A Beautiful Sight

Living in Nauvoo 6 years ago made me a lover of a good sunset.  I have never seen sunsets as beautiful as what I saw in Nauvoo.  We have, however, had some the come pretty close to Nauvoo sunsets in Utah this year.  Here's one that I loved.

Can She Build It? Yes, She Can!

I have a cute little patio next to my front door.  For the last year and a half I've been dreaming of adding cute whicker furniture to my cute patio.  At the beginning of the summer I found the furniture I wanted, but I didn't want to spend what it was selling for.  So, I decided to wait until the end of the season when it went on sale.  That time came and I snatched it up! 
August 9th I got home from my first meeting at the district and decided it was time to put my furniture together... all by myself!  Apparently I'm more handy than I thought.

This is what my table looked like out of the box.

This is what my table looked like when I was done!

 



After the table I was brave enough to attempt assembling one of the chairs.  This is what it looked like out of the box.

Ta da!  Yes friends, I did that all on my own!

This is the finished product right outside my living room window.  Do you love it?  I certainly do!  I've already spent a few evenings out on my comfy chairs reading.  I LOVE it!

Something To Ponder

My parents introduced me to a book series by Richard Paul Evans, The Walk.  I just finished the second book, Miles to Go and some of the final words struck me and I felt as though I should share them.

"For there are moments in all lives, great and small, that we must trudge alone our forlorn roads into infinite wilderness, to endure our midnight hours of pain and sorrow-- the Gethsemane moments, where we are on our knees or backs, crying out to a universe that seems to have abandoned us.
These are the greatest of moments, where we show our souls.  These are our "finest hours."  That these moments are given to us is neither accidental nor cruel.  Without great mountains we cannot reach great heights.  And we were born to reach great heights."

Something to ponder...

August 11th

6 years ago today my life fell completely apart.

6 years ago today I learned what it felt like to feel completely alone.

6 years ago today my heart broke.

August 11th is always a day that involves a lot of reflection.  As time has gone by that reflection has become less devastating and more productive.  I have gained a strong testimony of a few very important facts.

First, Heavenly Father loves us each individually.  Bad things happen.  We knew that was a possibility when we came to Earth.  However, we are not expected to endure these bad things alone.  Heavenly Father is aware of us.  Even though I was convinced that I was completely alone in my pain I was not.  Heavenly Father almost immediately placed people in my life that lifted me and loved me even though I was broken and totally unstable.  He gave me incredible friends in my graduate program.  I think of them every day and am very aware of the role they played in my life.  They were the reason I got up in the morning and showed up to school.  They carried me through 2 years of graduate school.  I could not have done it without them.  He gave me a new job with a supportive coworker and students who had struggles that were just as hard as mine.  I had empathy that I hadn't had before.  I also had a family who stood by me and tried to understand even though it wasn't always easy.  Later I was introduced to a new ward who immediately loved me.  I don't even remember feeling new in that ward.  I was welcomed with open arms and now have friends that will last a lifetime.  All of these new people were not meant to replace what I had lost, they were meant to support me.  Then there was a career and more work friends.  How blessed I am!  I hadn't been asked to choose between new friends and Tyler, I was given new friends as a way to show me that I was loved and not alone.

Second, it's ok to keep moving forward.  I always hated the terms, "Move on," "Get over it," "It was meant to be," "It was God's will, "etc.  Those terms always implied forgetting to me.  I didn't want to forget.  That wasn't fair.  I decided that it became a part of me and I was a new version of me and it was ok to put one foot in front of the other and progress as a new version of me.  I am not defined by the accident, but I am defined by what I've learned.  I am now expected to use what I have learned to help others, and I try to do that every day.

Third, the Atonement isn't just for sins.  Jesus Christ suffered our heartache, our grief, our sorrows, our disappointments, our shattered dreams, our physical pain, etc.  HE KNOWS!  He knows what it's like to be Sarah trapped inside her head and drowning in grief.  He knows what it's like to be Sarah and all out of tears.  He knows what it's like to feel lost.  He knows what it's like to have concerns about being happy again.  We are not alone!  He gets it!  He knows!  I just want to tell everyone I see!  We are not alone!  No one on this planet knows exactly what I have been through, some people have experienced similar things but it was different for them.  They aren't me.  But, Christ suffered it for me.  HE KNOWS! 

Fourth, all things will be made right.  I don't know what that means exactly, and I've only had that confirmed to me over the last couple years.  But, Heavenly Father will make all things right in the life to come.  I will not have regrets, heartache, "What ifs", disappointment, sadness.  All will be made right.  I don't know what it will look like or feel like, but I know that all will be made right.

This August 11th is still lined with sadness, I believe it probably always will be.  This day holds a very tender spot in my heart.  I miss Tyler, and that's okay and always will be okay.

I can honestly say that I am a happy person.  I do fun things, I am successful, I have fantastic friends, and I have found someone who loves me and all the crazy that comes with me.  I am so excited for the future and all the adventures that will come!  I am thrilled that I can see a future for myself, that's a big deal for me.  Life is good.  It has its challenges, but it's good.  Someday I will be able to ask all my questions and receive answers, but for now I go by faith.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know me and will never leave me.

