Duludes in the Back Woods of Tennessee

Some Funny Kids

2011-11-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

I was talking to my good friends back home the Packards not to long ago when momma Packard related a story to me about 4yr old Celeste. Celeste was giving the pray in Primary and it was a short sweet prayer. This is what she said. Dear Heavenly Father. Please bless Joel and Marta to have a Baby. and then she ended it. Cracks me up like anybody in that Primary besides the Packards knows who Marta and Joel are. Also funny or maybe sad that the Packard children still continue to pray for Joel and I. I'm surprised they haven't lost faith yet.

The other funny story happened this Sunday. I had called a good friend the DeBry's to ask if they would be willing to be one of our references for adoption. I guess after I got off the phone with Momma DeBry she told her husband while we had called. Which one of her 8 children Peter the 6yr old said the DuLudes are going to adopt me. (in his way excited voice) Then he said I love Joel.

We love are friends children they always seem to know how to make Joel and I smile and laugh. It doesn't hurt that they are all so darn cute either.

November is here time to Express my Gratitude

2011-11-01T13:18:00.000-07:00

So I'm going to try really hard for the Month of November to post things I'm currently Grateful for, both big and small.

To start off my last post was a bit negative and I haven't posted since, Sorry. Through out the years of this infertility trail we have been very fortunate to have health insurance (not that it covers everything at my doctor visits but it helps. Well since my husband started back to school in September we haven't had health insurance. Needless to say my infertility issues don't go away just because I don't have insurance. So as stated in the last post my last few visits have been a little discouraging, okay a lot discouraging. But this post is to be positive and about being grateful so onto that. I really have found an amazing Doctor who I feel has been doing a great job for us on this issue. My last appointment I didn't have insurance he was aware of the hubby going back to school to become a Nurse Anesthetist . He kindly didn't charge me for the ultrasound. What a sweet guy huh! I left that appointment crying with different tears then the last one. Tears of Gratitude.

At my work (Kohl's) it is currently open enrollment for health insurance which I actually qualify for. So I have been trying to figure out all that it entails. My Dr. takes the insurance that I would be getting through Kohl's but the hospital where he would be performing my surgery dose not. So I was left to think do I need to find a different Dr.? Joel and I really don't want to do that. Especially not after all that my Dr. has done for us and where he is planning another procedure, it would feel like we were starting all over again if I had to find a new one.

So today I went in to the Dr. to ask what he thinks is going to happen with the insurance provider and the hospital. The nurse who was helping is actually our Doctors wife. She said you need insurance and you need your specialist which is why going to the other place wouldn't be that great because its just a general OB/GYNO. She has a feeling that something will be worked out before the beginning of the year with the insurance and mountain state health alliance because so many people in this area have that type of insurance it would be stupid for them to not accept it. I then asked what I needed to be doing until the beginning of the year since I don't have insurance and can't have the surgery done yet. I have been on birth control for months now but it was paid for through insurance. She went to the back and brought out two months worth of birth control for me. I was extremely grateful that I wasn't having to pay out of pocket for it. My Dr. and his office rocks.

So the moral of this post that turned out to be longer then I was planning is. I'm grateful for such a great Dr. Who has done some extremely kind things for us during frustrating infertility trials to having no insurance. Today I'm grateful for my Dr. and that I will be getting health insurance at the beginning of the year.

So Sick and Tired!

2011-08-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yep not what your thinking. I'm so sick and tired of playing this infertility game. Had another disappointing Dr. appointment today. Seems like im taking steps backwards not forwards. Uber Frustrated right now.

2011-07-12T10:44:00.001-07:00

Where has all the Honeydew Gone!

So for some odd reason this year has been extremely hard to find Honeydew in the stores and at the little fruit stands alongside the road even at the farmers market. So it must be a bad growing year for them. Which makes me sad. I really enjoy eating Honeydew and Limes together during the summer. I even enjoy them more then watermelon.

The other disappointing thing this growing season has been the lack of Rhubarb. I planted one last year and it never did really well. At least the Nursery gave me my money back when it didn't grow back this season. I haven't been able to find it in too many places either. Which is too bad because I had found this Blueberry Rhubarb Jam recipe that I wanted to try. I also love to make Strawberry
Rhubarb Crisp.

Bruschetta with Tomato and homemade Pesto

2011-06-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

So I have started to harvest things out of the garden. It always brings such Joy to me when I have been successful in gardening. I have gotten Zucchini's, yellow squash, basil, cilantro, beans, lettuce, blueberries, few raspberries and one tomato so far.
Last week with my Basil i made homemade Pesto. I Love this stuff so I thought I would share the recipe.
Auntie Cassy's Pesto
2 cups of fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated (I just use the stuff that's already grated)
4 cloves of garlic, peeled
1/2 cup pine nuts (these are expensive but worth it, if you don't want to spend a small fortune you can use walnuts. My friend Chelsea told me why they are so expensive, its a really hard time consuming process to harvest pine nuts.)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
Rinse basil leaves in cold water. Remove excess water. Place basil leaves in food processor or blender and chop well. Add remaining ingredients and puree. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Keeps in refrigerator one week. In freezer in sealed container for a few months.

I then take my freshly made pesto and spread a layer on 1/2 slices of Bruschetta Bread. Then layer with tomato slice, salt and pepper then layer with Parmesan or Havarti Cheese. Place these on a cookie sheet and broil until the cheese is melted. I can eat this all summer long. I hope I planted enough Basil.

So this isn't a picture of it because I was to busy eating the food to remember to take an actual picture. But it kind of gives you an idea except with out the cheese and it doesn't have pesto and the tomato's are all chopped up. So maybe this wasn't the best picture to use. This post is making me hungry.

This World is really actually a Small Place

2011-06-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have come to think about how our world at times is actually a small place. How many times have you been on a trip and come across someone in common or someone who knows some of the same people you do. This has happened to many times to remember. So why am I so suprised when it happens. A few years ago when Joel and I went to Brazil we where in the Sao Paulo Temple doing a session. The officator of the session looked so familiar that it distracted me the enitre session. I was bound to figure out who he was before I left there. In the locker room I was asking some of the American Sisters serving there if the officator of the last session was from Washington State and what his name was. Come to find out I did know him. It was President Burton from Wenatchee Washington. I had stayed at his house for Youth Conference as a youth and then my sister Kristen later lived in his Stake. What are the chances of seeing him thousand of miles away from home. Well I guess in the temple maybe its a smaller chance.
But recently we have had a ton of people move into our ward from out west. Two different ladies in the last month who have come have the same degree as I do. Come to find out one of the ladies looked familiar but they both ende up being in my program at Ricks College when I was there. Im so excited to reconnect with them and maybe plan some gardening dates.
Joel also has been able to recconnect with a elder and sister missionary from his mission in Brazil that live in our stake out here.
Its funny where life takes us and how sometimes we are reconnected with others from our past. Maybe this is only in the Church but who cares I think its great.

Mothers Day

2011-05-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well for about 8 years now I have grown to really hate this day. For Two reason really.

1)Not because my mother isn't great, it's the exact opposite. But since my mom has become ill with all the different diseases that she has its become a hard day for me. Because its a reminder to me how sometimes life really just isn't fair sometimes. I struggle often with how it's not fair that my mom isn't all there. How I can't call her on this special day or any day for that matter. It's so hard to not be able to talk to her about anything at all or to just simple tell her that I love her and am glad she is my mom.
Don't get me wrong I was very blessed to have had the best relationship with her while growing up and in my early adulthood. I'm so thankful for that time. But it still is hard to remember and be grateful on this day for that short time in my life where it was so perfect. There are just so many days where I would give anything to have my real healthy mom back. Because there is so much she is missing. And days where I just need and want my mom.

This photo was taken in April of this year when I visited Washington. I know its kinda of a sad picture but that is the mom I have and I love her with every ounce of my being!

2)The other reason I dread this day is it isn't any fun going to Church and celebrating once again how I haven't been blessed with children of my own yet. Not a fun reminder at all. We defiantly don't always understand the big picture our Heavenly Father has in store for us.

Some years are harder then others for sure. Last years seemed especially a hard one and I was worried this one would be the same. But like I said Heavenly Father knows what is best and he often sends others to help us.

Since living here in Eastern Tennessee I have been really blessed with some special people in my life. I have an adopted mother here Alice Faye Gold AKA Momma Gold. She really has been such a help to me in those dark and hard times where I just wanted my mom to be there for me. She seems to always know when I need a little pick me up. It is people like Momma Gold and my beautiful Young Women who have helped to make today a great day and one that wasn't hard for once in a very long time. I'm truly grateful for Momma Gold she calls this a day of celebrating womanhood as it should be called. Because we really our celebrating Women in General, ever women's role is a little different and just because I'm not a mother doesn't diminish that fact that I don't have wonderful qualities and the ability to nurture and love those around me. I have the opportunity to really impact and influence the lives of the Young Women of the church and I have seen that a lot. Since being married, going on 9 years this September I have spent a majority of that time working with the beautiful young women of the church. Helping to mold them and teach them of their divine qualities. Over the years I have had several girls now to many to remember all by name but there are always those who stick out in my mind for different reasons. But one in particular who has had an extremely hard life, who has to remain so strong at such a young age who is an example to me. She gave me a beautiful card which she stated she was grateful that I was her adopted mom and that I make an awesome mom! It was so sweet. It helped me realize that I am a Mom (Not a Physical mom)to so many Young Women out there.

So today is a grate day to celebrate Womanhood. I have so many close friends and some family members who are also not mothers yet but they are among some of the finest woman I know. So to you I say lets Celebrate from now on. As Mama Gold wrote in one of her dear letters to me "This is a day to celebrate the many facets of womanhood. I feel blessed to be a woman, especially in the church and during the final days. Sometimes I feel amazed that Heavenly Father chose me to be on earth during this time. As women in the church we have the opportunity to influence our society with so many Christ-like attributes such as virtue, compassion, love, charity... the list can go on and on."

I'm truly blessed with some amazing woman in my life who are all over the world who I think of often for different reasons. Your strength amazes me and gives me a little glimpse of what our Heavenly Father sees in all of us Woman. So Happy Woman's Day!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-30T03:28:00.000-08:00

Okay I don't know what my problem was this past Christmas season. But it is now over for real. I had the hardest time getting Christmas decorations out in the first place. Mostly because Kohls started pulling all that stuff out the first part of October. So by the time December had come, I was ready for it to be over. Hence why i was kicking and screaming to put a tree up. I really didn't want to. But Joel was pretty persistent. So needless to say our good friends Mama and Papa Gold (our adopted parents out here) were out of the country for six weeks and said we could borrow one of theirs. So we did. We did the whole artificial thing. Which ended up being a bad thing. It looked so nice I just barely took it down on Jan 29th. Finally my house is back to normal. I think I might skip the Valentines Decorations.

So we went down to the Biltmore see the Christmas lights. They where stunning. The tree inside was amazing. Joel and I both picked out an ornament for our tree since they had a whole tree decorated in our red and white and silver theme. This is a picture of Joel's. Its the ornament to the left of his beaded J. I was really surprised by the one he picked.

I love this white dove. I got it many years ago and gave the other one to my friend Stacee Leatham Haws. I wonder if she still has it? I always think about her when I decorate my tree each year.

This is the ornament I picked out at the Biltmore. The silver snowflake with the red edging.

I love that I have had matching paper and ribbon the last few years.

This is an apron kit that I got like a million years ago at a Super Saturday. I finally got around to finishing it. It was pretty easy I don't know why it takes me so long to do things sometimes. I love how it turned out, it will be perfect for Christmas baking. I even got some cool Christmas cookie cutters this year.

