Ko Olina

Mitch and I just got back from Hawaii with both our parents, and my sister and her friend. It was a much needed trip after rough finals for Mitch and months of sickness for me. I was really nervous about being too sick while I was there. But as a tender mercy I was able to do mostly everything we had planned (which isn't a whole lot more than relaxing anyway). I only had a couple really rough nights there and the sickness piled up again as soon as we headed back home. Hawaii is just plain good for the soul. I cannot wait to go back someday! 

B. McClellan

Pardon my long absence from posting. My best friends lately have been the couch and the bathroom. 

Mitch needs an award for being the best husband. He has taken the best care of me while I've been so sick. But I'm happy to finally announce, after a 12-week check-up and a healthy heart beat, that Baby McClellan will be making an entrance around Oct. 25!!

Weekend Getaway

Truly one of the happiest places on earth! 

A Companion

I've been reading a lot of teen fiction lately. I would say it is a guilty pleasure but I don't feel that guilty about it. Anyway, I'm a sucker for the love stories in them. I feel my heart get a little faster when the girl talks about her skin burning wherever the special man brushed against her. And sometimes I have to remind myself, wait--this whole story spans about a month and by the end they are in love? Really? But who cares, it's just a story.

So on Sunday, Mitch and I got released from the singles ward bishopric. I never thought I would be so heart broken to leave a singles ward. But there is one point of that meeting that I hope to remember always, which is why I'm putting it here. As Mitch is up giving his "farewell speech" he makes the comment that he has felt a little guilty about leaving me alone for so long on Sundays and Tuesday evenings. And then he looks straight at me with a grin and says "well Heather, you got me back." I can only imagine what I looked like at that moment: puffy-eyed from crying, sniffing, and since my nose is stuffy my giggle comes out more as a snort. And even though he didn't touch me or brush against me, I felt a surge go through all my nerve endings. Mitch and I don't have a relationship like these post-apocalyptic, love in the face of death stories--but what we have is real and deep. I'm so glad to have you as my companion, Mitch.

Happy Valentine's Day.

An African Christmas

10 years ago I never had visiting Africa on my list of top 10 places to visit. (Sure I thought it would be great to go, but I had a plethora of other places I would have picked first). Then my dad got asked to go do some vision projects in the DR Congo and since my mom had some health issues, I got to be his companion. It was tough. The smells are almost unbearable, I always felt hungry, I got tired after long days of traveling and working, and the living conditions are heart breaking. But it was also life changing. There are so many Africans making the best of what they can and trying to help those around them. It made me want to be a better person. I guess it is one of those things you can't really describe, you just have to experience for yourself. Anyway, since that first trip to Africa back in 2006, my dad has gone back 2 or 3 times a year setting up vision projects for the LDS Church. Africa has grown to hold a special place in our family. My mom has been his primary companion on these trips and I'm proud to say she is keeping the fabric market in business. For Christmas this year she made each of her children a beautiful African quilt. Each one a little different, full of crazy colors and patterns (one of my favorite parts of Africa is the visual feast of colors and designs). I love my quilt! Thank you mom!

5 Days of Thanks

This will be my 5th Thanksgiving spent with the Mr. The first was a fabulous show with fireworks, cheers, a first kiss, and Mediterranean food disguised to taste American (it did not work) . The third was spent away from family and friends with no appearance of a Thanksgiving feast whatsoever. And even though I would love nothing more than to be back in Belgium eating frites with my man, at the time I wanted nothing more than to be at home sitting down to a feast with family. This year we are so blessed to be able to have two feasts in one day.

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am grateful for traditions, family, and for you.

The Office

I realized I haven't posted hardly anything about where I work. I work for my dad at Excel Eye Center in American Fork (we have offices all over utah county). My dad is an Opthalmologist (eye doc) and my main title is the refractive surgery counselor and coordinator. Since my dad has retired from Lasik I really only deal with cataract surgeries for him and a few other doctors. I also help with most other stuff in the office as well though.  I love my job. It may not be very "career oriented" or sound that impressive--but I am happy to go to work everyday, and I think that says a lot. Some of these people I have known my entire life. Its funny how they know more about the details of my life than some of my best freinds. I guess that is what happens when you spend 8+ hours a day with someone. We have this imaginary circle drawn around the office that says anything said within that circle stays in that circle. I know I can go to Laura or Sandi about anything and keep their trust.
I love the patients that we see. Some of them are crazy, and some are really mean, but most of them are simply sweet. I have learned so many life lessons from observing the patients. (Including many lessons about what type of person NOT to become). I know that I am actaully making a difference when I try to help an elderly couple navigate their insurance company or console a mother who fears her child might lose their sight.
The best part about work though is my dad. We see a lot of elderly patients, which causes me to reflect on my life as they are at the end of theirs. I know I will always cherish these years spent seeing so much of my dad and learning about the man he is away from home. 

Pictures are from Halloween this year.