All About the Grahams

The Silver Lining

2012-01-18T16:53:00.004-07:00

So, January honestly has not been the best month so far. Far too much has happened in just 2 weeks. I found myself feeling pretty overwhelmed today, with all of the misfortunes and trials we have faced so close together. It is easy to feel that someone is after us, or something. But a thought occurred to me today. Despite all these horrible trials, the best possible outcome has occurred.

Starting with the burglary exactly 2 weeks ago, although we feel so incredibly horrible that the Edwards upstairs were robbed, we are so grateful that they weren't home, and no one was harmed, and are so lucky that he did not decide to come downstairs, into our part of the home. It could have been so much more frightening and a lot worse of an outcome. Also, the neighbors were also robbed, but not one person was harmed. This is truly a blessing.

My brother Landon ended up in the ER the following Friday night due to overdose of Heroine. He arrived at the hospital completely unconscious and not breathing. He had been without oxygen for too long, and the doctors were afraid it was too late to save him, and even if they did stabilize him, his brain would probably have suffered damage due to the lack of oxygen, and he could end up a vegetable or have some sort of mental incapacitates. I got the phone call at 12:30 am, just as I had taken a sleeping pill. My heart sank as I listened to my mother tell me what was happening, and that I needed to get to the hospital asap, as we did not know if Landon would make it. Scott called his brother to come over and be here for Carson, so that we could go together. We rushed there, and it was all a haze. I remember seeing my brother, hooked up to all sorts of tubes, many doctors and nurses racing around him. I was in shock. There was a cop in a separate room talking with Landon's so called "friends" about what had happened, but of course he was not getting a straight story. I remember thinking that if I was not drugged at the moment, nothing would have stopped me from beating the hell out of all them, regardless of whose fault it was. We were sent to a waiting room, and Landon was stabilized, and transferred to the ICU. When I was able to go in and see him, I remember whispering in his ear, begging him to make it. Asking him if he could hear me, pleading with him to squeeze my hand. I didn't want to believe that it was possible to lose him. Stuff like this happens to other people. Not your family. I kept wishing I wasn't so drugged, so I could focus, and do something. As I walked back to the waiting room, I saw his "friends", sitting outside, pathetic faces, fake with concern. I hated them. I hated their presence. What right did they have to be here? They had the NERVE to stick around, with his family that was hurting, hurting SO DEEPLY, because of their influence. If looks could kill, they would have been dead, but not before being tortured. Looking back, it was again, a blessing that I was drugged, or I probably would have been escorted from the hospital. Later I came to find out, that the three on the right were Landon's heroes, that brought him to the hospital. The one on the left however, Landon's "best friend," was the one who dealt him the drug, and was too scared to call 911 to save his friend, because then they would find the drugs, and he would be nailed. It was because of him that Landon almost died. That coward. He had to call someone else to drive there, pick Landon up, and take him in, which wasted precious minutes. He almost killed him. My mother found out it was him, and has proof from a text message. He ran away quickly when he found that out. I hope I never see his face again.

The next day, Landon woke up. He was coherent, and acting normal, besides feeling horrible. He was diagnosed with pneumonia, and was not breathing well, and coughing up blood. He would need to be in the hospital for awhile longer, but he suffered no brain damage. We were all so grateful. Landon was pretty shaken up about it. He was in shock, not believing that he almost died. The first thing I asked him when he woke, was "Why? Did you do this on purpose? Were you trying to die?" Thankfully, he wasn't suicidal. He had no idea this would happen. We had a long conversation, and I know he realized that what he did was completely stupid. I know it scared the crap out of him. I told him that every time you do something like this, you are risking your life. Drugs on the street are often laced with other drugs, and their potency can vary from dealer to dealer, so you may think you are getting a certain drug and amount, but it could be completely wrong. They aren't clean, and from a doctor that cares for your well-being. These people care less about your life. They just want your money.

Over the next few days, Landon was visited by many friends, family, and ward members. I think it really overwhelmed him at how many people truly care for Landon, and how many people he scared and hurt by his actions. He continued to improve, and was released a week ago from the hospital, and has been making every effort to fix his life, and cooperate with the police, and stay away from all the bad people in his life. I pray every night that he will know how very much he is loved, and that he will know his worth, and that he will realize that this life is a gift, and he has so much more potential. So despite this horrible event, the silver lining is that I didn't lose my brother, that the best possible outcome came to past, that he is not disabled, or scarred. He has a second chance, and I am overwhelmingly grateful for this.

Lastly, last night was another nightmare. I have suffered my whole life with sleeping, and have been off and on medications to help me sleep. I have recently tried to stop taking Ambien, and switch to a safer drug for pregnancy, because we have been trying to conceive as of the last few months. I took the new drug last night, at about 3:30 am after not having any luck sleeping. A few minutes later, I started to feel like my breathing was becoming quite difficult, and my heart was starting to race. I decided to get out of bed because I didn't want to wake Scott. On my way to the living room, my heart started racing very fast, and I could hardly breathe. I was incredibly dizzy, and my vision was blurred. I sat down on the couch and then realized i was very nauseous, so I stumbled to the bathroom and stubbed my toe really hard, almost falling every step. I made it to the bathroom, and immediately felt that I was going to lose conciousness. I sat down on the bathroom floor, head between my legs, ears ringing, and could hardly breathe. I knew I should call for Scott, but I was terrified i was going to pass out if I didn't focus all my energies on staying concious. I prayed a million times, and recited children's hymns in my head to make myself focus. I was so terryfied that this was it, that Scott would find me on the bathroom floor, dead the next morning. That I would never see my baby again, that this wasn't fair, that I wasn't ready for this. After about 30 minutes, I started to feel like the worst was over. I stumbled to the living room agian, and looked up adverse side effects, and allergic reations to the drug. Turns out, I had all the symptoms of a very rare and sometimes fatal condition caused by the drug, called QT prolongation. I crawled back in bed, even though I should have woken Scott. After a few hours Scott woke up and I told him what happened. I just started bawling, so grateful I didn't die. I felt so horrible though, still recovering from the effects. Scott was just upset I didn't wake him. I don't really know what I was thinking. I have not felt great today, and am seeing the doctor tomorrow to discuss what happened, but the silver lining is that I didn't die, that I am here today. I know that prayer got me through that ordeal, and that it wasn't my time to go.

Although it seems that me and my family have gone through so much, and it's easy to let it depress you, and feel that you are being picked on, that life is too hard sometimes, the one thing that makes it possible to get through anything, is our Heavenly Father's love. No matter what trial we are presented with, no matter how hopeless it may seem, He is there, waiting to comfort, waiting for you to accept the atonement, and the fact that he knows exactly what you are going through, and knows EXACTLY how you feel. He will never desert you. He will never leave you, even in your darkest hour. He always gives you a way to find peace, and hope, and forgiveness. He will always send you help. And even though the past two weeks have been rough, I can see the silver lining in all those events. I have felt His love, and His strength, and he has been there through it all. I don't think I would have been able to feel so much comfort if I didn't have this knowledge, and the peacefulness that the scriptures and Priesthood blessings, and prayers from so many brings me. I want to thank each and every one of you who have been a support and given your prayers to all of us. We truly are SO blessed, and I am just grateful. I know that life is sometimes hard, and some things seems impossible to overcome, but He does and will, ALWAYS provide a way.

Here's to a better February....

What a wonderful season of Joy

2012-01-01T13:20:00.004-07:00

What the tree looked like before Carson came in.

Christmas came and went so fast, but I loved every second. Carson had such a blast opening all his gifts. We chose to open presents on Christmas Eve morning, since Christmas was on Sunday, and Elder James would be calling at 8 am, with church following directly after and parties throughout the day. It was so nice, because we were in no rush and had my parents and brother and sister over to watch Carson. He's still too young to understand who Santa is, but he caught onto opening the presents and knowing that there was something fun waiting for him underneath real quick. The cute little boy was overwhemled I think, by so many fun things to play with at the same time. He was just in awe! It was so darling. My parents gave him a tent with a tunnel, and that was definitely a big hit this year! he was so spoiled, and now we have to purchase some toy bins and figure out how to organize everything, because right now his room is a complete mess. Christmas is so much more fun when you have a child. The magic comes back to life :)

We were especially blessed this year to have our extended family in town. My Dad's siblings have always lived here in Utah, and we have been accustomed to seeing them at least monthly for family parties and other events for my whole life. But in June/July, they all ended up having to move, one to Texas and the other to Indiana, and have left a huge hole in our lives. It has been very hard and sad to not see them so often, but they were both able to come and stay with my parents for Christmas break. It was so emotional to have everyone together again on Christmas Eve, doing our cherished traditions and gathering together. I think I had tears streaming down my face 3 different times throughout the night, and I know I wasn't the only one. And on top of that, my mother's brother, who has been estranged from the family for 8 or 9 years, has recently come back into our lives, which we never ever thought would happen. He was also there for all our celebrations and get togethers, and I know that added to the emotions of gratefulness and love that was shared so strongly this Christmas. I remember looking around the room, and seeing every one, and feeling so incredibly blessed that we all have each other. We only wished we could have my Uncle Richard and Aunt Natasha and their girls from Hawaii, and then we would have been complete. My Grammie's presence was felt very strongly in the room that night as well, and we all missed her so much. But we know she is our guardian angel in Heaven, and we can't wait to see her again someday. I love this time of year, and feel so fortunate and blessed to be with all those I love and to have everything and everyone I have. I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas as well, and keep all these blessings and love in our hearts.

I blinked, and a new year came

2012-01-01T13:00:00.004-07:00

I really don't understand how time can just fly by without barely a breath taken. I sometimes wish I could pack my family up and move to a place in the middle of nowhere, nestled in some forest, away from every little thing that speeds time up so fast. No media, no television, no electronics, not even a clock. Tucked away, unbothered from the demands that we subject ourselves to every day. Can't we live a simple life, that is slow, and focused on the here and now, never pushing for the latest and greatest, the most up to date time waster? I wish I could capture how it feels to go camping, in the silence and the peacefulness of the mountains. Maybe someday, over-the-rainbow...

But for now, maybe it is time to try and do the best I can. Turn Barney off and go explore outside with my toddler. Give facebook a rest, and read some real books, stop making every excuse known to man of why I am not reading my scriptures, and saying personal prayers, and just do it. Go to the temple instead of that movie. Spend time teaching my son, and playing with him more, instead of making sure the house is perfect. All these things are so simple, and yet so difficult to remember. It's like we forget that there is any other way to function but to move and do and go and have and get. Time becomes more and more precious to me as I watch my little baby grow into a boy. It breaks my heart to know that I will never get that time back again, and he will be gone, out of my arms, before I have a chance to really, truly enjoy those kisses, those pleading eyes that want a book read to him, that just want to play and explore, to cuddle, to want to be with me. I know he will grow up, and not need me as much as he does now. So I've got to SLOW DOWN, and savor EVERY SECOND, because it will be gone, in a blink of an eye...

If there are any real resolutions I have for this year, anything meaningful, and worth giving it my best, it is for me to SAVOR, and slow down. My baby is 19 months, and I can't bare to miss a single thing.

This is Halloween

2011-11-01T12:38:00.011-06:00

OK, I really have failed in the blogging world. I fail in the journal world as well. I go through phases for some reason. I guess it's the same with my poetry writing as well. It's either a downpour or drought. But, as an early new years resolution, I am going to write, and keep up on this blog, even if it's the only journal I do.

So, since my last post, Carson has grown up considerably. Before my very eyes, I have watched him transform from a baby to a toddler. He plays pretend! I bought him these baby pumpkins at the grocery store, and he just loves to take them everywhere and make them dance and he even created a slide for them to go down. He is so creative, just like his daddy.He's also learning how to feed himself, and this has caused quite a lot of frustration for the both of us. He wants to do it without any help, but mommy hates the mess, and knows he doesn't get much in his mouth, so it's always a challenge at meal time. I sometimes wonder if he even eats anything. I'm betting this might be because his eye teeth are coming in. Teething is so hard. But, again, I know it's just a phase.

This last week was the death of the 2nd nap. Mom fought for it's life tooth and nail, but reluctantly lost the war. Now we're lucky if we get an hour and a half. I sure hope this is also a phase, but I doubt it. At least he is still my perfect sleeper at night. 12 hours straight every night, unless he's sick. THANK HEAVENS!!

Halloween sure sneaked up on us this year. We celebrated earlier in the month by going to The Off Broadway theater in SLC with the Engebretsen's to see Dracula vs. Jekyll and Hyde, which was quite funny and entertaining. We also got to see some gorgeous fall colors up the canyon on the Alpine loop, which was the very first time Carson sat forward facing in his car seat. He was just in AWE at everything he could see out the front window. He kept pointing and saying "That!" and "Oh!" around every turn. He's happy he's a big boy now.We took him to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving point and it just wasn't his day. He was cranky for most of it, and not cooperative for family pictures, so it mostly didn't work out. Although he loved this corn pit they had for the babies.We've been reading this book that talks all about Halloween and he just loved the pumpkins. He can't get enough of them. And when I bought him his pumpkin for his candy, and he realized you could put stuff in it! Oh he was thrilled! I've been putting snacks and surprises in it for awhile so he would be prepared for trick or treating. And I think it worked. He was thrilled when we went trick or treating last night and he discovered treats in his pumpkin. He got tired of it pretty quick, but it was cute while it lasted :)After eating a yummy cheese soup and wassail, we finally got around to carving our pumpkins at 9 pm on Halloween. Pretty dang last minute, but we did it, while watching Michael Jackson's Thriller. It turned out to be a great Halloween night, and I am now looking forward to the holiday season. I felt like we were a month too early, but I think I'm ready now. I just can't believe how much my little one is changing and growing right before my eyes. Sometimes when I am rocking him to sleep at night, and he is quite and sleepy in my arms, I realize I miss my baby. I just don't want him to grow up anymore. I cherish the hugs and kisses and cuddles, and I just never want him to grow out of sharing them with me. Is that too much to ask?

