Other Side of the World, Other Side of the Family

I will simply piggy back my wonderful wife’s words and start where she left off. Rach’s and I goal for this summer was to blog our experiences in different countries to show the differences in our lives as well as use the opportunity as a journal. Here goes...

On Monday I spent my Memorial Day holiday on an airplane. My flight took off out out of Salt Lake International Airport at 9:50 in the morning and it was there that I began my lengthy journey to South Korea.

Before I left my family all said goodbye at our house and they are all so great. I had to say goodbye to Bri for two years which was bittersweet. I will miss his goofy personality and uncanny ability to make any situation light hearted but I know he is doing what he should be. Brazil is getting a stallion for two years and we will gladly loan him for a time. Good luck Bri, you will do awesome!

You have come a long way little Bri!

Once I got to the airport, Rach and I loaded and unloaded my massive luggage so that we would only have to pay the overweight for one bag and not both. (Now that I am here I realized I took way too much stuff, but isn’t that always the case?) Anyway, Rach and I had to say our goodbyes and go our separate ways. It wasn’t fun but I think we were both strong. We both consciously made an effort not to dwell on what was really happening and tired to stay positive. I miss Rach all the time but manage to get by without. Not having a constant sidekick is tough and will take some time getting used to but we’ll make it work.

I hopped on a flight to LAX and honestly don’t remember much about that leg of the trip. I probably listened to music or slept or who knows but it was a quick flight and it feels like years ago. Once I found my next gate in L.A. I called Rach for the last time on my phone before I put it away for 3 months and boarded a plane heading for Tokyo, Japan. The flight was brutally long, about 13 hours long. I spent the trip watching movies, reading a little bit, drifting in and out of sleep, and eating the delicious airplane food (insert sarcasm here). The main thing that I came away with from this flight was that my 6’2” frame is not meant to spend long hours in a cramped, seated position.

I landed in Tokyo and a couple of hours to kill so I walked around the airport and tried to get a feel for where I was. After Tokyo, I got another plane to Incheon, Korea. The flight from Tokyo to Korea was about 3 hours and I finally got some legitimate sleep. I don’t remember anything about the flight, which is a great thing. I landed in Korea at about 10:45 on Tuesday night. This means that my travel covered from Monday morning to Tuesday night. But wait, it’s not over.

To be continued...

The Month of May

In the month of May I have been a professional, a mother, traveler, an adventurer, a birthday celebrator, and a newly claimed single lady.

It has been quite an adventure, the month of May. I have taken on many roles and have loved some and hated some. It's a big month. It began with a big load of work. Lots of it for me. It transistioned into a trip to Vegas to become a momma for my 3 cute nieces. Learning experience- yes. It was also a farewell family Orr trip to Vegas to celebrate Spencer and his brother's birthday and give him a goodbye with a bang. See here why it was worth the trip:

Logan loves uncle Spencer...probably because he gives her whatever she wants

Most adorable girl ever...ever

Well, after the big goodbye, Spencer ended up not leaving. Humph. He had trouble with his Visa and ended up being able to stay an extra 2 weeks. Not gonna lie, I was a little bit ready for him to go. I mean mentally prepared and stuff. But the last little bit with him was SUPER fun and adventure packed.

Monday- We had Spencer's birthday date at the mall, Sugar House BBQ (his fav), and Pirates 3D.

His travel birthday presents

Tuesday- we watched the stars together in Midway (my fav).

Wednesday- we went Spencer birthday shopping and had dinner with our buds Criag and Kacie. Thursday- We got home taught, ate for the last time at our favorite taco shop, Diegos and went to the temple. It was a sweet evening.

