Feeling Nostalgic

Simon and I have been in our new place for about a month now. Since we went from a 2 bedroom to a 1 bedroom we are having to go through all of our stuff again and get rid of things that won't fit in our apartment. We have slowly been going through the stuff we had in storage AND this past week my mom brought all my childhood stuff and mission stuff from their garage (I had quite a bit there). Evenings this week were dedicated to going through everything and getting rid of stuff I could. Here is an example of what I am talking about...

All my wedges and most of my heels (all my Vans, sneakers, and boots not shown)

It is hard to get rid of certain things, but we have made some really good progress. Plus, Simon said I could keep all my shoes if we have room for them. Happy girl here.

I loved going through my mission stuff. It made me feel so homesick for it! So many good memories came flooding back (and some hard ones too!). I was looking at lists of past companions, old journals, photos, and letters. There are times it really hits me how much I miss my mission. I loved the people there and I will never forget what an impact that year and 1/2 had on my life.

I also went through all my trophies and such. After 7th grade I stopped playing softball. Most of the trophies are from my childhood days, but I did do JV basketball for 2 years in high school and 2 years of cross country. Here is a photo of the table. I threw all the trophies away because when am I ever going to need those again... so I figured a picture would suffice. My next blog post will detail what each was for (I know you all are sooooo excited to read about it). Since I won't have them to show my kids, I at least want some pictures to tell them about it.

Going through all this stuff reminded me how grateful I am for parents who allowed me to experience a lot of different things growing up, from sports to music to extracurricular school activities, etc. I had a really fulfilling childhood and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Viva Las Vegas!

On Friday night Simon and I drove down to Vegas. His sister, Melissa, is going on an LDS Mission (she departs July 1st) so she was going through the Vegas Temple to receive her endowment. We got there around 11pm and talked with Simon's dad and Aleta for a little bit before we went to bed. His siblings were out shopping, trying to find Melissa some last minute mission skirts. In the morning we got up and headed to the temple. I had never been to the Vegas Temple before, so we walked around the grounds before going in. Some of Simon's Aunts and Uncles came as well. Here are some pictures from driving down and after the session:

The view on the drive down

Vegas Temple

Beautiful blue skies

View from the temple

Dad, Aleta, David, Melissa, Simon, Me, and Kevin

David, Melissa,Kevin, and Simon

Simon and I

After the temple we went to Aunt Kathy's for lunch, some pool time, and to watch England and Italy play in the World Cup. It was fun to hang out with Simon's family. After that Simon and I drove to Cedar and spent the night with his family before heading back to Provo. All and all it was a great weekend.

Oh and we got Melissa a few things for her mission. A journal and a talk binder. Before I left on my mission a friend of mine (Erin Pew) gave me a talk binder. The binder had a picture of Christ on it and a few talks that she said helped her during her mission. She said that throughout her mission she collected talks and things that stood out to her. That binder is one of my most cherished possessions from my mission. I collected talks, poems, papers from my mission and whenever I look at it lots of memories come flooding back. So we collected a favorite talk from everyone in the family with a note as to why they liked it and put it in the binder for Melissa. Then she can take it with her and collect things from her mission too. 

The outside of the binder

Inside the binder

The journal

Also, below is the baby gift we got for Simon's dad and Aleta. The baby is breached so more than likely they will have a c-section next Monday. Can't wait to meet her!

My Grandma's Funeral

My grandma passed away last week. Irma Isabel Haycock (maiden name Motz). She was 90 years old and lived a good and fulfilling life. For those that knew her, she was fiesty and kind. You never had to wonder where you stood with her. She pretty much raised 4 boys on her own and worked hard to provide for them. She was a convert to the LDS church, two missionaries knocked on her door many years ago. Her decision to join the church has lead to some of her posterity being members. My dad was baptized the same day she was with his oldest brother John. My dad later served a mission in Chile and then years later, met and married my mom in the temple.

I am grateful for the example of this strong and faithful woman in my life. I will never forget her influence. Here are some pictures from her funeral Saturday:

The Pallbearers L to R: Dad, Alan Weir, Brad Mortensen, Alex Mortensen, John Mortensen, and Chris Mortensen

Becky and her girls: Maddie, Phoebe, and Kylie

Kira and her kids: Eve and Jeffrey

Her sons: Brad, Chris, Joe, and John

The sons with my cousin Alex (Uncle Chris' son)

Friends at the funeral

Grandma's niece and nephews are in this one L to R: Mark, Irma, and Roberto

The whole family that was there

All the cousins: Becky, Kira, Alex, Me, and Rach

Grandma

The luncheon

My grandma has a burial plot in Cedar where her husband was buried. They drove her down and my dad did a nice little ceremony at the gravesite on Tuesday. Dad, Rachael, Simon, and Alan were the only ones who could go down. My cousin Tina and her 2 kids met them there, and some people from Cedar came. Simon said it was very nice.

Their headstone

The people at the service

Dad and Rach

Dad and Rach again

Their children's names on the back of their headstone

Random Catch Up

So I haven't had internet in my apartment since I moved in. We are getting Google Fiber, but because it is free and everyone needs it installed, it takes forever for them to come out. It will be 3 weeks with out internet by the time we get it. It hasn't been too bad, just slightly annoying. I come to my sister Katelyn's whenever I need it (well and to see the baby!).

This is just a random catch up post. This past Sunday was my good friend Jessica's birthday. We went out to dinner with a group of her friends on Saturday night. Then we played Nertz at her house. It was a really fun evening and I am grateful she is a part of my life. I was her visiting teacher in a singles ward a few years ago, then we became roommates, and have been friends ever sense. We have been on adventures together and she is a great listener. We both want to go to NYC, so we are hoping to plan a girl's trip sometime in the near future!

Nertz fun

Nik, Jess, and I

The ladies (minus Anjilee because she left)

I have also been trying to put all our Europe papers into a binder. I started this past week and have made it through the first month. 

September... Our trip to Liverpool and Beatles Tour!

All the stuff to organize

On Saturday after dinner and before going to play Nertz, Nikki and I went to the shoe store because I wanted some black sandals... well we both bought gold adult gellies instead. They are amazing and so comfortable!

I love them!

In other news my Grandma Irma passed away on Tuesday and her funeral will be Saturday in Boise. My bosses are awesome and are giving me a free day off where I don't have to use PTO. Family is really important to both of them, so it makes it nice to work for them. I will write more about her and the funeral afterwards.

Simon also comes home on Saturday! I am so excited. Except I will be in Boise so I won't be able to see him until Sunday evening. It's ok, it's only one additional day. He has officially completed his undergrad degree and I couldn't be more proud. 

Anyway, that is all the current news. More to come over the weekend.