October Party #2

It seems that October was just one party after another.  The first was a Couples Costume Party that Spence and I were invited to.  Lots of fun people, delicious food, fun games, and costumes...what more could you want?  We went as Mr. & Mrs. Joe Dirt.  

October Party #1

I'm calling this a party even though it was more of an EVENT.  Anyway, we started October off with a trip down the Provo River with a bunch of friends from the ward.  It was advertised as "scary"...it wasn't really scary but it was a lot of fun.  The boys loved it!  And after, we went to a park and enjoyed hot chocolate & cookies, courtesy of Alissa Hyde.  These pics are horrible because I was taking them in the dark, oh well...

Thirty-Five!!!

Spencer turned 35 on Sunday, October 9th.  Although there wasn't a huge celebration (that's the way he likes it), we did enjoy the day with my sisters & their husbands.  (Spencer's parents had an important meeting that evening so they came over the following day.) I served Spencer's favorite meal: Ribeye Steak, Baked Potatoes, Corn, Rolls, and Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream.  He received some very nice gifts from his parents and mine, my sisters, and our little family and heard from most of our

siblings.  Happy Birthday, Spence!  We love you!

Fall Sports

Not really sure what we were thinking, but we were involved in fall sports with Owen, Gavin, & Cam.  Owen & Gavin played soccer, Cam played flag football.  Owen's team was the "Blue Fast Cheetahs" (don't forget the "fast"), Gavin's team was the "Fighting Ninja Dragons", and Cam's was the "Blue Skulls."  They had grandparents, aunts, &/or uncles at most of their games.  We are super glad the seasons are over and we can finally have our nights back!  I know this is just the beginning...and the boys really enjoyed their sports this season so it was totally worth it!

Bucket List: Run a 5K...check!

Last year, when I could barely move from the bed to the couch to the bathroom, etc, I said, "Next year, let's run a 5K!" And we all laughed.  I am not a runner.  I never have been.  If I had hit a homerun, I doubt if I could've run all the way around the bases without nearly collapsing.  So Spencer thought my statement was more than funny.

In the middle of the summer, when Emily was still living in Virginia, she told me that she had a secret desire to run a 5K and that she had started running in Virginia.  I was so excited because I'd found a running partner.  I told her that if she wanted to start training when she moved back home, I would train with her.  Then I told Spencer and Em told Jeff and by the time they had moved back, both Jeff & Spencer decided that they would join us in our adventure and we were all anxious to start training.  We only had 8 weeks until our race so we started training immediately.  We had heard about the online website "Couch to 5K" but it was a 9 week program so we used a similar program that I got through Weight Watchers.  The first day we ran 1 minute, then walked 1 minute, ten times.  That was hard!  But we kept going.  Our last day before the race we ran 20 minutes, walked 1 minute, then ran 20 minutes again.  We kept each other motivated and celebrated every success!  Spencer was always much faster than the rest of us.  As we trained, we would each go at our own pace.  Then at the appropriate time, we'd just turn around and run back to where we had parked our cars.  It worked for us because we'd begin and end together and we really strengthened our relationships through this process.

I took this with my cell phone on one of the first days of training.  This was the one & only time we took the babies & their double-stroller.  Cam babysat for us every other time!  He is awesome!

We started looking for 5K to sign up for.  We had a few qualifications for our first "race."

• Must be FREE.  I didn't want to spend money on something if I wasn't 100% sure we'd be ready for.  I'm cheap, what can I say?
• Must get a T-Shirt to prove we'd accomplished our goal.  (Honestly, we had to pay for the shirt but it was only $6 and with Free registration, I was happy to pay.)
• Must be a run for something I believe in.  I didn't just want to sign up for a race, I wanted it to have meaning.  We found a Breast Cancer run...which we are all passionate about since my mom's a SURVIVOR!
• Must be able to push a stroller.  Emily pushed Miley in her stroller every single training run.  She wanted Miley to be there with her when she crossed the finish line. 

