Toppenish, Where the West Still Lives

Since the last time we were in Washington, my dad acquired a new physical therapy clinic in Toppenish. If you are not familiar with Toppenish, it is where the west still lives. The town is covered with murals that depict scenese from the wild west, and the downtown area is designed to look like an old west town. This is the outside of my dad's office, it look like an old outpost.

This is the mural that is inside of the McDonalds in Toppenish, its pretty creepy.

a great legacy

Andy & I went to Az for Father's day weekend to spend it with family. Since my dad's passing I have been working on a scrapbook of his life to give to my sister. I finished it a few weeks ago & have been anxiously awaiting to give it to her on Father's day. It was like Christmas morning I was so excited I couldn't even sleep the night before. Making the books was so emotionally hard at times and many tears were shed, but most of them were happy tears as I was able to look back and remember the special moments and memories that we created.

My dad did so many amazing things here on this earth. He was so giving, and lived such a simple life so he could do more for others. Since his passing many people have come forward and shared with us special things he did for them that we never even knew of because my dad didn't go around bragging about it. He has left our family a great legacy, one that will always be with us, one that we can do our best to model our lives after.

Comforting Truths

I was reading an article in the Ensign by Elder Bednar, talking specifically about techonology and its uses of good and bad. I usually blog only about the fun things we do and not enough about special experiences that I have that may help and strengthen others faith.

Today started out like any other typical day off work that I have, cleaning, exercising, and errands. I almost forgot it had been four months since my daddy left us until my sister reminded me over the phone. I thought this was a good sign that I hadn't been counting the weeks, waking up every Monday morning and replaying that devastating day minute by minute, hour by hour over in my mind.
As I was driving home this evening listening to music, nothing particularly spiritual, an overwhelming feeling came over me that I would see my dad again someday. I felt him sitting in the car with me and I could literally feel his arms wrapped around me. The tears began to flow,I know this to be true. I have a testimony of my Savior, of His atonement and the plan of salvation. I know that we will be together again. I cannot wait for my dad to take me into his arms and hold me tight. I know my dad is watching over me and is with me. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who knows me personally. I am so thankful for this experience that I had. I feel like my spirituality has suffered in the past few weeks, I have felt empty because I have not felt my dad's presence or Heavenly Father's love as much as I had when tragedy struck. I am so thankful to know neither one has left me.

It's All About the Ambiance

We ran 13.1 miles bright and early this am and obviously needed to refuel so we hit up our favorite place...the one and only...Los Altos. Seriously if you haven't been there you should...NOW!!! It's seriously like totally green in every way people. Instead of growing their own produce they butcher their own meat on site! Yep, it's a carniceria aka butcher shop and taco shop all rolled into one. How can you go wrong eating a burrito at a place where you are the only one speaking english, mother Mary is watching in the background and mexican music serenading, or shall I say blaring all day long. The ambiance is impecable. Put simply, the agua de fresa is heaven in my mouth, just picture liquified ice cold strawberries and sugar...um yes please, I'll take two!

Weekend Shenanigans

My cousins Lexi & Jared came from Az to visit for the weekend! We had a fun time, hit up Vic Gardens and Pinkberry when they got here friday. Saturday was spent at Huntington Beach with a BBQ. We even braved going to J. T. Schmid's for dinner to watch the Suns game in Laker territory. Needless to say, we left before the game was over, we couldn't take it anymore : ) Before they journeyed back to the homeland we made one more beach stop at Crystal Cove & finished it off with a Sprinkles cupcake just for Jared. It was so fun to have them and made for an adventurous weekend. Life is too short not to have fun!!

Jared & Lexi

brunch at Martha Green's Eating Room