The Story of Us: Top tier of the Wedding Cake

Usually the top tier of the wedding cake is saved for the 1st Anniversary.

We decided to eat ours on our first month anniversary, didn't want frost bite.

I took it out of the freezer the night before, excited for the next evening.

Of course the next evening we had our first "big fight", I don't remember what it was about. All I remember is we went to bed angry with each other. Backs toward each other, me silently crying and Alex breathing hard in frustration. Neither of this was able to fall asleep. After about a half hour of silence. The following happened.

Me: ENOUGH OF THIS! FOLLOW ME!

Alex didn't say a word but followed me to the kitchen. I reached into the silverware drawer and pulled out this.

His eyes grew big
Me: (while shaking knife) THAT IS IT! WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AND DO IT NOW!!!

 

Alex: Um.....do what?

 

Me:  (still shaking knife) CUT THE CAKE AND ENJOY IT!!!

 

He started to laugh hysterically, which sent me into tears. (I blame it now on the pregnancy hormones but we didn't know I was pregnant at the time)

Cause while I thought that I was ending our argument with a peace offering of our wedding cake this is what he saw:

He thought I had lost my mind and was going to kill him, which brought me to more tears. I stormed off to bed and he followed trying to apologize. Trying to talk me to come back to the kitchen to eat the cake.

Lets just say that never happened and unfortunately I was to stubborn the next few days to even consider it. And by the time I was ready the cake was no longer good.

We both laugh about it now, I hope it is a story our children will enjoy hearing, the day mommy almost killed daddy. 











You never know how strong you are

The world came crashing down around me or maybe I was falling unable to catch myself.
Family surrounded me to help cushion the blow...but the world kept turning.
I would watch people, laughing, going on with their lives.
What is wrong with them can't they see that the world isn't the same,
MY WORLD ISN'T THE SAME!
Everything I thought I knew had changed in an instant.
I have walked these halls, I know these smells, but never with such emotion.
Never with such fear of the unknown.

And once I hit the bottom the only way to go was up.
Never have I felt the power of prayer so strongly.
I never knew that I could actually feel the prayers of others
lifting me, guiding me, and giving me hope
To get up, to try, to build, to move forward
with a strength beyond my own.

The panic of the day seemed like it would never end.
But hours turned to days, and days into years.
And the wound continues to heal, some days forgotten
Some days so real.

It changed who I am
I am stronger than I know
It makes me a better person.
A better mom.
And a stronger wife.
It changed us, we are stronger for it.
We work for it.

One chess game at a time.
Each move strategic.
We rebuild, we over come.

"We learn by chess the habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs, the habit of hoping for a favourable change, and that of persevering in search of resources."
Benjamin Franklin

"You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have."
 Author Unknown

Reception Fun!!!

My Family

His Family

Our Grandparents

Our Parents

The Ladies and Gents and our niece too!

The Cake! Thanks Mom!

The Dance ( I love the back of my dress)

The get-a-way car!

It was a great day! So many fun memories. I put the ring on the wrong hand, my knee high nylons quite frequently fell off, Alex falling on his face in the jump picture at the temple. The sealing room so full of family and friends it was standing room only. Me forgetting the poof slip and great friends getting it for me. Arriving 5 minutes late to the temple and Alex thinking I was a runaway Bride. And the many Family and Friends who came to support us and help in making it a wonderful day. Thank You! But most of all to my wonderful Husband, I love you forever!

Oh and if you are wondering our colors where Gold and White with hints of black in the attire.

Our Wedding: March 5, 2005 7 years and still going strong!

The Story of Us: Engagements and Bridals

The Story of Us: The Proposal

I think we left off where I was headed to my other date and Alex was off to save the world.

The date was okay, but he wasn't my prince charming. This guy planned dinner a movie and then wanted to take me bowling. I was able to talk him into just dinner and a movie because I had plans with my girlfriends that evening.

