The Opening and Closing of Doors

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven”

– Orson F. Whitney

From the Article:

The Opening and Closing of Doors

This quote has meant so much to me while growing up...and even more so now.

Hearts have been broken.

Scabs have been torn.

Pain has increased.

And plans are always changing.

But enduring to the end and having patience has always been a struggle for me.

It is one of those virtues I have to learn and be tested for in order to have it.

Someday I will get it.

Maybe at that time

Hearts will heal.

Scabs will disappear.

Pain decrease.

And peace be found in change.

Maybe.

I Hope.

For now I have to do the best I can.

God would not have given me trials I could not face.

Trust.

Faith.

Hope.

Sincerely from the heart,

Dawna G Berry

P.S. Thank you to my husband, Nik, for standing by me through everything, helping me, and loving me unconditionally.

I love you!

The End of 2009.

Nik and I had an awesome opportunity to go to California for New Years. It was made possible because our friends decided to get married in San Diego and so we wanted to go support them and make it a fun trip.

Tuesday after Christmas we drove over from AZ to Oceanside, CA. (Sidenote: I drove the WHOLE way and that is a big accomplishment for me! Just sayin.) We got there around 7ish in the evening and met my good friend, Terri, and her fiance, Brandon, at Red Lobster. Being so close to the ocean made my cravings for seafood sky rocket. It was so fun talking with them and meeting Brandon for the first time.

That next day we woke up and walked down to this little restaurant for pancakes and eggs. It was such a nice walk right there next to the ocean. The weather was awesome and it was a great way to start the day!

After breakfast we went back to Nik's Aunt Macy's house (she was so kind to let us stay with her and Uncle Jim while in CA) to get ready for "Our Day in Oceanside." We went out to The Pier and walked around. There were fun little shops and food and we just...just had a blast being together with no worries for the day. There was a lite drizzle the whole afternoon which made for awesome cloud cover. Geez...it was just so fun! Here are some pictures of this fun day we had in Oceanside:

Me out on The Pier.
Look! Someone that donated money for The Pier has the same spelling as me! That is so awesome and rare I HAD to take a picture! woot woot! There were like 6 other Donna's on that pier...but mine was the best!

Us again. I love him!

Here is the Pelican Nik wanted as a friend. This picture was taken right before Nik almost got his hand bitten off. Pelicans are not friendly. whoops.

Nik and his new guitar we bought at one of the shops. Those are sprinkles in the picture so we had to hurry and capture this moment.

After we had fun on The Pier we were treated to dinner with Aunt Macy and Uncle Jim. We went to a pretty chill Mexican Restaurant for Happy Hour. It was nice getting yummy food for half off! They have really good nacho's there.

Uncle Jim, Aunt Macy, me, and Nik after dinner.

That next morning was New Years Eve Day so we were headed out for the wedding down in San Diego. Nik and I left early in the morning because we were afraid of rush hour traffic...but since it was kinda a holiday, there wasn't any. So we ended up getting to the San Diego Temple a whole hour before the bride and groom even showed up. It was a great day for Janessa and Travis and Nik and I were so happy to be a part of it!

After all the festivities were over it was time to ring in the New Year! Bring on Twenty-Ten. All us friends wanted to go out to dinner. There were 3 vehicles following each other around to find a place to eat...and when Josh's GPS sent us driving on the WRONG SIDE of THE ROAD...we lost one of the vehicles because they were actually paying attention to what was happening (unlike Nik and I) and made a quick turn to correct that bad decision. It was pretty scary seeing all these headlights coming towards us and a median to keep us from getting over easily to the correct side. So we did a quick U-ey. The other car with our friends decided driving around wasn't worth it and went and did their own thing. Josh and Kylee kept in front of us because they had the GPS with Sam and Bobbie...so we were following behind them thru 20+ minutes of driving and 8+ U-Turns trying to find a California Pizza Kitchen but the only ones around were at the Airport and Mall and we didn't want that. So finally we passed a Cheesecake Factory and decided that would end it all. No more driving! Well the wait was too long there so we went across the street to PFChangs. We waited about 30 minutes there and were seated. THANK HEAVENS. We had a FEAST and ate it ALL! What a fun night.

Josh and Kylee! (Thanks for the help, Josh in finding this place. It was quite the evening! Fun times in Cali.)

Sam and Bobbie!

Me and Nik!

The whole gang with our feast!

