The other day I was working and I met two really incredible ladies. They were sisters, in their early 70's, born 13 months apart. The eldest sister was getting a facial done by someone else in the department so while she was doing that I got the chance to talk to her younger sister. I had heard them mention the hospital earlier so I asked if everything was okay. The younger sister (I really wish I had gotten their names) told me that the older sister had been on dialysis for 7 years awaiting a new kidney from the organ transplant list. It was because of a hereditary kidney disorder that 3 of the 4 children in the family had been diagnosed with including both of the sisters.

The younger sister told me that the disease does not usually manifest itself till much later in life, but the older sister had had breast cancer in 1980. Because of the radiation and chemo it had greatly increased the process of the disease. The sister I was talking to (the younger one) also was on the transplant list for a new kidney, although she had not yet had to go on dialysis. However one of the early effects of the disease can be a stroke. Which she had had 2 years ago.

So here are these 2 women. One had breast cancer, was on dialysis, and was awaiting a new kidney. The other had a stroke and was also awaiting a new kidney. Yet these women seemed so HAPPY. They were out shopping, getting facials and their makeup done, and obviously having a great time. I told the younger sister how much I admired their attitude. She told me that she had discovered many years ago that there was no use in being bitter. It does nothing to change the situation and in many circumstances it can only cause harmful effects. She quoted the beginning of a bible verse to me. Philippians 4: 11b ....I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I wish these women knew how much they affected me that day. It made me so grateful for everything that I have including and wonderful husband and family. Sometimes people can touch your lives with just the simplest conversation. But I will always remember these two wonderful sisters, trying on pink lipstick and giggling about getting kisses.

Tomorrow will be 1 week since we have moved to California. We are completely unpacked and I have several leads for a job. It has for sure been an exhausting week though. There was a misunderstanding with the movers so we didn't end up getting our stuff until Tuesday. Which meant we slept on the floor for 2 days before breaking down and buying and air mattress the third night.

Also a lovely little surprise on Easter Sunday...an earthquake!

An 7.2 earthquake struck Baja Mexico in the afternoon and traveled far enough to be felt in Southern California. We were just sitting around trying to decide what to do for dinner when our entire apartment started shaking. We ran outside (which we have since learned was a bad idea) and waited till it was over. In the grand scheme of things we felt relatively little. There was no damage or anything like that, just scared us!

We are looking forward to our first free weekend in California and hopefully will have the chance to explore our new home and it's surroundings.

We had our 'Goodbye Utah' party last night. It was so nice to see people and get a chance to say goodbye to them before we take off to California on Saturday. Thank you so much to everyone who came! We had a blast!
We have also added a new member to our little family! Toady is a 2 year old Pomeranian / Yorkie mix dog who was looking for a new home. We adopted him and are having so much fun getting to know him! He is already house and crate trained so that has been a huge help. He is such a good little dog. He loves to play fetch and lay in the sun. We took him for a long walk today and he loved being out in the open air. The previous owners shaved off his hair for the spring but once it grows out he will be a ball of fluff! He really hasn't struggled at all with adjusting to a new family. He is pretty attached to me and Jordan but he will lay with anyone who will hold him.

California here we come!

At last! 2 years later Jordan and I are finally off to live in the land of sunshine and beaches! Jordan has been offered a job at a studio in Aliso Viejo California called Carbine. He will be working on an unannounced MMO that he is extremely excited about. We feel so lucky that this chance has presented itself to us.

We have so much to do before we leave. We are going to be flying to Orange County on Tuesday and spend a few days there doing the great apartment hunt. Can you say expensive?!?! But we are still very excited. The studio is located around 2 miles from the beach and there are a ton of apartments in that area. The thought of being able to go to the beach whenever we feel like is so exciting! We need to report for duty on April 5, one month from today. So we are planning on leaving early early on the 3rd. We of course have to be here on the 2nd because we would never miss Austin and Ray's wedding! We are so looking forward to being able to spend some time with the Pack clan before we take off.

Sadly for me, I will have to take California State Boards. From what I've heard they are also a lot stricter on their requirements. Boo. So hopefully I will be able to get over there and get my license as soon as possible.

We would love to have a casual party / get together before we leave so we can have one last chance to see everyone. Please let us know if you'd be interested in coming!

With the holidays and everything I have been slacking on the posts.

Happy New Year anyways! The holiday were wonderful. The Packs all came to Utah this year for a fun filled week. It was great to have everyone together again especially with the newest addition, Austin's fiancee Ray! Hopefully we will get the chance to know her much better.