Alex came home from Idaho and we went to Temple square to see the lights....my cousin convinced me that he was going to propose and to tell you the truth I was kinda liking that idea. We had the best time, the lights were beautiful and we had alot of fun. We stopped at Burger King on the way home and I even convinced him to let me take a picture of him in a Burger King crown. But no proposal. I was okay with that too because we had only been dating less than a month.

We went to a Stake sing a long for Christmas the first Sunday in December. On the drive up there he took my hand and asked if I had thought about marrying him. I told him I had and asked him the same question. He responded that he too had thought about it. He then asked if I knew what my answer would be, when I told him it would be a yes he told me he had already bought a ring. And that he had it with him but wanted to speak with my Dad first. He wouldn't even let me take a peek at it.

He will tell you that he planned on asking my Christmas Day but that didn't happen. That Wednesday he took me to dinner and told me he was going to ask my parents that night. I was excited and nervous. I don't think that I was as nervous as Alex was though. But they immediately gave their blessing.

He took my hand and asked me to walk with him to the new fire station that was under construction. He wanted to show me the details and explain to me why it was important to him. He said to me "this community has given me so much, they accepted me in my youth and helped raise me and I feel the need to give back."  Here is a link to a news story they did on him a year ago.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14962572&pid=0

As we walked to the Fire station and the park next to it, it was almost midnight, it was dark and the drizzle of falling rain was slowly turning into snow. He helped me through the unfinished fire station showing me where the gear would go, the trucks, and the training rooms. He explained that alot of the work was being done by the fireman on their days off, like the tiling and the heating ducts. I was amazed at his courage, and his willingness to give. I wanted to be apart of it. I decided then that I would join the fire department too. (Betcha didn't know that about me did ya?)

In our city our fire department is also our first responders. So my medical training would be a benefit. And not to brag but I can say I have "caught" a hydrant at least once. Unfortunately for me it only lasted about 4 months then we found out I was pregnant with Lydia and since then someone has to stay with the little ones. But one day I will go back, they always ask me when I am. Anyway enough about me back to the story.

Once we were done with the tour he walked me to the pine trees that lined the park to get out of the rain/snow. He got down on one knee and asked if I would be his wife. I joyfully said yes! He put the ring on my finger and I held out my hand. "It is so beautiful!" I told him. He laughed. It was so dark that I honestly had no idea what my ring looked like and he knew it. But that didn't matter to me. It was mine, from the one I love and want to spend my life here and in eternity with.

And when I got home and saw it in the light, it was everything I had hoped for and more.

My beautiful ring

Our Tree

Our Family Tree.

The Story of Us: A sad, sad, day.....

Remember this photo from my last post?

I was going to share this one on December 8th, the day he proposed.

But due to a severe wind storm that hit our area today this is what my tree looks like now.

On a separate note:

Lydia, 6 years ago today you were given your eviction notice.

You were due December 1, 2005

however on this day I found myself riding up the elevator

to my work with a nice lady who asked me when I was due.

You always have done things on your own time.

I love you! I can't believe you are almost six!

Lydia's Birth Story coming soon!

The Story of Us: First Date to I Love You



Alex and Tracie August 2011
The tree where he proposed.

 November 10, 2004 My Parents 25th Wedding Anniversary

I woke up that morning with the worst migraine in the world and the anxiety and anticipation of the upcoming night didn't help. I thought I might have to cancel the pain was so bad, but luckily for me I work at the best place in the world, with the best Doctors' in the world. And these great guys who were determined to marry me off (by trying several times to set me up on dates with guys in their wards) gave me shot in the bum for the migraine and the nausea and sent me on my way with threats (jokingly) of what would happen if I came to work the next day with out good stories of my date.

He picked me up and we drove through Ogden looking for a place to go bowling, he showed me his brother's house and I showed him where I worked. When we arrived at the bowling alley things go a little awkward, his accent was a very thick just being 6 months off his mission and I had a hard time understanding him, the first 2 games seemed so long but by the third we were talking about our likes and dislikes which eventually turned into how many children we wanted to have someday. We ended our night at Wingers enjoying each others company and learning more about each other. He drove me home and walked me to the door and said goodnight. My parents were waiting for me and after asking if I had a good time asked if I would consider going on another date with him. I told them I would if he asked.