You Can't Soar With The Eagles All Day...

As Grandpa George says, "You can't soar with the eagles all day if you hoot with the owls all night."  My monsters insisted on keeping me awake all night Friday night with their playing.  They chased and growled and literally ran across me all night long.  This is what they looked like by late morning.  Do you think they learned their lesson?  Probably not.  I'm sure it will happen again.

Darcy

Lizzy

Summer of Fun Is Not Forgotten

A busy July put my participation in D'Nell's Summer of Fun on hold for a couple weeks, but it's back!  Friday August 3rd D'Nell and her niece Shannon let me tag along to Deer Valley to watch Disney in Concert.  It was a nice relaxing activity.  It was fun to hear the songs from the movies I grew up with and watch the little kids get so excited. 

I love D'Nell!  I'm so glad she's my friend and has involved me in Summer of Fun!

July Skies

There were some beautiful sights in the skies at the end of July this year.  I caught a few, but they're never as neat in pictures as they were in person.

A storm rolling in July 22, 2012



July 28, 2012 the sun was bright red in the sky.  Super cool!

Tuesday July 31, 2012 I needed to be at the temple.  I was in desparate search of answers to prayers and didn't know what else to do.  I was grateful for the calming effect of the temple that night, my spirit needed it.  As I left the temple almost 9:00 that night I looked up and saw the most beautiful sunset.  The temple set against it was breathtaking.  I love the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  It's been special to me since I went through the open house.

Our Last Day... Oh, And The Story You've Been Waiting For

Friday July 20th was our last day in Hawaii.  Talk about heartbreaking!  It was so hard to leave after only a week.  What a wonderful trip!  It was so nice to be with my family and have a full week with Travis without work.
My family flew out at 8:00 a.m. and Travis and I didn't have a flight until 9:00 that night.  So, we went with the fam to the airport and rented our own car (a Mustang convertible!) and headed back to the condo.  I slept for another hour and a half while Travis watched TV and then it was time to be out.
We had spent quite a bit of time trying to plan what we were going to do to entertain ourselves for the entire day.  When we went to bed Thursday night it seemed as though we would spend most of the day at the Sea Life Park.  However, when we got up Friday Travis had changed his mind and wanted to head back toward the north side of the island.  He was insistent and could not be swayed, so that's where we went.

This is the courtyard where we stayed.  The ponds were full of huge fish and we even saw a turtle one day.

The main living area of the condo.  It was so incredibly beautiful and absolutely perfect for us!

Our balcony with a view of the ocean.

Travis decided our first stop of the day would be the Dole Pineapple Plantation.  Here he is imitating a commonly seen pose. :)

We took the informational train ride around the plantation.  After 20 minutes what did Travis learn?  The Dole Pineapple Plantation was started by James Dole.  Yep, that's all wer remembered.

My handsome boyfriend trying his best to pay attention.

Next stop on Travis' itinerary... Jameson's By The Sea for lunch.  We thought these trees were pretty cool, although they don't look as interesting in the pictures.



There is always a great view wherever you are on the island.  I love it!

The view from our table at lunch.

Then, since we were just down the street we just had to go back to Motsimoto's for one more shave ice.  It's really challenging to convince Travis to smile nicely for a picture.

After 2 tried I gave up.

I got sweetened condensed milk on my shave ice this time.  HEAVENLY!  Oh, so so so good.

Next Travis was determined to go back to the Laie Temple.  Yes, we had been already been there on Monday, but he just insisted we go back.  So, we made a deal.  We'd walk around for a little bit and then head to the Sea Life Park.  I was really worried that we would run out of things to do!  We finished lunch probably about 1:00 and still had hours before our flight.  Plus, I like sea animals. :)

When we first got there we headed into the visitors' center and chatted with the missionaries for a minute and then made our way out behind the temple.  We sat on the stairs directly behind the temple for a few minutes, but then Travis decided the sunshine was bothering his sunburn (he got FRIED on Thursday) so we moved to the back corner.  It was a beautiful area shaded by a huge banyan tree.  We sat on the marble benches there and just talked for awhile (I don't remember what we talked about, otherwise I would tell you).  Then Travis decided we needed some pictures, so I gave him my camera and all of these are what we ended up with.

After we'd been sitting in the back for a little while a family came up to our original spot on the stairs to take family pictures.  We watched them for awhile and then realized a couple of the sons were watching us too.  It was a little weird to have an audience.

Still in the back corner.  Unknown to me Travis is holding a secret in his fist. 

When he felt as though he had enough pictures he decided we needed to walk down to the front of the temple.  I followed asking, "Are you ready to go yet?"  Hey, I had a plan and I don't like not being able to follow my plan.

