Salt Lake

Alan and I went to Salt Lake for work last week. As I lay in bed the first night I had a strong feeling of going home. Not home in St. George, but to our house in Salt Lake. I really missed our house. What I missed the most was the sound of the door opening and closing. For anyone that had been to our house they would know the sound I am talking about. Our door had blinds over the window and each time the door opened and closed it made a distinct noise. It was a heavy door and as it closed it banged a little louder than most doors as if it was slammed shut even when closed softly. As I talked to Alan about this I figured out what I missed the most were the things that went in and out of the door. I missed what it meant hearing the door open and close.

I miss Oso coming in and out of the house. Oso was such a good dog. He was so calm, loving, and good with children. I miss him searching for your hand to pet him, and I miss the way he slept by the fireplace.

I miss the sound of the door opening as Alan brought in dinner in the Dutch oven. Tim, Lindsey, Dan, Tony and their families would come over and we would make something new in the Dutch oven. I miss having everyone over for Dutch oven parties.

I miss the joy of K and B throwing the door open with excitement to go camping, or rock climbing. Cooking breakfast in the mornings together and riding bikes outside in the driveway. I miss all the funny things B would say, and all the games K would make up for us to play. The last time the door closed behind them was one of the hardest days of my life, but I am thankful for all the times that they were able to come in and out of that door.

I miss our neighbors and how we changed the gate in our fence to be closer to the house so that they could come over easier. The first time they knocked on our door and we realized we had already met and had something in common.

I loved hearing the door open as Alan came home from work on his lunch breaks. There are few things better than taking a nap in the middle of the day together snuggled up on the couch.

I even miss the sound of the door opening as people brought stuff over to store in our basement and garage.

There are many more memories of people and things that entered our door in Salt Lake. I am so grateful for those memories. As I look back on the 2 years that we lived in Salt Lake, and all the people that came in and out of our house for just a minute or to stay for months I long to experience those memories again. It makes me even more excited for our house here in St. George and all of the memories that will be made here in our home.

Cupcakes & The Lying Media

For our work party I made these bats and mummies.




How the Media Lies!

Last week I was feeling a little under the weather. I had a runny nose, and a mild fever. People at school kept saying "I hope you don't have H1N1." I knew I did not have it because I did not have flu like symptoms. I had cold symptoms. I took a few half days at school then Thursday night I had a high temperature and I could not get it to break. Friday, I kept getting worse, and since we now have insurance and baby Carter was coming up for the weekend I wanted to find out if I was contagious.

When we got to the Dr. Office the receptionist made me wear a mask. I felt like they had just stamped LEAPER across my forehead. I only had a cold and I probably wasn't even contagious.

As the dr. was doing her checks I asked the only question I came to get answered. This is how it went...

Mariah: "Am I contagious?"
Dr. "Yes! Very!"
Mariah: in a sad tone "Oh"
Dr. "You have H1N1."
Mariah: "No. No, I don't. I haven't thrown up; I don't feel nauseous and no diarrhea. I just have a cold."
Dr. "That is the normal flu. H1N1 is the Influenza and it is a respiratory virus. Cough, chills, congestion, and a fever."

I had tried so hard not to get H1N1. Even going to Mexico for 2 weeks, I didn't get it. But going to school did. Oh well, it will be a time to just sit and relax right? Ya, that’s what I was hoping for. But it isn't that at all. You sit here all day miserable, with a long list of things you would rather be doing. Even doing the dishes would be more fun than this.

Alan has been amazing, making me food, getting me drinks, going to the store, and playing wii all day with me. Sweet Ben and Brina even brought me over chicken noodle soup. Well, brought it to Alan in the driveway. No one is allowed to come within 6 feet of me.

This has been a huge lesson learned though. When the Dr. was telling me all about it and what to do, it was pretty much no big deal. She said take a fever reducer if you want, but the fever is good because it is killing the virus. Here is a prescription for cough medicine, but don't really take it unless you can't sleep at night. It is better for your body to cough and break it up anyway.

No big scare like the media has made it out to be. I am not going to die and there is a very little possibility of dieing from it. I can't believe the media lies!