Friday- I had the afternoon off so I went golfing with Spencer and his bros. Beautiful day and funtastic. Then I had a meeting for my newest wedding planning job :). After which Spencer's family surprised me at the Park City outlets to buy me stuff and take us to dinner. The night didn't really start until we ended up at Walmart buying my hubby his last tidbits for his trip. But somehow Brian, Lexi and us ended up in the craft isle in awe of boondoggles, velvet paintings and sand art. Lex ended up with the Sand Art, I with the Dora Giant Coloring pages, and the boys with legos. After more adventuring with toys and goodness, we spent the night doing our marvelous crafts until 4am. It was the best slumber party.

Saturday- After my day of work and weddings, and my boss giving me a mango cheesecake for my b-day celebration that weekend (SO delicious), Brian, Lex and Spence surprised me with Real Salt Lake tickets in club seats with free food. SO free they put $0 next to it. Unlimited awesomeness. It was raining, it was fun and Jimmer sat behind us. Hate on me hater.

Sunday- My impromptu birthday celebration with Spencer's family. It was perfect and I got so much goodness. We celebrated early because Spence wanted to be here for it and I'm aiming to be in Vegas this Sunday. It was our last night and we all stayed up watching movies and trying to get Spencer on Korea's schedule.

Our decorating....awesome AND the mango cheesecake...awesome

Every holiday please...a Disney movie

Monday- Goodbye to Spence in the morning, where he said goodbye for good to his bro who leaves on his mission in July...saddening. After which I visited my grandma and omas graves, ran some errands, took a nap and spent the day eating and relaxing and watching movie after movie with Spencer's parents and little bro, who I had slumber partied with that night.

SOOOO long month short. It was jam packed and lots happened. But it was perfect. And I am glad I could have a little longer with the MR. before we parted. More on our parting to come. I'm doing ok though. Great. Waiting to be able to speak to my dear husband. Enjoying work, my calling, and laying out and water slides with my newest gal pal. Keep me entertained people, I'll probably need some friends.

Tornado Relief

A lot of you who read this know the lovely, adorable, and truly amazing Rachael James Mulder. With that, I'm also assuming you know that her and her hubby Dan live in Alabama and are survivors of the destructive tornados that hit last week. I know the Lord has a loving hand over their life and that he knows how much the two of them have to do on the earth because their lives were spared while hiding in a bath tub.

The two of them have been making national news all week. I think it's because they have voices that are worth hearing and they are so selfless in wanting to help others who experienced the same tragedy they have.

It's such an odd thing when someone you love so much is involved in something so devastating so far away from you. How can you even begin to understand what that person is going through and how can you help? I don't know. I feel helpless for her and everyday think of what an amazing example she is to me. Luckily, she is taking steps forward in providing a way we can help.

Check out this website and donate ANYTHING you can to help them and many others.

HEARTS FOR TUSCALOOSA

Think of all you have at this moment in your life and everything they have lost. Keep Rachael, Dan and all those in the south affected by this tragedy in your prayers, fasts and thoughts. And be grateful for each day you're given and the things that matter most in this life.

(Rachael I love you so much and am so grateful for you in my life and for your undying faith. RachUL love)

See Rachael's interview on CNN's "The Situation Room" here.

HAPPY EASTER!

Grateful for this day and what it means to my life now and in the future. Grateful for my Savior. Grateful for my life. Hope you are too.

The kids table...wait what?

Fear the Beard

Mario jump for joy!

Please, just one more week!

Good news! Spencer got an extra week and doesn't leave until the 17th! Let the planning begin.

(And I also have to give a shout out to life as of late because so many things are coming together so well and working out great. Gee, thanks life. Keep it up.)

Bomb Dropping

I'm going to drop some bombs right now that are exploding into my life as of late.

Bomb #1 (The good, exciting, relieving, but crazy bomb)

SPENCER'S MOVING TO KOREA FOR THE SUMMER! ...just Spencer...

-So...hmm, right. Well for the last 4 months Spencer has been working towards getting this internship through his program (it's a city called Daegu in a company's marketing department). It's been the longest process of my life, probably his too, but this is me talking. SO LONG. I mean, if you're going to be living in another country for a summer, you wanna give yourself some time to get your affairs in order. Well we're so excited to FINALLY know, but really, he leaves May 10th! So, I have less than a month left with my husband before he leaves me. Thanks Korea. Honestly though, we're so so greatful to finally know.And for the fact that he worked so hard to beat everyone out and he got it!

