A Week With Aimee

Aimee and her friend Lisa came out to 'visit' this week.  'Visit' really means it was more so to take care of me with JD being gone.  It was a really good week.  Aimee and Lisa went and did lots of fun things during the day when I was at work like Silver Falls State Park, the Gorge, and other things that a very pregnant lady who is waiting for her husband to be back home shouldn't be doing.  Then these angels would come home and prepare dinner, clean, and spend time with me.  Our weekend was a lot of fun.  We drove out to the coast and were able to enjoy Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park.  We hit the beach at the perfect time for tide pooling and got to see crabs, starfish, anemones, and other creatures.  After the coast Allie, Lisa, Aimee, and I went to the Portland temple before having dinner together.  We had a relaxing Sunday going to church and hanging out, after dinner we went up to the International Rose Test Garden.  Monday we started out the day going berry picking.  We ended up with a ton of delicious raspberries.  Following the berry farm we went down town and spent a lot of time in Powell's City of Books Store.  I am so grateful for the help I received and the friendship I have with Miss Aimee.  It was a lot of fun having time together and showing her some of the things JD and I love about Oregon.

A Virtual Baby Shower

Technology is crazy neat.  My mom and Erin were able to put together a long distance "virtual" baby shower that included family and a few friends and it turned out pretty good.  It was really fun getting to see some far away friends that I haven't been able to see in a long time.  Some statistics include: all 4 time zones were represented.  Attendees included the states of Utah, Wyoming, Oregon, Virginia, Texas, and California.  It has felt a bit like Harry Potter the past few days at my house. It started with one package and then they started multiplying.  Packages from Amazon.com, Target.com, and Walmart have been arriving via all sorts of ways and at all different times: FexEx, USPS, UPS, while I am at work, after work, and late night delivery-sometimes all three times in one day.  I am grateful for good long term friends and family and leaders who have done so much for me.  I'm also getting pretty excited to put the outfits, gowns, swaddle blankets, bumbos, books etc to good use even the diapers, wipes, and Bordeaux's butt paste to be honest though I am sure that attitude will change soon enough......but not yet. ;)

Garners at the Gorge

We got to see the Garner's!  It was so good to see our good friends for a couple of days while they were here on vacation.  It was fun getting caught up telling tales of pharmacy and med school, babies, and being pregnant.  We got to hang out for a bit Saturday evening and Sunday we went to 5 different waterfalls in the Gorge and the International Rose Test Garden.  It was very rainy and so we were wet but luckily that didn't spoil the things we were able to see and do-though maybe our hair would beg to differ. 

Two pregnant friends.  We are about 12 weeks apart and I must say I am glad that I am the one who is closer to the end.  We are getting excited to meet this little guy.

The roses were beautiful!  I loved the rain drops all over them and how the whole garden is in full bloom again.  We found a rose that we thought would be a good namesake for the next Garner baby: Rainbow Sunblaze, fingers crossed that it sticks!

Fox Family Day Trip

 
 
The Fox's were the first people in our ward that we met when we moved here-they were actually our apartment managers and we got to know them pretty well and they have become great friends during our stay here in Oregon.  They were nice enough to invite me to come with them for a day trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and to Cape Outlook State Park.  The weather was amazing: sunny, 70 degrees, light warm breeze, and perfect.  Savannah and I had fun chatting and watching their kids run around.  We are definitely grateful for the friends that we have made and the ward family we have.

Work Baby Shower

We had a shower at work today for Amy and myself.  We are 1 month apart and it has been so nice to have a friend to talk with while dealing with the highs and lows of being pregnant.  I do have to say though, I am definitely blessed to have amazing coworkers.  In the 6 months I have been with Providence our department has undergone a ton of change-I've even had a job change since starting, but we are a tight knit group and it has been so fun getting to know so many people.  The shower was great and goodness they were all so generous!  We have lots of new things for the baby from a Graco Pack n Play to diaper bags, clothes, blankets, and diapers.  I was grateful that JD was able to come and enjoy the food and help fill up the car with everything after it was over.  It is strange having more than a Costco box of baby wipes in the second bedroom now.

Oregon Zoo

We got to go to the Oregon Zoo today with Will and Ally.  It is a pretty cool zoo, I loved the river otters the best.  The zoo is part of Forest Park and therefore there are trees everywhere, some of the animal areas are just forested portions that have been built up for safety.  They have a baby river otter, elephant, and monkey and we got to see all three of them up, awake, and playing.  We were able to see the whole zoo and still have time to go berry picking on Sauvie Island afterwards.  The strawberries are amazing, and thankfully JD was a very good sport in picking most of them....I started to pick and it didn't take long before I realized the baby wasn't such a big fan of standing up and bending down over and over again to pick the biggest bestest berries.

