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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bridals
I was able to take my sisters bridal pictures this week. They turned out beautiful! She is one beautiful bride to be!
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Sunday, June 13, 2010
Bridal Shower
Yesterday was my baby sister's bridal shower. We had a really big turnout and it was really fun. We played some fun games. It was fun to be able to plan it with Alyssa and we had a really good time
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Hammock Bliss
This last weekend, Brett came up with a very good idea about how to hang the hammock up. We got that hammock in Puerto Vallarta Mexico in October of 2007 and still had not used it. In every house we have lived in, we have tried to find a way that it would work but we never could. We couldn't buy a hammock stand for it because they don't make them big enough. We thought about building one... that didn't work. And I have been so sad knowing that I have a beautiful huge hammock that I could never use... until now. Since Saturday, I have read almost and entire book in that hammock and yesterday the dogs and I took a 2 hour nap in it. What I love the most are the nightly relaxing conversations that Brett and I have after the sun has gone down laying in the hammock together. I Love it so much!
Friday, June 4, 2010
One year...
It has been one whole year since my Nana passed away. Time flies by so fast. Our family gathered at her grave site one year to the day that she was placed there. We all miss her so much it is heartbreaking. She is the best person that any of us ever knew. My family is the most important part of my life, I dont know what I would do without each of them. Together we are strong, together we can and will get through anything. We were given the chance at the cemetery to say something. My heart was so full but I didn't even know what to say and how i would have gotten through it so I just listened. I know she knows how much I miss and love her.
This is something I wrote last year. I put it in my other blog but not here. Reading it still makes me cry. Reliving those memories and feelings of that time is really hard.
With just a few words out my my husband's mouth, "Cali you need to call your mom right now." I knew what had happened. The car ride home was the longest I had ever taken. Filled with a mix of tears and anger caused by traffic. As I walked into Nana's house, I instantly inhaled the smell of her. How long would the house smell like that? After I embraced family I walked to her room. A room once full of happiness turned to one filled with sorrow.
As I saw her i felt as if someone punched me in the stomach. My air was gone and I felt dizzy. I knelt beside her bed as I had many times before and wept. I held her cold hand against my face as time moved in slow motion around me. As I spent my last minutes of alone time with her empty earthly body I talked with her. I told her how I felt about her, feelings that I hope she knew before she passed. I asked her to take care of my future children and that I was glad that they get to have Nana for a while, The Nana that would teach them to take walks and to gather flowers and step on lids. Her face had become one of my favorite textures and I touched it knowing that It would not feel like that ever again. I felt my heart break as I knelt there.
I spent the weekend making a movie about Nana. This project came hand in hand with stress and worst of all, deep sadness. As I stared at pictures of her for days straight I couldn't help but feel empty inside. One moment I would look down at a table soaked with my salty tears and the next I would feel tearless, empty and alone. Part of me wished to get her out of my mind and the other part was terrified to forget her. Cycles of emotions left me exhausted and sleepless.
The viewing was full of emotion and loved ones. I was right about her face. The touch was foreign to my fingers. She looked so beautiful, so peaceful. The room was filled with her spirit and love, as well as tears.
As we prepared for the service to celebrate her life, family again gathered together in a small room. Beautiful words were spoken of her there. As I said my last goodbye, I placed a porcelain doll in her arms. A doll that would look over her earthly body forever. I stared at her face one last time and my mind was flooded with memories of smiles and laughter. The reality had hit me that this was the last time I would see her face. Beautiful words and music filled the room as we all payed tribute to an amazing woman. It was just as she would wanted it to be.
The burial site was peaceful and quiet. Looking over the beautiful valley below and first sign of blue sky that I had seen in days above. It was there I finally caught my breath, felt the calm come over me at last. The sadness had not gone, but the crushing feeling on my heart had lifted. I felt her presence there with me, my dancing, skipping angel. She remains in my heart and will always stay there. My hero, my friend, my Nana.
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This is something I wrote last year. I put it in my other blog but not here. Reading it still makes me cry. Reliving those memories and feelings of that time is really hard.With just a few words out my my husband's mouth, "Cali you need to call your mom right now." I knew what had happened. The car ride home was the longest I had ever taken. Filled with a mix of tears and anger caused by traffic. As I walked into Nana's house, I instantly inhaled the smell of her. How long would the house smell like that? After I embraced family I walked to her room. A room once full of happiness turned to one filled with sorrow.
