EMULATE the SUNFLOWER

The past few weeks I have had a lot going on in my life. From the worries of new job resposibilities, loss of another baby, and lots and lots of travel I think my body just gave up from the emotional, physical and mental stress. Before we left for Chicago I was dealing with a sore throat and headache that seemed to stick around for a week or so. Then by last weekend when we were headed to California it went into my lungs. Those of you who have lived with me, espesially in college, know what comes with this outcome..........yes a wonderful sounding almost music like barking cough!!! My Senior Year I got Bronchitis really bad and ever since then I enjoy the wonderful outcome of what should be just a simple cold that you get over easily but not for me. Well this bark grew to a fever, sinus infection and having no energy. With taking pretty much all week off of work and trying to sleep and get rid of it and seeing no end in sight, I surrendered and went to the doctors last night! I hate ha...

Valentines Day is special cause you get to spend time with your sweetheart and it is a day to express your love for one another even though you do it everyday of the year. Valentines is also special to Ryan and I because it marks the day we got engaged. Ryan's mom flew down Valentines weekend in 03 for his cousin's wedding. His mom and dad along with Ryan had fasted to know if he should marry me and felt that it was right. While she was there they were talking and she told Ryan that she wanted to give her son something that could be helpful but also meaningful. She then took off her newly upgraded wedding ring and gave it to Ryan to give to me. She told him to do it while she was there so we could celebrate the engagement together. So Friday night, Feb. 14th 2003 Ryan took me out for a Valentines Dinner at Outback and then we headed down to temple square where we spend a lot of time together while dating and Ryan proposed to me in front of the Christis at the Salt Lake Temple V...

When my parents were not able to make it to Phoenix for XMAS I started talking to Ryan about how we needed FOR sure to go to Chicago for my niece's baptism. He said that we should go and told me to buy tickets and let the family know. Well I am one for surprises. I like the excitement that leads up to it and then to see the person's face that I am surprising when they get whatever it is. So I called my mom and told her we were coming but to not tell my brother, sister in law and the kids. Tuesday Makenzee called me to tell me about her birthday and she went on an on how sad she was that Ryan and I were going to miss it!! She told me they were going to have a party afterwards and that she would call me and tell me how she felt that day, how her baptism went and espeically the look on her mom and dad's face when she came out of the water! It was so sweet and I was so excited cause I would be there to see all of that and she wouldnt have to tell me over the phone!!! We took of...