Allison's & Pauls Beautiful Wedding

What is better than a beautiful, outdoor wedding in the summertime?

How about if its your gorgeous sister-in-laws wedding?

Jeff's older sister Allison got married this summer. 

The best part was that she moved back to Utah for 2 months while she planned her dream wedding

How cute are these two? Paul's niece and nephew

These girls adore Allison, she used to nanny them

Even though Jeff and I have been together for 9 years I haven't had many opportunities to really get to know Allison

Allison has been in Alaska, basically since she graduated high school

Alaska is where she met her husband Paul, he is from the beautiful state of Oregon

I also hadn't met Paul before this week, so it was nice getting to know him before the wedding

We are so happy for you two and wish you a life full of happiness

The night before the wedding Paul's family hosted the rehearsal dinner at Jeremiah's in Ogden

The food was great and it was fun to hear all the childhood stories

It was a night filled with love, laughter, and of course a few {happy} tears.

Lene, Cathy, and Dominic just days before they left us for Italy.

The rare occasion I'm not behind the camera. 

Jeff & Allison's sweet cousins. Love this family!

Dominic obviously enjoyed the food

Allison's best friend gave the BEST speech I have heard.
She used a Hanson song that they used to listen to when they were younger.
It was really funny and sweet. 

Sweet speech from Allison's best friend Amanda brought tears to everyone's eyes. 

I believe this is the reaction to the Hanson song

The week before the wedding the weather reports said it was going to rain.

While we were in Lake Powell Allison asked that during every prayer we ask that it wouldn't rain

Her prayers were answered!

It was a perfect day and not a cloud in the sky

Allison looked absolutely stunning and the wedding couldn't have been more perfect

They held the wedding in their parent's backyard that was covered in white lights. 

They had a sweet ceremony with close family and friends

After the ceremony we had a sit down dinner. The food was incredible!

Allison's friend cooked, who is a professional chef at the Canyons, cooked the entire meal.

After the dinner began the reception which was filled with laughter and lots of dancing. 

It really was such a special night and we couldn't be happier for Allison and Paul

She looked stunning.
{Picture by Jessica Janae Photography}

I do's. I loved her jewelry
{Picture by Jessica Janae Photography}

The beautiful cake

Cake smash!

Cake smash that followed with a fall.
{NOT Paul's fault, there was a rock in the way}

First dance by sunset

Sweet father-daughter dance

My favorite part of weddings is always the father-daughter dance.
Always a sweet moment.

I think Grandma Judy and her sister had the most fun dancing

Cute moment between my sweet in-laws. Love them

A really sweet moment between Cathy and her dad. 

All the little kids, especially Dominic, were having the time of their lives dancing

David, Eric, and Jeff enjoying the hard work.
I don't think Jeff will be willing to put lights up again

Welcome to the family Paul!

All the lights and overhead of the dance floor

My buddy throughout the wedding. Seriously she's too stinkin' cute!

I love watching couples dance. 

Back of Allison's gorgeous dress

The Catch Up: Part II My Injury

If you read my post about Lake Powell then you know that I was injured in the first HOUR of our vacation. 

The doctor's at the clinic thought it was a sprained knee and hamstring injury. 

Well it didn't get better the week we were in Powell and even after a week I couldn't put any weight on my leg. 

So when we got back I went to instacare to have to have some x-rays done and have it looked at

The Lake Powell clinic didn't have an x-ray machine or anything fancy

I think Jeff thought I was a wimp and might have torn like my MCl. 

He kept telling me there was no way I would have torn my ACL. I agreed.

So in the Instacare they tried moving my knee around and took some x-rays. 

Pretty quickly they told me I needed to go see an orthopedic surgeon and gave me a referal to get in quickly.

Joy... not what I wanted to hear. 

Honestly not a surprise either since I still couldn't walk after a week and a half

I made an appointment and thanks to my dandy letter I got in within 2 days.

Again I took some x-rays and did the range of motion test with Dr. Mortensen

He confirmed I had 2nd degree tear to my MCL, bruised my bones, and had some small fractures on my tibia. 

He said my knee was really loose that he thought I could have torn my ACL, but couldn't tell from the x-rays

MRI was scheduled for the next day and he gave me some exercises to do to improve my range of motion

FYI: MRIs are very painful if you can't straighten your leg and you have to for 30 minutes without moving.

MRI results confirmed that I tore my ACL

it isn't even attached to my bone anymore. Great...

