oklahoma

I really can't believe it's already Memorial Day!  I've been reflecting on those who have lost their lives for our freedom, and also thinking about my loved ones who have passed away.  I'm a little sad that I'm not able to go to the cemetery to visit my grandpa, which we normally do every year.

I've also been thinking about the people who were recently lost loved ones because of the tornado in Oklahoma.  When we heard about the huge tornado that hit Oklahoma, it hit close to home.  Dustin lived in Oklahoma City two summers ago and actually worked quite a bit in the city of Moore, which is where the tornado hit.  We were dating at the time (and then engaged), and I flew out a few times to visit.  He experienced a few tornado warnings but nothing major.  I am so grateful that he was safe, and so grateful that we weren't living there this summer!  This was such a tragic event that affected SO many people!  I can't even imagine what they are going through trying to sort through the wreckage and put their lives back together.  Our prayers go out to Oklahoma.

doodles at a restaurant in okc

driving home from okc with our matching "there's only one oklahoma" shirts

i bought this cute tank from helloapparelstore.com - all proceeds are going to the red cross!

a picture i took at the uss lexington in corpus christi last summer

happy memorial day!

galveston

On Saturday, Emily and I took a little day trip to Galveston!  It was about a 2 hr drive from Beaumont.  Galveston is a coastal city with a lot of little brightly colored old houses but it has had a lot of damage from hurricanes over the years.

We went to Pleasure Pier, which was just built a year ago.  The pier had previously had some rides and attractions but had suffered significant damage from hurricane Ike in 2008.  Now it has a bunch of rides, restaurants, gift shops, live entertainment, and lookout telescopes.  We were impressed with how clean and nice it was!

We went on a HUGE roller coaster (I'm talking six flags quality) called the iron shark (which was pretty cool because you were flying over the ocean), shared a funnel cake, sat on some rocking chairs and enjoyed breathing that ocean air, and had lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp, Co.  A lovely day on the pier!

another texan summer

Greetings from Texas!

We are enjoying another summer in Texas for Dustin's job.  This is his 4th summer with Vivint. but this year he has a bunch of recruits and he is an assistant manager of the office so he is working harder than ever.  I can't believe we have already been here almost 3 weeks now!  We are currently in Beaumont (90 min east of Houston) but will be moving to another city in June.

We're living in an extended-stay hotel right now but when we move we will be living in apartments which I'm totally looking forward to - don't get me wrong, the hotel lifestyle ain't so bad, but it gets old after a while.  All of the single guys are living in the Marriott hotel next door which is nicer, so we go over there a lot to use their pool, bbq area, basketball court and to mooch off the free dinners they have Mon - Thurs.

I am so beyond grateful for my friend Emily!  (Her husband is also a sales rep and the other assistant manager this year - he has sold with Dustin every summer.)  Without her to hang out with I think I would go crazy being here alone all day.  We get together and try to do something fun every day - whether it's crafts, pool time, going to lunch, seeing a movie, watching sytycd or just going to Walmart haha.

It's also been fun having my brother Trevor and brother-in-law Stephen out here selling!  They are hilarious and fun to hang out with but are both off to a good start as "rookies".  I try to have them come over at least once a week for a home-cooked dinner (although I am limited - I only have a microwave and a stove-top).

Here's a few pics from our adventures so far:

Trevor turned 22!

I don't know about you but I'm feeling 22!!

 we celebrated by going to Chili's with a bunch of guys from the office

The B&N has a huge Texas section of course

Emily and I took a day trip to Houston last Saturday!  We went to the huge Galleria mall, ate at The Cheesecake Factory there, and then checked out the Houston temple!  It was gorgeous!

This was at one of the Saturday night office dinners.  I love this handsome hardworking husband of mine and am so proud of him!  We are excited for another successful summer in Texas!

a night at the symphony

On Saturday I performed with the Salt Lake Symphony at Libby Gardner Hall.  I played first harp on the Rumanian Rhapsody by Enesco and the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra.  I had played the Bartok before but   I had to combine both of the difficult harp parts and I was a freshman and the conductor was a jerk and made me cry it wasn't the greatest experience.

