Grandma Hale

I think about my Grandma Hale often. My moms mom, Doris, passed away from Breast Cancer in October 1993. It's her name seen on my cars Breast Cancer license plate. Although I was only 11 at the time she passed away, I have very fond memories of the short time I did have with her. I remember sitting at the piano singing along while she played. She loved to play songs out of the Primary Childrens Song book- A Childs Prayer was one of her favorites. When I was old enough she taught me the top hand on the piano and after she passed away I took lessons determined to finish what she had started. My siblings and I would wake up in the morning and she would be sitting next to us on the bed waiting to say "Good Morning", gently running her fingers through our hair! It was such a calming gesture. Doris was such a strong, remarkable woman..I see where my mom gets it from. When my Grandma was sick, us kids would go to Idaho and stay with my Grandpa and Aunt Randy for the summer while my mom took Grandma to Texas for treatment! I remember missing my mom so much and being really homesick not fully understanding the extent of what was going on; but that the sacrifices being made were necessary. My grandma fought a long hard battle and our family did everything we could to save her! Sacrifices made then that seemed at the time SO big I realize now how really small of a sacrifice giving up time with my mom was so that she could spend those final moments with hers. I cannot imagine not having my mom here with me! I know that my mom thinks of her mom all the time and has moments she wishes Doris was still here. I am so grateful for the knowlege and testimony of eternal families and I know without a doubt that that's what keeps my mom going day to day. It's dumbfounding and tragic how many people in my life have been effected by breast cancer and/or cancer in general. My good friend Jasons mom passed away, my friend Justins wife passed away at the age of 25, my Great Grandma Garrard lost her battle, a sweet lady at my office is currently batteling the disease as well as a co-workers wife--that is only naming a few. I am so passionate about this cause and pray that a cure is found and one day soon we will be able to save more if not all of those men and women who are fighting for their lives against this cruel disease.

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance two dancers performed a contemporary piece called "This Womans Work". It's about a woman who is fighting breast cancer and her close friend is right there with her fighting and supporting her through everything! My mom and I just cried--it hit so close to home! The passion in this dance and the story it portrayed was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!

Bubba

Just thought I'd post a couple pictures of Bubba standing up in his standing frame!! I loved seeing him up...he's actually gotten taller since his accident. I put his arm around me so it could be like old times. When I did, his body spasmed and he almost fell out of the frame--oops but it was worth it..no harm done!! I miss that sometimes- not being able to just sit on the couch next to him and just hang out. We measured him and he's now 6' tall!! For reals he has definitely had a growth spurt-his head has even gotten bigger; when he got out of the hospital none of his hats fit-Devin loves that! :) I measured in at a giant 5'4".


Bubba just got home from a friends house and wanted to be set up on his drawing table. He is so patient!! It is quite a process to get everything right and I haven't helped with setting him up much so it took us a couple attempts but it all worked out and he's in his own little creative world!

So You Think You Can Dance

I know I can't dance to save my life- even having had taken dance class as a little girl and my mom being my instructor--kind of like my brother in law Adam, who is Mexican, failing spanish in school and his mom was his teacher!! You either have it or you don't and I definitely don't! I find myself in complete awe at the talent some people in this world have!! Last night my family and I were watching So You Think You Can Dance and after one particular performance it was so intense that when it was over I just laughed--it was all I could do! One of the judges who is always loud and kind of obnoxious was speechless and she just laid her head down! The music was great too! See for yourself:

Another dance that was also very impressive. It was the Top 5 girls performing a Bollywood dance--check it out
They make it look completely effortless! It's so inspiring and makes me want to go take lessons again!

Unanswered Prayers

For 4th of July I went to Salt Lake and visited friends from college. While I was up there I stayed with my best friend Heather, her husband Omar and their two beautiful kids Sienna and Malachi. It was a great weekend filled with friends, family, a good ole fashioned backyard BBQ and fireworks!

The song "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks played in my mind throughout the weekend. You will find that I tend to use song lyrics a lot-- I don't know if you've ever heard the Delilah show on the radio, well I am the future Delilah..my friends laugh because I can always find the "perfect" song to say how I'm/they're feeling or to put a situation or experience in perspective.



This weekend while in Utah I saw an old crush from college that I was crazy about back in the day; he and I always had the best time together! We've stayed in contact off and on and this weekend I saw him for the first time in years. It was really good to see him and once again we had a lot of fun together but it was different. Life is funny that way, as we grow up and experience dating there comes those relationships that in the moment seem so perfect, then it doesn't work out and you're crushed; as time passes you wonder what might have been. With each relationship comes different lessons learned and for me I've discovered thru dating the qualities I'm looking for in my partner and also the things I should maybe be more cautious of. I've developed a clearer perspective on what's really important in the long run. As excited as I am for the future and the opportunity to have a family of my own someday, I truly am grateful for those "unanswered prayers"! Looking back I can say that as hard as it sometimes seems I am grateful that I'm single; that I didn't marry the person I thought I wanted to marry when I was younger. Today I am more sure and confident in who I am as a woman, as a person and what I have to offer!