GUESS WHO CAME TO LUNCH TODAY?

First of all, a GINORMOUS thank you to all of those who have reached out to show me your love and support.  I can't even tell you how much your kind words and thoughts mean to me.  Wow!  I am so lucky to have such great friends!

Second, I wanted to give you a quick Ray-Day update, but should probably give just a little background info first.  About 2 weeks ago I went in for what they call a mapping appt.  A bunch of scans were taken and I was given 5 dot tattoos, which will be used each time to line up my body with the radiation machine (which, btw, is amazing... see pics).  It is important to be in the same exact position every day, so that the radiation can be delivered to the same exact spot.  Today's appointment was basically a 'dress rehearsal' to make sure everything was programmed correctly and lined up perfectly.  Tomorrow begins actual treatment.  I'll keep you posted.

Check out that machine! The entire thing rotates.

My new friends were very nice

"I got this!"

Finally, check out this hunk of a guy I got to go to lunch with yesterday:

This man right here is my everything and is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  During this whole process he has been so incredibly sweet, attentive, helpful, and just the best support ever.  But that's how he always is.  I am one lucky lady!

SPOTLIGHT:
For those who don't know him very well, let me just tell you a short history.  He grew up in Pasadena, so he will always be a California boy at heart.  He was a bit of a crazy teenager (he said I could say that), but BYU and a mission to Brazil tamed him (mostly :)  We met shortly after he returned from his mission, dated for 2 years and got married in the L.A. temple in 1994.  Definitely the start of an amazing adventure.

Steve is someone who gets the most out of life that he possibly can.  By that, I mean that he works hard and plays hard.  He gives his all in every aspect of his life.

1.  Work - he has always worked in technology sales and has been with Oracle for the last 10+ years.  He loves his job and is extremely good at what he does.  He takes his role as provider very seriously and has always worked extra hard so I could stay home with the kids. I admire that tremendously!

2.  Play - there is not a lot that this man doesn't do!  His current love and addiction is mountain biking.  Right now he is training for the Park City Point to Point Race in August (an extremely difficult 80-mile bike race in the hills of Park City. You couldn't pay me to do that!)  But you can also find him snowboarding at Snowbird most weekends in the winter, playing tennis in St. George, running a Ragnar Relay Race, wakeboarding at Lake Powell or Utah Lake, golfing with his dad... shall I go on?  Aren't you exhausted just reading about it?  Yes, this man is always going and I love him for it (but I don't love all the expensive gear that goes along with all of these sports. hehe).
 
3.  Religion - Steve is one of those guys who consistently and silently lives a righteous and virtuous life.  His testimony of this gospel is firm and unwavering and I respect him tremendously for this.  He often reads his scriptures while spinning at the gym, ALWAYS says his prayers and would do anything for anyone in need.  I am thankful for his example and leadership in our family!

4. Family - above all else, his family comes first.  He cherishes time spent with his family - usually doing one of the many activities listed above.  As a dad, he is so much fun.  He is a huge teaser, but the kids have all learned to throw it right back at him.  It's hilarious!  He is the dad that will help drive carpool, take the kids and all of their friends boating (or even to Lake Powell for 4 days), teach them to surf, snowboard, mow the lawn, do algebra, golf, etc.

5. Misc. - another thing I have to point out about Steve is that he is extremely intelligent.  Nevermind that he can do hard crosswords in no time flat (usually during sacrament mtg), but his head is also chalk full of knowledge and random trivia - history, geography, current events, and don't even get him started on sports.  He also often uses words that I have never heard in my life.  Smartypants!

Okay, I could just go on and on about this man that I love so much, but I promised to write posts, not books.  Let's just say that I scored BIG-TIME in the hubby department and that I love him more than anything in this world.

We chose to go back to our CA roots and go to lunch at In-N-Out.  Our all time favorite fast food restaurant and arguably the best hamburger ever! (p.s. did you know they have a secret menu?  Next time ask for your fries 'animal style'.  You won't regret it.)

Our favorite burger joint

Where the Diet Coke flows

We left this tray spinning

Thanks for a fabulous lunch date, babe.  Love you!

Aly