That Saturday he called and asked me to go out with his friends. Unfortunately I already had plans with friends and I had promised myself that after ditching my friends with my other boyfriends I would never do that again, so I declined. Then believe it or not she ditched me. So my Dad and I went car shopping. I had a great job, was single, and not seriously dating anyone. I decided that I needed something newer and something with better traction for the Winter.  (Not to jump ahead but lets just say I was engaged before the first payment was due)

The next day we sat together in the singles ward, his sister and I whispered and giggled. Alex, well lets just say I have never seen someone so intent on a speaker in my whole life. In the end I couldn't resit poking him in the ribs a few times trying to distract him. He was nervous that I didn't want to go on another date with him that is why I turned him down the day before. So to make it up to him I invited him to my family home evening, we were going to a play at Northridge. He decided he was going to hold my hand that day and I unknowingly made it very hard on him. I have a habit of sitting on my hands when they are cold he finally just flat out asked if he could have that, and pointed to my hand. So to the point, so romantic. We held hands the rest of the night.

After that we saw each other at least twice a week he would cook for me and we would play games. He would stop by my work and bring donuts or pizza, would decorate my car, and leave me candy and roses. The girls at work were SO JEALOUS!

The week of Thanksgiving we decided that we would spend it with our separate families and then he had plans to go to Idaho to see a mission buddy. My Mom was urging me to date other people since it had been 2 years since I had dated anyone. She like Alex but wanted me to experience the fun of dating. My Aunt came down and I excitedly told her of all that had been happening. In the middle of this conversation my phone rang. It wasn't Alex, but to my surprise another boy from the singles ward asking me on a date for that Friday. My heart sank, technically Alex and I were exclusive and we hadn't even talked about becoming exclusive but deep in my heart I didn't want to date anyone else. I was so happy when I was around him. But like I said in my other post I told my self that I would never turn down a date so I agreed. My Mom was glad that I had agreed, my Aunt told me she could see a change in my personality after speaking with this other guy and could tell how much I must like Alex.

Thanksgiving dinner was amazing and in my family we stay up late playing games. I left my phone in my room to charge, the house phone rang and it was my Hunny. He had tried my cell phone about 2 dozen times but thought I was ignoring him. I invited him over to play games and told him I had something to tell him. We walked in the rain and I told him of my date. He was very supportive of my Mom and agreed that I should definitely date someone else so I would know if I was making the right decisions. We went inside to have pie and Alex being the ever helpful but jester that he is offered to take them back to the fridge for my Mom. He then pretended to trip to make her think the pie was going to fall on her. What he didn't realize was they tray wasn't sturdy and they came about six inches away from splattering in her face before he caught them. It was quite funny but he was a little embarrassed.

 That evening after going to a movie with my cousins he kissed me for the first time. Which surprised me because he had told me on our first date that he had never kissed a girl and didn't plan on it until he was engaged and we most definitely were not engaged. I wasn't complaining though it was wonderful.



I just love to kiss him.
Engagments Jan 2005

  The next day we spent the day at my parents house sitting on the floor of the living room going over his mission books before my other date and before he left for Idaho. We laughed at the pictures and he told me some great stories of his Mission. Like getting arrested and kicked out of the country.  Have I not told you that story? Well that is a different post for a different day. My Mom watched us together, she could see how happy we were and I think that is when she knew he was the one for me. Our time together was cut short by the sound of his pager going off, as he ran out the door to the fire station he yelled that he loved me. I yelled back that I loved him too, but it fell on deaf ears as the roar of his engine faded into the distance. My Mom raised her eyebrows and asked if that was the first time we had said that.

I just nodded and headed downstairs to get ready for my date.

