My Dream of Nursing School

Hello all. I told you that I had some important news that needed its own post. As you can tell from my title, the news is about my dream of getting into nursing school.

I found out that I was picked as an alternate at OWATC (Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College). It was my last hope of the 3 colleges I applied to (Weber State, and the DATC). Alternate isn't so bad! It gives me hope. I know that I will get extra points for re-application and I can for sure be in by January if I don't get a call by August.

That's not all. I later found out that I was in the list of top 10 alternates! We have to go to orientation, undergo drug testing, and do all of the things that the nursing students do, just in case. I was so excited! My hope grew a substantial amount.

Then one morning I got off work and went home to get some sleep. I fell asleep around 8 a.m. At 9:30 my parents both come into my room and wake me up. I was sure someone had died because they both had the look of urgency on their faces. My mom sat on my bed, holding our home phone, and my dog jumped happily onto my lap. She then proceeded to tell me that she had received a phone call from the OWATC asking for me. She told them I was at work (so I could continue to sleep) and they told her that a position had opened and they needed me to call back as soon as possible to accept it.

I nearly cried! We pulled up the number, I called and they officially offered me a position in their nursing program!!! When they asked if I accepted, I said "Of course! Yes!" The girl on the phone must've known she made my day and heartily congratulated me. That moment, that morning, in my bedroom with the sun shining through the window will forever be etched into my memory. Even the dog knew something exciting was happening because she was bouncing all over the place with her tongue lolling out. Pride shone through both sets of eyes I was looking at. We immediately made phone calls, and sent text messages out to family and friends.

So here I sit, admission packet on my bed (mostly put together) preparing myself for what's to come. Orientation on August 1st, and school starts on the 13th. I will be following a high school school year instead of a typical college one, but being in school for an extra 6-8 weeks is trivial when it comes to following my dreams of becoming the person I want to be. I didn't get back to sleep that morning for an hour because I couldn't bring myself down from the elation I felt.

I keep going through bouts of nervousness then excitedness. I worry about all the stuff I'm going to have to learn and know (and remember! No academic dump allowed during nursing school). Then I realize that I have 9 months to learn it all, and everyone else starting the program will be on the same level as me. We will learn together.

I'll keep you updated as more comes about the program. Thanks for tuning in, and check back next week for my take on the Olympics!!!

Loves to all,

Mary

Never Had More Fun Being 22!

Wow!!! Last time I posted was in May. Never fear though, bloggers; for I am here!

In case you didn't know, Batman: The Dark Knight Rises comes out in less than 24 hours. I have tickets. I heard the critics gave it a standing ovation! P.S. (The Avengers ROCKED! Such good acting and chemistry between characters. Yes, just yes.)

On to events of my summer thus far...What to start with?? I had a Lord of the Rings (Extended version) marathon the 2nd weekend in May. It was EPIC! My little (well, not really so little anymore) niece Jessica Rasmussen graduated High School on the 21st. I was sick for a whole stinking week. 7 days of being basically bed ridden with a ridiculous cough. Urgh. On the up side, after I got better I went laser tagging with a group of friends I haven't seen in forever, and a few days after that I went boating with Rhett's family. It was my first time out on Utah Lake, and it was super fun :D

The real fun begins in June! It started out with Bethany getting home from Virginia and we went to Park City for a girls night. Complete with a stay in a 4-star hotel room and our own private hot-tub on our balcony. Talk about the most epic girls night ever! I also started working again in June. Can you guess where? Yes? No? Maybe? Well, I guess I'll just tell you. I'm back at Ashford Memory Care. I work nights again. This time the building is at full capacity. It's wonderful! I've fallen in love with my residents (when don't I?) I've also made multiple trips up to Lagoon, and got to go to a Salt Lake ReAL soccer game. David Beckham was playing against us. His team also won. Bummer. It was so awesome to watch though! I've never really liked soccer, but watching these guys play was so different and interesting and cool! I'd totally go again. I also got to experience the City Creek Mall for the first time. Oh. My. Goodness. Amazing! They have a Tiffany & Co., a Cheesecake factory, and an H&M. And a lot more stuff, but those captured my attention most :)

I now have a few more items to cover. Man, I have to be better at keeping this thing up so my posts aren't so long!

