2013 Rewind

2013 hasn't been our year.
We've had:
Two surgeries
One ER visit
One car accident
One sewage flooded basement

Even though there was some good (I graduated, we had two family weddings, and we celebrated our 4 year anniversary), it seems the bad outweighed the good this year, and because of this we say "good riddance 2013".

picture overload

The easiest way to tell a story is through pictures, and when you don't devote that much time to your blog, pictures say a lot. 

Another three months has come and gone, and here I am, just barely getting around to the blog. Oh, well. If you're interested, you can keep on scrolling. 

You know me and my love for Utah football. This season has been no different. 

We've had our ups, and lots of downs, but they are still my team.

Even though it's really hard to continue to watch them lose. 

And especially because we heard today that, once again, we're losing our QB.

Potentially scary stuff for mister Travis.

In August I had an endoscopy done to check for polyps and to have my esophagus stretched so I could swallow food without it feeling like it was getting stuck.

Honestly, it was just like an amazing nap. I could have gone back to sleep after I "woke up", but they made me go home instead. 

September, I ran the Woman of Steel Relay with three of my sisters-in-law, and some of Tacey's friends. 

I won't lie, it sucked.

I'm a procrastinator, and I hate running, so I was not at all prepared. 

I ran 9 miles that day. 

More than I have ever run at one time. 

But, I finished. No one had to take over for me, I didn't get kicked off the course for being too slow.

I can say that I did it.

David got married!

That's right folks, all of the Lawrence boys are officially off the market.

Unless you're married to one, you're missing out. They are all pretty freaking awesome.

Mine being the best, of course. 

David and Amy got married on the 12th of October in the Salt Lake Temple.

We had a nice luncheon afterward at the JSMB, followed by their reception up Milcreek Canyon at Milcreek Inn.

From the day they got engaged, and I realized it was going to be the same time as the Utah v. Stanford game, I was a little upset. Only like the best game of the season, and I had to miss it. And then we WON, which made it sting a little more.

But, after all, family comes first, and even if I feel like they football team is my family, David and Amy are actual family, and I will always put my family first. 

Still proud of my Utes, though.

SELFIE!

Love my Walter White.

We were all a little skeptical of having the reception up the canyon in October, but it was actually not even that cold! They had these nice heaters set up outside that kept us all warm, and it was really pretty. Especially with the fall colors.  

All the sisters. :)

Congrats you two!

We love you!

The weekend after the wedding we headed to Vegas with Matt and Millysa for Bug O Rama. Essentially a car show filled with different VWs. Matt and John loved it. Millysa and I got tired and hot from walking around.

You should see the TOMs tan line I have on my foot. Sexy.

We watched some of the drag races which were pretty cool.

Who know an old VW bug can go 111 MPH?

Certainly not I. 

Then we went into the Shelby museum about a half hour before it closed. But we got the full tour, explaining why certain cars were named what they are (not for any logical reason), and why Shelby made the cars he did. Pretty neat. 

I still want to own one. Someday.

We stayed on Fremont Street, at the Plaza, which was surprisingly very nice. Fremont Street is like 10 times as crazy at night than the Strip, and I saw things I can't un-see. But it was an experience. We got to go to a free Our Lady Peace concert, which the owner of the D Casino was sponsoring, right outside his casino, which is new.

It's rare that you get to go to a free concert, and even more rare when it's a band that you actually know.

Yes, this happened. This man has his shirt tucked into his back pockets. He kept taking video with his phone, but didn't realize that his hand was in front of his camera, so he had a lot of videos of his hand. I'm sure the next morning caused some major confusion for him.

The week before Halloween the Sorensen's threw a Clue themed murder mystery. We had dinner and then played the game, around the house. It was super fun! 

Mrs. White; Mr. Green; Mrs. Peacock; Professor Plum; Colonel Mustard; Miss Scarlet

These two are quite the characters. 

John committed fully to his part, and shaved the cul-de-sac. 

As he put it, "What professor has a full head of hair?"

Miss Scarlet ended up being the murderer. 

Mandy ended up winning. Rigged. Just Kidding!

It was so fun to dress up! And do have Patty's totally real furs. 

She pulled them out of a closet, and John and I were shocked.

SO soft.

Monday, the 28th of October was my 24th birthday.

24? When did I get so old?

It was a good day.

I worked, like most grown-ups, and then John and I went to Cheesecake Factory, and he took me shopping. 

He had me all excited for this gift, only to inform me that it wasn't in stock, and would be arriving closer to Christmas, so it will now be a Christmas gift. I was kind of freaking out, wanted to know what it was. But he will not tell me. So, I'll let you know come Christmas!

My parents sent me this gorgeous bouquet of flowers at my office. 

Gotta love Skyline Flowers. They do amazing work!

My girl Mel Nash sent cookies to me at work also.

My boss kept coming over, and saying "Oooh, those look really good". I caught the hint, and gave him one.

