May: Weekend #3 (Kam's Seminary Graduation)

After what seemed like the hardest week of my life (Drew's surgery and on-going recovery), we made it back up to Richfield again for another fast-paced busy weekend. Drew was still pretty miserable and so the ride up seemed to take forever. Luckily we made it there safely and Drew was able to get some good rest that night.

The next day Drew stayed home to rest some more while I went with my family to our neighbor's funeral. It was definitely a day full of tears and sniffles but the funeral was a beautiful tribute to him. We just need to always remember to tell our loved ones that we LOVE THEM... and hug them more often too because you never know when it is their time to leave this life.

Luckily for us we know that this life isn't the end and that he is in a better place. But still my heart breaks for his family and loved ones.

Sunday was my cousin Shay's farewell. His entire family was asked to speak as well so that was neat to hear from all of them. We had a luncheon for him afterwards and it was fun to visit with all of our extended family.

That evening was Seminary graduation. Kambry was the Seminary President this year and had the opportunity to speak at graduation and so we got to watch her. She did amazing! She is such a bright person and her testimony is so strong. She's such a great example to not only me but absolutely EVERYONE around her. Plus I don't blame all the guys who chase her! She's so beautiful, inside and out!

Well Drew and I ended up staying the night but we left early the next morning because he had a doctor's appointment in St. George to get his stents that were in his nose out.

I loved driving back in the early morning light though, it was so peaceful and bright. It made me happy!

Drew's doctor's appointment went well and he is SO happy to have the stents out. They were much bigger than we thought! They ended up being at least 3 inches long (maybe 4) and 2 inches wide!!! I can't believe they fit in his nostrils!!! It was crazy. 

We are excited for Kambry and Shay's high school graduation this next weekend! It will be another weekend to blog about, that's for sure :)

Kambry opening up our first present to her-- HA HA :)

Love,

Kate

Drew's Nose Surgery

Early Monday morning Drew and I went to the hospital for Drew's nose surgery. He had some work done for his deviated septum and also had a bone growing abnormally so he got that shaved off too.

Lucky for me, my mother-in-law Linda came down to keep me company while he went into surgery... Thank goodness she was there!

Drew finally went into surgery at 11:20 a.m. so during that time Linda and I went on a walk and sat outside where there were many flowers and birds. We went back to the waiting area an hour later and the Doctor came out to tell us that the surgery went well. Around 1 p.m. the nurse came to get us and took us back to see Drew.

 Boy was I in for a treat! When I saw him my stomach sunk but I tried not to think about it. His skin was gray, he was laying down but was elevated by his pillow and the angle of the bed, and he was unresponsive. He looked like he was dead. Maybe a couple minutes passed as I ran my fingers through his hair and told him I loved him before it hit-- my stomach cringed, my skin got hot and clammy, my face turned pale and the room started spinning. I felt so sick. I felt like I was on the edge of throwing up/passing out. 

The nurses helped me over to a bed of my own where they put a wet rag on my forehead and a fan in my face to cool me down. They gave me some soda crackers and then wheeled me into the room where Drew was. I looked over at him and began to bawl. It was crazy! I didn't like seeing him that way and I couldn't believe that I was reacting that way. 

Then I started to laugh. I was laughing through my tears because I was so surprised at my reaction! It was ridiculous. After eating the soda crackers I felt better and I eventually sat up and got color back into my face. What a joke! I guess I have a weaker stomach than I thought!!

Well to make a long day's story short, Drew was in and out of it for the next 3 hours. He was super nauseous and sleepy. 

<found this on his bed first out of recovery, apparently he asked for a cookie... crazy guy.>

He eventually bucked up and got color in his face so finally we were able to take him home at 4:30 p.m.

It was such an emotionally draining day! 

The recovery hasn't been the best... but it has been better than we thought it would be. 

I've had to take some time off of work to stay home and help him but it's okay. 

Otter pops and jello have been nice to have around and we have been so lucky to have friends care about us. Tuesday morning my coworker brought over some movies, muffins, and milk for us! And then later that day our neighbor brought over some juice and other nice treats for Drew.

I have enjoyed taking care of him but boy, it's so exhausting! We keep praying that he'll get better and better every new day.

