The Hyatt's

On July 9th, 2013 one of my best friends got married.  Amber's day was everything she wanted it to be, and I couldn't be more happy for her!  Her and Braeden are perfect for each other, and I am so excited for them to join the married life.  I had the privilege of being in the temple with them when they got sealed.  They were sealed in the Bountiful temple.  It was beautiful.  I always love going to sealings because the feelings I felt at my wedding day are instantly brought back to me.  I was overwhelmed with so many happy feelings for the two of them, and for being reminded of the covenants Brad and I made together there.

Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt

Amy Jo and Amber

Sheb and Amber

 After their sealing there was a lot of hugs, tears, and pictures.  We hung out at the temple for a bit, then headed to her luncheon at the Wight House in bountiful.  The food was delicious and lots of funny memories were brought back about Amber and Braeden as people got up to speak about them.  Their reception was later that night just before sunset in Amber's parent's backyard.  It was so pretty! 

Decorating their car!

We got their call all decorated just before we watched all the "reception traditions" and then they were off!  It was fun sending them away...even though Braeden didn't like all the balloons we filled their car up with ;)  I'm so happy for you two!  Congrats on your beautiful day, and thanks for letting me be there!  Love you Amber and Braeden!

Here's a short video of their send-off!

Two Week Mark

It's been exactly two weeks since I last got in bed with my sweet husband and said goodnight in person.  Since then, our goodnights have been through phone calls, texts and my favorite, skype.

I can't really tell you why I put off writing about our goodbye on July 5th.  Whenever I had a moment to sit and think about what I would write, tears would swell in my eyes and just as they would begin to run down my cheeks I would find something new to distract me with. 

Our goodbye was more than difficult.  

Call me a baby or whatever else you'd like for being so emotional about a month of distance.  I don't really care because I'm the only one who feels that emptiness.  I look up to anyone who can be away from their spouse for any amount of time...especially if it's longer than a month.  I'm not sure I could go much longer.

Our drive down to the airport was filled with laughter, a few tears (on my part), stories, inside jokes, and reassurance that one month really isn't that long.  It's long.  It's reallllly long.  His hand was constantly in mine as he complained about all the pictures I was taking of him at the wheel, and made videos demanding that he tell me how much he loves me.  I may have watched them every night since. That drive to Salt Lake never felt so short in my life.

We arrived at the airport almost a whole hour earlier than we needed to be.  We parked, got his boarding passes and luggage taken care of, and we waited as long as we could before he had to walk through security.  We sat where people came to meet their loved ones as they came off the plane.  So many emotional moments only made it that more bitter-sweet for us.  We sat in silence as we watched many "welcome homes", and I couldn't help but just let my tears sink into the shoulder of Brad's gray shirt.  He didn't realize I had been crying until he heard me sniffle.  He raised his shoulder I was laying on to raise my head, gave me the biggest grin, and warned me, as he laughed, that I wasn't aloud to cry yet.  We both laughed with our eyes swollen with tears just dying to come out.  We decided we had better say goodbye before it just gets harder.  We hugged, kissed, hugged, cried, laughed, kissed, hugged, and so on.  It was so hard letting him go.   He snuck through security quickly, and I was back in my car already wondering what I was going to do with myself.

I've heard that distance is good for relationships.  I like this quote I found that says "Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great." -Roger de Bussy-Rabutin.  I always knew that Brad and I's marriage was strong.  He hadn't even been gone a day yet, and I had realized how much growth we were already experiencing.  It's been two weeks now, and yes, it's been so hard, but we are strengthening everyday in ways I never really thought we would.  It's amazing.  We have been apart before...when I lived in New Jersey while we were dating, and I thought those months were hard.  This is by far harder.  I have gotten comfortable having my loving husband with me throughout most all of my day, and that comfort has been replaced by this odd emptiness I've never felt before.  I've never been so in love with my husband.  My love has continued to grow since the day I realized I loved him, but it has never felt so strong.  I never thought I was capable of loving this much.

We are about half way there now.  I've had so many loved ones and friends show their love and concern, and it has been so helpful.  Distraction has been key.  I've been able to keep myself pretty busy.  I can't help but keep my phone with me at all times just in case Brad gets service or a little break from fishing, but I'm occupying my time and that helps the most.  I've been working lots, seeing old friends, hanging out with family, planning trips for the weekends, staying on top of treatments, and of course watching my TV shows ;)  I've recently rediscovered all my old journals.  I kept a journal since 8th grade up until about last year, and I was diligent about writing in it every night.  It's been my favorite to read about when we were dating, and re-reading all the letters he sent me while I was in New Jersey.  These documents are getting me by.  I'm surviving, and so is my husband so we are okay. 

My favorite thing is when the boys post pictures of them up there in Alaska.  It doesn't happen too often, but I love when I get to see my Bradley in action, and see that he's doing good!  The pictures are beautiful and I can't wait to get up there in just a few weeks!