Pretty much my friends and family are the bomb, and made me feel very special on my birthday. 

We carved pumpkins for Halloween with some of John's siblings and their kids. 

So many pumpkin guts, all over.

Leave it to my husband to make a scary pumpkin, and use an action figure to complete his work.

On Halloween, we both worked, and then spent the evening with the Lawrence's. After all, it is Patty's favorite holiday.

This is Lillie. We are in no way related.

We just work together.

From the first day at this job, people have called me Lillie, and are constantly getting us confused for each other.

So we decided to take advantage of it, and dressed up as each other for Halloween! 

I couldn't think of anything I could dress up as that would relate to his Walter White. I thought maybe Lydia, but I didn't want to walk around in heels all night. And Skylar is blonde. Boo. 

Arguably the greatest Walter White next to Bryan Cranston. 

The whole clan!

We have clowns with their elephant (who is not in her costume in this, but she was SO cute)

David and Amy walked around in morph suits, and Amy couldn't see. Hilarity ensued.

Jenny dressed up as Venom, and her friend Val was a caveman. 

Dan and Kristy dressed up as magicians and little N was their rabbit in the hat. Very clever.

That's it party people. 

Here we are a week away from Thanksgiving, and who knows, the next time I blog may be right after Christmas.

XOXO

we're alive...

I haven't blogged since APRIL. Holy fail. Here is a quick update for anyone who still reads this!

Sissy and Tom got married!

April 27.

It was such a great day, and she was a GORGEOUS bride.

Shortly  after the wedding (three days to be exact) I had surgery on my sinuses. I had been having chronic sinus infections so Dr. Hill (the best!) went in and removed all the residual infection, plus opened up my turbinates so that I can actually breathe through my nose! It was a rough week of recovery full of nose bleeds, throwing up, and lots of sleep, but it was so worth it!

Into May we go.

May 20th I decided I should crash my car.

Okay, I definitely didn't crash it on purpose, and I only remember the date because it was my parents' 30th anniversary.

I was exiting I-80 at 13th east, and after turning left I went to change lanes, but didn't realize the cars in front of me had already stopped. 

By the time I turned back from checking my blind spot, it was too late. 

Crash.

My first accident, ever.

I cried. Had a panic attack.

Thought the world was ending.

It wasn't.

It was just a scary event.

Luckily no one was hurt, and I didn't even get a ticket.

And, insurance covered my car, and the guy I hit, so it worked out. 

Then in June, John decided he needed some attention and ended up in the E.R. 

He had been having some abdominal pain, and was throwing up all day, so he finally gave in and we went to get it checked out. They checked his gallbladder and his appendix. Everything was normal. Except for his liver enzymes. They were double what they should be. So, after spending, literally all night in the ER, we were sent home, with no answers, and told to go see his regular doctor in 2 weeks about his liver enzymes.

So he did. And the doctor pretty much told him, tell your wife that if you start to go jaundice, then we have a problem. It sounds like you have Gilbert's Disease. It's where you liver randomly shuts down, then spikes, then is normal, then shuts down, etc. 

Sounds normal, right?

We celebrate the 4th of July with the Lawrence's in our backyard. Had a BBQ, watched the fireworks that are set off at Sugarhouse, watched people fight with the Arby's employees, you know, just the normal 4th of July stuff.

Then, on the 18th of July, we went and saw Jimmy Eat World! 

It was seriously the best concert I have ever been to. And yes, we were on the second row, and Daniel and John protected me and Mandy very well.

John and I talked about going to Vegas in September to see them again, that is how much we liked the show. Unfortunately, I can't get off work. That's what happens when the person you work with will also be out of town the time you want to be gone.

We celebrated FOUR years of wedded bliss on the 27th of July up at the Hawker Lodge.

We spent the weekend up there. We took out the ATVs on Saturday, and just hung out. So nice to just get away.

Saturday night we went to Cheesecake at City Creek, because that is what John wanted, so that is what we did! Then we went to Nordstrom and I got a new wallet, and iPad case. John is still searching for the pair of shoes he wants. He probably is sick of me nagging about it.

And last, but most certainly not least, I am officially a college graduate! I was supposed to walk the first week of May, but because of my sinus surgery, I didn't feel up to it. Didn't really feel like puking in front of strangers. And I had to take a class the first half of Summer, but I have been done since the middle of June, and just this weekend, I received my diploma in the mail! Officially have my Bachelors. You better believe that baby is on the fridge, until I get a frame for it. And then, I don't know where I'll put that frame. 

I'll try to be better at blogging, but I can't promise anything.

Besides, being a grownup isn't that exciting anyway. 

my girl

Just wanted to give a shout out to my girl Mel Nash! She just landed her dream job, and I couldn't be happier for her!

You can read why she is in the fight against diabetes here. I can testify that this was one of the worst days of her life. When you get a phone call from your best friend, that NEVER cries, and she is bawling, you know something major is happening.