As I saw her i felt as if someone punched me in the stomach. My air was gone and I felt dizzy. I knelt beside her bed as I had many times before and wept. I held her cold hand against my face as time moved in slow motion around me. As I spent my last minutes of alone time with her empty earthly body I talked with her. I told her how I felt about her, feelings that I hope she knew before she passed. I asked her to take care of my future children and that I was glad that they get to have Nana for a while, The Nana that would teach them to take walks and to gather flowers and step on lids. Her face had become one of my favorite textures and I touched it knowing that It would not feel like that ever again. I felt my heart break as I knelt there.
I spent the weekend making a movie about Nana. This project came hand in hand with stress and worst of all, deep sadness. As I stared at pictures of her for days straight I couldn't help but feel empty inside. One moment I would look down at a table soaked with my salty tears and the next I would feel tearless, empty and alone. Part of me wished to get her out of my mind and the other part was terrified to forget her. Cycles of emotions left me exhausted and sleepless.
The viewing was full of emotion and loved ones. I was right about her face. The touch was foreign to my fingers. She looked so beautiful, so peaceful. The room was filled with her spirit and love, as well as tears.
As we prepared for the service to celebrate her life, family again gathered together in a small room. Beautiful words were spoken of her there. As I said my last goodbye, I placed a porcelain doll in her arms. A doll that would look over her earthly body forever. I stared at her face one last time and my mind was flooded with memories of smiles and laughter. The reality had hit me that this was the last time I would see her face. Beautiful words and music filled the room as we all payed tribute to an amazing woman. It was just as she would wanted it to be.
The burial site was peaceful and quiet. Looking over the beautiful valley below and first sign of blue sky that I had seen in days above. It was there I finally caught my breath, felt the calm come over me at last. The sadness had not gone, but the crushing feeling on my heart had lifted. I felt her presence there with me, my dancing, skipping angel. She remains in my heart and will always stay there. My hero, my friend, my Nana.
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Christiana Marie Duval
My step brother Gordon and his wife Leona had thier first baby. Christiana was born on May 29, 2010 at 6:11 pm. Weighed 6.10 and was 19 inches long. Congratulations you guys! She is beautiful!
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Thursday, June 3, 2010
Alex's Graduation
My Brother Alex Graduated from High School on Friday! I am so proud of him for being such a good student and such a good person. He will be off to Snow College next year which should be really fun for him!! Congrats Alex! I love you!
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Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sealing
My sister Macy is going through the temple for the first time on the 22nd of June. Just 2 days before she married Drew. I found out recently that my brother Alex wants to be sealed to us and that we will be doing that on the same day.
Alex is my step brother. He joined our family when he was 4 years old. His mother wasn't always there for him so my mother raised him as her own. He wasn't treated any differently, he was always just my brother. When Dallin was 1 year old, my mom and step dad were sealed to each other and to him. I was 13 at that time and I remember being able to enter the temple and stand around the altar and watch this happen. It was amazing. Alex's mom was approached at that time and asked if Alex could also get sealed to them and to our family and the answer was no. Alex is not sealed to anyone and his mom is not a member anymore. So we knew when he was 5 years old that he would have to wait until he was 18 and then make that decision for himself to be sealed and join our family forever. He has made that choice and it makes me so happy that he will have this experience to go into the temple and be sealed to our family and that even my 12 year old brother Dallin will get to be there. Doing it on the same day as Macy goes through will allow a lot of our extended family to be there which will be amazing.
That will be a great day.
Alex is my step brother. He joined our family when he was 4 years old. His mother wasn't always there for him so my mother raised him as her own. He wasn't treated any differently, he was always just my brother. When Dallin was 1 year old, my mom and step dad were sealed to each other and to him. I was 13 at that time and I remember being able to enter the temple and stand around the altar and watch this happen. It was amazing. Alex's mom was approached at that time and asked if Alex could also get sealed to them and to our family and the answer was no. Alex is not sealed to anyone and his mom is not a member anymore. So we knew when he was 5 years old that he would have to wait until he was 18 and then make that decision for himself to be sealed and join our family forever. He has made that choice and it makes me so happy that he will have this experience to go into the temple and be sealed to our family and that even my 12 year old brother Dallin will get to be there. Doing it on the same day as Macy goes through will allow a lot of our extended family to be there which will be amazing.
That will be a great day.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Memorial Day Weekend
We had a great weekend! We spent it with my family at Blackhawk Campground up Payson Canyon. It was a Jewkes Campout so there were a lot of people there and it was a lot of fun and very relaxing for the most part. We took our dogs. They were so good. We were able to have them off the leashes for a good amount of the time. They loved being so free. Brett and I came home on Sunday night so we could sleep in out own bed for one night and be able to sleep in on Monday.
Monday morning, Alyssa dropped by on her way home from camping and we planned Macy's bridal shower and addressed the invitations that will go out today. They turned out cute and the shower is going to be so fun.
