blue nails! i got my nails done and they are a very pretty blue! it is funny... it took me forever to add some color to my life... nails... and now i don't want to go back to white! lol!


* i was able to attend 2 girls lacrosse games this week! 3 girls that i work with from church are on the logan high girls lacrosse team. this is a brand new team that was created by 2 of my girls that were interested in playing. the high school won't sponser them because they are so new, so the girls had to come up with all of the money and equipment on their own! they are learning more every time they play! it is so fun to go and cheer them on!


* in 3 weeks i will be going to the scrapbook expo with a few friends! i am so excited! we will have a great time! wahoo!


* my mom came to visit last weekend! we had such a great time! i love her so much!


* monday i went to a funeral for a good friend of mine when i was growning up. believe it or not... this really is a sweet. i had a wonderful visit with his family. what a great tribute they are to such a great man. here is his obituary:
Melvin R. JarvisOur loving husband and father, Melvin R. Jarvis, passed away at his home on Thursday, March 20, 2008.Mel loved his wonderful parents, Lehi and Claire Jarvis. A veteran of the Air Force, he was a Flight Radar Technician and was fond of telling stories from that period of his life. After his military service, he attended BYU, where he met his wife, Neomi. Over the 47 years that followed, they weaved a beautiful fabric of family and faith. Their eight children estimate that nearly 17,500 days of Mel and Neomi's marriage produced eight children, 20,000 diapers, 312 severely burned meals, and only a handful of trips to the emergency room. Their children are deeply grateful for Mel and Neomi's love and guidance. Mel has 24 grandchildren that he simply adores and who adore him.Mel's life was devoted to serving the Lord. He served countless people both in the LDS Church and in the community. Mel was awarded the Silver Beaver for lifelong service to the Boy Scouts of America. Because of his influence, his six boys are all Eagle Scouts. The troops he led only caused one fire beyond their own ability to control.Mel never met a strawberry pie he didn't like. He loved woodcarving and appreciated the great outdoors. Mel's wife and family will miss him and thank God for his love and exemplary life.
i was really close to 2 of his sons. when i think of people who made a huge difference in my life, i think of them. this whole family actually. i can honestly say that i wouldn't be who i am today if i had not known them. brother jarvis will be missed...
* kevin got a new muffler put on his truck this week! wahoo for him! it sounds really good! varoom!! (that last part was added by him.... typical boy! lol!)
i hope all of you have a great weekend!


Friday, March 28, 2008

funny...

FORGET REDNECKS;
THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT UTAHNS!

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there,
you live in Utah.
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time,
you live in Utah.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number,
you live in Utah.
If 'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend,
you live in Utah.
If you measure distance in hours,
you live in Utah.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once,
you live in Utah.
If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day,
you live in Utah.
If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked,
you live in Utah.
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching,
you live in Utah.
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,
you live in Utah.
If the speed limit on the highway is 75 mph - you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Utah.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,
you live in Utah.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction,
you live in Utah.
If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly',
you live in Utah.
If you actually understand these jokes,
you live in Utah.
Don't ya just love Utah!?

Saturday, March 22, 2008

hoppy easter...






these are funny!

thanks...

thanks to everyone for sharing your wonderful ideas! i really appreciate all of it.

in talking to jami and her mom, i have decided to do a pancake breakfast at sam's club on a busy saturday morning. i am still figuring out all of the details, but that is my plan!

i am also going to set a couple things up in the break room to allow the other associates to help too. we are going to do a little bake sale and a "souper" friday. these have been done before and are done on a honor system. they work pretty well!

on other news... my mommy is coming today! i am so excited to spend the weekend with her! she is starting to sell marykay and is going to give me a facial! so fun! we will just hang out and have a great time!

kevin and i bought a couch and bed this week! we are so excited about them! we need them both very badly! it sure is nice to have a little money from taxes and a bonus!!! :)

a very good friend passed away on thursday and his funeral is on monday morning. ann and i are going to go down for it. this man and his family were in my home ward growing up. i had crushes on at least 2 of his sons most of my teenage and college years! :) we all are still great friends, even after all of these years. he has been pretty sick the last few years, so this is a blessing. it is still hard and we will miss him.

i love easter! it is such a peaceful time of year.

i hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

the big give...


have you seen this show? i think it is great! and it has really got me thinking....
i want to give big!!!
ok.... so i want to give big to my friend jami and her family. she was in 3 different hospitals within 4 weeks. lots of medicine, tests, doctors etc...
how can i raise money to help them? any ideas? let me know what you think!

