The last few weeks...

...have been VERY busy. I'll try to fill you in and keep things brief.
My dad's only brother, Steve, passed away on May 29th after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. It was a very sad occasion and he will be dearly missed. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, coworker, and friend to so many. I haven't been to many funerals in my lifetime, and I'm very grateful I could attend this one. As hard as it is, I think it is very healing to be surrounded by family, friends and loved ones during such times. Steve's parents, siblings, children and grandkids were there, as well as my parents and all my siblings. the funeral service in Utah was beautiful, as was the graveside service in Idaho.
Steven Ray Sorensen was born Oct. 18, 1949, in Mesa, AZ, to Bert and Raeola Sorensen. His early years were spent at the P.Z. Ranch near Winkelman, AZ. By age five, his family had located to Phoenix, AZ; and at age 14 to Winslow, AZ, where Steve graduated from Winslow High School in 1967.Steve began college at Northern Arizona University on a music scholarship. He interrupted his education to serve as an LDS missionary in the Kentucky/ Tennessee mission. After his mission, he continued his education at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID, and later at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, where he earned a B.S. in history and a M.S. in library science.Steve's greatest loves were his family, LDS church history and fishing a dry fly. In 1974, Steve married Mareen Peterson in the LDS temple in Provo. In 1980, he began a distinguished career as an archivist for the church, serving many years as the Director of Church Archives, a stimulating job that took him to many areas of the world. Steve's significant contributions to the preservation of the church's history were acknowledged by many, including the Mormon History Association, which awarded him its highest distinction in 2006. At the time of his death, he was an editor of the Joseph Smith Papers.Steve's earthly life ended May 29, 2009, at the Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA, where he had been a lung-transplant recipient following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He slipped quietly away surrounded by his wife and seven children.Steve is survived by his wife Mareen; seven children, Dane (Cassandra), Kirsten (Jason) Carson, Andrew (Merilee), Ernest (Melanie), Jon, Annikka (Jason) Fluckiger, Curtis (Emily); 11 grandchildren; five siblings Douglas, Susan Bryson, Andrea Rhoton, Gwen Higginson, Jean Zufelt; and his parents.Steve's family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at the Stanford University Medical Center, including the Heart and Lung Transplant team, as well as Dr. Tracy Hill in Provo, UT, who worked tirelessly to allow Steve to spend more precious time with his family and loved ones.

Engagement pic of Steve and Mareen.

Steve with his Dad when they returned from their mission to the Philippines.

Steve and my Dad on one of their MANY trips together.

There are countless pics of Steve with his grandchildren- he Loved spending time with them.

The Cabin in Idaho

The Grand Tetons in Idaho.

I flew to Utah Thursday morning to attend the funeral that morning. I stayed at my sister's house and spend thursday and friday with her and lola and the rest of my family. Saturday morning we drove to Idaho for the burial in Ashton, and then drove back to utah late Sat afternoon, so we could get up Sunday morn and drive back to Arizona. It was a lot of driving, but I'm so glad I was able to attend. It gave me more a sense of the wonderful family I'm a part of and I'm so proud of the heritage I have.

This was the Last pic I took with my camera on my trip before the battery died :( Just Lola and I brushing our teeth together. She loved to come in the bathroom while I was getting ready and play along. I wish I had a pic when she put eye shadow all over her face!!

A picture from one of the Many stops I made with Dan and my Parents on our drive home from Utah. It was a Long drive, but quality time with my family. This pic is from when we stopped at Lee's Ferry. We got out and wandered over to Lonely Dell while my dad gave us history of the area and the people who settled it. It is an area that he had visited with his brother, Steve, so I felt like we got more information than the average traveller. Steve was a Historian for the Church, and Exceptionally knowledgeable about the early history of the church in Utah and Arizona.

Back in Arizona, I had only ONE WEEK left at my current job. It flew by so fast! I have been working at Physiotherapy Associates in Tempe, AZ since September. While I have enjoyed working there and learned a lot, I have felt strongly for a while that it is time for a change. I'm not looking for a change in job, but more a change in Career. I have been working as an Athletic Trainer since I graduated 4 years ago. I enjoy my work, but I am totally burned out on the hours and having work dominate my life. So after a couple vacations, I'm looking to get back into school and maybe get my teacher certification. Still weighing my options :)

These are pics from my last day of work. The little package i'm holding is actually my Gigantic Purse- graciously saran-wrapped and compacted by a few of my co-workers. Thanks a lot guys :)

One of the therapists I work with was also leaving Physio- so we had a big get-together at Majerle's in chandler. I didn't take any pics that night, so I had to steal some from other people.
Bethann and Austin.

My favorite girls I spent the last 10 months working with! Nicole, Megan, and Katsy.

The last thing I need to blog about is my trip to Texas this last weekend. I had not been planning to go back to Texas anytime soon- I was just barely there 5 weeks ago. However, I was talking to Marcy on the phone Thursday night and he informed me that he was planning to get baptized on Saturday evening. I knew that Marcy had started attending church and meeting with the missionaries, but he hadn't mentioned much about how things were going, and I'm not one to push. Then with everything that was happening with my family and the funeral and travelling, he didn't feel appropriate bringing it up. I am So glad he told me when he did! Thanks to helpful parents and a VERY generous family friend, I was able to arrange a flight out Saturday morning and make it in time for the baptism! SO- after a 12 hour work day friday and a party at Majerle's, i made it home late friday night to make hotel arrangements, rental car, and cancel/reschedule everything i had planned for the weekend. I got it all pulled off, and surprised Marcy at his house Saturday afternoon about an hour before the baptism!!

The baptism was a Beautiful service. His parents and sister came and were Very supportive. There were also a lot of ward members there. I'm excited for him and it comforts me to know that he has so much support from friends and members of the ward.

This is outside the church after the baptism.

The rest of the weekend was a lot of fun!!! It was one of the Only trips I've had to texas that I wasn't on a tight schedule and just had time to relax and enjoy myself. Marcy and i were able to spend a lot of time together, talking and learning and connecting- it was just Really good!

Sunday afternoon we got to spend a few hours with good friends and their new baby. I felt so at home there and enjoyed catching up with people that were like family to me while I lived in Texas. We got to have dinner Sunday evening with Marcy's family. I love hanging out with them and they always make me feel like part of their family. This is a pic of Marcy's parents- they are Awesome!!

Monday was a nice day that Marcy and I got to spend together- and we kept ourselves busy. We went to lunch, and bowling, and swimming at the hotel, and dinner, and went and hit golfballs at the driving range! It was just a Fun day!!

We bowled 3 games- and the scores of the last game were pathetic- but i'd like you to notice the Overall Scores of the 3 games. I Finally found something I can beat Marcy at!!

So I was in Texas from Saturday to Tuesday. I had a great time and I'm SO glad I got to go and be a part of such a special event in Marcy's life and hope that I can be a continued support for him as he continues to learn and grow in the gospel.

As for me- I'm back in Phoenix and working on a plan for my life. I'm headed to San Diego next week for a vacation with Julie. and Then up to Utah for a few days. Eventually I'll come up with a plan and start acting like a responsible adult again. For now I'm enjoying vacations and trying to figure things out :)