Hanging out with the boys

We have made some great friends while here in Oregon.  One couple is the Whitings.  Our second week in the ward JD and Tyler saw each other and were confused and excited to see that we were both in Oregon going to school.  Tyler, who is here for dental school, served in India at the same time as JD, we have actually found out of a few others that have migrated to the Portland area for work and school, it is just odd because for such a small mission, especially for non-natives, it is crazy to have people from Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho all here for different reasons. Anyway, we love hanging out with the Whitings and their cute boys Cashen and Tate.  We got to watch them after church on Sunday while Mommio and Daddio went to the hospital to "get the baby out" as Cashen termed it.  They are cute boys and they love playing with JD.  I just thought it was so funny to turn around after cleaning up from dinner and see all three of them watching Cars and JD being stock piled with balls, trucks, cars, and planes.  We played outside for a bit and noticed that Cashen had been staring at the same plot of dirt for about 10 minutes-an eternity for a 3 year old.  Turns out they had planted flowers the previous day and he was waiting for them to 'pop their heads out, and for the worms'.  He was disappointed when we told him digging out the worms would ruin the flowers.  We had a fun sleep over, and are excited to meet baby Reed soon.

Pharmacy Goodbyes

We both had to say goodbye to our coworkers and close friends at the pharmacies this week as we get ready to move.  We will miss our friends at Herefordshire and South Ogden.  How blessed we have been to work with such amazing people at such amazing places!

Kayak

Erin and I had a 'final' hang out day before I move to Oregon.

We had Indian food for lunch, she helped with our broken car situation, we also watched the olympic opening ceremonies.  Between all of these things though, we trucked up to Mantua with a lovely yellow kayak and went kayaking.  It was a beautiful day, and super relaxing.  It was a lot of fun talking, chasing pelicans, and just enjoying being out on the reservoir.  It was a very needed stress reducer after what has been a few very stressful days.  I am so grateful to have a friend like Erin, we have been friends a long time, and it is nice to always have that kindred spirit and bosomed friend available no matter what.  She gave me a beautiful gift, in honor of the changes that are taking place that is amazing too.  Picture to come.

Goodbye Herefordshire

Today was a very sad day.  It was my last day working at the Herefordshire Pharmacy.  I have been there for more than 6 years, not long after I got out of high school.  I love my coworkers and with no turnover since right after I was hired, we have become a family.  I didn't make my official goodbyes since Earl wasn't there, but it was still hard. 

Lara Nye...Val Martinez...Earl Snyder...Deb Omer...Karen Barnes...Todd Snider...Sye Speth....Kale Bettolo...Roxanne Arave...Kyle Kitchen...and the other pharmacies I have been able to fill in, South Ogden with Betty Yamashita, Shaun Wheeler, Joe Bergen, Morgon Poll, Natalie Martin, Ryan Scott, Addie Keller-fill in extrodinaire, North Ogden, Layton, and Bountiful Pharmacies.  A lot of amazing people and a lot of amazing opportunities.  I am so grateful for their friendship and to work in an enviroment like this for so long.

Joint Team

Today was my 'last' day working at the Calton Harrison Clinic .  Last is in quotes because I will be staying on as a PRN employee while I am in Oregon, but as far as every Tuesday and Thursday, manage surgery films, Dr. Calton's only x-ray tech, I am done.  I have worked with the "Joint Team" for 2 1/2 years and have learned a lot about myself, joint replacements, and am an absolute pro when it comes to hip and knee films  It will be weird not spending Tuesdays and Thursdays with Dr. Calton, Nurse Joni, BSRN/team mate/friend, and Joe-P.A. I am definately ready and excited for a change too though.  So, so long joint team, until next time.  

Bear Lake with Friends

We spent the weekend up at the cabin with some of our closest friends.  It was a weekend of intense mini golfing, delicious food, swimming, watching groundhogs, talking late into the night, playing games, and hanging out.  We are so grateful that we were all able to make it work out and spend some time together before we leave for Oregon, and Garners to Iowa. 