After dinner Nik and I went back to Oceanside and rand in the New Year there. That next morning we headed back home to Utah. It was a great trip. We had so much fun catching up with family and friends and we enjoyed getting away from the snow.

Look Back at 2009. April - July

Nik is home after serving an honorable & faithful 2 year LDS Mission in Tokyo Japan. April 29, 2009.

Our first hug in over 2 years.

Melissa and James got married May 30, 2009 and Nik and I were able to be there for them!

We were sealed (married) in the Mesa, AZ Temple for Time and All Eternity June 10, 2009.

Over at Paul and Mary's Family Party for Independence Day.

Out to Fireworks with Josh and Kylee.

Nik found Waldo!

Waiting for the Midnight Showing of HP6. Kinda bored?? Yep.

The Homecoming of Nik's Mission President...President Hill...

And his Mission Mom...Sister Hill.

Look Back at 2009. August-December

Out to Sushi with part of the Fam. We had a FEAST!

Our campsite...in our own little Living Room!

Hobo Dinners

Making S'Mores.

Out at Tucano's with Melissa and James. Great food. Awesome friends.

My first Homemade Apple Pie!!!

We began coupon clipping. We get 5 of the same Newspapers every Sunday. Crazy, yes.

First Haircut. Before.

After

Out to see New Moon on Thanksgiving Day with Amy and Sam.

Decorating Christmas Cookies with Christa and Camron.

In front of the Bellagio in Vegas!

Nik and I on the pier in Oceanside, CA.

Wonderful Families

This past holiday season...or rather the last 6 months has really filled my heart with gratitude. I am thankful for many things...but to list a few:

The family I was born into.
They helped make me the woman I am today.
I am sealed to them forever and ever and I couldn't be happier.
My dad has always been a strong father to lean on and he has my best interest in mind at all times.
My mom is my best friend. She is someone who will just listen to me and not give advice to "help" because at times I don't want it...I just want ears to talk to.
Caren is my little sister who has been there for me through everything. We have a lot of common intersts...i.e. a nice truck with a beautiful sound system. ;)
Baylee makes me smarter everytime I see her. She always has some piece of random trivia to share with everyone. She is so smart!
Hannah keeps me on my toes. She is always making me laugh and says the most random clever things.
I love them all.

The family I married into.
They stood by me the whole 2 years Nik was gone.
They accept me for who I am.
I can feel their love for me.
Brian has made me feel like family as his second daughter since Nik and I started dating.
Randee is so fun to talk to. She is a great mother to Nik and everyone that comes into her home. I love not having to fear my Mother-in-Law. :) She is great!
Jake is such a big brother figure. He has always been so kind to me.
Amy is another sister that I love. She is so fun to talk to and I am so happy to have another sister so close to my age.
Sam is a crazy fun little boy that keeps everyone moving. I have never had a brother so it has been fun to watch him grow up these last 4+ years.

The family Nik and I created.
It has been so fun to live with and be married to my best friend.
We have had so many laughs together as we try to get this married thing down.
Nik is a wonderful husband (as cliche as that sounds). He makes me laugh so hard and he watches out for me. He holds me when I'm sick. He drives me around in the snow. He opens the doors for me. He is amazing and treats me the way that every girl dreams.

I was talking to Nik about this on our long drives this last week...and I find it amazing how our families are so awesome! Nik has always felt like a part of my family and every member of my family shows it. I was telling him how blessed I am to marry into a family that takes me under their wings like their own. I haven't had to worry about any In-Law problems. I love them so much. I know that Nik and I were meant to be together and because of our choices to get married and sealed in the Temple we have been blessed in so many ways.

I love my life!

If You Can Laugh Through It, You Can Live Through It.

This is an oldie but a goodie.

I was about 6 years old, making Carrot (my sis Caren) 3 years old. It was a summer day so my dad was at work and my mom was stuck with us kids all day. She had to get ready for the evening or something like that so she picked up McDonald’s to keep us occupied and fed while she took a shower and got ready. Would you like to know what I had in my Happy Meal?? My family could tell you because this is what the whole story revolves around. I had Chicken McNuggets. YUM!

My mom headed into her bedroom to get ready and Carrot and I sat in the kitchen at the table eating our Happy Meals. I was a little bored and decided it would be fun to take a piece of Chicken McNugget and stick it up Carrot’s nose just to try to get it out later. She didn’t fuss, didn’t push away, didn’t fight at all…she LET me do it! She might have been 3 but I was only 6…so heck, we didn’t know any better. Haha.

