Single digits...

Once upon a time, as I write this post, Larry and I are 7 days, 17 hours, and 58 minutes away from getting married. I think the reality of it all is finally starting to hit... Today one of the ladies I work with came up to me about 15 minutes before close and informed me that the next time I worked the window shift, I'd be a married woman. All of a sudden, I don't feel old enough to do this. I still enjoy bubble wrap more than almost anything wrapped in it. But I know it is right. And, I love this guy!!

I can't believe I get to spend eternity with him!!!

...54 minutes...

Stay tuned!

(In the next 7 days, Nina will be learning how to blog. For more adventures concerning Roxy and Larry, check out their blog here!)

You're invited!

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If you are a friend, you are invited!

In Loving Memory

Demarious Ann Carter Artz

March 5th, 1935 - July 16th, 2009

Demarious Ann Carter Artz (Newkirk) left this earthly life on Thursday, July 16, 2009 of causes due to illness. Demarious was born in Brashear, Missouri, March 5, 1935 to Frank Elijah Newkirk and Opal Ellen Carlton Shearer. She was married to Charles William Carter until his death in 1995 and is survived by her current husband Paul Wayne Artz. She was a graduate of Needles High School and was an accomplished artist. Her life was truly an adventure filled with dignity and beauty. From her buggie rides on the farm in Missiouri as a youth, her title as Marathon Queen in her teens, raising of four boys as a young mother, and glowing as a proud grandmother, she has been an inspiration to all that knew her. She was a model of health and fitness and credits her lifestyle to the old Prevention magazine. Demarious learned young the correlation of health and good food. If you are not feeling well, it must be due to something that you are taking into your body. She loved to exercise, ride her bike and modeled her physical health after Jack Lalayne. After adding an odometer to it, she would proudly state the hundreds of miles that it would show she had ridden. Demarious had a way of making each person she associated with feel special giving them her individualized attention. Demarious was very proud of her four sons and watched with pride as they worked their way through life and its challenges, always being a strong provider of hope, faith, and encouragement. Her faith in God was strong. From her early days as a Sunday School teacher in the Methodist church through her conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she always talked and taught faith. She loved the stories of Abraham and modeled her faith after his. Demarious loved anything and everything beautiful. She loved color. She was taught to oil paint by Nellie Howell and painted her entire life. Her collection of oil paintings will forever be a window into her soul. Her passion for life reaches into the hearts of her posterity and continues to branch and reach others through them. Demarious is survived by her husband, Paul Wayne Artz (Logan), her four sons and their families, Marvin & Shannon Carter (Needles, Ca.), Charles & Linda Carter (Holden, Ma.), Frank & Shandy Carter (North Logan, Ut.), and John & Karen Carter, (Logan, Ut.) Demarious loved her grandchildren: Marvin, Cari, Dustie, Amber, Scott, Chessie, Parker, Roxanne, Christopher, Daniel, & Kristina. Demarious was also a great grandmother to Dani, Mason, Kyle, Matthew, & Mitz. Demarious will be welcomed back to the arms of a loving family that have preceded her in death; Her parents Frank & Opal; all of her siblings, Vonceil Young, Neil Newkirk, Kenneth Newkirk, and two cherished siblings that did not survive many days on this earth, whom she now will grow to know. Demarious is also preceded in death by her husband and father of her four boys, Charles William Carter. There will be a private gathering of family on Monday, July 20th in the home of Paul and Demarious followed by a public graveside service where friends may gather as she is laid to rest in the Logan Cemetery, North West Corner at 2:00pm. Demarious' final wish was for a simple service. We will honor her request. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net There will also be a memorial service in Needles, Ca. at a time to be announced. Paul Artz, and Demarious' sons and their families are grateful to all those who respected her health and allowed her to live with such dignity. Thank you. Heaven has just added a new hue to its palette.