We had a quite Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve we went Caroling with the Veech family. We went to 7 different families. It was fun. This reminded me of all the years we would go Christmas Caroling with our good friends the Eager Family on Christmas Eve. Then we would go back to their home read the Christmas Story out of the Bible and drink Bonnie's homemade Hot Chocolate.
We opened our Presents early again this year. Mostly due to Joel working Christmas day. Our dear Packard Family back home in Washington Spoiled us with some very thoughtful and perfect gifts. They made a Scrapbook of there ten favorite things about us. Gave us Bonanza the bean game that we love, but have never bought for ourselves. They also gave me some great books for help in Young Women's.

Extra

2010-12-08T10:19:00.001-08:00

I have always been a gum lover. In fact I look back at High School and Middle School and I was the annoying friend that always asked if you had any gum. I hardly ever bought my own. Well did you know they have a new flavor of Extra? Extra Dessert Delights.
I have tried all three and I really like them. I was totally skeptical. When my friend introduced them to me I said why would you want your gum to taste like dessert. Don't you want a fresh mint flavor? She responded with it helps to not eat sweets. Or when you out to dinner at the restaurant and you want to order the dessert you don't have to, you just put a piece of gum in. Its worth a try right? I have to admit the first time I tried them it was really weird for my gum to taste like a dessert but they are surprisingly good. So if you can get past the part of it not being a fresh minty flavor then you should try these. Happy Chewing!

Mischievous

2010-12-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

My Bishop called me Mischievous I don't know if I should be "excited" or "annoyed" at that. The other night I was at our Wards Relief Society Christmas Party. We had a White elephant gift exchange the theme of the gifts had to do with Emergency Preparedness. The Bishop was there for the evening so he participated in the game. I had already had my turn and my gift was a can opener. I turned to my friend next to me and asked what she brought. I should of asked her sooner. She had brought a large jar of Nutella. Hello I love that stuff and yes everyone should have some of it in there food storage to put on all that gross stuff we will be making out of our wheat! Well I thought I would be so helpful to the Bishop knowing he has a strong like for Chocolate such as I do. Especially for the good kind, Nutella and other European Chocolates. So when it was his turn I was telling him he needed to grab the one with the green bow (my friends nutella jar). He was like this one and I said yes, you will love it, it will make you really happy. He was very skeptical and didn't want to believe me. I keep reassuring him I'm telling you the truth. He kept feeling it and was just not sure. He said ya right its mayonnaise or something gross. I was like Bishop I'm not lying to you. Everyone is totally laughing most of them are saying don't trust her Bishop. I was baffled at all the none believers in me to think I would lead the bishop astray. Needless to say he didn't listen and he picked something else. Something so lame I can't even remember what it was. The very next person was so curious to see what the Bishop had passed up. To there sup rise they where extremely excited when they opened it up and saw Nutella. Everyone busted up laughing at the Bishop. Of course the item got stolen a few times. But the best part is that I ended up with it. I really didn't expect for my can opener to be taken. The nutella had been stolen twice and could be stolen once more so I took it. Smiled at the Bishop and said I would be willing to share a spoonful with him. His reply to that was only if its the first one. Ha Ha! Of course we where all laughing. It was a fun night. After the game we where cleaning up, the Bishop was just smiling at me and called me Mischievous! I just smiled and said Bishop you of all people are one I will not lie to.

Being Grateful

2010-11-11T19:27:00.000-08:00

Well I always love the fall and especially the month of November. I have so much to be thankful for and I often take lots of it for granted. Just to update you all on the Baby situation.

I had surgery last month to take care of my newly found Endometerosis. I really like the specialist I have found here in Tennessee. I took him just one visit to determine that I had endometriosis. Something my previous two Doctors didn't diagnose and it is one the most common infertility problems. So my Dr. out here was pretty sure that I was in the third of four stages of Endometreosis.

I like to look at it as I just have a high tolerance of pain and that is why all my other doctors didn't diagnose me with it. Most everyone I know with EM has had a lot of pain with it. My Dr. was really shocked that I wasn't in pain. So I have some cysts on my ovaries which was not new, but he told me they needed to be removed. So I have been on Birth Control for about four months to see if this would help remove them. No such luck. So we scheduled a Laproscopy and it went really well. Poor Joel I think he was bored out of his mind waiting for me. I think he would of done a better job being my nurse. It was taking me a lot longer to wake up then Joel wanted. I was barely coming to and he was encouraging me to get up and go to the bathroom so that they would release me. I was so tired still I just wanted to sleep. Funny guy, he did take very good care of me when we got home. The part I was most nervous for was not the actually surgery itself (Because my Dr is really good at what he dose) but for the actual being but under and not having any control. But the Nurse Anthestist did a really good job at calming my nerves. That just reassured me that Joel is really going to make a great Nurse Anthestist. He will be so good at helping to calm people down before he puts them out.

Well I have had a few check ups and this week the Dr. gave the clear to start trying again. He is pretty sure that we will have success. If nothing happens in the next 4-6 months then we will have to look at other plans but he is pretty confident that won't be the case. I'm really excited that we are so close to getting pregnant but at the same time it has been such a long time of trying and month after month of let down that I'm a bit nervous that we actual could be so close finally. Call me crazy I know.

As for other exciting news I got a new calling to be the Young Womens President in our ward here. If any of you know me very well you know I have a deep love for the Young Womans program and couldn't be more excited about being back in there. We have a great group of girls here which helps make the calling that much easier to like. I'm also really excited to work with ladies in my presidency and to get to know them better and use there strenghts and talents.

Also Joel has interviewed at two different schools and has made the alternate list at one and we are waiting to hear back from another. He has some other schools he will be applying to at the beginning of the year. I'm really proud of him and his efforts to get where he is at. I know it hasn't been a easy or enjoyable thing for him but he has got two down and hopefully not too many more to go. We really have our hearts set on the one in Richmond Virginia. Just because they have a branch in Abingdon which is about 30 min down the road from us and we wouldn't have to move. In fact we are tempted to reapply the next year if he doesn't make it this year. So keep your fingers crossed in hopes that we can be accepted there.

We our grateful for everyones continued love and support and prayers sent our way. It is what helps us to get through those tough times and trials that we have been given. We feel so richly blessed with many blessings.

8 Years

2010-09-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

Holy cow how it flies by so fast. This last week Joel and I celebrated 8 yrs of marriage. We celebrated the whole week basically because we have crazy schedules. Our Anniversary really fell on Tuesday the 7th but we weren't able to go out to Dinner until Saturday. So we just had fun all week long.
So here are 8 things I love about Joel:
1) He makes me Laugh
2) He is so kind to everyone. Especially the Elderly. He always melts my heart to when we visit my mom in the Nursing Home. He is just so loving and gentle.
3) He is great with children. I know he will make a great daddy one day.
4) He helps everyone out. The guy is a workhorse. He will have worked 3 twelve hour shifts (which end up really being about 13 to 14hr shifts by the time paperwork gets done and he drives home)Remember these are night shifts also. Then he will come home and help others with things before he even gets sleep. He always makes it to his church meetings even though he could easily stay home and sleep. I just think he is amazing.
5)Even though we have a lot of different likes I think he makes a really cute fisherman. (I hate fishing and never go with the poor guy)
6) He lets me do my thing. He even will learn about my projects. For example he learns craft terms. Ric Rac, Rub-ons Embellishments. You get the point.
7) I love how he loves everything Brazil. Since he served his mission there he has fallen in love with that place, the people the food and the music. That would hands down be one of our top memories together visiting Brazil for two weeks.
8) He is the perfect man for me. I love him more and more every year we are together.

These pictures are just a few from our Mexico trip last month.

Nothing to Exciting

2010-05-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well I was going to try and add pictures of all the stuff (nothing to exciting) we have been up to. But for some reason it doesn't want to upload my pictures. We mostly have been busy with yard work and church callings and work. Like I said nothing to exciting.
As for the yard work it seems to be a never ending job. It's a lot of work. We rented a sod cutter and tour up different areas in our yard for garden plots, flower beds, a pathway to the front door. That was some of the best money we have spent renting that machine. It saved us hours and made the job a lot easier. I ran the machine it was easier then rolling sod. We moved tons of dirt had some brought in (talk about a waste of money) our dirt was way better then the stuff we paid for. Got the flower beds figured out, have been buying plants every since. We are still needing to get mulch but one thing at time. We also have to finish the pathway. I'm taking the reuse approach to this. We have just collected broken up concrete from different sites around and im trying to create a pathway to my front door with them. They will eventually have grass growing between them. I think its going to look great when finished but we don't have enough pieces yet.

Okay I started this post months ago and never finished it. So since then our yard looks way different. Are garden is doing really well I have had plenty of zucchini that I have had to give away tons of it. My beans and tomato's are ready for me to can. I have also been lucky and got free apples so I canned my first applesauce with a help of a friend. I also have peaches that I need to do something with.

Agian my yard has changed since I updated this, so I will have to get out there and take some new updated pictures sometime this week. As summer is almost over we still have some projects left to finish in the yard. Lucky for us we have some vistors coming in a few weeks that will love to help us. (Joels Parents)

A week in Washington

2010-03-25T11:09:00.001-07:00

Fun with Family and Friends

We went home at the end of February / first part of March for a week. We had a few new little people we needed to meet.

This is my new niece Maci Jo Larsen. She is pretty precious. We wish we could of spent more time with her and her family. But I will get to see them the end of May.

We also had fun with the older siblings of Maci

a

Then it was over the mountains to visit family and friends in Yakima and Moses Lake

Nashville

2010-03-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Joel and I went over yonder to Nashville about a month ago to go to the temple. It was a fun two day trip. We also visited some Civil War sites, ate some good Mexican food and found me some cute rain boots. We had waited along time to do all of these things.

Touring Civil War sites has always been something I have wanted to do. As I love learning about history and being able to actually visit those places and events I have learned about was cool. Although I can't say I remember really learning about the Battle of Franklin. So we went to two different sites the Carnton Plantation and the Battle field of the Battle of Franklin which is downtown Franklin Tennessee.

WAR * FAMILY * SACRIFICE

During the Battle of Franklin the Carnton family turned their home into a Civil War Field Hospital. The Carnton family sheltered hundreds of wounded and dying Confederate soldiers brought to the site for surgeries and medical care.

This is the front of the home.

The Carnton's turned part of their family cemetery into a Confederate Cemetery. It is the final resting place for 1,481 men killed during the battle.

The backside of the home that faces the North.

The Battle Of Franklin took place on November 30, 1864. This battle was pretty much hand to hand combat which was centered around the Carter house. The combat raged for five hours, leaving nearly 9,500 casualties, 2,000 dead, 6,500 wounded and 1,000 missing. The battle cost the lives of six confederate generals and eleven Union Soldiers were later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. This is one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on American soil. More men died in one hour of this battle then any of the other civil war battle. The fighting started a few hours before sundown and most were killed in the first hour.

Im standing where a big portion of the battle took place.

This picture shows bullet holes on a building by the Carter House. You could still see the lead stuck inside the wood and brick, It was pretty amazing.

Our friends that used to live over in the Franklin told us of a great little Mexican restaurant to eat at. We have been dying to have good Mexican food as it is hard to find out this direction. It didn't disappoint at all. Joel and I ate so much because we weren't sure when we will get some more good food. We were in pain that night. But it was worth it. Next time we go to the temple in Nashville we will be making a stop there again for sure.

National Apron Day

2010-03-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

National Apron day....

Calling all my apron lovin' friends! National Apron day is coming up! Haven't heard of it?....... want to know more?........Let me tell you!

