I Must Be Weird

Okay, so for a long time now it seems like any time I get a sickness or disease that it can't be the Flu / Broken Arm / Common Cold but things like Broken Collar Bone / Bunyonette / Cold Sores (all things that I've had in the past).

  Well, the latest edition is that I broke out in Shingles on my back for no reason at all.  They say it could be caused by stress / low immune system / no real reason at all!

  For those of you who don't know (I didn't) once you've had chicken pox the virus can settle into your spine and then on occasions such as this it can just come to the surface.  I'd been itching for about a week and then on Friday (after helping my in-laws pack up to move - service scar for sure) big bumps started to form.  Kevin took one look and said he thought it was shingles because he had then when he was a teenager (where do we get these things?).

  On Monday morning I went to the doctor to confirm the diagnosis.  It is just below my left shoulder blade so I can avoid hitting it a lot (except that is where my bra sits) but it hurts like the dickens.  They say it shouldn't be contagious unless someone who has never had chicken pox comes in direct contact with the...wait for it...puss.  So if anyone wants their child to get the chicken pox I am your girl (at least for 7-10 more days).

The picture I included here is an example of what mine looks like (not an actual picture of me).  I'm told that in a few days they will burst and then scab over...totally gross!!

I'm sure it could be worse but next time I'd just like to get a cold like everyone else!

Life Update

So, I've decided that I feel like I can't blog unless I have a picture to go with the post.  Is that weird?  I'm trying to overcome that by giving a quick update on our lives.

Kevin just recently got over a horrible infection in his ear (not an ear infection but a scratch in his ear canal that got infected...I know weird!).  It took several antibiotics and an allergic reaction but he is finally on the mend.  He is currently in rehearsal for "The Drowsy Chaperone" where he will play Mr Feltzig, The Producer.  It is one of his all-time favorite shows and he is so excited for it to open (September 28th @ Terrace Plaza Playhouse).  He is still working at ORMC and is teaching primary with the most amazing woman in the world (ME!!).

I am still working at Loomis and just recently took over the Tucson billing.  It hasn't made much of an impact but it is always nice to have job security and be trusted to expand.  I tried my hand at being domestic the other night by making homemade roasted marinara sauce to freeze.  It took a lot longer than expected but I think it turned out pretty good.  I turned 33 on August 3rd and we had a good time with the family at a party (sorry no pictures).  I got tickets to see "In The Heights" on September 22nd (one of my all-time favorites) and new Correlle dishes.

We started seeing a new reproductive specialist a few months back.  All my tests came back normal so there is definitely hope in that.  We went all in and tried injection shots with ultra sounds to see if we could try IUI.  Unfortunately, my body didn't really respond to the treatments so we are in a holding pattern until we figure out something else to try.  It was very disappointing but I just keep hoping that it just isn't the right time.  That is what everybody keeps telling me!!

Other than that I can't believe that summer is already over.  It seems like it just began!  I am excited for the fall and holidays even though that means snow.  I hope that all of you are doing well.  I'm going to try and update more and put down what is happening to us so that we can remember as much as anything else.

Dawnie

ALC 2012

Okay, so I have one of the coolest sisters in the whole world!  She raised $5k for AIDS research and then took a week off work to go and ride 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles (yes, in one week).  She did the ride a few years ago and for some crazy reason we didn't go to see her at the finish line.  I wasn't going to miss this opportunity a 2nd time.

My parents and I flew into Long Beach on Friday and went up to Ventura Beach to meet the whole crew at their last stop Friday night.  We got to participate in the camp meeting and see pictures/hear stories of those struggling with AIDS and those who have lost loved ones.  Cindee's team was really nice!  When it got dark we all lit candles and went out on to the beach to remember those who have died of the illness.  It was really powerful to see hundreds, or maybe thousands, of candles burning all together.

