20/15 Baby!!!!

For my birthday this year, I got one of the best presents possible!!

LASIK!!!!!!!!!!!



My baby blues that now see beautifully!

I have been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was 9 years old. That's one year short of being 20 of my 28 years of life being in contacts and glasses. I remember getting my first pair of glasses - light blue rimmed glasses with big thick lenses. I was so excited because having glasses was actually "cool" then. Haha yeah.

When I was a freshman in high school, I finally got my first pair of contacts, and since then, only wore glasses at night or when my eyes needed a break from contacts. I never thought I would ever be able to wake up in the morning and be able to see!

Thanks to my job, and my flex spending account, this year I got something I've been wanting for a REALLY long time! NEW EYES! Eyes that can see at any time of the day, and not just see, but see perfectly clear! Lasik took my vision from 20/400 to 20/15 in a matter of SECONDS. No, seriously. Seconds. For anyone who is interested in knowing what the process of lasik is like, here is a brief rundown of my experience.

I arrived at Hoopes Vision nervous and excited. They brought me back to a small waiting room, where they promptly gave me a Valium and a checklist of exactly what I would go through. They covered my head and feet in surgical cap and booties, and washed my eyelids with iodine. Then they put numbing drops in my eyes, and took me into the room where the Intralase laser was ready to create the flaps in my corneas! This was the worst part. I lay under a big machine, seeing a circle of lights that reminded me of a tiny UFO. Dr Hoopes placed a suction ring on my eye, and my vision went black. There was no pain, simply some pressure while I focused on keeping my eye still. It took about 10 seconds to put the little bubbles in the cornea to create the flap. Then the same process for the next eye. After the bubbles are inserted, it takes about 20 minutes for them to dissipate, so they put me in a big comfy massage chair where I sat with my eyes closed. Next they took me into the other room where I lay under another machine and focused on a green light while they lasered the flap back into place. It took about 15 seconds per eye. It didn't hurt, it wasn't uncomfortable, and it was over before I knew it. Afterward I sat in a dark room for 10 minutes with my eyes closed. When I opened them, my vision was really foggy, like looking through a fogged up window, but I knew my vision was going to be amazingly clear! The next morning (yesterday) when I woke up, I saw more clearly than any contact could ever do. I felt like I was seeing the world in HD! And if you have ever watched tv in HD, you know you don't EVER want to go back!


Dr. Hoopes performing Lasik

Ok that wasn't so brief. But you get the idea! :)

I am SO glad I made the decision to get this done. No more glasses, no more contacts, no more worrying about not being able to see in the night if I have to get up, or when I have kids I won't have to deal with putting on glasses or contacts in tired eyes in the middle of the night....it's just one big obstacle eliminated from my life! I do have to wear my cheesy sunglasses for a week, and I have to tape up my eyes at night for a week, but it's SO very worth it. I am so happy!! If you're thinking of having it done, DO IT!!! You'll be VERY glad you did!!

www.hoopesvision.com

One year older...

Last Tuesday, the 19th of January, I turned 28 years old. I can't BELIEVE how old I'm getting! I mean, not that 28 is old by any means, but with each passing year, I can't help but wonder where all the time is going! It's just speeding by.

I had a really great birthday. The Friday before, Scott's family threw a party for me, with my favorite foods (hamburgers on the grill and New York Cheesecake!) and we played games! It was a lot of fun. Scott's family is really great.

The Sunday before my birthday, my family had a dinner at my parents' house. It's so great to have not one but two wonderful families! I'm a lucky girl!

On my birthday, I went to work, and afterwards, my co-workers/friends, Scottie and I and our friends Alan and Katie all went to Applebees for Karaoke night! It was SO much fun!! We ate, sang, and just hung out and had a blast.

I definitely got spoiled by my family and Scott with their fantastic presents, and to top it all off, on Monday - I'm getting LASIK! I can't wait. I seriously can't imagine a world without contacts and glasses. I've worn glasses since I was 9 years old and contacts since I was 14. I've lived almost my whole life blind, and now I'll finally have a huge obstacle eliminated from my life! I am really looking forward to waking up in the morning and being able to SEE! Life is going to be so much easier.

Life is goooood.






Oh yeah, and the pic in the middle, with the lady drinking something...that's my boss. And I love that pic. hahaha!
See the whole album here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040243&id=203000580&l=bb441f884b

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Christmas is HERE! I am so excited. I just love the Christmas season! Ever since my mission, the Christmas Spirit has taken on a little different feeling for me. Being away from home, away from my family for the first time at during this time of year, made it a little easier to focus on the true meaning of Chrismas.

