3 Weeks In A Row

For the past three weekends in a row I have gone to Utah.  I know- crazy, right? The first two weekends were pretty last minute trips, but the third was actually planned and the timing of it just so happened to make it a third weekend in a row to Utah.  Good times! 

Utah Trip 1 (1-18-13 to 1-20-13)

It was decided around 11:30pm on Wednesday evening that we would drive to Utah Friday morning.  Work was pretty busy at the time, so I put all my hours in by Thursday which allowed me to take Friday off without using any leave.  I would have worked the longer days even if I wasn't heading out of town, so I really think it was a tender mercy that I was so busy and therefore able to take off without hesitation.  So, off we went at   5:00am Friday morning and made it to Utah around 2:00pm.  When you have good company the drive goes by really fast!

The main reason for going was to support my good friend Heather.  She was receiving her endowment on Saturday and I love the temple, so I wanted to be there.  I also wanted to meet her mom and I knew this would probably be my last opportunity to do so since she was extremely sick and not doing well.  It was also nice to spend time with Jess, Sean, and the cute kids!  

We went straight to Distribution and got Heather all hooked up with what she needed.  After another quick stop at Seagull Book we then headed to Heather's parent's house.  It was nice to meet her folks.  Her Mom had been fighting cancer for just under a year and was not really aware of what was happening around her.  However, there was a tender moment where she knew exactly what was going on... Heather told her she bought a temple dress and asked if she wanted to see it? With the smile of a proud mother and in a sweet, soft voice she quickly said "oh yes!"  For a brief moment it seemed that all the pain vanished and there was an unspoken understanding from both that cried, "I wish you could be there with me", and in reply, "I am so happy for you and I wish I could be there, too!" 

When I got to Jessica's I got a wonderful welcome from the kids.  They always make me feel so loved! That afternoon we took the boys to get haircuts.  They love getting their haircut! I must say they are pretty handsome dudes when it is all said and done!

I was able to get a picture with all of them.  Such awesome nieces and nephews I have!

So, Friday night we dropped the kids off at the Pitch and Jess and I had a night out.  We went shopping, went to dinner, and went to a movie.  I love hanging with my sister! We always have such a great time.  

Saturday was soccer, soccer, and more soccer! It was awesome to be able to see the three games.  These kids are good! When we walked in for one of the games I heard my name being called and it was a previous co-worker from Buckley days! She now works for Hill and is stationed in the area and was there because her daughter plays soccer.  It was fun to visit for a minute- small world!

I went straight from the soccer game to the Jordan River Temple.  I love the special excitement that surrounds a session for an own endowment.  I often feel the temple gives you a glimpse of what heaven is like with all the hugs and smiles that take place!  It is just awesome to be there. 

On the ride home we had a spanish related question so I called Ryan.  If anyone would know the answer it would be him! After a quick explanation of why I was in Utah he responded by saying, "ah, so it's shining, sparkling, new Heather!" I chuckled, but I've reflected on that several times and love the thought that we can all be shiny, sparkly, and new every week through the sacrament or through attending the temple! 

It was a fantastic weekend! I loved every moment and feel so blessed that I was able to go.  I realized that Heather and I did not take one picture together while in Utah, so we snapped a picture when we got back Sunday night! 

A friend of mine had a guy friend coming into town that same weekend.  On Thursday I let her know that I was going out of town so he was welcome to stay at my place if he wanted.  He did end up staying here so, I walked into my house on Sunday to find beautiful flowers! The picture does not do it justice! It was the cherry on top to a great weekend!

Utah Trip 2 (Saturday, 1/26/13)
Heather's mom passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday morning.  There was a group of 5 of us that went to Utah to support Heather and attend the funeral.

Erika drove out on Friday as well as Gwen and Chris.  Renee and I flew out leaving my house at 6:15am Saturday morning.  Erika picked us up from the airport and we went to IHOP to meet up with a mutual friend who now lives in Salt Lake. Erika was roommates with Cassaundra years before I knew either one.  I knew Cassaundra because she lived in Denver for a time.  I didn't meet Erika, who now lives in Denver, until Cassaundra had moved back to Utah, but somehow we realized that we all know each other.  Small world!  Anyway, it was nice to visit and catch up with Cassaundra.

I didn't get any pictures while at the funeral.  The funeral was nice and Heather did a great job on her talk.  I'm so glad I was able to meet a number of Heather's family members under better circumstances the prior weekend.

The Stake President also spoke and he told the story of how just a short time ago he went over to the house to renew her temple recommend.  It was important to her that she always have a valid temple recommend even if she wasn't able to attend.  Since she was not able to leave the house the Stake President went to her and when he finished he asked if he could put it in a safe place for her to which she replied, "No, I just want to hold it for awhile." Such a great example of the respect and importance we should place on the temple!

Renee and I rode back to Colorado with Erika and we left right after the funeral.  I walked into my house around 10:00pm Saturday night.  It was literally a day trip to Utah.  Heather did not know Renee and I were coming so it was nice to surprise her.  I'm glad I was able to go.


Utah Trip 3 (2-1-13 to 2-3-13)
This third trip was a planned trip.  Family gathered for Rylee's baptism.  Thank you Jess and Sean for yet another wonderful weekend! We were not really successful at getting everyone together for a picture, but I was able to get a few pictures anyway!

Friday was spent hanging with Jess and the kids doing some prepping, snow shoveling, and of course, playing.  Jared, Katie, and the boys drove over Friday and arrived around 8pm.  We went and played at the Pitch for awhile before calling it a day.  The cousins had such fun playing and all got along so well!

Brent and Ashlee spent a good part of Saturday with us.  Saturday was Rylee's big day! She was so cute when she came up out of the water and was full of giggles and smiles! It was definitely Rylee! She looked very pretty in her white dress and pink shoes.  In Ryan's words this is shiny, sparkly, and new Rylee!

Family gatherings where there are priesthood ordinances involved always make me cry.  I'm so blessed to have wonderful examples of worthy priesthood holders in my life.  I can't help but think that Dad is also a part of that circle and how proud he must be to see his sons in the circle and to see his granddaughter get baptized.  It was a beautiful day!

There were definitely a lot of non-serious moments and just having a good time this weekend as well.  I mean after all, there were soccer games to go to, snow to play in, something called the Super Bowl to watch, and a lot of phones to be played! I think the only reason Jackson likes me is because I let him play games on my phone!

We had so much fun that we tuckered little Jackson out!

This picture pretty much sums up how I felt after going to Utah three weekends in a row! I'm tired, but I'm glad I was able to go on each trip.  I realize more and more each day how blessed I am to have the awesome family and wonderful friends I have.  Yes, life is busy, hectic, crazy, and stressful... which is probably why I got shingles.  (I am wearing my glasses in the first picture of the third trip since the shingles formed around my eye and I was unable to wear my contacts.) On the other hand, life is also full of such wonderful moments and memories which makes sacrificing a little sleep or dealing with a little discomfort so worth it!