All of our qualifications were fulfilled in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" 5K in Downtown SLC.  What we didn't realize when we signed up was that, although it was called a 5K, it was actually closer to 5 miles!  It was also an event that anyone could do.  In fact, most people walked.  

Em & I before the race.

Spence & I before the race.

Running in Honor of our mom...Jane Tew

Miley & Emily

Natalie, Spencer, Jeff, & Emily before the Race.  (It was cold!)

Emily & I decided that we would run for 20 minutes and then walk for a minute or two and then we could run again.  But when the 20 minute timer went off, I felt great and didn't want to stop.  So I kept running.  Then I started setting small goals in my mind, "I'll run for 5 more minutes," or "I'll run until the next intersection," or "I start walking when I pass that person."  But as each mini-goal would come and go, I'd just keep running.  It felt so good to know that I could do it! And I ran the entire (almost) 5 miles!  Of course, Spencer finished before any of the rest of us.  He was able to run the entire course as well.  Then he got our camera and took pictures of Emily & I while we were still running and at the finish line.  

It looks like I'm walking but I wasn't...just dragging a little after running for 45 minutes!  Em looks cute though!

Our silly husbands, posing of course!

After the race!

Once again, I look really dumb but I was overjoyed that we both RAN the entire thing!

Em was behind me most of the race.  That's me!

Run a 5K...check!

I am so proud of our accomplishment.  I remember hearing other people say that if you started a running program, you'd be hooked.  I never believed them.  But it's TRUE!  We are toying with the idea of doing a half-marathon in the spring.  We'll see!

I must give a huge shout out to my in-laws who came to our house early, before 7 am, and babysat the children.  Our race would not have been possible without them.  Thanks Dave & Tisa!

If you run, you are a runner.

It doesn't matter how fast or how far.

It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years.

There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. 

You just run.

~John Bingham, running writer and speaker

Principal's Award

The night before Spence & I left for Wyoming, I got an e-mail from Cam's teacher.  

It said, "We are having an assembly tomorrow to honor specific students. I chose Cameron as one, and if you’d like to come to the assembly it is at 2:30 tomorrow. It is a surprise, so if you could help keep it a secret that’d be great :)".  

I was so excited for Cam to be recognized but pretty sad that I wouldn't be able to go to the assembly.  I mentioned it to my mom but didn't expect her to load up the twins & Owen the next day.  However, Callie overheard the conversation and the next afternoon, Mike showed up at my house to pick up my mom and Owen and go to the assembly.  Emily came over to watch the babies.  Cam was recognized with a certificate that says, 

"This award is presented to Cameron Styer because he sets a good example for others by being kind and respectful to all."  

Cam didn't even notice Mike, Granny, & Owen in the audience until he was in the front of the assembly.  It really meant a lot to both of us to have someone there to support him.  

A Great Friend

Spencer and I have been married for 11 years.  During this time, we have made many good friends.  Our first friends that we made as a couple (where neither of us had previously been friends before marriage) were Nate & Kami Jordan.  Followed immediately by Tristan & Abbie Anderson.  We were in the same ward for 2 years.  We had Cameron, neither the Anderson's or Jordan's had children at the time.  Although we have all moved from the ward in Logan (Anderson's are still in Cache Valley) and lost touch along the way, we still consider them to be kindred friends.  We have been able to reconnect throughout the years and it seems as if no time has passed since our last communication.  We truly love them all.  We lost our dear, Nate, to cancer on Saturday, October 1st.  We were privileged to attend his funeral services with the Anderson's in Riverton, Wyoming yesterday.  

Before I go on, there is no way this opportunity would have been possible if it had not been for my fabulous family.  My parents had been on a cruise the previous week and were to fly in to Salt Lake Monday afternoon.  During their layover in Houston, my mom and I talked on the phone.  I told her about Nate's passing and how we were trying to finalize plans so that Spence and I could go to the funeral.  Emily had already volunteered to keep all 5 kids. Callie had already volunteered to let us take her brand new Jetta.  And before my parents left Houston, my mom sent me a text that said dad would take the shuttle back to Idaho and she would stay with our kids to help Emily.  She gave up 2 days of her vacation to help us.  Callie's husband, Mike ended up coming over in the afternoon to help entertain kids and to attend a school assembly where Cam was recognized (more on that in another post), Callie came after work, Emily was back and forth between our house and hers throughout the day, and we came home to 5 happy kids in bed and a clean house.  We appreciate it so much.  Words cannot adequately express our gratitude.  


Nate was diagnosed with Leukemia on May 2nd.  He and Kami went immediately to Denver to begin chemo treatments.  He received a bone marrow transplant in August.  He was released from the hospital and everything looked good.  He was readmitted in September and sent home a couple of weeks later.  The doctors said there was nothing else they could do.  We were very sad and began planning a trip to Riverton to say goodbye.  Kami was so positive and encouraged people to come visit.  Nate was in a ton of pain but enjoyed seeing friends and family.  We had made all the arrangements for us to leave Friday, September 30th and visit for the weekend.  However, Nate took a turn on Thursday and we (and others) were kindly asked to leave his remaining time on earth with his family. They knew it was getting close.  With heavy hearts we canceled our plans.  


Yesterday morning at 6:00, we left our house.  We were in touch with Abbie & Tristan and decided we would try to meet up with them somewhere in Wyoming so that we could travel the rest of the way together.  We tentatively planned to meet at a little town named Farson, population 326.  As we pulled in to Farson 3+ hours later and found a gas station, I called Abbie to see where they were.  Literally 30 seconds later, they pulled in to the gas station!  We asked the gas station worker if they could leave their truck parked there for the day and they loaded in with us.  The remaining 1 1/2 hours of travel went by so quickly.  We really enjoyed being with each other and quickly caught up on the past few years.  We laughed, we cried, we reminisced about our time in Logan as newlyweds.  We arrived in Riverton around 11.  We stopped and saw their gym, Iron Works. 

Abbie & I

Tristan & Spence

We ate lunch at Wendy's and changed into dress clothes.  We went to the church and saw Kami.  We hugged and cried.  We met their girls, Grace & Scarlett.  Because there was still an hour before the funeral service and the viewing was only open to family, we drove through Riverton and saw Nate & Kami's home.  Then returned to the church to honor our friend.  We learned a lot about Nate.  

We went to the graveside and got a little more time with Kami.  We talked about taking our families to Riverton, maybe in the spring?  We invited her to visit us in Utah.  We laughed.  We cried.  We hugged.  And after the luncheon, we drove home.  We are SO glad we were able to go.  

Spencer, Natalie, Kami, Abbie, Tristan

Nate was a big fan of comics.  He especially liked "The Punisher."  After the grave was dedicated, Kami and Grace approached the casket.  Kami let Grace put stickers on the casket, just like any 5 year old would want to!  They put 2 small Superman emblems (for Grace & Scarlett), one large Superman (for Kami), and a Punisher (for Nate.)  This little act touched my heart.  

Nate's Obituary:
"Nathan Samuel Jordan, 33, returned home to his Heavenly Father October 1, 2011 in Riverton, WY. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 5th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Wendell Richardson conducting. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Nate was born June 28, 1978, to Samuel S. and Mary Ellen (Hart) Jordan in Riverton.

Mr. Jordan graduated from Riverton High School in 1996 and then from Bridgerland Applied Technology College in 2004.

February 10, 2001, he was sealed to Kami Fabrizius in the Ogden Temple.

Nate was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in Ohio. He was also dedicated to the building of the Veil Crossing Monument at Martin’s Cove.

From 2004 until 2011, he worked for Dave Maddock and then in 2005, he and his wife opened the Iron Works Gym. He enjoyed powerlifting, where he maxed out at 425 lbs on bench and 505 lbs. on squat. He shared a love of comic book heroes with his daughters. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, and was known for always having a project on a vehicle. His family says that it was obvious to those who knew Nate that his faith and family came first in his life.

He was the founding member of the ½ ton club at Iron Works Gym. He also volunteered his time with the Fremont County Athletes. He also participated in Turn on Tonkin." 



I wrote the following for Kami but wanted to have it in our family history as well:

"On Saturday morning, October 1, 2011, Spencer and I went running. We run at different paces and usually get separated from each other. Such was the case that morning. When we got back together, Spencer told me that he had a strange, but very real feeling that Nate had passed on. Although we didn't know for sure, we knew. And we felt the loss. That evening, Spence & I went to dinner after he'd gone to Priesthood Meeting. We talked about Nate, our memories of him when we lived in Logan, and the way he'd changed our lives.

We met & became friends with Nate & Kami when we lived in Logan, around 2002. Nate drove a big white & blue Ford truck with a covered bed. He was asked to help people move in and out of the ward numerous times. He would occassionally grumble about it but everyone knew that he would help out. He was always willing to serve others. When Spencer's parents moved to Hawaii in 2003, they left us with the responsibility of cleaning out their home and getting it ready for renters. Nathan & Kami helped us on many weekends. His blue & white truck was used to take loads to the dump, DI, and storage units. After the Jordan's moved back to Wyoming and we moved to Idaho, any time we'd see a blue & white truck driving down the road, we'd slow down a little to see if, by some random chance, it was Nate & Kami.

Nate & Spencer became immediate friends. They were home teaching companions and went to visit their families every single month, not because they really cared for their families (we can't even remember who they were assigned to) but because they cared about each other! They quickly learned that the other liked WWF, televised pro-wrestling, and we'd get together most Monday nights so the boys could watch Monday Night Raw! When they found out WWF was coming to Salt Lake, Spence & Nate talked Kami & I into getting tickets. We went to the E Center together. The boys were in heaven. Shortly after the Jordan's moved, Spencer quit watching Raw. I asked him why and he said, “It's just not as fun without Nate.”

Nate & Spencer also found a common interest in cars, old and new. One day Spencer had to drive to Salt Lake to pick up a dishwasher for our home. He found out that there was a car show at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy and decided that he'd like to go. So he asked Nate if he wanted to go too. They loaded up in Nate's truck with Cameron, around 1 year old. They had a great time and didn't get home until late that night. Months later, I found out that they had ran the errand, went to the car show, and then eaten at HOOTERS! With my 1-year-old little boy!!! I was a little upset, Kami just laughed. Maybe because Nate had told her where they'd eaten the minute he got home, not months later. They had such a good, loving, and honest relationship.

I remember sharing a dinner table with the Jordan's on many occassions. Nate would break out in a sweat any time he ate red meat. And we ate a lot of red meat too... When Cameron was 5 months old, I realized that we'd soon be celebrating Spence's first real Father's Day. He'd hinted (a lot) that he would really like a grill but I knew that our finances wouldn't allow for that. I'm sure I was just talking to Kami one day and telling her how I wished I could get Spence a grill when she suggested I discuss it with Nate. As soon as I'd told Nate the dilemna, he assured me that he could fabricate a charcoal grill. I left it in his hands and honestly didn't even think another thing about it. For his first Father's Day, Spence did receive a grill...custom made by Nate! Although we now have a gas grill on our back patio, many times Spencer will choose to cook on his first grill.

As we were talking about Nate over dinner on Saturday night, Spence said something about how he wouldn't call Nate his best friend because he felt they were more like brothers. There was an immediate connection between the two and although we'd gone years without talking to the Jordans, we thought about them so often. When we finally got to talk to Kami mid-September, it felt as if no time had been lost, we just picked up where we'd left off the last time we'd talked. We were anxiously preparing to visit Riverton and see Nate the same weekend that he passed away. Not making the effort to go sooner is one of the biggest regrets we have. Nate was a great man. We will miss him."

If you have read this entire post, you have probably remembered a friend who meant a great deal to you at one time in your life.  Do me a favor and call that friend today!  Don't wait.  


Miss Stacy (from the Anne of Green Gables movie) says, "True friends are always together in spirit."   We love and miss you Nate!  We anxiously await the day until we see you again.