My Garden of Eden

2011-06-18T21:13:00.003-06:00

Scott and I took a drive today, with Carson and Syd in tow. We were looking for yard sales, but after a couple of unfortunate-looking ones, we ended up just driving in Alpine. We drove on some hidden roads that lead to breathtaking views of the gorgeous mountains we are surrounded by. Beautiful trees, hills full of wildflowers, birds singing and the sun cascading over the green was more than enough for me to absolve to never move. This place we live, this little crevice of heaven, our own Garden of Eden, is all I could ever need. So peaceful, so calm, so serene, so sacred. I am overwhelmed with emotion when I see just how blessed I really am in my life to have the privilege of living here, with my family, and all I'll ever need. I informed Scott that I have no intention to ever leave, and will rent for 10 years if I have to and save enough so we can buy a house here. It doesn't have to be a big house, or even semi-large. I am fine with a cottage; a place tucked away in these hills, that sing. I feel like Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music. And luckily, my husband feels the same way. After traveling all over Idaho, and seeing the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, and the majestic red rock of St. George, I have realized that although they are beautiful, and I enjoy visiting, I believe these mountains of mine are superior, and more beautiful than any I've seen. I will travel the world, and take in it's infinite beauties, but I will come home, and be content and blissfully happy with my piece of heaven, Alpine, Utah, my home.

All before a year

2011-05-13T16:23:00.003-06:00

It has been so long since I blogged, which is silly, because I have time, I just don't remember to do it! A lot has happened since my last posts, so I will probably be posting a bunch of different ones, so this one won't be a book :)

Watching Carson over the last couple of weeks has inspired me to write down his accomplishments thus far. Here are some things I have noticed that he has accomplished all before turning a year old next Saturday:

1. He has 8 teeth! 4 on top and 4 on bottom. The molars are next! Teething hasn't been fun for him, but he is enjoying being able to use those chompers! (even on people, watch out!)

2. He has been walking since 9 months! Carson has just started to run, or rather walk really fast. He can climb stairs, hills, uneven terrain, and loves to explore all over outside!

3. His favorite place in the whole world is being outside. He LOVES to pick off dandelion heads and chew on them. Yuck! He notices every little crack and rock and bug. Very curious little boy!

4. He just learned how to wave "bye-bye" and just said it out loud this morning for the first time!! He also says "mamma" and "dada".

5. He loves playing "horsey" with Grandpa Young and every time I say "Do you want to go see Grandpa?" he mimmicks bouncing up and down :)

6. He actually listens to me when I tell him no. (most of the time)

7. He has been clapping his hands and bending his knees up and down when you tell him to dance for 2 months now.

8. His favorite food is mandarin oranges, and also loves yogurt and green beans and corn. He has never liked bananas, until this week!

9. He is starting to be nicer to our dog Sydney when we tell her to be "soft", and has recently been going up to her and cuddling and hugging her. (So cute!)

10. He got his first-ever fever last Sunday (for Mother's Day) and has been fighting a cold ever since. Poor thing :(

11. Carson got his first hair cut a couple weeks ago. Mommy was sad to see the curls leave, but his hair was just too long, it was covering his eyes! He was so calm and still when he got the haircut.

12. Carson has been sleeping through the night (11 hours straight) since he was 3 months old. Mommy and Daddy are SPOILED!

13. Carson loves to move and play, and thinks the world is a jungle gym, but with Oma (Grandma) Graham, he will sit with her for long periods of time. (She has MS, and I think he understands she can't run around with him. This is single to only her.)

We are just so lucky to have this little monkey in our lives, and I just can't even believe that in just a week he will be my 1 year old. Honestly, where does the time go? I am just thrilled beyond belief that summer is just around the corner and Carson is big enough to enjoy it! We are going camping, swimming, hiking, playing at parks, walking, running, playing as much as we can this summer! It is going to be a blast, and I just can't wait to show Carson this beautiful world :)

New frame, hobbies, and a 10 month old

2011-03-22T17:06:00.004-06:00

This picture is a frame I bought at the Holy Cow Boutique on Saturday with some birthday money I got. It brought a tear to my eye, and I felt the spirit immediately testifying the importance of keeping myself worthy to enter his holy temple. I knew I had to have this hanging in my house. I had never seen anything like this before, with the door knob of the temple. I just love it.

Scott and I decided to have a garden this year. I'm really excited to do it, and so far it's been hard, but fun work. I discovered that I have a somewhat OCD thing with weeds. Once I start, I could pull weeds for hours and never get bored. But my back sure doesn't like it. :) We are having a beautiful flower garden that is right by my house. We are growing tulips (which are already coming up), a wild flower mix, daisies, sunflowers, zinnias, a rose bush and some others I forgot the names of. We also have our strawberry plants in the same area. Over in the back of our large yard we have a fenced off garden area with boxes that our landlords decided they weren't going to use this year, so we are planting our veggies out there. We have started some of them in a little indoor greenhouse with peat moss. We will be planting them in a few weeks after the last frost. Some of the veggies we are doing are peppers, carrots, tomatoes, sugar snap peas, watermellon, cucumbers, etc. I really am so excited to do this, since it's been so long since I had my own garden, and definitely never had one this big. But I figure since I am a stay at home mom I have sufficient time to work on it, and it will keep me busy and productive, not to mention we will be saving money on veggies!

An update on my running: I signed up for a 5k on April 30th at Thanksgiving Point. I am so excited for this because the course runs through the gardens during the Tulip Festival, so it will be a GORGEOUS run, not to mention the air will smell divine! Also, my dad has decided to do it with me, so we will start training together soon! I love that Spring is here, and I can bask in the sun again. I thrive during Spring and Summer.

Carson turned 10 months old yesterday! He is walking better and better everyday, and is starting to really try and talk. It's still gibberish, but it sounds like he's trying to tell us something. He can actually say "baba" when he wants an bottle and "mamma" when he wants me, or when he's tired and wants to go to bed. He has learned how to shake his head "no" when he doesn't want something. He is just so darling and happy and is still a perfect sleeper. I love him with all my heart, and can't believe we will be celebrating his first birthday in 2 months.

As far as I'm concerned, I am doing so much better. I was in a hard place earlier this year, and I felt lost and out of control, but I feel myself again, and it's a WONDERFUL feeling. I am a lot more fun to be with now :) All I can say, is therapists are wonderful and medication can make all the difference when you really need it. :)

My son is WALKING!

2011-03-11T17:19:00.007-07:00

Carson graduated to a big kid car seat. He looks so little in there!

First time taking a bath in the sink instead of the bath tub.

Aren't those dimples just to die for?

I adore this face :)

Carson is 9 1/2 months old and already starting to walk! It just takes my breath away how fast babies aren't babies anymore. Such a precious time period. I will be so sad when he get to the point when he doesn't want to cuddle with mommy anymore, or fall asleep in my arms. I treasure these moments.
I am so very blessed to have such a perfect little man. He sleeps through the night almost every night, he takes 2 two hour naps with out a fuss, and loves to laugh and play.
He is so adventurous and curious. He wants to figure out the world around him. Very much like his Daddy :)
He has 4 teeth now, and knows how to shake his head "no". He's learning "bye bye" and "hello". He's eating yogurt and cheese and pasta and bread and all veggies and fruit. He mostly eats table food now, and loves it!
His hair is starting to curl in the back, especially after a bath, and I just ADORE it, and have no plans to cut it for a very long time :)
I am so blessed to be his mommy and I am just thrilled to see him achieve more and more. :)

A wedding and twins :)

2011-02-17T23:10:00.007-07:00

I am so very much excited to be an Aunt for the first time! I am thrilled beyond belief to hold these newborn boys that are just waiting patiently in my sister-in-law's belly :) She is getting so close, and it could happen any day now. I am so excited to kiss and squeeze and hold these tiny babies! I only hope this won't make me baby hungry! I still have a 9 month old. That is NOT allowed! I will post pics the second I have them :) Brandon Michael and Daniel Christian are almost here! Oh! And Jorden and Alexis had a beautiful, small wedding in my parent's home. I made a cake with my friend Amanda. It was so beautiful, as you can see in the picture above. I have so much more to blog about, but it will have to wait till later, because I am oh so tired. Good night blogging world, till next time.

A new passion

2011-01-03T21:26:00.004-07:00

I just ran 2 miles. Ok, I didn't run the whole time, but almost. It was the most exhilarating and fulfilling thing I have done in such a long time. Somewhere along the road of marriage and mommy-hood, I lost myself. Latissa became wife. Mother. Student. Massage Therapist. Cook. Dog walker. Maid. Daughter. Friend. Teacher. All these hats. So many hats to wear. To get lost in. But the Latissa hat never was worn. It became dusty in the corner. I thought it just wasn't as important as all the other hats. Not a priority, when the other hats are all demanding to be worn. But the Latissa hat is key. It gives me strength and motivation to be my best, to give my best, to love myself, because if I love myself, I have the capacity and want and will to love others, and to take care of them the best way I can. I don't know why I forgot this, but I'm putting the Latissa hat back on, at least an hour each day.

Here are my Latissa activities I am discovering again:
1.Run, run run. Includes training for at least a 5K, hopefully a 10K, but dreaming for a marathon.
2.Yoga on the days I don't run
3.Write poetry again
4.Read
5.Get massages at least every other week.

Hopefully I will also be able to play the violin again, but I have to put some money into it before I can do that.

New Blog

2010-12-17T12:20:00.002-07:00

I started a poetry blog. I used to write poetry all the time. This is motivation to do it again. If you're interested, follow me here.

Christmas letter for 2010

2010-12-08T23:52:00.004-07:00

2010 with the Grahams!

This year has been quite the adventure for the Grahams! After a long and hard pregnancy, our first child Carson James Graham was born on May 21^st at 11:48 am after a long night of labor. I had no idea how much I was going to love that little baby the second he was in my arms. It was a very overwhelming feeling. Daddy was just thrilled and we were so grateful that he was born healthy and happyJ

Carson has been such a joy in our lives. Scott and I are completely spoiled because he sleeps about 9 hours straight every night, and then another 2, and has done this since he was 3 months old! He is a very happy baby and is starting to crawl everywhere and get into anything he can get his hands on, which keeps mom and dad on their toes! He started on solids about a month ago and absolutely LOVES peaches and pears, but will also eat green beans and sweet potatoes. He loves to eat!

Summer was full of walks and playing outside in the park with Carson and Sydney, while daddy was at work. We enjoyed the warmth and being able to take Carson out and about without worrying about the cold. Scott has really enjoyed his new job that he started in February. He is a Field Technician for Veracity Networks, and gets to set up phone and internet systems at all kinds of commercial and residential places. He really enjoys being able to go to new places and meet new people every day. We are grateful that he has a stable job with benefits that he loves so much. We are truly blessed!

We celebrated out 3 year anniversary in September by going up to Sundance and took a ride on the lift and hiked the trail to the waterfall. It was absolutely gorgeous, and we were grateful to have the entire day just the two of us thanks to my wonderful mother who watched Carson!

October brought Carson’s first Halloween, and he wore an adorable spotted puppy dog costume. No trick or treating this year, but we will be looking forward to that next year! We had a lot of fun with our friends Allen and Amanda Engebretsen making fancy caramel apples and watching Halloween movies.

November was yummy yummy yummy! Amanda and I had quite the adventure in the kitchen making our own Thanksgiving feast, which took an entire Saturday to prepare and completely wore us out. By the time we sat down to my Grammie’s beautiful china and had everything ready, we were laughing and crying and moaning from total exhaustion! But it was so yummy, and we were able to try a bunch of new recipes and we were very proud of them. We had Thanksgiving with Scott’s family at his Grandmother’s house and dessert at my Aunt and Uncle Merril’s house, which was so incredibly yummy and we ate way too much, as always!

Scott turned 25 in November and after a lot of saving, and contributions from family, Scott was given some money to buy a remote controlled helicopter, which he absolutely loves! He has had a lot of fun flying and crashing and fixing it, and is even working on improving it. I am married to such a smart man!

December has been fun thus far. We can’t believe that the Christmas season is already here! This was definitely the fastest year of our life, and we are sure it is because Carson has entered our lives and he is growing up so fast! This month we were able to cut down our own Christmas tree up the canyon east of Heber City with my family and our dog Sydney and we had such a blast! We truly had an ideal time and are so very excited to make that a tradition and do that every year! We are looking forward to all the other events coming up, including the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert on the 16^th. We have already enjoyed the Festival of Trees and Christmas Around the World. We are so grateful for all our many blessings. We love this time of year and are so grateful for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and who has provided a way for me to be with my family forever. I hope you remember the reason for the season and have a wonderful new year!