I also tore my meniscus.

Seriously how could I get that injured from a charlie horse? Curses...

My injury is called the "unhappy triad" 

Really who came up with that name?

Overall, for a complete recovery takes anywhere from 9 months to a year. 

Some people aren't ever the same after surgery. Just what you want to hear right?

I was directed to attend physical therapy for at least a month

The goal being to let the MCL heal on its own and get my range of motion back.

Studies have shown that physical therapy before surgery reduces complications and speeds recovery time

I was supposed to go into surgery around mid-sept based on the doctor's projections.

However, since we were moving I had to put it off until we were settled.

More details on this later

Surgery plans are still up in the air, I'll update when I know

Good news is that I am no longer strapped to my crutches

Thank goodness

I went back to teaching about 3 1/2 weeks ago

Unfortunately, I still walk with a limp and can't do too much walking or my knee starts to hurt

Weather changes haven't been too much fun either

The worst part is knowing I'll be back to crutches in the near future. 

I appreciate all the friends and family who have been worried about me

It helps to know I have so many people who want to help.

Thank you and I love you all!

Until next time...

Lake Powell July 2013

In July we went on a family vacation that we would never forget. This was the first time in 3 years that Jeff and I were able to go down to Lake Powell. I guess that's the price of being an adult, we had to work the previous summer since we used our vacation time to go to San Diego. Oh and the year before... we got married! I guess that's the best excuse not to go. I think so. Well this trip was a pretty big deal for many reasons. Allison, Jeff's older sister, was visiting from Alaska. She was getting married the week after we got back, so her soon-to-be husband came to join us. I had never met Paul, so it was fun to get to know him. Jeff's oldest sister, Cathy, was getting ready to move back to Italy with her husband, our sweet nephew, and they're soon-to-be born baby. Plus Jeff's parent's next door neighbors came with us. They have kind of been adopted into the family and seem more like family than friends. They have the CUTEST little girls and really made the trip. 

The Soon-to-be Newlyweds

Lake Powell was an adventure from the minute we got there. When we arrived we had arranged to meet Jeff's parents on the beach next to the dock. When we got there we found Jeff's mom had gotten stuck in the sand with the trailer. It took maybe 30 minutes and having to detach the trailer, but we were able to get her out without having to call the park service to be towed. We gathered up everything from my car and started loading it into the boat. When the worst possible thing happened. 

I need to backtrack a little bit, ever since I was little I get this debilitating charlie horses behind my knees. They come sudden and with no warning. They literally drop me to the floor, because my knee locks up and they are excruciatingly painful. As I have gotten older incidents have become less frequent and even a year or so can go by. I used to get them weekly as a child and have been tested for everything under the sun as to why I get them. Anyways, sometimes they occur at REALLY bad times. When I was a sophomore I had fractured my wrist and was cheering in the homecoming game. I went to do an aerial (no hands needed) and right as I prepped it happened. I had to just finish the aerial or just face plant it. Not pleasant. I ended up tearing my lcl and sprained a bunch of other tendons in my knee. I was in a brace for 2 months and physical therapy for 3 months. Again not pleasant. 

I digress... back to Lake Powell

{You can probably tell where this is going}

We had just loaded the last of our stuff into the front of the boat. I had my left leg planted in the mud and my right leg up in the boat, I was waiting for the cooler to be moved before I got completely into the boat. I guess I had locked my left leg and the next thing I know is a extremely sharp pain and my leg just giving out. Unfortunately, my foot was planted in the mud and I fell sideways instead of backwards. I heard three loud pops as I hit the water. I might add I was dressed in sweats and not in swim attire. I knew right away that it was my childhood nightmare again. I couldn't move my leg as it was locked and all I could do was lie in the water screaming in pain. Great way to start a week long trip, right?  Honestly, I thought that once the charlie horse went away I would be fine and maybe at worst a little sore for the rest of the day. Boy was I wrong.  Well it became obvious after a couple minutes that the pain wasn't going away, even after I could start moving my leg a little bit. Jeff helped me get up, but I couldn't put any weight on my leg; not even toe pressure. I cannot remember how I got into the boat to be honest. It was clear I needed to go over to the clinic, which is not in a convenient location I might add. Thanks to my brother-in-laws and father-in-law I was able to get out of the boat and hobble across the dock into our car. When I got to the clinic still in my soaking wet sweats, in 105 degree weather, they did a very brief examination of my leg and said I pulled my hamstring and sprained my knee. They gave me this giant, old-school, gross, yellow foam brace that was far too big and completely pointless. I didn't take a picture, but take my word for it nasty. Plus I got my only saving grace crutches and pain pills. Said I'd be as good as new in a couple days and sent me on my way. This whole time Jeff kept telling me that fortunately I haven't torn anything and how lucky I was. If only. 

