May 29, 2009 by Mallory.

So I got my results from the doctor about my thyroid and it is…….drum roll please …………. …… …………….. …………… ……………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………….normal. Yeah. So I guess I’ll just have to work extra hard and keep doing my best. I am seeing that counting calories really is helping (even though I may have messed up a few days). But I’m still going and I’m still trying and I’m still exercising and I’m still trying to eat healthy. I’ll keep you updated on how it’s going!

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May 25, 2009 by Melanee.

For many years Kev initiated a “Cousin Campout” where he set up tents on my parents property and had a campfire to roast hot dogs and indulge in smores. Cousins of all ages were invited to bring their sleeping bag and experience the great outdoors at Pop-Pop’s house. My nieces and nephews enjoyed this yearly tradition because they got to spend time with their cousins and gather around the campfire to sing, talk, or just have fun together. Kev would sometimes do some dutch oven cooking too. I would bring ingredients for breakfast in the morning that he would cook on a campstove-pancakes, eggs, you name it.

Yesterday we braved the isolated thunder and rain storms to have a little cousin campfire at my parents. We shared memories of Uncle Kevin last night. We talked about the pizza and an upside down cherry cake he made in the dutch oven. We remembered when my niece Sarah was making smores she had more melted marshmallow on her face than got in her mouth. We literally had to use 10 baby wipes to clean her up. My brother remembered that Kev would totally set and clean up the tents and equipment on his own without help. I remember that last year when his vomitting symptoms started, Kev told me this was too hard for him and he probably won’t be able to do it anymore. I suggested next year he just have the campfire with the cousins in the evening and no campout, not realizing this would literally be his last. Memories were shared how we dearly miss his computer skills, his interest in reading science fiction, showing off his Star Trek models, saving dinner for him when he got home from work “Save some for Kevin” (this was when we lived with my parents when we first were settling into Connecticut).

I asked a general question to my nieces and nephews. What was the best part of the cousin campout? Grace shouted, “Uncle Kevin!”

This statement would have touched Kev’s heart very deeply as it did mine.

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May 21, 2009 by Mallory.

So for the longest time I’ve been putting off counting calories. On the biggest loser, they say that’s the main way you can effectively lose weight. I always thought that I could eat healthy without counting calories. Well, since I’ve been so frustrated, I decided to give in and start counting calories…and let me tell you…I was definitely underestimating. Now, whenever I see someone else eating something unhealthy, I just think, that has got to be so many calories. Hopefully I can keep this up. And I’ve finally made an appointment to get my thyroid checked. I’ll keep you posted on what the results are. I’m kinda hoping that maybe there’s something wrong so that I have a reason for why it takes so long for me to lose weight, but I guess if not, then I’ll just have to work harder. We’ll see! All I know is that I want to be healthy and in shape and I will get there!

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May 14, 2009 by Mallory.

This past weekend we went to St. Louis. I was ready to kill my students and Wendell had a week off, so I took a couple mental health days and we escaped to St. Louis. We decided to go camping instead of stay at a hotel. We arrived at the KOA campground, and they said that it rained really hard and the grass was really wet, so they gave us a cabin to stay in for the first night. We arrived Friday night, and we just relaxed and watched a movie on our laptop. The next day, we went to the Arch, the science center, and the art museum. We went to a space show in the planetarium, and it just amazed me how big and beautiful this world is. Being in the science museum also brought back so many memories of when we were little and when we went to the science museums with my dad. And then going to the art museum reminded me of my mom. Whenever we went anywhere where there were museums (such as Washington, D.C.), we all picked one that we wanted to go to. My dad would always pick the air and space museum or some science museum, and my mom would always pick the art museum. In the St. Louis art museum, there was the original Water Lilies painting by Monet. I was amazed that it was there! That painting is in so many different calendars and so many different books. It’s famous and I was seeing the original thing! And I also came to the conclusion that some people have a really strange way of expressing themselves. There was this modern piece of art that was really wacky and it was “Untitled”. I said to Wendell, “Man, even the artist couldn’t even describe this.” At least all the others had something saying what they were feeling or why they painted it or what it was supposed to portray. But not this one. And I truly wonder how some paintings get into museums…seriously…
Anyway, that night, we set up our tent and had a fire in the grill. We weren’t allowed to have campfires there (stupid for a CAMPGROUND!!! What’s camping without a campfire????) It was fun. We cooked hotdogs and made s’mores. On Sunday, we went to church, and then we went to the museum of transportation. It had all sorts of different trains and it also had a building with different types of cars. Wendell loves cars and things, so that’s why we went to that museum. (I wasn’t thrilled, but it was still fun). There was also a train from the original trans-atlantic railroad. It was pretty neat. We took some pictures climbing on the trains, and then later we found a sign that said, “NO CLIMBING ON THE EXHIBITS”. Oops… It was a really great trip and a great break from my crazy students.

Now for life. It seems like we’ve had a few things that have been struggles for us (and especially Wendell), but we’re getting through it. Only 1 more year of school!!! Halelujah!!! This year has been…oh my goodness. I have some of the most energetic kids that I have ever seen and it is a real struggle to teach such energetic (and TALKATIVE) kids. Today one of my students totally kicked my toe (by accident). It started bleeding and half my nail isn’t attached anymore, and it hurts a lot, but luckily our bodies are built to heal themselves. But there’s only 1 more week left and then I get all summer!!! I am determined to get my apartment and life in order during the summer. Our apartment is in a wreck right now and it’s starting to drive me crazy. Slowly, I’ve been trying to do a little bit each day, but I am hoping to get a lot more done this summer (especially with all these piles of papers and things shoved in corners). I am also still S…L….O…W…L…Y…..losing weight and trying to go a little faster, but who knows. I’ve lost 25 pounds since I first started losing weight (Jan. 08). Traveling always turns it upside down, inside out, and backwards, and it takes me a couple weeks to get back on track. I am still doing Zumba and I love it. It’s like a cardio workout to international music. It’s a really good workout, and it’s fun too! But I am really thinking of getting my thyroid tested because it’s ridiculous how slow I lose weight and how fast I gain it. My mom has always said that she thinks I have a thyroid problem…it would be funny if she’s been right this whole time.

