He will heal those who trust Him

As part of my job as a CNA I deal very closely with every part of human life, which includes death. As part of my job as a home health aide I also work as an aide to hospice patients. I have known a specific patient since early March who has become very near and dear to my heart. I'm sure you can figure out where this is going, but I want to give you the background.

I won't give you patient details except that she was very sick, terminally sick. The first time I met her after she had found out about her condition, she was the most uplifting person I had ever helped. She was so thankful, and so kind towards me, everyday. Even on the bad ones, especially the horrible ones. As I began to know her more and more, I was even more impressed with what a wonderful person she was. How she made everything happy, and how she influenced the people in her life. How she raised seven amazing children who all raised their children in the church. How she and her husband of sixty years made it through everything. She always trusted the Lord with her life, and knew he was in control. And she trusted him just as much now, as she did her whole life. She touched the lives of hundreds of people as a Secretary at Payson High School for a great deal of her life, but she also touched and uplifted everyone she ever met.

You always grow up thinking of your heros. Today, I want to give my thanks to an amazing woman who became my hero, and example. When I heard about her passing at 9:30 PM tuesday night, the first thing I thought of was when I had last seen her, smiling at me from her dining room table where I had helped her sit down for breakfast that morning, telling me to drive safe and that she would see me tomorrow. It was very much a shock to hear she had passed, and even more painful when I went to visit her house today. It was surprising how empty their house felt. As her daughter said, it become obvious how large her spirit and presence was once she was gone.

I want to be like her when I grow up and for the rest of my life. The thing that I could think of that even described how happy being in her presence made me was 'Consider the Lilies'  sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I just picture her in Christ's arms finally released from all the pain and from the body that held her back, and I know she's in a much better place. I'm extremely grateful to have been able to meet such a wonderful person, and I know I'm much better knowing and loving her.

She leaves behind a husband, and seven children who will miss her very much, including all off her grandchildren, and then all those whose lives she touched. I know its not a good idea to get attached to patients, but she is someone who I truly loved and looked up to. I know everything will turn out for the better, but it doesn't make me miss her less.

Her heart was truly made of gold, and I will never forget her.
I love you Helen Wilson.
1928-2011

Her obituary is here if you want to read more about this beautiful woman.

Happy Birthday Uncle John!

My Uncle John, who I don't get to see very often came into town for his --th birthday. We all met up on Sunday at Aunt Kathy's to celebrate. We, being all of my dad's siblings and me.

Uncle John

Mother and Father. 

It was delicious food, and a wonderful time listening to them all talk about the old times when they were growing up. I don't know why but there were a lot of stories I'd never heard before. Probably because when they're all around kids and grandchildren they don't talk about when they were kids as much. All in all it was a wonderful evening, and I wish I got more of them with my extended family.

P.S. beautiful cake Aunt Margaret! Wish I'd eaten some afterall (:

.Perfect night out.

Over a month ago my honey told me to request off this past Sunday at all my jobs. I spent the whole month wondering...what were we going to do?

Surprise surprise, Jer took me to see the penguins at Living Planet Aquarium (we've been wanting to do it for months)...

(Jellyfish)

(14 ft. Anaconda)

...and then to a Ballet showcase at U of U

For those of you that don't know Jer, this is a BIG DEAL. He isn't into those kinds of things. Like, really not into them. And he had remembered me mentioning I wanted to go to a ballet a long time ago, so he planned an awesome date night revolving around going to a ballet.

Afterwards we headed to Aristo's in SLC which was all amazing greek food. 

Overall a perfect night out.

{The End}

Although I finished the third and final book to the Hunger Games series well over a week ago, I really wanted to take some time to decide really how I felt about the end of such a great series. At first, like everyone predicted, I was very bitter and sad about how quickly it ended. Then also like many suggested, I went through and re-read the last five or so chapters. I finally got some closure although I still felt that the ending events happened to quickly without enough explanation.

Unlike many people however, I wasn't rooting for Peeta the whole time. If we'd been better introduced to Gale then I definitely would have been on his side. I didn't really choose a side until Mockingjay when Gale was introduced quite a bit more. But in the end I was glad that Peeta got back to normal and they went back to 12 together.

Kind of reminds me of Jer and I. Her last line could have been directed exactly towards us, "I have plenty of fire myself. What I need is the Dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our loses...and only Peeta [Jared] can give me that."

Overall, this series was absolutely an AMAZING read. Make sure to take a week off of everything to read it.

{Ali's Sweet Piano Skills}

All my friends who are planning weddings...Check this girl out!

She is just as sweet, charismatic, and amazing as her piano playing! She works hand in hand with you arranging your own personal music selection. Its creates the perfect mood for a wonderful calm reception. And of course she can bust out the moves if you feel like having a dance party too. Feel free to contact her to discuss possibilities.

And of course, it doesn't hurt that she's one of my best friends and played at my wedding reception (:

And of course she was one of my bridesmaids. I'm not sure if she'll do that too though....