"National Wear your Apron Day is a yearly celebration dedicated to preserving a fun, nostalgic way to display your favorite apron. National Apron Day is celebrated on Monday after Mother's Day. Wear your favorite apron all day. Go ahead! Have fun........"
Okay I found this on someone elses blog over a year ago and thought it would be fun to do. There are so many adorable aprons patterns out there and if your like me you like to wear cute fashionable aprons around the house. So I thought it would be fun to do a Apron exchange for National Apron Day coming up. To participate all you have to do is 1)sew or buy a apron
2) Let me know
3) Delivery or send your apron to the name you are assigned to exchange with.
4) Wear you aprong that was given to you on National Apron Day

So let me know if you want to participate I think this is going to be so fun. I will just gather all the names and put them in a bowl and draw randomly out names and will let you know who you get to make or buy a apron for and exchange it with. For those of you who are wanting to play but don't want to send it to somebody but would rather just exchange with somebody from your area that's not a problem just let me know. So lets get started.

$4.29 instead of $151.23

2010-02-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

That's right what a find huh. Growing up we always had the Sunday dishes and utensils and nice serving bowls that where brought out for the Sunday dinner. I have a few nice serving bowls that we get to use now and then. But no actually place settings. Well at work (Kohls) they had some plates left over from Christmas that where clearance down to 90% off. So instead of paying $12.99 a plate they where $1.29. But on top of that a I had a coupon for another 15% off and on top of that my 15% employee discount and I had $10 of Kohls cash. So I saved $151.23 and paid only $4.29 for my 12 plates.

My other find was my rain boots. I have wanted some cute rain boots for about a year. But especially since I moved to the South where it rains all the time. I have been searching for some since Sept. But I haven't been able to find any. Well my friend in Utah just found some ridiculously cute ones at TJ Max. So I checked out the Ross, TJ Max and a million other stores again to make sure they didn't have any. Of course I couldn't find any. So when we went to Nashville last weekend I was determined to find some I looked at a millions stores and didn't find any that I loved. So on the drive home we stopped at a few places and I managed to find some in Knoxville. I think they are pretty cute. They weren't exactly on Sale but I figured I had waited long enough and spent way to much time searching that I just bought them. It was a BOGO buy on get one half off. Of course I couldn't find any other shoe that I wanted, but the nice thing was they said I could save my receipt and use it another time to get my half off.

2 New things to me

2010-01-28T18:22:00.000-08:00

Well to some of you both of these might be old but to me they are new discoveries.
The first being the Why book
This is a awesome book I actually don't have my own copy yet but I want one. It helps answer all those nagging teenager's and younger kiddos gospel questions. It can also be used for FHE. I have a hard time putting it down or not reading there blog. It gives practical reasons for living the standards along with powerful answers from the leaders of the church. You can also check out the http://www.ldswhy.com
One thing that I had probably heard before but it just never stuck was about Fasting. I knew the obvious answer of it's a commandment, we can draw closer to God and it helps our prayers be answered. Also we offer relief to the poor through the payment of fast offerings. But the one that stood out to me was what Isaiah talks about in Isaiah 58. Isaiah states "loose the bands of wickedness: or in other words to help us overcome sin. This is the first reason we should fast. So you probably asking yourself how dose going with out food and drink help us overcome sin? Well at the heart of almost all sin is selfishness, coupled with a lack of self-control. Pres David O. McKay said "The lack of self-control is one of the most common contributing factors of unhappiness." So by saying things we shouldn't, or think something is not virtuous to be honest or doing unholy things we let our "natural man" rule over or "spiritual man".
They also had this fact of ending world hungry. Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said "Think, my brethren, of what would happen if the principles of fast day and fast offerings were observed throughout the world. The hungry would be fed, the naked clothed, the homeless sheltered. Our burden of taxes would be lightened. The giver would not suffer, but would be blessed by his small abstinence. A new measure of concern and unselfishness would grow in the hearts of people everywhere. Can anyone doubt the divine wisdom that created this program which has blessed the people of this Church as well as many who are not members of the Church?"
Its actual pretty simple.
If the wealthiest 20% of people in the world fasted... The United Nations estimates that the cost to end world hunger completely, along with diseases related to hunger and poverty, is about $195 billion a year.
$195,000,000,000 Cost to end world hunger per year.
$16,250,000,000 Cost to end world hunger per month.
$13.54 Cost per month to end world hunger if 1,200,000,000 (20% of world population)people fasted and gave fast offerings each month.
Amazing!

The second new thing to me. Habitat for Humanity's "Restore". I have never heard of this before. Of course I know what Habitat for Humanity is but the "Restore", is new to me. This is a place where you can donate home building supplies and home goods to be resold to the public. The proceeds help fund the construction of new Habitat for Humanity homes. Kind of like a thrift store for building supplies and treasures. All though I haven't actually been to one yet we do have one here in my area so I will be going to see what kind of treasures I can find. You can find out if they have a Habitat for Humanity's "Restore" near you on there http://www.habitat.org"
Well I hope I wasn't the only one to learn about so new treasures.

Washington here we come!

2010-01-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the absence on the whole Blog for the past two and half months. We moved out of my sister right before Thanksgiving and didn't hook up the Internet until last week. So here we are. We are loving are adorable little home. I know I need to take pictures. I'm almost at the point where I have everything put away. On a different note we bought tickets to Washington for the end of Feb to the first part of March. We are so excited to come home and visit everyone. We where able to find some great tickets for flying across country and pretty short notice. Also we are flying out of the airport here in the Tri-Citites of Tennessee which is smaller one not quite as small as Yakima but still pretty small. But for future references for all of you that are going to come visit us they seem to always have some pretty good deal from here to Seattle thank goodness. We had vouchers from are trip back from Brazil which was $400 for each of us. I got are tickets to Washington for the cost of one of those vouchers plus a little more for the taxes. I'm so excited. I think I must make a count down chain.

Tennessee Fall

2009-10-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

Well the Fall here in Tennessee is beautiful. The changing of the leaves has happened about two weeks earlier then normal this year. We have had a lot more rain this fall then what is normal or at least that is what people keep telling us. Man in September I was starting to think I had moved to the Seattle of the South. It rained way to much. So people also have said that the trees are not as beautiful as usual. Man I can't imagine them being any prettier. The weather is so nice for fall weather a lot different then Washington. It as been in the low 70's during the days. I don't miss the cold windy falls that Washington gets.

Joel has gone on several hikes and camp outs the past couple of weekends. So some of these pictures are from his adventures.

Driving across the Country

2009-10-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well are move was cut shorter then we had planned for. So we where not able to spend as much time doing things along the way. Here are some pictures of the journey across the Country.

Leaving Washington State

These are pictures of somewhere in Wyoming.
Then There is a lack of pictures of Nebraska and Iowa just imagine corn field after corn field. We did stop for a couple of hours in Iowa to visit my friend Kacey Winterton Jones. I hadn't seen her in years so it was fun to visit her and see her cute kiddos. She lives in the middle of nowhere Iowa. Originally we would of loved to stay the night with them but because of or moving company we went with we had to get there in four and half days.

We then continued on down the road for about three hours to Nauvoo Illinios. I have been here before and was really excited for Joel to be able to experience this magnificent place. It is one of my favorite places I have ever been to. Joel was a little skeptical and not to excited, but we arrived into Nauvoo as the sun was starting to set across the Mississippi River. We pulled into town next to the temple and Joel immadetaly fell for Nauvoo the same way I have. Unfortunately for us we would not be there long enough to get to see all the little shops and buildings that you can tour through. We did catch the last show of the evening that the couple missionaries put on. I think Joel is better able to understand now why this is where I would love to serve a mission. We stayed the night at Hotel Nauvoo. It was a Monday evening we decided to walk around the temple grounds this was long after the sun had set. We ran into a nice older couple who we started talking to and it ended up being the Temple President and his wife. They of course invited us to come to the temple. Which we would of loved to do but we had planned on going and seeing Carthage and hitting the road the next morning. They insisted that we come to the early morning session. We both had are recommends so that wasn't a issue and they rent temple clothing. But Joel didn't have Church clothes on him. The temple President said that he didn't care. That shouldn't stop you from coming to the temple. There at the Nauvoo Temple they understand that people are always just stopping through. We couldn't believe what we where hearing. Joel still was like but I only have jeans and tennis shoes. He said come we will not turn you away. So of course we wanted to go but at the same time we felt completely stupid. We did get up early and we did go to the temple. Joel in is jeans and tennis shoes. It was amazing. We had such a wonderful experience there and where able to see the Temple President and his wife in the temple. We can hardly wait to go back to Nauvoo again and spend a few days there. Since we decided to go to the temple we did stop at Carthage but we only took pictures. I can't wait for Joel to experience it.

While driving through Indiana we stopped in Indianapolis. My sweet roommate from Ricks College, Sara Tyre drove a hour or so, so that we could see each other again. I was able to meet here kiddos she has 7. It was fun to have dinner with them and to catch up with her. She is such an amazing person, mom and friend. I was really so excited to see her after so many years. Now we are just hoping are husbands can get in a Masters program together.

From there we decided that we would continue the rest of the way to Tennessee. We pretty much drove almost all night to get here. It was I think about 4 in the morning when we arrived. I missed seeing beautiful Kentucky because it was night. The truck with all of are stuff arrived around noon. Sorry not pictures of the moving truck but we really did move. Thanks to everyone who helped us on both ends of this adventure.

Endless amounts of Deer

2009-10-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just a short video to show mostly my brother Nathan that the deer really do exist and that we aren't making it up. I took this video through the bedroom window.

I really like all the deer we have around. They come in the yard all the time. The most I have seen in the yard at one time is 8. In the last picture the gate was left open in the garden and we caught the one deer in side the garden.

Other things I'm enjoying is the restaurants here. They have a better selection then Yakima by far. Some of my new favorites are Jason's Deli(sandwiches,salads & soups), Gondolier (Greek and Italian food), Cooty Browns (has a little of everything and has a cool atmosphere)Rita's (ice cream).

I have had a good time watching my niece Breanne play Volleyball. She is almost done with her season and then hopefully we can start up a city league team.

Senior Night

Winning there Tournament
A couple of weeks ago we drove to South Carolina Columbia Temple. It takes us about 4 hours to get to the closest one. It is the tiniest temple I have been to. But none the less wonderful and beautiful. Since going to the Temple we recieved callings to teach the Temple Prep Class.

I have also gone to my nephews Clayton's soccer game and my niece TaraLyn's Orchestra concert. She plays the cello.

One Saturday in September Johnson City has the Dragon Boat Races down at the park. My brother-in-law was on one of the teams so we went and watched for a little bit. They had over 40 teams. It was a cool thing. I think that there was about 20 people paddling and one playing the drums at the front. Then they had food booths set up and blow-up toys for the kiddos. Nice weather which was amazing, since it pretty much rained the whole month of September. I was starting to think that I had moved to Seattle and was not happy.

They grow Tobacco around here. The first time I have ever seen it. It's different then what I thought it would look like. So here are some pictures of the Tobacco fields and then it hanging after they cut it down and are harvesting it. It's kinda of pretty.

Joel has gone fishing a few times. It seems like everybody fishes here. They say they have some great fishing holes around. So hopefully for Joel's sake it is true. Everyone we talk to has said that by the end of Ocotober there should be some really good fishing.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

2009-09-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

So this is about two months late… but Marta had to wait on me again…
Our AMAZING Brazil trip started with a long Airplane ride to Sao Paulo. First we left Seattle with our friends the Burgers… While we waited in Atlanta it poured down rain… well apparently our stuff got left outside in the rain because when we arrived in Sao Paulo all of our stuff was wet, and not just misty but really wet.

