My Men Make Me Laugh Out Loud!

My cheeks hurt. I think yours will too as you watch Ethan's first encounter with the tricks a webcam can do. Thanks Dad for spending the day with Ethan while Mom and AJ got to go to Education Day! There's no doubt he has so much fun with you!

It takes Courage

It takes a lot of courage to endure some of the trials that come into your life. I cannot seem to express it the right way, but I would like to write about my dear friend Kit.
Back in the summer of 2000 I was engaged (but not to Brian). In the fall, things turned south (and we didn't marry) but now I was attending a single's ward where I hadn't made any friends. Not making friends might have been the stupidest thing I could've done, but the kindest thing that could have resulted from that loneliness was because of a guy named Kit Lindsay. I remember sitting in Sacrament meeting, and hating sitting alone. I questioned if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life (ending the engagement). Not a soul in that chapel knew it had happened. I don't know if that was a relief or made it harder to bear. At any rate, I remember distinctly my vow of finding a new ward to make a fresh start. No sooner had the sacrament meeting ended, than this tall, lanky fellow make his way to my bench, introduce himself as Kit and before I know it he's got me by my elbow and leading me to person after person, introducing me left and right until I'm sure I couldn't remember any more names/faces. His genuine motives that day were the purest form of the love of Christ. 3 years in that singles ward brought about an enormous fold of friends, some of which I became roommates with, the best of which I married! Singles Wards rotate very frequently due to it's very nature (schooling, careers, home-buying, marriage), so there was a time when my core group of friends were moving on, and Kit was one of them. He moved down to Las Vegas to go to Law School. I remember visiting him once. I don't remember how long it was after that that I learned he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My very life was changing too...Brian and I had married, moved to Logan, UT; Brian received his BA and MS, and we moved to where we are now (San Marcos, CA) and started a family. Life comes at you quick, but it wasn't until this past Christmas when I received an email from Trina that my many 'wonderings' about Kit and his condition were made known. Trina wrote that he doesn't have a lot of time (6 months was the estimate). She was requesting memories to be written down and sent to her to share with Kit. I told myself that it would be okay to respond later; after all we were traveling to SLC for Christmas anyway...we'll hook up with Trina, Brittany & Steve and visit him too. When that didn't happen, and we were traveling home, my heart ached as I thought about him and my lack of commitment to visit. This past month when I went to visit UT, I made certain I went to see him too. It was raining outside (like it had all week) but inside his cozy room, Brian, Angela & I felt rays of sunshine when we asked how he was and his classic "Unbelievable!" answer struggled from his lips. He didn't recognize us at first, but as we started talking about the past, he put us all in the correct memories. At one point he looked at me and said, "I saw you, sitting alone, and I said to myself, 'that ain't right'." Tears of gratitude for sharing 'his side' of the story flowed from my eyes. Does one always remember kind things they do for other people...especially when they're life-changing for that person? I don't think so. I'm glad he remembered this time though. We watched the DVD that Trina and Brittany made for him with the compilations for those that answered her email last Christmas. The DVD has been played so much that it turns that pixelated green at some points. I need to email Julie or Trina to see who has the master copy to make him another one. Julie played Kit's favorite Hymn "Abide with Me". Memories of my own came flooding back. *Every Sunday after church (we were always the last ward to meet) he and Julie would head to the chapel and she would play hymn after hymn for him, but always ending with Abide with Me. *His "So, I almost bought a boat the other day..." conversation starter was the his most commonly used phrase when changing the current conversation. He used it only when the conversation was heading down the wrong path. I think some people were quite surprised at about how many times he almost bought that boat! *He never watched any movie that was rated higher than PG. (I used to argue with him over that one...but he certainly had the more righteous eyesight out of all of us) *Working for Holladay, he used to take me around to the 'eye sores' of the neighborhoods where he would have to approach the owners about 'cleaning up their yard' (whew...that is not fun!) *I had my first taste of lobster when he took me to a holiday black tie formal. He even introduced me to the mayor. *He was affectionately known as 'the gov'na' because he was so politically involved. He recruited many friends to be more involved in their community. *Then, his title 'the gov'na' extended to 'gov'na of Kitland' when he showed me a piece of mail addressed to him (at his city office bldg) as "Kitland Zee" He got such a kick out of that one! *He is still a true inspiration when I think about how to teach a lesson...he was the best teacher of Gospel Doctrine, ever! Brian remembers his lesson about the armor of God. Being the true cowboy that he is, he brought cowboy boots, hat, buckle, etc. I remember he would ask a question and then fold his arms, lean back on the table and wait..and wait (if necessary). He would hit some pretty core doctrine too...I loved it! He is such an example! God bless him for his endurance here on this earth
I will never forget our visit with him. It had been 6 months since the Christmas email, I am so glad we were able to reconnect and have some laughs again.
Because he went to Law school and Brian and I got married, we lost touch, but in his room was a book shelf full (stuffed) of law books and such. I think I asked him, "So, how did that law degree treat you?" He looked at me and said, "I have a nephew that wants to go to law school, and I'm going to give him all of these books. But I've been trying to worn him, it...is...bor-ing!" We all had a good laugh at that answer. He's so politically charged, and was so excited about going to Law School...only to come to this conclusion. Well, perhaps he gained a more eternal perspective on things in this life as his health has declined. He saw the trap of too many hours spent at work and didn't find the practice to be intriguing enough to compensate time lost with the family and friends. Love you Kit! Your mansion awaits you, of that I am sure!