Merry Christmas,

Latissa, Scott, Carson and Sydney Graham

A friendly Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T17:52:00.004-07:00

This year my best friend Amanda and I decided to do our own Thanksgiving. We thought it would be so fun to cook our own turkey, and try new recipes, since both of us just usually go to our parent's house, and so we miss out on that opportunity. We decided to go ALL OUT. Turkey, stuffing, candied yams, spinach bacon salad, potatoes and gravy, rolls, cranberry sauce, olives, etc. most of which was homemade and new recipes! Did I mention we made 3 pies as well? All this food, for 4 people. We took an entire Saturday to prepare and cook this feast. We got out my Grammie's china and broke out the Martenellis. By the time we actually sat down to eat, Manda and I were so exhausted we barely had energy to eat it! During the feast, maniacal laughs started coming from Manda, and tears and moaning soon followed. We both were laughing, moaning and crying as we fell out of our seats and crawled to the couch and floor, completely and utterly useless. The feast was spectacular, and we loved the new recipes we tried, but needless to say, we will not be attempting THAT again, unless we find more willing souls to help cook! Haha, it was an experience, and I can tell you now, that my gratitude for my mother has greatly increased!

Here are some of the recipes we followed. They were absolutely delicious! I encourage you to try them, even if you do not typically like stuffing or yams. These are winners!

MAPLE CANDIED YAMS

1 stick butter
4 or 5 large fresh yams or sweet potatoes
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon OR 1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger root
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 to 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Peel yams or sweet potatoes (either may be used). Cut into 1 inch cubes or wedges.

Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish generously.

Arrange yams in baking dish.

In a saucepan, melt butter, and stir sugar until dissolved over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup water and spices.

Bring to a boil, add maple syrup; reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Pour butter mixture over the yams, turning them over to coat well. Cover the yams tightly with aluminum foil and bake on center rack in oven, basting the potatoes with the butter syrup once or twice during the baking for about 45 minutes or until fork tender.

Cooks Note: If adding mini-marshmallows, spread them evenly over the top of the potatoes at this time, and broil for 5-10 minutes or until lightly browned, otherwise proceed with next step.

When the potatoes are done, remove foil. Bake on the upper third of the oven at 475°F until the syrup has thickened and the potatoes are just beginning to caramelize (about 2 minutes - but watch carefully and do not allow them to burn; if they are browning too quickly reduce oven temperature).

Baste with additional butter before serving.

Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
12 muffins

Apple and Onion Stuffin Muffins

Ingredients

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1 stick butter, softened
1 fresh bay leaf, available in produce department
4 ribs celery and greens, from the heart, chopped (save time and purchase celery already washed, trimmed and cut into sticks, this makes chopping fast work)
1 medium to large yellow skinned onion, chopped
3 McIntosh apples, quartered and chopped
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
8 cups cubed stuffing mix (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)
2 to 3 cups chicken stock, available in paper containers on the soup aisle

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil to skillet and 4 tablespoons butter. When butter melts, add bay leaf and add the vegetables as you chop them, celery, onions then apples. Sprinkle the vegetables and apples with salt, pepper andpoultry seasoning. Cook 5 to 6 minutes to begin to soften vegetables and apples then add parsley and stuffing cubes to the pan and combine. Moisten the stuffing with chicken broth until all of the bread is soft but not wet.

Butter 12 muffin cups, 2 tins, liberally with remaining butter. Use an ice cream scoop to fill and mound up the stuffing in muffin tins. Remove the bay leaf as you scoop the stuffing when you come upon it. Bake until set and crisp on top, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove stuffin' muffins to a platter and serve hot or room temperature.

Maple Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter

Ingredients

1 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 bunch fresh sage, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (12 to 14-pound) fresh turkey, giblets, neck, and liver discarded
8 strips bacon
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons hot water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the top rack of the oven.

Put the butter and sage in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the turkey breast and slip the remaining seasoned butter under, massaging the breast meat as you go. Truss the bird by crossing the legs over one another and tying with a piece of kitchen twine. Shingle the bacon strips over the breast so it's totally covered. Put the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan, cover the turkey with aluminium foil, and place in the oven.

In a small bowl, stir the maple syrup with 2 tablespoons of hot water to thin. Roast the turkey for 2 hours, basting with the mapleglaze every 30 minutes. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F. The thigh juices will run clear when pricked with a knife, about 3 hours total (15 minutes per pound). About 1/2 hour before you think the turkey is done, remove the foil so that it can brown. When done take the turkey out of the oven and put the roasting pan on the stovetop. Transfer the turkey to a serving tray to rest at least 20 minutes before carving. Serve with Turkey Gravy

My dog Sydney

2010-11-12T22:54:00.003-07:00

Sydney is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. She is the sweetest animal you will ever meet. I fell in love with her the second I saw her picture on the internet. She was in Cedar City, but when Scott and I saw her, we knew we had to get her. So he got in the car, almost right away, and picked her up from the animal shelter that night. I woke up to her cute little paws walking on the bed right next to me, and it was love at first sight. Most adorable thing I ever saw. See her as a baby here. Sydney became our first child at that point. We honestly treat her like a human, and I'm pretty sure she thinks she is. Some wonderful things about Sydney:

1. She loves everyone. Seriously. Even if your are clearly not a dog person and are not interested in her, she will do everything possible to get you to like her, and has succeeded more often then not with everyone she meets.
2. She is the softest and cutest cuddle bug. She loves to snuggle up with me when Scott leaves for work in the morning. I am never lonely.
3. She can open the door and come in when she is outside, and can shut the door. She is that smart.
4. We rarely have her on a leash, and we don't have a fenced yard, because she never runs away. She stays right by us when we take her on walks. She is completely obedient.
5. I have never had to tell her "no" to not chew on Carson's toys. She just knew they weren't hers from day one, even though they are constantly scattered all over the floor.
6. She looks after Carson like "Nanna" from Peter Pan. She comes to me if he starts crying and licks him or puts her paw on him to try to get him to stop crying. Any if I don't go right to Carson as soon as he starts crying, she looks at me like "Aren't you going to take care of him?" It's so cute.
7. She hardly ever barks. Only once when people come to the door, and then as soon as your in, she wants to be your best friend.
8. She licks you and cuddles you when you are sad or sick. She is really affected by your mood.
9. She looks after me and Carson when Scott leaves. Literally. She follows me everywhere.
10. She is very playful. Loves to be loved.
11. And when you want to just relax, she just relaxes with you. Very laid back.
12. She is very smart and learns tricks easily.
13. She chases deer and other animals out of our yard. She loves to guard her yard.
14. I used to be the ultimate cat person, but because of her, I am the ultimate dog person.

Sydney is my baby. She is a big part of our family. I hope she stays healthy and lives a long life, because I don't know how I will ever be able to let her go when the time comes. I have never met a dog like her. She has made my life so much better, and makes me happy when I am down. She loves me no matter what I do or say, or how I feel. She will always be there for me, waiting to be loved and to love me. How wonderful! We are truly blessed to have such a best friend :)

Come on guys, make a meal

2010-11-10T18:51:00.005-07:00

Since this is my blog, and I can post whatever I want and not apologize, then I am going to post about Thanksgiving.

I know life gets busy, and I know cooking really is time consuming and a hassle a lot of the time, but if there are 2 holidays that a home-cooked meal is appropriate, it's Thanksgiving and Christmas. Seriously, I am appauled when I hear of people that decide not to cook and go out to a restaurant on these holidays. Ugh. It's just so disgusting and lazy. Come on, 2 days out of the whole year you can cook a wonderful, wholesome meal and involve others in the process, and enjoy the yummy smells in your home and decorations that just light up your home. You can gather family and friends around YOUR dinner table and reap the benefits of your hard work. It means so much more when you work for something, and you appreciate it so much more. You also teach your children the value of hard work, rather than saying, "Oh mommy and daddy don't want to have to cook this year, cause it just takes too much time and effort, so we are just going out to eat." If it's a matter of time, I believe you need to set aside the extra time needed to have a home-cooked meal. Take and extra day off work. Plan AHEAD. If it's effort, don't do it all on one day, and get the kids or friends or other family members involved. I believe that the trend of families just going out to eat is another manifestation of the decay of our society. Everything has to be right here, right now, with the least amount of effort so we can get back to our computer, cell phone, video game, etc. We say we never have TIME. But the truth is, we do, we just choose to fill that time with other things, that are probably not as important. I'm sorry to those of you who have gone out to eat instead of cooked on these holidays if I have offended you, but again, this is my opinion, and I do not apologize for it. I just really feel strongly about this, and I had to say something. I encourage you all to put in the effort, the time, and to really reap what you sow, and it will pay off, and you will feel accomplished, and your kids will remember it, and learn a valuable lesson from you, I promise. IT'S WORTH IT!!

Specials!

2010-11-01T17:14:00.001-06:00

Just posted a new special on my massage blog if any of you are interested! Come follow me and see it here!

Follow my Massage blog for giveaways and discounts!

2010-10-21T17:01:00.004-06:00

I posted a new blog on my Massage blog today. Come check it out, and if you follow it, there will be giveaways for massages and discounts on your birthday and Anniversary! And you just might learn something new. Head on over here now!

5 things for 5 months of Carson :)

2010-10-21T12:26:00.003-06:00

1. Carson has been able to roll over from front to back and back to front for 2 months now!! He rolls all over the place, and is getting so close to crawling!
2. He is a champion sleeper. He sleeps at minimum 9 hours straight, then he wakes up and I feed him, then put him to bed for a couple more hours! He also take two 2 hour naps during the day without a fuss, and if he doesn't stay on this schedule he gets pretty fussy. He loves routine, and does not like to sleep anywhere but his crib!
3. He smiles all the time, and his laugh is the cutest thing I've ever heard! He is ticklish on his thighs, neck, tummy, and feet!!
4. He loves to stick his fingers in other people's mouths, especially while eating! SO funny! And I currently have to pump and the bottle feed, because from birth, he has sucked and sucking.
5. His favorite person in the whole world is mommy, but he is opening up to and having more and more fun with daddy recently. He absolutely LOVES his Grandma Young!!

There is so much more about Carson that I will blog about later! I kinda got this idea from Katrina. (thanks) It has been such a wonderful last 5 months, and I just adore the stage Carson is in right now! He lights up my world with hugs and kisses and smiles and joy. He is the best part of my life:) And I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who is such a great father. What a blessing!!

On another note, my massage business, Healing Power of Touch, is really starting to take off. I love my job. I started a blog. You can follow it at http://healingpoweroftouch.blogspot.com

Free

2010-10-05T17:29:00.003-06:00

I had an amazing, freeing experience on Sunday. Haven't felt like that in a very, very long time. I felt like a kite in the wind, with revitalizing air all around me, and I was Latissa again, my spirit was free, and I was completely tranquil and happy. It felt, in a word, amazing.

I was on my parent's trampoline, gazing up at the sky. It was overcast, and the clouds were a beautiful blue/gray. The wind was perfect, just enough to kiss my cheeks. I was lying spread eagle, feeling so open and free. It felt as though my body and spirit were separate, that my spirit was in charge, and I no longer had this carnal body weighing me down. All depression, anxiety, worry, and negativity was swept away from me. I think that was the closest I've felt to how we will feel like when we are in heaven. I'm not sure why I had this experience, but I know I needed it, and words can't express how honored I am to have felt it, and I only pray I will have that experience again.

New Blog

2010-09-30T18:03:00.002-06:00

I decided to start a new blog, Healing Power of Touch, which is the name of my massage business. I'm hoping it will bring more awareness of the benefits of massage therapy, and share my experiences. Hope you will follow me! http://healingpoweroftouch.blogspot.com/

The Beatles are back again

2010-08-30T23:13:00.003-06:00

Our friends Amanda and Allen invited us to go to see Imagine at the Scera Shell outdoor amphitheater tonight. They are Beatles lookalikes and sing all their songs. They were uncannily close to the original Fab Four, both in vocals and looks. I LOVED IT! It was so fun to hear all those fabulous songs, and sing along to every one of them. So many families were there, and the kids were just so fun to watch. Anyway, after a really hard day, I ended up enjoying myself. Here is a picture I took of me and my bestie Amanda. I love her so much. Really. I am so blessed to have such a good, loyal, caring, funny friend who just knows me, and who I never get sick of being with. She is like a sister to me, and I don't know what I would do if she ever moved away. Seriously, I would probably bawl my eyes out, so if you are reading this Manda you better not! Friends are such a blessing, and I only hope to be as good a friend to others as they are to me. I recently have been working on improving myself, in many different aspects. I think we all reach a point in our lives where we are unsatisfied with ourselves, and know we can do/be better. I am at that point, and I have set goals, and am working on them. I've noticed a difference in the few things that I have done, like visiting teaching, and cooking, and praying, and trying to be a better friend, and I like the feeling I get when I help others. It really does feel so good. And so I will keep improving.

More recipes

2010-08-27T16:14:00.003-06:00

I made this Easy Potato Soup recipe yesterday and my friend Amanda loved it, so I thought I would post it on here as well. It truly is so easy to make, and SO yummy!

Easy Potato Soup

2 T. Butter
1/2 Onion minced
1 Carrot Grated
1 T. Flour
4 Russet Potatoes peeled and cubed
2 Cups milk
1 Chicken Bouillon Cube dissolved in 1/4 cup hot milk
1/2 Cup Half and Half
1/2 tsp Salt
Pepper to taste
Cheddar cheese and Bacon crumbles to taste

Directions

In a 2 qt sauce pan, melt butter and saute onion and carrot until tender. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 min. Add potatoes, milk, chicken cube and cook for 20 min or until potatoes are very soft. Add the half and half, salt and pepper. Mix in bacon crumbles and grated cheese.

I LOVE this cake, and made it yesterday for fun, and for a ward dinner. Everyone loves this!! (Pretty sure it's not better than sex though..hahaha)

Better Than Sex Cake

1 box of German chocolate cake mix
1 tub of cool whip
1 package of chocolate chips
1 package of toffee chips (Heath bar)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Caramel topping

Directions

Make cake mix, take out and let cool for 5 min.
Stab cake with back of mixing spoon making holes one inch apart all over cake. Pour sweetened condensed milk in holes and all over cake. Do the same with the caramel topping. Put cake in fridge to cool for 1 hour. Take out and put cool whip over top, then sprinkle chocolate chips and toffee chips all over cake. Store in fridge.

Enjoy!! I love both of these recipes!!

My Favorite Casserole

2010-08-24T15:14:00.002-06:00

I had a few requests for this recipe that I made yesterday. It has been in the family for a long time, and out of all the casseroles I've had (which are many!) this is by far the yummiest!! I made it for a lady I visit teach and I'm giving it to her tonight. Hopefully she likes it!

Favorite Casserole

Ingredients
1 bag wide noodles
3 T oil
1 1/2 lbs Ground Beef
1/2 lbs hot sausage
2 Cups chopped green pepper
2 Cups chopped onion
1 Cup chopped celery
1 T. Salt
1/2 C. sliced olives
4 oz sliced mushrooms
1 C. hot water
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 can condensed mushroom soup
1 qt. jar spagetti sauce
1/2 lbs mozzerella cheese
Ketchup and mustard to taste

Directions
Cook noodles, drain. Heat oil in large skillet, add beef, sausage, peppers, onion, celery, and salt. Saute until brown. Drain fat.
Pour in large pot and stir in olives, mushrooms, soups, spaggetti sauce and water. Bring to boil then simmer 5 min. Mix in noodles. Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle mozzerella cheese over the casserole, then bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.

Enjoy! And tell me what you think!

Carson's Photo Shoot at 10 weeks

2010-08-14T17:34:00.005-06:00

My good friend Chrissy Walker gave me a free photo shoot for my baby shower, and so we went and got these pictures taken of Carson a couple of weeks ago. We went to an orchard by her house in Orem. She did such a great job, and I swear, Carson could be a baby model. He is just so adorable and perfect looking!! Don't you think he could be a Gerber baby or something?

The last 2 months

2010-07-14T15:48:00.008-06:00

Carson has been such a joy. Being a mommy has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I just absolutely am in love with kissing my little man all day long. His smile just melts my heart. He is the sweetest thing in the world. Just over the last 2 weeks, he has become a pretty good sleeper, sleeping about 6 hours at night. He likes to sleep in his swing, but I am trying to get him to sleep in his crib. I think he likes the incline and the motion of the swing. Each little milestone that he reaches is just so exciting for me and Scott. When he discovered his hands for the first time, and sucked on his little thumb, it made me cry.It was the cutest thing I ever saw! And then when he smiled for the first time, oh my, I laughed and smiled with pure joy! I just can't believe he is mine, and I can have him forever. What an amazing gift God has given me. I hope Carson will always love me, because I know I will always, ALWAYS love him, unconditionally, and I hope I will be a good mom. I sure am trying my hardest! Here are some pictures over the last 2 months. Hope you enjoy!

Pictures of Carson's birth

2010-07-14T15:37:00.012-06:00

Here are the pictures I promised of his birth. I would have gotten them on here sooner, but blogger wasn't working on my computer, so here they are now, almost 2 months later. These are just a few of my favs :)

Carson's blessing

2010-07-14T15:24:00.003-06:00

Carson was blessed on the 4th of July, Independence day. How fun eh? A lot of our family on both sides came, and also friends. We had a luncheon afterwards at my parents house. It was so fun and such a beautiful day. THe blessing was just beautiful and it made me cry. I thought Carson would, but he was quite through the whole thing, and just a sweet little adorable baby the whole day. I just realized I don't have a picture of just him in his outfit, but here are some pictures from his big day. I will take a pic of just him and put it on soon.

Our baby boy Carson

2010-05-29T18:35:00.006-06:00

It has now been 8 days since I gave birth to this precious little bundle of joy. Being a mother is so amazing. There aren't words to describe exactly how I have felt, and continue to feel. I am more happy, tired, and feel more blessed then I have ever in my life. To have such a healthy, strong baby is such a blessing, and I thank God for it every night. I love this little man with all my heart, and just can't believe he is mine. Amazing that Scott and I made him. Wow. That truly is mind blowing.

So labor and delivery was such a new experience, something you cannot fully understand until you are actually in it. I went into labor at about 6:30 pm on Thursday May 20th. Scott and I went out to eat to Pizza Pie Cafe as a last date together before baby came. (Little did we know how TRUE that really was!!) While eating, I was feeling contractions, but didn't allow myself to get excited because I have had several contractions that taper off and don't amount to any real labor. But on the way home, they were coming faster and stronger. By the time we made it home, I was almost certain this was the real thing, so we went for a walk to try and keep the contractions going. It worked! About 11 pm, the contractions were 10 minutes apart, so we decided to go to my parents house and drop Sydney off and wait till my contractions were 5 minutes apart to leave for the hospital. So we packed our bags and made it there. That is when labor started getting really uncomfortable. At about 1 pm, I decided it was time to go. The pain was increasing and the contractions were 5-7 minutes apart. When we got there, my contractions started coming every 2-3 minutes. I was 100% effaced, but not real progress in dialation, only at a 2, even though my contractions were fast and intense. Luckily, they decided to keep me. They gave me the epidural first (which I have heard is unusual, but very grateful for)then started me on petosin to get me dialated. Well that sure worked, and worked fast! I went from a 2 to a 3 in 1 hour, and then a 3 to a 6 in one hour, and a 6 to a 9 in a half hour, and just like that I was at a 10 and ready to push at 11 am. Carson's heart rate was becoming a concern. It kept dropping, and at one point it went down to 50, and we almost had an emergency c section. I received a blessing from Scott and his Dad, and immediately his heart rate went up. It didn't stay up the whole time, but it never went that low again. I was able to start pushing. The doctor didn't come till his head was already crowning. Thank goodness my nurses were amazing and that Dr. Parker did show up in time. I got to see the birth with a mirror. It was so surreal. Couldn't believe that was my body. Couldn't believe that was my baby's head. Couldn't believe I was doing it! Carson was born at 11:48 am after only 40 minutes of pushing. He was born blue everywhere, due to his cord being prolapsed, which explains the drop in his heart rate. But they were able to get him crying and his color quickly came back. He was 6 pounds 14 ounces, and 19 1/2 inches long. So small. So precious. He had to have some extra testing done to make sure he was ok, but everything turned out fine. In fact, he has maintained his weight, which I heard from the Pediatrician is really good, since most babies lose weight that first week. Again, we are so blessed. One weird thing that happened is my epidural did not wear off completely for 24 hours. I could not get up and walk. So although I was grateful to have the epidural during delivery, that was very strange to not be able to move for that long. But that hasn't detered me from getting it again! No way. The labor I experienced was enough for me! So after 48 hours, we took Carson home, and it has been wonderful, tiresome, strange, beautiful, and exciting ever since. Can't believe it. My life will never ever be the same, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!! Pictures will have to come in a later post, since they aren't uploading on here for some reason! But there is my story. Hope you enjoyed it :)

For Carson

2010-04-26T16:16:00.003-06:00

I am issuing a 30 day notice for EVICTION. Tenant will have 30 days in which he can either gather his belongings and promptly vacate the premises, or wait until the final day. After which, he will be physically removed from the property. He's being evicted due to breech of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, within reasonable limits, were discussed. Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back of the house were also made! Remodeling and gutting of the home was never approved, nor was changing the initial layout and base structure. On top of which, the landlord has received numerous complaints about nightly disturbances. After 30 days from this day that he doesn’t comply with the notice will result in immediate and forceful removal at my discretion.

hehehehehhe

My Happy Place

2010-03-15T17:10:00.002-06:00

Scott and I spent this last weekend in sunny St. George, for a break from life and a chance to really spend some time together without a baby. This was really our last opportunity to do this since I am now in my 31st week of pregnancy, and with baby showers on the weekends. I am so grateful we did it, even though money is extremely tight right now. We were very blessed to be able to stay with our friends Mori and Quint Jensen so we didn't have to spend money on a hotel room, which are very pricey nowadays. Also, our wonderful friends Amanda and Allen watched our dog Sydney for the weekend, and so I didn't have to worry about her. I treat her like she is my baby girl, so it's always hard for me to leave her. So needless to say, we were blessed, and I am truly grateful, because I needed this so badly.
St. George is my happy place. A place I can go when the cold, dark, bleak months of winter deplete me of my inner sunshine. I am pretty certain I have a condition known as SAD, which is Seasonal Affective Disorder. Basically, I get depressed when the sun don't shine, and can't shake the blues until I get some UV rays. I call it recharging my batteries. I did this on Dixie Rock. Laying there on that rock with the sun on cascading on my whole body was pure happiness and bliss. I needed it so much, and it completely lit me up.
Friday was a beautiful day in St. George. Saturday it hailed, but luckily we were in the temple doing sealings when it came on, and it only lasted for a couple hours. We missed the storm here up north, which I am so grateful for because I think it would have tipped me over the edge. Sunday was absolutely lovely, and we spent a great deal of it outside, just soaking up those rays.
We also got to spend some time with my parents, who also happened to be in St. George for a business trip. It was nice to go out to eat with them to Samarai 21 (which has amazing japanese food and cooking entertainment) and The Bear Claw (which has AMAZING breakfast).
I absolutely love St. George, and would move there in a heartbeat if I could convince my husband that 3 months of extreme heat really isn't that bad, when you consider the other 9 months of beautiful weather. Maybe someday we will move there, but till then, it is my solitude, my escape, my happy place, and I am so grateful it exists.

Another trial of faith

2010-02-15T10:22:00.002-07:00

God knows what he's doing. I don't know why we forget that sometimes. This experience I have had over the past couple weeks has brought to mind that if I only humble myself enough to listen and do what he asks, he will take care of things. While going through this, I received 2 blessings. One of healing and one of comfort. Both times I was told to read my scriptures. That it would help me greatly. I heard this, but I guess it wasn't at the forefront of my mind. So I didn't. Until one night, I believe Tuesday last week, I threw a tantrum. Literally. I was sick of being sick, and having to lay around and do nothing. I was sick of the pain. It was exhausting. I was sick of all the lortab, of everything. I was upset I had to cancel our Valentine trip to St. George. I had had it. So I threw a few pillows. Yep, like a little kid. Stomping around throwing pillows, feeling angry and sorry for myself. And then I glanced in the back room, and my scriptures were laying out on the floor in the middle of the room. I honestly have no idea what they were doing there, but it stopped my tantrum flat. I walked in the room, sat down on the floor, and read. I read for about 15 minutes, and then prayed for what seemed like eternity. When I got up, I felt a calm and peace that I hadn't felt in quite some time. I honestly had a completely different attitude to my situation. I knew that everything was in the Lord's hands. I knew I would be ok, and the baby would be ok, and that I had so much to be grateful for, that if this was my only trial, I am blessed. It was a whole new feeling. And that attitude change alone did wonders. I went to bed that night and slept. I woke up, and I started feeling better. Saturday and Sunday last week were almost completely pain-free. I was able to go out with my husband and celebrate Valentine's day, and go to church yesterday and help teach our 13-14 year olds. I made it through the whole 3 hours of church without any lortab. In fact, I haven't had to take one for over 24 hours, only a few tylennol here and there. It was a miracle. Now, the Hydronephrosis is still there, and probably will be a condition I have to live with off and on throughout my pregnancy, but it is managable now. The antibiotics they gave me for my kidney infection have helped tremendously. But I believe the change of attitude and spirit has helped me even more. I now realize that whatever I am faced with, whatever trial I go through, I know God is taking care of things. I know that if I put my trust in the Lord, that I honestly have nothing to fear. I am grateful for my little boy Carson, I am grateful it was so easy to conceive, I am grateful for a body that can conceive. I am grateful for a husband who loves me eternally and is my best friend, I am grateful for the apartment we have in this beautiful area of Alpine, and for the amazing ward who has welcomed us with open arms and has fed us and helped us so much when I needed it last week. I am grateful for my families on both sides being so close to us, and for all their love and support. I am grateful for my dog Sydney and all the unconditional love and company she provides when Scott is gone and I need someone. I am grateful for my testimony, and for the knowledge that God loves me, and I am His daughter, and he wants me to be happy and wants only the best for me. I know this now, again, and am grateful.

