Craters of the Moon

When Kyle and I drove back from our weekend in Hailey/Sun Valley, we stopped by Craters of the Moon Monument. I haven't posted the pictures yet, so here they are!

Mom's Birthday, and other fun things

K and I were in Utah this past weekend.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. 

(Look at me not being long winded, yahoo!)

Out to eat at Pizza Factory for my mom's birthday!

Handsome man. I made him take a picture with me, even though the BYU game was on the radio in our car.

Dad and I! It was so fun having him in town.

A little bright, but cute.

Snuggling on the couch, Sunday morning before church.

Silly us.

My cutesy sister. I love her.

It was her primary program. She is so huge!

One more picture with Dad.

 Not pictured events include a huge family reunion with my Haynie side (my dad's mom's family). I love them. (Great) Aunt Marie was out for a granddaughter's wedding from North (South?) Carolina. (Great) Aunt Alma Ann was down from Washington. The great-uncle's Carl and Clarence were there. A lot their kids and grand-kids were there (both from in-state and out-of-state). My own aunts and uncles and cousins were there. It was a great time.

Also, the food.

The Pizza Factory, Kneaders, Farr's Fresh frozen yogurt, In N Out. YUM.

We loved spending time with family. Yes, yes we did, and yes, we do.

A Fun-Filled Weekend

I went down to Utah for the weekend, by myself! That's a first - and I missed my love, but also had a fantastic time.

The reason I went down was because my wonderful Lexi was getting married..

Lex and I have been friends since third grade. Good ol' Ms. Russell's class. We somehow immediately bonded, and became inseparable throughout the rest of elementary school. We were in the class each year, usually sat by each other (it helped having last names one letter apart), and spent many weekends over at each other's houses. Our principal called us her "salt-and-pepper twins" (Lex is blonde). We went to different junior high and high school's but kept in touch. At BYU we were able to have a class together our sophomore year.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that she is fantastic, and I love her.

And so I was thrilled to learn that she was getting married.

And I was even more thrilled to be invited to her special day.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I drove down Friday after work. 

It was a nice day in Pocatello, but started raining around the Ogden area, and didn't let up until I got to Nate and Mel's. On my way, I picked up In N Out. Nate was out of town, so Mel and I stayed up talking and watching Snow White and the Huntsman.

The morning was full of getting ready and loving on my cute nieces and nephew.

I loved being back in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a strange feeling to sit in the marriage waiting room, and think that 2.5 years ago, my closest friends and family were sitting there, waiting for MY sealing. 

The sealing was wonderful, and Lexi looked amazing. It was a lot of fun seeing her siblings/family as well, since it had been SO LONG since I'd seen anyone.

Now the pictures: 

All newly married.

Looking up at the sprinkling rain.

They are in looooove.

And it makes me happy.

More happiness.

Me with the bride and groom.

Me and the Lex, reunited.

A classic shot, I love it.

Lexi with her five younger sibs (Sam, Hannah, Mati, Liv, Chris). Her older brother, Spencer, is currently suffering from brain cancer, and was unable to attend.

Just the girls. These four have shared a room all their lives (minus Lex and Mati moving for college) and love each other so much. Such cute sisters.

 I haven't mentioned the groom yet, Aaron. 

The first time I met him was at the sealing, But he seemed like a dapper fellow. And seems to really love Lexi a lot! I like him.

I had a few hours between the sealing and the ring ceremony/reception. I was able to meet up with my cute friend Ali. Ali was either a 7th or 8th grader the year we were in the same ward. I was a senior, the only one in my ward. We got along pretty well despite our age difference, and we've kept in touch (thanks, Facebook). She's now a freshman at UVU (which I can't believe.... I'm so old!) We got together at Starbucks and just spent about an hour talking and catching up. 

(Also, while at Starbucks, I ran into Kyle's cousin Melanie with her twin girls, Layla and Malia. It was so fun  and unexpected to see them!)

After saying bye to Ali, I drove to Adrianne's and met her sweet Juliet. 

Me and baby Juliet :)

After that, I drove down to Lex's grandparent White's house in Payson.

The ring ceremony was sweet, and I helped finish setting up for the reception.

The ring ceremony.

Exchanging rings.

Love. (Also, I didn't mention, but her mom made her dress, with Lex's help. So pretty and amazing!)

The fantastic cake!

A view of the reception - it was gorgeous.

Me and the bride, again :)

 Oh man, I'm just so happy for those two.