Will & Emilee's wedding

Our purpose for being in UT was for Will & Emilee's wedding. The weather wasn't quite sure about cooperating though, as it rained every day right up to the day of the reception (which was actually the night before the big day). They hadn't really thought about "Plan B" since "Plan A" was to have it at Mountain Dell golf course up Parley's Canyon. Wednesday night all of the girls went to have pedicures. I had never had one before...what a treat! There was quite the pandemonium when it was finally determined to let the rain 'win' and have the reception at the church. Julie solicited a friend to help decorate. Knowing this was last minute for her friend too, I made Brian and I available for whatever help they wanted/needed. Declining our help, our next option was to go to the church house the next morning for any final preparations. Brian called me from the church to say that some of the decorations weren't typical what you would find at a wedding. My mom took the day off work (emergency time) and I left the kids with her. There were lights strung high (loved them!) and shelves for displaying things (cute, too!) but we needed to personalize the decorations toward Emilee & Will. With the reception that night, I think the angels (Dad) helped hold the sun in place (even though it was raining) so we could move quicker, faster, and complete the 'right look' before their night began. Doug & Lieca brought in a gazebo for the cake, I high-tailed it to Michael's and bought what caught my eye and Mom's neighbor friends pulled things together out of thin air like magic. The room was transformed into a perfect blend of elegance and fairytale.
The night was filled with laughter and love. Just as a wedding should be!

The following morning was the sealing. There were so many people in the sealing room that everyone has to squish together on the seats (except for the witnesses -which included Brian- and myself and Grandpa Felt). I happened to be the first in the room with Brian (as he was a witness) and therefore had the first seat next to the wall. Grandpa Felt sat next to me, and then everyone else 'squished' in. They brought in 6 extra benches. It was hot. What a blessing it is to have temples on this earth. The eternal significance of it all seems hard to understand still. But to think of it any other way ('till death do us part') leaves me with nothing more than an empty pit in my stomach. How grateful I am that my faith includes 'eternity'...even if my understanding of it is elementary. Will & Emilee looked radiant, joyful, and euphoric.

We enjoyed the reflection pond while we waited for the happy couple to take their pictures (so many pictures!) The boys splashed their hands in the water, and if it wasn't for Brian holding Ethan's shirttail and pants, he would have gone in headfirst and swam. He was quite upset at Dad for not letting him!

Another highlight of the day was when Brian glanced over to one of the many bride & grooms on the grounds and then turned to me and said, "Natalie, look. Isn't that..." But I didn't hear the rest of the question. I was running toward Becky Homer and Brian Pierce and probably sent her heart skipping a beat because I was filled with such excitement over seeing her (on her wedding day, too!) I'm sure she thought, "She's going to run me over!" There are moments when you have had great, great friends in your life that you think, "I wonder what they're up to...". Well of all the ways to fill in the blank for that question! I admit it took me a minute to place Brian Pierce's association. Only because I couldn't remember if he was from my singles ward life, or high school. I'm including a picture of them (even though they're in the background). I need to get a hold of them because their photographer took a picture of us together...that would be a fun one to have! Congratulations to you both! Now there's another reason to attend your high school reunions AND a singles ward! So many friends to share your life with! Oh, the hours of laughter we have shared together! What a great day!