After landing we had the adventure of figuring out how to get to our hostel. A bus ride and an hour on the subway got us close enough to walk the twenty blocks or so. This is a pic of marta at our hostel with our wet clothes hung out to dry, it was raining so it took a couple of days.

One of the best things about the trip was that Joel got to visit some friends of his from his mission. Ilma and Nuna were very gracious and made us some yummy food. Marta loved the dessert.

We walked around a lot, took the bus a couple times, but the subway was awesome... it was the best way to get around.

Here we are in a favela, Chuck was taking pics and got a couple good ones. It was crazy how many people there were that lived so close together. The houses went on forever and ever it seemed.

We went to the Sao Paulo Temple and had a great time. It was Beautiful. One of the highlights of the trip for sure.

This was in a Brazilian BBQ Restruant, which was amazing.... and cheap.

While at the temple we made some American friends who wanted to take us around to some great spots to see things and for souveginers. We went to a place called Embue which we did find lots of treasures. It was a cool little shopping area where all the streets are blocked off from cars.

Paraty Brazil

2009-09-24T15:28:00.001-07:00

You see dogs everywhere you go in Brazil but this one was too funny to not take a picture of. This is the doorway into a resturant. Pretty funny.

The town of Paraty was not in are original plans. Our friends from the Hostel and the temple warned us about the town we had orginally booked to stay. They said it was not a safe place and referred us to Paraty. We really liked Paraty and hope to go back someday. It has a totally different feel then all the other places we went to. It had great shops and tons of places to eat at. It had beautiful churches and colorful stores(doorways) and colorful boats.

We ventured out on an all day jeep tour visiting some water falls and water holes to swim in. It was pretty fun but the water was pretty cold. The first spot was a natural water slide which this year they have had a lot of rain so we lucked out and were able to go on it. The tour guy said it usually doesn't have enough water this time of the year. It had plenty for us. I was a bit of a chicken but I did eventually go and then I managed to lose a contact. But it was fun. The boys played in the big waterfall and swung from the trees. Our tour guide was fun, we named him Tarzan with is green speedo. The end of the trip we ended at an old coffee plantation and had a yummy meal.

At one of the stops we got to see them take the sugar cane and make fresh sugar cane juice and the distillery that makes it into Rum. Fresh sugar cane juice is so yummy. If you ever get a chance to have it you have to try it. We drank it with different juices added to it. Lemon drinks we my famorite.

The Church on a Rock

The Night life in Paraty was fun. It was definately a beautiful town day and night.

Buzios Brazil

2009-09-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

The 2nd half of our trip was supposed to be luxurious. We had booked at a timeshare (RCI)in the coastal town of Buzios Brazil. Its about a one and a half hour drive from Rio de Janerio. Its well known for being where the rich and famous go in Brazil. Let me not dwell on the bitter disappointment we felt when we arrived and found it was out in the middle of no where. It was far from everything and we had to rent a car to get anywhere or rent a taxi. The Moral of the story, you don't always get what you thinking your getting when you do things online. We had expected to have laundry service the 2nd week. Oh there was laundry service it was just you pay per article of clothing with undies and bikini bottoms being the cheapest at $2.50. This is where I started to be real grumpy. We had no phones the Internet was a joke and the list did go on and on. So we decided that we would only complain for that first day we where there.

We went on two different boat trips. They where pretty fun the weather was great. I did get a little sick on the first boat. We were brave and swam out in the deep water with who knows what lurking down below. The boat stopped several times to let us swim in the water. Then for lunch we stopped off the shore of one of the beaches. You could swim in or get on the little paddle boat. The beach was beautiful but all the people trying to sell you things was annoying.

Diana and I wanted to kidnap so many of the adorable little children of Brazil. They where all so cute. This little boy was adorable he was walking his little truck around the streets of the shopping district it was so cute.

We had plenty of yummy fresh fruit while in Brazil. The pineapple and oranges and the little bananas were my favorite. There were people all over selling fruit along sides the roads. Banana trees grow wild everywhere.

This is a picture of are beach. We did end up liking it the best. Mainly because it hardly had anybody else on it. We had the best waves too. I managed to actually get out there and play around in the water a few times. That was my first time to swim in the ocean. The salt water is so weird and hurts when you swallow to much of it. The water was the perfect temperature. I was not as brave as the rest of the group they would go pretty far out from shore. Diana and I had some good laughs of the waves crashing into us and knocking us over and washing us up on to shore. I had so much sand in my swim suit it felt like I had pooped my pants.

Joel was seriously like a little kid. He went swimming everyday we where there. Buy the end of the week he got the whole body surfing thing down. He had also made friends with a kid from Rio. I have probably 50 some odd pictures of trying to capture Joel in the waves. I refrained from posting all of them.

This is a picture of me in the neighboring town of Cabo frio. We went there a few times. This is a picture at a fort and me up on the rocks waving the flag upside down, oops. This is where we would of gone to church. If we could of found it. This is the most confusing town I had every been in.

These are some of our Brazilian friends we made. We had two meals with them. It was really yummy food.

This is just another beach in Buzios. It was kind of a inlet and they had wind surfers out in the water. This is three days after are first boat trip and Chuck managed to get fried in the sun so he is covered up and not feeling to great.

Brazil

2009-09-14T08:16:00.001-07:00

Rio de janerio in 1 Day
Well the whole trip we had heard how dangerous Rio was so we never did venture in until the last day we where to fly out of there at night so we had a whole day to do a tour. I call it the Rio tour on Speed. We literally saw a ton of places that would of taken us days to see on our own just trying to figure out how to get to them. So we opted to go on this tour that would take us to the do Corcovado (Christ Statue), Sugar Loaf Hill, the Maracana Soccer Stadium, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Impanema. It also included a awesome meal. They said the right price so we said we would do it. It had its plus and minus for sure. We didn't end up getting to go to Sugar Loaf Hill because other people on our tour bus had to be at the airport hours before we did. We soon learned at the first place we stopped to see that this was going to be a fast trip as we learned we had about 30 minutes at each of these places. Hench why I say it was Rio on Speed. It would of been nice to spend a little bit more time at some of the places. So I guess that just means we will have to go back to Rio someday. It wasn't as scary as people had made it out to be. No scary then any of the other city's and towns that we where at (even the favela).

Copacabana Beach

Views from do Corcovado

The one benefit of showing up to the airport 5 hours early was that we where able to get on a earlier flight and ride 1st class and business and be on all the same flights the whole way home. Originally we would of had seperate flights from Atlanta to Seattle. We also go $400 vouters a piece. We thought that was a sweet deal so we took it. Can I just say I wish I could offord 1st class all the time.

We had a great time with the Burgers and can't wait for our next trip with them. It was nice to get back to the states and see normal driving and eat some american food. We were craving hamburges and ice cream.

Hello ya'll from the South

2009-09-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

Okay I'm still alive and i'm just really far behind in blogging, but hope to get cuaght up soon. We had a great time in Brazil the first half of August and came home to say good bye to friends and family in Selah and Yakima. Then we made the big move across country to Eastern Tennesse. It was fun to visit friends and family along the way. Wish we could of made it a longer road trip but we had to be here when the movers got here with are stuff. We are about 30 minutes from the border of Virginia and a hour from North Carolina. It is really beautiful out here and very different it will defiantely take some time to get used to especially since we are still living out of are suitcases. As of right now we still have the same cell numbers I will let you know when we change them. If you are dying to see pictures of Brazil you can check them out on Joel's facebook because it probably will be another week before I get that post done.

{spreading seeds of hope one stitch at a time}

2009-07-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Okay so I love to look at craft blogs. Especially if they have free tutorials. I have really had the crafting (sewing) bug lately. I'm not sure if it is because my craft room is almost completely packed or what. After working in the kitchen for hours this morning packing it up I had to sneak down to my sewing machine and create something.
I just came across a really neat blog called CRAFT HOPE. It is where crafters everywhere are uniting to help make items to send to Orphanages and villages in other countries. They make different things and have different projects going on. Project 3 ends this Saturday. I hope that I can get in on the next project hopefully it will be something I can make. I would love to be a part of something so wonderful as this.
FAITH HOPE LOVE
It takes faith, to believe in something bigger than yourself. To give unconditionally, simply because you know that someone else needs it. To love a child you’ve never met, in a country you’ve never visited. To give hope, to an orphaned child.
You can go and view this blog I attached the link button over on my side bar. Join in with crafters all over in helping those who are less fortunate then us. Gandhi says it best with this, "A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history."

The Count Down Is On

2009-07-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

Well we have been busy, busy. Spent time with Joels family his sister Celina and family was in town for a few days. Then it was off to my Family Reunion and had a great time. Joel was only able to come for a few hours. Since coming home from that I have been a busy finishing all different kinds of sewing projects and other craft projects. I finished my Red , White and Blue quilt that I had started last year. It was a quilt block exchange. I think that it turned out great and I got it done just in time for the fourth. Not that we needed blankets around here on the 4th it was high 90's. We felt like we where melting for a few days. Joel had some friends from work over for a BBQ on July 3rd it was fun and way to much food. We went of to my brother Nathans for the 4th had some more good food and fireworks.

I have been packing a few boxes every day. I'm all ready sick of it. We will be out of this place the end of the month. We leave to go to Brazil on August 2nd and return August 16th. Then we will be here for about a week and then we head out on our long Adventure across the United States to Eastern Tennessee. So I will need to change are Blog name since we will no longer be in the Palm Springs of Washington.

It is crazy how fast time goes by. I have been waiting for so long to have a new adventure and now that it is getting super close I'm starting to have some anxiety. The unknown is always a little unsettling for me. We have selected a mover we just don't have a exact date. Joel still hasn't gotten a for sure Job. We think that no one is offering him a Job because they don't want to pay for moving expenses. They all are saying just give us a call when you get here and will get you a job. So that is making me a little nervous. Thank goodness my sister is letting us live with her for however long we need to. That part will be fun.