Trev sent me this pic of Brad talking to me on the phone.  Something so simple made my day.

I finally did it!  I guess I just needed a little bit of time to get all my thoughts out clearly.  My husband is amazing.  Our relationship is stronger than ever.  I know that he is my other half, and I love him with every single part of me.  We are getting by, and this distance will be over before we know it!  All we can do is just keep living our lives.  We can't stop and sulk all day about how much we miss each other...we already know how much we miss each other, so we just have to keep going and keep smiling.  I love you Bradley!  Can't wait to see you in 18 days 22 hours 45 minutes and 7 seconds! :)

Picture I sent to my Bradley on my way into work.  Big smiles!

'Merica

Our 4th of July was so much fun this year.

We had been planning on going to the Oneida Narrows with our friends for the 4th for about a week before, so we were so excited when the day finally came.  We first went to Kmart to get some tubes with the Shelton's, and we ran into the rest of our group there also.  Corey and Ryan had bought some red, white and blue swim suits and everyone stared as the boys starting singing the National Anthem toward their shorts...haha ya all our husbands are a little...odd ;)

After we all got our tubes, we each had a few things we needed to do before we met up there.  Us and the Shelton's headed up and we were going to find a gas station to pump them up with when we got to Preston, but none of the gas stations air worked for our tubes.  So I called some family members and Steve and Kristal said we could use their air compressor.  We realized we hadn't thought too far ahead when we had four huge tubes pumped up, and all we were driving was a little car...oops.  Steve offered his truck to us, but Brad and Trev were determined to make it work.

This was the end result.

We drove to a gas station to meet up with everyone, and we headed up there.  Everyone that came was me & Brad, Trevor & Christie Shelton, Ryan & Caisie Neeley, Corey & Erica Hibbard, and Adam and Kylee Dunkley.  We all had a blast!  I didn't even really know about this river, and it was awesome!  Brad was the only one who flipped, Trev's tube was the only one that got a hole, the boys attached Dew's with them to stay "cold" in the water but actually just stayed warm haha, we played football the whole way, and over all had so much fun!

We were pretty hungry after, so we ate at Subway in Preston!  We all tried to win with our lottery tickets, and Trevor and Christie were the only ones who did kind of good!

We all decided that we wanted to keep going with the awesome day, so we had all planned to go to the Hyrum fireworks later that night.  Brad and I went home and took a quick nap, then we went to my parents house to grab some of their fun games to play before the fireworks.  We got a spot at the elementary school up by MC, and told all our friends where to meet us.  We played Bocce ball, and just hung out.  The Hibbard's made cotton candy so we had two huge bags of cotton candy!  It was yummy.  The fireworks were...just as "good" as they are every year.  You have to go if you're from this end of the valley, but we all know they are pretty pathetic!  It made for a good laugh, and we all still got to hang out so it was okay! 

The flash didn't go off so I did my best to bring it back.  I still liked it though! haha

We seriously had the best day!  None of us really wanted it to end, so we decided that we should play games!  We went to the Shelton's and played signs and this funny animal noise game!  I don't think I have laughed as hard as I did that night in so long!  Everyone was so funny, and some were so surprising of what animal noises came out of their mouths haha!  When everyone left it was about 1:00 am, and neither Brad or the Shelton's had even started packing for Alaska...and they were all leaving the next day!! Even with that being said, Christie and I begged the boys to play one game of trump with us!  They had promised us from the night before so there was no way that they could say no ;)  We had the best day with our friends!  We are so lucky to have such a good group of friends!

Happy 4th!

Brad and I went back to our house and he started packing, that is when everything realllllly set in; he was leaving for Alaska the next day.  We stayed awake as long as we could stand packing and falling asleep that night was hard I'll be honest.  We laid there talking about everything we could.  I'm happy with the last day I got to be with him.  We were together all day doing so many fun things!  I love you Brad!

Up, Up, Up We Go!

On the 3rd of July (two days before Brad leaves) I worked all day till about 5 and Brad had been working for Danny all day.  Brad loves to go on bike rides, especially through canyons and stuff; so him and Danny planned a quick drive up to Bear Lake to get a shake and then head back to make it in time for the fireworks.  I didn't care what we did, as long as I was with Brad, so I said let's do it!  Me & Brad, Danny & his wife, and Kevin & a friend came.  It was so fun and so pretty.  The temperature was perfect, and we couldn't have asked for a better day to go.  We made it to Bear Lake and went to La Beau's to get a shake.  They were delicious of course!  

When we got back, I was so excited to watch the fireworks.  We had planned watching them from our roof with the Shelton's for a couple days so we were all pretty stoked.  When we got back, us and the Shelton's went to the store to get some goodies, and then we came back and got on our roof.  It was a little sketchy, but we made it!  We didn't really plan it out, or even go up there to see how it would be so we weren't that shocked when we realized there was a really tall tree right in the way.  We all just laughed and said oh well.  So we sat up there until they started going from the Stadium.  All we had to do was move to one side really far and we could see the really big ones, so we were all pretty excited!  I tried my best to get pictures, but it just wasn't really in our favor haha.