I hate being lonely:(

2010-02-09T12:35:00.003-07:00

So after my appointments yesterday, I have come to the conclusion that surgery is not an option I am willing to consider. First of all, surgery in general can induce preterm labor, and has risks for the baby. Also, the stint that they would put in only has a 40% chance of reducing the pain I am in, and has a 60% chance of making it a lot worse. Also, they have to change it every 12 weeks, so that would mean 2 surgeries during the remainder of my pregnancy, and also my body might reject it and there could be problems associated with that. All in all, I don't like my chances. So my only option is to manage the pain I am in with bed rest and lortab, for 3 whole months. The main concern here is kidney infections, which upon being tested yesterday, low and behold, I have one. So after getting a shot in the rear and a perscription to take for 2 weeks, I have to see the Obgyn every 2 weeks from now on, to make sure I get rid of the infection and not get it again, because kidney infections cause preterm labor as well. So with 2 stuffed animals, a card, and some chocolates I received from my mom and sister, I am laying here trying to figure out what to do with myself for 3 months, until this little one can come. I have the blanket I am crocheting, and I am learning to sew. I have books I could read, and blogs and facebook and movies, but beyond that, I need ideas. I hate feeling worthless. I want to feel like I can accomplish things, even on the couch. I hate the silence. My wonderful husband Scott got a new job, and I am so very happy for him, but he is gone all day every day now, so it's just me and my dog Sydney. So I ask, do any of you have ideas of what I could do that would make me feel accomplished? Please share them with me. I need them! Love you all, Tissa

25 weeks along, and bedrest isn't fun

2010-02-06T09:51:00.002-07:00

I am 6 months pregnant, and man, has it been a ride. First I started out the 1st trimester with horrible morning sickness, which caused me to lose 15 pounds and be on Zofran to prevent me from throwing up (which I STILL have to take to this day). It was also fraught with many migraines which was also not fun.

The second trimester started out better, with finding out that we are having a little boy who will be named Carson, and feeling him kick and move. I was finally able to feel connected to the little guy. Scott also has been able to feel him several times, which has brought tears of joy and excitement. Also, plans for the baby room and registering for baby showers with Scott have been wonderful distractions. I have also tapped into my creative, domesticated self (which is not a strong point in my life) and started crocheting and sewing and all things crafty. I am currently working on 2 baby blankets to keep my mind off of the recent events of the last month. So here's what's been going on.

I have what's called Hydronephrosis, which basically means water in the kidney. My uterus is sitting on my ureters, and therefore backing up my urine in my kidney, making it swell very large. It is extremely painful. I saw my kidney on the ultrasound, and its huge. My Obgyn is referring me to a Urologist and I see him on Monday. But until then, I have to lay on my left side as much as I can for as long as I can to try and move my uterus out of the way so my kidney can drain. If I am successful, and the swelling has gone down, I will probably be on mostly bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy to keep my kidney from swelling up again, which is damaging to my kidney. If bedrest shows no improvement, then I will most likely have surgery to drain it out. I will find out on Monday what's happening exactly. All I know is that both outcomes don't sound good, and I am sick of having to take lortab to function. But I am very grateful that all of this is not affecting the baby, just me. I am very grateful for that. I prayed over and over as I waited in the doctors office that the baby wasn't being affected my whatever was going on with me, and my prayers were answered. If I have to endure lots of pain and bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy with the knowledge that my baby will be fine, I will do it with a smile on my face. The only thing I have asked for each night is a strong, healthy baby, and I pray that will happen. Being on all this medication worries me, despite the fact that my Doctor says it's fine. I guess my body just doesn't like being pregnant. I just hope I can get through the next 3 months and have a beautiful baby boy at the end of it. I only wish I could do more. I wish I could be one of those women who feel great during pregnancy, and get so much done, and can work full time for most of it without too much problems. I wish I could massage more, and take voice and piano lessons, and visit the temple each week. Those were all goals I had for myself at the beginning of this year, but now are not possible to accomplish. But I am trying to keep myself occupied, with my little projects. I hope I don't sound like I am complaining. This entry feels like I am venting in a journal, just spilling out my thoughts and worries and wishes. I hope everyone knows I want to be a mom, that I'm excited to be a mom, and can't wait. That is the ultimate goal here, and I WILL achieve it, no matter what.

A little about Latissa Marie Graham

2010-01-30T14:54:00.001-07:00

I was asked to write about myself for a lady in Relief Society. I read through it, and decided this would be a good blog posting, so here it is.

My full name is Latissa Marie Graham. My name is unique, and I would like to tell you where it came from. When my mom was little, she used to wish and dream and hope and pray for a little sister. She had 2 younger brothers, but wanted a little sister so badly. One night she had a dream. She dreamed that a little girl appeared to her and introduced herself as Latissa and said that my mom would not have a sister, but that she would be my mother's daughter someday.When my mom woke up, she ran and told my Grandma about the dream, and that she was going to have a little girl named Latissa. My Grandma thought my mom would forget about it, but she never did. When my mom became pregnant for the first time, she knew it was me, and it was. So that is where my name comes from.

I am the oldest of 4 children. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister, and I love them all very much. I am very close to my family. They live in Cedar Hills so I see them often. I grew up with music in my home, and developed a strong love for it. I played the violin for 8 years, all through Jr. High and High School, was involved in musical theater, sang in multiple choirs including Acapella, where I met my husband on choir tour. We dated a few months before his mission. I did not intend to wait for him. I went to Dixie State College for 2 years and almost married someone else. One night when I was talking with my parents about marrying this other man, my Dad said, "For some reason I feel a strong urge to mention Scott Graham's name." I looked at him with shock and surprise. My parents barely met him before he left on his mission, and I hadn't even written him for months. But after my Dad mentioned his name, I couldn't get him out of my head. I tried to ignore it, but eventually I ended up getting on my knees with much annoyance to pray and see if I needed to wait for Scott to get home. The second I started praying, I felt a huge feeling of warmth and strong feeling that I needed to wait, and that the other guy I was seeing was not the one. I got up from that prayer and instantly wrote Scott and told him all about what was happening. I asked him if he felt that there was anyway that he would want to date me when he got home. If there wasn't, then I would marry this other guy. But if there was, I would wait. I mailed that letter and was instantly horrified at what he would think when he read it. He was going to think I was nuts!! I ran home and emailed him and said that I had just wrote him a letter, and that the second he received it, he needed to email me his response, because I could not wait for it to come in the mail. (Canada post takes forever) When he responded, he said he always intended on dating me when he got back if I was still available, and that he prayed about it, and he felt that whatever I was feeling was right, and I should follow that, whether it was to wait for him or marry this other guy. Needless to say, I waited, and the second I saw him when he got home, we both knew it was just a matter of time before we would get married. 7 months later, we did!

Another cool fact: Scott was born the same day and time my parents got married in the SLC temple. I have fun imagining me up in heaven trying to watch both events. My parents wedding or my husband's birth! How fun!

I still have a passion for music, and am currently taking voice lessons from my Grandma who was in the Mormon Tabernacle choir for 22 years, and piano lessons from my mother. I work as a Massage Therapist in my home, and have my own private practice. I love my job! I love to read and crochet and write and am currently learning how to sew a baby blanket. I am 24 weeks pregnant and due May 22 with my first child, who is a baby boy named Carson James. I cannot wait to be a mother. I love living here and am very happy with my life!

Ultrasound photos of baby Carson

2009-12-27T12:59:00.010-07:00

As promised, here are the ultrasound photos of Carson! See if you can pick out his head and face. It was so amazing to see him moving all over the place! His little arms and legs were kicking and punching all the time, and I couldn't believe how active he is!! I feel him quite frequently, but they are little movements. I can't imagine how they will feel when I am 8-9 months along!! Heaven help me and my weak bladder!! But truly, this is one experience I will never forget. How amazing is it that my body is providing a home for this little one to grow. It truly is the miracle of life.

We're having a BOY!!

2009-12-25T14:40:00.002-07:00

Scott and I are pleased to announce that Carson James Graham is on his way and is healthy and growing at a normal rate. No problems to report with Carson. We are thrilled!! So very happy to finally know the sex, so we can start buying baby clothes and things!! I knew it was Carson all along. I always knew I would have him first. I felt him from the moment we got married, and I am just so happy that he is finally coming. Scott is definitely excited to have a son to play tinker toys with and build stuff with and go shooting and all that boy stuff. I just hope someday I will have a girl!! We will see! Anyway, that is all I have time for in this blog, but I promise to post a picture of him from the ultrasound, and possibly some of the video if I can! Hope you all are having a very Merry Christmas, cause I know I am!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!

2009-12-17T23:04:00.002-07:00

I just can't!! 4 more days till the ultrasound and I just can't handle the anticipation any longer!! I see babies everywhere and baby clothes and things and I just want to KNOW so I can start buying boy or girl things!! I can't wait till Christmas eve to find out!! I just can't! But I am not posting what it is till then, and I am not telling family or friends what it is till then!! Oh my, this is so exciting!!!!!! Best CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!

And that's what's on my mind tonight:)

Babies!

2009-12-08T23:37:00.011-07:00

After thinking about what our baby will look like, ie hair, eyes, face, chubbiness, I decided to look at baby pics of Scott and I. Scott is so scared of having an ugly baby, but I don't think we have anything to worry about! If you crossed me and Scott, I think it would turn out adorable!! What do you think?

Me:)

Me a happy baby

Cute eh?

Scott is the baby with big brother Chris

Don't you just want to pick him up?

That hair is just adorable!!

So much to post!

2009-12-03T16:51:00.011-07:00

I am horrible at blogging. I have just figured this out. I don't know why, because I get on here all the time to read everyone else's postings, but don't take the time to post about my life. Wow. Well, here's what you've missed over the past month and a half. Halloween was pretty laid back. I dressed up as a cat and Scott dressed up as V from V for Vendetta. We went Joanna's house for a Halloween party with Amanda and Allen. We also had a lot of fun carving pumpkins with my family. We all got really creative this year! So here is Halloween:

Sorry I can't find pics of us all dressed up. Ok, so after Halloween, November hit and I can't even remember everything that happened. It really did go by so fast! Thanksgiving was just wonderful. We had 24 people over at my parent's house, so needless to say it was a little crazy, but we all loved it. The food was amazing, and I was actually able to eat it, thanks to the second trimester of pregnancy giving me my appetite back (well, kind of). Here is a picture of Scott and I at Thanksgiving:
Also, here is a picture of my pregnant belly at 3 months, which was about a half a month ago. I need to get another one up. If I look a little leaner, it's because I have lost a total of 14 pounds since I first got pregnant, due to extreme morning sickness, and what I think is a boy in me, like Scott, eating everything I put in my body and leaving me with nothing! I have not gained a single pound, so my Doc says I gotta start eating more!
Also new, is my hair! I recently chopped 8 inches off, and sport a new do that is just below my collar bone. I love it!! I also have lighter hair, more of a golden color now, with lots of layers. You can see it in that pregnant pic above straightened, and also in this pic with it curled:
Well, I am sure I am missing something, but that is what I have for today! I will get a more recent pic of my belly up at my 16 week mark, which is this Saturday! I am also very excited, because Scott and I will be having our Ultrasound to find out the sex of our baby on December 21st! The plan is to have the Doc right down the sex, and we will put it in an envelope and open it later that week on Christmas Eve in front of the whole family!! I am beginning to wonder if I will actually make it that long though!! The suspense will kill me!! Anyway, I won't post the sex till Christmas, so look out for it then!! Any votes on what you think it will be? I cute little mexican lady at JCW's thinks I'm having a girl, and the women in my family want it to be a girl, seeing as my Grandma's mom was the first born, My Grandma was the first born, my Mom was the first born, I was the first born, so if I have a boy it will throw that line of first born women off!! I have thought from the beginning that it will be a boy, named Carson James Graham, but lately my dreams have been giving me mixed signals, so who knows? What do you think?

The Newest Licensed Massage Therapist in Town!!

2009-10-31T10:35:00.013-06:00

I am very pleased to announce that the day I have been waiting for for over a year has finally come!! I am OFFICIALLY a Licensed Massage Therapist, and legal to practice. It has been quite a journey this past year. School was quite tough sometimes, but I am so very grateful I never gave up. I knew it would be hard to give up my weeknights Mon-Thurs 7pm - 10:30 pm every single week for a year, but I didn't realize just how hard it would be until I was doing it. I had to give up precious time with my husband and friends and family on countless occasions, which was the hardest part of school for me. But I knew from the very beginning that it would all be worth it in the end, and I knew that nothing was impossible for me to achieve with the Lord's help, and I am telling you he carried me through some nights and tests, which I am so grateful for. Looking back, I sometimes can't believe a year actually passed. That I actually did it. Where would I be in my life right now if I hadn't decided to take that chance? I honestly don't think I would have felt as accomplished and confident with myself as I do now. I learned all the muscles and bones in the human body, and their functions and locations and how they interact and oppose each other. I learned many diseases so that I can recognize them in my patients. I learned how to look at someone and analyze what their main imbalance and dysfunction is, and how to fix it. I learned how to help people feel good, and help release pain that they have been dealing with for possibly their whole life. I learned how love people, regardless of who they are or their situation, and look past the human body faults, and see the person and love the person inside. My profession is truly amazing. I get to help people FEEL good! How many people get to say they do that for a living? I am just so happy and thankful for my experience at UCMT, and for the friends I have gained that I will cherish for years to come. And I am especially thankful for my husband Scott, and my family, for all the support they showed when I needed it most. I love you all!! Here are some pictures from my graduation. I had quite a turn out for me!

