girl time!!

SooOOooo McKenna came in town for the weekend, and because we have a GUEST ROOM and all, she stayed with us!!! :) It was SO fun!

McKenna...hm! How do I describe her!? A blonde babe who LOVES the color pink, bright white smile, crystle blue eyes, a smile on her lips and a song on her voice! Other then being absolutley drop dead gorgeous in all that she does, the reason why we're such close friends is because I am stinkin LUCKY. One thing I love about our friendship is that we have a good balance of talking, listening and laughing together! From the time we first met as sisters on the Pioneer Trek to now I have watched mckenna grow. This great girl has become someone beautiful, with high aspirations and awesome goals in her life. She has learned to find happiness in all she's doing....her giggly, go-lucky, spontaneous and bright personality is addicting to be around! She has had her struggles in life and her triumphs, but her strong-will is leading her to great things in life. I'm sooo grateful this dang cute girl is someone who can confide in me. I hope she knows that I think the world of her and pray that ony the best will find her! She truly is a beautiful girl, inside and out! I'm sooooo happy she felt comfortable spending time with my husband and I. I also want you to know missy that you are welcome at our place anytime, any day! Thanks for all you do girl! I miss our girl talk already!! Love ya tons! (P.S. I'm on a secret mission to find her a cute RM, hook it up if you got one! )

Gotta start the day out right! Pancakes are a total hit at our house!!

The start of our shop-till-ya-drop Saturday!

We're girls...we can't help but feel pretty in pink!

Yes this came home with me! It practically shouted my name throughout the whole mall! One problem.... I have yet to find hot pink matching shoes....dang it!!! I better keep shoppin :) and I promise, it looks WAY cuter on! having it hang on the hanger does it no justice!

Blue Steel? (zoolander)

Doesn't she look like a babe in this dress!? I would say so!!

What would a shopping trip be if it didn't end with Rio and my man!?

I love love love this pic of Kenz! It shows how sweet she is :) If i could crop out my self in all my manlyness, heaven knows I would! She is a doll. If only you could see yourself the way I do girl!

the McAllister family at the park!

yeah baby

playin on the play ground :)

POOL TIME!

I have 2 WAY cute pics of McKenna and I at the pool...if only I could find my camera cord to download them off my internal memory! my memory card was full when we took them, so i had to store them on the internal memory. When I figure that deal out I'll put them up :)

you know you go to church in Utah when....

• You make it to church 2 1/2 minutes late and there are no, NO open seats except on the front row!
• There is so much noise in Sacrament meeting that you have to 'lip read' to figure out what the speaker is speaking on! (Prayers are impossilbe to figure out! :) )
• The bishop conducts sacarament meeting while holding his 2 year old, and later leaves the meeting because she's fussy!
• The first woman you meet in Relief Society introduces herself by saying "My husband is the Elders Quorum President!"
• The Relief Society President opens the meeting while holding a child on each hip.
• The RS teacher can't teach without crying, the sisters can't speak without crying and the closing prayer cannot to be understood because she's crying too!
• Every Hymn is sung deathly slow... by the 3rd or 4th verse the Chorister isn't even singing! :)
• The halls are sooooo croweded between meetings that you need officers to direct the traffic!

and that's just a little glimpse of our 1st Sunday at our new church...

&

It's absolutely amazing to be back in a family ward!

We can tell we're going to L.O.V.E. it!

Heck YEAH!

REVENGE!!!!!

this is what you get Mo for making liquid poo all over the garage and leaving ME to clean it up while Kirk was gone....never again. You here me pooch?! I OWN YOU! bam baby! that's how I do! (shhhh, just don't tell kirk)

Here's a recap of our Lake Mead trip! (And yes Leah, I totally jacked this picture from you! Thanks lover girl!) I was SooOOo not ontop of pictures this trip! So here's the entire Fortuna familia that came to PARTAY!! It was the first immediate Fortuna Family Reunion! And here we are, lovin up on the neighborhood pool, Supportin our Red, White and Blue!
This is my poor Kirky! And man, oh man- he's had an awful earache forever. It went on for almost two weeks! Between the tylenol, hot packs and ear drops, I think we would survive without having to relive this paradise! (Psssst! I don't know how we caught him SMILING during this phase! :) Miracle? Yes!! )


Kirk: Nothing but visions of sugar plums dancing in his head! but... probably to the sound of EMINEM.

Cat: Trying to get use to the routine naps. Getting called out for fires in the middle of the night makes for one thing.... catch-up-naps in the middle of the day!



HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

I actually had a most crazy Crazy CRAZY day! I was fully expecting to be put on-call at the hospital, and it was everything opposite! I went in at 5:45 am and didn't leave until 6:50pm. It was awful! We had a batch of very very sick kids PLUS we got 3 admits and were understaffed. I had bought nice steaks and hoped to make a nice dinner, then call our dads after but OH NO NO! The top thing on my priority list after greeting the Love of my Life was a hot and relaxing shower! It was alllll down hill from there... I didn't want to lift a finger after that! But this is what I left Kirk to find in the mornin :) I felt accomplished when Kirk told me my letter made him cry. That's how I know I did a good job, making my Macho Man cry :)

A picture I gave to my man. This is his fav shirt on me, no jewelry, light makeup and smiles! Just the way he likes :)

Deja Vu

Yesterday was such a sweeeet day! Well, kinda sorta. :) I, for reasons I can't justify, was just grumpy and pooey! And it was a dumb grumpy. I got a lot done around the house, had a beautiful day and absolutley nothing to complain about, but ugh. I think it's just a total girl thing to have one of those blasted freakin days! (Or at least it makes me feel better to think I'm not psycho ALONE hahahaha so, we'll just go with that! ) Anywho...

I had just taken Kirk lunch at work, and it was a lot more fun for me then I lead on. The wheels in my head were spinning. I gave him a smootchy on the cheek, a long tender hug then I said "Well, I'm going to go." What the? I am? Okay.... I could tell he thought that too! Why do we do silly things like that, almost unconsciously? Hahahaha So I smiled and quickly recovered with, "I'm trying to get a lot done around the house, but it was really nice to see you for a minute hun. I needed it. Thanks for letting me bring you lunch sweety, I love you."

My drive home was filled with lots more of that wheel spinning buisiness going on in my head, accompinied with background music by Rascal Flatts. As I passed Chevron and made the slight curve over the bridge and up busy River Road, I watched a cop pull out of a side street and pass me by....

"Oh my goodness, I remember this,... " was exactly the magical sensation that fell over me. It was such a wonderful feeling! It felt good, light and peaceful! That cop car was just enough to remind me of this memory!!

When I was 14 years old, I dreamt this entire day.

Of course, at the time I just thought it was a wierd dream! And why I can remember being exactly 14, who knows! But I was!! In my dream I was driving back from the hospital, in a place I had never seen (at the time). I was feeling kinda funky emotionally, with a wierd previous day-like it was, and I totally passed that cop car while driving on the street! Then I pulled into our neighborhood, up to OUR HOUSE, walked in the door and that's all! I woke up! I remember the inside of my house looking completely different then it does now, but the outside was very much identical.

After I made the connection I was having Deja Vu, that familiar feeling lasted all the way up to my house. It was a drawn out 2 or 3 minutes of that spiritual awakening. I sat in my car for another 2 or 3 mintues and just bawled. I wanted to call Kirk instantly and tell him, but I knew his busy demanding work day wouldn't allow for a long phone call like I desprately wanted. So I went inside our beautiful house, and continued about my day, often recalling back on this experience.

I have always thought that Deja Vu was a tickle of the Spirit, telling us that we are where we're suppose to be. That's why tears streamed down my face when I pulled up to our house. Heavenly Father has mapped out ourlives and planned them so perfectly that He will Intervene so perfectly to ccomfort us when sometimes we don't know we need it. This is how I felt. I am married to the best man in the whole world, and we are where we are suppose to be.

Sometimes- take that back, A LOT of times it can be hard being so far away from family, close nieghbors, friends and everything we grew up with that has been embedded in our comfort zone of life. I have to keep myself continuously involved in good works or I start to miss lots of things... like being home on Fathers Day, hearing about the backstreet boys concert from my sis, hearing all the wedding plans going on in my family, grandma and grandpas, watching my friends get married and have babies... small things like that! But I would do it 5000 times over to have what Kirk and I have, and to be where we are.

Later on that day, Kirk and I went to the gym. We got on tredmills next to each other and held hands as we excercised. As usual, Kirk kicked my butt sprinting at a level 11 for a good 15 mintues... (I give all the credit to being on the fire depart., otherwise I vow I would be kicking his BOOTEY. So, you see, it's just not fair to compare under the circumstances :) ..... jk. He really is that amazing!) Anyways, I kept looking over at him running so hard, sweating so much, and loving that bright white smile he gives me back. He is the hottest guy ever. I bet every single girl at Gold's Gym wanted beat me up and take my place..... I would if I were them, and I don't blame them one bit. I have everything I have ever wanted.