We also got the chance to go skiing with the whole Gorringe Family! It was a great day and so fun to have all of us together beating our bodies to a pulp. I hadn't been skiing in about 3 years so my legs felt it in a major way. We had a great time anyways.

I have now started work as well. I am working at Salon Valentina in Sugarhouse. It was my first choice salon so it felt great to be fortunate enough to get the job that I wanted. I've been there about 3 weeks now. It is definitely a new challenge. Being straight out of school I do not have a clientel, and I work on commision. Thus there are actually times (take last Friday night) that I work for free! How fun! I am lucky though because the Salon is actually really good about trying to give you as many walk ins as possible. So everyone should walk on in! Haha.

So if anyone is needing a haircut or color let me know. Also any referals are greatly appreciated! ;)

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Christmas is in the air, and Trisha has officially passed both State Board Exams! It is such a relief to have these over with. I'll be able to have my license by the end of the year and hopefully have a job by the start of the new year!

So Jordan posted his top 5 best on the Pack family blog so I thought I'd post mine here.

#5 Vacations

Spending time with family and friends is some of the best memories I have in my life. Each vacation has its ups and downs but always are memorable. This year we had the pleasure of going to Arizona and California. In Arizona we had the chance to spend time with Jordan's friends and with at least part of his family. We also went to California with my family.


#4 Finding a place to live that we love.

Yeah we have had some very interesting living experiences this year. Technically we have lived in 4 different places. An apartment in Riverton, an apartment in West Valley, my parents, and now a Townhouse in Draper. And I am happy to say that I love where we are. The town house has been like a real home for once. It has been so nice to feel comfortable where we live.
#3 Thai Spice

Yes a restaurant is on my list. But honestly I crave it all the time, I practically dream of it. It is an amazing little Thai place in Fort Union. We have tried many other places and nothing even comes close to it.



#2 Passing State Boards and Finishing School

Finally done! I feel so accomplished. It is something that I have wanted to do for a really long time and it seems sorta surreal that it is actually done. I am so looking forward to finding a job in a salon and being able to do hair for a living. And it only took me 2000 hours! I met some really great friends there, some great girls who I am sure will be very successful in their lives.




#1 Having a wonderful Husband.

He makes me breakfast in bed, cheers me up when I am sad, plays silly games with me, encourages me to be the best person I can be, inspires me, and makes me feel loved. I don't know what I would do without Jordan. He is without a doubt the single most important person in my life and I love him more than words can say. We had our two year anniversary this year, it made me so excited to spend all the rest of my years with him.

Arizona 2009

We got back early last week from a wonderful trip to Arizona. Jordan had been wanting to go down there since we got married since it is where he grew up, but it was hard to find a workable time. Our friend Josh was getting married so we decided it was a perfect chance to finally make the journey down.

We spent a majority of our time in Gilbert which is where Jordan grew up. It was so fun to be able to get there to see old friends, and some old friends of Jordan's that I had never met before! We had a great time playing racquet ball, going miniature golfing, and going to Josh's wedding.

We also had the chance to spend some time with my Aunt Jill who moved down to Scottsdale in July. My cousin Sierra was participating in a small musical that a gentleman in their ward was putting on. The musical was "Oliver" and the man who ran it happened to be Don Bluth. Now if you don't know who Don Bluth is, google him. He is basically one of the last old time animators. He has done films such as "Anastasia", "The Land Before Time", "An American Tale" as well as many of the early Disney films. A very talented man, and some one Jordan has always looked up to.

It is really amazing because Don basically puts these musicals on for the kids who are LDS. Because alot of times in Arizona anywhere else you try to do a play or musical you have to rehearse on Sundays. So Don decided to make a musical that they would be able to do as well. He does the whole thing out of his home. He turned his living room into a stage, his kitchen into an Orchestra, and he does the whole thing non-profit. It was really fun to go and see the play since it was in such a inimate surrounding. About 40 fit into the 'audience'. While there are about 60 kids in the play. Don conducts the orchestra while watching the play and takes notes. The kids really did a fantastic job considering what a small stage they have to work with. Unfortunetly Sierra shares a part with another girl, and was not able to do her solo on the night we went but it was still very fun to watch her in the chorus.

Jordan also got the chance to spend a few minutes with Don Bluth. It was so fun because he was so nervous! So cute! He had an old magazine from Don that he was able to get signed. He was so down to earth about it and really a very humble man.
So we had a fantastic, much needed trip. Too bad we couldn't bring the nice weather back home with us!