Uncle Randy's Wedding

Over the weekend of the 17th, I had the opportunity to fly to Salt Lake (just myself) and attend my uncle's wedding.  Uncle Randy lost his wife, Janin, a little over 2 years ago when she died suddenly at the age of 52.  Lainey was born that week.  Time went by and Randy's children started to persuade him to just try dating again.  They set him up an online dating account earlier this year and he bumped into Mary there.  Mary's late husband, Mark was friends with Randy growing up in Salt Lake City.  He married Mary and they moved a little north to Bountiful, UT where they raised their family.  Mark was in a car accident that took his life 9 years ago.  Randy and Mary were able to reconnect and talk about their experiences losing their spouses.  They hit it off and were married a week ago (for time) in the Bountiful temple (my favorite one!).

Before the ceremony, the officiator spoke on their marriage, on death, losing their spouses, the gospel perspective and blessings.  It was absolutely beautiful the way he addressed it. The room felt so peaceful afterwards as he shared how those who have passed on have such a greater perspective of life and eternity than we do and can easily find joy in seeing Randy and Mary marrying and spending the rest of this life together.

Mr. and Mrs. Jackman 

We welcome Mary into the Jackman Clan!

 

Mom talking with her sister Diana, her brother, John, and his wife, Anne.

 Great Aunt Rose and Great Aunt Rayma.

My cousin, Aaron and his wife, Sarah.

 Mom and I

The wedding reception was in Mary's back yard and it was so pretty!  She's taken a sloping back yard and made terraces, beautiful box gardens, tons of grapes, flowers, etc.  They had a nice misting line hung over head which was very nice, being pretty warm outside.  The kids surprised them by blowing up poster sized pictures of each of them making a very silly face to put on display.  It was super cute.  I don't know Mary well, but I do know Randy is one of the funniest, goofiest pranksters around.  Never a dull moment.  They should have a lot of fun!


After the reception we went to a restaurant Devan had been referred to by a friend saying it was super healthy and yummy.  It looked like a hole in the wall- which usually means I'll love it because it's one of a kind.  Sure enough, the chef ran the show taking our order, checking on us, as well as cooking, with his little girl waiting the tables and his wife cleaning.  He changes his menu daily based on what fresh, whole food he can find.  His specialty is his stir fry so that's what we had.  We told him to make us whatever he wanted in the stir fry dept.  He made us each two kinds, a ginger chicken stir fry and a shrimp/scallop mix with coconut rice.  Both were incredible.  And very healthy.  He piled it on, though and was so friendly mingling with everyone so much that I felt bad not to eat a lot, but boy was I full when I left!  If you're ever in the Bountiful, UT area and want to check it out, it's called Thyme and Seasons.

The trip was too short!  I got to stay at Devan and Maura's house and visit with them and my mom who stayed there as well.  But I wasn't even there 48 hours before I flew back home.  I did squeeze in a trip to Whole Foods with my mom.  Too much fun.  We made peanut butter and almond butter, got some roasted, unsalted cashews, wildflower honey, DARK chocolate, my favorite fish oil, got my mom and Devan some coconut oil.  Too much fun.  I fit in a CrossFit WOD at Devan's workplace.  The coach, Mike, had just come back recently from their Region's Regional competition and I wanted to hear about it.  His team took second place and will be going on to the CrossFit games in California here shortly!  Congrats to them!

The trip was short but sweet and I'm glad I got to go!