Twilight Obsession

I never saw the allure of them. I never understood the reason my sister Kimberly made my parents take her to Wal-Mart at nearly midnight to go buy the second book. I never understood why my friend Janae came over every week to pick up the next book after she'd finished the first and then the second, too excited to wait to read them with her friend who started the series with her. I never understood the reasons for the constant, hushed whisperings about the characters and plot that I was never allowed to hear because people didn't want to spoil it for me. I never understood why I would come home late from hanging out with friends to find Kimberly still up reading with no intention of going to bed soon. I never understood how Desirae (who never reads!) would stay up all night to read the books too. I never understood why all my friends just had to see the movie trailer every time they came over. I never understood why they picked apart every scene and every actor. I never understood how everyone spoke of Bella and Edward as if they were close, personal friends.

To say I understand now would be an understatement.

After most of my friends and half my family had already read the Twilight book series by Stephenie Meyer I felt compelled to read them. Okay, it was more like forced to read them, by Kimberly and Desirae. Boy am I glad I did! I really had no idea what I was missing out on! Now I am exactly like I described them to be and worse! We all enable each other actually. We always talk about the books. What our favorite parts are. How we feel about each character. What their clothes and jewelry are like. Who we wish we could be. Who we wish our boyfriends could be. What we think is going to happen in the upcoming fourth book. What the movie will be like. Our conversations are inexhaustible.

And I've never felt so emotionally attached to any other book I've read. I seriously feel every emotion that each character has. I laugh out loud, smile hugely, giggle like a little girl, get angry, frustrated, scared, bawl like crazy, fall in love, get my hopes up and my heart broken. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Twilight is astoundingly refreshing. New Moon is good but I hated it. I cried through the whole book and still cry when I think of it. Eclipse is breathtaking. Breaking Dawn comes out August 2nd and I'm sure it will not disappoint. If you haven't read the books I greatly recommend them. Come borrow them from me. I now own a copy of all three, as does my mom and sister. I'm also reading Stephenie Meyer's newest novel, The Host. I'm a third into the book and I love it. Stephenie Meyer is a fabulous author and I can't wait to read anything and everything she will ever put out!

It's been 6 months.

That's right, 6 months ago today I was in a serious car accident with both my parents in Idaho Falls. A lot has happened since then and I just thought I'd update everyone with how we have been doing since then.

The van was totaled but we bought a new one. A mini van. A silver Toyota Sienna. It's beautiful and my parents love it. But we all really miss the big old van.

Lori inside the van demonstrating that there is no roof after the accident.


A picture I found on the internet of the inside and outside of the new van.


My mom was the least hurt in the accident, just bruises, lots of ugly, colorful bruises. They are gone now except for a shadow of one on her leg.

The beginning of her bruises. Believe me they got much, much worse!


My dad hurt his shoulder and whole left side of his body when the van rolled. It took him several months to work through the pain of his shoulder but he's doing good now.

The morning after the accident, hanging out in the hotel room.


Dad taking Mom for a ride on Brittney and Job's scooter.


Dad beating Kurt on the rock wall.


I sustained the most damage and have been paying for it ever since. I was in a back brace for almost 3 months to allow the compression fractures in two of my discs to heal. I have been in physical therapy for almost 3 months now to strengthen my muscles. I was out of work on disability for almost 5 months. I returned to work a month ago but only on half time. I am still in a lot of pain and on a lot of medication, but I'm doing a million times better.

Me in the hospital just after they brought me in.


Wearing my brace while walking with my mom at Caswell.


No brace!




I want to thank everyone, all our family and friends and ward members and even people we don't know, for all of their support and prayers and love and understanding. It means the world to me. Thank you.