Memorial Day is always a day full of memories of my dad. This year was the first without Nana so I thought about her a lot this weekend as well. Next week it will be a year since she passed away. We are doing a memorial get together for her this weekend.
Monday morning, Alyssa dropped by on her way home from camping and we planned Macy's bridal shower and addressed the invitations that will go out today. They turned out cute and the shower is going to be so fun.
Memorial Day is always a day full of memories of my dad. This year was the first without Nana so I thought about her a lot this weekend as well. Next week it will be a year since she passed away. We are doing a memorial get together for her this weekend.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Girls Day Out
I am a little slow posting this...
Macy is here- finally!!! Alyssa had the day off and so did my mom. How could I pass that up? It was such a good day... we went to the movies to see Just Wright which was so so cute. I liked it so much... then we went to lunch and back to my moms and we sat in the living room and talked about our lives, laughed, cried.. etc... These are the kind of days that you live for. I love them so much- they are my best friends in this world! XOXO
Macy is here- finally!!! Alyssa had the day off and so did my mom. How could I pass that up? It was such a good day... we went to the movies to see Just Wright which was so so cute. I liked it so much... then we went to lunch and back to my moms and we sat in the living room and talked about our lives, laughed, cried.. etc... These are the kind of days that you live for. I love them so much- they are my best friends in this world! XOXO
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Weber State
Anyone that reads our blog knows that our lives have been known to suddenly shift directions often. We have gotten used to it as well as we can and try to take life one day at a time.
Our newest piece of news is that Brett got an acceptance letter from Weber State. After thinking it over- all the pro's and con's, he decided that he will be attending the masters program there in the fall.
Some of the pro's are....
-no summer school for Brett which saves us $2500.
- tuition is a lot cheaper... it will save us 11 thousand dollars over the year.
-the program is smaller and may be a bit easier so he will be able to stay at the top of his class rather than be in the middle of the pack.
-all the same recruiters come to Weber as come to U of U.
- the business/accounting classes are not in Ogden, they are on the campus in Layton which is not as far.
-they have evening courses so he will get to work more.
Con's....
-driving 3 times a week to Layton... (about and hour each way as apposed to 45 mins to the U)
-less competitive program as looked at by the recruiters.
Quite a lot more Pro's than Con's.... Honestly if it weren't for our jobs we would just move to Ogden. But we have too good of a thing going here with both of our jobs. Brett will be attempting to go to school M, W, Th evenings and work about 30 hours a week. Which is something he has done all through school and I could never do. But If things get too rough, he will cut back on work. I am actually really excited about the decision. I feel good about it and so does he.
Our newest piece of news is that Brett got an acceptance letter from Weber State. After thinking it over- all the pro's and con's, he decided that he will be attending the masters program there in the fall.
Some of the pro's are....
-no summer school for Brett which saves us $2500.
- tuition is a lot cheaper... it will save us 11 thousand dollars over the year.
-the program is smaller and may be a bit easier so he will be able to stay at the top of his class rather than be in the middle of the pack.
-all the same recruiters come to Weber as come to U of U.
- the business/accounting classes are not in Ogden, they are on the campus in Layton which is not as far.
-they have evening courses so he will get to work more.
Con's....
-driving 3 times a week to Layton... (about and hour each way as apposed to 45 mins to the U)
-less competitive program as looked at by the recruiters.
Quite a lot more Pro's than Con's.... Honestly if it weren't for our jobs we would just move to Ogden. But we have too good of a thing going here with both of our jobs. Brett will be attempting to go to school M, W, Th evenings and work about 30 hours a week. Which is something he has done all through school and I could never do. But If things get too rough, he will cut back on work. I am actually really excited about the decision. I feel good about it and so does he.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
5 years together...
5 years ago today, Brett Smith asked me to be his girlfriend. It was one of the happiest days in my life and I'm so glad i said yes.
I think it is time for a story....
Brett asked me on our first date on Friday. We went and had a really good time. I ended up kissing him on the first date. For the next 3 days we hung out and I continued to kiss him. After that 3rd day, I told him that I was done kissing boys that were not my boyfriend. I had dated a couple guys before him and with them, there was no commitment or boyfriend/girlfriend title and I ended up getting hurt. And I had made a lot of changes to my life and didnt want to do that again so i told him. The next night, he took me over to the park by Mountasin View High School and asked me to be his girlfriend. I said " Is it just because you want to kiss me whenever you want?" and he said- yes-- we laughed and then he said "No its because I want to be your boyfriend."
Last night we got dressed up and went out to The Olive Garden for dinner. Then we went to see Robin Hood. It was a good night.
I love you Honey B. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You made me who i am today- thank you for that. I look forward to 5 more, 10 more, 20 more, 50 more years with you. XOXO-
I think it is time for a story....
Brett asked me on our first date on Friday. We went and had a really good time. I ended up kissing him on the first date. For the next 3 days we hung out and I continued to kiss him. After that 3rd day, I told him that I was done kissing boys that were not my boyfriend. I had dated a couple guys before him and with them, there was no commitment or boyfriend/girlfriend title and I ended up getting hurt. And I had made a lot of changes to my life and didnt want to do that again so i told him. The next night, he took me over to the park by Mountasin View High School and asked me to be his girlfriend. I said " Is it just because you want to kiss me whenever you want?" and he said- yes-- we laughed and then he said "No its because I want to be your boyfriend."
Last night we got dressed up and went out to The Olive Garden for dinner. Then we went to see Robin Hood. It was a good night.
I love you Honey B. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You made me who i am today- thank you for that. I look forward to 5 more, 10 more, 20 more, 50 more years with you. XOXO-
Moab
This weekend Brett and I went to Moab for a weekend away. We took off Thursday and Friday from work and headed down there. Most camp sites were full by the time we got down there but we were lucky to find a good camping spot. We took our little bbq so we had some really good meals.
Friday we woke up, got ready and headed into Arches National park. It was beautiful. I had never been there before and I was amazed by how cool it was. We took the dogs in with us but they were not allowed on the hiking trails so we didnt do any long hikes... it was great weather.. even a bit chilly so we were able to leave them in the car and do a bunch of little 15 min- half hour hikes. It was so much fun. I loved it.
Saturday we woke up and packed up camp and headed to Goblin Valley State Park... it is another place I had never been and again I was amazed by it! We were allowed to take the dogs down into the valley so we hiked down there and walked around and took some cool pictures. We stayed for a bit and then headed home.
It was a great trip and I had so much fun. I just love seeing things that I have never seen- especially in nature.
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Friday we woke up, got ready and headed into Arches National park. It was beautiful. I had never been there before and I was amazed by how cool it was. We took the dogs in with us but they were not allowed on the hiking trails so we didnt do any long hikes... it was great weather.. even a bit chilly so we were able to leave them in the car and do a bunch of little 15 min- half hour hikes. It was so much fun. I loved it.
Saturday we woke up and packed up camp and headed to Goblin Valley State Park... it is another place I had never been and again I was amazed by it! We were allowed to take the dogs down into the valley so we hiked down there and walked around and took some cool pictures. We stayed for a bit and then headed home.
It was a great trip and I had so much fun. I just love seeing things that I have never seen- especially in nature.
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Monday, May 10, 2010
Mothers Day
Yesterday was Mother's Day. We were lucky enough to get to spend time with both of our mothers. First we went over to Brett's parents house. Nate called and we were able to talk to him for about 40 mins. It was good to hear his voice- I sure do miss that boy. I had just made those scrap canvas things for their room and we also got her flowers and the movie The Blind Side. I was wanting to get a picture of Brett with his mom- but I forgot. My mother in law is amazing. She inspires me to be a better, more forgiving person everyday. She has such a good heart and such strength. I am grateful to have her in my life.
Then we went over to my mom's house. This is what I made her this year. It was from all the kids. It was all cropped in Photoshop and then printed, textured and framed over at Brett's work. She really loved it.
I am so incredibly grateful for my mom. I was such a hard teenager and I feel bad about that all the time. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to try to raise me right and guide me in the right directions only to watch me running in the wrong directions and making wrong decisions. She supported and accepted me through everything I went through. Thankfully, I turned out okay and we are the best of friends and I wouldn't have it any other way. We are always there for each other through our hardest times. I cant imagine life without her.
This was my first mother's day without Nana. It really was a hard day for me. I thought about her throughout the day and missed her so much. She is the best woman I will ever meet. She taught me so much and I miss her everyday.
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Then we went over to my mom's house. This is what I made her this year. It was from all the kids. It was all cropped in Photoshop and then printed, textured and framed over at Brett's work. She really loved it.
I am so incredibly grateful for my mom. I was such a hard teenager and I feel bad about that all the time. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to try to raise me right and guide me in the right directions only to watch me running in the wrong directions and making wrong decisions. She supported and accepted me through everything I went through. Thankfully, I turned out okay and we are the best of friends and I wouldn't have it any other way. We are always there for each other through our hardest times. I cant imagine life without her.
This was my first mother's day without Nana. It really was a hard day for me. I thought about her throughout the day and missed her so much. She is the best woman I will ever meet. She taught me so much and I miss her everyday.
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