After the fireworks Christie and I begged our husbands to play games with us.  We played percardo and it was lots of fun.  We really wanted to play trump after, but the boys wouldn't allow it because it was "too late".  Ya our husbands are kind of lame sometimes ;)  But they promised us that we could play the next night, so Christie and I were sure to make sure it went through.

They say time flys when you're having fun and that's for dang sure.  Brad and I laid in bed that night again wondering where all the time went.  Things were already getting harder, and he wasn't even gone yet.  That night I just wanted to stay awake all night, just so I wouldn't have to forget what it was like with out him there with me.  

Water Lovin'

June 1st and 2nd I got to spend time with my beautiful sister, Nikki, and her amazing little kiddos.  Brad and I, along with Nikki and her family, have the Pass of all Passes so we try and go to Seven Peaks whenever we can.  On Monday Brad and and I met Nikki and her boys there to spend the day with them.  This would be Brad's last time seein all of them before he had to head off for Alaska so we made sure to have lots of fun with the boys.  We went on lots of slides and played in the wave pool with Mason and Porter, and we played in the kiddie pool with little Easton.  I was amazed at how much Easton loved the water.  You can splash, spray, or pour water on him and his will just smile!  It is so cute!

Brad with Easton and Mason...they all just love him

When we finished swimming Brad and I made a little trip to IMC to visit Rusty.  He was in a farming accident and was flown there due to multiple injuries.  Natalie, his sweet wife, is one of my best friends and I can't believe how strong she's been through it all!  It was so nice to see them even though we couldn't stay long.  It's also great news that they just got to come home...even though Rusty still has quite the recovery ahead of him!  We love you two!

We went back to Nikki's after that to stay the night.  I had to take my NCLEX test (which I passed, wooo) the following morning in Bountiful so it worked out perfect for us to stay the night.  Brad had to leave to go back to work, so after I finished taking my test I came back and played with Nikki and her boys some more.  We went out to lunch at Olive Garden and then we played at the Splash Pad in Layton.  It was really fun to just relax and play with them.  I know I always say it, but I am so happy I have Nikki in my life. She is one amazing person raising three amazing boys.

A little video I took spying on Easton.  I was just following him around cause he was doing his own little thing...it was too cute so I had to post it.

I left Nikki's to go to my Aunt Krissy's house to visit with Cyrille and Willy's family a little more before I wouldn't see them again for a while!  I hadn't seen Willy yet so it was so good to finally see him!  I played Uno with all my cousins, ate some food and then I went back home to be with my Bradley.  We tried to spend as much time with each other as possible before he had to leave for Alaska!

We spent the night just hanging out at our house.  We didn't really want to do a whole lot besides just be with each other.  That night things were finally kind of hittin' both of us.  He was leaving in just three short days, and time was already flying by.  It's weird how when you know someone you love is leaving you want to try and talk and do as much as possible, and when it comes down to it you almost just sit there in silence just enjoying each others company.  That's all we did, and it was perfect.  

I love my Bradley.

Crystal Hot Springs

Up until the weekend of June 28-30, I had always thought that Crystal was only hot pots with one pool and a slide.  I was confused when my parents told me they were planning a camping trip there.  I had only ever been there at night, so I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that there was not only a campsite, but more pools than I had known of also.  

Brad and I both worked until about 12:30 on friday afternoon, and then we met up with LW, grabbed her trailer and we were off.  We met my parents there along with Steve and Kristal later that day.  The first day we just hung out, got camp settled, ate lots of food, played lots of games, and enjoyed each others company with lots of laughs.  There is never a dull moment when we go camping with my family!  It's always so fun.

I love him.  he's preppin his hair and beard for Alaska...

The next day we woke up, had a realllly late breakfast, and headed to the pool!  We had a blast!  Later during the day my two aunts Krissy and Cyrille came up with their kids!  I see Krissy all the time!  She supports me with everything, and we do lots of stuff with her and her kids.  Cyrille on the other hand I hadn't seen since my wedding.  That is so long for us!  I was so excited that they were in town and that we got to spend some time with her and her kiddos!

My dad caught a bird, and he let me hold it before we let it go!

All schnauzers except little Jack.  All of them are related...starting with my parents dog haha

My cute cousins!  I love them!

All the kids!

We spent most of the day at the pool then we came back for dinner!  We played a lot of tournaments of Bocce Ball.  Me and Brad are the reining champions :)  It was so fun!  We hung out all night, played games, and went to bed.  On sunday we took our time getting up, we hung out for a bit, ate another late breakfast, and headed out!  

I love my family.