As for the baby situation is has been 3 very hard months. I feel like we are so close. Yet at the same time it is becoming harder and harder each month when nothing happens. I feel like I have no more patience left. Lets be honest I have had some poor me crying fest lately. Poor Joel gets to put up with me every month when the disappointment of another cycle of clomid doesn't work. I have been on clomid for five rounds. Not the funnest thing at least I don't get migraines anymore from it. But I do have hot flashes and have seemed to gain weight in all areas. Lets just say stretch close are my favorite. It's so hard to not know why things are not working out for us. I'm starting to think we need to research some other options. When I went in a little over a week ago and had another ultra sound it was positive. Dr. Raj said the my uterus lining was thick which is good and that the clomid seems to be doing its job. I was ovulating at the time (which I know like clock work what my body is doing by know that is one reason its so frustrating.) I had 3 follicles on my right ovary and two on my left. She said that is from the clomid working it increases your egg count. So of course Joel and I had been practicing because we know the routine. So you can imagine my disappointment when my period started again. I don't get it what are we doing wrong. I'm so frustrated what is it I'm missing. I know that this is my trial in life but I don't know how much longer I can handle this trial. We started our Adoption papers the first part of the year. Unfortunately for us the case worker we have wasn't to prompt on getting back to us. I had done all I could with the first phases of the process and was waiting forever for him to give us a call. I finally called and left message after message. After weeks of waiting for him to return the phone calls we connected and set up are first appointment to meet. It went okay, once it came up in the interview that we would be moving at the end of the summer he pretty much said we will have to wait to get out there and work with the case worker out that way. Since every state has different laws and blah blah blah. I was a little irked. Meanwhile I have started everything that I can start on. Again it is hard to be positive and upbeat about this whole process. I pray that we get a great case worker out in Tennessee. Since we can't get a in-home visit done here and we have to have background checks done when we get out there then we can get are profile up and birth moms can start viewing it. It seems like a never ending battle for me. I'm sorry to sound so negative but it truly has been a long road of trying to start a family. You can only hear so many times from people how wonderful it will be when we do finally get children of our own and how we are going to be such great parents because we have had so many experiences with watching other peoples children and nieces and nephews. It just doesn't get any easier to hear it each time. I just want it to be my turn to have the baby and all that comes with it.
On a happier note. I went to Moses Lake the other day to go to the water park. But before we went I went and visited my my mother in the Nursing Home. She was actually having a good day. Usually when I go see her it is extremely hard for me for several reasons. Mostly selfish ones. But she usually doesn't say one word the whole time I'm there. Some times its because she doesn't know who Am or because she just doesn't really talk any more. She is usually non responsive to everything you say. Her eyes are closed the whole time you visit with her. But she isn't sleeping. It is just hard, because she is extremely different then the mom I remember. Its hard to see her in the situation she has been given. So I told Joel awhile back that he has to come with me when I go visit mom because it is so hard on me. I always starting crying while I'm there. I cry when I leave and usually cry off and on on the long drive home. Anyway this visit was good. She had her eyes open the whole time. When we showed up and I said hi mom she smiled. Of course the tears began. She even tried to talk to me almost the whole time. I couldn't make out what she said because she talks so soft. Joel even got her to laugh a few times. When we said good bye she smiled and even waved. The tears started and it was like the damn broke. It was the best visit we have had in a long time. I probably will only see her one more time before we move.
SOMETIMES ITS HARD TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE RULES TO THIS GAME WHICH WE ARE ALL PLAYING CALLED "LIFE".

Mount Vernon Tulips

2009-06-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

(Joel writing) So we went to Mt Vernon a couple of weeks ago to see the Tulips. We had an amazing time. Here are some pics.

When we showed up at one of the Tulip fields, there were kites in the air and there was bearly a breeze. Two of the kites got crossed and came down. There were a few that had tails a hundred feet long. Then the wind died when they were uncrossing them.

So I never got around to finishing this post. We went to Mount Vernon the end of April. The first day we where there Joel and I hung out together had some yummy barbecued salmon rode our bikes around the little town of Laconner. Enjoyed some of the Tulip fields. The next day my Sister in Law Kailey came with my niece and Nephew and a few of her sisters. We had lots of fun enjoying the beautiful fields of Tulips. Joel and my nephew where brave being with all of us girls and all endless amount of Tulips.

Spring has Sprung and Come and Gone

2009-05-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Okay technically it is still Spring until June 21st, but it is starting to resemble summer around here. Almost all the trees are done blooming. I had picked these Lilacs and Iris last week and boy did they smell good. For some reason Lilac's and Iris always remind me of My sister Kristen. Iris also remind me of my Mother in Law. She has a million of them in her yard. I should of taken a picture of the rows and rows of purple Iris she has. When it is in bloom it is breathtaking. Tonight when it cools of and the backyard is in the shade I will tackle the amazing weeds I'm growing they are quite impressive all ready. Happy Gardening to everyone.

Basic Quilting

2009-05-18T15:02:00.001-07:00

I took a basic quilting class that was four Wednesday nights through the sewing store in town and I actually finished my quilt. I'm not so sure I love it. I love the colors but I think that it looks like it has a lot going on. Some one told me that I just need to put it away for a few months and then get it out and I will love it. I think that I'm just going to try and master this pattern before I try a different one. I still need to finish my American quilt I started last year where we exchanged blocks. I want to work on it before I forget what I just learned.

Grandma Raymond

2009-05-14T00:53:00.000-07:00

Wow I cannot believe how fast a year goes by. Today is the 1st Anniversary of my Grandma Raymonds passing. Oh how I miss her. I think about her every time I go to the Temple. I truly feel her close to me when I go. While she was on this earth she spent alot of time at the Temple and set such a great example to me of the importance of going often. She left such a great legacy one I truly do want to emulate. So here is my little shout out to Grandma I'll be at the Temple this Saturday hope you can make it. Love and Miss you more then words can say.

Here we are playing games with Grandma and crazy Aunt Carla. Good times, Good Times.

Thanksgiving 2007. I will always be grateful that Joel and I went and spent it with Grandma for it was her last one on this earth.

Sour Cream Banana Bread

2009-05-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

1 1/4 Cup Flour 2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. soda 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup soft margarine 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp. sour cream 2 eggs
1 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1 1/2 cup mashed bananas

Mix and spoon into 1 large loaf pan (greased or sprayed). Bake at 350 for 45 mintues to 1 hour.

So here it is for all of you who wanted it. Its yummy I think I will try making this again today. This time I have it right, I do not know how you mistake 2 tsp with 6 tablespoons but that is where I went wrong last time. Enjoy!

Watcha ya Got Cookin?

2009-04-28T22:12:00.000-07:00

Well I have made some yummy food lately and I wanted to share. I tried Costco's Pizza a few weekends ago the one with the Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato and Basil on it. Wow it was so yummy that I thought to myself since we have been making homemade pizza a lot around here that I needed to try that combination. It turned out just so good and of course we made it stuffed crust. I have this amazingly good bread recipe that makes lots of other things like the pizza crust. It's so easy and turns out good every time. It's really filling I can hardly eat 2 pieces.

The other thing that I tried and it turned out a little disastrous is a new Banana Bread recipe. I have recently tried some Banana Bread that was really moist and a little lighter in color than what I have made in the past. So I got the recipe and tried it. The secret ingredient to make it so moist is Sour Cream.

I think Sour Cream makes everything taste good. Speaking of Sour Cream have you every dipped strawberries in Sour Cream and then Brown Sugar? Okay I know it sounds a little weird, but don't knock it tell you try it. I just hope they have that in Heaven along with Chocolate. That says how good it is.
Well I ran into a few little problems, while I was writhing the recipe down I had a few interruptions and I managed to write it down wrong. Then while I was making it I was talking on the phone and I thought that what I had written down for Baking Powder seemed a little much. But I just continued on making and talking. Needless to say while I was baking it, it started to smell good at first then it started to smell as if something was burning. So I went to check it out. I obviously had put to much Baking Powder in it it was like Volcano Bread instead. Oozing out all over the oven so I quickly got cookie sheets out to put under it but it had already made a big stinky mess. So when they where done I wasn't to excited to try them because I thought I had ruined them with the Baking Powder, needless to say they still tasted good they just looked incredible funny.

Okay so I didn't make these I bought them. The Nature Valley Granola Bars that have a yogurt coating on the bottom. They are really yummy, sorry no picture for these. But you should try them. Hope that this post doesn't make you all hungry.

"Wicked-ly Awsome Weekend"

2009-04-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

So Joel and I probably had a little to much fun this last weekend. We went down to Portland to visit the temple and see the musical Wicked and have dinner with our friends the Schikedanz's.
We haven't been back to the Portland Temple since we where married there in 2002. So it was long overdue and was on our Bucketlist of things to do. So we decided to go.

I just Love Joel so much and had the best weekend we have had in a long time. Thanks for the memories Joel. Sorry we didn't take cuter pictures, O well.

After the Temple Joel and I meet up with our friends and went to dinner at the Melting Pot. That was fun and now I can say I have done that. It was really yummy, but I'm not sure that I could go there again because you seriously have to plan like 3 hours for your meal. I guess its because I'm a impatient eater. But of course it was fun trying something new especially since we have nothing like that in Yaki-Vegas. Eating has always been something I have enjoyed doing so when I go to the City I love going to fun places to eat. We really enjoyed the food and company. We had to save the dessert for after the show. So we made a mad dash through the streets of Portland not a pretty sight for anyone watching me run in a dress and high heel boots.

Wicked was awesome we both really enjoyed it. It went by way to fast, I was sad when it was over. It was the biggest production I had every seen and it was worth the money we paid for the tickets. I would see it again for sure. If you haven't seen it and it's coming to a city near you, I recommend going and seeing it.
After the show we went back to the Melting Pot for our delicious Desserts that I'm drooling just thinking about it. Had some great conversations and laughs over Chocolate what gets better then that?
From there Joel and I drove up to Tacoma area to my brothers house, I denied Joel the option of a Hotel. We got in really late (2:30am) it felt like Joel and I where teenagers again staying up so late on a hot date. Had a fun filled conference weekend with some of my family. We had planned on coming home Saturday night, but we stayed another night to make sure we didn't miss any of the fun.
On our drive home once we got to the summit I couldn't stop saying how grateful we where heading Eastbound on I-90. This is what we saw for the next 15 miles.

The weather this last weekend I guess was too nice for the pass and they were doing avalanche control so only one lane was open at the top of the pass. The traffic was backed up for 15 miles. They where at a dead stop. I think that there was probably a lot of traffic due to spring breaks and the end of a weekend. But boy I felt bad for those who where not expecting delays on there travels. I would of been one cranky pants if I had to sit in that. There where people out of thier cars playing in the snow walking to the top of the summit. Just a bunch of craziness, I was so glad it wasn't us. The sign read a 3-4 hour delay.

Joel is back in his work week, wishing he was fishing. I don't know how he likes fishing so much. One of his childhood dreams was to have his own fishing show, Fishin with JD... That will have to wait, he has to work a while still.

So now back to the grind and all of my deadlines I have in the next two weeks. Enough to make me need another Spring Break.

Need some help

2009-04-06T16:02:00.001-07:00

Okay so Joel and I are helping with one of the workshops at Youth Conference. We are playing Dodge Ball and we need to tie in a theme or some kinda of principle into it. But I'm drawing a blank so if any of you have any ideas let me know.
It's going to be a great Youth Conference. I remember when I was a youth and how excited I was for Youth Conference every year. It always meant a huge girl slumber party. Well being on the other end of Youth Conference not the one having all the fun but planning it makes me think Youth Conference isn't so fun anymore. We are getting down to crunch time. I'm helping with the Housing and can I just say I will be excited when I get it all figured out which means I should get off the computer and get that done right now.

Okay so turning 30 isn't so Bad

2009-03-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well it has happened, I'm now 30! I thought for sure that the minute I turned 3o it would be down hill. That my metabolism would slow way down and that wrinkles would appear at a even more rapid rate then they already have. But not so much, those things happened long before 30.

I had a enjoyable weekend, I partied hard the whole weekend. One last party for the twenties. A group of girlfriends and I went to Seattle for some shopping and Time Out for Women. We had an amazing time had some good food and good laughs and great conversations. I even managed to acquire a new nickname(only funny to those who where there).

the view from our room at the hotel. Downtown Seattle early morning with the rain and the Space Needle in the background. Sorry its not the clearest picture.

The best part of my birthday was being able to see Joel again, as he had been gone to Tennessee/Virgina for a week. He got home at 3:00 am Friday morning and I left around 10:00am. I got home Saturday night he had already left for work so I didn't see him until Sunday morning in time to get ready for church. Then after church we had a quick lunch and he went back to bed so that he could get a few hours of sleep before he had to go back to work. I feel like its been years since I have seen him. I guess that just makes it easier to appreciate all that he does for me, Right? I'm excited Joel got me a new Tennis Racket, I'm just waiting for the weather to warm up now.

Some of my other favorite gifts would be my adorable bag my sister Kristen made me.