My lovely parents:)

Scott, I love you so much!!

Joanna, you are such a blessing! Thank you for the identity package!!

Amanda and Allen, we can play again!!

My two best friends at school, Sarah and Jenna! I love you two!!

Receiving my High Five Achievement Award (5 massages in 5 1/2 hours every clinic shift!)

Receiving my Diploma!

Very proud of this!

Vegas baby!

2009-09-17T11:59:00.017-06:00

Our Anniversary trip to Vegas was so fun. We stayed at the Grandview at Las Vegas, which are condos. Our room was 800 square feet, with a full kitchen, living room, bedroom with a King bed, Jacuzzi, and beautiful bathroom with a separate shower. It was so nice. We had a nice pool too, and spent time lounging around and getting a nice tan. We spent all of Saturday on the strip, and went to so many places, but the best places were Madaam Tussaud's Wax Museum, where we met a lot of stars that seriously looked real, and then later that night we saw "The Phantom Spectacular" at The Venetian, which truly was spectacular! It's the same show as The Phantom of the Opera, just a very slightly shorter version, and had a lot more special effects, including dropping a huge chandelier 10 feet above the audience's heads, and fireworks and amazing sets that looked so real. We both really enjoyed it! We went shopping, and I bought this really pretty wrap dress that can be so many different styles of dresses, some of which will be good maternity styles! I love it. We enjoyed an yummy buffet and ate at Planet Hollywood's restaurant, which was also very yummy, and fun to see tons of props used in movies. On Monday, we saw the Hoover Dam, which was my first time seeing it. It was so cool! Very large, and amazing how much power is generated from that thing! Then we drove home. We had so much fun, and it was just a wonderful way to celebrate our 2 year anniversary and news that we are having a baby! Here are so pictures for your enjoyment

I'm gonna be a Mommy in May!

2009-09-16T15:27:00.005-06:00

I'm Pregnant!!!!!!!

I just found out on September 11th that we will be expecting in May! I am still in shock, and I don't think reality has fully set in for me or Scott, but we are so excited. It was perfect timing, since I found out right before our 2 year Anniversary trip to Vegas. Here is what happened. I found out that morning at about 5:50 am, because I honestly couldn't hold it anymore, since I didn't pee all night. I found out all by myself in the bathroom, since everyone was still asleep. When I was waiting for the results to come up, I kept thinking I was setting myself up for disapointment, and I was so nervous. Then I thought that maybe it could happen, and then at the last second I pretty much decided it was impossible, when the Clear Blue test came up saying "PREGNANT"! I just stood there stunned, and then a huge smile crossed my face, and I started jumping up and down screaming silently to myself since everyone was still asleep, and I didn't want Scott to find out yet, since I planned to surprise him later in St. George. So I went back to bed and acted like nothing happened. It was SO HARD. Of course I didn't sleep a wink. As soon as Scott woke up and left to go to a quick work meeting before we left, I ran upstairs and woke up my mom. She was so surprised! All the way to St. George, my stomach was turning as I tried to keep it from Scott! I texted a couple friends, and told them I couldn't hold it in much longer! I am so bad at surprises! I give everything away with my face, but somehow Scott didn't see it! What I did was I bought 2 onesies, 1 fro a boy and 1 for a girl, and put my pregnancy test in between them in a bag for him to open. It was so cute. When I gave it to him on Dixie Rock, he picked the clothes up and didn't realize what they were at first, and then his eyes got big and he said, "Honey?" "Honey!" And when I pulled out the pregnancy test and showed him, he was so thrilled! He hugged and kissed me over and over and said that was the best present he couls have gotten. It was such a wonderful experience. Definitely the second happiest day of my life. (First would be my wedding day) Scott was so dotting for the whole rest of the weekend. It's like he saw me in a different light, a pregnant light :) It was so cute. We called our family and friends and drove the rest of the way to Vegas. More to come on the Vegas trip in another post, since this is big enough!

One change to previous posting...

2009-09-06T14:54:00.003-06:00

In regards to the post below, aparently that video is not the same one that will be shown to students. That one will be available to view tomorrow. Hopefully there is no political agenda attached with it, like this other one. I still feel that video below was directed at our children, by the celebrities, and is not right. It still makes my skin crawl.

I am shocked and appauled!

2009-09-04T13:52:00.003-06:00

We are NOT a servant to the President! He is a servant to the people, for the people, by the people!! We are NOT in a dictatorship! This video will be shown to our kids in school on Tuesday! It is surrounded by all these good thoughts, but watch till the end. And I quote, " I Pledge to be a servant to Barack Obama". Do we want our kids to see this? It makes me sick.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcPA1ysSbw

More about this when I can control my language.

3 Birthdays in 1 weekend! FUN!

2009-08-24T23:30:00.024-06:00

We had quite the busy weekend! On the 22nd it was my brother Jorden and my brother in law Thomas's birthday. So we had 2 birthday parties planned for Sunday evening. Not only that, but my good friend Jenna's daughter Riley had a birthday on Sunday, and so we had 3 parties to hop around to. It was quite fun. Watching Riley open her gift was so cute. I just love her to pieces! Scott had a lot of fun with her tinker toys! Hanging out with our families was great too. We love them all! Also, I curled my hair for like the first time this year, and so I had to take pictures to document it. I have been told by many that it looked beautiful, so here are a couple of those. We gave Sydney a bath, and she looked so cute and silly I just had to take some pictures of her too. So I hope you enjoy these pics!

Blonder and Blonder, and July fun

2009-07-17T15:29:00.020-06:00

This is my 3rd round of becoming blonde, and I love it! Also, Here are some pictures of the rare happy moments found on the 4th of July weekend with the family (see 2 posts ago). Hope you like them!

My little Russian cousins Chante and Jessica, and sis Kylie

Grandpa and Grandma West

My brother Landon; one of my best buds:)

My parents and Grandparents

My little angel Kylie and me:)

Jorden and I

My Brothers:)

Good pic of my highlights

Seductive?

Reflexology or Cranial Sacral anyone?

2009-07-10T17:53:00.002-06:00

I need people to come and get Reflexology and/or Cranial Sacral from me tomorrow at UCMT!! They are both very relaxing and beneficial. I have times at 7 am, 8 am, or 9 am in the morning, or 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm or 9 pm. It's only $25 for 50 min. I hurt my ankle and can't do Swedish massage, so I need your help! Anyone interested? If so, text or call me at 801-616-9925

Alright, I'VE HAD IT!

2009-07-08T22:59:00.002-06:00

Due to the fact that I have been trying to not post negative thoughts or feelings, I have not blogged about the recent events that have happened to me. But after tonight, I have HAD IT!!! Ok, it started about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I got very sick with a bad cold, one of the worst I have ever had. Lasted a good week. Missed clinic and work and class. UGH. But it went away, or so I thought. Last week, about Tuesday, I developed ANOTHER cold, but this time it was just in my sinuses. I hoped it would go away, but it stuck around all through my only weekend off this summer, which we planned to have a nice relaxing weekend staying at the Zermatt Hotel in Midway with my family. Along with that, I hurt my wrist last week which felt like I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in one day, by using it wrong at clinic, and after seeing the chiropractor and icing it, it still swelled up like a ballon last weekend, which made me think somehow I broke a little bone, and ended up in the Instacare on the 4th of July. The Doc was baffled. It wasn't broken, but with all the swelling it should have been. I had to wear a brace for a couple of days and heavy anti-inflammatories. Also through the weekend, I had a stomach flu. Sunday, I woke up to my eyes sealed shut with goop. I went to the mirror, and guess what I saw? PINK EYE. OH MY HELL. At this point, my 4th of July weekend was officially ruined. Sinus infection, Wrist pain, Stomach flu, and Pink eye all in one weekend!! I went to the Doc on Monday this week, and sure enough, I had a sinus infection and pink eye. Nobody at work wanted me there. I don't blame them. On top of being contagious, I looked like hell with red eyes gooping all over and no makeup and glasses. HORRIBLE. Well, I thought it was over. I have been feeling better yesterday and today, with the antibiotics flowing through me, and my wrist feeling almost 100% better, I thought the worst was over. BUT OH NO!! Tonight, as I walked down the stairs, in my HORENDOUS heels (i'm an idiot) I FELL! Like half way down the stairs. And owie. I sprained my damn ankle. Scott came running down. I tried to walk it off, and as I was walking out the doors to my car, holding the door frame to walk down the stairs in the garage, Scott slammed the door on my FINGERS!!!! Keep in mind, this happend within a few minutes time of me falling down the stairs. WHAT NEXT? SERIOUSLY!??? I was waiting for me to cross the street and get hit by a car at this point! I think I will take my friend Amanda's advice, to stay indoors, wrap myself in bubble wrap, and don't move! Seriously, has anything like this ever happend to anyone else, or do I just attract bad luck? ARRRGHHHH!!!

Overall update on our lives

2009-06-30T23:20:00.002-06:00

So, update time. I'm not sure that there is much to update you on, but let me think. Well, I am still in school, but I graduate in 3 1/2 months! Time is flying, and I am grateful, because I really want to start my own private practice. I already have plenty of clients from my clinic internship that love me and want to pay me! I have loved clinic. It is amazing to help people feel better. You wouldn't believe the comments I get from people who really felt better after the massage then they had in years. On one of my client comment forms, the lady simply said "I am 50, but I feel I am 20". Hahaha I loved that one! But really, how cool is it that my job is going to be to help people feel better, and relieve pain and dysfunction? I am learning how to change people's structure, from scholiosis, to bow-legged, to humps on the back, to just plain bad posture. I can help teach the muscles and fascia to stop holding wrong and to restore a healthy, aligned body. It is amazing the work I am learning. Also, I am learning how to work on MS patients, as well as Fibromyalgia patients, and how masage is so beneficial to them, so I can help both my mothers. I love knowledge. I love the freedom and ability it brings. I truly thirst for it, and I doubt I will ever say I am done with school. I believe I will always be learning something, because I wouldn't be truly happy if I wasn't.

Work is fun. I am an Administrative Assistant for a company called Burstabit Media in Lehi. The environment is perfect for me. Its like one big family of 20 employees. To give you an idea of what I am saying, at lunch, me and a few other girls go into the fully stocked kitchen and make fresh salads or wraps with EVERYTHING on it, for everyone in the office. Then we go to the conference room, eat, and have Wii competitions! Last week it was a tennis competiton, and that was a blast. For our company party last weekend, we went to Boondocks, and raced the go carts and slicktracts, and nearly got kicked out of the park for bumping each other, which was mostly lead by my bosses!! SO funny, and such a blast. It really is a great part-time temporary job, and i'll keep it for now:)

Scott and I are doing very well, and are saving money and getting out of debt. It is a wonderful feeling! Hopefully we will buy a house by next year. A small one of course, but it will be ours. We love each other so much, and can't believe it will be 2 years for us in 2 1/2 months!! We are celebrating it by going to see The Phantom in Vegas!! I am so thrilled, and so is Scott.

Sydney, our puppy, is getting so big, and so smart. she is now 14 weeks old, and is so darling. She is our little bundle of joy, and has one the heart of everyone she meets.

Did I mention we were called as Nursery leaders? It has been so much fun. We love playing with the kids, and I think Scott's favorite part is snack time:)

Well that is an overall update on our lives! I will try to update more often!

My New Hair

2009-06-05T14:19:00.003-06:00

Here is a few pictures of my blonde highlighted hair with a lot more layers in it. I absolutely love it! Fun for summer!!

Our newest addition to our little family:)

2009-05-24T22:23:00.004-06:00

I have been wanting to blog about our Sydney since we got her, but life has been so crazy with finals and starting a new job and adjusting to the new puppy. Well, it all started on our 20 month anniversary. We had been wanting a puppy for so long, and when we got the ok from my parents, we started looking. We had our hearts set on getting an Australian Shepherd because they are such great family dogs and have such a fun temperment, so we went searching. To our dismay, Aussie puppies cost at least $400, and are extremely hard to find at a shelter around here. But on that Wednesday afternoon, I found her. Sydney was in Cedar City at a shelter, and I saw her picture on Petfinder.com, and both Scott and I fell in love with her. Sydney is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. Within 10 minutes after calling the shelter, we decided to go and get her. I had to go to school, so Scott tool his brother James, and went that night. Needless to say, I was distracted at school all night, and couldn't wait to meet her!! She has been the sweetest little girl since day one. So loving and friendly, and curious. She is learning commands, such as "Sit", "Stay", "Come", and "Do your business"(potty time), and has only had a few accidents in the house. She sleeps in her crate all night in our room and does not whine. She is protective and affectionate to us, and anyone she meets. Sydney was 7.5 pounds when we got her, and she is now 9 pounds! She is almost 10 weeks old. We had quite a scare with her this last week. She has had the Parvo Virus, and if any of you have dogs, you know how scary that can be. But we caught it in time, and she has been such a good little fighter, and I believe she is nearly over it. I never knew I would love a dog so much. I never really liked other people's dogs that much, and especially when they licked me. But now I love it. It is so funny! I guess when they're your own, you don't care? I am sure it is the same with having your own baby, and their slobber and diapers. Sydney is the closest thing to having a baby of our own I believe. With having her, and being called to the Nursery this week, Scott and I are getting the best training for having a baby that we can get. With that said, life is pretty good! I got a job as an Administrative Assistant for a company called Burstabit Media, and I honestly couldn't ask for a better part time job. I love the company and the people and environment. I am truly blessed to have that job. Also, I just finished finals, and did very well! Massage school is going great, and i absolutely love Clinic Internship every Saturday. 5 massages in 5.5 hours is pretty exhausting, but I am proud to say I can do it, and have gained a few new clients so far, and a tip! Scott and I are saving our money and getting out of debt, so that next year we can move out and into a house. Life is going great right now, and I am so grateful. I feel happier and healthier than I have in a very long time. It truly is a wonderful life!