A little Wheel of Fortune tidbit. So I am pretty sure that it is official that I won’t be on the show any time soon. It’s kinda depressing because I’ve been seeing some people from my audition on the show lately. I really wish they sent us something saying why they didn’t choose us, but oh well. I’m not going to give up! There’s more years to come!

Last thing I am going to say. These past few months, I have discovered this HILARIOUS show called Big Bang Theory. Oh my gosh. It is seriously the funniest show in the world. Mom, if you read this, you should seriously start watching it…you would die! It reminds me of my dad a bit. It’s about these total nerds who live across from this gorgeous typical blonde. They are way into computers and science, and they’re total geniuses. The funniest character is this OCD guy named Sheldon. Everything he does is so nerdy, but he is so smart. He is so disconnected with people and it is hilarious! It is seriously the funniest show I have ever watched. It’s on CBS at 7:00 central time. It’s only 1/2 hour. But I highly recommend it. Now that I’ve typed all your eyes off (get it?? talked your ears off…typed your eyes off…yeah, I just thought of that myself :D) I think it’s about time I go do something useful with my life. Until next time!

UPDATED: Here are some pictures (Ash and Pat told me how to do it. Hopefully it works!)

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May 9, 2009 by Melanee.

Some people who know me well know about my buddy-a cardinal that has been my friend since Kev passed. Two years ago just after Kev passed, I was at the kitchen sink washing dishes and a cardinal sat on the fence directly across from me. What was unusual is he just sat and sat and sat. I started to time him and he was there for about 20 minutes. Now, birds just don’t sit. But, “my buddy” who was there with me did. The reason why I write about this subject is that-for me and my experience-nature has a place in comforting those who hurt.
My cardinal buddy was there for me and has still been there for me for the past two years. Kev’s passing date comes up very soon and I can’t believe this much time has gone by. The reason why I decided to write about this is–I drove into my driveway yesterday and there he was right in the middle of my back yard-red as can be-he flew to the fence to the left of me and his female mate followed him. This is the first time I have seen his mate in over two years.I know cardinals mate for life and when Kev passed I only saw my buddy just hang around with me at my home. Now yesterday I saw his mate and I thought that was really neat.

Another sighting was last July when my children were here for my sister Rachel’s wedding and a family vacation. I slept in a small bedroom upstairs because Ashley and Pat slept in my bedroom. It was a hot summer morning and I had the window opened while I slept. Just about 5 am in the morning I heard a loud chirping just outside my window and I knew exactly who it was. My Cardinal Buddy. I moved my head to look out the window-the bed was under the open window–and there he sat on a branch about 2 1/2 feet away from me, cheering me up with his morning greeting.

Then another Saturday in the fall my co-worker Kathy and her husband Lee spent a day helping me weatherproof my house to try and cut my oil bills. As I was replacing the broken window on the door in the back kitchen- my buddy- was sitting in the pine tree watching me work. I quickly ran to get Kathy to introduce my friend to her, but he quickly flew away.
There have been many other times that I have seen him around my yard.

Now that I am moving this is one friend I am really going to miss. Much like many of my friends -He was there for me when my life got really tough and hard. He was there, just to be there, to check in on me through the two years since Kev left. Whoever chooses to live in my home is going to have a real steady and true friend. I will never look at cardinals the same way.

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May 4, 2009 by Marlene.

That’s right, I’m back in good ol’ Connecticut where it actually rains and the trees are really natural. I must admit coming home this time was very bittersweet because it meant being away from Stephen for 3 months before our wedding. I know it’s for the better and we’ll be fine but it is hard regardless. On a happier note
WE HAVE AN APARTMENT!!
We finally got into an apartment at Wymount housing- which is on campus family housing for BYU students and in very high demand. We grabbed it online and did a dance when all was said and done- over the webcam of course.
I’m so glad that Mom has a webcam because me The Genius decided to forget my laptop charger in Utah making it impossible to use my laptop. Thankfully Randy is sending it out for me. He has been so helpful with so many things. Like when I needed a place to stay for the last night before Mom and I flew out because my contract was finished or giving us rides to places or even storing all my stuff in his house. I know it will be great to have Mom so close and he’s growing on me. He really is a great guy- even if he isn’t Dad.
The other day Mom and I went out and bought our stock of plants for the summer. Most of them were pretty small because it is before Mother’s day but heck we got those plants. I’m excited to get the mini herb gardens ready for the wedding and grow all sorts of produce and flowers and fun stuff like that. But I am going to wait to plant them until after the Young Men come over for a service project on Wednesday so they can move around some more dirt for me- and so there is no mortal damage.
Speaking of which- during christmas break we all visited Dad’s grave and found that the tree we planted there was missing a huge chunk in it’s tiny little trunk- large enough to mean certain death. To see if our suspicions were realized Mom and I checked it out and lo and behold IT LIVES! My little maple is so hardy, living through mortal wounds and such. I’m so proud of it. Almost pathetically so.
We cleaned up the grave a bit- weeding the mulch and cleaning off the stone. We will plant some yellow violas there too. They are awfully pretty and are supposed to be perennials so they should come back even while we’re gone in Utah.
I have lots of fun things to keep me busy here, even with missing Stephen. It’s good to be home but I’m definitely counting down the days to when I see him again. (67 days)

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