Picture story

Late this morning, the wind picked up and blew, blew, blew. It blew me to my car. It blew me to my company's West Jordan location to work on some network stuff. It blew me home for lunch. It blew some shingles off my neighbors' house. It blew some neighborhood fences down. It blew me back to work. And then it blew in a gigantic snowstorm.

I do mean gigantic. Like, it has hardly snowed all winter long, and now this snowstorm is completely making up for 4 months of empty skies. It is practically a blizzard out there and Ryan and I are basically snowed in, even with a Jeep and 4-wheel drive and everything.

The snowstorm cancelled our plans to go see Ryan's brother, Doug, up in Ogden tonight. Doug is extremely ill and is staying in the ICU. His condition is so grave that on Monday, we were told he may not make it through the night. Since then, the family has gathered and we've been pretty much camped out at the hospital, hoping and praying that Doug's condition will improve. Words cannot express how almost hysterical we have been about this. He is finally showing some improvement. His condition is still extremely grave but at least we now have some hope. So please... if you are the praying type, keep praying for Doug. We don't want to lose him. Not yet.

So with this free evening on my hands, I almost don't know what to do with myself. I had planned on being with Doug and the family. Instead, I will catch you up with a picture story. 

I'll start with Doug. I had posted his situation on FB and asked friends and family for prayers. I was overwhelmed with the response we received. I then posted this picture so people who are praying for him, but who don't know him, can see what Doug looks like. (Thank you, dear friends!)

Moving on...

Back in December, the kids came to be with us for Christmas. Blurry picture or no, I love this one.

I made chocolaty peppermint cupcakes for Nathan's birthday. He said he wasn't a huge fan of chocolate cake... until he ate these. They taste like whoopie pies. Mmmmm.

Carmie Jones chilling out on the recliner. I love this doggy. Jonesy!

In January, I went to Wisconsin for 8 days to care for my mom after she had a full knee replacement. One day after physical therapy, when she was feeling very blue and in pain, I took her to eat pho for the first time. It picked her spirits right up!

My Jeep hit 111,777 miles in February. She's a good little Jeep.

Dizzydoggy. Need I say more?

Ryan buying our very favorite crackers. We love them so much that documentation was required.

Sarah and me at Bar X. We have been friends forever and I have almost no pictures of her. Geez.

Ryan and Diana, also at Bar X. Super fun couple!

The Valentine's Day dinner that I made for Ryan. Lamb, baby potatoes, and asparagus. Why go out to eat when you can cook shiz like this? Nom nom nom.

Ryan's Uncle Don passed away toward the end of February so we drove up to Victor, Idaho for the funeral. A lot of family was there, including Anita, Doug, and Brenda. I love this picture taken in Dad's basement. Nita... love the scarf!

My niece Taylor and her little brother, Garrett. Garrett was channeling his alter-ego, Becca. He even wore Taylor's sparkly shoes. LOVE.

After the funeral, everyone drove back to our house in the WJ. Here are our nephews, Garrett and Hunter. They get so excited playing the Xbox that they stand up and jump all around the room.

After all these years, I still love Mary Janes. I just had to buy these ones the moment I saw them. Love, love, love. LOVE!

And last but not least, we went to Salsa Leedos last weekend with Sarah, Jonathan, Natalie, and Alex. Jonathan took about 15 pictures of us in the lobby. He couldn't figure out how to work his camera. I think this was about picture #15. Do we look like we're tired of smiling yet?