6:30 am was beautiful today...

2009-05-05T13:33:00.002-06:00

I woke up this morning with Scott to make him lunch before he leaves for the day as I normally do now, feeling quite drowsy, since he normally doesn't have to leave till 7:30 am. This morning however, he had to be out the door about 6:30 am, so I half sleep-walked up the stairs to make him his lunch. He came in from outside and announced that it was beautiful outside. After he left, I decided to take a peak. To my surprise, the scene was perfect. I stuck my leg out, and felt the temperature. It felt so good. I grabbed a blanket just in case, and went out to sit on our porch swing. Everything smelled fresh, and I could smell the tulips that were right next to me in the air. Everything was quite, and still, all except my cat, who was attacking something in the bushes, which was quite entertaining to watch:) I thought to myself, this could not be a more perfect morning. I am not a morning person AT ALL, but this morning alone has made me want to see 6:30 am more often. In my newly formed opinion, this is the best time of the day!

Come to Paradise!!

2009-04-29T13:41:00.002-06:00

Here is information about the tour that my Dad, Ken Young, is putting together for this October. Scott and I are also going to be coming, and helping with the tour! It really is a great opportunity for those not familiar with Hawaii, and don't have the time or resources to plan a vacation this detailed. We will be seeing every major tourist spot, and some that a lot of people don't know about. My dad has been to Hawaii several times throughout his life, and has done guided Hawaii tours before. Come to the meeting this Friday afternoon to see what its all about, and see if you are interested!

UCPolynesia
Fully Escorted Hawaiian Tours
Come to Paradise
Free Tour Presentation
with Hawaiian Music
PG Jacobs Senior Center
242 West 200 South, Pleasant Grove, UT
May 1, 2009 12:00 Noon

Escorted Hawaiian Tour
October 16-24, 2009
9 days / 8 nights visiting the islands of Kaua'i, Maui and Oahu. This is a fun and non-strenuous tour that is great for those who want a hassle-free vacation! Optional activities!

Tour Cost: $2,789* per person, double occupancy. Includes: Airfare, 8 nights in 4-star hotels, ground transportation, island tours, Luau, Polynesian Cultural Center admission, Lei greeting, some meals (3 dinners/2 lunches/3 breakfasts - other meals not included).

Tour Highlights*:
Oct 16 - Fly to Kaua'i. Evening free time at pool / beach. Option: Coconut Marketplace shopping.

Oct 17 – Kaua’i - Island Tour: Fern Grotto, Kilauea Lighthouse, Hanalei, Limahuli Gardens,
Haena Beach sunset picnic.

Oct 18 -. Kaua’i - Island Tour: Wailua Falls, Koloa Town, Poipu Beach, Spouting Horn.
Evening Havaiki Nui Luau. Option: attend church.

Oct 19 – Kaua’i - Na Pali Coast Boat Tour and Waimea Canyon. Evening fly to Maui.

Oct 20 – Maui - Island Tour: Iao Valley Park and Hale’akala volcano. Option: Lahaina Town

Oct 21 – Maui - Road to Hana Tour, tropical jungles, waterfalls, beaches.

Oct 22 – Oahu - Pearl Harbor Tour. Island Tour: Honolulu, Pali Lookout, Byodo-In, Laie Beach Option: LDS Laie Temple.

Oct 23 – Oahu - Polynesian Cultural Center, with Luau and Night Show.

Oct 24 - Fly to SLC, arrive evening.
* Subject to change

801-735-2191 | kyoung_ucp@msn.com | ucp-hawaiiantours.blogspot

.com

My wonderful St. George weekend, with a few surprises

2009-04-29T12:35:00.016-06:00

Scott and I in a cave part of the Canyon Overlook hike!
Carson was so funny and decided he needed a nap halfway through the hike. We all laughed!!

Good picture of my highlights!
Mori, Carson, and Quint!! So cute.
Beautiful St. George Temple

My new hat...I love it!
Kylie all dressed up after her play!! What a doll!!

Us at Thanksgiving Point Gardens

St. George was just what the doctor ordered. My much-needed weekend started off with me getting my hair done...with blonde highlights! It has been quite a long time since I had blonde in my hair; since I was 17! But I love it, and so does Scott. It was time for a change, and since Scott would probably cry if I cut it, I settled for color. I guess I am going the blonde way now, because I intend to gradually go blonder and blonder. Oh! And we also went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving point, which was just gorgeous!!
Anyway, so that night, we went and saw my sister Kylie play the Little Red-headed girl that Charlie Brown has a crush on in the play "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". She was so adorable, and just lit up the stage!! After the play, we headed to St. George, and didn't get in till late Friday night and the Jensen's house. Saturday, we woke up and tried Herbalife shakes for the first time, and became hooked!! They are so yummy, and there are so many options, not just shakes, but pies, snack bars, and all kinds of other recipes. Scott and I decided to get the program, and we are loving it so far. We went shopping pretty much all afternoon on Saturday, and ate at Larsen's Frost top and ordered their famous rootbeer freeze, which I highly reccommend. We then went to the St. George temple grounds and took a wonderful nap on the green grass under a beautiful tree and enjoyed the flowers all around us. We then met Quint and Mori and their adorable 2 year old Carson at my favorite mexican restaurant, Pancho and Lefty's. We ended the evening seeing State of Play at the theater, which was pretty good. Sunday was spent in Zion's National Park, and the Jensen's joined us. It was gorgeous weather, and we were able to hike some beautiful trails. Carson was such a trooper! He was only carried some of the time, but mostly he walked all by himself, and loved looking at every little bug and stick! We ended the night saying goodbye to the Jensen's and eating at our favorite burger joint, Oscar's, which is right outside Zions. It was a fun and enjoyable trip, and we really liked getting to know the Jensen's better. Thanks for everything guys! Here are some pictures of Thanksgiving point, Kylie's play, and St. George.

My 22nd Birthday celebrations!

2009-04-05T22:35:00.011-06:00

Boy did I get spoiled! I sure had a good 22nd. It started 2 Sundays ago at my Aunt Val and Uncle Mike's house to celebrate my birthday with my Dad's side of the family. We had yummy knock off Cafe Rio pork salads that my amazing Aunt came up with, and yummy cake and presents. The Saturday before my birthday, Scott and I went to Applebees to use the giftcard I got from my Aunt Wendy for my birthday and enjoyed a Bourbon Steak and embarrassing singing and yummy cake. Then on my birthday, we woke up at 7 am and had a yummy Belgium waffles and eggs and bacon breakfast made by my fabulous family. Jo was there too, and it was so yummy and fun! I wore the necklace my mom bought me from the Holy Cow fair that Pleasant Grove had, and it is absolutely gorgeous. It is a charm necklace, and I love it. Scott and I both had work off, so we spent the day eating lunch at The Olive Garden, looking at puppies and kitties and the animal shelter, shopped at Wal Mart, where I actually found some very cute capris that I never thought would look good on me, went to school to stop by (where I received a stern look from my teacher) to get a card that my classmates made, and then went to see Bedtime Stories at the dollar theater. It really was a very fun day! Oh! And I almost forgot to add that Amanda E and Amanda P took me out to Bajio last night and I received a fun knitting kit and iTunes gift card for my new iPhone that Scott bought me, and had so much fun with them! And Jo came today for the family party and gave me Breakfast at TIffany's; a cherished movie for us. I love them all!

Today we had my mom's side of the family over after conference, and celebrated my Aunt Libby's, Grandma's, and my birthday. We all had a yummy dinner and separate cakes, (chocolate peppermint, bananna cream and cheesecake) and opened many cards and presents. I was spoiled with enough money to go get a professional massage, which I have been urged to do so from my teachers at UCMT, and am very excited about it. It is a chance for me to see how other people do it, and to compare and contrast certain techniques used, the little extra ways they pamper their clients, and the aura and feeling of the room they use, so I can immatate, or better yet improve it in my own practice. (Not to mention enjoy a fabluous massage)

On another note, General Conference was amazing this spring. The major themes that stuck out to me were faith, change, and temples. What a perfect time to emphasize the importance of these. I myself have maybe lost some faith and been distraught at the hard things in this world that have occured in my life, and I felt lifted up by all the amazing talks reflecting on these topics. I know I am not the only one who needed to hear it. I feel a peace that I haven't felt in awhile, and a strong desire to visit the temple; not just for me, but for the souls in the next life who need me so much. I know that loosing yourself in the service of our Heavenly Father can lift our own burdens, and help us forget and see that there are so many things to be thankful for. I love this gospel more than anything. It is literally my spiritual oxygen and strength, and I feel I have been given a big dose of it this weekend. I hope you all felt the same way when you listened, and if you missed it, look it up online, or read in the Ensign next month.

I am posting some pictures of my birthday events. Hope you enjoy them!

Moving in with the parents...

2009-03-22T22:21:00.002-06:00

Life threw us a curve ball. Two actually. At the same time. Everything was going great. My job of 20 months was going as usually, and Scott was making great money installing dish. We bought a truck for and excellent price ($4,000) in one weekend, and the next day, BAM! I was laid off from my job, and Scott's work came to a complete stand-still. Just like that, and that dramatic. This happened right after Valentine's weekend. Now, I was very blessed to get a new job in just 1 week of being laid off, but I had to go part time because of school, and took a big decrease in my hourly pay, while Scott's work hasn't gotten any better for the past month. Needless to say, we can't pay the bills on my part time income. Scott and I have both been working so hard to find him a good job, but as everyone knows, the economy SUCKS. We barely made it threw March, and so, with our heads hung low, we are moving in with my generous parents who understand. We were talking about debt and provident living in our combined Relief Society and Priesthood lesson today at church, and Scott and I both felt that now is the time to humble ourselves and live on a responisble budget to get out of debt and build up a big enough savings that if this ever happens to us again, we will be prepared. I am embaressed to say that we were not prepared for this. We had a year and a half of easy going, and did not save. We are learning our lesson the hard way, but at least we are learning it early on in our marriage, before kids. We are going to think of this as an opportunity to evalute and reconstruct our emergency preparedness and budget. Although I look at our apartment and feel a sadness that we will be losing a bit of our independence, I know that God will help us if we do our part and continue to pay tithing. I know that all things happen for a reason, and it is our decision what we do with what is thrown at us. Our hope is that Scott will get a good job, and we will be able to buy a home by the end of this year. We will see. But I have chosen to stay positive, and see the blessings in every part of life.

A year and a half of the greatest adventure of my life

2009-03-14T11:44:00.003-06:00

Wow, it has been since New Years that I have blogged. So much has happened over the past 2 1/2 months. Many times I have wanted to blog, but my mind has literally been overloaded with emotions of all kinds, and school, which has been exceptionally trying. But I can now say, that I know where probably almost every muscle is in the body, and almost every function, which was so overwhelming. But I honestly think it is so cool that I am learning these things about the body. I have a new-found appreciation of the body and its amazing creation. It truly is mind-boggling. So with much studying and hard work, I managed to get 3 A's in Advanced Massage, Acupressure, and Professional Development 2, and a wonderful B in Anatomy 2. I now get to look forward to the nervous system, in all its complexities, in Anatomy 3 next week. I really am excited for it. We had our intro lesson last week, and it was fascinating. We also are taking Pathology, Cranial Sacral, Movement and Assesment, Sports Massage, and we will be starting Clinic soon as well, where i get to massage people every Saturday till October. That will be so cool, but no more weekend trips! It will be completely worth it when I finally graduate. I am so excited to be halfway through! Today is our year and a half anniversary. It is so sureal sometimes to think that it has already been that long. It hasn't always been easy, but I love my husband more and more everyday, and I am so blessed to have him. He is my very best friend, and has been a huge support to me these past 6 months since school started, and life threw some curve balls at us. There have been some events in both our families that have been so disheartening that have occured, and its easy to feel like Satan is winning sometimes. This world is becoming harder and harder to live in, but I know, I KNOW, that If we don't give in or give up, God will take care of us. He is always there, waiting and willing to carry us when it is just too hard to walk anymore. I love my family more than anything in the world, and I know things will work out in the end. Apart of this struggle has been the economy. A few weeks ago, I was laid off from my job of almost 2 years and at the same time, Scott's work became severely slow. It was so scary and strange to leave a company that I cared about so much so suddenly like that, but I know everything happens for a reason. I was very blessed to receive a job only 1 week later. I work as Real Estate Assistant for a good company, and I am hopeful that we will be able to get in a house with the help of this company. We will see. As far as Scott's work is going, things have been very slow still, but I have faith that he will find something. The only scary thing, is that if Scott doesn't find a stable job within the next week, we won't make it through April, and will have to move in with my parents. We are very grateful that they are willing to let us come, but we hope that we can remain independent. Life is full of hard choices and experiences, but it is also full of wonderful and exciting ones too, and it is so worth it. I love my life, and i love my husband, and I am grateful for these last 18 months of the greatest adventure of my life; Marriage.

