sweet robi

For those of you who haven't heard me talk about Robi, this is a good place to start.

It has been nearly four years since he passed away and I still think of him often.  I have kept a picture of him in my car since the accident.  I love having it there, because it reminds me of a few important life lessons.

1. Live life to its fullest, like Robi.  He didn't let fear get in the way of him enjoying life.  He was always more than willing to try something new, in fact, he was first in line to try it. I could still be better at this.

2. Take every opportunity to make a friend.  Robi loved who he was (in a completely good way).  He was comfortable in his own skin and didn't let anything keep him from being himself.  Everyone was friends with Robi.  Even though he isn't here anymore, I still feel that he is a part of my life.  Robi and I are still friends.

3.  Never take the gospel for granted.  How fortunate am I to know that life here isn't the end.

Yesterday, Ashton was out with the missionaries.  They noticed my picture of Robi and asked Ashton about it.  Ashton then FaceTimed me so that I could tell them Robi's story.  I began talking about Robi and the memories I have.  When I mentioned the Jewel (Robi's beloved jeep), the Elder in the back seat asked for Robi's last name.  When I told him, he smiled and told me that his dad and Robi's dad are good friends.  Elder McDonough has gone off roading with the Jewel, but never in it.  We talked about Robi and his wonderful family.  I feel like I could talk about them for forever.  They are an amazing family that will always have a special place in my heart.

It was a huge thing, talking to Elder McDonough, but it was a sweet reminder of Robi.  It was something that I needed.  Robi has brought so many people into my life and I feel that we have a special bond because of him.  It warms my heart to know how close he really is.

Thanks for being around Robi.

xoxo

"pay it back"

Tuesday was my first new teacher orientation out here in Minnesota.  We began by going around the room, introducing ourselves.  Everyone had to share where they went to school, what they teach, and where they are going to be teaching.  Of course, everyone went to school in Minnesota.  I was the only one who said I went to Brigham Young University - which, coming from four years of teaching in Utah, made me feel out of place.  About 5 introductions after me another girl said she went to some Minnesota university but then said she had been teaching in Salt Lake for the past five years.  What?!  A fellow Utah teacher.  I didn't get to talk to her because they were immediately pumping us full of information about benefits, sick days, how to get a sub, etc...

The lady I was sitting next to was also a special ed teacher who would be teaching at my school.  She had previously been teaching an autism unit of about 15 kids in Irvine.  Both of us are new to the middle school scene.  She will continue to teach the autism unit at OGMS, but will have a caseload of three with two aides.  Lucky, lucky lady!  I am glad I am not the only new one and I have a feeling I will really like working with her.

After the training, Sarah approached me and said, "So, what is the one thing you miss most about Utah?"  Instantly, I said the mountains.  She told me she missed Cafe Rio.  We started talking about all things Utah.  We laughed about typical "Utah" things.  For example.  In Utah, teachers are always drinking diet coke.  Everywhere else, it's coffee.  I told her that we have only been in Minnesota for two months and she said something about assuming we have found a welcoming ward.  I told her of course and than asked if she was LDS.  She shook her head, but told me that she loved her friends in Utah.  She even got emotional, talking about how much they took care of her.  They invited her to wedding showers, baby blessings, and relief society when they taught.  She told me about Sunday dinners and how so many of these people became a part of her family.  It was very obvious that she had great love for the people she met in Utah.

It made me feel good.  It warmed my heart.  I have always wondered what it must be like to live in Utah for those who aren't LDS and talking to her made me proud.  I am glad that she felt welcomed and not pressured.  I am proud that her friends were brave enough to invite her to listen to them teach.  It made me proud to be from Utah and especially to be LDS.

As we finished our conversation, she said, "You know what.  Because Utah took such good care of me, I am going to pay it back.  Call me if you need anything or just want to take a go at making our own pulled pork salads."

I am so grateful for that experience.  Grateful that Utah was so good to Sarah.  Grateful that Sarah opened up to me.  Grateful for the joy it brought to my heart.  I want to be more like Sarah and I hope we stay in contact as we bring a little Utah to Minnesota.

Chick-fil-A

The other day, I mentioned that Chick-fil-A was coming to Minnesota.  They had a promotional activity about half an hour away last night.  Ashton and I had nothing better to do, so we figured we might as well check it out.  There was a huge hot air balloon and so many people.  We walked around for awhile and found lines for food, the hot air balloon, and a spin wheel of freebies.  The line for a chicken sandwich was loooong and it didn't even look like they were currently handing out sandwiches...bummer.

I wanted to take a picture of the balloon, but we watched as the wind brought it down.  Fail.

So we decided to look for other restaurants nearby (I know, us, the chick-fil-a fanatics...leaving a free chicken sandwich opportunity).  Guess what was close though...Red Robin!  And their chicken is great by me.

