My brother, Superman

Today I have truly witnessed a miracle. Recently my brother was in an accident, and he broke his neck. Sparing you the details of how it happened, all you need to know is that it was broken. Doctors and Nurses told him he was lucky to be alive. I heard about what happened and rushed to the hospital to support my family. I was devastated. I was a wreck. I cried harder than I have in my entire life. The thought of my brother becoming paralyzed haunted every fiber of my being. He was in pretty bad shape when I arrived, but he was a trooper and very strong. He told me not to cry and not to worry. Yes, that's right... my brother with the broken neck was comforting ME. I wish I was stronger. I asked exactly what bone(s) were broken and he said the bone broken in his neck was the same one Christopher Reeve broke, and how he became paralyzed. Spencer had numbness in some areas of his body, but for the most part he could feel quite fine. In fact he was in a tremendous amount of pain.

I left the hospital after a few hours because there were too many people for the room, and they needed to perform several tests. I hated to leave, but I knew my mom would update me if anything happened. Later she called me and told me that Spencer had received a Priesthood blessing, and that the new x-rays/CT scan showed NO BROKEN BONES whatsoever. Of course I reverted to my natural mind and thought that it couldn't be... the previous hospital must've done the x-rays wrong, and it was never broken. In fact that is not the case. The x-rays prove definite damage to his neck; it was broken. The doctors and nurses of the hospital were just as in shock as we were.

In the blessing he was told that he needed to have enough faith to make room for the blessing of being healed. What more can I say? This is a wonderful opportunity to be a witness that the Savior lives and he truly can heal us. He heals our broken hearts, and our broken necks, all in accordance with His will. The Lord truly SAVES us. He saves us from harm, and sometimes from ourselves. I called just now to check up on my brother and my mom was happy to report that his pain has lessened, and he is happily eating Cafe Rio.

This experience has increased my faith times 100. I cannot wait to bear witness of the Savior in fast and testimony meeting next month. I am grateful for the Atonement and how it has enriched my life more than I can imagine. It's easy to forget the Savior when good things happen, although I've been trying to remember Him when I am being blessed. I love Spencer so much and I would do anything for him. Actually I didn't know how much I loved him until today. I didn't know my heart was capable of loving that much. I've had a few experiences now where I have been able to show and prove my love for my family members and I am grateful for them. I want them to know how much I love them.... more than anything. My family and I now have the opportunity to come together and be grateful for what we have.... Our own strong Superman Spencer.

Free 99!!

On Saturday I went boating with my friends, and there she was... FREE 99!! What a beauty. Literally there was a sign that said, "Free Piano." I about jumped out of my seat! Travis had to hold me back from jumping out of the car! He promised we'd go and ask the owners about it after boating. Well one thing lead to another and we forgot about free 99.

I couldn't stop thinking about her on Sunday. I wanted to claim her, and make sure she was MINE. Then came Monday, and I was too busy to even think straight. Then today was here. On my way home from work I decided to drive by the house to see if free was still there. SHE WAS!!!! I screeched the car to a halt and jumped out. I banged on the door several times and laid on the doorbell. No one answered. Franticly I got a paper and pen from my purse and scribbled a note begging the owners to save it for me. I left my number and pleaded for them to call me. I was literally praying on my way home, wanting the piano so bad that I swear I could cry if it wasn't mine. We had been looking into buying a piano over the past few months and they are expensive! We saw another piano on the side of the road that said "accepting offers" but it was a P.O.C! The people wanted way too much for it and it had a LOT of work to be done, including replacing all the wood, sound board, keys and strings! Might as well build my own or something. LAME-O!! My hopes and dreams of having my own piano were shattered. Better luck next time, I guess.

UNTIL TODAY!!! The owner called me within an hour and told me I could have her! He told me he couldn't guarantee she was mine because several people were interested. I was the only gem to leave a note. I think he liked me. :) The hard part was how to transport it to my house! We had some AWESOME help, my brother Spence and our friend Chris came to help us. Slowly but surely and in only 1 1/2 hours free 99 was safe, inside my house! MINE, ALL MINE!!!! She does need some work, but nothing compared to the other POC. Plus our home teacher used to work at piano gallery and he has already given us TONS of connections!

I could NOT be happier. And may I just add that truly this is another blessing from the Lord! I am being blessed more than I can handle right now. Even though I'm sicker than a dog (strep throat... again) I am happier than a clam. And clams are happy!!! I can't wait for this to be my new project. Something to keep me busy and something to look forward too. I promise she'll be lookin brand spankin new by Christmas! Maybe I'll just have to host a recital to show her off. I can't wait to play it and annoy the people downstairs!!!! Free 99: My FAVORITE price!!!