Oh, and he'll get his stents out on Monday. They look like straws stuffed up his nose, haha, poor guy.

Love,

Kate

May: Weekend #2 (Mother's Day + Family Pics)

Another weekend has flown by. This time Drew and I left St. George a little early to get to Cedar before his mom got home. We surprised her by cleaning her house for her! The gift of service is pretty great I'd say. It leaves you AND the receiver feeling happy!

Saturday was our annual Mother's Day service day at Grandma Carol's house. It was a fantastic day! And it was Drew's first time too. A bunch of our family from my Dad's side of the family showed up and we all worked around the home and in the yard. We planted flowers, washed windows, and pruned trees and much much more. We ate some yummy food topped off with Grandma Carol's famous fudge jumbles and sugar cookies-- so good!

The next day was Sunday, Mother's day. We made my mom a bouquet of all of our hands and got her some plants to put in her pots on her front porch. It made her happy :)

<This is me with my mom when she was about 22!>

We went to Grandma Micki's house for a sandwich before going to church. Drew and I gave her a big box of junior mints and a note that said, "you were 'MINT' to have a wonderful Mother's Day!" haha.. we're so clever.

Later that day we had family pictures. Grandma Micki's entire posterity was here for this great event and the weather just so happened to be crappy. However! It cleared up for us right as we got our pictures taken and the sun came out. You would never be able to tell that just hours earlier it was snowing/raining huh?!

<all the grandkids>

We were so blessed. Prayer really does work.

After pictures we stopped by Grandma Carol's to say goodbye to her and Grandpa June before heading back to St. George. Drew and I gave her some V8 juice with the saying "Happy Mother's Day! We love you 'berry' much!"

<Grandma Carol's bathroom wallpaper is wonderful.>

We stopped in Cedar on the way home to visit Drew's mom to wish her a happy Mother's day. We gave her a spearmint plant with a cute pot because she loves to put mint in her water and stuff!

So that was our second weekend in Richfield for the month of May and it was wonderful to celebrate all the moms and mom figures in our lives. 

Love,

Kate

April Snapshots

Only pics for the month of April.

 ^family came down for Kambry's track meet!

 ^my preschool had a fun cupcake walk.

 ^his face is priceless.

 ^the cute ladies I work with.

 ^my 2nd succulent.. hope it lasts!

 ^fun date that Drew took us on. 

 ^perfectly packed picnic!

^topped off with koolaid of course.

Love,

Kate

11 months ago// Reminiscing

What better way to reminisce than to read through <almost> every card you receive on your wedding day!? 

Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

I'm so happy I found my "other half." Marriage wonderful!

Love,

Kate

May: Weekend #1 (Mara's Sealing)

We traveled to Richfield friday night for the first of multiple trips this month. We grabbed some donuts from the Fractured Prune and made our way up to Richfield in our little car.

We surprised my family with the donuts (which are very lovely by the way//I suggest you try them if you're ever in St. George). 

The next morning we got up and got ready to go to the Manti Temple. My aunt Staci and uncle Corey adopted a cute little girl from Haiti and her name is Mara. She is 3 years old and they've been trying to adopt her pretty much since she's been born. Finally after three years of so many heart wrenching emotions, they got to bring her home around Valentines day. Well on Saturday, May 3rd, they were able to be sealed to her for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple! We were able to be there and it was the most beautiful and touching experience I have ever seen.

She truly is such a joy to be around. She is so bright and happy and her cheerfulness is spread to everyone who even lays eyes on her. She is amazing and such a blessing to our family! It was so neat to be a part of the Morrison's special day.

There is no doubt in my mind that she is meant to be in our family. And I know she knows it too. 

After the beautiful experience in the temple, the family celebrated by going to eat at a restaurant in Manti. 

The next day Mara was able to get blessed and her big brother Shay was able to be ordained an Elder. 

It was a weekend full of happy tears and bright spirits!

The weekend was just a confirmation to me that families truly can be together forever. The temple is where we are suppose to be! Being there with a bunch of my family reminded me of the day Drew and I got married and it just brings me so much happiness! The temple is and should always be our goal and our destination. It is such a beautiful, peaceful, happy place and to me it's like a piece of heaven right on this earth.

The church is true and I'm so so so happy I get to be with my family forever!

Love,

Kate