I shoved a piece up here nose, just in the front part of the nostril, and then the part I was looking forward to the most was suppose to happen next – getting the nugget out. Hello! Operation was a game I was VERY good at. So as she sat there in the chair I ran around the kitchen getting forks, butter knives, toothpicks, and even tweezers from the bathroom. I tried and tried for a long time. I was using all those tools to try to get it out, I even made her blow out her nose while I pushed the unclogged nostril shut. That didn’t help either! I was beginning to panic because I knew my mom would not be happy with this.

After enough time went by and Carrot just sitting there patiently, I decided to knock on my mom’s door for help. She yelled through the door to find out what the matter was and I yelled back through “Caren stuck a chicken nugget up her nose and now it’s stuck!”

My mom came rushing out of her room and went straight for Carrot. She tried everything too and all it did was push the nugget up even further. She decided it would be best to rush her to the Cigna Healthcare for help. We got there and from what I remember, Carrot was just fine…other than the fact she had a clogged nugget-nostril. The nurse stuck a suction hose up to her nose and it pulled that nugget right out!!! WHEW!!!

Now, I did not confess to my mom that I was the one that actually put it up her nose until about 3 years ago. All this time she thought it was Carrot and it was so funny. Now whenever Chicken McNuggets are brought up, the family always gives me crap about it. Hahaha but it brings up good laughs.

As my subject lines says “If you can laugh through it, you can live through it” I am laughing and living…and I sure hope Carrot is now. Hahaha Poor girl. Word to the wise, never leave kids alone with chicken nuggets. :)

The Rude Awakening && Some Laughs

I’ve never considered myself to be claustrophobic but in this last year I have found myself to be more and more scared of being trapped. This was all proven even more so this last weekend. Let me start from the beginning.

Saturday morning Nik and I woke up to find snow falling down ever so nicely and lots of snow on the bushes and cars across the street in the parking lots. It was so fun to look at that and realize we lived in a place that SNOWS! Snow is pretty and it is fun but I don’t like to be cold or wet…so we shall see how long I really think it is pretty and fun.

We finish getting ready for the day and around Noon we are ready to head out and run some errands. The snow had stopped and the snow on the bushes and cars had melted. I ran down to our parking garage to get the car while Nik finished getting ready. I brought the car up and parked it right in front of our door for an easy leave. The sky was blue and pretty and I thought it was going to be a great day out. WRONG! I ran inside to finish packing up my purse and waited no more than 2 minutes for Nik to finish up. We walked outside to get in the car…and it was SNOWING. HARDCORE!

Just a reminder…we are from Mesa, AZ and we were lucky enough to get an inch of snow 1.5 years ago that actually stuck to the ground. That was a crazy fluke. That never happens. So we do not like the snow, nor are we used to it. I was sooooo scared driving. I couldn’t see far ahead of me nor could I see too far behind me. The windows were fogging and so I to take care of that while making sure I got the snow off the windshield, so on and so forth. The snow was coming down so fast it would just sweep across the street. I felt soooo claustrophobic because I couldn’t see all my surroundings clearly. I was so afraid of getting in an accident. I HATED IT!!!!

Luckily we got to our destination safely and that storm only lasted about 15 minutes. Then it was clear blue skies the rest of the afternoon.

Did I tell you I hate snow and am not a big fan of Utah??? We are going to AZ for the holidays to thaw out. Thank heavens!

Onto the funnies. Nik and I stopped at Sally Beauty Supply to get some hair clippers so I can cut his hair, which turned out great! While we were checking out Nik decided to check out the little cheap items right there in front of the register. The one item was one of those collapsible brushes that you have to open up and then push the bristles out and then you can use it. Well, Nik opens it up but pushes WAY too hard on the bristles and snaps the brush, causing some of the plastic connector pieces to fling across the store and down the aisle. His face was priceless. My face was shocked. The cashier’s face was caught off guard. And all in all we couldn’t stop laughing. Nik ran over to get the plastic piece as I just stood there stunned at what just happened. The cashier was nice enough to not make us pay…it was only a dollar. No biggie. We got in the car and our sides were hurting so bad. I wish I would have been able to take a picture of his face when it happened. It was HILARIOUS! Then all throughout the day we would just randomly say “Remember the hairbrush?” and bust up laughing. We were laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our cheeks.

I am so happy to be married to my best friend who makes me laugh even when I am miserable because of the snow and being wet…all because of a hairbrush!

Friday Night Corner Help

For my Birthday, Caren came up to spend the weekend with me and Nik. That Friday we decided to go get burgers at Five Guys (the BEST burger shop everrr) and then go to the movies and see Love Happens. In between events we had to kill time so we ran down to Walmart just to walk around. As we were leaving there was, and always is, some person on the corner asking for money or help or anything. Well this one guy was asking for any kind of help to get a job. Nik decided to pull over and tell the dude about his own job. We found out the guys name is Brady and he looked to be in his 30's or 40's.

Nik kept talking to the dude but was also holding up the line of cars trying to get out of the parking lot. As the cars behind us were honking and getting irritated, so was I. Our movie was about to start, people were getting mad at us, and I didn't really think the guy would actually take what advice Nik had to offer. I'm sorry. Don't judge me. This certainly has taught me a lesson on judging street corner people.

As people kept honking Nik decided to pull back into the parking lot and talk to the guy some more. I, yes unfortunately, mumbled some under my breath as we were going back to the parking lot. I understand and have 2 handfuls of family members that are currently seeking jobs or better ones then where they are currently. I understand that the job market is not the best and that many people are suffering. I am terribly sorry for my rash judgements towards this man. I didn't think he would do anything but keep sitting on the street corner.

Nik gave him the address to his office. Nik is a Supervisor for this company that sets up Realty Seminars. It is kinda like a telemarketing job and so the turn-around rate is very high. They hire anyone as long as they can speak and arrive to work on time. The pay starts around $8/hour but if you do well they are quick to raise you up. So the chances of this guy getting a job there if he showed up was high. Brady sounded like he was a good worker and he said the only reason he is out of a job was because the construction business is hurting and so he got laid off. He has a family back at home and just something to make money to put food on the table. I then started feeling so sad for him and immediately started helping Nik give him confidence about showing up to his office and that he would most likely get a job. Nik told him that Wednesday is the hire day and to be there at 11am.

We leave and go to the movie. I apologized to Nik for being so crabby about helping this man out. At least his sign wasn't asking for money but rather for a job of any kind. I should have been more kind.

Wednesday came around and when Nik got off work I asked him if Brady ended up showing up. He did! And even better...he got the job! But wait...it gets better...he shows up early each day and ends up signing a lot of people for the seminar. Brady is very good. I felt really bad and started crying because of the judgement I placed on this man from the street corner. He has now been there for over a week. He is doing very well. Nik will even get a bonus if the guy sticks around for a month! It looks like he will unless he finds a better paying job.

I now look at the those in need a little bit differently. Kind of changing the subject - When my mom was here visiting we passed by that same Walmart corner and there was a different person there. My mom hurried into her wallet and pulled out a few bucks. I asked her "Why did you give him money? Why not just run over to McDonald's (which was right next door) and get him some food? He is probably hungry." My mom then so calming and with such a caring attitude said "That man is hurting and he can use what he wants with that money. If he wants food, he can get it. If he wants alcohol, he can do it. It is up to him and he will be judged with what he does with the money he was given, not me." I never thought of it like that. The only reason I thought so horribly was because back home there was a homeless man on my street corner by Walgreens and he would get money and he would go get alcohol from Walgreens with it. That is what he did and so I haven't had the best feelings towards giving money to those people.

Anywho...LONG story short...I am so grateful for my husbands kind and loving personality. He is always willing to help people out. I am so very blessed to have a mother that is STILL an example to me and someone I look up to. I really do hope Brady can keep this job until he finds a better one. I pray for those out there that need help. I pray for my family and friends that are without jobs and are struggling. My opinions have changed and I am trying everyday to be a better person. We all need help. It is not our place, nor has it ever been or will it ever be to judge wether one is deserving of it or not. We need to give help and what others decide to do with that help will be up to them and we will be blessed for it.

Utah Residents...maybe.