Saturday, March 08, 2008

scrapbook stuff...

ok... so as i mentioned yesterday i have been in the mood to scrapbook! well! i am on fire! lol!



remember i told you that i ordered stuff from scrapbookpal.com? well, it came today!!!! how great is that! i tell you! they rock! you have to check them out! they have the BEST prices and the shipping is amazing!


and... i got this email the other day about free fonts! so i wanted to share the love! there are some really cute ones!

it only takes a minute to download them!


i have to admit... i am a font addict! love them! lol!


ok... there is my craftiness bug... passed to you! enjoy!

Friday, March 07, 2008

random thoughts

ok... so i know that i haven't been very good about posting regular... sorry... i am trying to be better!




my mind is going a million different directions right now, so here are my random thoughts for the night!




* i have green nails right now! the tips are a fun green with glitter! i love them! very st patty's day!




* we have bunco on tuesday night and i am very excited about it! i am hosting this month and i am doing a st. patty's day theme. i made fun green invites, bought green plates, napkins and cups.... we are going to have an irish dinner of corned beef sandwiches, potato salad and some kind of fun green dessert! i am doing a "pot of gold" theme for the prizes with gift cards from all over the valley! it is going to be so fun! i will try to take lots of pictures!




* my friend jami is doing much better. we are all hoping that she will be able to come home next week! ya!




* one of the girls that i taught in church (from 2 years ago) is getting married tomorrow! i am so excited for her! she is one of the sweetest people i have ever met. she is a great example to me.




* we are actually getting money back from our taxes this year! wahoo! this is the first time in 5 years that we have gotten money back! we are so excited!




* my best friend, ann, has been sick all week. i feel so bad for her... and so helpless... i just want to do something for her so she will feel better! get better annie! i miss your perky self!




* i have been in the mood to scrapbook this week... i think i have made over 50 cards... i got the bug! and i can't help myself!




* because i have been crafting so much this week i am running out of my favorite adhesive! ok... so let me tell you about the best website to get adhesive for the best prices! go to scrapbookpal.com! they are amazing! they have the best prices for adhesive, tools, chalk inks, chipboard albums etc! pretty much everything they sell is discounted! plus they offer free shipping for all orders over $25 and... they ship same day! i placed my order today around 4:30 or so and got an email saying that they shipped it today too! i love it! i totally recommend them!




* i have been working out! i am so proud of myself! i have done it for over a week! i am hoping this habit sticks! i am having fun with it too! that is the best part! i actually look forward to it all day! wow! that has never happened before!




* i am so ready for some new shows! i am missing moonlight! i love that show and i can't wait for it to be on again!




well, my friends... have a great weekend!

Friday, February 29, 2008

the happenings of life...

hi there! so, my pampered chef party was a dud... but i got lots of orders and that made it a huge success! i am so excited about all of the free stuff i am getting!

and... i started working out again! wahoo! i know it has been a long time, but i am so ready for it! i am using the biggest loser workouts! love them! i have the cardio max and the power sculpting! watch out world! here i come... the new and improved me...!


things are good here... i am finally getting back to normal with all of my craziness with my friend, jami. let me do a quick recap of what is going on...


last friday i went down to the huntsman institute to visit her for awhile. she looked amazing! so much better than she had just 4 days earlier! amazing what the hope to live can do for a person! she was alert and back to her quick-witted self! i brought her a couple of cards that i made and had friends from sam's club sign. she really liked them and kept thanking me for them...


i had been there for about 45 minutes when tons of family came to visit her. it was fun to see jami and jeff interact with their family... the jokes, the laughter and especially the hope... what a great sight! jami's mom came over and talked to me for a bit and i thought it was very nice. she wanted to make me feel comfortable... again... this family amazes me!


after her family visited for a bit, a friend of the family came too... he used to be jami's boss. it was fun to meet him and her family too... they all told funny stories and the evening was filled with so much laughter! i loved it!