Excuse the cheeseball in me, but I know, without doubt, that being in St George has allowed us progression without limits. I'm so grateful for that night when Kirk and I kneeded in prayer in the front room of his mothers house, and asked the Lord if that decision was appropriate for our new life together. It was. It has sewn our lives together faster and tighter then I knew. It has taken us to the temple every week, given us jobs-a house- a car- allowed us to meet great people. It is where we are suppose to be, and THAT alone is the ultimate feeling of accomplishment. Now, I pray that we will continue to live that Deja Vu dream to stay where we're suppose to be!

So, I'm not clueless and I know this is the creepiest picture ever! Kirk walked by and was like, "why do I look so scary?!!??!!"... I have thought the same thing of myself sense the first time I saw it too! But, it's the most recent picture of us! This is when Kirk returned from his very first REAL fire! He got the nozzle! (it's the cool position to have in a fire, he tells me :) )

Suppose for a moment...

...that God began taking from us the many things for which we have failed to give thanks. Which of our limbs and faculties would be left. Would I still have my hands and my mind? And what about loved ones? If God were to take from me all those persons and things for which I have not given thanks, who or what would be left of me?

I am thankful to Heavenly Father for Kirk. That our marriage has been sealed for Eternity in His Home. I am Grateful that we are healthy, happy, committed and a team. I'm grateful for every attribute of my loving husband who is the faithful and devoted priesthood holder of our family. I'm thankful I never will be alone. I'm grateful for examples and role models. I'm thankful for NBA games and fun dates that entertain my husband and I. I'm thankful the Church has been restored and the Priesthood is upon the earth. I"m grateful for prophets and continuous revelation. I'm thankful for prayer and the comforts of the Holy Ghost in my life. I'm grateful for my testimony. I'm grateful for minty gum and COUNTRY MUSIC. I'm grateful for strawberry lemonade. I'm grateful I know that the Book of Mormon is truth. I am thankful that Jesus Christ understood so perfectly what our Father was planning for us. I am grateful Jesus Christ was and is perfect. I'm grateful He chose to carry out all the designs of Father's earthly plan for us...Atonement, Last Supper, Baptism, Crucification. I'm grateful for progression. I'm grateful for honesty. I am thankful to live in a safe neighborhood where our physical needs are met. I'm grateful for holidays, but mostly a red-white&blue, firework-filled, BBQ stuffed 4th of July. Freedom. Dreams. I'm grateful for sticky hugs and loves of children. I'm thankful for a close shave, hot shower, yummy smelling soaps, creamy lotion and soft towels daily. I am so grateful to have no debt, to have sufficient savings, and a testimony of tithing. I am grateful for my education, that we have a way to communicate with one another and ways to show our love for eachother. I'm grateful for talents, modern technology, good friends and family. I'm grateful for a cold drink and shade on a hot day! I'm thankful to have no physical limitations. I'm thankful to have the softest, comfiest and warmest bed in the whole world. I'm soooo grateful to have the ability to become a mother one day, but grateful I'm not pregnant yet. :) I'm thankful for good, nutritious and tasty food. I'm thankful for teachers. I'm thankful for my wedding ring and my big closet. I'm thankful for modern medicine and those who have educated themselves in it to help others. I'm grateful for good conversations, laughing, singing, smiling and kissing. I'm grateful for the earth that Jesus Christ designed. I'm grateful that Jesus Christ is going to come again. I'm grateful for faith. I'm thankful for good memories, for strong brains with limitless memory and learning capabilities. I'm grateful for good cooks, sewers, and crafty people who have made everything I have ever bought. I'm grateful for confidence, happpyness and the ability to decern between light and darkness. I'm grateful for our dumb dog because it makes kirk so happy. I'm thankful for makeup and styling utensils. I'm grateful for cleanliness. I'm grateful for water, clean air, heat and coolness. I'm grateful for diversity. I'm grateful to have camera's, clumsy/embaressing moments, stuggles, triumphs and success. I'm grateful for nail polish and warm slippers. I'm grateful for diet coke.

...AND

on that note...

we'll go ahead and end with the cliche-ness of...i'm grateful for everything in my life, but most of all my Eternal Husband and the Church.

oh boy!

Where has all the time gone!?!?!?!!!!!