The Story of Us: At the Begining

 The story of us actually starts long before there was an "Us"

I remember as a little girl probably six or seven asking my Mom how she met my Dad and how would I know when I found the one that was meant for me. I remember asking her "What if they man I am suppose to marry is in Russia? How am I going to find him?" I don't remember her answer. I just remember the question.

February 1995
I had just turned 12 and one of my Best Friends parents had just adopted two little boys from Russia. Curious I remember going to play over there and seeing Alex (or Alexey as he went by then) for the first time. He was smaller than I had expected and almost 12 year old to be and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why he was so disobedient. He kept sticking a stick into this machine that was spinning. And they would tell him no and he would look at them with a blank stare. ( I know now that he didn't understand a word they were speaking to him.)

For the next years until his mission he lived 4 houses away, his family sat two pews ahead of mine at church, we were in the same Sunday School classes, attended the same Youth conferences, and the same school. He was one of my Brother Adam's Best Friends and spent the night at our house on occasion. That being said, all I remember is he wore the same American flag tie each week, spoke with a funny accent, and we would try to get him to teach us naughty words in Russian ( he wouldn't).

 He remembers me dating "weird looking guys" and apparently one time he put burrs in my brother's hair while they were moving pipe and he says that when he came to apologize that I ripped him a new one about treating my brother like that and that it had taken me an hour to get them out of his hair (I don't remember this). Apparently he was afraid of me after that. (And my Dad, he caught Alex letting Derek ride on the hood of his car. My Dad let him have it!)

We never hung out. We never dated. To put it best were were acquaintances, nothing more.

So how did to strangers become Husband and Wife for Time and all` Eternity?

Summer 2004

The Day I got home from a very spiritual and life changing Pioneer Trek with the Young Single Adults (YSA) ward they had a special meeting for us, on the stand sat a very handsome yet somewhat familiar face. I turned to my Dad and asked "Is that Alexey Turner?" He confirmed it was and I was like "Wow, he has changed."

That Country Fair days he was selling lace temples and pictures. I spent at least a half of an hour talking with him about  the lace and how he started selling it before purchasing some for myself. He doesn't remember this at all. He had a calling in our home ward as a Sunday School teacher for the 16-18 year olds so he rarely came to the YSA ward.

October 31, 2004

I attended our home wards Halloween party. He opened the door and asked what I was suppose to be. He doesn't remember this either. He likes to say God wouldn't let him see me until it was time. Frankly I was wondering what I needed to do to get noticed. What did it take? The blue shirt in our engagement picture is what I was wearing when he finally noticed me.

November 7, 2004 My Mom's Birthday

I woke up with butterflies in my stomach, not sure why I got up and got dressed for church for some reason taking extra time that morning. My phone rang and the Bishop called wanting to meet with me. After receiving a new calling I was more relaxed and made my way to Sacrament meeting. I sat by myself because the young lady I usually sat with (who just happens to be his sister Jamie) wasn't there.

I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and feel someone watching me. I looked around just in time to see him quickly turn his attention back to the speaker. This happened several times during the meeting he would be staring at me but when I would turn to smile he would look the other way. As soon as the meeting got out I saw him in a chair in the foyer. Deciding to take matters into my own hands I walked up to him and started a conversation. It went like this.

Me: Hi you staying for classes?
Him: Why do you wanna know?
Me: I was just wondering....
Him: Why?
Me: I usually sit with your sister and she isn't here today.
Him (interrupting me): I will stay and sit with you if you really want me to.
Me: No, that's okay.

And I turned around and walked away. Wow, I thought I definitely don't need that. Then I here my name being called through the chaos in the hall. I turned around to see Alex.

Him: Would you like to go on a date Wednesday? Why a Wednesday? He told me later so that if the date was bad he wouldn't have wasted his weekend. .  Nice huh?
Me:  Um sure what time?

What did I just agree to? Oh well, it's just a date and I had promised my self never to turn one down and to give everyone a chance. I texted my brother Adam. He took awhile to respond with an Oh.

Adam was worried about me going on a date with one of his best friends. His wife's response.

"It's not like they are getting married."