Mesa Falls, Rexburg, & Home

 Unfortunately, vacations wouldn't be vacations if they never ended.  So today we headed home, but we are not into the boring, just drive home idea. One year we drove through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson, and the Teton Scenic byway, this year we did the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.  It was SO pretty!  I can't remember being there when it was so sunny to the point that you could see multiple rainbows off of the falls.  We went to Rexburg and explored our favorite stores: Artco & Porter's.  We found some cute deals, stopped at the temple, and then continued on our way home.  We had so much fun!  We relaxed, explored, photographed, napped, read, cooked, stoked fires, hiked, walked, 'hunted' moose, drove, talked, laughed, and had an amazing time.  I am grateful to have such a great kindred spirit for a friend. 

Institute Graduates

So we graduated from institute....again. I am very thankful for the institute program. I have learned a lot and it was a great way to fill in the time when JD was taking his night classes and to be with friends that I wouldn't see weekly otherwise (Aimee, Erin, & Christie).

"If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you." President Thomas S Monson

City Creek Adventure

Erin and I had a wonderful day Tuesday. It has been a very very long time since we had a whole day to play, but thanks to Spring Break at the school district and my doctor off climbing Mt. Everest we got to go to Salt Lake for a day and we had a lot of fun. Erin is graduating in May and had to get her hood and tassel at the bookstore, so I made her pose with the Ute statue and other landmarks around campus. We went to the Gateway, watched Hunger Games, went up to the U on the mountain, explored City Creek/Harmons, enjoyed the flowers on Temple Square, and a great many other things. It was a fantastic day and a ton of fun.

Shower

Erin and I went up to see Susan for her baby shower. It was SO fun seeing her and spending the morning/afternoon going various places. I liked having Saturday off too.

Christmas Spirit

What a crazy week JD and I have had, between work parties, work, wrapping up stuff for Christmas, and other activities it has gone by in a whirlwind. The culmination of all the crazy was Sunday. We woke up early and went down to the Motab Christmas Concert. Martin was nice enough to register for tickets down in San Antonio and he not only received and hand delivered them at Thanksgiving, but the tickets were amazing we were on the floor at the very front right next to where President Monson came in. The program was great and we ended up seeing the whole concert minus 3 songs, can't complain about that.
It was also caroling tonight with friends from high school. We had almost everyone there, and those we were in far away lands were definately missed. Tara was nice enough to open up her home and accompany all of the songs. Doing the math, I believe that this was year number 8 for this tradition.
We gave our last lesson to the kids in our primary class today which was kind of sad, they have been a great class and a lot of fun too. We watched the Nativity and had treats and talked about remembering Christ this time of year.
All of these things have helped to make it really feel like Christmas. It feels like we have been caught up in work and school and applications and big decisions so doing things that focus on family, friends, and the Savior has been wonderful....and exhausting.

Kindred Spirits

Today was Erin's birthday and while she had SO much fun in the morning with dental work, I think the evening may have been just a little bit better. It was so fun hanging out with Erin and her family as we celebrated her turning 25. We have been friends forever, that is, since my first day of 1st grade at Lomond View Elementary in 1991 when Erin invited me to play with her at recess, we weren't even in the same class and I was the new kid. We have had many adventures, hikes, road trips, concerts in rain and snow, who knows how many pictures we have taken together, many letters back and forth during her mission to the Land of Anne, late night chats, plans and schemes, baking, running, dreaming, crafting, sewing, jumping, cleaning, moving, singing, and the list goes on and on. I am so grateful to have had a kindred spirit in my life all of this time, and I look forward to many more adventures that lay in store for the next 20 years. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN!!!!

First Dam 5K

Imagine a dark, brisk, chilly, morning. There is fresh snow on the ground and small flurries all around you. A layer of ice hugs your car windows as you try to scrape it off. Your breath hangs on the air. Despite several layers of clothing the cold is biting. You are experiencing this for the sole purpose of running around the mouth of an icy cold canyon. Joy.

While I was quite doubtful prior to running, the First Dam 5k turned out to be a pretty fun experience, and while running the temperature was just fine. Aimee and Kariel did wonderful on their 10K and I had fun doing the 5k. Indian food afterwards was fun too.

The Arts

Megan, Spencer, and I attended the Eccles Art Center in Ogden today. It was an interesting experience. We wanted to do something different and new and this definately fit in that category. The artwork on display was neat, mostly landscape with a focus animal of some kind: moose, beers, pheasants, etc. Though to be honest, I think we were more fascinated by the Eccles mansion itself. Considering when it was built, it is a very impressive house. It had opening windows on pulley systems, gas heaters in every room, we counted about 6 bathrooms, and we aren't sure how many bedrooms, Spencer was a fan of all the mirrors and the baby looking back at him in each of them as well. It was a fun, random, free activity if you are looking for something to do.