Check her out here.


http://alisnow-piano.blogspot.com/

This series is: Catching Fire

Oh my goodness. SOOOOO good! When someone told me I'd get addicted...they're were right.

Read. in ONE day. Basically six hours spent in bed only reading. And I'm off to buy the third. Because that ending was ridiculous! And I have to know what happens, NOW!!!!! I was going to wait until I got my mom's copy, but this is one series I want to have for myself. And I just need to find out who Katniss picks, and if everyone survives! I plan on reading it all again very very soon to get more of the details and morals. There's always things you only pick up after you review it a couple times. Happy weekend!

Book ALERT

I'm sure many people have already read this, seeing as that has been the most frequent reaction when I ask friends if they've heard of...THE HUNGER GAMES.

But I, unlike many don't have (or make) time for reading 'fun' novels. So when I got this for Christmas, I figured it'll be like all my other books, collecting dust. But then I had to work some graveyard shifts and figured I'd take it to stay awake. And then I. Became. Hooked. Instead of just reading to stay awake, I stayed awake late into the night to read it. Now that I finally have obtained a copy of the sequel Catching Fire, I have a feeling it's going to be the same way.

If you haven't read it, I highly suggest you do. It's one of the fastest, most intriguing, addicting books I've read. EVER. I can't wait to finish the series, but then it'll be bitter sweet because it will be over. Oh well. Hope all is well and everyone is being studious while I relax with a good book and hot cocoa.

~MJMS

Our bit of Spring

Growing plants has never been one of my strong suits. I just don't have a green thumb. Normally within just a couple weeks they're dead. So I wanted no one (especially my previous roommates) to be afraid I will kill all other living organism's that are under my care. This plant is my very first success EVER so I'm very proud of this beauty that is sitting on our kitchen table.

To clarify I do not try on purpose to kill plants that are under my care....it's more neglect then anything. But I have been very good about caring for this gorgeous plant. I just love having something living and wonderful in our apartment that gives hope that spring will come.

So rest easy, (in the extremely far away future) when we have children, they'll be taken care of. Taking care of plants is pretty similar to taking care of children right?......

Just kidding. The plan is to get a puppy next to make sure we can take care of another mammal prior to kids. Smart plan, no? We like to think so (:

The start of training

For the first time since the New Year began I finally had some spare time in the afternoon to go running. How did it go you may ask? Well, seeing as I haven't really run since high school tennis...not so great.

But, that does not make me want to quit. It just shows me how absolutely out of shape I am!

(ready to go running in my new running gear from the Nike store in LV)

I started down our street to Sara Bareilles' Kaleidoscope Heart CD and got about half a mile before I could taste the metal taste and subsequently started being very short of breath. Lung full's of smog anyone? So I only jogged/walked back, but beginning new habits is the hardest I think so its a start. My goal is to go running 2-3 times a week, increasing my distance as I progress. I've been looking at some 5K's that could work and there are some near the end of February in Utah County that would work. 

And as a plus the new running shoes arrived (:

I'm looking forward to breaking these in. Here's to the happy miles ahead!

{New Years Resolutions}

Even though we weren't together NYE to make our new years resolutions together, we both have some big ones. This year I don't want to fail at mine like I normally do. And what better way to have people informed so they can motivate me other than the blog? SOoo I figured it would be a great idea to let you all know that....

MINE:

     1. I want to only work a little over 20 hours a week. The last two months of 2010 I was working about 45, almost 50 hours a week between my three jobs. And it was killing me.

     2. I (as always) want to do stellar on my grades this semester. That's going to mean lots of dedication and studying.

     and my big one this year....

     3. I want to train and run a 5K by my birthday (March 28th) and a 10K by the end of the year.

I have never run a race in my life, and I'm kinda afraid. I just bought some winter gear so I can run outside because I hate tracks so hopefully it will all work out. Any advice? Suggestions? Motivational tips?

JARED:

     1. Wants to get in shape.

     2. Start building a better savings.

     3. Do well in school

and of course....

     4. Go fishing more (He didn't say that, but I know its true.)

This year has been an amazing year for us (a lot to do with getting married), and we want this next year to be just as wonderful. No we have absolutely no family plans except to spend more time together, and to be better about weekly dates and more weekend getaways.

Happy 2011!!!

.Our sweet New Years' getAWAY.

I worked on NYE this year at one of my facilities so Jer and I took the advantage of a couple days off prior to New Year's and went down with my parents for a nice little getaway. We stayed at my parents condo in St. George, spent one whole day in the Forum's shops in Las Vegas shopping, and slept in until ten three days in a row. It was GLORIOUS.

We ate at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville which was delish!

Browsed in H&M for over an hour!!! (I have missed this store soooo much!)

Ooggled at some wonderful, very expensive stores...

and posed in front of large nude statues...gotta love Caesar's Palace!

All in all it was a wonderful advenure that I'm very grateful we got to take. It was a nice way to end our wonderful 2010 and ring in the new year, even though I couldn't really physically be with my sweetie. More to come soon on our New Years Resolutions. I've got some BIG ones this year!