Happy Birthday Rachel!

I just wanted to take a minute and mention why I am grateful for today. Today is one of my Best Friends Birthday. Her name is Rachel Kolb Valgardson! Some of you may know her and some of you may not. She has been a special person in my life. We are both very busy and don't live close enough to get together very often but she is such an example to me. Rachel has been blessed with many trials in her life. None of which she has ever brought upon herself. Some of these trials I personally would NEVER be able to endure what she has. She is strong, positive, talented, spiritual and loving. She is so easy to talk to and I feel I could tell her anything. I am so grateful that she is a part of my life. She has taught me so much and I love her! I hope and pray the best for her. Happy Birthday dear friend of mine.

This is a Picture that I took from her facebook because I LOVE IT!

Rachel and I on my wedding day!

(Pathetic that this is my most resent picture I have with her)

God Has Away

Wow!!!

Today at school there was a Lecture given about applying for grad schools. I know this would stress me out so I took a quick minute and read my Patriotical blessing before I left the house. Well like I had anticipated all the talk about Applying for Grad School is making me a complete wreck. After the lecture I went to the bathroom had a little melt down and prayed, not for anything specific. It was more like a little cry for help and comfort. I was so stressed all I wanted to do was go home and go to sleep. But like there always is in Architecture I had home work to do. I had to go and record my part of a movie a group of classmates and I are working on. Still feeling like things I love and are passionate about are a struggle and stressing me out right now. I pick up my video camera and head outside. The video was to show the detour someone would have to take in order to get into the Architecture building (we don't have an elevator or ramps you have to go all the way over to the Art building to take the elevator up). As I walked the slow tedious path the wheelchair would have had to take I glanced down at the time on the camera 12 minutes. I had emotion come over me. My Heavenly Father blessed me with humility. I may get a bad grade on a test or struggle with people from church but I don't have to take 12 minutes to get to my desk from the front of the architecture building. Have to wonderful lags that can walk upstairs. How Lucky am I?

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

I woke up this morning and it only took me a few moments to remember what was special about today. I have held a special place in my heart for this day. Every time the topic of September 11th comes up it instantly takes me to the place in my mind where I have a vivid picturesque image. This image will be in my mind Forever. I can tell you where I was and how I felt as if it happened yesterday. I haven't watched T.V. on September 11 since it happened. I know what I will see and I don't need to. I haven't seen any of the movies and I don't want any pictures. While Dugan and I were in NYC in July. As we were walking toward Ground Zero I saw this on the wall. The image that has been carved into my mind was there carved into a wall. This is where the almost 8 years of hurt, anger and sadness all came out. There was no way to stop the tears that flowed as I stood there on the sidewalk in Manhattan. It was the 3rd of July. I had just been to the Statue of Liberty a few hours earlier and the Celebration of our Nation would be the next day. This morning those feelings came back this morning as I let a few tears fall down my face as I thought about how grateful I am and I am so Proud to be an American!!! My Prayers are with every person that lost something that horrific day. God Bless America!

Squeezing in the Summer Fun

August is here

This is a picture of "midget" my little sister Ashten who I love sssooo much, and I at my brothers reception. I think it has been awhile since we have worn matching dresses but it was fun. I couldn't find jewelry to match the dresses so I went ahead and made it myself.  Go Me!

This is my tiny sil to be Melody and my brother William at there reception.
Dugan and I had a wonderful time at the Frehner family union. It was a fun day in the Sun.

In case you couldn't tell we are Swiss we come in two colors White and Red. I still have a tan from getting burned and I even had Sunblock on.
Dugan and I at the Utah Shasperan Festival. Every year the Taysom family meets and goes to plays together. I think you could say 16 years in a row is a Tradition. Dugan is a good sport and comes along.

I wish weekends were always like this

On Friday night Dugan and I went with our friends Jim and Carrie to dinner at "Tuscany"

If you would like to see how wonderful it is her is the website. http://www.tuscanyslc.com/

Dugan and I had The Chef’s Special Bruschetta in two ways totally Amazing. Then I got the Wood-Oven Roasted Filet of Salmon with Pancetta Pesto Crust and toasted Vegetable Couscous (best Couscous I have ever had) and Dugan got one of the specials that had Steak, Scallops and Mashed Potatoes. I forget what truly wonderful food taste like. Food can be so heavenly. Gourmet will never be inexpensive but It is worth every Penny.

After dinner we decided to go and see the dueling pianos. We were there for hours and it was so much fun. 

Dugan and I around Midnight

We are so Cute!

Purple and Pink is Pretty Girly!

The next morning came really early. I went to a Pilates class that Carrie was teaching (she did an Amazing job). After a wonderful class and a tight stomach. I headed to the Farmers Market alone. My fav. market pal (my little sis) was camping. So I picked up all my fav. things and headed home. D was gone when I got home he had two moves to help with, just part of being the Elders Quorum President but I got a few good hours of studying in silence.

Later my brother and his fiance just got in from Hong Kong and my parents my brother and Melody all came over. We had a wonderful time talking. This is a picture of my brother contemplating. If baby carrots are grown baby or if they are big carrots cut up. The confusing part is the core in the center of so many of them. So he was biting lots of them in half and examining. 

I have been cooking like a Chef the past week or so. Trying to get in the last few weeks of home cooked goodness before we are back in school and time to cook is little.

I made this yummy Shrimp and Scallops pasta dish. I haven't named it yet but I had fresh basil, tomatoes and linguine noodles from the farmers market that I am sure add to the wonderful flavors. I thought that the picture turned out pretty good.
After dinner I had the wonderful opportunity to get together with my sis and 2 of my cousins. 

We had fun chatting about life. I hope it doesn't take me another 5 years to see them.
Lucky me to have such a Fun weekend. Can't wait for the next one. Summer is almost over I have to Play, Play, Play so I can be ready to Work, Work, Work.

Leaving the State to Celebrate the State Holiday is a wonderful idea

It was a awesome holiday weekend shared with Family and Friends

Swimming

Carrie, Katie, Char

Rockband 

Jim, Jimmy, Dan, Carrie, Dugan

Happy cute kid

Lucas, Dugan

More Rockband

Jim, Jimmy, Sandra, Dan, Dugan, Dennis

New Friends

Emma, Jimmy

Playmates

Lucas, Katie

More swimming 1..2...3... CANNONBALL

Jim, Jimmy, Dugan

I found a new treat. Strawberry and Peanut butter M&M's.

We had fun making everyone taste them and guess what they were.

A sandwich in an M&M what will them come up with next. 

We had a wonderful time. Special thanks to our friends Jim, Carrie there kiddo's Jimmy and Katie. Dugan's brother Dan his wife Sandra and there kiddo's Emma and Lucas. Dugan's dad Dennis and Patty. Plus the most wonderful Hubby Dugan. Fun memories and RR.

Summer, Why are you Running away?

We made it home safe and sound.

I think someone pressed the Fast forward button of my life.

This past week has been flying by.

How do I find the pause button?