The performance on Saturday was fantastic.  I get such a rush from being on stage performing but I also feel confident in my playing and just so intensely focused in the moment.  While I do enjoy performing by myself, there's something surreal about being part of an ensemble/symphony etc.  Even the parts when I'm not playing, I love just sitting there and soaking it all in.  And it's the best feeling afterwards - when you know you played your best!  Here's a shout out to my parents and my handsome husband who are my biggest supporters!  After the concert we went and got frosties. :)

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent. - Victor Hugo

weekend in review

We had a great weekend!  It started off right on Thursday night in the temple.  Dustin's sister Korinne went through the temple for the first time, in preparation for her mission.  Always a sweet and tender experience being there with family when someone is going through the first time.  She leaves June 5th for Spokane, WA!  

I love love love this temple.  

Friday night for our date night we got Cafe Rio salads and then came home and watched a few episodes of the show "Revenge".  We just started watching season 1 on Netflix and are hooked!!

Saturday we prepared an Argentine feast at the Harper's home!

Getting our supplies at the Argentine market.  Yummm dulce de leche.

We made milanesa (breaded & fried steak/pork), empanadas (the little meat pies), and noquis (gnocci in italian, potato pasta).  Everything was muy sabroso!  Dustin had to wear his Argentina jersey of course!

Hannah and I made Alfajores - a traditional Argentine cookie with dulce de leche in the middle.

a farewell and a funeral

Last week was a pretty crazy one for us.  My sister Shayna left on her mission to Kyiv, Ukraine!  She gave a  thoughtfully composed talk about prayer and I especially loved her sweet testimony of the gospel and why she had decided to serve a mission.  And she was wearing the cutest dress!

I ditched out of my symphony rehearsal early Tuesday night to be there for her setting apart and say goodbye.  It was funny because my mom, Shayna, and I were just sitting at the kitchen table talking and then I told them I should get going since it was late.  I said bye like it was no big deal and started walking to the door. Then I realized "oh yeah, you're saying bye for 18 months!"  So after 20 more minutes, seven more "byes", and a few hugs, I left for real.  It's really bizarre just saying goodbye to someone for a long time.  Like a hug and a goodbye doesn't do justice to how much bigger than that it feels.

I've already had a brother serve a mission, and no offense to him, but I feel like I will miss my sister a little more!  She is my only sister after all, and the one that I am constantly texting for fashion advice, life advice, funny cat photos, snap chats, etc.  I will miss her dearly but know she will be an amazing missionary in Ukraine!  She is one tough cookie and excels in anything she tries so I know this will be no different.

A few days later, we had a funeral service for Dustin's Grandma Harper.  She was 93!  I would love to live to at least 90!  Unfortunately, the last five years of her life she had been living in a rest home, suffering from dementia and other illnesses.  While it's always hard to lose a loved one, it was bittersweet for the whole family.  Everyone was glad that she could finally be freed from her frail body and move on to be with her sweetheart who died 11 years ago.  

They just had a small graveside service and it was lovely.  The weather was perfect and the cemetery was located on a hill in Provo which overlooked the entire valley.  Each of the children (including Dustin's dad) shared some favorite memories of her, the grandkids sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and I played two pieces on the harp - "Over the Rainbow" and "O My Father" (which was her favorite hymn).  After we had a luncheon with the family at Dustin's aunt's home.  I only met Grandma Harper a few times and even though she didn't really know me, or remember me - she always touched me with her sweet smile and her loving spirit.  One of my favorite things shared about her was that her favorite holiday was April Fool's and she always played the best tricks on everyone in the family!  

A picture of us on Easter Sunday.  I am so deeply grateful for our savior Jesus Christ, and his atonement and what it means for our family.  Funerals are a little easier knowing that you will get to be with your loved ones again someday!

good news

The police found Dustin's car yesterday!

They found it parked on the street, only 8 blocks from where we live! And it was basically in perfect condition!  Just a few random things were taken, and one of the windows was left open so the seats were wet.  We are just so so thrilled to have it back.  Thank you for all the kind words and sympathy shared.

And now I'm sharing a few happy hopeful spring pictures, as I sit and watch the snow come down outside my window.