Be your own kind of beautiful

I have decided to delete my recent blog about my hair and style and instead replace it with this blog... which is a lot nicer, and much less conceited. I've had a change of heart about the situation. So here's my message to you all.

Be yourself.
Invent your own style.
Be unique and different; don't try to be something or someone you're not.
Imagine your own possibilities.
Pursue your own dreams.
Take risks.
Be 100% okay with who you are.
Love more openly.
Play harder.
Give genuine compliments.
Give credit where credit is due.

That basically sums it up. My last blog was horrendous... I apologize for the angst. That being said, I'd like to explain a few things. I love being unique and individual. Instead of being flattered when someone copies me (regardless of what it is... my hair, my shoes, style, makeup, etc) I feel like my individuality is taken from me, and I'm not unique anymore. I feel like I'm being imitated without copyright permission! That's the thing that gets my goat. It's not that someone gets ideas from me, because I don't mind that. If a person looks at me and thinks, "Woah, that's awesome! I wanna do something like that," well then by all means, do something "like" that, but make it your own.

Be unique and be different. It's fun, you should try it! Find out who you are and love yourself! Don't let the pressures and ever changing styles of the world make you think you need to fit in. Find something that is YOU and embrace it. Self esteem comes from within, not from people complimenting you. I don't wait for people to tell me that I'm beautiful. Tell yourself that everyday, and you will start to believe it. Don't let people bring you down or tell you that you can't do something. I dare you to prove them wrong. Moral of the story: Be your OWN kind of beautiful!!!

831- There's no place like home

Oh how I miss it! These pictures were taken on a day that I was feeling particularly blue. My mom told Liz that I needed to go to the beach. Liz dragged me in the car and we drove to our special unknown private beach spot we call "beer cans" only because someone etched this into the sidewalk. That day was monumental for me. I felt instantly better. I had all my favorite things with me at one instant. My favorite spot, my favorite scene (a beautiful sunset) and my favorite person. Could life get any better? I submit that (at the time) it could not! My sister and mom are there without me right now and I want so badly to squish my toes in that sand! I hated every single moment I was in Hollister and the only thing I could think of when I was in high school was how badly I wanted to get outta there... and now all I wish is to go back and visit! The small town of Hollister itself has really grown. No, the 7 next to Hollister isn't the population, although growing up it definitely felt that way! Mostly I miss the beach. I miss the predictable weather forecast of 70 degrees all year round, and the slightly humid air. I miss being so close to the beach and feeling the breeze at promptly 4:00pm everyday. Central California and the greater bay area is truly my home. I suppose now wherever Travis is, that's what I'll call home, but I can't help but feel the pull of my California roots calling me back to my true home... that of the 831.

Jumping for joy!

I cannot believe how truly blessed we are! Over the past few days we have received more blessings and more good news than we have for a while. Both Travis and I have been working really hard and it becomes difficult when we are stuck in the monotony of the daily grind. I have recently prayed for a paradigm shift, trying to appreciate the tender mercies I am given. Being diligent and valiant truly pays off; sometimes literally.

That being said, I have joined the blogging craze! I'll probably be wild about postings for the first little while and then I'll come back to reality and once school starts I'll be much busier. For this first blog let me just say that I am obsessed with my husband!! He is the cutest ever. He is one of my many many blessings... (I guess it's ok to talk about him because I'm focusing on being more grateful... right?) He took me to an outdoor musical the other night, "South Pacific." I did community theater after high school and landed the role of Nellie (the lead) back in 2005. It was a blast to be in the audience this time, although I couldn't help but say the lines and quietly sing the songs. Travis was never annoyed and very patient with me!

He truly is amazing. He always opens my door for me, I am the first to be served, he listens to my concerns and feelings, he leaves me cute notes, kisses me goodbye and... get this... he helps around the house! I know, I know, you're thinking, "Kat... it won't last, you've only been married for a little over a year." Well I've got news for you! He has been the same since we've dated! No, that's a lie. He's been better! Travis is one of those rare men-breeds who truly cares about progressing, improving and exceeding your expectations. Not only that, he loves to cuddle, and it never gets old. What guy can truly say he likes to cuddle and mean it?! He'd probably be embarrassed that I am raving on about this but what can I say?! I'm obsessed with him! I have so much more to add but I'll save it for later postings. For now, enjoy these pictures of us. We're in love and we want everyone to know it!