Teton Dam and Life in general

This last few weeks have been a roller coaster, but it has left me being grateful for all that I have. I ended up having the opportunity to run in the Teton Dam 5k. I really wanted to run on our relay team, but I was glad that I still ended up getting the opportunity to do it. I have had really bad shin splints the last few weeks, so I was kind of nervous to run up millhollow road and then up to the temple. I ran and ended up getting 2nd place in my age division. I had so much fun and love all of the excitement of a race. It is so fun to see all of the people cheering each other on. Running is my own personal outlet. I do it to get away from school and stress in general. I am so grateful that the doctors figured out what was wrong a year ago, so I could start running again. It has been a blessing. I have just been running in 5K and 10K races through the year, but I have finally decided to be brave and run in a half marathon in August. I am excited and nervous!

Last week, my Uncle Burke got sick and was put in the hospital again. He has been battling Myeloma for the last 2 years. I got the feeling that I needed to go and visit him on Friday, so I went up with my mom to see him. When we were there, he was doing okay, joking around and being more concerned about everyone else's health problems instead of his own. He kept telling me that I needed to make sure they kept my thyroid under control. After I left I wanted to cry. Here he is sitting in a bed fighting off some life threatening disease and he is worried about something that could be fixed with a pill. After we left, I went home and got ready for the race the next day. After my race on Saturday, I kept getting the feeling that I needed to go up to the hospital again. I was tired, and didnt want to go anywhere because I had homework, but the feeling would not leave. I finally decided at about 7:30 to put my stuff away and go visit him again. As Destry and I got to the hospital, he started to go downhill really fast. It was so hard to see him get so sick, but I was so grateful that I was there to see him. After about 2 hours they had him on a ventilator. He ended up passing away on Sunday afternoon. I loved Uncle Burke so much. He might have seemed rough on the outside, but he was such a softy on the inside. I will always miss him pulling me on his lap, hugging me and telling me that I needed to eat more (he weighed a whole 110 pounds) or that I needed to smile more. I will miss water skiing with him, and the time that he chased me through the house with a garden hose while aunt ginny was yelling! He was one of the kindest men I knew, and was like a second dad to me. I will miss him, but I know he is in a better place. This whole experience once again reminded me how unpredictable life is. It is is important to remember and take the time for the ones that you love, because you never know how long you get to have them around. This is something that has hit me pretty hard, because of being so burried in school work lately. I think I need to just learn to put the books away once in awhile and enjoy the smaller things. I am so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families that we have, and that death does not have to be the end. I am grateful for Destry and knowing that we get to be together after we die.

As for school and work, Destry and I are both just chugging along. I am excited that I just registered for my last official semester of classes in the fall and then its off to student teaching. I am currently waiting to find out where I have been placed for student teaching...it had better not be Vegas! I am so tired of studying inside (on nice days) instead of being outside playing. Im having a "do whatever in the heck I want to" day on July 24th and nobody can stop me! I am so grateful for Destry and the help that he gives me with different stuff when Im busy. I appreciate the fact that he comes to my races and supports me. ( I dont think hes excited about the half marathon...haha)

Well hopefully it wont be another 3 months before I actually post a blog again! Sorry! Things will be better when Im not as busy with school. As for now, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer!