Apart of the Gang, even when the Gang's Not all There

I seem to only get to see my dad once a year. It feels like the absolute worst thing that could ever happen to me considering how close we are. I am A LOT like my dad. Sometimes too much. I got to go home and see my dad for a long weekend. Going down the escalator I see my dad the only one standing out of everyone else around him sitting. It felt like I had a number one fan again. My dad has always cheered me on. This may sound extreme but everytime I see my dad I just bawl. We have that special father daughter connection that a lot of people don't understand because they don't have it. Well my dad with a big smile and watery eyes and arms opened wide said "welcome home princess". This was the most comfort and love I had felt in a long time. I love my dad so much. As we are both choaking back the tears trying not to cry (we don't cry in front of eachother, only through the phone), we started reminiscing about good old days. My dad has dedicated so much time and energy into me and to think that it all kind of stopped when I went off to Utah really sucks. I mean of course the time and money put into me being out here is something but to actually spend time with my dad is different. I have learned almost everything I know from him. My dad is one of the smartest people I know next to my mother. Well we got back to the house, and home is definitely different. My mom took everything so the house is bare and the walls are empty. However, it still felt like home. I guess I would call it my safe haven. My home is really the only thing I have left of when my family was once happy. I remember building that house with my dad. I was 6 yrs old. I helped him grout the tile every piece of it, the whole yard was done by us as a family, the pool I helped him build and endless hours on the bobcat. In the front yard the grass trim is cement and my sister and my initials are in the cement. I still have my basketball hoop where I played countless hours with the neighborhood boy or my parents. It doesn't matter how empty  that house was it was full of memories. Its hard to think that my family has all gone separate ways. Its like they all took a little piece of me with them. Sometimes it makes me feel empty. I had never been homesick in four years, and the instant of walking into the house its like four years of bottled up emotions poured out of me. My dad went to bed and I went into my bedroom. My room was the only room with some material memories. I walked into my closet and it was just the way I left it. I had trophies, old photos, and some old kiss marks some friends and I had made on a mirror. I went through my box full of memories. I have old journals, old photos, leters. So much of my life in one box. Some of the things I saw was like reopening a scar of bad memories but others were happy moments that I could remember shaping my life. The worst part about getting home was my kitties. Bubba was my cat. He was more like a dog which everyone loved. He didn'y even remember me. He has gotten so old. Since my dad is always out of town he has learned to fend for himself and has become wild. The cat that used to purrr and just want to cuddle all day didn't even let me touch him. Oreo the other kitty was mainly my moms. She only liked her and would follow her all over the house. Well as my mom left she took everything but her kitty. Oreo doesn't leave the front porch. In fact, all she does is meow. Its like she is constantly sad always looking for my mom. After all of this dramatizing stuff I finally had a good weekend.
The next morning I woke up pretty early to watch the sunrise in my backyard. My backyard is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been. It was so relaxing. My dad woke up and he walked out with some presents for me. It was so cute. He told me that when ever he is out and about, if he see's something that reminds him of me he buys it. One of the things he gave me was a shirt that said "everyone loves an angel". I'm his little angel. I guess I will not know what it is like to be a parent for a while but I imagine that my dad would do anything for me. I mean he worked his whole life for me and was there for everything. To be able to give me a present to him was the smallest thing that he could do. Its funny how at this age getting a present means a lot. I just don't understand to the exent that he loves me and I'm not sure I ever will.  We got all ready for the day and went out on the town went to run a few errands and hung out by the pool. Then my dad bought us amazing tickets to the Blake Shelton concert. It was so crazy cool. Our seats were so close that I could see the sweat on their faces. The Band Perry was my absolute favorite. I don't think I have ever rocked out or danced so hard in my life. I can't even begin to explain how cool it was. I had always wanted to go to a country concert! We got to see my aunt Toni and uncle Joe there too. We didn't get to sit in the same section but it was fun bumping into them. To get out the the concert my dad and I were literally out in the country. Just fields and fields of farming. We thought that it was so perfect. After the concert we ran out to the car, my dad totally passed me up. My dad was running in the the middle of the road and some traffic director kept blowing her whistle at us "get off the road". We didn't care!
We drove home and the next morning we got all ready and headed up towards Lake Tahoe. We have always wanted to do this one hike but were never able to becaue my life was consumed with sports that we were doing that every weekend. Its called Horse Tail Falls. We were lucky to get up there when we did because just a day a later a huge fire started up there that has just destroyed everything. The hike was fun and funny. We got lost a few times. Since you are hiking up huge pieces of granite there isn't always a definite trail. We got a lot of laughs out of it. The waterfall itself is beautiful. It has about 10 waterfalls all pouring down at different levels. It was so beautiful. We packed a lunch and ate up there. We had a good talk about there about life. We always have deep conversations. Its something we both enjoy. On the hike down I literally was sliding all over the place. My shoes had no grip. My dad got so scared I was going to fall off a cliff at some points. We got back home and we were pooped. So we took a dip in the pool and passed out. We woke up starving so my dad took me and my aunt and uncle out to dinner at BJ's. The best thing there is the dang Pazookie. I make my own version but something about theres is so good. We talked for forever. My aunt told me that she has lung cancer and another disease that they don't have a cure for where he lungs just harden up. The doctors told her she had 5 years to live 2 years ago. It was so sad to hear, but she was so positive about the whole thing. She is such a fun lady and I can't even imagine the havic her and my dad caused when they were younger. After dinner we went and rented a movie and we watched that all night.
The next morning my dad had to leave town for work. I got so emotional thinking of him leaving a day earlier than planned. I had to stay in my house of memories by myself. Not a good combo. Luckily my old friend Jenno from next door came over. We went and got pedicures and caught up. I hadn't hung out with her in close to 6 years. She was still the same funny Jenno I remembered. She then left and I had the whole house to myself.
A lot of thinking went down when I was there by myself. I had a self realization about who I am, and whol I am when I am the happiest. I have changed a lot in Utah to someone I don't like. I saw how distracted I was and how dedicated I used to be in school. It was honestly really hard to have that really real moment with myself but it was needed. I now have a clear head and a clear understanding of who I am and how I don't ever want to let that part of me go.
I love my parents very much I don't want it to seem like a tribute to just my dad. Both my parents are the world to me. It's amazing how I only have a certain amount of time with them here. I hope that I can move closer to them. I don't want the good years to be gone too soon.

I am apart of the James Gang even if the gang isn't all there.

Quick Trips & Lasting Memories

So I wasn't scheduled for four days of work which means my first instinct was to go to San Diego. We were planning on leaving on a Thursday, but I tricked Jordan and released his shift and we left Wednesday night! SUPRISE! Well we drove, which actually meant Jordan drove and I was crazy doing funny improvs that ride down. You would be surprised by the voices I can make. Jordan doesn't think I'm funny but I at least get a kick out of myself. We actually brought our son with us as well. We wanted him to experience the beach, especially since he had a doctor appointment to get his nuts out the following Tuesday. It was a present. We stopped at In-N-Out in St. George and we had to tie Leo down because he wanted my burger and shake so badly. He is definitely a Hier. 

On Thursday we met Rick for lunch and Fudruckers which I have never tried. I got a fried chicken thinking maybe this won't make me sick. Unfortunately, anything fried I cannot digest, its a curse. Then we went to look at their rental house in Mira Mesa. They remodeled the whole inside. It looks beautiful. If only Jordan and I could move into it NOW. We then traveled to see Tam and all of her little babies. They are all getting so big the twins are almost as tall as Aubrey. The twins are also such cuddles. For a first we also had to leave a restaurant before we even got our food. The babies were OUT.OF.CONTROL. So we boxed everything up to go instead and put the babies to sleep.

Tam and the twins! 

Friday was the best day ever at the happiest place on Earth. DISNEYLAND. We decided to try something different while we were in Southern California. We got there so early and we were the first in line for Indiana Jones, my favorite ride. Since it was so not busy the first hour I got to go on all of my favorite rides without waiting in any line. We went to Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Carribean, Haunted House, and Splash Mountain. I was in Heaven!!!Honestly we had such a blast. I ended up getting motion sick, which was a buzz kill, but we still had too much fun. We ate at the rainforest cafe, and every time the animals went wild,especially the gorilla, Jordan was like "chill bro". I was really looking forward to my dole whip, but the line was an hour. No ones got time for that. Maybe Christmas time. 

We had to have a beach day so Saturday it was. We all had a lot of fun, relaxing time. Jordan went out to boogie board but the current was so bad I couldn't even make it out the good waves without being pushed a mile down the beach. We put the little twins on the boards and held them on it as the waves came it. I don't know if they liked it or not. Aubrey is still a little scared of the water if no one is holding her but its cute. I successfully put a diaper on a baby and got her dressed. FINALLY!!

Cuddles

My Sweez and I

Everytime we end going to San Diego we never want to leave. It's where we both have always wanted end up. Being with Rick and Toni is always so funny and we love just hanging out with the family. The night before we left I went to bed before everyone else. I woke up at 3am and all the lights were on. I was so confused and surprised that everyone would still be up. I went pee and then got back in bed and outside my door, I hear "Elle" and I thought it was Jordan but it was little Richard. My name has turned into Elle or LoLo around there. He told me that Jeff and Katie had just had their baby and the baby was being life flighted. They got all packed up and were going to drive straight to Utah. Jeff and Katie had their little baby Jeffrey Jr. 11 weeks earlier. He was 2lbs 11oz and already a fighter. So we all headed back up to Utah.
School started and 18 credits wasn't as easy as I thought, but I am passionate about all of my classes. Then we got to meet baby Hier on Tuesday. Seeing how small baby Jeffrey Jr is made me start crying. HE IS A MIRACLE. I guess it changed my thinking very quick on life. I never saw how fragile it could be. I had never gone to a hospital and especially not to see one in the NICU. To see his little lungs moving up and down, him blowing bubbles with his mouth, and even the little cry that would eventually come out. How could something so small be so much like us. To see Jeff, and Katie was so cute. They were so happy. Of course they were scared, but that happiness was definitely overflowing. Such a good thing and good experience for me. Hopefully this weekend we can get some time to come back up. 

On a side note I am really good at making Korean food, I just learned to wear my lab goggles to avoid any burn from spice. I learned the hard way.

First week of school down :) The weather has been amazing with all the storms, I can't wait for fall!! Leo is growing, FAST. I love everyone so much especially my family. So grateful to be so blessed.

XOXO

LO

Mentally Somewhere Else

Everything you heard about us was soooo last month time for a UPDATE! Can I just say how much I love change! I have been thinking about the future so much. There are just so many options I can't choose. I'm super smart to sound confident not cocky. Not just book smart but street smart. Career options are completely endless except for the fact that every place wants a silly piece of paper to say I passed a few classes... Well I decided I am continuing my education, dental hygiene is till in the cards but I definitely want to sort out my options. My goal is to do just a million internships figure out what truly interests me. I always wanted to be a dental hygienist. Actually I was told I wanted to be one. My whole life my parents drilled my mind to make $100,000 on my own in a marriage. Now that they are divorced they seem to care a lot more about me and what really makes me happy. I think the fact that I pay for my own schooling also helps with the open mindedness. Anyways I am taking 18 credits this fall.. I'M SO EXCITED. You think I am kidding but I am not. So many easy classes I might add. Might as well if Jordan is still in school. So I have been looking at a Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist. I like the way that rings! I'm only 22 and sooo young. I don't have any desire to have kids.. EVER. But I tell myself not to be so set on that considering my husband wants three. Maybe when I am 30. In the mean time I want to be free. 

I've been thinking. We want to travel a lot. Currently we are saving up for our trip to South Korea, and Cape Verde. Both are not scheduled but we are thinking sometime 2015. Can't wait. I also have the grand idea of going to Tonga to teach. While the sister missionaries were around I knew they were just wanting a break to talk about anything other than what they talk about all day so I asked how do I live in Tonga. She told me to go be a teacher. I would love to.. A CHEMISTRY TEACHER!! How fun would that be! Ugh I need to. Jordan isn't so grand on the idea but he can stay in boring America and I'll just come back over when I need to be fine tuned ;) JK! We also have been talking so much about just living on the bare minimum till we are ready to settle down.. Everyone calls us the couple that never stops playing. It's true. Just today there was a huge summer storm and we went outside and jumped on the tramp laughing our butts off at how I truly can't jump and when I did I slipped so bad. Its hard to jump on a wet trampoline okay?! Don't judge. So I don't see us settling down just settling in a house. My dad is super anxious for us to get a house. He knows how much I love not just interior design but the actual architecture. He bought me the Sims game when I was little just so I could build houses. A house will come eventually in the mean time I will continue designing that house on pinterest. 

Other updates are we got a kitten. We have a son. This is my practice child minus the diapers (which I have still never changed) and breast feeding or ruining my body. So pretty much I just feed him.. maybe not quite a practice child. We love him though. Jordan hated cats but I told him everyday how much I needed one and bam. This girl gets what she wants! His official name is Leonidas Jett Hier yes the Spartan. The cutest fluff ball spazz ever. He plays fetch. I'M NOT KIDDING! Its absolutely precious. We call him Leo for short its so much easier. He also made best friends with my cousins dog which consist of Leo attacking Cocoas tail. Its really just one sided except for Cocoa eats Leos leftovers. 

I also went brunette. I thought I would match my natural color as much as possible and see how I like it. I get a lot of compliments but something about having my Carmela hair made Jordan so lovey. Maybe I'll switch back slowly. I also have to hear my dad always say you look so much better NO MAKEUP NO HAIR COLOR. Do dads get paid to say these things or does a dads eye sight go bad once there daughter is a teenager to save themselves from heart ache?

 I'm still his little girl though. But my mom is a Carmel head and she gets hit on everywhere she goes. So "I got it from my momma" seems to be the case. Also Jordan has gotten less grey hairs and I think that is because less guys have been checking me out with the new hair. So I mean there is one plus for him.

As for the gym and my crazy motivation of being "skinny and fit" barf I stopped going. I had too many girls asking me how to be "SKINNY". Not something I want to promote. I was getting to skinny. In fact I lost my butt... Don't lose your butt it will be the saddest day ever. So now I just air squat if I do work out. My butt is back though. Thank goodness. Don't get skinny, be sexy. Otherwise your grandma will call and ask if you need food stamps and if that's why you are so skinny because you aren't eating. No grandma-ma.

Jordan got to meet my grandma for the first time. She flew out to see her sister and set aside a day to hang out with us. I love talking to my grandma and pretty much anyone her age. Just hearing what the days used to be like. We also met my cousins too! I never knew I had such pretty family. It was so nice just to visit with everyone. They all got to meet Jordan too.
Fourth of July was great my mom was in town so it was great seeing her! Shes one great lady so it's always nice to know I have a loving mom always to turn too. 

I still work at Texas Roadhouse. I have the hottest group of girl friends! Its ridiculous. Constantly building each other up. Even the guys we are all like one big pep squad (which I only know what that is from movies so I don't know if this is even relevant). Its honestly the best job ever I make about $20 an hour simply being myself and making sure there are always rolls, drinks are full, or suggesting the best bar drinks. I'm great at faking the best as much as I would love to try all of them and get crazy just a few times with my man. I honestly love my job though. My managers are amazing and it works great with my traveling desires.

We are currently in between houses. We have moved 7 times in the 10 months we have been married. Its actually pretty fun. My grandma calls me a gypsy or something but she is called willow women whatever that means so its not really a insult. 

Jordan is amazing too. I mean if I'm good he's good. Happy Wife Happy Life.

Mentally Somewhere Else traveling the world with no cares. 

Well Chou, 

My life is pretty ordinary but I love it. I'm not famous nor rich but I'm funny and sometimes cute Jordan says so I'll take it!

Hasta La Vista or whatever. 

Love you all for reading. 

KAUAI 2014

Well it's about time I write about this summer. You could say we started the summer out with a boom! After spring semester I graduated and I wanted to do something so fun so I planned that we would go to Kauai, Hawaii for a month. The whole month of May we were complete bums. It was amazing we got away from Utah for a while and were able to kick back and relax from school. Kauai was an amazing experience for many reasons. 

One reason is that Kauai is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Everyone says that the island as a whole is a spirit it will either accept you or it will get you off or at least try to get you out. I feel like we were really accepted. Being so majestic the beauty was on steroids it felt like. The most green I have ever seen. Not just green though it was tropical. Its like someone took a plane above the island and dropped seeds from every place of this Earth on the lands. Leaves would be bigger than my face, flowers were everywhere almost as if they bloom over night, and any waterfall looks like heaven is pouring out from the sky. I'm so grateful I was able to see so much in the time that we were there. The beaches are unlike anywhere I've been. The sand the water just everything was perfect. 

Another thing I feel in love with was the hikes. I love the outdoors especially when I am in a new place. I love just escaping into something other than the world. That might not make sense to you but I don't know any other way to describe it. Even when our family was with us I will still able to connect with my self. We went on a lot of hikes mainly to waterfalls which I am definitely okay with I love waterfalls! One hike was so fun! It had just been raining and the trail was knee deep with mud and we were all slipping everywhere. The mud also smelt like poop but we were all laughing it was a good time. 

I fell in love with the culture of the island. Family is everything there. You do everything with your family and friends everyday. They all get off, everything closes early, and they spend time with their family. It seemed like the highlights of their days, every day. The kids had so much respect for their elders. Even to me I would be called "Auntie" and Jordan was "Uncle". I loved it because that just made me feel like family. Most families have hardly any "things" yet they have everything at the same time. You don't need much to be happy on Kauai. 

I was also really grateful for my family. On Jordan's side I got to know each of them a lot more. I think it was exactly what I needed. My brother in law Trevor(who says we have no relation and can just be gay about it) was one of my favorites to get to know. I almost felt like I had an older brother. Pretty much he picked on me the whole time and that's what brothers do right? He was also a sport the whole trip. He just had a ear surgery that prevented him from getting in the water and he had to watch all of us have a good time. Next time though he can join the fun! My sister in law Tricia is pregnant about to have her baby in a few days actually but she is so fun! For being so pregnant she was not slowed down at all. Minus all the deep grunting you wouldn't even know she was pregnant and I guess the perfectly formed bump on her front gives it away too! But she taught me so many things about pregnancy that I now would be okay never having a child. All the things people don't tell you... Also I got to open up to her about a lot of stuff I can't open up to anyone about in Utah so that felt good. She let us into her home and we stayed in the most beautiful room. It doesn't necessarily have windows but shutters that would just leave open. It was so amazing. My brother in law Justin is what he think "my favorite brother" which he is pretty cool. Justin is such a hard worker and the whole time we were there you can tell his wheels are always turning trying to figure out how to make his business better. I had a lot of talks with Justin. He is so faithful in all his life decisions. He is definitely way to hard on himself about so many things but that's what we (his family) are all for to remind him that he is great! He let me and Jordan into his home and let us stay there when he was away in the mainland. They have the cutest house out in the middle of nowhere surround by a huge jungle with every kind of fruit tree in their yard. The house has a huge back porch too. It's so cute. Then there is the SASQUATCH. Yes Sasquatch is a girl. She is known as Tricia Hier through the land. She wiggles her mouth when she eats and she loves shiny things like her iPhone ;) If you want to catch Sasquatch just find an iPhone playing 1 Direction and she'll come running for you. JK Tricia :) Tricia is the closet to my age in the family. This girl is one working out machine. She is so dedicated to the gym and made me feel lazy the whole trip. I went running with her once. For everyone one of her steps I had to take two to keep up. She ran like 6 miles I think and after two for me I went and passed out on the yoga mat.  She is fun though and even though she loved the gym she didn't mind eating a pazookie with me.  Then there were all the dogs. I love them all so much and I realized I am a dog whispperer . Its cool I could probably get paid for it. 

On my side I got to see my Auntie Shannon. I hadn't seen her in 8 years. We were definitely totally different people when meeting so its like we had to get to know completely new people. It was cool getting to know all my family secrets. She really is such a hippie and I admire her for that. She is so relaxed and so happy. She is so sweet. She wants Jordan's family to be her family too and she will probably treat them like family forever. Which is what I always wanted. One big family. My aunt spoiled Jordan and I. She bought us a tour up to the Napoli Coast. The most magical place of the whole island. I fell in love with the beauty of Kauai on that boat ride. We snorkeled. I had fish touching me there was so many. The captain is good friends with Trevor so where ever I would swim he would throw in pretzels and all the fish would come right by me. It was unreal. Also he would pull the boat right up under these waterfalls and make sure Jordan and I were under the water. He was an awesome captain! I will always remember my aunt when I think of such an amazing adventure. Hearing the stories of the ancient Hawaiians that lived there gave me chills thinking of the huge cliffs they would climb up. My aunt is amazing. I love her for all that she is. Lets not wait another 8 years to see each other. 

Most importantly my husband. I learned so much about him. We had many adventures together and he learned a lot about me as well. When we thought we knew each other we didn't. We laughed so much and just enjoyed out time with everyone. I'm so grateful we worked so hard to make the trip possible. More memories to come!

I loved this journey and I will always remember it. Luckily I have a million photos to look back on.

We are now saving up for a trip to Cape Verde for next year 2015 sometime or 2016 depending on when our brother Jesse will be there. That will be an exciting experience. Until then we will have more adventures to come. I'm actually going back to school. I changed my mind of what I want to do so I have a few more classes I need to take and some internships. Jordan will be done with school too. He was supposed to be done a while ago but something always happens to where he can't whether he can't take a class because of a internship or something. We got all moved into our place when we got back from Kauai. We pay nothing. Its 650 flat for TV,Internet, and all utilities. The house is backed up to the the mountains and we also have a view of the lake. Its beautiful and I have fun running out here because of the views. I want to get a kitten. I think it would make me very happy. I'm starting a fund and I already have a name. Sooo that's pretty much it.

Here is the video from our trip! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKWlj0Qm5x0

Hope you enjoyed!
 OHHH and SHAKAUFAKA Hangloose!