i was able to have a little bit of time with her... just she and i... before i left. i wanted her to know what an impact she has made on me in such a short amount of time. i told her that i had been very sad when i found out that she might not make it. for several reasons... but one of them because i hadn't gotten the chance to know her very well. when we first me last fall, i felt a connection to her. and i wanted the chance to explore that relationship! i told her that i loved her and that i was very grateful for the opportunity to be there for her and be her friend. true blue... that is what i was for her! she said that she was excited to become better friends too!


when i left that night i felt a little sad... not sure why... maybe it wasn't sadness... maybe it was overall gratitude for the miracle that had occurred for this girl and her family. as i walked out of her room a little solemn... i was hoping that jeff would walk me out... i wanted to hug him and tell him all that i had learned this week. he didn't... but his dad followed me out and chatted with me a minute... jeff came out a few minutes later and so i had the chance to hug him. i think it was more for me than for him this time...


i headed to my wonderful friend's (kris) home. she was so great to let me stay at her home, very last minute, instead of going all the way back to logan that night. i am so blessed to have kris's friendship! the next day (saturday) i went to pick up my mom bright and early! we had a fun drive and a great visit with my brother! he looked great and we stayed for a few hours! i love him and i love every chance i have to see him!


we got back into slc about 6:30, so i headed back to the hospital after dropping my mommy off. this time jeff was on his way out when i got there... at first i felt a little awkward being there without him, but jami made me feel very welcome. after he left his mom and sister wanted to go get something to eat too... jami's aunt, who is also a massage therapist arrived to give jami her daily massage. we offered to stay with her while her mom and sister went to eat.


i was pretty excited to have the chance to bond with jami a bit more. during her massage we all chatted and laughed. it was so much fun! i felt like i was making a difference to her and that was awesome! her new nurse for the night came in and introduced herself and when she left the room jami looked at me and said that she was a little worried... the nurse wasn't very friendly. i kinda chuckled and shared a story about when i was in the hospital a few years ago, i had a terrible nurse too... i understand her frustration and nervousness...


ok... so in my 2 days of visiting with her i found there were some definite pro's and con's as to what was going on with her...


pro: she was getting better!
con: she had lots of restrictions!


pro: friday she could drink water (and a couple of sips of sunkist... shhhhh! )
con: saturday she could only have ice chips


pro: her tumor was shrinking... very visibly!
con: she was still in lots of pain



ok... now with these pros and cons was the no drinking rule! that is really hard for jami! she is a coca cola girl! loves the stuff! she wanted it so bad, but couldn't have it! she was joking with us saturday night as to how much she wanted a coke... she didn't dare ask her aunt for one because she knew that it would be hard for her to say no! lol! she asked me what i would do and i told her that i would NOT get her one... i wanted her to get better fast! :)


so we started practicing saying no! NO! NO! we will not get you a coke! lol! jami said we were gonna be "tough b****** (broads)"! lol! i told her i was going to buy black bandannas cuz we were so tough!

oh... and her nurse came in and told her that she was not supposed to eat the ice chips... just suck on them until they melted and then spit the water out! man oh man!!! you should have seen her face! she was not a happy girl! the good part was that her nurse did turn out to be pretty nice! lol! while the nurse was changing one of the bandages jami looked a little uncomfortable, so i went and held her hand. she thanked me again, but i was just happy to help. it felt good to be needed.

overall, it was a really wonderful night! i felt so much closer to jami and that is what i really wanted! i can't wait for her to come home so i can take her to lunch and buy her a coke!

she is doing much better now... they have moved her to a rehabilitation center where she will be for a few weeks... i can't wait to see her again!

i know that i have talked about the life lessons that i have learned through this whole ordeal, but let me share them again...

#1

never take things for granted... friends, family, relationships, laughter, rice crispies (another of jami's fav's!), coke... the list goes on!

#2
if you have a "prompting" to do something... do it! you may never know the difference it made by doing it, but you will probably notice when you don't...
#3
live with no regrets... live each moment to the fullest and make sure that you have done good things with those moments...
#4
tell your loved ones that you love them. if they, or you, were taken suddenly make sure that you know where each other stands...
#5
laugh every day! you never know what will happen. enjoy each day as it comes and make the most of it!

honestly, 2 weeks ago i had no idea what an impact this would have on me... i am grateful for the experience and the insight i have gained... but most of all, i am grateful for jami. her strength, her health, her life and her smile. it somehow makes everything fall into place...