Bon Voyage!

The time has finally come!  We're at the airport 

right now waiting to get on our first ever red eye flight. Besides the fact that it's now three hours past our bedtime, I actually don't mind the airport at night. The airport staff are a lot more friendly (no one even had to pat me down over my G's this time!) and there's hardly anyone else here! And by anyone, I really mean 

babies.  

It's funny to think that only a few hours ago I wasn't even packed yet. You see, I'm what we like to call a last minute packer--I seriously can't pack until I only have a couple hours before I go. Because, hello!  I'm going to need my toothbrush and my curling iron is still hot! So when Chris got home from work today and not one single thing of mine was packed, he started stressing (it was like looking at Tom G). BAD. He just couldn't comprehend how Cafe Rio and painting my nails were a priority.  But somehow I managed to get two loads of laundry done and throw whatever wasn't on my floor into our suitcase. Oh, and can we all just take minute to appreciate the fact that I shaved my legs? You're welcome, Florida. 

Anyway, we are both so excited for this cruise! 

So excited, that we've already gone into vacation mode and pounded some Del Taco on our way to the airport. Speaking of vacation mode. . . Don't be alarmed if in a week you see a bunch of pictures of two people who are really tan and look like they ate Chris and Shayli... it's just us ;) 

Bon voyage!!!

a kind of eventful weekend

Weekends have been a little dry at the Gourley house for a while now. I blame Utah weather + basketball games + my leggings. But this weekend we actually got out and did some stuff! So I'm documenting, because who knows, maybe someday our children will look deep into the archives of this blog, and see that their graying parents were once fun and did more than drive to Swig on the weekends? Anyway, here is our semi-eventful weekend brought to you by the crafty use of bullet points ;)

Friday:
+ After weeks of bugging/begging Chris, he finally took me to Cafe Rio, and it did not disappoint. It never does. I heart you, Cafe Rio.
+ I got to tag along on Chris' date with his new girlfriend (or my sister wife, as Mama Gourley says), his handgun. Actually, if we're being honest, his gun is more like his child. He's constantly holding it, caressing it, and trying to keep it clean! Anyway, we hiked up in the mountains to go shoot it. A piece of advice: Do not go hiking immediately after shoveling down Cafe Rio. Cafe Rio gut is REAL and it hurts.
+ We finally went and visited our friends Tyson and Lisa + their new beautiful baby, Claire! Who is so good at making me think that I'm ready to have a baby and then immediately reminding me that I'm not. I'll just be a baby cuddler for now.
Saturday:
+ Started the day off by running 10 miles with my brother, Dugan! We crushed it, and probably our knees, but it was such a good run besides the crazy gusts of wind we had to run through. I'm so glad I have someone to train for this marathon with!
+ Chris played in 2 ward basketball games, and then went shooting (surprise?) with his buddies.
+ Me and my sister-in-laws celebrated Deanna's birthday by having a "favorite things" party. If you don't know what that is, it's basically a party where you bring one of your favorite things for everybody else. I highly recommend it if you like leaving a party with a bunch of gifts ha.It was seriously so much fun. I can't wait until the next one!
+ Chris had a DTR with me. Del Taco Runs are the best at 11:00 at night!...said no one's stomach ever.
Sunday:

+ Chris woke up wanting to go look for some turkeys, so I told him I'd go if we didn't have to get out of the car and hike for them. Before I even finished my sentence Chris explained to me that he put on his slippers so that he "wouldn't be tempted." After about an hour of driving we finally found some (guess who was the one who spotted them?!). Chris was giddy for the rest of the day.
+ We had no intentions of making any lunch so we did what we always do--stopped at my parents. Sure enough, there was a huge container of food in the fridge for us! Bless you, mom. Bless you.
+ Stopped at the Gourley leprechaun party! If we hadn't stuffed our faces at my mom's, we probably would have dished up green waffles and eggs with everybody else! We were sad to miss the leprechaun scavenger hunt since we had a baby blessing to go to, but I'm sure it ended with a lot of happy grandkids.
+ We ended our day with our usual routine of How I Met Your Mother before bed. I'm using this series as a gateway to other series for Chris to watch. I'm thinking Friends will be next...we'll see.

Now that we've given you the illusion of an eventful weekend through bullet points, I'm excited to tell you that our next weekend we'll be having is going to require a lot more bullet points... we're leaving for our cruise this week!!! Consider this a warning in advanced for a vacation post, since we all love reading those...

A Letter to Darin

August 12, 1962 – March 3, 2014

----------------------

Dear Uncle D,

Last week I had one of the hardest runs of my life. Not just physically, but emotionally. As soon as I set foot out the door, I felt heavy and numb. I hadn't planned on running with tears in my eyes, but that's what ended up happening--because of you.

At first my tears were tears of guilt. I felt so guilty that I was alive--crying,running, breathing--while you weren't. Why should I be alive when Darin was a far better person than me? He had a family, grandchildren, and a whole ward to look after... Then more tears started to stream down my face. I felt guilty for not reaching out to you, talking to you, or even thinking about you as much as I should have. I should have thanked you more for all the help with my wedding that you did. I felt like an impostor for crying so much since there were people crying less than me who knew you a lot better than I did.

It wasn't until this past weekend at your funeral (which was the most beautiful service I've ever been to in my life) that I realized I knew you better than I thought. The way everyone talked about you and the stories they shared made me realize that you are the most Christ-like person I have ever had the opportunity of knowing on this earth. If I want to get to know you better, all I need to do is come closer to Christ. I need to "Step up to the plate" as you told us all at the family reunion, and that's what I plan to do. My bracelet from your funeral serves as a reminder to me every day to be a little better.

Darin, I just wanted to tell you I'm so grateful for the example you've set for my family with the little time you had here on this earth. You've taught me the importance of not judging others and loving everyone. You've also taught me that the only thing that really matters on this earth are the acts of service and living the Gospel--because that's what you took with you to the other side. I admire you so much for enduring to the end. Even though it's hard for all of us here on earth who miss you (which by the number of people at your funeral I'm confident in saying is A LOT of people), I know you are in a better place. I would say rest in peace, but I know you're not resting. You're onto bigger and better things, and doing the most important work there is. I love you, Uncle D. I'll meet you on home plate someday...