September 22nd I celebrated my 21st birthday. It was a beautiful day with a high around 70degrees. Lovely Utah weather. Well instead of doing something outdoors, Nik and I decided to celebrate by going down to the DMV to get Utah licenses and become residents...and...Nik is almost 23 and still doesn't have his 21-and-older I.D. so this was a time for both of us to get ours.
The DMV wasn't that bad. In fact it was fun. The old guy that helped me out was really nice and friendly and funny. He just wanted a friend to talk to and I guess I was that friend for 10 minutes.
Nik and I passed the multiple question test and recieved our temporary licenses until our real ones come in the mail. They then took our AZ I.D.'s and punched a hole in them to cancel them out but they still gave them back to us incase we wanted them as souviners...so heck, we love AZ and that is our "home" so we kept them.
After the DMV I wanted breakfast at IHOP so we ran down there and had some yummy cinnamon swirl french toast. After eating, we left to go to work and by this time it is 11AM but probably only 56-60degrees outside. This is important to know as I tell you the rest of the story.
We exit IHOP and all around us is shade. YES SHADE. Shade makes it colder because there is no sun. I am from AZ...I like the sun. I want the sun. Nik and I both immediately fold our arms and crouch down a bit as to try to keeps ourselves warm as we race to the car. We didn't think about jackets. Hello....in AZ people are still wearing tank tops and shorts. So we are freezing and Nik looks over at me and with the saddest little pouty voice ever asks:

"Can we go back to the DMV and have them take out the hole in our Arizona license?? I want to go home. I don't want to stay here. It's too cold."

It was the cutest and at the same time most sad thing I've every heard him say. lol. If only you could have been there to hear him. Heck! I totally agreed with him and told him we should go back right then! We hoped in the sun-baked car and let the heat from inside the car melt away our chills. We decided we would never use our sunscreen again for the car...we like it hot!
So...I am not too sure how we are going to survive the winters here but we are going to tough it out and finish our schooling. We are not quiters!!! I love Nik and how he makes me laugh in any situation. This was one of those when it was definitely needed.

Open Please!

Nik and I will be celebrating our 4th Anniversary since we started dating on the 24th of September. Don't get that confused with our Wedding Anniversary because we have just past the 3 month mark! woot woot. That being said....these past 4 years he has done nothing but treat me like a princess and now his queen. One thing he has always done and been very strict about is opening my doors. I do not open any doors when with him because this is one of the ways he likes to show me that he loves me and cares for me. For the first 1.5 years before his mission it was nice and fun getting use to having my doors opened so politely. Then he left for his mission and it was a little hard the first couple days REMEMBERING to open my own door and to not just stand there. lol. I finally got use to it and the 2 years of his mission went on. He came home and didn't even hesitate one second to open a door and would even give me a sad look when I would forget and open a door myself. Hello! He was gone for 2 years! I kinda got out of the habit. Anywho...needless to say, I haven't opened a door for myself when he is around ever since he returned.

Well, right after we got married we moved to Utah. We are all alone but are trying our hardest to make friends to change that. I do have family here and so does Nik but they are all about 30 minutes away, in opposite directions. So we do see them but not very often and not as often as I would like. So, what I am getting at is that when Nik and I aren't together, I am alone. I will go shopping at the mall alone or grocery shopping alone while he is at work. There are many things I do on my own and I open every door, no problem. Well yesterday my sister, Carrot (or rather Caren) came into town for my birthday and after dropping Nik off at work, we went to the mall to go shopping. Okay...so....I am not alone at this moment because Carrot is with me. Carrot and I get out of the car and walk up to the Nordstrom doors to enter the mall. We get to the door and I just STAND THERE. haha. I look at the door and then her as if I am waiting for Nik or someone to open it. I then burst out in laughter! haha. I wasn't alone at that time so my mind just automatically told me to wait and the door will open. hahahaha. I end up opening the door and explained to Carrot what the deal was. haha. Everytime I was with someone for the last 3 months, it was Nik and he would open my doors.

LOL! I hope you find this as funny as I do. I felt like a complete idiot! It was classic.

Oh wait! Later on that evening when Nik got off work we all went out to eat and then to see Love Happens. (great movie, btw) We go to the theater and this is one where you open one door and then you have to go thru another one right after that. Nik, of course, opened the first door so Carrot and I went in. We then stood there waiting for him to open the next door but he was still holding the first door for the other people behind us, because he is just that much of a gentleman. Carrot and I are standing there and it doesn't register in my head that Nik is not going to be able to open that next door until about 5 people gather into that same confined area as the two of us. So after it registers I rush over and reach for the door, which was completely weird, and I opened it for everyone else while laughing to myself. It was very funny. Carrot understood what was going on only because of the mall scene I put on and she was laughing as well.

Nik is so wonderful to me and to any lady he is around. I love that he cares this much for me and every other Daughter of God to do this. No other boyfriend has ever treated me the way he does and I love him even more for that. I could go on and on about him, but I think you catch my drift. Hope you enjoyed my funnies.

Open Please!