July 3rd I was helping my mom prepare for our big 4th celebration, when she frantically calls to me saying, "Mary! Come quick! Alpine is on fire!" I thought she was just over reacting at some smoke of a compost burning or something, but she wasn't. I looked outside our back yard and the mountain was up in smoke. We got in the car and drove to the church just a block north of our house. It had started by a track-hoe doing construction behind the church. In the hour we were there I watched the fire more than triple in size. It went from burning the foothills to the very top of the mountain. Before the end of the fire, 1 barn would be burned down, over 2200 acres of mountain would turn black, and over 500 homes would be evacuated. My family was in the voluntary evacuation zone. (Basically the red cross station would house our family until the fire was out if we so chose to leave). It burned for 2 days straight. Luckily for my family the winds blew mostly northeast. It has been one of the most horrific things to ever watch. The whole hill behind my house is painted red with fire retardant. Our fire work show on the 4th was our mountain. Our fire has been one of many this summer here in Utah. Just the week before half of Saratoga Springs was evacuated due to a fire out there... It's been a helluva season for fires (pardon me french). The evening of the 5th, the rains came. On that day the fire went from being 0% contained to 90% contained. It was out within a few days after that.

Now we're trying to reschedule our BBQ. July has been eventful though. I've been to the Zoo. They have polar bears and otters now!!! We had a slip-n-slide in our backyard for a day. On my birthday I went to Seven Peaks Water Park (I also got a boat-load of presents! Mostly shoes, new piano music, and everything that was animal print--including a new snake-skin purse, leopard print shoes, sunglasses, and scarf too!) I helped staff a racing event called the Tour de Run. It was cool. Those runners are insane! It's 3 races in 2 days. A 5k, 10k, and a 5 mile.

I've been a busy body, that's for sure! This weekend I'll be helping Rachel and Aaron move to Ogden. I've also started watching the Firefly show by Joss Whedon. I'm in love! I'm also obsessed with Irish and Folk music right now... Ha. I've always known my soul was Gaelic, now it's just manifesting.

I have one more bit of  news to share, but it deserves it's own post. So, sometime this week, I will let you know what else is going on in my life... >:) Until then, my fellow bloggsters!

Lots of Love,

Mary

The Great Mouse Hunt

A month gone by, and I've got news, bloggers!

Updating from April 10th here. First thing: Spring Institute Shows! Two shows the weekend before finals, plus a dress rehearsal. The weekend after finals another dress rehearsal and two more shows. They went so well! Monica and I ended up in matching outfits (not on purpose), from our shirts to our shoes. It was a little weird, but awesome! The show was to celebrate 50 years of the institute, so we sang songs that were audience favorites from past shows. It was really amazing.

Finals... I did GREAT! So much better than I even thought I would! I was so relieved. I got the grades I needed, and I'm good to go. Also school related: I got accepted as an Alternate into OWATC's program. I find out tomorrow if I placed in the top 10. Then if people change their minds about the program, I may get in when August comes around, then again I may have to wait until January. Either way, I start within the next 7 months!!! WOO!!! Wish me luck, lets hope I get in this August so I don't have to waste a semester.

After finals, I had a week of no school, just work a few days each week. So Monday I deep-cleaned our apartment. It was fabulous. On Wednesday, a mouse invaded!!! At first I wasn't sure. I just heard squeaking, but it was coming from my room. I thought "maybe it's the ceiling fan next to my room" or something like that. Well I go into my room to go to bed around 1:30 or 2 am, only to find mouse droppings on my desk, dresser, and the boxes under my bed. I freaked! I searched every nook and cranny of my room, with a broomstick. Nothing. I was horrified. I did a thorough sweep of my kitchen and dining room only to find them clean. I slept on the couch that night (well, morning, I didn't get to bed til 4 am). Thursday I had to work so I got up, and ran to work, noticing new mouse droppings on the kitchen counter. I was texting Monica about it all afternoon, so she picked up the mouse-traps and rat-poison, then when I got off to come home that night I got disinfectant. Trashes got taken out and the poison spread around. Monica set the traps because we used peanut butter, it was giving me an itchy nose and I don't like breathing it. I went around and wiped off all the surfaces then sprayed them with disinfectant. Only problem was...Monica's asthma flared up because it was an aerosol spray. So here we are, trying to poison a mouse, and really just killing ourselves! Ha. We're ridiculous. Well, we think he left and tried getting into another apartment because we haven't seen or heard him again, and the traps are still empty.

