It's a Baby Shower!

Last Saturday we had Shira's baby shower over at my mom's house and it was a really nice party. Everything went really well and she got a lot of really cute stuff. It is so crazy that the baby is coming so soon!

Fashion Show

Last week friday my mom asked me to be the photographer at a Mary kay Fashion Show hosted by Chico's at the Garden Walk. I was still in some pain, but it was a good night. It was nice to get out and away from the tv. Here are some of my favorites from the night. Oh and the cute little girl is Shelby... my mom's friends daughter. So Cute.

Healing

Hello all! I am alive and just about well again! I am recovering from a very invasive wisdom teeth surgery (apparently I was packed full of wisdom... my teeth were over an inch long). So needless to say my recovery has been longer than I expected, but the Doctor said that I am healing well and so far free from any infections and most of the swelling has gone down.
There were definitely some really rough nights, but with a lot of prayers and Tyler helping me I made it through with a little more appreciation for my Savior and for my husband who never left my side. There were times when it hurt too much to talk and I could only tell Tyler that I loved him by using my version of sign language. It was at the lowest of the low that I depended most on my faith that I would eventually heal and be able to speak and eat again. I felt such peace each time I prayed and as I remembered that adversity brings about strength. And without my wonderful Tyler by my side I would have been lost. What an amazing person to put up with waking up every 4 hours to get me my medication and food and also just my pickiness in general. I am surely a lucky woman.
Everyday I get a little better and I can talk and eat a little more like normal. I am excited for the day when I can sink my teeth into a Chipotle Burrito or a huge bacon burger!
Thank you to everyone who helped, encouraged, or prayed in my behalf. I apprecaite the wonderful people who brighten up my life! I love you all!

Tomorrow...

I will be looking like this. My dear sweet wisdom teeth are being surgically removed- I get to go under anesthesia and everything. They even told me to wear a loose fitting shirt because they're putting me on heart monitors and giving me an iv. It is my first surgery. Oh happy day. I am not sure how fast my body with bounce back, but I know I am not supposed to talk tomorrow so if anyone wants to contact me just text me and I will text you back when I regain consciousness (most people have said that the first day you pretty much sleep). I was kind of nervous about it, but tonight Tyler and my Dad gave me a blessing and the spirit was there. I know everything will be fine. I love the good men that I have in my life.

More photos of Shira...

Happy Birthday Lauren!

On Saturday I got to spend the day with one of my best friends Lauren for her 22nd birthday. We barbecued shish-kabobs and enjoyed the sun. It was a good day and I am glad she had fun. Here are a couple pics.

Shira and Baby Boy Dickson...

Yesterday I was able to take photos of my beautiful cousin Shira and her sweet pregnant belly. We went to the Fullerton Aboretum and got some pretty amazing shots. It was my first time really using my new camera and I am really happy with the results. No buyers remorse whatsoever. It was a hot day, but a wonderful experience to capture such special images of Shira as she anticipates her baby boy.

This is just a teaser... I will post more when I am done with the craziness of finals and wisdom teeth surgery. Check back in a few days and I'll have some more posted.

Spencer and Ashley Rex Wedding

So we had a whirlwind of a trip last weekend to see Spencer and Ashley tie the knot in the new Draper Utah Temple. It was a beautiful sealing and a fun roof top reception. I got to meet some more Rexs so that was good. We stayed at Ethan and Melissa's house and got to meet their cute daughter Juliann. It was really a good trip even though we drove up friday and drove back home sunday. Tyler and I are really happy for Spence. Here are some pics from the weekend. All the little cousins are so cute. The pic of them on the wall was at the reception and they were all dancing for us. It was hilarious, they got really mad when they turned the music off.

Firsts

In life there are many important rites of passage and things that are momentous when we do them for the first time. Some examples are: when you take your first steps, the first time you ride a bike, your first kiss, graduating high school, and your first college class or your graduation. Firsts are important. Many of our firsts shape us into who we are. And today I would like to share with you one of my recent "firsts"... my first foam finger. What a night it was at the Ducks game with my first foam finger. I will never forget it. It was quite entertaining and fun to irritate my dad and Tyler by waving too much. haha. Sorry its not a great picture-the lighting was weird. But this is me with my foam finger at the Honda Center.

Bad Day

I don't mean to brag, but I am really grateful for my thoughtful husband. He may not do everything right and things don't always run as smoothly as we would like, but when life gets hard that is when it hits me the hardest... love is stronger than anything. I had a pretty stinky afternoon on thursday and when I got home I had a big hug from Tyler and these...

Then later that night my dear friend Lauren made me a strawberry Margarita (love em) and chatted it up with me in the Hot Tub (can't get enough). I am so lucky to have people around me who know how to brighten my day. What a wonderful reminder that all that junk from the afternoon doesn't matter. What matters is the love that we have for the people around us. I need to be more grateful and thank my Father in Heaven more often for such a wonderful companion and wonderful family and friends that lift me up and help me get to places I never knew possible.