Memorial Day + School is Out

For Memorial Day, we took full advantage of our season passes to Seven Peaks, a water park here in Provo.  They have a bunch of slides that are geared for a two-man tube so we were able to go on all of them together!  It was super fun!  And boy, was I excited to see the sun!  Work has kept me inside nearly all year and I have missed the sun! (Can't you tell by how white I am!?!)

For dinner we went out to Texas Roadhouse and took advantage of some of the great sales happening.  I love finding a good deal especially on something we have been looking for for a long time!  

Thursday was my last day of work this school year and Jared passed his Phlebotomy class Friday night.  He can officially draw blood and I won't have to hear as many stories about draws during dinner now... at least until he gets a job as a phlebotomist in the Fall.

That news means it's now officially SUMMER in this household!  I am loving the weather, all this time with my husband, and all the fun things we have planned!  I think I could get used to having a job that gives me a 2 1/2 month break each year!

Stewart Falls

After 3 additional x-rays, an MRI, a DEXA scan, and even more visits to the doctor, my doctor finally decided that I experienced a stress reaction in my foot.  Treatment for a stress reaction is 4-6 weeks of wearing the walking boot.  May 14th was my 4-week mark.

Our ward had this hike to Stewart Falls planned for Saturday, the 25th.

Needless to say, I had a goal.  I had to be ready to do this easy hike by then.  Last week was my first week not in the boot at work.  It was WONDERFUL to be "boot" free.  I started slowly adding time back on the eliptical.  

Saturday was the first real test.  It was one of the most beautiful days we have had yet this season and the company was wonderful too!  The hike was amazing and... my foot held up great!! 

It was miraculous to think that just a few short weeks ago (It felt like forever though...) I couldn't even put pressure on my foot, let alone have it bear the weight of my body.  Now it is healed and working again.  Our bodies are incredible!  I am so thankful for a body that can heal.  

After that hike, I am itching to be back outside all day every day and enjoying all that Utah has to offer this time of year!  I love the outdoors, but who couldn't love it when it is filled with gems like Stewart falls?!

 

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today...

 I spent all day fretting over the blind date that was going to take place that night.

I taught a lifeguarding class that afternoon

and

didn't even do my sopping wet hair.

I was SO nervous to start dating again.  

I had never felt so nervous for a date in my entire life.

I begged my mom to tell him I was sick or something.

I cried when the doorbell rang - pathetic, I know, but it's true.

I heard my mom welcome him in.  

My brother, J, the matchmaker, sat and talked with him.

My mom came down and said,
"He looks nice.  I don't think he'll bite... now GET UP THERE!"

I pleaded in a last second prayer for courage.

I walked out and saw him for the first time.  He was facing away from me.  I could barely see his profile.  He was handsome, tall, and had an amazing smile.

Little did I know then, that he was the man I would marry!

I am so thankful to my brother, J, and his sister, E for 

setting us up on that blind date.

I am so thankful for my mom who didn't give me a way out.

I am so thankful that God allowed us to meet.

I am so glad he asked me to marry him.

It has been one amazing year!

Tulips!

Jared had a few days off in between semesters last week so I took one of my vacation days.

We slept in (so nice since we still get up before the sun nearly every day)

We ate breakfast on our patio

We went grocery shopping

Then...

We went to the Tulip Festival!

I have been wanting to go to this since I heard about it (shortly after we moved up in August). 

Jared was less excited to go, but still so good to come and enjoy it with me.

I knew nothing about the place other than they grow nearly a quarter of a million tulips each spring.

Boy, was I in for a treat!

It was 

INCREDIBLE!

See for yourself...

The Tulip Festival is held at Thanksgiving Point Gardens

which is made of many connected gardens. 

The one pictured below is the

Italian Garden

(I see the word Italy and I think of my brother on his mission)

These blossoms on this tree below are everywhere right now and although they smell nothing like Orange Blossoms, they are SO beautiful!

Yeah, don't worry, although it's technically spring, it still snows every couple weeks...

including yesterday.

Sheesh!

On this day though, the weather could not have been more perfect!  

It was sunny and warm! 