I only had one Christmas in the mission field. I was in the area of South Milwaukee, which, oddly enough, is just south of the main city of Milwaukee (about 10-15 minutes from downtown). I had been in the area for about 2 1/2 months - just long enough to form some amazing friendships with many of the people there.
My companion and I with Bro Greasby

We had one family that was investigating - a single mother of two children, one of them with some special needs. He had Cerebral Palsy and was unable to walk without assistance (either crutches or a wheelchair) and he could speak but most of the time his words were not understandable. The mother worked two jobs just to make ends meet, but when it came down to it, she still had nothing.

The Sunday before Christmas, she came to church and cried through all three hours. I had seen her be touched by the spirit and become emotional before, but this seemed different. I pulled her aside and asked her what was making her so emotional. She told me that her car had broken down and she had to use the money she'd saved all year for presents for her boys to pay for the repairs. My heart ached for her. Over the next couple of days, my companion and I rounded up all the presents we could, as well as food and money for this family that was planning on having nothing under the tree and nothing on the table on Christmas. The ward was more than willing to donate, and we were overwhelmed by the response of the amazing members of the West Allis 2nd ward.

On Christmas Eve, we made our way over to their house with the boxes of presents, food, and an envelope of money for her and her boys. When she opened the door and saw us there, she fell to her knees and began to cry - tears of sheer joy. We placed the food on the table, and the presents under the tree. She called to her sons to come see what the Lord had provided for them. The son with Cerebral Palsy, too excited to grab his crutches, crawled from his room to the tree, sat in front of it and cried. He turned and smiled at us, and of course it brought us to tears also.


That night my heart was transformed. It made me realize that Christmas wasn't about presents, Santa, or shopping. It was about miracles. The miracle of our Savior's birth is the most incredible thing of all - for it is because of Him that we have a chance to return to live with our Father in Heaven. I was away from my family and home, but I felt so close to my Heavenly home than I ever had before in my life.

I love my Savior and I love what He has done for me, for you, for all of us. Without Him, there would be no purpose. This year when giving gifts to your family, imagine what it would have been like to be there that night He was born - to give Him a gift, to see His precious face, His tiny hands that would be pierced for us.



Merry Christmas to you all!

Time for an update!

We've now been in our new home for 3 weeks and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

We're still trying to get situated, and in the process of purchasing new furniture, and once that's all taken care of, I'll definitely post pictures. I've already developed a few new habits - one of which is curling up by the fireplace with a good book or the laptop. Nothing tops cuddling with Scott by the fire while we watch a good movie.

I can't even stress how much better this place is than the last one we lived in. And for so many reasons. Not only is it SO SO SO nice, but it's in Heber, and I can't tell you how much I LOVE being back "home". It's kind of weird running into people I went to high school with that are all married with kids and what not, but I absolutely love this little town. My mom always said I'd say that someday...I should have believed her!

Scott got a new job at the St. Regis hotel in Park City. It's a BEAUTIFUL 5 star hotel that is just being finished on top of the mountain at Deer Valley. Papa John (the owner of the pizza place) owns two suites, and Carrie Underwood bought one also. He really enjoys the job and the shorter commute! Not to mention that it's pretty awesome that he will most definitely be running into celebrities that come to Park City to ski...


I'm still working in Orem, and I actually really like my job. Not just because the money is good, but I have great co-workers, and I've learned a lot there. Funny how the jobs that seems menial and simple can teach you so much. I started my practicum hours at the new high school in Heber - since I live across the street from it! I really enjoy spending time in the school and working with the kids. That school being built was LONG overdue. I'm kind of jealous that I didn't get to go to it when I was in school! But at least I get to work there!

Life is simple, but good. I'll be an aunt again in February when my sister has her daughter Ava Elizabeth. I'm really excited to have a niece! I think Anne will be a great mother. I have a lot of friends that are pregnant or just had babies, and although I'm super excited for them, I can't help but feel that twinge of jealousy. All I can do is keep doing the right things, praying and keeping the faith. I know I'll be a mother someday, but the waiting is the hardest part. It is sort of heart breaking. I also know how much Scott wants to be a dad. And he'll be an AMAZING father. I can't wait till the day comes when we will be blessed with a special soul to care for.

On another note, I am thankful for everything I do have - an AWESOME husband who is so patient and sweet, a fabulous new house, a good job, a nice car, terrific parents and sisters and friends, great in-laws, etc. I have the ability to see the beauty of a sunrise, and hear the incredible music I love. I'm pretty blessed.

NEW HOUSE!

