Graduation Party

Best. Graduation Party. Ever!

Forget sitting in an auditorium and listening to people speak (even though I did miss Elder Oaks at commencement - sad day); I had the best college graduation ever! Instead of heading to commencement and convocations and such on Thursday/Friday, I headed down for a semi-family reunion and honed my handgun skills.

Matt and I definitely feel much more proficient at using a handgun for defense now! Although, we did determine that if we are ever held hostage, we'll fend for ourselves (unless Danielle is going to be the one shooting the bad guy) :) It was super fun though!

Oh! It is Love!

What a surprise! My husband is so amazing! And SUPER cute! He sent me on a scavenger hunt after work!

Stop 1 - Frozen yogurt in the freezer at work

Step 2 - Fruit from Sugar n' Spice (my kind of treat!)

Step 3 - A children's book to read (we read children's books
on one of our first dates)

Step 4 - rose plant (it keeps blossoming)

My choice of activity for the night

Dinner at home - complete with cute mugs

A romantic movie and dinner at home (we don't
have a couch, hence the blanket and
pillows against the wall)

Isn't he a stud?!

It's a Parasite!

Well that clears things up a bit!

I was wondering why I felt so yucky all the time. Honestly, this entire semester has been a difficult one. I am hungry almost constantly, but can't eat very much food. I'm sure my vitamin and mineral supplies are nearly depleted because I can't eat veggies anymore. The fridge and freezer make me want to vomit sometimes . . . ok, often.

That and I'm tired all the time! I sleep for about 9 hours at night and then am still groggy in the morning and can't get myself out of bed. And I still get tired throughout the day!

With the insane semester of classes, the combination of those two things mean Cosette doesn't exercise much at all - 2 times a week IF she's very very lucky. My body is starting to feel very yucky. My legs get antsy at night to run or bike or swim or something, but my mind, feet, and stomach are in all out rebellion against anything but sleep. Worst part is, I hurt my foot muscle last Monday and haven't been able to even walk much (nonetheless run or bike) - been out of commission for over a week. Sitting on your bum all day is no fun - I promise! On the plus side, when I could walk (the entirety of the semester before last week), I did walk 1.3 miles to work and back every day (and sometimes classes in the middle of that) - that did help to keep my lungs happy at least.

Yup - parasite.

At the worst of times - when I gagged at the thought or smell of food, but my stomach was threatening anarchy if it didn't get fed immediately, or had morning sickness all day regardless of what I did, or felt the negative effects of not exercising for weeks on end - then I honestly wondered why in the insane world I was doing this?! I'm losing my good nutrition, my exercise routine, my health, our money and my energy. Insanity? Probably.

Contrary to some comments from about mothers at this time - I believe motherhood is the best career any woman could have. People tell me the pregnancy is worth it. I believe them. Something good usually comes from difficult times right? I know this is worth it. I can always get my exercise routine back - especially now that I'm into the 2nd trimester!

15 weeks and feeling better (except my foot
still keeps me out of commission)

It's worth it. It's worth it. It's worth it. - Yup, that's my new mantra.

A Crazy Weekend

Wow, and I thought "normal" weekends for college students were crazy!
To sum up why, I'll add this:

"Sandra Hansen Van Dyke, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at home in Duchesne, UT on April 4, 2012 from complications caused by cancer; she was 68 years old.

Sandra was born July 25, 1943 in Ogden, UT to Orvel and Orla Hansen. She grew up on the family farm in Warren, Utah for the first 21 years of her life. This gave her a love for the land and work. Her greatest career and joy was the role of wife, mother, and grandmother, which she made her full-time occupation. She enjoyed quietly giving service to family, church, and the community.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was her foundation and from that she and her husband, Laroy built a good life. They were married in the LDS Logan Temple for time and all eternity on March 4, 1965. She and Laroy served three missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, two to Russia and one to Ukraine.

She is survived by her husband, her mother Orla Hansen, her children: David (Charlene) Van Dyke, Teasdale, UT; Elizabeth (Chris) Jensen, Cedar Hills, UT; Keith (Lisa) Van Dyke, Kaysville, UT; LaDawn (Gordon) Moon, Duchesne, UT; Heidi (Kevin) Matis, Indianapolis, IN; Shirley (Daniel) George, Novi, MI; Caleen (James) Pickett, Kingman, AZ; 28 grandchildren, and siblings Larry, Douglas, Paula Brashier, and Karen Tucker.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 6 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Torrey, UT Ward chapel (89 East Main Street, Torrey, Utah). A viewing will be held at the same location Thursday, April 5 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm and on Friday, April 6 from 9:00 - 10:30 am.

Interment will be in the Warren-West Warren, UT cemetery (700 North 6700 West, Warren, UT) on Sat, April 7 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Humanitarian Fund would be appreciated."

Love you Grandma Van Dyke!

We took school/work off on Friday and drove down to Torrey, UT (by Capitol Reef National Park). Though her passing was expected because of cancer complications, it was still rough - she was 68 years old. I will say that it was great to have so many family members around though. And we know that she is in a much happier place now, free from the pain she has suffered for so long. It was a mournful day for us, but we were very grateful for the legacy she left and the freedom from pain she now has.

Saturday brought on another road trip to Warren, UT (near Ogden) where services were held for the burial. We were all able to be together as a family and watch them close the grave (Grandma would have liked that).  :)

 With family still in town, we spend that evening as well as Sunday together. Matt and I played with  a lot of our cousins, had an Easter Egg hunt, and all over enjoyed our time together. Though exhausting (physically and emotionally), it was a good weekend.

I am grateful for the Easter season - especially this time of year - and the knowledge we have that Grandma will live again in the flesh, just as Christ now does.  :)