Then my good friends that Packard's always make me feel special. I showed up to work today and found a Treasure hunt awaiting me. It led me downstairs to where they where all hiding out with a cake with 30 candles on it. I was so surprised and loved it. They all made cards for me. The Scrapbook page is from Haley the oldest she is 14 (she was 6 when I started babysitting for them.) I loved it she wrote some lovely things on the back. I really feel like the Packard children are just my younger siblings. I love all of them so much and I cannot believe how fast they are growing up. I wish I would of had my camera on me so that I could of taken a picture with them. The best part was eating the cake at 8:00 in the morning, aren't Birthday's the best. The kids couldn't believe we were eating cake for breakfast. Celeste was so cute she just moved around the table eating bites from everyone's cake.

Missing Joel

2009-03-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

So Joel has been out of town since last Wednesday. He is in Tennessee visiting my sister and his sister in Virgina. So I have been trying to stay busy so that I don't miss him too much.
1) Played a little City League Volleyball and Church Volleyball started.
2) Sewing and crafts.
3) Babysat for the Packards on Friday / Saturday only the four youngest.

I had so much fun babysitting my little friends. Their older sisters went with the Parents to Portland to see Wicked. So I was determined that we would also have fun. They always want to come over, so we turned it into a sleep over. So I arrived at their house Friday morning and they were very excited and ready to go. You would of thought that it was Christmas with how excited they where. So this is how the day went. We went to Kids Castle a indoor play area with ball pits and slides and huge climbing toys. Lots of fun. Then we went to McDonald's for lunch. Then back to the house so the little ones could nap. After naps we headed over to my house. They had fun playing with the train set and Joel's old Legos from when he was little. For dinner we made homemade Pizza that was so yummy stuffed crust and all. Forrest said that I need to teach his mom how to make it. We watched Madagascar 2, had a treat and they went to bed. In the morning we had breakfast and got right into playing. We had a huge Nerf gun and rubber band gun war. It was so much fun. Boys against the girls. That was a great gift Joel gave me for Christmas was the Nerf Guns. We have a little to much fun with them. I'm always finding the bullets all over the house. Saturday was the same. Forrest and Floyd could of played that all day long I think. So I said that I would have to have them over when Joel got home and they could bring there guns and we could play again.
Some of my favorite time with the kids are when we are in the car. Because they have nothing else to do but talk. They say the funniest things in the car. I wish I had a recorder. I always forget what they say and I want to tell Joel because sometimes it is just so funny.
Here is one I do remember.
I had just got off the phone with my Sister Kim.
Ruth: Who was that?
Me: My Sister Kim.
Ruth: Where dose she live?
Me: Utah
Ruth: By herself?
Me: Yes.
Ruth: Why dose she live by herself?
Me: Because she isn't married. Do you know anybody she can marry?
Ruth: (pauses to think about it) Well she can't marry my cousin Luke!
I about drove off the road because Cousin Luke is 4yrs old. I don't think Ruth needs to worry about my sister stealing Luke away from her.
One of the things Forrest asked me is if Joel and I could live with him forever. Too cute.
The end each time we stay stay and babysit we always hide when the parents get back and they have to come find us. The Kids always look forward to doing this and are always thinking of where to hide. I came up with a great place this time. I thought we should hide in the back of the truck in the Garage and then when they pulled in we would jump up and scare them. It worked perfectly! It is so fun to see them get so excited about hide and seek. I was pretty tired by Saturday night.
So that is what I have been doing to keep my mind off of missing Joel. I wish that it was Friday already so that he was home. I'm sure he will have pictures to post from his trip.
So Hurry up Friday and get here!

Sewing 101

2009-02-16T18:40:00.000-08:00

Here is my fleece blanket I made. It was fun and pretty simple. I have been sewing up a storm.

My WSU Grad

2009-02-16T17:22:00.000-08:00

So I (Joel) Finally Graduated from College, Again! I recieved my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from WSU this last week. I've actually been done since December, but the paper came so it's official. So I now get a one dollar raise, yippee. That's one ice cream cone each hour I work... sweet. I knew the BS would come in handy. So since the paper came it's been hard to part with it. I usually take it with me everywhere, it's a great conversation starter. Hi I'm Joel and I get a dollar more an hour with this paper :)

Marta has been following me with the camera and caught me with the paper a few times, here are just a few suitable pics.

Marta's favorite are the mug shots. I really don't sleep with it, really. Since I've got my bachelors I really do feel smarter. I've found I can jump higher, and I'm sure I've lost weight too, but my hair hasn't come back yet, but I'm still hopeful.

Seriously I want to thank the people that have helped me and inspired me through this difficult time. I include my thanks to Jack Bauer, Michael Weston and my other TV action stars who help me to live my life to the fullest through the television. I am grateful for the inspiring words of Taylor Swift who makes me cry like a teenage girl and inspired me to pick up my guitar again, don't worry you'll see me on YOUTUBE, coming soon.

A quick shout out to my peeps in Tennessee, New York, Virginia, Wasatch, Yak Town, Spanawanna, and the Rez. Keep it real, and remember you too can pay a lot of money and get an extra ice cream cone each hour you work. Peace out.

Update on New Years Resolutions

2009-02-09T23:34:00.000-08:00

Okay it's not that I'm a slacker or anything of the sort. I just have been really busy trying to keep up with my New Years Resolutions. So Joel will probably think that this is to much information and delete this post. So for you lucky ones that get to read this, here is my little recap of what has been happening in Marta Land.

I managed to get a appointment with a new doctor. She gave me just want I wanted. I have been hoping to get a prescription for Clomid. I couldn't believe how easy it was she basically had a ten minute chat with me didn't even do a exam and wrote out a prescription. Makes me really wonder what was with my last doctor. So hopefully this is all Joel and I are needing to make New Years Resolution #1 happen. Well with such great success on this Dr. visit I thought I would make a round of Dr. visits. I had ended the year with what I thought was a bad cold that was refusing to go away. But by the new year I had had it. I finally went into the Dr. and found out it was a BAD Sinus Infection. Got that taken care of. Joel and I both had teeth cleanings and things checked out good there. I thought heck I mine as well get the old eyes checked out. Order my self some new contacts and was good to go. Now if I could convince Joel to go visit the Dr for his feet. I have convinced Joel to let me go get my pinky finger looked out. Sometimes it is great having a Nurse as a husband then there are times where I want to strangle my personal Nurse. In October in one of my Volleyball games I managed to hurt my pinky finger which in all of my years of volleyball I have never hurt my fingers. Joel said that it looked fine I probably just sprained it. Joel thinks that I'm a wimp. I disagreed and thought that I should go get it checked since it was swollen for about a week and it hurt pretty bad. Ever once in a while I will catch it on something and bend it a little to much and then it starts to hurt again and gets a little knot and red area for a day or so. Now with Volleyball starting up again I'm a little concerned. Oh well my pinky shall never be the same I'm afraid.

I have been very busy doing crafts. I seem to have the sewing bug right now. I'm really enjoying sewing. My friend Paige and I are signing up for a quilting class in April. I can hardly wait. So I will post some pictures of some of the things I have been working on they all are not quite done.

These birds are for this cute bird mobile that I have been trying to finish, but haven't yet. Anyway I have been having some fun in the craft room.

This last weekend we got to babysit some of our Favorite Kiddos. The Packard Children we always have fun with them. This weekend was no exception. I was busy sewing a fleece blanket (I will post pictures when I get it finished) and Esther and Fay where busy sewing quilt blocks. That was fun to work on my sewing projects with these two. Joel took the to teenagers to the Mall he is so nice. I hate going to the mall. I will have to have Joel post that story on here it's pretty comical. The Packard girls all love to dance with Joel so we had some fun doing that.

Joel certainly had a little shadow following him this weekend. Baby Celeste just loves Joel so much. I wish I would of got a picture of it. It was enough to pull at Joel's heart strings. Celeste would just walk around the house saying is name over and over again until she found him, then she would want Joel to snuggle with her. A girl after Joel's own heart. (I rarely want to snuggle, sad for Joel I know. I have gotten better over the years though.)

I will post more later.

Ryan who?

2009-02-01T23:06:00.000-08:00

So as many of you know, Joel works the night shift at the hospital as a Nurse. A few nights ago he calls me from work to ask me to guess who he is working with. I gave him a name or two. But I couldn't guess. He finally told me. But before I tell you (people reading this blog) I must tell a quick story.
Way back in high school, my Sophomore year to be exact. There was a guy named Ryan (last name not to be revealed) who had already graduated a year or two before. He was still talked about by all the senior girls at Moses Lake in 1995. At a Pep Assembly the contestants had to share their most embarressing moment. One of the girls shared that hers was when she fell in front of Ryan.
About 3 years after this I was at Ricks College and walking up to the LSA building and ran into Ryan. He had no idea who I was but I knew exactly who he was. We start talking and he asked where I was from. I said Washington State. He said really what part. I told him a small town he'd probably never heard of, called Moses Lake. He said, that's where I am from.. So as we are talking he totally slips and falls some ice in the parking lot. It was all I could do not to laugh, because Ryan fell in from of me. I wish that I were in high school again so I could say, my most memorable moment is when Ryan fell in front of me.
So Joel is calling to tell me that he is working with a really cool Traveling Nurse who is originally from Moses Lake, whose name is Ryan? Joel invited him to go play church basketball and to come hang out. They didn't hang out this time but, Ryan is supposedly coming back a few times the next few months so Joel might get to hang out with Ryan still. It's a small world after all.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:37:00.001-08:00

Well I know we have been slacker at posting lately. I guess we have been having so much fun enjoying the Holidays. I did take a few pictures but none of Christmas day. Oh well. So I think that I will start this year off with our New Years Resolutions.

1)To Have a BABY! Joel said that this should be on the top of the list. I agree, its just sometimes it is so exhausting. I don't think I need to go into details. But this Journey has definitely been a trial for me, of having to learn patience with the Lord and my doctor. I'm always afraid that it comes down to me not having enough Faith in my Heavenly Father. So along with having a Baby I think comes having more Faith and Hope in this area of our Lives. I do think that we are going to start taking more of a proactive stand point on this issue with the doctors. It obviously isn't all about timing. Enough said on this one.

2) I always think that I should of or still should go back to school, especially since we don't have any children yet. But my big dilemma is I can't figure what I would go for as far as a degree. It makes since to go get a degree in something that I could fall back on to if I every needed to. But there isn't anything that I can come up with that would really fill that quota. All the things that I think sound interesting are more like hobbies. So this year I decided I will just take it slow. I don't have to necessarily be working on a degree to be learning right? I have really enjoyed my Job this past year of teaching Pre-school to the Packard children and then on Wednesday's is Home school group. The Packards then meet up with 3 other families that Home school and we do History, Science, Music and Art together. It's been fun. I have always loved History and I have been learning a lot of stuff I didn't know and stuff that is a refresh of things I learned so long ago in school. A few of the Teenagers in the home school group take some of there courses online through a school down in Utah called the Liahona Academy. They offer courses for credit or no credit so I though I would take one of the History/ Government Courses. The teacher is so interesting I have been drawn into his lectures before. I figure that if I come home in the afternoons and stick my self down in the basement and work on finishing all my million (Craft)projects that I have started while listening to a lecture or two every day I will get a lot done.

3) To publish my Blog. Blurb website you can do this and it's pretty reasonable prices. Just a little time consuming. I tried working on it last year. But it just seemed a little overwhelming so I never finished or came close to finishing it. So this year I will try to keep up on it. When I finish a post here I will go there and add the entry to my Blog Book. Hopefully that will make it not so overwhelming. I mean isn't that one of the main reasons we all Blog is for posterity sake so they can read this later. It is like a Journal to me anyway. Secondly isn't the blog a good way of keeping in contact with friends and family who are to far away.