A week of Utah Fun

Ethan woke up the next morning saying, "Papa! Mom-mom!" We were here at last, and he was so excited, and SO SO SAD when both had to go to work. But there were cousins to see! We met Laura and Alakai'i at the mall (shopping for the wedding) This was Laura's & AJ's first time meeting....let's just say I had my hands free after that. It was fun to watch Ethan with Alakai'i, but he was on the hyper side...and therefore a little too daring. While I was looking at a kiosk that had bows and things for AJ, I heard this cry..Ethan's cry. He had wandered to the escalator, stepped on, and the rest was too scary for him. Laura ran after him and caught him before he reached the bottom (he was on his knees facing backwards). I think she commented more than once, "Wow...he's got a lot of energy!" How can you answer "This isn't normal" at a time like this and have them actually believe you? So I just agreed. I hoped he would calm down.

The rest of the week was exhausting (playing, that is)

Grandpa swung with Ethan for over an hour the first day.

Grandma taught him how to jump on the trampoline

Kendra, Trisha and Angela came down from Logan to stay at Mom & Dad's while we were there. I do not think Ethan could have had more fun. He was literally surrounded by everyone that is posted on our fridge (at his eye level) He and Kendra especially developed a true '2-year old' love/hate relationship. (Love it when you give me your toy; Hate it when I see you hold a toy that I just NOW got interested in playing with myself!! When is it MY turn?! ) Thank goodness Grandma has multiples of the same item!
Ethan couldn't say "Kendra" very well so he called both of them "Trisha"...which probably really confused Kendra when he called "Shisha" to her!

They really were cute together and had a lot of fun!

AJ received much attention too. Her smiling face captivated everyone around her...especially Grandpa! Sometimes you just know that they remember 'long ago' in heaven when we were all together, planning out families and such.

I wanted to go see the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. Mom, Angela, myself and the kids went to view it one morning. The clouds were threatening, and it sprinkled some, but it is beautiful!

After visiting the temple we trekked up to Bingham Copper Mine. I knew Ethan would just love all of the big trucks. I was seriously doing a "UT sightseeing vacation"! The wind was blowing like crazy. AJ's hat string kept whipping in her face, and pretty soon the thunderclouds crashed together and let out a huge rainstorm. Angela and I were in the gift shop making a purchase when it happened and we ran out to the van, dripping, and skipping over puddles that were quickly accumulating into streams and rivers.

Angela, her kids, Tori, and myself and kids also visited Wheeler Farm. It has been a long time since I've been there, and I knew Ethan would enjoy it. We actually went for a free fun day that was going on there, but most booths were all packed up and gone by the time we arrived. (again, it was threatening rain) It gave us more time to walk around the grounds and revive my memories of the place. It has changed a lot since I've been there.

It's a fun place to take pictures.

Getting to UT

The first half of June Ethan, AJ & I went to UT. Brian joined us on June 11 for Emilee & Will's wedding. It was a fast decision...going without Brian. But my dear friend, Lee, was driving with her 4 kids and graciously accepted my proposal that I ride with her (with my 2 kids) That Suburban was packed! They were endlessly patient as I had to stop to nurse AJ and provide plenty of potty breaks for Ethan. We made it to Glendale, NV (in between LV and Mesquite) before the fun really began! After a potty/nursing break we were loaded back in the car....it took Lee a couple of times to get the Suburban started (uh-oh!). As we passed Mesquite the "Check Engine" light came on. We were heading into the canyon on I-15 where I knew there would be no cell phone reception. We said a prayer that the car would get us through the canyon. We were blessed with safety and once we received cell phone coverage we called the dealership. He advised us to get to a local dealership asap. Thank goodness there was one immediately off the first exit. 3+ hours later...which included a 10 minute walk to McDonald's for dinner and a new fuel pump, we were back on the road again (thank goodness for warranties and extended service hours). Lee and I commented to each other at practically the same time (as we were closing in on McDonalds) that we were glad we weren't making this trip alone, and that we had each other to help out with all of these kids! It was a super long drive, but the company was great. The cutest thing I heard was from Caleb T, "When is the sun going to go down?" (This was after I explained that we wouldn't 'get there' until the sun went down...I thought it would be easier to understand than the 'eternal mileage' or 'hours' tactic) We pulled into my driveway at 12:30AM.

Long Drive to UT

I am happy to report that Ethan and AJ were angels in the car on the way to UT. Brian put Ethan in a diaper in the morning, but with the instructions to "Stay clean & stay dry" "Yeah" said Ethan...and he DID! (all 14 hours in the car) Poor guy wouldn't venture beyond going #1 in public restrooms, but that day will come...soon, I hope. He also got his first taste of 'going in the wild'. I hope he doesn't think this is acceptable behavior that 'the world could be his toilet' but merely for emergencies only. I think only a mom would be worried about that.