A Day of Remembering

Yesterday marked an important anniversary for our family: it was the second anniversary of our beautiful angel’s passing. Part of me can’t believe it’s been that long already while the other part feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen her.

Because of time of year it is, my mind has been turned to that point two years ago when it first happened. When I got the call I was dreading so much, when I knew her suffering was over, when we gathered to say good-bye. It still hurts to think about it, but it also makes me happy to see that although I still have a hole in my heart for Miss Sassypants and always will that the wound is not so jagged and painful as it used to be. Thanks be to my Savior and the Atonement for that. I have learned it’s only through Him that true healing comes.

This year I once again commemorated this important day with my dear sister and her family. They made a trek down my direction to commemorate their daughter’s life.

First stop: Primary Children’s Medical Center. This wonderful hospital took great care of Ashley the whole time she was on this earth. It’s become a tradition for their family to donate toys to the hospital in her honor. Then we had lunch in the cafeteria.

I attempted for the next stop to be a visit to my building so we could ride to the top and view the soon-to-open City Creek Center from the top. What I didn’t know is there was an event going on up there, so it didn’t really work out. Oops!

Then we went to the Discovery Gateway. None of us had ever been and it sounded interesting. Suffice it to say, if the kids were smaller, say 8 or under, it would’ve been fascinating. Since they’re not, it was a bit disappointing. Their favorite activity was a replica of a Life Flight helicopter. They had to wait their turn to get in because it’s quite popular, but getting in was well worth the wait.

We wanted to kill some time before eating dinner since lunch was a little late. I think Fashion Place Mall is a pretty happening place so we went there. As the Build-A-Bear workshop came into site, my sister and I had the idea to make a bear in Ashley’s honor. So we did! In case you’re wondering, this was my favorite activity of the day.

Here is the bear we picked out. The pink was perfect to represent our girl.

Here she is stuffed and read to be dressed.

Hmm, try these on for size. See, we had to find the perfect Diva outfit because it was fitting to represent Ashley. She was always very girly.

Ta-Dah! Now for some bling . . .

The finished product. My brother-in-law suggested we name her Tabitha, so here she is, in honor of our beautiful angel. I was surprised and delighted when she got to come home with me. She now holds a place of honor in my room.

The whole gang with me.

Love this family! So glad I get to be close to my siblings and to their families.

I think we did a good job honoring our girl. I’m glad we had this day to get together and do activities that I know she would’ve enjoyed. She’s still watching us from above and although we miss her, we know where she is and that she’s doing great work. Love you angel girl! Can’t wait until we get to see you again!

Okay, so I’m legit

If you happen to be connected with my on Facebook, about a month ago you might’ve seen a post where I mentioned that my supervisor named me the Speaking on Business employee of the year during a luncheon we held.

Since we’re a department of two (her and me), I thought it was really cool, but not something to take too seriously. I was touched by the gesture because it always feels nice to be appreciated. And after my status update, I thought that was all there was to it.

Nope, I was wrong. And here’s the proof:

Yes, we had an entire luncheon with a few close friends from the office (as an includer I pretty much wanted to invite almost everyone on the floor, but we do have budgets to consider, so it was just a few people), complete with a lovely lunch, celebratory cake and this plaque. I didn’t expect the plaque, believe me. Again, I think it’s really cool, and it was so kind of her to do that for me. Pictures from the luncheon:

We waited a few weeks after the fact so it could be a congratulations/birthday lunch. So here’s my congratabirthday cake with large candles. Aren’t they cool? It tasted great too, in case you’re wondering. I enjoyed sharing it with my family last weekend.

 

Finally, the woman who made this all possible, my supervisor, Chris. She’s been my supervisor for a year and a half now and my work experience has improved dramatically in that time. Where once I felt trapped, bored and that I was getting nowhere fast, now I feel appreciated, valued and that I am a talent. So, for that I thank you, Chris, and promise to always do my best to live up to the trust you place in me.

Do we have a birthday here? Yes, we have a birthday here!

So, anybody who has read this blog at all knows that I LOVE my birthday. And this week was my birthday! Yay!! To kill any suspense, I will start off by saying it was a lovely day.

Because I love my birthday so very much, I usually want to make a big deal about it. This year . . . not so much. One of my big problems was that I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do. Did I want to organize a party for myself? Usually I do, but I found this year that I didn’t want to. So it was a low-key birthday instead, which is fine.

It started the Friday before when I had a congratulabirthday celebration with friends from work. (More on that in my next post). Here’s me with my cake:

Then I went home and had a birthday celebration there on President’s Day before I came back. KK enjoyed the banana cheesecake. Yes, I know it sounds weird, but it was really good! The thing I’m holding in the second picture is an ornament that celebrates shoes. My mom and I found it after Christmas, and it was perfect for me, so she bought it to give to me for my birthday.

On my actual birthday I took the day off work. My original plans didn’t quite work out, but what happened instead was great. I went to the gym (a great way to start your birthday) then had the longest manicure/pedicure ever (three hours!!!), then had lunch with a dear friend and her darling little boy and ended the evening with a dinner and a celebration at my aunt’s house. Yes, it’s recorded in photos, so here they are.

As I’m sure you can see, it’s been a lovely birthday. I have made a smooth transition into the 29th year of my life and look forward to making this year the best yet. Great things are in store for me, I can already feel it.

Thanks to everyone who made the day special for me! I don’t know if you all read this blog or not, but your love and support means a lot!