After the reception, I met up with Ayisha!

We went to the mall, where I got some cute things for a good deal.

Then we went and picked up Janae and went to the Pizza Factory.

Oh.my.

I love that place. We got three things, and shared. 

A bowtie pasta chicken caesar salad, a delicious penne with chicken, sun dried tomatoes, and pesto sauce, and my favorite - bacon ranch chicken pizza (without the onions). 

YUM.

(Sadly, I was really stuffed up, and couldn't taste very well. Second sadly, I left the leftovers as Ayisha's house. But I made Kyle promise to take me back.)

It was so good to hang out with those two, and chat. 

I love my girlies.

 I slept over at Ish's, which was fantastic.

The next morning, we got ready and hung out. Then went our separate ways. 

I went to Sarah's and chatted with her about all things wedding for an hour.

Then I drove to Bonnie's to visit her and her cute fam, and see their new place. I love me some Bonnie time. 

Then I drove to my Aunt Robin and Uncle Sam's because my dad came to town! It was great to see him, and I also got to see my cousin Joe, and his wife Nikki, and their two cute kids Zach and Layla. My Aunt Robin cooked a delicious meal.

And then I drove home to my Kyle.

And I was exhausted, and fell asleep at 8:30.

But I'm excited to go back down this weekend, spend more time with my dad, and celebrate my mom's birthday!

I'm so grateful for all the wonderful family and friends I have!

Death (kind of a dreary title, sorry)

I really enjoy couples counseling. It's a lot of fun. Lots of energy in the room. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative. This last month, I was able to counsel a couple who were separated and trying to get back together. They were late to one of their appointments so when I called to find out what was happening the wife informed me her husband had died of a heart attack the Saturday before. It was kind of a shock to say the least. I had heard him telling her how much he loved her and how badly he wanted to make things right just a few days before and now he is gone. Now our counseling will just be individual and focused on grief but I'm grateful I got to be their marriage counselor and I know she is very grateful he was able to express some of those things before he passed on. Hopefully I can be a decent counselor and help her through this rough time.

This past couple weeks of dealing with this client's death has made me reflect on an experience I had as a missionary. When I was still with my trainer in the mission field we had only one progressing investigator named Miguel Barrios. He was an 18 year old kid with a lot of energy. He wanted to get baptized and maybe be a missionary. On Christmas Eve we went to his family's house (His mom was a member and was inactive, the rest were not members), and we taught them about the word of wisdom, which meant no alcohol on Christmas eve. Most people in Paraguay make this fruit salad stuff laced with alcohol for Christmas and really get wasted, so he wasn't too happy about it. Anyhow the last thing I remember us saying to him before he angrily took off to his friend's place for a party was "don't drink!"

Christmas was a Sunday that year and when we showed up at church his neighbor told us Miguel had been killed. I'm not going to lie, it kind of ruined Christmas that year. We went to visit his family as soon as church ended and  they told us that he and some friends were breaking into a car or something stupid (they were drunk) and he had been shot by the police. I'll always remember sitting there with his family and trying to help them feel better. Eventually after I left the area they were all baptized. I remember being at the stake conference when Miguel's dad was sustained to be a member of the Melchizedek priesthood. They were so happy and happy to tell me about how their lives were changed.

Anyhow the point of the two stories is that you never know when it's going to be your time or someone you love's time to die. So say what you need to say!!! (i hate John Mayer but you get the idea).

Good luck in all of your relationships and don't forget to live in the moment. You can't change the past and you can't see into the future, just be where you are!

Thanks to all of you who make mine and Britt's lives better. We are grateful for you! I love my life and my wife :)

Thoughts

1. So, I caved in and bought gummy vitamins. Because, even though I should, I will not take vitamins you have to swallow whole. I hate them. I hate pills. I hate gagging. So. I bought the (slightly more expensive) gummy kind so that I will actually take vitamins and be healthy. Or something like that.

2. You know those people who are witty and funny, and can be quick and concise in blog posts? I wish that were me. But it's not.... So I will continue being a long winded blogger. Sorry, friends.

3. I think 2-5pm should disappear. Or be nap time everywhere. Either one.

4. Last weekend was General Conference. YES! It was fantastic, and I can't wait to get my Ensign. (Side note: the family on the cover of this month's Ensign Kyle knows. He served in the same mission, and went to their sealing and everything. We're practically famous.)