Now, go to diabetes.org, and support her by signing up and/or donating to the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes on September 7th. It's for a good cause!

Congratulations Mel! I am so excited for you!!

the flood

Some people have inquired about the state of my parent's basement, and some have even asked about donating to their fund (PLEASE, dont' feel obligated).

We have created a blog to keep everyone updated on the progress of the cleanup and restoration. 

You can visit it here.

there's sh*t in the basement.

Not exactly how we planned on spending our Saturday.
John and I decided to walk up to my parent's house, just for the heck of it. And as soon as we walked in the back door, my mom says "I've been calling you and calling you". Uh...sorry? Apparently I don't feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.
Why had she been calling me?
There is six inches of sewage in her basement.
Around 10AM, my mom got a call from a neighbor saying he had sewage in his basement, and asking if they did. No, she said. Until she started to hear it gushing out of the toilet downstairs. Sure enough, it was in their basement too.
Within literally seconds, there was sewage covering the entire basement.
What are you supposed to do about poop-water in your basement? Nothing. You literally can't do anything. Hazmat has to come out because it's toxic, and the people who live in these houses just have to sit and watch it all happen.
Saddest thing I have seen in quite some time is my dad sitting on the stairs, just staring into his basement.
Then there is my poor little brother who's entire life is in the basement, and now almost everything is being thrown away because of contamination.

After about two hours from the initial call to the city, the Disaster Relief started to show up. Taking pictures, documenting everything, and then starting to pump out the sewage and remove anything that came in contact with it. We had the media come out, thanks to my tweets (that I was urged to send, *cough*Kati*cough*), and they interviewed Dad along with some of the other people affected by this. As bad as all of this was, it was kind of cool to see my photo on KSL's website, even credited to me.
Now it is kind of just a waiting game. And I feel awful. There is nothing you can do, but it's so hard to see your family so sad. Everything will work out, it always does, but until it does, life will be a little rough. I hope everyone else's Saturday was not as eventful as ours, and if it was, I hope it was eventful in a good way. Here is the story done by KSL if you are interested.

the designer inside

As I grow up, I continue to learn more about myself. For instance, I love design.

I love creative design on the computer, and I love designing decor.

This is proving to be a problem because I want to change everything in my house, and I want to do it right now. "What's the problem" you ask? Just the small notion that I believe I have all the time and money to do all of these projects. 

It started with our living/family room. We painted it about a thousand times when we moved in, and then J built this amazing TV stand that was better for the space, which lead to getting a new bookshelf, and a new dvd/bluray shelf. Well, then it turned into J wanting to open up our entry way by turning the closet into a nook. Sure, why not. So he started that, but unfortunately, started is as far as we got.

Our closet still looks like this.

And our tile entryway? Still no tile.

Like I said, we have no time for this stuff, but we want it done! So we continue.

Well, after the closet got started, I decided that the brown couch covers needed to go because brown does not fit in the scheme of things at all. Black furniture, green walls, grey closet...brown is out.

So, we went to LOOK at new couch covers. If you know me, you know I don't just look...I buy. 

So we ended up buying new couch covers. 

Grey, to match and draw in the closet. 

Well, then I found this great mustard yellow color that I decided needs to be an accent. I got cute pillows to go on our grey couch and am in need of this rug.

Have you ever noticed how freaking expensive rugs are!? The smallest size this rug comes, which is 5'x8', the precise size we need, is over $300.00 after tax.

Holy moly, Batman. 

I guess I'll start a fund for the rug.

And that isn't even the end of it. Crown molding is a must.

Seriously, it is not a want, it is a need. 

The room looks funky without it.

 While at the Home Depot searching for things for the front room, John mentions the bathroom to me. 

So, I brought home paint samples.

Fast forward to the next day.

J: "Maybe we should go to Home Depot and get a sample of that blue for the bathroom."

E: "Maybe we should finish the front closet first."

J: "Right."

But of course we have already figured out what we want to do.

Well, I am still questioning whether I want bead board in there or not.

It is an ongoing internal debate.

Smokestack grey.

I am in love with this color.

With white linens and towels.

B-e-a-utiful. 

And, J will be making us one of these. In a bathroom as small as ours, this will be a huge blessing. 

Also a huge blessing, having a husband who can build just about anything!

Oh, and then there's the bedroom.

The bedroom will also be grey.

But, light grey, not the smokestack.

Does anyone else see a obsession pattern here?

The bedroom will be grey, navy, and coral.

This bedspread is PERFECT.

Can I find it anywhere on the internet?

Of course not.

My handy-man will also be making us a headboard, totally his idea btw. I love it.

But wait, do John and I own the house we live in? No. 

Can we do all these repairs? Yes, the owner (my grandpa) loves it.

Am I going to have to re-do all this design when I own a home? Yes.

Am I okay with that? Yes.

Gotta start planting those money trees.