We walked to the front of the temple and Travis wanted to go stand by the fountains.  I would not for 2 reasons:  1. He had spent the entire trip threatening to throw me in water and I was not having that! 2.  A bride and groom had just come out of the temple and were down in front having pictures taken.  I did not want to photo bomb those pictures, that would stink to have 2 tourists pulling faces in the background of your wedding photos.  So, we kept walking down to the front entrance.  Off to the side there is a little alcove containing a sculpture and explanations of all the sculptures along the top of the temple.  We walked around in there for several minutes (with me asking another time, "Are you ready?" and Travis determined now to talk about the Book of Mormon).  We read the placques and attempted deep spiritual conversation, which I found odd considering we don't really do that... ever.  Travis had been all sorts of overly chatty and rambly and I couldn't figure him out, I was just ready for our next activity.

When we finished reading the explanations we stood in the corner and Travis gave me a big hug and when he stepped back he had tears in his eyes (first time I've EVER seen that! So, of course everyone who reads this needs to know that Travis Rogers has tear ducts, a heart, and feelings!  Don't let him ever tell you otherwise) and he held up the most beautiful ring ever and asked, "Will you marry me?"  What a perfect moment!  My Travis is all sorts of thoughtful and romantic.  What was my reply?  "Really?!"  Yes friends, when Travis proposed to me I said, "Really?!"  He reassured me that he was serious and then I said, "Yes!"  It was perfect.  It was perfect for us.  We got engaged in Hawaii at the temple!  There wasn't an audience, it was simple and thoughtful, absolutely perfect.





And my ring is perfect.  I had no say in what it looked like and I am in love with it.  It's totally something I would have chosen for myself.  Travis has always known that I wanted everything to be a surprise, including the ring and he delivered.  It's beautiful and I'm honored to wear it.

We realized that we had spent quite a bit of time at the temple and it was probably time to head toward the airport.  I couldn't imagine leaving such a wonderful moment, but now we just have to go back....  Every month. :) 

The drive toward the airport was amazing!  We hadn't been through the center of the island yet, but this drive took us that direction.  It was so green and incredible.  These pictures just don't do it justice.  I was in awe.  That day couldn't have been any better.

I wanted nothing more than to send my mom a picture so when she turned on her phone as she got off the plane in Salt Lake she would have a surprise.  Travis wouldn't let me.  He said my parents would be mad to get that news via text.  That meant I had to keep this a secret until Saturday morning when my parents picked us up from the airport.  Travis hadn't told anyone this was going to happen, he wanted it to be a surprise for everyone and didn't want to risk someone telling me or giving hints.  So, we then spent a ton of time trying to figure out how to tell my parents.  Yikes!

My new fiance in our convertible.

Seriously so beautiful!

Can you see my new sparkly ring?

We surived the unorganized airport and the long wait in line (it's a good thing Travis decided just to head to the airport, we had to wait in line forever!).  The flight home was long, and we both managed only a couple hours of sleep.

My parents picked us up in Salt Lake Saturday morning at 9:30 and we loaded the luggage and climbed into the car.  My dad started driving and Travis looked at me like, "When are you going to say something?!"  So, I handed my ring up front and said, "Um... Travis has something to show you."  He looked a little shocked and said, "I do?"  My mom grabbed the ring and both parents said, "That's not funny.  Quit joking you guys.  This isn't even real.  You're not even funny."  Ummm.....  When Travis and I didn't really have a response my mom figured it out and got all excited.  My dad didn't say another word.

We were dropped off at our houses, showered and headed to Lindon to talk to Travis' parents.  They had the exact same response as my parents!  I guess when you joke about the subject for a year and a half it's a little like crying wolf.  Travis' dad's response when he realized we weren't joking has been one of my favorites.  He grabbed Travis by the shoulders and started shaking all while whooping and hollering and yelled, "You're a man now!"  SO stinking hilarious!  I will always remember that.

This trip was great.  I am so grateful to my parents for allowing Travis and me to tag along.  I couldn't have asked for a better ending.

Now, to answer the often asked questions....

No, we don't have a date.  Still working on that.

No, I don't know what my colors will be, but my mom took me to Home Depot last week to pick out paint chips (yes, she's good like that) and I think we're leaning toward cranberry and plum.  Pretty!

We will be getting married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

No, we don't have a reception center.  We don't know what the reception will be like.  We're hoping to keep things simple and small, but that's looking a little challenging at this point.

No, we don't know what food will be served.  However, root beer floats is sort of my style......  How awesome would that be?!

We will be living in my house.  We're already discussing storage options for the garage for all the football and hunting gear. :)

Yes, I'm happy.  Travis makes me feel safe when I'm with him.  He's a good man and a hard worker.  We will most likely drive each other crazy a lot but he's very loyal and he loves me.  He supports me in the things I do and I look forward to helping him meet his many goals.

I think those are the most asked questions.  As I get new answers I will update.

I am a very blessed person.  I never thought this would happen for me, and I had resigned myself to that fact.  Travis has been a blessing in my life and I love having him around.  I am excited for the future and the new possibilities.

July 20th, a day that will go down in history as a great day.