On Monday the 30th, I moved home. Though not until some other things got finished. I cleaned the apartment again, rearranged the living room (took the silly couch cover off, and vacuumed the couch--it looks so much better now!), fixed Monica's car problem, and ate dinner with my brother's family. You want to hear about the great car adventure too? Okay. So Monica has this feminist side... She was determined to put oil in her car without masculine assistance. Not more than 30 seconds in and she drops the oil cap into the chasms of her engine. She came and got me, and for 20 minutes we prodded around the engine with long stick from a nearby pine tree. Finally, I gave up and decided to reach inside the engine and just grab it. My arm was barely long enough, but I got it! While we're still trying to avoid the female cliche, we giggled about it, took pictures, and posted the entire event to facebook. Ha! It was great fun.

Those are my updates, friends! I'm home now. I got to take Danni girl for a nice looooonnnnggg walk in the park today, she loved it! I'm looking for a summer job. A few places in American Fork are hiring, so hopefully I can get on somewhere :) I'll keep you updated. Today, I go see "The Avengers." SO EXCITED!!!!

All my best to you!

Mary

April is for the Fools

Hey ya Bloggers!

Well, I'd write about April, but I'd better finish March first, eh? Life has gotten happier. Rachel Morrell has gotten home, safe and sound :) Spring break was awesome! (Although I had to work quite a bit of it). I went to the Festival of Colors again! This time, I found the meaning of it. There are two stories behind it.

First, (and mind you, I'm doing this from memory, so if I'm wrong here or there, feel free to correct me), it is called the Holi Festival. Holi after a witch named Holika, who was finally executed in the Spring. They had tried to execute her multiple times before because of her witchcraft, but when they went to burn her at the stake, she cast a spell that killed a child in place of her. Many children had been killed in the attempts to kill her. One day, she was at the stake again, and the child she had picked as her sacrifice was a very devout child. He always repeated the names of the Gods, over and over. Hari Krishna Rama. Because of his devotion, the Gods spared him, and Holika was finally burned.

Second, and this is the reason for the chalk throwing, is that Rama would come every year to bring spring to the world. When he did this, it was said to look like he brought up brightly colored chalk from the ground, and as it settled, spring arrived. Thus, the brightly colored chalk being thrown up by all those who attend this festival. Pretty cool, huh? Another fun tidbit, the LDS church funded some of the building of the Hari Krishna Temple (or so I've heard).

I saw a chiropractor for the first time in my life. My back is doing so much better while I'm at work. It is so nice to be able to lift and transfer people without killing myself! Why didn't I do this before??? He just cracks it, then hooks me up to some electric shock therapy and a massage table, and I'm good to go! Woot!

That was all at the end of March. Lets see...I forgot to mention that Monica, Steph, and I went up to Steph's family's cabin. Woo! It was super fun! It was so snowy, good thing we took my car (it has 4 wheel drive, and is bigger than Monica's or Steph's). We had our girl talk, then watched Oscar. It's become a roommate classic. Hehehe. The next morning we played games galore! Then we packed up, and headed off to the Logan temple (we met up with our ward there). It was my first time in the Logan one. The baptistery was small, but it was wonderful to be there still. SO FUN!

General conference was on the 31st and the 1st. I loved Elder Uctdorf's talk... "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you." Also, apply the following to any sin, temptation, or thought: "Stop it!" So simple, so meaningful! Elder Holland gave an amazing talk about accepting the atonement, and not waiting to do so. I need to be better in my life. This was the inspiration to get me started on the right track. Wish me luck on this new journey :)

After the Sunday session was over, my brother and his family picked me up to go down to alpine to celebrate some birthdays! Jessica drove, she's doing very well (she has her permit right now). It was so nice to see them all, and my dog! Jessica (Williams) came with Aiden, and Elise came with Tayven.