Another year has come and gone

2009-01-01T01:54:00.002-07:00

I cannot believe that 2008 is now in the past! I swear we just celebrated New Year's Eve a second ago! It really is amazing how fast time flies by. That is why we need to savor every moment we have. I have more I want to write later, but it is 1:56 am and I need to go to sleep, but I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

The Eve of Christmas Eve!!

2008-12-23T15:57:00.002-07:00

Well here it is, Christmas is here! I am loving every second of it. I have been listening to Christmas music since the day after Halloween, and no, I am not sick of it yet!! Haha this is my favorite time of year. It has been snowing like we live in Montana and I just can't get enough of it! I asked for a white Christmas and we sure are getting one!

I am also exhilarated that I completed all my finals at UCMT with 4 A's and 1 B!! It was hard work, but I really am loving it. I have Advanced Massage, Anatomy/Physiology II, Acupressure and Professional Development II to look forward to in January. But I am thrilled that I get a break from school and work! Starting tomorrow afternoon, I will not have school or work to go to until January 2nd, and I will still be paid! I am going to enjoy that and get caught up on things I haven't had time for, like sleep, playing my violin, reading, watching some Christmas movies, cooking, cleaning, and just being with my amazing hubby. Yes this will be a fabulous break.

I am going to post pictures of our very real and very beautiful Christmas tree and decor. We are very proud of it!! I love you all, and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

2008-11-26T14:53:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to tell everyone that I wish them a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! Remember what you are thankful for, and thank your Heavenly Father! We live in hard times, and we need to cling to those we love and to what truly matters. I am thankful for my husband. He is the most amazing man and the biggest blessing in my life. I thank my Father every day that he loves me and I love him eternally. I am thankful for my family. I love my mom and dad with all my heart. I honestly couldn't ask for better parents. My siblings, Jorden, Landon and Kylie are my darlings. I love being their big sister, and I only hope that I have and will always be there for them and be a good example. I love my whole extended family, including my in-laws, and am grateful that we are all close. Scott and I pray for them on a regular basis. I am thankful for my job, and the wonderful people that I work with. I truly am blessed to have the managers I do. They are more friend than boss. I am grateful for my husband's support in my decision to attend UCMT and persue my dreams. I love massage school so far, and am succeeding more than I thought I ever could, and I know that is because my Heavenly Father is guiding me and supporting me when my 16 hour days are just too much. My brain is retaining information better than it ever has in my life, and it really is a miracle. I know I am not doing this alone. I am grateful for my friends. I have a few very, very close friends, whom I treasure deeply (You know who you are). I am thankful beyond words, for my never-ending and true testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know I am a daughter of God, and therefore, I can get through anything. I would be nothing without that knowledge. I am grateful for the small things in life. The beautiful leaves that crunch under my feet, the snow-caped mountains that are laced with clouds, babies that are so adorable I just can't help but smile because they just shine with God's perfect love. There are so many things I am thankful and grateful for. But these are my thoughts today. I love you all!!

Twilight not so spectacular

2008-11-25T13:01:00.002-07:00

Twilight was not as cool as I wanted it to be. There were several scenes that were completely changed, and the acting was not exceptional. It was fun to watch, but you can tell that they only took 4 months to film, and had a low budget. (Edwards sparkling skin just made me laugh). But it was ok. It really did no justice for the book. If anyone watches the movie first, please do not think that the book is that cheesy, because I promise you, its not.

TWILIGHT!!!!

2008-11-21T15:15:00.002-07:00

It is finally here!!! Words cannot describe how flipping excited I am! I have been waiting for this day for a very long time. HAHAHHAHAH Yay! Jo is having a birthday party/twilight party. It should be amazing!! I will comment on what i thought of the movie tomorrow:)

New Goal...

2008-11-07T14:33:00.004-07:00

Last night in my Professional Development class, we learned so much about the power of positive thinking. If any of you have not seen The Secret, look it up. It will change your life, and the way you view the world and how you have the power to control your happiness. This is a picture of me when I was 19 at the St. George temple with my roommates when we were going to Dixie State. I want to look like this again, and I believe I can. I am going to recite this everyday:

"I am happy and grateful now that I am slim, trim, and beautiful and weigh 125 pounds. It is so. Thank you."

I know that if you focus on something, the universe will help it happen. I know that thinking as if I weigh 125, and love the way I look, will help me achieve it. Thinking "I hate being fat, I am fat" will only keep me fat. I have to think positively, and love myself, and my subconcious will help me make the right decisions in order to live a healthier lifestyle.

Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T15:54:00.004-06:00

Happy Halloween to everyone!! I am dressed up as Cleopatra, and am loving it!! Thanks Jo!! I hope everyone has a great Halloween and has a lot of fun!! And Happy Birthday Geoff!!

Anatomy here I come!!

2008-10-24T16:47:00.002-06:00

I conquered my first Anatomy quiz and assignment!! I received a 100%!! I am so so happy, I attribute my success to studying hard, being quizzed by Amanda Engebretsen, and a little prayer I said right before taking the quiz. I prayed that my mind would be opened up with the knowledge that I already have and that I would remember. I have never taken a test that hard so fast, and I felt completely confident!! This is just a small testimony to me that with the Lord's help nothing will be impossible to me. I know that this is where i am supposed be. I know it with every fiber of my being. I am so excited to be apart of this journey I have started. I am grateful for my husband who supports me 110%. I am grateful for my friend's support. I will return the favor with a massage someday!! I promise!

The adventure called Massage School

2008-10-17T14:49:00.003-06:00

So I started my first week of Massage school at The Utah College of Massage Therapy on Tuesday this week with much excitement, anticipation and a little anxiety. But to my relief, I have loved every minute so far, and the instructors I have met so far are awesome! My classes this semester are Professional Development, Massage Basics, Anatomy and Physiology, First Aid/CPR, and Reflexology. Massage Basics is very hands on, which is great because I learn faster that way. Last night we practiced "Draping", and if any of you are wondering, we all had to "disrobe" under our sheet while laying on our massage table, which is called "tenting", and practice how to properly drape our clients so nothing private is exposed. This was a very new experience I believe for all of us, and there were many giggles throughout the room, since most of the students are girls. Here it is, the 3rd day of school, and we were forced to step out of our comfort zone and get serious. It was awesome!!! I did better than I thought, and apparently am more comfortable with my body than I thought I would be.

We learned a new concept called "Beingness", which is to completely "be" in a moment. To give your undivided attention to another person and completely focus on just them, and nothing else. How often do we have time to give someone that? With all the distractions and chaos that this life produces, we rarely have time to just "be". How often do we look at our child or a friend and just say, "Tell me everything about your day. You are the most important thing to me right now, and I have nowhere else to be, and I truely care, and will listen completely until you are done". Has anyone ever experienced "Beingness"? I know I have, on a few occassions, and those moments are treasured most in my memory. We learned about beingness in our class, because when you give a massage, you need to be at one with your client. You have nowhere else to be. You have a full hour to give, and you must give it your all. Ask questions like, "What does this person need from me?" What can I give to them that will make them feel better than when they first came to see me?" Giving a massage is ideally to be a moment of selflessness. Your complete at utter attention needs to be on them, and what they need from you. What a cool thing I get to do for people? I have the power to aid in healing someone! I only hope that I will be able to master Beingness, and I plan to practice this more in my everyday life.

Tonight I have Anatomy/Phisiology, and am slightly nervous at memorizing every muscle and every bone, but I'm sure I will find the fun in it. If any of you took Anatomy in college and think you can help me find ways to memorize maybe a little easier, let me know.

Wish me good luck!

Finally starting to feel like October!

2008-10-03T12:45:00.002-06:00

I am so happy for this storm to come in this weekend and get rid of the summer! Haha it is so funny, I used to be in love with summer, but lately I have changed my mind. I am happy for fall. I love the trees changing colors and the cool, crisp weather. I love the rain. I honestly love it now! Instead of wanting to move back to St.George, I want to move to Oregon! Scott and I loved our honeymoon there, and it is so green and gorgeous. But would I love it for long? I wonder if I would get sick of it and long for summer again. I guess that is why Northern Utah is so great; you experience every season, and appreciate when it changes. So we may end up staying here forever. We will see:)

So, is it weird that I put on Christmas music today? With the change of the weather, it has gotten me so excited for the holidays! Not only that, but a magazine came in the mail today at work that displayed Christmas decor and I immediately found myself excited and hearing, "Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat..." I am just so excited for the holidays; Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. I love this time of year! I know my dad would be appauled that I was already listening to Christmas music, but I don't care. It makes me happy. How can you be sad when listening to Christmas music?

School is starting soon, and i am finding myself both excited and apprehensive. I cannot wait to start my Massage Therapy career, but it will be a tough year getting to it. Monday-Thursday 7-10:30 pm every week, and working full-time on top of that during the day. I know I can do it, but I think I have mono again, which is really annoying. But I know God will take care of me.

Those are my thoughts for today.

No longer newlyweds, or are we?

2008-09-23T15:09:00.001-06:00

So, it has been a year since we said "I do", or rather "yes", unless you are Scott, who combined them both into "Yes I do." What an amazing year. I am surprised at how easy, how hard, how stressful, how exciting, and how educational this past year has been. I am happy to say that we made it through with no permanent scars. I have a deeper appreciation of all those who endeavor to be married. I understand my parents a little more everyday, and I am grateful for them more now then I ever have been. I am sure that gratitude will only increase with time, and especially when we add a little one to the equation. Although I was anxious to have a baby almost a month after we were married, (which I honestly didn't think would happen. Amy, Ashley; you were right!) I am glad Scott had enough patience and firmness to say no to me when he knew it wasn't the right time for us. I say this, because I have been able to learn and grow and mold with Scott. Becoming not just Latissa, but Latissa and Scott. I never knew that the challenge of molding two lives together would be so natural, yet so complex. I love Scott so much deeper and stronger than I did a year ago, when I never thought possible. I appreciate him more. Knowing his faults and weaknesses has strengthened my ability to be more patient and loving, and I am sure he has learned from mine. He is my friend, my confidant, my safe-haven, my literal other half, as if he was made for me. I know that may sound cliche, but it is the truth. I am always telling him that I swear God created him for me; from his unwavering patience with me, to his tolerance when I attack him with a million kisses, to his perfect shoulder that feels so good to lay on, to his beautiful face that absolutely takes my breath away. Building this foundation of Latissa and Scott has come with desire, love, pain, tempers, and our Heavenly Father who has constantly guided me back to him, and has helped us learn to love like he does, even on the smallest level. I know that I could not have come this far without a temple marriage. Knowing that I am sealed forever to this man that I love is the most incredible and inspiring thing that has ever occurred in my life. I know that I need the Lord as a constant guidance in my marriage, and am humbled that I have it.

In the mix and jumble of molding Latissa and Scott together, I fell into the inherited pattern of forgetting about who Latissa is. My mother, who is the most selfless woman I know, is perfect at forgetting about herself, and has taught me it is not a good thing. You need to love yourself, and be the best version of yourself, before you can love others. I hit a point where I needed to refocus, and came up with several things that I am now doing and looking forward to. First off, marriage has put some unwanted pounds on my frame, and I have recently set some goals and am working out at Gold's Gym four days a week with my dear friend Joanna, and so far I am feeling quite accomplished and sore. I am also taking voice lessons again from my wonderful and very talented Grandma West, who could charge me plenty but is doing it for free every Monday. I am happy to sing again. I love music, and have always been in choir, but I hope to perfect my voice someday. I want to write more, and that is one reason I wanted to start this Blog. I used to write poetry all the time in high school easily, but lately I have felt as if there is a wall that I can't get past, and I fail at coming up with anything good as of late. But I will post my favorites on here, and maybe inspiration will come. Last, but most life-altering, would be my decision to go to the Utah College of Massage Therapy next month; taking classes part-time for a year. I will also be working full-time during the day. A month ago I thought this would be impossible to accomplish. I know me; I do not handle stress well. But with a blessing and a prayer, I have found that nothing is impossible for me if I have the Lord on my side. I know he will make me strong enough to accomplish this, and I know this is what I want. I am very at peace with it. I have always wanted to help people, and this will be a perfect way to help even in a small way my family members, especially my mom and mother-in-law. Needless to say, I am excited to start!

Scott is working right now, and hopefully starting an apprenticeship that we will give more details of if everything works out. I will get him to write on here one way or another:) Thanks for reading.

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No longer newlyweds, or are we?