The Andrea Bocelli Adventure

So the weekend of 12/7/13 started very snowy. Margaret and I headed out on our annual pilgrimage to a concert in Vegas, but it was a treacherous journey. We questioned our safety a few times, but we got through for Andrea!

We decided to stay the night in Vegas to avoid more dangerous driving situations. We stayed at The Rio and were upgraded to a VIP suite for free. This was because the guy checking us in thought two beautiful women deserved it...and they had lots of rooms available.
The concert was at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER BEEN TOO!!!!! That man is amazing. The first half of the concert he performed a lot of opera. He performed with Svelta Vassileva,  a soprano. They were amazing. I wish I could do something that cool. I was loving the opera, but I was getting anxious for some of his more popular stuff and some christmas music. I love christmas!

The moment that truly made the concert for me came next. Mr. Bocelli came out holding a flute and began to sing Ave Maria...best moment ever! He played the flute as well, which is awesome because the man is blind! It was so beautiful, I was on the verge of tears (which is saying something for me). He followed with Adeste Fideles (Oh Come All Ye faithful). Also awe inspiring!

After these two songs, the great Heather Headley came unto the stage! At first I didn't recognize the song, but it turned out to be the best version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" that I have ever heard. Her voice was incredible. I found out later that she is the original Nala from the broadway Lion King, one of my favorites! (picture courtesy of andreabocelli.com)

Next was Andrea singing "I Found My Love in Portifino" AWESOME! He then sang "When I Fall In Love" with Heather...very romantic and they were so good together! Then "Canto Della Terra" together! This is a beautiful song, I suggest looking it up on YouTube! They made it seem like this was the last song, but when Andrea got to the edge of the stage with the crowd going wild, he talked to the conductor and walked back on stage for an encore! He said "Because we are Vegas" and sang "Love Me Tender." Once again we thought this was the end and the crowds stood and went wild. And again Andrea walked to the edge of the stage and talked to the conductor. He did this to us an additional 2 times. He sang "New York, New York," "Time to Say Goodbye" (much to Margaret's happiness! This was the one song she wanted!), and he finished with "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot, an opera! Once he finished the last song, the audience in complete unison stood clapping and shouting!!! Seriously the best concert and one of the best performers. I loved it so much that for Christmas I sent my parents to the show in Phoenix the next night! They loved it!

So after the show, Marg and I feeling fancy took a taxi back to our hotel,

got hot chocolate and went to bed. We headed out the next day fully intended on getting back to Provo. The I-15 was closed due to the weather and the officials said it wouldn't be opened for 6-8 hours. We decided it would be worth it to just go home to AZ! My parents were super excited. I surprised my BFF Faith by making her believe we were going to skype then showing up on her doorstep! I'm an awesome friend :) It was nice to have a few days visiting friends and family! I miss my Harley guy! He's a real cool guy!
Marg and I then headed back home to Provo. It was a nice way to get over the weather! I miss warm sunny AZ and the people that live there! The concert was awesome and I can't wait to see who we choose next year to see! Good times!

I'm back, but in Utah.

SO it's been a long time.
I'm in Utah now. Living the high life...sort of. Why did I move? It felt right and my sister Margaret lives here. It's been 3 years since we were roomies.
What did  I do this summer? Worked hard to save money to move to Utah. My siblings that live out East came and visited for a few weeks. It was awesome. Margaret and I tried very hard to be the favorite aunts (we succeeded) and we all know that the way into the hearts of small children is roller-coasters and goodies! We did it all!

After a fun-filled summer I quit my job and moved to UT. That was back in August. I searched diligently for a job and found one that I was fortunate to get! I now work at Central Utah Veterans Home! A long-term care facility for our veteran heroes. I love this job! I love my veterans. It's an awesome job. I don't have very many awesome medical stories, but I do get small memories that help me to realize what's important. My veterans are at the end of life and they impart wisdom (whether they realize it or not) on a young inexperienced nurse. For example, this place proves the importance of family and those relationships. Also, the smallest act of kindness NEVER goes unappreciated. My veterans thank me for the service I do for them, but what they don't realize is how deeply grateful I am for their service and sacrifice. It's a wonderful job and if that's the only reason I was suppose to move, then it was all worth it.

So I hope to be motivated again in my blogging. I took a break, but I'm back with more adventures to report on!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Yay for fall!

Oklahoma!!!

There and back again!

 A Wade's tale!

So not last weekend but the one before, My family drove out to drop off my brother Mike and his family. It was a long drive and we only spent about a day in Oklahoma. A very quick trip for my parents and I. We calculated it and out of the 65 hours that was the trip, 48 of those were spent in the car driving. That's a lot of time! I spent a great deal of it sleeping when I wasn't driving. We left late Thursday evening and got to Oklahoma City late Friday night. We stayed with my cousin Michelle and her husband Mike! They were so nice to let us stay! The next morning we drove to Tulsa and unpacked! Thankfully, Mike and Jeani's ward came and helped unload. It made the job go quicker. My mom and I got to babysit Kayli one more time. She played a lot with Dot! When the job was done, we went to eat at Freebirds (I think it only exists in the Mid-West). It was yummy stuff. We then said goodbyes :( and my parents, Dot, and I drove home, getting to AZ Sunday afternoon. So you can see that it was a very quick trip.  It was fun even though it was so short and a lot of driving. We sang "Oklahoma" a lot and with every Wade trip there were a few misadventures and tender mercies along the way. (The truck broke down on the way there setting us back about 2-3 hours, but there was a gas station just a few miles ahead!) It was all good. It was sad saying goodbye, but my mom and I are already planning a trip out there in August. I will miss Mike and Jeani and my little tiny-person, Kayli Mae!! I love them and I hope they have a good time living in Tulsa!

Here are some photos (a lot of Kayli, including some older ones)

A new year, another story!

Happy New Year!

We are well into January (almost February), but I still want to reminisce about how great 2012 was and how excited I am for the new year! Yay 2013.
Milestones of 2012: (Click the links for the full story)
Graduating Nursing School!!!!
Passing NCLEX (scariest test in my life). They crush all confidence before they give you your license! But I am an RN now!!!
First Job as a nurse (which I love!)
The Hobbit (which I love!)
Falling deeply in love with cross-stitch (thank you Faith and Holly)
Six Flags in a day with Margaret and Jessica!
Hunger Games Midnight showing with Faith! (We are looking forward to Catching Fire!!! Who isn't?)
New Car (which I love!) I feel all grown up owning a car and paying for it! :)
New Babies, Anthea and Rigby! Super cuteness!
2 Nieces baptized-Yay January & Asia (they are so big)!
Surprising Mom for her birthday. (She has the best kids!) (link goes to my sister's blog!)
Ending the year with the Killers and Brandon Flowers!!!!

My hopes for the New Year!!!

1. Grad School...possibly. This goal is subject to change based on what's going on with my life.

2. Get into a healthy BMI, I'm working on being more healthy. Daily workouts and watching what I eat.

3. Cook Lobster and cook more in general. I don't really enjoy cooking, but I want to change that, so if anyone has any great recipes or suggestions, let me know.

4. Visit Mexico again-I haven't been since high school and I miss it!

5. Go to Temple once a week, at least visit.

6. Spend time outside everyday (It's been freezing lately).

7. Practice the piano a lot more. 

I can't wait to have another great year! Let's all make 2013 count! Live today!

Why I love Christmas...

It's the feeling of the season that gets me. The memories. It means family time. My family came in a week ago and we surprised my mom. She didn't know that my two oldest siblings were coming. It was a big surprise! Happy 60th Mom! Merry Christmas!