Easter Sunday came, I had to work. The Saturday night before I was working too, but guess what? My mom and dad brought Danni Girl up to see me!!! They got to tour my work place a bit, and I got to see them and Danni. I was so happy! Danni was bouncing all over the place as soon as she saw me coming down the stairs. It was the perfect Easter treat. Mom might come up and take me out to dinner on Wednesday this week too, so that will be nice. Maybe she'll bring the doggie again? ;) I do hope so though.

Well right now I'm studying for finals. I can't believe they're already here! I'm waiting to hear back about if I got into a nursing program or not. I was rejected by Weber (expected, but if I have to reapply, I'll have an extra point on my application, so it was the smart move to make), I was also rejected by DATC (neither expected or unexpected, I wasn't sure of my chances there, I do know it's competitive), and OWATC is the last one I'm waiting to hear from. I was supposed to hear already, so I'm getting antsy. I'm not sad about not making it in (well, I am) but I know that if I don't, there's a reason. There are people I'm supposed to meet and help. Plus, this was my first time applying to any nursing program, and basically no one makes it in the first time. So I'm not worried. I'm also preparing for the Spring show my Institute choir puts on :) It's gonna be awesome!

I'll let you know how everything turns out. Life is looking good. Pray for me!

Mary

Marching On

Bloggers,

I have news. Another death, and another funeral. Well, actually 2 funerals. I need to insert a post after this about something else so I don't keep writing about this saddening subject. They always said death comes in three's... I guess it rings true (it's true at all of the facilities I've worked at too).

Louise Whitby, a good family friend, passed away. I got to go to her viewing, she looked lovely. I used to go over to her house with my mom and play dolls while my mom visited her and her husband Calvin. When I was really little, I'd stand up on my seat in church and wave at them, where ever they were sitting.

The other death was much closer to my heart. Tyler Tolbert. I took care of him for 2 years. I was there 2-3 nights a week, and in the summer I was able to spend a week or so at a time with him while his family went on a vacation. He loved music, and balloons, and bright colors. I sang to him all the time, and played the piano for him. In the summers we got to go on walks around the neighborhood. I'd sometimes take him up to my parents' house, he loved that. We'd take him bowling, or to movies. I didn't get to be at his viewing. Friday morning was his funeral. By some wonderful miracle, my Physiology professor cancelled the mandatory lab that week, so I got to go sing at his funeral.

There were beautiful flowers everywhere, many of which had balloons attached. There were also a lot of musical numbers. A most fitting tribute to him. Four of his other aids and I sang "I am a child of God." There was a reading of his life, in poetic form, then a song. Then Trevor (Tyler's younger brother) spoke. I've never heard a more moving talk. I was supposed to sing right after him, and I wasn't sure if I could because I was choking back tears. He mentioned that he would sing to Tyler, and change the lyrics so they would have Tyler's name in them. He mentioned that he heard the aids sing to him on multiple occasions. That little tid-bit made me blush... One day I was with Tyler, and thinking we were home alone, I was singing "Dancing Queen" to him at the top of my lungs, in a ridiculous fashion (hey, he was laughing a lot, so I was happy). Anyways, I heard Trevor come around the corner of the hallway and I felt like such a dork! I was betting Trevor was probably laughing as hard as Tyler as soon as he was out of earshot ;) I did make it through the song when it came our turn to sing. Corilyn spoke, another song was played, and then Nick (Tyler's Step-dad, a wonderful man for the whole family) gave a talk, he was a bit jealous that Tyler was not his own, his love for his family shone through every word. Bishop Ellis spoke as well, and that concluded the funeral.

I've never heard of someone who has effected so many lives in such a positive way before. When they found that Tyler was losing function, the doctors told Corilyn and Troy that, optimistically, Tyler might make it to 12 years old. He was 24 when he passed on. If nothing else, that is my biggest testimony of the power of a mothers love. (For my readers who don't know this family like I do: Troy Tolbert was killed in an Avalanche just before I started working for Corilyn. She found Nick a little later; I got to be there for the wedding. Their family has been through so much, but they've known so much good as well. I can't imagine being in their places right now, but I am so happy that I could be a part of their lives in that short time.)

Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of love. The only way to take sorrow out of death, is to take love out of life.