Unpacking our beautiful home!! Kirk went up north to Salt Lake to pick up the rest of our things in the storage unit and I couldn't go because of work. So, instead, I made furniture out of boxes for him to come home too! I thought it was pretty funny, but I didn't get as big of a reaction as I thought! :) This is a picture of our front room. I used a big fat marker to draw a tv on one of the boxes, the others are couches and seats! :)

This was our first meal in our house! Enchilada's! Yes, still eating them! But the box-table and box-chairs make it more fun! That's for sure!!

My little brothers graduation!!!! Isn't he a stud!? We couldn't be there, but we kept in close contact with the family through text! Thanks for sending us pictures!! We're so proud of you D!

Kirks first fire!! And, funny enough, he just left for another which is why I now have time to catch up on the blog!! He was so stoked!! And doesn't he look good in turn-outs?!

Hoover Dam! We went with the Fortuna family the same weekend we went to lake mead. I love this picture of the 4 of us! I LOVE MY FAM! The bridge behind us in breath taking and GINORMOUS!

Underground in the Dam! It was way awesome to see how it all worked!

Lake Mead! Fortuna Family Reunion! I wish I had more pics, but I forgot my camera! When I get copies of moms, leahs and brads I'll put more up! But it was sooo fun! We celebrated brads birthday at the same time! Beach, sun, boating=paradise! Kirk kicked butt surfing! And I wish so badly I had a picture of it! Grandma and Grandpa Fortuna came too!!!!! It was a blast!

Moja, if you pee, chew or slobber on one more thing of mine, you're dead meat! Read my lips- DEAD MEAT! And palease, stop looking so innocent. I can see right through you!

one PROUD wife!

CONGRATULATIONS FIREFIGHTER MCALLISTER!To celebrate the start of a Special night we had dinner at our FAV Mexican place with Mama McAllister! :)

Is that tight or WHAT!?

Captain Whipple did the honors. Oh man, I tear up right here... I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard, pushed himself so far and grown so much. At the beginning of the ceremony Captain Nelson said, "The point of the Fire Academy is make these boys into real men, to make them better fathers, sons and husbands." They did. I didn't believe it was possible, but I watched Kirk grow and become a more beautiful person. Just when he thought things were hard, they got even harder... but he got tougher....and stronger. We've been blessed to meet some really great people through this experience... It takes a special person to come this far. It truly has been inspiring to be Kirks wife throughout this process. I love you babe.

There's the champion of my heart!

Kirk and I went to a special place called Scaldoni's after the ceremony. It was absolutley beautiful! And because of the special occasion, we requested Diet Coke in wine glasses :) It was here that he opened another special gift from me. He's my superman!

Didn't the picture turn out wonderful!? I am so happy with it!! Might I highlight what the pillow says too...

All men are created equal, then a few become FIREMEN!

It's true.

When I walked down our little hallway and saw these hanging up I got the chills!!! I. am. the. wife. of. a. true. firefighter..... Holy crap!

To make the day ever more fabulous.... we spent the night in our new house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it beautiful!?!?!

Kirk and Moja playing, to me it was picture perfect!



We were so excited and had such a wonderful day that we didn't mind sleeping on the floor. The whole places was empty, but we couldn't be more excited!! Aw I love my kirk!

We are extremely blessed. Everything we have is because of the Lord. And I can't help but think what He wants us to accomplish with everything He has given us, ....something amazing!

PUPPY!!!!

Arizona+puppy=ROAD TRIP! 19 hours of it baby! We left completely on the random tuesday night at 9:30pm... just because we could I guess! Kirk and I were chillaxin on the couch and decided to call up the breeder=dude to tell him we would be there in two weeks, UNTILLLL we realized that was way too long to wait, soOoO we jumped in the car ThAt second and peaced out! We drove until 3:00am, pulled over the car and slept for 3 hours, picked up our pooch and came home! All in PERFECT timing to go to our first day of Summer Semester! It was awesome! And so fun! Thanks kirk for being so spontaneous with me!!

People in AZ must have stuggles with the stink I guess! :)

Good mornin Moja! She's only 10 weeks old and I can barely pick her up! She's suppose to weigh more then ME when she's full grown!! She's our little monster, that's for sure! Her name is Moja b/c in Swahili it means "Number 1 girl." She was the only girly in her litter, cute huh!?

YEAH! freakin huge huh!? 10 weeks! TEN WEEKS!!!!! She's a tanker!

We made a stop at the Hoover Dam. It's incredible!