July: Colorado Country

Saying goodbye to my Blanchard family was one of the hardest things I've done in a long time!!  I seriously love EACH of them sooo much. Moving closer to them to finish podiatry school was one of the best moves we've made, but since we were now moving away from them to keep our own family loser together, it made it more bearable. We all got together at Bahama Bucks the night before we left and of course a midst all the crying and hugging had to have one more competition. Depending on who you ask there is a different winner, but since I am the one writing this blog, It is SOO obvious that Jason won hands down. I dont know why there is even a debate on who won ;). (btw he is in the plaid shorts and yellow shoes)

After some special Fathers Blessing, the next morning  afternoon we were off!! ..once the red Yaris and white Accent was packed to the brim including a roof bag. My Dad was awesome enough to have flown down from Utah to help with the drive, which was sooo helpful! 

We made a quick stop to Utah to see my brother Colt before he took off on his mission to the Philippines. Which was another miracle because with Jason's work schedule we didn't think we would be able to see him before he left on his mission for two years. Of course He and my sister Priscilla (age 15) taught us some of their favorite ballroom dancing moves. I was so blessed to have been able to see his smile one more time before he left. 

In Colorado we stayed with me Great Aunt Jeanie. They were sooo sweet to let us stay in their upstairs! When we pulled up my cousin twice removed (or something like that) was there with his family! They were our instant best friends. Mark and Crystal seriously were there for us in so many ways from having a friend to go to the beach with to being being our mechanic when the rood started to leak. On the 4th of July they invited us to their place and we saw them at least twice a week it felt like. Which was so needed because I had just left my best friend Jennifer Smith who I would see a few times a day. (I LOVE YOU GIRL!!! Seriously she is my hero in SO many ways)                    

We went to The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward that also had AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE in the meetings!We found out which ward building was ours by going to mormon.org . At this time I was really getting nervous (and scared and slightly going crazy) because I was taking my National Interpreter Certification exam the next month and it got moved up two weeks and I was not ready. After a lot of prayer we found this ward and the people there were so amazing. They were such an immediate answer to my prayers and fasting. They welcomed us in and let me volunteer interpret for their meeting and activities. There was a sweet interpreter in the ward that even met with me during the week. I can't say enough how overwhelmed with blessings I felt. And my exam was even able to be postponed till the end of that next month. My testimony of fasting was strengthened that month and I will never forget this experience. I went from panic to peace so quickly as I was put in a situation that all I could do was pray and fast for direction.

The Colorado beauty was stunning. Driving around in Greely Colorado and seeing the large open spaces and lakes you couldn't help but feel closer to God. My soul was defiantly nourished in so many ways.

Jason loved the drive also as he spent some of his day driving to different clinics. He said it was a great time to re focus during work. Jason's schedule was a very light one where he was at work around 9 and was done between 3 and 6! He did wish there was more surgery in this rotation though but he loved the teaching and the co workers.

Needless to say we were very sad to leave our friends and the beauty of CO but it made it easier knowing we were going to stay with my family for the next month in Utah!!

Walks in the rain were beautiful

Aiden is totally crying here