I also share an inspirational quote from President Packer (of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles): "The words death and happiness are not close companions in mortality, but in the eternal sense they are essential to one another. Death is a mechanism of rescue. Our fist parents left Eden lest they partake of the tree of life and live forever in their sins. The mortal death they brought upon themselves and upon us, is our journey home." Tyler is home. He's with his dad, walking tall, talking, and laughing. He's watching over his earthly family until they are called home. That quote is what I ended my talk with at my grandma's funeral, so I'll end with it today as well.

My next post will hopefully bring a happier message. Until then!

Mary

The Good, The Bad, The February

My dear bloggers,

Here is February's post. It had good, it had bad, it had in-between. I'll just go chronologically.

The Happy: February 14th, Valentines Day! It was a Tuesday, and I got work off for a very special Valentines date. One we had been planning for a little while. Rhett picked me up at our usual spot in Salt Lake with a bouquet of roses in hand. He took me for a very nice dinner at the Olive Garden (I got the ravioli, and Rhett got these lasagna roll-thingys. Oh my good heavens they were amazing!!!) After which we headed up to Kingsbury hall for a concert. An awesome concert! It was Celtic Night! The performers were mostly Irish, some were Scottish. Lots of songs, some river dancing, and I learned what Ilen pipes are: basically Irish bagpipes, you play it all with you elbows though (ilen is a root for elbow-go figure!) There were some odd people sitting around us, a whiny girl behind us because she was tired, a weird high school "not emo" couple next to me, a couple arguing a politics and exercising in front of us, and over by Rhett was a couple with a very large age difference... Anywho, this isn't even the best part of the date! (Okay it was great, but I have yet to tell you about our gifts to each other.)

Sooooo...we drove away from the concert to a local church parking lot to swap gifts then go home. I opened his gift to me first. He bought me a bottle of sparkling cider (Martinellis, my favorite), and as mentioned, the roses, but then I got to open the rest of it... He wrote me a Valentines Day card in medical terminology as a case study. Final Diagnoses: Love. How cute is that???? It was a full page describing the signs and symptoms. I loved it! He then gave me a nicely wrapped box, with tons of (creme-filled only) Mrs. Cavanaugh chocolates! Oh my goodness my boy spoils me sweet! That's not even the best of it. He had one more small box for me...........When I opened it up it was so beautiful! He told me that it was sterling silver, plated with 14 carat gold, and the diamond accents were real. Yes, it was a beautiful bracelet! Simple, petite, understated, but perfect! Do you want to know what I got him? Yeah? Okay. I had a secret in my purse, when he started opening his gift, I grabbed a nerf gun out and shot at him 6 times!!! Woooo!!! Inside my gift bag was his own nerf gun, plus extra darts. It was fun. But that wasn't all, I spent a long time on his gift. I bough a big jar, and filled it with hershey's kisses, and 101 things about love on little slips of paper. Quotes about love, song's about love, and reasons I love him. I like making things personal, and I think I won that battle! :)

The next weekend, I got to go home and be with family (and of course doggie!) Here comes the Sad: Grandma had slipped and fallen and was sent to the hospital with a collapsed lung and cracked ribs. Then they drugged her up real good and she was LOOPY! It was hilarious! I went by to visit her on Friday, she kept telling us that once she found her purse, she'd take us out for a nice Halloween dinner. She knew who I was for most of the time, but couldn't always remember my Aunt Jean. On Saturday we all went by, she was much more lucid. I think by some inspiration she said her goodbyes. Told everyone there personally how much she appreciated them and all they did for her. When it came to be my turn and I leaned in for my kiss, she just squeezed my hand and said, "I love you, but you know that." I told her I loved her too. That's all that passed between us, and that's all I needed, it was our usual goodbye, and it summed up our relationship perfectly. We took some pictures, and away we went.

Sunday was nice, Monday day was good too (School holiday!) That night I got a call from mom, who was at the hospital with grandma. She said grandma wasn't going to last the night, she just couldn't breath. I frantically ran around grabbing the things I needed to leave, and went upstairs to tell my dad--but he was already up and getting ready to go. Brett just happened to call on Skype as I was waiting for dad, so I answered and told him right away. He asked me to call him when I got to the hospital. Dad and I left (Rhett in tow), as I called Matt to make sure he knew. He was thinking about going up as well, so we told him we'd meet him at the park-n-ride so we could all go up together. He got there a bit after we did, with Shelise in tow. We rode up to Bountiful and went in the hospital. Grandma had a sort of C-PAP (continuous air) machine on (something I encouraged mom to use for her-I've seen it work wonders), with no teeth. Even still, her oxygen stats were in the 50's (not good). She looked tired. I cried when I saw her like that. It was so hard. When I pulled myself together I went and gave her a kiss, and said my own goodbyes. Scott and Patty were there, Rachel had just left on her Cruise that morning, Brett was in Colorado, Mark wasn't awake for the phone calls, but Jean & Jerry, Janet, Mom, and Dad were there too. Aunt Marian was in California, on the phone with my mom.

Mom ended up calling all the shots, looking a lot to me for a confirmation. Everything she said to do was right. Jean and Janet told her that "Mother wouldn't want to be like this..." etc. Yet they left mom to actually interact with the nurse. The nurse said she could give grandma 8 units of morphine, and everyone freaked out until I asked the nurse to clarify that it was 8 units per hour. They avoided morphine before because it affects the respiratory system so badly, but they were going to give it to her then take off the C-PAP mask. The morphine also suppresses the need to gasp for air when you can't breathe (called "air hunger"). After the nurse gave it to her and left, my aunt Janet said she felt like I should sing a song. Then Patty piped up and said she was getting the same feeling. So I started flipping through hymns on my phone...one in particular kept coming to my mind. It's one I felt like everybody sings in these times, so I tried to find another one, but I got a stronger kick that it was the song I needed. So I asked my family to back me up, and we sang "Be Still, My Soul." I stood by the head of grandmas bed, her hand in mine, and with my whole family behind me, we sang all 3 verses. I think it was less for grandma and more for us. She stopped twitching as much during the song. I called Brett and set the phone next to her ear so he could say goodbye.

Just after we finished singing, the nurse came back in to take off the mask. This was the part I was worried about. We were going to have to watch her struggle to breathe for the next hour or so. Brett was still on the phone with me. Rhett was so sweet, he switched phone batteries with me so I could be talking to Brett. They took off the mask, she took one labored breath, then one more and spit up some foam, then stop. The nurses were shocked, they said "Oh, her heart just stopped." She was gone. She didn't even linger in the room. She was just gone. I told Brett she looked different. Aunt Janet whispered to me "It's because her teeth are out" I just mouthed "I know" but I knew its because her mortal body was just a shell. She wasn't there. It was 2:41 Tuesday morning, February 21st.

The hospital was so accommodating. The whole time we were in there they brought us a cart of food with bagels and cream cheese, cookies, doughnuts, chips, an assortment of juices and sodas, and all sorts of other things. They popped in a lot to ask if we needed anything at all. I couldn't be happier with their caring attitude. We left at 4 am, got home around 5, and went to sleep. I called my boss that morning when we woke up (around 11). He was so sweet, and told me to not even worry about coming in. I got to spend the whole day with my family. Danni kept looking at my mom worriedly, and trying to sit on her lap and give her doggie kisses on her arm. Funny how dogs sense these things.

Right when she passed, I texted Bethany, who was miraculously up (she lives in Virginia so it was like 5 am her time). Beth then texted her mom, who then spread the word to ladies in the ward. When we got up Tuesday morning, the news of grandmas passing was already in the ward newsletter, and we had multiple messages on our answering machine from various ward members offering love and support. We are so blessed.

One week later was the funeral. Monday night was the viewing. The whole week leading up to it was busy. I drove between Bountiful and Ogden more than I can say. So many people showed up to see her one last time, the love that was felt was so beautiful. Many people came up from Alpine, and even my roommates came down for some of the evening from Ogden. The Russon Brothers Mortuary made her look just lovely. It was so strange turning off the lights that night and leaving her there in the room. I went back up to Ogden, Brett flew in that night, and Tuesday was the funeral.

