DC Trip

I had the extreme priveledge of attending the National Epilepsy Foundation's Walk for life and Public Policy Institute. We visited Utah's senators and two of our representatives. We also spoke in front of all the President's of the State Epilepsy Foundations. It was an amazing experience. We also got a little bit of site seeing in while we were there. So warning there is a lot of photos attached with this blog post.

The day of the walk was rainy and muddy. Margo ruined her shoes in the mud. But it was really fun. We walked with over 5000 others for epilepsy awareness. We started the walk just below the capital and went down and around the Washington Monument and back. The total walk was a little over 2.25 miles. I am not use to walking that far by the time we were done with the day we had walked over 5 miles. My legs hurt so bad.

After the walk we took a tour bus around to Arlington. I learned so very much. It is so inspiring. All of these amazing men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. We saw the women in the Military exhibit. I learned a lot about the WASP group from WWII. They were a women's pilot group there was a little over 1000 of them. Margo's mom happens to be one of them. They did this amazing triute to them. These women did amazing work. They weren't even recognized for VA benefits until 1977 or were made officers. They weren't even brought home when one of them died in duty. All the women pulled their money together to get the body home to be buried.

This tribute was really nice. If you ever get to Arlington I suggest you take a few minutes to visit this. Then we went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was so amazed at the reverence and awe that was there.

We traveled to the White House visitors center and went back to the hotel. We were incredibly tired. Sunday we did our speach in front of the president's and exec's that were in. The speech went well. I was excited to have it over. Monday we spent the big part of the day in meetings. We learned a lot. Near the end of the day we skipped the talks about how to talk to legislatures (we figured we knew how to do that) and went site seeing. We went to the Jefferson Memorial, Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vetanam Memorial the WWII Memorial. Around where all the memorial are the Cherry Blossom Festival was going on. It was amazing. I took over 100 scenery photos mainly of the flowers. The photo of me has the Jefferson Memorial in the background.

Now that this blog post is getting even longer. Tuesday we had our meetings up at Capital Hill. Believe me it is a hill after all the walking we did. We met with three out of the five Senators and Reps offices. We dropped info off at one other. I was really impressed with Jason Chaffetz's office and staff for being the new guy on the block and not being on any health committee's they were really receptive. We met with Orrin Hatch personally. Well at least long enough for the photo op. His office staffer was amazing and commended us a lot on the bill we passed in Utah.

Wednesday was our travel home day. We had a breakfast meeting with people from the National Epilepsy Foundation. I was excited to be going home and my kids couldn't wait. Although they were spoiled by Grandma so I am suprised they wanted me home at all. Erik did a great job will I was gone. I am really proud of him. We ended up being delayed in the airport for a while and it took a lot longer than it was suppose to but while it was storming on the ground I took this photo above the clouds over DC. It was a beautiful site. I am really shocked that the photo turned out. Now I just have to get back into the routine and on the right time zone.

Washington DC

I'm sorry I haven't written much this month. I don't know where this month went. I swear it was just the first of the month the other day. I have been invited to Washington DC. I am going this weekend representing Utah for the National Epilepsy Foundation walk. I am attending with my VP Margo. We are also speaking to our Senators and Representatives and speaking in front of the heads of the state foundations about the bill we passed last year. I am really honored that they have asked me to come and do this. Margo and I are planning all of our fun things we want to try and see between meetings. I have never been there before. Clarissa took me shopping on Saturday to help me get ready and to plan something to wear. I was really afraid of looking like a frumpy housewife when I walked in to meet some of these people. Not that isn't what I am I just don't want them to know it the second they see me. So wish me luck. I have six days in DC. My husband and kids are staying at home. I am hopeful that things will go really smooth while I am gone. Erik has taken half of the time I am gone off of work to be home with the kids. Although he is having a rough week working this many days in a row to get ready for me to leave. I don't know what I will do with myself to not be with them for that many days. Although I couldn't turn down this opportunity. I am really grateful to be doing this!

Bill Signing

Thank you again to everyone for your help with the epilepsy bill. The governor did a ceremonial signing last week. Here are a couple photos (thanks Marisa).

Legislation

With all the work that went into this legislation. I wanted to do a thank you dinner for those that helped out the most. So therefore we had an amazing dinner at Madeline's! This is a photo of all that attended!

New Epilepsy Law

Signed yesterday! I wish I could have been there to see this signed although our bill was signed by the governor. It takes effect in 60 days! I am so thrilled that this is all done! We requested a public signing of the bill but apparently we didn't ask fast enough. But I am just glad that it is signed!

Thanks for everyone's support in this.

Day at the Senate

Thank you so very much for everyone's support and letters to the legislature. I am so grateful! Our bill passed yesterday! I am so very excited. We are the first state to pass anything like this bill. Quite a few states have tried but Tennessee is the only one that has gotten close. It was rather exciting. I went up there first thing in the morning and I was there all day. We have had at least one board member there all day every day for a month now. We met with almost all the senators and representatives! We are soooo grateful that this passed. This is amazing. I feel like a lot of the things the EAU has done is one such a small scale and for the first time we were able to make a difference to people throught the whole state! They finished the voting and a wave of relief went over me. I just couldn't believe that this is going to be a law!

Life update

I don't know why this week has been so crazy. I feel like I haven't had more than two minutes. I don't really know why. It just seems to be one of those weeks. I think I am still a little drained from being sick a couple weeks ago. Kimmie got sick at about 3:30 this morning. I really hate waking up to sick kids. She was fine by about 10:00 although she was already out of school and I didn't want to risk it. Johnny is doing well although Bethany is out of town this week and he hasn't stopped asking when they will be getting back. He is so sad that his best friend Tyler is in Disneyland. I will be really happy to let him know that they are starting their trip home tomorrow.

My legislative bill cleared the house! I am so grateful for everyone's support and letters. As soon as I know the Senate number I will ask again to write you senators (I think it changes numbers for the senate although I don't know). We cleared the house unanimously. I can't believe that we have gotten it this far. Last year we kept getting railroaded in the house committee and it kept getting pushed back on the house floor list. I am really proud that we are making a difference.