Updates

Jake asked me the other night if I had updated the blog lately and I told him not for a LONG time. It's crazy how life gets away from you. I have some excuses but really not enough time in the day seems to be the main one.

Jake is about half way done with busy season and I will be so glad when it's over. Luckily though I get to actually see him at night he just has to work from home. There are several wife's who don't get to see their husbands till 9 or 10 every night because they work from the office. That my friend would be rough. So right now Jake and I just plug along and I try to have a good attitude about it. I'm so lucky that I have such a wonderful hard working husband though. He truly is amazing!
Here are a few updates:

Dog Bite
I think the most traumatic thing that has happened to us these last few weeks was that I got bit by a dog. It was wandering in our front yard and as I went to try and help it by checking it's collar the dog bit my hand, digging his teeth in good really good. In fact I don't think he would have let go if my neighbor (who happened to be outside, which was such a blessing) hadn't rushed over when she heard me screaming. Jake luckily was already on his way home and was able to take me up to the ER.

The Doctors said I was extremely lucky that the dog didn't do more then get some nerves.
(Caution, some of these pictures might be a little graphic)

This was taken while we waited in the ER for the Doctor to come give me stitches... I had never gotten stitches before and that night had to have four. They gave me some good pain meds and numbed me up with an IV before hand which was nice. I actually don't mind IV's or needles on my arms, but my hand is a different story. My hand was so swollen they had a hard time finding a vein to put the IV which didn't help one bit.  

Speaking of the drugs, this was me all drugged up. After being in the ER for 6+ hours they let us go home. However, they made me wear this wrap for five days, which as you can see is pretty embarrassing. We didn't realize how funny it actually was till just before we were ready to leave. Jake took this picture and sent it to both of our families.

Needless to say I didn't lift my arm too often.

This is my hand after they took the bandage off. The Doctor said all the yellow was actually from bruising. It freaked me out at first. My Mom and I were worried they were going to have to amputate. 

My hand is doing just great now, and it only has a few scabs that need to close up. This experience, more than anything, made me so grateful for the use of my arms and hands. Those few days when my hand was in a wrap were ridiculously hard. I couldn't cook, clean, wash myself, get dressed by myself, do my hair, type, etc. I have such a respect for those who have lost limbs and extremities. It was a good lesson to learn and an appreciation I never had before. 

Valentines Day:

This was our work party that Brynn (on the left) and I hosted.  

Everyone brought their favorite sweet to share. We had a blast!

Valentines day was also quite the success back at home. Jake once again surprised me and made reservations at the Downtown Marriott for the night. We started the evening at home making homemade pizza and eating our favorite V-Day dessert, quinoa and mangoes. Then we headed downtown and had a great stay swimming, relaxing and hanging out. Our date continued into the next day with a temple trip and a fancy pants dinner at Ruth's Chris. I couldn't eat the red meat but I splurged and had the fish. It was SO tasty. 

Valentines day is a very special holiday for Jake and I. It was the day we went on our very first date. So now it counts as a fun anniversary for us to remember and reminisce about our courtship. Jake always does such a great job respecting the day and making it special. I'm a very lucky girl to have him in my life!

Arts and Sports:
It's always a little debate in our house the significance and role that the arts and sports will play in our lives. Sometimes it feels like we only attend sporting events, and other times we attend a lot of functions that involve the arts. Looking back it's actually been quite an even divide between the two, however we heard a talk from this past conference that I thought made a good point. The General Authority talked about how him and his wife made a rule  when they first got married that for every sports game they went to they had to attend two arts activities, making it a 2 to 1 ratio. I like to tease Jake about this, haha but I think for right now the 1 to 1 ratio works great for us. 

The reason I bring this up, is that I had the wonderful chance to attend the Utah Symphony for their night of Harry Potter. Another EY wife asked me to go with her since her husband had to work (another strike against busy season). We have become really good friends and it was so much fun to have a girls night out. Jake made sure to mention that even though he was not in attendance it would count as one of our "art" nights out. 

Monique and I at the Symphony. 

Speaking of sports, the very next night we were able to get tickets to see the Utah vs. U of A basketball game. It as a really close game and even went into double over time. I am actually really beginning to enjoy watching sports. Jake is super patient with me and does a great job of explaining what it going on in the game. Now that I know what it actually going on out on the field or court it makes a world of difference. It use to just be a dance to me without good choreography or music. Sounds pretty boring right? Good thing I have Jake to teach me better. 

Jake went to a stake dance with me this weekend and danced his little heart out, which alone should count as 10 "arts nights" for him since dancing isn't his favorite thing. I loved it though SO much and had the time of my life. To be honest Jake really is a great dancer. 

I think its been a hidden talent that we've just begun to uncover.  

Hair Cuts: 
It was a haircut weekend for us all, myself included. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Mickey looks like he is 10 years younger without all that fur. 

I have been Jake's hair stylist these last few months and sometimes it turns out better than others.... 

TREK Summer 2014:

Jake and I have been called to be a Ma and Pa in our Stake's upcoming pioneer trek this August. It's several months away but there is still a lot of preparation to be done. I had no idea there was so much involved. We have been asked to read and study the lives of several pioneer families and discover stories from our own heritage to share. We will be going to Martin's Cove and that I've heard is an incredible experience in and of it's self just to be there and walk the same ground as the saints in the Martin Willie Handcart Company. This past weekend we had a stake fireside where they asked us to dress up in all our gear. Thanks to Jake's aunt Kathleen I have been fully outfitted with some darling pioneer dresses. 

Hopefully I'll be more on top of updating this blog.

That way when I do write, the posts won't be 20 miles long. 

Wishing everyone a fabulous Wednesday and a great rest of the week!

J & L