Rachel and I both stayed up till about 4 am writing our talks. We shared memories and love. I found some beautiful things about death and the afterlife in the scriptures and through talks by general authorities. The program was very poetic, Grandma's three granddaughters bade her farewell, then her eight grandsons carried her off. It was snowing like crazy. It was before the funeral itself that got me. The smaller family viewing took place right before, we said our final goodbyes, I touched her cold hand, and then mom put the veil on her, and they closed the casket. I couldn't stop the tears. I couldn't stifle the noises that were coming up my throat. I looked at Rachel and she just mouthed, "I know." By the time we got to the chapel for the program, I was okay. I gave the closing talk, and wrapped up the program quite nicely (I think, and so did most the people I heard from-especially my daddy). The graveside service consisted of a poem read, a dedication of the grave, and "Amazing Grace" played on the bagpipes. Grandma's old Relief Society ladies set up our luncheon and fed us well. Then we went to Alpine to celebrate Scott's Birthday.

I know this is a long post--and I can almost guarantee that my next one will be, too. I received news the morning she passed that the little boy I worked with for 2 years was in the hospital with pneumonia. I kind of knew he wouldn't be around much longer, though I don't know how... The ending to that story will come eventually. I'll keep you updated.

I'm so sorry to end this on such a heavy note. However, in my last post I talked about what a beautiful thing death is. Please remember that post. Remember that blessings come in many ways, that the reunion on the other side of the veil is a grand and joyous thing. Mourning is an expression of love, to take sorrow out of death, would be to take love out of life. We love greatly in this family. We love unconditionally and with all of our hearts. So did grandma. Let us not forget our happy memories. Mt. Rushmore, Bitty Baby, her quick wit and quirky phrases, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, the traveling, the stories she told at our birthdays of our birth day, her Christmas story of 'Gray Pony, Brown Donkey', how much she and grandpa loved each other, her sweet and accommodating temperament, her back rubs, sleepovers at her house, her strength, and her caring personality.

All of my unconditional love to you,

Mary

Summer, Fall, Winter, Now

Hello dear friends,

I am sorry I haven't blogged recently. It's been about 3 months, and I have about 6 months of stuff to update you on! I guess I'll start in May and work my way up...

May: Our Temple Marathon! We started in Manti, just Monica and I. I fell in love with that temple. It's so beautiful, and the workers were so welcoming. We then headed up to Provo, where we met up with Rhett. I did baptisms with Rhett, Monica did initiatories. We had Zuppa's for lunch, then took a picture in front of Timpanogas Temple (it was closed for cleaning.) After that we hit Draper, Oquirrh Mountain, then Jordan River. The workers in Jordan River temple weren't as nice as the other ones... Haha no worries I guess. We then went to Temple Square, and ended our trip there. I don't remember what we had for dinner, but we had a dang good day! (My face was all dried up from being in and out of chlorinated water all day)

June: California here I come!!! I went with Rhett's family. They were so sweet and accommodating. We drove down to Oceanside on a Saturday, then the next morning was Sunday. We went to church and walked along the beach. The next few days were spent there, right by the pier. Every night Rhett and I walked the beach for our alone time. I love hearing the ocean, especially at night time. It was all so beautiful! One of the days we were there, Rhett and I drove an hour north to Huntington beach to spend the day with Brett. We rode his bikes around, and walked around the shops. Brett took us to lunch, then to Mugsy's house to meet his new baby girl (she is so adorable!), then Brett and Anna took us to dinner at a great Korean style BBQ place. It was so sunny and warm :) Rhett's family then packed up and we drove on up to Disneyland! For the next 2 days Rhett and I went non-stop from opening to close, riding every ride! Brett and Anna came to meet us for dinner (Bubba-Gump's Shrimp, yum) one more time. The lady running the Snow White ride, was rhyming everything she said, and made Rhett put his arm around me while on the ride. She was convinced it was the most romantic ride in the park, and she made it so. And that, my friends, was California.

July: Well we all know my birthday is in July! I'm 21 :) I went to Park City, and got me some new clothes. Well, a lot of new dresses really. I love them! I spent all day with Bethany and my mom. It was great! 2 days later was the Harry Potter 7.2 release. Rhett and I went to the midnight showing on the IMAX screen!!! We dressed up, Rhett as Harry Potter, I as a death eater. It was awesome! There was such a feeling of nostalgia at the very end. How cool is it that I got to grow up with the Harry Potter movies?! Our annual 4th of July party was awesome, as always. I went on a double date to the planetarium in July, that was fun. Darcy invited me to go wave-running at Strawberry Reservoir with her family that month too. What a good month!