Well there it is every one my New Years Resolution written out for everyone to see. Good Luck to everyone on your New Years Resolutions.

Our Christmas Tree

2008-12-13T15:48:00.000-08:00

This Post is a little late, but I needed to get it up before Christmas. We went up to cut a tree out of the forest this year. We wanted a real tree, plus we didn't want to pay 60 plus dollars for a semi big one. Well I kinda got carried away. I found a 12 foot tree and brought it home. Because of my schedule I could only find two people to come with me tree hunting. Our good friends Forrest and Floyd.

They really enjoyed breaking ice and walking everywhere looking for bears. Forrest kept asking about bears I think he really wanted to see one. We drove out Chinook Pass and went up an old logging road to the top. There were some sweet views, but we didn't find the perfect tree. We found a lot that were straight but we needed one that curved a little, with one side that had less branches to put against the wall. Finally after our third stop on the way down we found the perfect tree.

Forrest and Floyd took turns cutting and we dragged it back to the Truck. When we brought it home Marta couldn't believe we got such a big tree. I told her it was Floyd's idea.

We got it inside and had to add braces to the base of the treestand. We had to buy two more strings of lights and a few more ornaments. Now here's some pics of the finished product.

2008-11-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

make sure you click on the Office Nerf War to view the video.

Office Nerf War

Thought this was pretty comical, if work could only be this fun all the time. We all know that sometimes you have nothing better to do at work then to release some anger and take a few co-workers out. So a nerf war is not a bad idea. I now want a nerf gun for Christmas.

Fireproof

2008-11-11T22:38:00.000-08:00

Okay so Joel and I where going to go see Madagascar 2 but it was sold out and I really wanted to see a movie. It's not very often that we go to the movie and if we do we usually go to different movies because we can't agree on one that we both want to see. I know pathetic, probably a big part of why we hardly go to the movies. We will work on that I promise. I suggested we drive to the other theater to see Fireproof. I had seen the trailer and saw an interview that Kirk Cameron did and really wanted to see it. Joel did not want to see it, so I said that I would go to a movie next time that he wanted to see. The movie is a Christian Film, a lot of churches I'm sure are telling their congregations to go see it. Anyway I came away from it impressed. I really liked it, one it was clean and had a good message and it was all about marriage. I cried several times not sure if it was really that good or just because it has been forever since I have cried in a movie. It even has some funny parts. For most of the actors to be no names except for Kirk Cameron it was good. I guess I was really interested to see it because of the interview with Kirk Cameron and how he hasn't been in too many films since his days on Growing Pains. He doesn't take roles where he has to sleep or kiss someone. So the part in the movie where is kissing his wife it is actually real wife. So that really limits what roles he can play. I think that it was worth the $16.00. Even if they searched my purse. I had to give them my licorice. So there I admit it I am one that sneaks my snacks into the theater. Not a good sign of being Honest in all things. Joel said, you didn't you read the sign out there? The sign said we will check your purses and bags for weapons and drugs, so if you don't want them checked leave them in the car. I read it but didn't think that they would really do it. So I was caught red handed with my black licorice. They say that they are checking for weapons because they have had problems with that. Is this only in Yaki-Vegas? I think they just want my candy. But they actually kept in the ticket office and you can pick it up after if you have any dignity left. Which I do so I picked it up after the movie. I find it funny that they check purses but not peoples jackets and coats. You can hide weapons in those too. Like I said I think its the whole thing of people sneaking in candy. I know I'm not the only one out there. You can admit to it come on now.

It's the little Things

2008-11-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well Joel and I love our Subaru. We have had it for almost 4 years now. I was driving it today, and it was a little foggy out side. The windows and outside mirrors where frosted up a bit. I knew I had the fog lights but just today I discovered a button I never knew was there or didn't know what it was for. It was to defrost my outside mirrors. Oh the luxuries that we weren't used to with our other car. I know it only took 4 years to figure out. But just in time for the cold weather. It will come in handy. I had often wished in past winter season that my Subaru had that feature and now I discovered it. You can imagine how excited I was about this. I was curious to know if Joel new all along, to my surprise he didn't know about it either. Sometimes it's just the littlest things that make you all excited inside.

We took Pictures

2008-11-09T18:28:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to take pictures for a few years now of Joel and I. Finally we did it. Thanks to my supper talented Sister-in-law. She did a awesome job and we Love them. Even Joel was excited about them. So check them out. http://designedphotography.com/Duludes/ Feel free to check out my sister-in-laws photography website. http://designedphotography.com/

Thanks Kailey your the best.

Trick-or-Halloween

2008-11-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

My new niece Leal the Lady Bug

Here are two of my nephews. Ty the Tiger and Levi the Vampire/Dracula. I had a good time going around the neighborhood with them. Levi couldn't remember what he was suppossed to say at one of the Houses so he said "Trick-or-Halloween". It was too funny. The lady inside was like, I have never heard that one. It was such a nice night, the weather was perfect. Then we went down to the Ward Trunk-or-Treat. It was packed. Below are pictures of some of my favorites.

The Ericksons being hippies with thier love child on the ground. Too funny!

Joel provided me with a costume, otherwise I would of just showed up in my everyday clothes.

Celeste makes the cutest bunny, I know!

To be mad or not to be mad, that is the ?

2008-11-01T11:17:00.001-07:00

So two weekends ago we went to Tacoma area to see family and have family pictures taken. Which the pictures turned out awesome and we can't wait to order some and get them on our wall. My sister-in-law is a photographer and she dose an amazing job. Since Joel and I aren't models by nature, I must brag a little and say we look dang good in most of them. Anyway the point of this post is on the drive there I wanted to strangle Joel. Yes half of the time I can't stand his driving but he reached a whole new level of aggravating me this time around. It is one thing to drive recklessly but to do so on purpose just doesn't sit well with me. We took the long but pretty drive over Chinook pass and the trees and fall color where amazing. Granted the drive can get boring and long so Joel who is driving thinks he needs to create some entertainment for himself. He took the camera out and started taking pictures while driving, of the drive and of himself. When I said Joel put the camera down I don't feel like dying today. He didn't seem to think that what he was doing was wrong. So he continued on taking pictures and responding with I do not see what the big deal is. I on the other hand was not okay with him and couldn't believe his stupidity. So I said your mother would never approve of your choices right now. Okay probably not the best thing to say at that moment but when I get really frustrated with Joel and I feel like he is not listening to me sometimes I have to play the mother card. Needless to say it didn't work as I was hoping, that just added fuel to Joel's fire. So instead of one mad person in the car on this never ending drive their are now 2. He told me to be quite, which if any of you know me very well is possible but when someone else's tells me to do something that I don't want to do it usually doesn't go over very well. So we drove the rest of the way there in silence and not liking each other very much. So my question to all is did I have the right to be mad at Joel's decision of driving in (my opinion) recklessly down the road?
Please tell me that other people have these ridiculous spats with there significant others. So today when I was downloading the pictures onto the computer I came across the pictures Joel had taken while driving. I couldn't help but laugh about how dumb they are.
P.S. Joel and I have since made up and are Friends again. Ha Ha xoxoxo
Also no other persons or property where hurt while capturing these pictures. Thank goodness.

Me not being amused with the stupidity surrounding me.

Tagged

2008-10-26T21:51:00.001-07:00

Two of my sisters Tagged me. You are supposed to go to your picture files, Go to the fourth file and pick the fourth picture and post it. Sorry mine isn't really that exciting. This is from Last Christmas. Joel and I went to the Oregon Coast a few days before Christmas with our friends the Burgers. This is just a picture of a store in Astoria, Before the real fun began. We were headed to the Goonies locations.

Now your turn!

Mini Room Make-over

2008-10-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

Well this post was inspired by several peoples blogs. I always love to do a little rearranging and what not. Since we rent and I can't paint my walls beautiful colors & sometimes it hard to think that my house is cute, warm and cozy. But for the most part I do like what I have and do feel really blessed. As it really isn't important what kind of furniture I have, or even if I own a home. What is important is that I can make my home a safe refuge from the world. I feel like I do a good job at providing that for Joel and I. It can't be all that bad since I do enjoy staying home right? Anyway the latest project I have been working on is are room. It needed a little help. It still dose, but for know this will have to do.

This is a awesome shelf I got at Ikea. Since we have never splurged and bought bedroom furniture and just have old stuff and I have always wanted a headboard and yet to have had a bed with one. I will have to settle with a shelf above the bed instead. So i have filled it with pictures that I love and are framed marriage certificate. The beds spread is also from Ikea. So are the lamps.

This really cute quilt I got at Target awhile ago. I love the chocolate color and the design in it. When I saw it and that it was on sale I knew it was perfect for my bed. I have been looking for something to go on the bottom of the bed and to use to curl up in for naps when I fall asleep reading. So have you been doing any mini make-over or revamping of rooms? Share your projects from so I can be inspired.

That's right only 16 cents

2008-10-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well I had a successful day at Rite Aid. To start with I had a rebate check from last month for $34.64. My total purchase yesterday was $34.80, thats right I only had to pay .16 cents for all of that stuff. Plus one more item that is not in the picture because its one of Joel's birthday gifts for later this month. Pretty good deal huh.

I got a new Calling

2008-09-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

Okay I have had a permanent smile on my face since Friday night. It will probably change after my first Meeting tomorrow. So after girls camp in July I was released from our Ward Young Women's Presidency. Which was really hard. I had truly enjoyed that calling and felt I just fit very well there. It was a tearful couple of weeks as I missed the girls and the whole young women's program. It didn't help that the replacement's where some of my closest friends. Then I was called into the Primary which isn't too bad. They gave me small class and said they couldn't believe that they actually got me and that the class I would be getting next year was a big one that needed a good teacher. I did a little research to see who was coming in next year. So I had a bit of a negative attitude about it. But come to find out the group coming in was all my little friends that I babysit alot. So that wasn't going to be a challenging group for me at all. Anyway I had a pretty bad attitude about this calling and I felt that I was struggling. I had no idea of how to deal with it. I basically have been counting down the Sundays until the next year. Hoping and praying that they would not move me up with the class.

So I get a call from a High Council members on Friday wanting to meet with Joel and I. I was on the road to pick up my niece so I would not be able to come in with Joel. So I said I could see him when I got into town at 9:00 pm that night. I was thinking it was for Joel getting called to be the new Elders Quorum President (thank goodness that didn't happen). So I get to are little meeting and he ask me how my calling is going. I said honestly I have been a little negative about it and explained why. He responded with would you like a new calling? I was like yes with complete enthusiasm. When I realized what I had just said, I was like did you forget who you are talking to a (Stake Member). So I was like well what is it? He then told me that I was being called to be the Stake Young Women's Secretary. I couldn't believe it I was almost jumping out of my seat as I was so excited to be back in Young Women's. Also to work with some really neat women in our stake. I then responded with does it matter that I probably will be moving away in less then a year? He said they still want you. I was on cloud nine. Still am. I did think well I guess this official means I'm old. Because in the back of my mind I just associate Stake Callings with old people. But at this point I will take being Old, as I am so excited, let the fun begin.

A New Niece

2008-09-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

On Friday Sept 26th at about 9:00p.m. I had a new niece enter into the world. My brother Nathan and his wife Janae had a baby girl. They named it Lael Ceann (after my mom) Larsen. Personal I was for Lucy and so I will refer to her has Lucy. Mostly because I have a hard time remembering Lael. Who knows if I'm even spelling it right. Anyway she is cute I didn't hold here because I have been a little sick but I did get to visit her in the hospital. Mom and baby are doing well.