They have the biggest manmade waterfall in the western hemisphere.  I had no idea! 

Below is a picture of a sculpture (bigger than life-size) of Christ walking on water.

This garden is called the 

Light of the World.

It was so inspiring!

And scriptures were scattered throughout the gardens. 

This one below sums it all up.

My Week Consisted of...

4 nights of waking Jared up to get something for me (he is a good man!)
3 foot x-rays
2 days off from work, 2 days on crutches
1 blood test, 1 new black boot, 1 killer sore throat

and...

0 answers as to what is going on with my foot

More doctors appointments next week.  Hopefully we get answers.  Good thing all weeks aren't as interesting as this one!

Red Robin vs. Kourtney

Jared loves Red Robin.  It is probably his favorite restaurant!  He loves a lot of things there, but his absolute favorite is their: 

A1 Peppercorn Burger 

Description: 1/2lb peppercorn-flavored hamburger patty, hardwood-smoked bacon, melted Pepper-Jack cheese, A.1. Peppercorn Spread, crispy onion straws and fresh tomatoes on an onion bun. It’s a taste explosion!  

Nutritional Facts: 

• Total Calories: 1069
• Total Fat: 64g
• Total Carbs: 73g
• Total Protein: 51g

Price: $9.99

Well, we are trying to eat healthier and save money so... eating at Red Robin isn't too realistic at this stage in our lives.  So, I took it on to mimic the hamburger at home. 

Here is my A1 Peppercorn Burger:

Description: 1/4lb Peppercorn-flavored Turkey patty, Turkey Bacon, melted Pepper-jack cheese, A1 steak sauce, diced onions, spinach, fresh tomato on a whole wheat bun. 

Nutritional Facts:

• Total Calories: 405
• Total Fat: 14g
• Total Carbs: 41g
• Total Protein: 28g

Price: $2.16

I also made sweet potato fries.  Don't mind the fact that they are a bit limp-looking.  This was after they sat in the fridge for a day. For a full serving on those, you only have:

• Total Calories: 71
• Total Fat: 0.8g
• Total Carbs: 23g
• Total Protein: 2g

as compared to Red Robins Sweet Potato Fries:

• Total Calories: 284.5
• Total Fat: 14.5
• Total Carbs: 35g
• Total Protein: 3g

Jared loved how the burger tasted.  Don't get me wrong, we will still be eating at Red Robin to enjoy their yummy burgers occasionally, but we aren't going to be too sad in-between those scarce visits because we have one awesome, healthy, cheap alternative!  YUM 

Red Robin: 0, Kourtney: 1

Easter 2013

Easter was unlike any I have had in the past.  For weeks leading up to Easter, I thought of the traditions I grew up with, talked with Jared about the traditions that he had in his family, and thought of what I wanted our new family to do for Easter.  It really helped me reflect on Easter for not just the weekend, but for weeks. It was neat as I really pondered on what this holiday means to me and why we celebrate it.  However, not one of the family traditions that either of us have had in past years happened, nor did we start any new ones.  We just thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful Sabbath filled with Easter messages and a gratitude for it's true meaning.  I don't want to be without traditions in the future, but I actually am grateful that this year, all I had to focus on was the glorious reason for which we celebrate: that Christ the Lord is risen.  Easter hymns filled my mind all Sunday along with the Easter Program I participated in with the NAU Institute called "He is Jesus Christ" by Rob Gardner.  One song is titled "Woman, Why Weepest Thou?" stood out to me all day.  The first verse reads,

Woman, why weepest thou?  

Know ye not that angels now surround thee?  

Woman, why seekest thou the living among the dead?  

He is not here, for He is risen.  

Woman, why sorrowest thou?  

Know ye not that Heaven's eyes are on thee?  

Woman, the Savior's come.  

He lives.  

The Redeemer Lives. 

That is the true meaning of this holiday.  Not the easter eggs, not the chocolate, not the baskets, not the jelly beans.  It is that Jesus Christ lives.  He lives.  That is the greatest message this earth has ever heard, or ever will hear!  He lives that we, too, may live. 

Happy Easter!