Now I know what you're thinking, what...you're not going with him? Nope, I'm not. And...you're not moving home? Nope, I'm not. Spencer and I have had 4 months of constant thinking through this and it just came to work out that this was best for us. We weren't sure whether I would be able to go with him because it's an internship through the school and he'd be going with other students and so on and so on, so we ruled that out first. Then there's my job. I love it. And my boss asked me months ago if I would stay on summer as her full time assistant. I know she'd understand, but I'm not the type of person that wants to just screw someone over. Also, it's a good experience for me. SO...it will be a summer for experiences and distance.

BUT the best part is that I'm going to go out there for a few weeks in the end! I've always wanted to go to Spencer's mission and see where he was able to serve. Both our parents (dad, I know you want to) want to come too so it will be a blast. Definitely a new experience. And I am so so proud of Spencer for putting is mind to it and following through. I know he'll be great.

Bomb #2 (The sucky, ouch, crap-I'm an adult now bomb)

Remember my blog on soccer and my team and my love for it and all. Well of course in the next game I go to shoot the ball and this DUDE takes me out and pop goes my knee. A soccer players worst nightmare. I was in total shock. So after a night of Spencer taking care of me and my dad giving me a reality check on health insurance, I went to the doctor and found out that I tore my meniscus (which is the cartilage in the middle of your knee)and possibly my mcl. I thought it was my ACL, which is bad, so it was relief to not have that. I didn't want an MRI/didn't want to pay for it, so I decided to wait and see what I needed to do for it. After 3 weeks of drugs, crutches and canes (and a whole lot of funny limping) I've definitely seen some improvement, but I still may need surgery. I have had to let Spencer take of me a lot and I do not like to be vulnerable or rely on other people or have people help me out/cut me slack (although it didn't hurt at the airport as they shuffled me past security lines and pre-boarded me), so it's been a good experience to let that happen. It's very humbling not being able to do everything I want/need to. And the fact that Spence and I are learning how to deal with this kind of stuff in our adult life together is good. SOO cross your fingers...doctors visit soon!

Oh and that DUDE never said sorry or anything! No one on their team said anything to me!! Punks.

Bomb #3 (The fun, not that explosive bomb)

I was released from the relief society presidency a month or so ago, bitter sweet, and have been callingless just for that short time. Today I was called as the Primary/Nursery president (we don't have that many kids). I was surprised and a little overwhelmed, but after checking it out today and learning what to do I'm real excited. I think it will be perfect since Spence won't be at church with me all summer. Let me know if anyone has any advice! Yay for playdough and snacks in church!

Bomb #4 (The I'm running out of bombs bomb)

I'm pretty sure that I could watch this show on a loop for most of the day, all the time. Parks and Recreation is comedy I wish was in my daily life. Why aren't all things this funny. AND Rashida Jones is basically my doppleganger when I'm tan so...there ya go. Bomb dropped.

I hope those explosions were decent enough for you. Life is definitely at a turning point right now. Somehow I have to try to do all the fun things I wanted to do with Spencer this summer in 3 weeks, and still work, so busy we will be. Hopefully we're on a bomb break for a while!

(This is what I wish we were doing this summer. If anyone needs a lake buddy let me know!)

SLC Temple Trip

Spencer's brother Brian got his mission call to some place I can't spell or pronounce, Brazil. He leaves in July and we're all so excited for him. We were able to attend the temple with him and experience that moment with him. Needless to say, it was amazing. His cousin Sean also was going through the first time as well so much of the family was in attendance, which is always special. Bri was so smiley. Afterwards we grubbed at Chuck a Rama...delightful.

The Missionaries, with a spot for the sousin that's already left


Orr Bros
Orr Clan

Wittwer Clan