August: In August, I rafted the Provo River. It was super fun! Great weather for it too! We went on another double (Rhett's cousin Jordan, and my friend Anna went together). I really enjoyed hanging out with Anna outside of work over the summer. I'm gonna have to do it again this summer :) In August, Brandon Warner, and Ben Patch both went on their missions. Those two will be the greatest missionaries ever! Those were great farewells. Rhett's friend Tanner Edwards married a cute girl named Jessie, Rhett and I got to attend the wedding (well, the luncheon and reception for me, Rhett was at the actual ceremony, not me). It was so well done! We had doubled with Tanner and Jessie a few times, so it was great to see them married! Oh, and her ring was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! Then I moved back up to Ogden. I love being home! I took Pathophysiology, and loved it! It was really hard though... Which is kind of to be expected. I loved how busy and fun August was!

Summer was AWESOME!!!

September: I started my new job at Legacy Village in Layton. I couldn't be happier with a job. The staff is friendly, and we all get along, the residents are well cared for and happy, and the administration really cares about the residents and the staff. It is a great working environment! Rhett and I went to see Mary Poppins on stage in Salt Lake City. I've never seen it performed like that...it was wonderful! Also, my roommates and I threw a Pirate Party!!! For national "talk like a pirate" day. (That would be on September 19th every year. Don't forget now. Heearrrrrg!) My classes for fall consisted of Pathophysiology, and Healthy Lifestyles, and a religion class on the first half of the Book of Mormon.

October: There was a wonderful General Conference. My roommates and I threw an Oktoberfest party. Rhett and I celebrated our year anniversary. I went to see Romeo & Juliet at Weber State. I went on vacation with my family to Yellowstone. I got to sing for the Prophet. We threw another Halloween party. Oh, also, I got to go to my first ever rave! Hahaha! My roommates and I have been trying to be more social, so the parties were awesome :) The rave was a Halloween rave. Lot's of scantily clad people and glow sticks... The music was pretty awesome for the most part though. Since it was a Halloween rave, Rhett and I dressed up as Ash and Misty from Pokemon! It was a little ridiculous, but way fun. We got to take grandma with us to Yellowstone, she really enjoyed herself. We also played tennis baseball. That was fun.

November: (We're so close!) Rhett threw a 'V for Vendetta' party (we watched it edited). Thanksgiving was wonderful, but I had to work (leftovers are still good, right?) Well, that about sums up that month... Sweet.

December: The Institute Christmas show was a huge hit! We sang so well. The theme was "Stories for Christmas." It followed the pioneer William Clayton and his family (he wrote the hymn "Come, Come Ye, Saints." Rhett and I went to go see THE BLUE MAN GROUP! Woo! They are awesome performers! It was such a fun concert :) I got lucky in another way. I got a ticket to go see the MOTAB Christmas concert with........JANE SEYMOUR!!! She is the most elegant, romantic, amazing lady ever! December, to say the least, was a blessing. Christmas break was so nice, I only had to work Christmas day (plus, I got holiday pay for it...not too bad). My grades also turned out just fine. Hallelujah!

January: Happy New Year! I got all of my Nursing applications IN! (The things they make me do for those....grrrrr.) I'm not sure what to do until I get into the program, so I'm retaking physiology (maybe it'll boost my GPA), and taking a Human Sexuality class to help along what I can with my Bachelors. I'm also taking a World Religions class, it's so interesting!

Whew!!! Glad that's all posted. Now I can get to the next (recent) stuff!

Rachel Morrell is coming home March 1st. You have no idea how excited I am to see her!!! She can come to the festival of colors with me! :D Jeff writes maybe once a month, he's still doing well. Mom fell and broke her arm the last day of January. She had to get a plate put in her wrist. That's been fun... The doggie is still as cute as ever. I could go on and on about her. Rhett and I are doing good, no immediate plans, no worries. I also got to cut my hair. Hooray!

Well bloggsters, I'm off. Unitl next time!

Mary