The next day we headed over to the VA Medical Center in Los Angeles to wait for our girl to arrive (she only had to ride 56 miles that day or something) at the finish line.  Mom insisted that we stop by a store and find some pom-poms and when we were there we found an american flag and hand clappers.  We enjoyed the next few hours cheering on each rider as they finished their week-long trek.

It was such a thrill to see Cindee cross the finish line and be able to support her.  That night we went to an AWESOME Brazilian restaurant and to a movie with her.  It was so wonderful to spend time with my sister, see her apartment and share in her triumph.  Love you Cindee!!

Petting Zoo

A few months ago we took Joannie & Ryan to a little Petting Zoo they were having in Kaysville, UT.  Ryan loved looking and playing at all of the animals.  Uncle Kevin bought him a train ride because he was loving trains at the time.  After the animals we met Brady down in Salt Lake @ Nielsen's for ice cream.  Ryan had this bouncy ball (see picture) that he would throw everywhere and we would have to go get it.  We had such a wonderful time!

Purcell Easter

So, I found these adorable pictures from Easter (I know...how many months ago?) and decided they were too cute not to share.  The top one is of Kevin &Me @ a park and the rest are of my adorable nephew Ryan in his new church outfit.  He was having so much fun playing and running around.  Kitty & Scott had us over for dinner on Easter Sunday (honeybaked ham anyone?) and we had a great day remembering the sacrifice of our Savior.

Miranda @ Wiseguys

Back a few months ago Kevin got to see his YouTube favorite singer "Miranda Sings" at the Wiseguys Comedy Club in West Valley.  As you can see, he was super excited and she is super crazy!! (If you don't know who she is look it up and let Kevin know what you think)





Dessert Spread

We know this AMAZING dessert maker (Aspen's sister-in-law) who we asked to help us out with some treats for Keivn's graduation party.  She went above and beyond with all the yumminess.  I had to give these pictures their own post so you could concentrate on all the goodness.  If you ever need good recipes or something for a party give her a shout...she is amazing!  Her blog is Sara Bakes (http://www.sharedessertcompany.com/) and she has awesome stuff on there.  Also, Kevin's sister Karen helped me by making some incredible favors & drinks.  I am surrounded by so much love and talent it is almost overwhelming.  Enjoy the pictures!!  

Chocolate Covered Pomegranates & Red Vines

Red Velvet Cupcakes with diplomas & graduation caps

Piroulines Diplomas (clever!)

Take home favors made by Karen & Brian Purcell

Soda also made by Kevin's sister (she is so talented)

Alternate View

Alternate View

The whole spread

We didn' get a separate picture but the cake pops with
pop rocks were AWESOME!!

Water with designer labels

Let's Party

After the ceremony we headed over to the conference room at my work to have a party.  We ordered Papa Johns pizza and had a whole bunch of extras & desserts (see next post).  We had such a good turnout and enjoyed seeing all the people who helped Kevin get to his goal.  Enjoy!

Disney Cap (we bought in Feb when Kevin finished classes) & Diploma on display

The Venue

Dessert Table

Julie, Gretchen, Kevin, Stuart & Kira

Karen, Brian, Mike, Emma, Sara, Aspen, Steven, Joel, Jaden & Stacie

Joannie, Brady & Ramon

Cadence, Eliana & Lexie

Grammy & Jasec (a pair made in heaven)

Scott, Kitty, Glen, Jeannie & Lowell

Opening Presents

Abby, Lincoln & Tony

David & Sasha



That night we went with Kevin's Family to Taggert Grille



Graduation Ceremony

Kevin graduated on May 5, 2012 from The University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with Honors (BS/BM...heehee).  I am so proud of him for all his hard work and persistence.  We attended his graduation ceremony at The Maverik Center that morning.  My pictures inside didn't really turn out so here are some that we took after the ceremony way over.

Kevin & Dawnie

Jeannie & Glen

Cadence & Eliana

I couldn't decide which picture I liked better of the Purcell Family - they are both funny!

Take #2

The Proud Parents

Sleepy Ryan

Lincoln looking ahead

I did it!

So Happy To Be Done!!