5. This weekend will be also fantastic. It will include seeing my oldest and dearest friend, Lexi, get sealed. I'm so happy for her! :) It will also include girl time with some of my favorites, but mostly a SLEEPOVER with my bff Ayisha. Yep, be jealous.

6. Kyle was sick last week, and I've been sick this week. I thought my head was going to explode from sinus pressure. No bueno :(

7. I renamed my car. Aerie wasn't doing it for me, so now her name is Suzie Q. I've been thinking about it for a while, but it's not official until it's on the blog, so there it is.

8. Kyle and I love Pretty Little Liars. We're about halfway through the second season. And ok, maybe Kyle only likes it, but he still watches it with me.

9. K and I have been reading the Maze Runner series. We liked the first book, the second was ok, and we read the third summary online. It was a disappointing series, overall.

10. But on the other hand I read the most AMAZING book, The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield. Read it. You will love it. Especially if your favorite books are Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, like mine. Then you will extra love it. HOLY COW IT WAS SO GOOD READ IT NOW.

11. I just really really want Les Mis to come out NOW.

12. Kyle and I love mac and cheese with hot dogs.

13. I scored some great deals shopping today (most of them not even for me!). Thank you to coupons, and clearance.

14. Kyle did laundry last night. I love him.

Come Listen

We Listen To a Prophet's Voice

And Hear the Savior, Too

With Love He Bids Us Do the Work

The Lord Would Have Us Do

The Savior Calls His Chosen Seers

To Preach the Word of God

That Man Might Learn to Find the Path

Marked By the Iron Rod

-Hymn #22

I invite you all to watch and listen to the General Conference today and tomorrow.

We have a living prophet, President Monson (pictured above) and many other apostles who speak the word  and the will of God to us today. 

You can watch and listen live at lds.org. 

Come and see what the Lord has in store for you, and feel the love of God, and the Spirit.

A Weekend Wrap-up

Our weekend started off by eating pizza and watching the Cougs flatten Hawaii. Not the biggest win to brag about, but hey, we'll take it! We were just glad to see our offense moving the ball. Taysom Hill did great, and we hope Bronco will leave him in for a few more games....

Saturday was ISU's homecoming parade. Yes, Pocatello has a parade for homecoming. Can you imagine if Provo had one for BYU's? Madness would ensue. But anyway, the counseling department decorated a float and Kyle got to be on it. I..... could have been on it. But I decided to spend my morning sleeping. And showering. But I'm told the parade went well :) Saturday afternoon, K and I thought we'd drive up to Idaho Falls and go to the Temple. However, after making the drive up there, and pulling into a confusingly empty parking lot, we were informed that the last session had been at 11 am, because of the RS broadcast later that night. Disappointing, for sure. But we did enjoy walking through the newly remodeled visitor's center, and I also talked Kyle into taking me to the Olive Garden, since I love it, and there's not one in Pocatello.

Example of how annoyingly indecisive I am - from choosing where to go for lunch on Saturday.
Driving down the road:
Me: Let's go to lunch at Olive Garden. Or Applebee's. Or Chili's. Maybe that Smitty's place.
Kyle: Ok, you decide.
Me: Welllll, I don't know. This is such a hard decision!
Kyle: I'm pulling over until you make your decision. We can go to Wendy's for all I care.
Me: Wellll, how about Olive Garden? Since there isn't one in Poky and I love it. But... that billboard for Applebee's looks good. But, wait, Olive Garden. Um, no, ok, Applebee's.
Kyle starts to drive to Applebee's.
Me: NO, WAIT! The Olive Garden. Yes, Olive Garden. Ok, yes.

It was the right decision. But feel bad for Kyle for having to put up with me, haha.
Anyway, after lunch, we drove home, and worked on our talks. And I went out to the RS Broadcast with some fabulous ladies in our ward. (Ward friends! We love them!)

Sunday was the 5th Sunday, so we had combined meetings, which means Kyle and I got to sit together all three hours of church. We also gave talks in sacrament meeting. Kyle's was fantastic, and I heard mine was ok too :) After church we napped, had dinner, put away some laundry, and then babysat our friend's little girl, Leah for a couple of hours so they could go to a class. Leah is the cutest thing you have ever seen, so happy and easy going! And she started bawling when we left. It made me feel loved :) Also, the season two premiere of Once Upon a Time was on and it was SO GOOD. Can't wait to see what this season brings.....


And that was our weekend :)