Our AWESOME campsite. You can see the private little cove in the background.
{Picture by Allison}

I spent the rest of the day just trying to avoid pain and still enjoying myself. We set up camp in an awesome location, we had our own private beach and cove that was protected from the main bay. We spent the rest of the day just relaxing and just enjoying each others company. Riding in the boat was pretty painful, especially in the bay where there are lots of waves. Jeff made me up a protective barrier of life jackets, pillows, and towels to help absorb the shock of all the waves. I refused to spend the entire trip in the houseboat and unable to have any fun. After the first two days Jeff kept telling me that I'd be okay and I'd be able to do what everyone else was doing by day three. Well it was clear every morning I wasn't getting any better. I still couldn't put any weight on my leg. I was still in a great amount of pain, even with the pain pills. I think I realized before everyone else I wasn't going to be better and able to do what everyone else was doing. I was still determined to ride on the boat and take pictures along the way. I like riding in the boat and am not big into tubing or wakeboarding. I hurt my shoulder years ago and those activities just aggravate it. It was so hot outside I had to get into the water even though I couldn't kick my leg. Fortunately, Jeff's parents had brought a noodle chair that I could sit and float around in. I got pretty good at getting around in the water with that and since they put in a new swim ladder I was able to get in and out of the houseboat with little pain.

The group that went to Rainbow bridge.
{Picture by Allison}

We went down to Rainbow bridge and explored around. The houseboat had a new slide that was the main attraction of the trip.We just enjoyed hanging out in the water with everyone. It was Jeff and his Mom's birthday while we were there. For Jeff's birthday and just for the trip in general we rented a jet ski for the week. Jeff couldn't have been more excited. You know boys and their toys. All the boys turned the jet ski into a contestant, who could get it to the go the fastest. I think the max speed that was reached was 56 mph towards the last day. We also found out Cathy was going to be having a girl, which is what most everyone was hoping for. We loved having the entire family together and sad that it isn't like that all the time. We hope that someday everyone will live in the same state and our kids can be close to their cousins and not see them once a year. Here are some pictures from the trip. 

Eric & David

My handsome husband keeping me company on the boat

Having fun with my camera.

Making a duck face. She was always some kind of animal and always wanted to be in the water

What little girl is not happy with a bubble gun?

I think I spent most of the trip just playing with these little girls. I hope that one day that I have little girls just like these two. They are such sweethearts, super polite, and so smart.

Cathy and Dominic. Can't believe that little boy is going to be a big brother!

What a cutie! He was more than content filling and emptying the cup

FINALLY finding out its a girl!! Coming Sept/Oct 2013 (Cake is pink)
{Picture by Allison}

Obviously he enjoyed his birthday present. They want to rent one every year now. 

Wakeboarding was the favorite pass time during this trip

Allison getting some air!

Some epic crashes happened this trip. Ouch!

David jumping the wake

Everyone had some rough finishes

Jeff exiting the wake. I thought this was a cool shot. 

Jeff practicing his tricks

Jeff had a particularly bad fall and left him with a massive headache for the rest of the day

He blacked out for a minute and was a bit dazed. So Lene jumped in to help him get back in the boat.

After his fall. I think he just didn't want me to feel left out being the only injured person and all

Lene got up his first time wakeboarding and even went out of the wake! 

Eric & Sherridan, parents of the adorable girls. We love these two!! Cutest couple

Jeff and Linda on their birthday. {We bought her the crown to wear}

Jeff's family. Love being part of this family

A huge amphitheater that we loved to go to. It was huge this year since the water is so low

Allison was teaching Paul and David to dive. Showing off her skills

Pauls attempt at a dive

Jeff going backwards and head first down the slide
{Picture by Allison}

David trying the same thing... freaked out right at the end. OUCH!
{Picture by Allison}

The Catch Up: Part I Career Changes

Long time no blogging....

I can honestly say I haven't blogged anything of substance in about 10 months.