We are SO excited about the big change in our life - moving to our brand new condo in Heber City! There is a special place in my heart for Heber, and part of me is relieved to finally be moving "home". The other part is so ridiculously excited about our new place! I feel like we're finally settling down and moving forward.

We got the keys on Tuesday and today we went to take some pictures of the place before we move in. It's got 3 bedrooms, one of which we'll make into our office. The other will be a spare bedroom that will turn into a kid's room someday (hopefully). There are two beautiful bathrooms, and the kitchen is furnished with absolutely gorgeous stainless steel appliances! It was just barely built and I love that no one has lived in it before us!

So for your enjoyment - pictures of our new home! I'll post more when we get moved in! There are more pics on facebook.

Been a While...

I just realized it's been almost 2 months since I updated this thing. Life got really busy once I started working again! But things are on an upward slope and that is super exciting!

First things first: Scott and I are moving to Heber! We found a fantastic little starter home and we'll be moving in a matter of weeks! We just need to get everything finalized and we'll be on our way to being homeowners! I'll post some pics as soon as we get settled! It will be really nice to be living in Heber again, and most of all, it will be SO nice to live in a brand new place that has never been lived in before! We're really excited to get out of Salt Lake and be closer to my family. And we'll be living right across the street from the brand new high school, so if my dream of working there comes true, I won't have far to commute!

We've had a lot of fun the past couple months. We spent some time at Swiss Days, where Scott was handed the job of Risk Management Guy (aka the Brute Squad) and he had a blast making sure everyone was staying in line.

We also went to see the Sheepdog competition at Soldier Hollow. It turned out to be way interesting! Those dogs are CRAZY SMART and so cute. I really enjoyed seeing them do their thing. We spent some time in my dad's garden harvesting veggies and then eating them!! I loved it - getting into the plants and finding the best ones to pick, then washing them off and cutting them up to eat - I don't know what it is about home grown produce, but it always tastes SO good!!

We also went camping with our friends the Andersons and their ridiculously adorable baby boy. Well he's almost 2, so not so much a baby, but he's SO much fun. And the Andersons are some of the world's coolest people. I didn't realize until we got back that I only took like 2 pictures, and they were of Scott folding the tent up. But I did take plenty of pics of the wind generators on the way up to SF Canyon...

We look forward to what the future has to offer- I just can't wait till we get into our new place so we can start over in a new ward, a new home, and a new town. Well, new to Scott, anyway. Bring on the change!!

A couple pictures of our summer - more can be found on facebook.

Remembering...

I can't believe how fast time flies. Tomorrow is July 23, 2009. Exactly one year ago, on July 23, 2008, the world lost one of the most amazing people that has ever lived. That person was my brother-in-law Sean.

Sean was amazing for so many reasons. He was a true Superman. Sean was diagnosed with cancer when he was 20 years old. It began as skin cancer, and it was caught fairly early. The surgeries and treatments he endured left him with painful scars, but gave him 9 more years of life. He lived cancer free for the next few years, and met my sister in December 2004. They instantly fell in love. Their relationship was one to be envied by many. Sean was so respectful of her needs, so loving, so selfless, so happy and his positive spirit and high energy were so contagious.

About a year later, Sean's cancer came back. It showed up in various parts of his body, settling mostly in his lungs. The Hunstman was able to run new treatments on him, and after a couple of months, he was good as new. Sean was offered a job as a dispatch officer for Summit County, and they sponsored him to attend the Academy - to pass POST (Peace Officer Standard Training) to become a corrections officer. Shortly before beginning POST, more tumors were found, this time on his brain. He had surgery on his brain to remove the tumors, and worked so hard to pass the academy with flying colors. His graduation was very moving, as Sean had realized his dream - to be a police officer. He was the only person the Academy had ever known that had passed POST between brain surgeries.

Two weeks later, he had another brain surgery.

Two months later, he was gone.

Sean's biggest dreams in life were 1- To marry the love of his life in the temple, which he did on Dec 9, 2006. 2 - To become a dad, which he did the instant he came into Amy and Jasen's life. Jasen has never referred to Sean as anything but his dad. 3 - To become a police officer, which he did in May 2008.

Before he died, Sean said the one thing I pray I am able to say before I go. He said, "I know where I'm going, and I know I'm worthy to go there." Sean's life was dedicated to living righteously. And he did it better than anyone I have ever known.

There is no question in my mind why God decided to take Sean home at the age of 29. There are far greater things in far greater places that Sean is doing now, and I'm sure of that. The world is a lesser place without him, and our lives are a little dimmer, a little sadder, and a little less exciting, but I look forward to seeing him again someday.

Sean, we miss you SO much. The world just isn't the same without you.