HIking and Running and Swimming

 Saturday morning, I had my piano recital.  No photos were taken, but it was great.  The kids did wonderful and Craig and Blair served Bahama's Bucks and I couldn't have done it with out them.  They are incredible!!  I had told my friend Andrea Lanaker I would hike with her and I rushed out of the recital and met her at the Sandia Mountains for a wonderful hike.  I love just chatting with her all day long.  She is so kind and such a good listener.  Onyx came along, too.  He struggled a bit with the pace but mostly kept up.  He needed to sit in the shade for while because we started so late.  That was my fault.  

 

I have also been running with my friend Pam Martinez every Saturday.  It is so fun to train with her and run with her.  She has been struggling with an injury for the last few weeks but she is always up for a good time.  

 

On Monday, for memorial day, we made pizza and swam with Craig and Blair.  No one else came.  Nolen was feeling sick and my Dad had a cold.  So we had fun doing back flips and dives off the diving board.  I am so ready for summer!! I love it!  

 

May the Month of Travel

 A few days ago, I got a text from my friend Spencer Morgan inviting me to attend a concert with him in Vegas.  I, at first thought, wow, I have already traveled too much this month, then I thought, when will I ever get an opportunity like this again.  So I took it  I invited Veronica to meet me in Vegas to watch No Doubt perform at the Sphere.  It was awesome.  We had such a fun time.  I used Spencer's companion pass to fly for free to Vegas and then shared a hotel room with Veronica for the night.  Coincidentally, Spencer and I were at the airport to fly out to Vegas and we saw Bella, the first counselor in the Stake Presidency's wife!  I laughed as I am sure it didn't look great that the two of us were traveling together to see a show and have an over night date.  I don't really care what any one thinks. I do care, however, if I hurt the people around me, so I am trying to be more aware of that.  

 

Before the concert, we went to secret pizza then out to dinner with Spencer's nephew.  Veronica showed up just before the concert started.  She had to work that day so getting out of work in time proved to be a challenge.  After the concert we went dancing and just enjoyed the night life of Vegas.  Friday morning Spencer and I went for a run up and down the strip.  I was SO tired and so THIRSTY!!  We went to breakfast and then said goodbye to Veronica.  Spencer's friend from High school joined us for all the fun so the three of us went to the Venetian and just chatted our lives away until our late night flight home  I am so lucky to have fun friends who are willing to just travel at the drop of a hat!  

OH and not to be forgotten, Chelsea came in to town the weekend before to attend a concert. I should have got tickets to go with her, but I couldn't justify the $300 price tag to see bands I didn't know.  It was all mostly country.  We did have lunch with her and that was fun!

 

Half and Half and Half for Nolen

 In New Mexico, turning 15 and a half is a big deal.  You get your drivers license and can drive alone! I made sure Stephen and I were home to celebrate with Nolen.  We went to the DMV after school and waited for Nolen to get his license. We also took the time to get Edward's real license.  Afterward, we went to menchies for dessert.  

I love my sweet Nolen.  He has done so well in school.  He is so kind and very respectful.  He is easy going and is always up for a good time.  I do have to push him to get out the door but he will always go if I try.  He has worked hard on his roblox game and has made a fair amount of money this year.  He has been trying to make a new game and hopes it goes viral like his other game, RNG arena.  I adore him.  

 

A Wedding in PHX

 Stephen rarely sees his family.  I wish they got together more, but they don't prioritize time with family.  I have been the proponent of my family getting together and I guess I should do that for Stephen's family.  It has been seven years since we have seen his sister Sarah.  She moved to Provo and then we didn't see her for year.  I heard their oldest son was getting married so I made it a priority to attend the wedding in Gilbert.  John, Stephen's dad, and I are the only family members with a temple recommend so we went in and watch the sealing.  Afterward, we went outside to take photos in the bright sunshine.  It was very fun to hang out with them for a few hours.  I didn't take any photos with Stephens family, and I should have, so I missed that opportunity.  We took an early flight home and arrived just in time for Nolen's half birthday! 

 

Mother's Day

 My second mothers day with out my mom.  It wasn't any easier.  I miss her so much.  I am actually going to copy and paste a post I put on facebook last week.  I just love her.  So very much.  And I miss her.  

 

We share pieces of ourselves with everyone we meet. Most often, these friends never see the whole picture of who you are through out your life. I have never been good at hiding who I am, especially from my mother. She saw every ugly side of me and loved me in spite of it. I miss her ever single day and some days are just harder than others. I have wanted to call her and tell her about all the ugliness in my life and I know she would just listen and hug me and maybe only maybe chastise me for my choices but she would love me. Because she saw me. All of me. And she loved me. And I never said thank you for that. 

 

 This mothers day, Stephen bought me flowers and a red light mask.  It was very sweet.  I woke up early and got ready for church.  Nolen and I went to church together and the entire day was all about Jesus.  That's fine, but I do think we can take a Sunday and talk about women.  Women do a lot for the world and to acknowledge that would be nice.  The men made cookies and a soda bar.  It was fine.  I came home and took a LONG nap.  Stephen made dinner and gave me a massage.  It was wonderful.  I miss my Mom so much.  I just want to hug her and tell her I love her.  

 

Girls Weekend in Denver

 This weekend, I spent some time with my two high school best friends, Veronica Welter and Leigh Anne Hunnicutt.  I flew to Denver, again, on Thursday afternoon and met with Veronica in the airport.  We met up with Leigh Anne and went to an illusion museum and laughed are way through it. Then we went to dinner at The Wolf's Taylor.  It was $300 a person and NOT worth the price.  We ate a lot of expensice things like caviar, duck liver, duck, and the like.  I had the best sourdough bread with delicious jam but that alone was not worth the price.  We all dressed up and borrowed Leigh's clothes for the dinner.  It was so fun.

 

We headed to Berthad, just outside of northern Denver to Leigh's mansion and ranch property.  She has a beautiful home that is decorated to the nines!  Veronica and I shared the giant guest room up on the top floor.  Friday morning we did a fun work out and then went for a walk around the exclusive horse neighborhood.  Everyone has 35+ acres in the neighborhood so no one is really close.  After our walk we went riding.  We jumped and went on a little trail ride.  It was the perfect day.  We went to dinner at the golf course nearby and sat by the lake watching the sunset behind the snow covered mountains.  Leigh mentioned we might go boating on Saturday and we joked and laughed saying, "70 is not boating weather".  Boy we were wrong.  It was quite warm in Denver.  It had just snowed 10 inches two days before we arrived!

 

Saturday, we woke up and went for a hike on the hill behind Leigh's house and then went riding again.  We rode over jumps and laughed and laughed.  It brought back so many wonderful memories.  I loved it.  We did end up going out on Leigh's neighbor's boat.  Kim and Tyler were so gracious to host us and they had some great stories and good food.  After the boating, I gave Vivian an in person voice lesson and then packed up for the airport.  We stopped for a quick dinner and then Leigh dropped us off at the airport.  It was a quick trip but much needed bonding for our friendship of over 30 years.  I adore both of them and I am so glad I got to escape if even for a moment.