When we got Bailee last year, WOW how things have changed since then

I don't even know where to start...so many things I want to document about our lives

I have have started probably 2 dozen different posts and thought about many more in between

I just never finished or posted any of them. My bad.

I think part of it is I either didn't want to post anything about the trials we have faced in the last year

Or maybe I just haven't wanted to admit and post about them to the world

Probably a little from column A and a lot from column B

Though our lives haven't been all troubles, we have had some wonderful memories I'd love to share

I know this will be a long post with little to no pictures

Feel free to read or not, I just want to document our lives for us. 

Well back in April Jeff received a transfer/promotion at IHC to the Dialysis Unit

Really an awesome opportunity that not is hard get.

Plus the jump in pay was an added benefit!

It consists of a 6 month on job training that consists of learning complex machines, reading doctor orders, and of course poking people with REALLY BIG needles. Yikes.

{Needless to say I told Jeff, no practicing on me}

Jeff shocked people at how quick he learned and how fast he moved through the program.

My rockstar husband! 

They even had him training the two newbies in June, when he was supposed to be in training himself

Proud wife here and love to boast about my amazing husband. 

Well shortly after Jeff got offered the job in Dialysis Jeff came to me with news that turned our world upside down.

He decided he no longer wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, meaning no more nursing school

What does he want to do instead? Law enforcement.

I can honestly say I was surprised shocked dumbfounded

First, Jeff has been working towards a career in the medical field since high school

Second, he has NEVER to my knowledge mentioned ANYTHING about law enforcement

Other than throwing around the idea of entering the military in high school and joking about being a cop

Third, he had just accepted a new job that would look awesome on his nursing resume

Honestly, I really didn't think he was serious and that maybe he was just overwhelmed with school and a new job

Shortly before this we found out that for him to be a nurse practitioner he'd have to get a doctorate instead of a masters.

Well I quickly found out just how serious he was

Jeff contacted his family's friend who is a sergeant with highway patrol and he told Jeff that they were hiring and to apply

Highway patrol, as any law enforcement agency, has an extensive application process.

Our world became filled with training for the physical assessment and studying for the exam

It was all a whirlwind and I barely had time to wrap my head around the whole thing.

Sadly, Jeff injured his wrist {pretty significantly} days before the physical assessment, which forced him to drop out

It has been in part a blessing, because we've since had the ability to make a game plan towards his career

He is 150% behind this new career path and I can really see a difference in his motivation

He switched all his classes and major at school and is in full criminal justice mode. 

Which is nice for me since that's what I just finished doing in school

His new plan is to quickly finish his degree in criminal justice and really focus on getting in tip-top shape

He is going to start the police academy this December.

Then hopefully he can get hired on with highway patrol in the spring

I also changed my career plans, but not as much of a surprise 

I have always planned on going to law school since elementary school

My family has told me to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember

Apparently I like to argue?

I really do love law and have enjoyed all my classes I have taken.

This past year I just haven't felt so excited about getting so close to law school.

I had talked with Jeff about potential law schools and moving out of the state. 

I found I was more excited about just moving than the potential of going to law school.

I am a perfectionist and I don't do anything half fast and if I can't do it the way I want then I won't do it.

My dream with law school was to become a criminal prosecutor. 

There really isn't any other law that interested me.

I don't want to be a public defender; I just don't have the mindset for it.

Over the years I have had many conversations with professors who lived what I considered my dream. 

They really showed me the reality: minimum 60 hour work weeks that really are more like 70-80 hours 

Yes, money is pretty awesome not going to lie

Is it worth it to be paying off  HUGE school loans and not being able to enjoy the money

To me it ultimately came down to career or family?

Do I want to have a family, but not really be around to play with my kids?

Ultimately, I came to the decision that no. The money wasn't worth it and I chose to be a mom. 

Now that I finished my degree, now what? 

I threw around the idea of working something administrative for law enforcement or even the FBI

Nothing sounded all that appealing to me. 

During my second semester of college I started tutoring and it really showed me how much I loved to teach.

I started talking some education classes and when I moved back home I helped out in a family friend's kindergarten class.

I loved it and still do.

So new plan is to finish what I had already started in college.

I am no working towards my second bachelor's degree in education.

Last spring I started substitute teaching and have loved it.

Except teaching 7th grade boys. They test my patience a little too much

It would be awesome to be a debate teacher some day and combine two things I've been passionate about

Time will tell ...

Well that's just part one of our catch up. I have lots more to share!