Red Robin was great.  They gave me the wrong order, so they brought me my meal and told us that my food was free!  So, it was a win win.  And a little date night with my man.

We were stuffed afterwards which meant a nice walk in the dark for us.

Somehow, I didn't take a single picture of our evening of adventure.

August 8th

Thursday.  Our last day in Utah.

I was pretty bummed most of the day.  It was way harder saying goodbye this time around.

We picked Cade up from work and took him to see the new Percy Jackson movie. I still haven't seen the first one, but I enjoyed the new movie.

We played a game of apples to apples before we said goodnight.  (We had an early morning ahead of us, so we wanted to get to bed at a decent hour)

Of course, before we went to bed, Ashton had to give his boy Dwight a goodbye hug.

We were packed up and headed back to Minnesota by 4:00 am the next morning.

August 7th

Wednesday.  Our second to last day left in Utah.

It was also a big day for two other very important reasons.

1.  It was mom and dad's 26th anniversary!

What babes.

2.  It was Porter's one year amputation anniversary.  When the kids at Bear Lake asked him what happened to his leg, he said, "It disappeared.  Just ran away." 

Ashton and I started the day down in Provo, visiting the Bennett's.  We had lunch at Cubby's and then watching the tractor's in the parking lot.  Ryder actually loved me that day and it was adorable.

He especially liked when I tickled his face.  He would sign "more" when I would stop.

When we got home, it was time for happy hour and Sonic.  Yay for slushes.  I guess this is a tradition at home now - we went at least three times while we were visiting.

That night we got pizza to celebrate everything.

We finished the night off by watching some Real Salt Lake.  It was the US Open Cup semifinals and RSL beat Portland 2-1.

August 6th

Tuesday was Ashton's day with his buddies.  He spent all afternoon in Provo and the evening in Centerville.

So mom and I started the day with a hike and we met the biggest bulldog ever.  His name is Elvis.  Huge.

Told you he was big.  I mean, look at those legs!  Wow.

I spent the rest of the day looking through old pictures that mom had found in the garage.  I just love pictures.  And old ones are the best.  Here are just a few that I found.

That night, Kelsey and I went to get sushi with Michelle and Cheryl.  I hadn't had sushi for so long and it was better than I remember.  Michelle has always been an example to me.  She is selfless and always looking for ways to help her friends and family.  I have learned that Cheryl is much the same way.  I am grateful for them and happy that I got to spend an evening in their company.

August 5th

Ashton and I scrubbed the car down on Monday.  It was filthy and I felt bad!  My little civic and taken us to Minnesota and back to Utah without ever getting a proper cleaning.  We were working on it for a good hour, but the final product was so worth it.  Getting into a clean car always feels nice.

BUT, as we were driving down to Draper...

... rain came out of nowhere!  And it wasn't just rain.  It was super windy, so dust and dirty ruined my nice, clean car.  Why does that always happen?

To cheer ourselves up, of course we went to Chick-fil-A.  We had been so done with eating out and just wanted to eat at my parent's, but we were starving and leaving soon, so we figured - might as well.  And I am so glad we did, because I walked in, I saw Mijken.  I know I already posted about seeing her at a Chick-fil-A, but let me tell you about Mijken.  Mijken helped me become the teacher I am today.  She taught me how to be confident in my abilities.  She showed me how to put the students first.  How to develop a real relationship with them and truly love them.  She was, and continues to be, a huge blessing in my life.  I am so glad I got to see her during our time in Utah.

Monday night was had Family Home Evening, Smith + Thorkelson style.  Ashton and I originally planned to leave Monday morning, but had pushed our stay back to Friday morning and this was our sort of goodbye gathering.  It was a blast.  Dad made his Tommy's style chili so we could show the Smith's the goodness that is a Tommy's Cheeseburger.  Burger, cheese, chili, tomatoes, mustard, and pickles.  What more could you want?!  Maybe some watermelon, which we had too.

After we were stuffed full of dad's delicious dinner, we went through the wedding pictures as we enjoyed shakes with fresh raspberries from Bear Lake.

Grandma and Grandpa came too! 

I would post wedding pictures, but I have only been able to view the proofs so far.  They will be coming soon, I am sure. 

Kelsey, Scott, Grandma and Grandpa left after wedding pictures.

I am so excited for Kelsey and Scott.  I cannot wait to meet baby girl.

As Kelsey left, she found a giant beetle and she was so excited to show me. She was even willing to put her hand close to it just to show how big it was.  (she is 100x braver than me...)

After the beetle fiasco, it was time for a game of Hedbanz!  (if you've never played it, you need to!)  It was late and we were all tired, which makes for an interesting game - your brain just doesn't work like it should. 

 It was a good night, surrounded by family, food, and laughs.