A new family picture okay just kidding we are missing the brothers. Levi and Ty

Proud big sister Taylor and Proud papa Nathan

I love this picture it looks like she has lipstick on.

Bucket List

2008-09-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Well it is very seldom that Joel and I like the same movie. But the Bucket List was one we both liked. It is pretty funny and had a good message to live in the moment and not let things pass you by. So with are count down on here in the Pacific Northwest we are creating our own Bucket List of things we need to see around here before we move away. Some of them are things Joel would like to see others are mine and some are a combo.

1. Mt Rainer
2. Back to Portland to go through the Temple again. Would be nice to go to the Oregon Coast.
3. The Tulip Festival in Skagit County, while there drive up to Canada and see Minter Gardens again.
4. Joel wants to hike some Mt. I can't think of the name right now.
5.Go to a concert at the Columbia George
6. Go to the Corn Maze. We say we are going to do this every year and we never do. We did go to one in Utah a few years ago but we never have done the local one.

I think that is what we came up with so far. If you have any recommendations let us know. It should be some fun times ahead.

The Update

2008-09-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

So let's see if I can actually remember how to make a post it seems so long ago. I have been busy with tons of projects it seems like. Last Saturday I exchanged my quilt blocks. Joel went to the BYU football game last weekend against University of Washington. I'm sure he will post about that later.
I did some of my first canning this week. It was really funny my friend Amy was sweet enough to show me how. I have only done peaches but I hope to do some other stuff to.
Today I helped my friend Jenna plant perennials in her yard. I first took her to a nursery (gotta love this time of year, things are cheaper). We got a ton of plants and worked all afternoon planting them. Needless to say I can't wait to see how great it looks next year. It looked a ton better just adding things into the beds even if they aren't blooming right now, so I can just imagine how great it's going to look next year. It was nice to she Jenna excited about it too. We plan on making a few more trips this fall to the nursery. She has several more flower beds that need some work.

This is a picture of the quilt blocks that I now need to finish and make a quilt. Sister Iverson was so sweet and helpful. She even said she was proud of me.

Father and Sons Camping

2008-09-06T04:28:00.001-07:00

So last month I went on the yearly Larsen Father and Sons Campout. Since Marta picked me as her husband, or since I tricked her into marrying me I have been invited to these vacations away from the "Women Folk".
There are some splendid pictures which show how much fun we had:

First of all here is Nathan cooking, and the rest of us watching.

I must admit the kids seemed pretty happy.

I didn't get all of our activities on film, I was too busy having fun. Needless to say we were by the river a lot, went on some small hikes and adventures through the forest, played with sticks, climbed on logs, told stories, and played in the mud. And that was just the Adults.....

So apparently Varon and I are both scared of heights...

Overall it was a great trip. I watched Nathan cook, ate great food, played hard, and came home without a kid. Can't wait for next year!

Summer is winding down

2008-08-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

Well this week Joel and I both started back to school. Joel in his last semester of his Bachelor's program and I back to the Packard's to do Kindergarten with Ruth and Forrest. So Joel will be extremely busy up until first part of December as he works every weekend Fri, Sat and Sun 12 hour night shifts and then every other weekend its Thurs, through Sunday 12 hour night shifts. We are getting closer to him not having to work the night shifts. I can't believe he is almost done with one more big mile stone. He has school Monday - Wednesday. Then he has clinical hours to fit in there somewhere also. Plus he has his church callings and what ever else he thinks he needs to do. (Church basketball is starting up) So to enjoy a little time together Joel knows me a little two well. He knows how I like to stay home. If we do go out I hate having to spend money and usually we don't wan't to do the same thing so he got a little creative and created a little picnic setting in the living room with some yummy food and of course lots of chocolate. He is so fun. The only bad thing is I wasn't feeling to extremely hungry and especially not for sweets. But I did try a few bites of most things. Thanks honey for the fun times. Who knows when we will get to do that again.

Another one of my summer projects is a quiet book that was a enrichment class the I participated in. I think it turned out adorable. Thanks to Sister Iverson for all her hard work and time she spent helping man this project. I helped do the flower button page and the bead page. Then I did the sewing of the actually pages together and the cover.

Can I just say I do love this time of year. When it is still nice during the day but it sure cools off at night. It's Harvest time, My tomatoes are doing so good. It's volleyball and football season. It's just one of my favorite times of the year.

Fishing Memories

2008-08-27T01:19:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post this picture, I lost it somewhere and I found it. This is the backside of my friend Anthony. Ellensburg Canyon, the hatch just started and we only had an hour of daylight left. The train came around the bend and I needed a picture of it. It is one of my favorite pictures, we had a great time fishing the canyon even though we ran into some poisen oak. This was about 4 years ago I think. I miss my fishing buddy.

Quilt Blocks

2008-08-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a little while since I have posted. I have been busy getting some things done before school starts next week for Joel and I. I have managed to get my book list shortened. I think I'm down to three books to finish before I start anymore. We did a little summer cleaning, going through things getting rid of things and organizing. It has felt good. It's stuff that has been needing to get done for way to long. We aren't quit finished but hopefully before next week starts up. That's are goal keep fingers crossed.
Joel and I had are first Craig's list experience. Can I say fun, I think it might become my new addiction. Joel has wanted a wood rocking chair for like ever. They are pretty price to buy. To find a nice used one is hard to do without them looking like the came across the plains with Brigham Young. Well I have been meaning to get onto Craig's List because I hear people talk about it all the time so I did and that is what I found a nice rocking chair for $40 bucks. Joel was so excited he loves his rocking chair. Sorry I haven't taken a picture of Joel in it yet. That will have to be posted later. We also got a sewing table that I will use for my crafts. I was excited about this item. So that is where I have been spending my time is cleaning and organizing my huge pile of a mess in my corner of the spare bedroom. I have almost got it done to the point of where I can make cards and today I sewed my quilt blocks. This is the first quilt that I have ever attempted to make. It's a enrichment group that we have set up in my ward. It's a quilt block exchange group. We make 12 of the same block and in the colors of red, white and blue. I think for my first attempt it turned out pretty good. I will post the actually quilt later when it is done. Probably a few months down the road.

Something cool about this project is I'm using my mom's sewing machine. It's not the best machine in the world, but it's the one I learned on and it's my moms. She used to sew a lot, she was a really good sewer as she was good at all things pertaining to being a mom. So it makes this quilt even more special to me.

Weekend over in Tacoma

2008-08-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

So we had a quick get a away over to see my Brother James and his Family. they just moved back from Germany. So we hung out with them. Went to Ikea, a concert in the Park. It was Ryan Schupe and the Rubberbands. It was really fun we had a good time seeing them. We also went to Our friends Sarah's wedding. It was beautiful in a lovely Garden setting. I think it was just they way Sarah had planned for it to be. Over all a nice weekednd. Joel went to part of his Ten Year Reunion didn't feel the need to take pictures. So that's why there is none of those.

Mini Makeover

2008-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well I decided to get new glasses. It's been over 5 years since I got my last pair, so I went and picked some out. Tell me what you think. I don't have my state insurance anymore and I'm not covered on Joel's insurance for eye care. So I just went to Shopko, for the most part it was okay. They said it would take probably 7-8 business days to get them in. I went in on a Wednesday. They called me that Saturday saying they where in. To good to be true. I went in to pick them up. They had me try them on. I was like wow, these are weird. I can't see very well. They said oh it is just because the frames are so different from your old pair. Why don't you go do your shopping in the store and then come back. I was like okay. I could hardly focus on my shopping because I knew that something wasn't right with the glasses. I was so afraid that they where going to make me keep this glasses that where not working for me. So the whole time I was shopping I was squinting. So I closed my right eye and it was blurry for my left eye. The right eye seemed to be the right prescription. So when I went back I said these can't be right they aren't working, the left eye is crazy. She said let me check them out. She came back oh I'm sorry they don't even have a prescription in the left eye. So they had to keep them. So almost a week later I got the call to come pick them up and can I just say I can see.

So here is my before picture with my old glasses.

Here are the new ones. Do you like them?

Memory

2008-07-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Memory
I got this from my sister-in-laws sisters blog...

Here is a fun little game... leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark... get set... blog those memories!

My Husband My Hero

2008-07-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well I do forget how spoiled I am to have Joel at times. So this a little post to my dear Hubby. He is the best Husband and the best future dad in the world for me anyway. I love him to pieces and he is the perfect puzzle piece in my life.
We have actually seen quite a bit of each other this past month and have had some fun. Nice change for once. Makes me realize though a bigger bed would be nice. I'm so used to sleeping in our queen size bed most of the time with out Joel so when he is home more then three nights in a row I don't get a good night's rest because the bed is to small and I can't stretch out like a little star fish. But I guess I will stop complaining since I would rather be squished with Joel then lonely with out him.

He is so great with kids and he looks pretty hot with a kid or baby in his arms makes me want to melt. I know he is going to make a great daddy some day. I hope and pray that I can have a little boy that looked like Joel did when he was little. I have to have a boy with his curly hair. That was one of the first things I feel in love with was Joel's curls which are pretty much gone now. So Sad!

There are just so many things that I love about this man, even if I can't picture you on a motorcycle Joel. I still think that you are tough yet gentle when you need to be. I can only imagine how great of a nurse you are, you are so kind to those you don't even know always wanting to help everyone out. So great at sacrificing your limited time between school, work, church, family to be there for others. Much more patience then I will ever have. But for the most part you are just a great friend and always there for me forever. I love you to the Moon and Back!

A week later

2008-07-31T11:45:00.000-07:00

My cute little Nephew Chaz a Raz (aka Charles) has been gone a whole week. Joel's sister Amanda and her little family are now working on becoming residents of Virginia. They have moved out there for school Southern Virginia University. Oh how jealous I'm that it is not us. Maybe next year we can join them out there on the east coast. Anyway here are some cute pictures of Chaz before he left.
This last picture makes me laugh, Chaz isn't quite big enough to reach the floor so we have to improvise with the books. I don't think he will have the short factor for to much longer in his life. Considering both his mommy and daddy are very tall.

Anyway this is my little shout out to Chaz and the rest of the Perkin family. We miss your big blue eyes and your smiles.

Two Weeks of Playing House

2008-07-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well we survived babysitting for two weeks. It was actually really easy we only had two little boys and all there toys. Can't beat living in somebody else's house and driving there cars eating there food and playing with the cute kiddos. We had a great time I worked on my tan. The littlest boy was 3 and his little voice is adorable and his sweet repetitious prayers made me smile every time.

I figured I hadn't put any funnies on here in awhile. I'm sure you all have gotten this email before but it is so cute and funny. I love the things little kids say with all seriousness to them.

The Middle Wife

by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, But the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second-grade classroom a few years back.

When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, Show-and-tell is pretty tame Kids bring in pet turtles, model Airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. and I never, ever place any boundaries or
limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow tuffed under her sweater.

She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke , my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.'

'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans.
'She walked Around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.

'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.' Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.

'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, Like psshhheew!' This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!

'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe. They started counting, but never even got past ten.

Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot of toys inside there.'

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.
I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case
another 'Middle Wife' comes along.

Now you have two choices...laugh and close this page or pass this along to someone else to spread the laughs. I know what I did!!!

Larsen Family Reunion

2008-07-13T15:17:00.001-07:00

Well this years reunion was at Ensign Ranch camping for a few days. The first night was really cold. The food was good and we had plenty of it. I got some sun mostly from playing on the big slip-n-slide that they have there. It was really fun I don't have any pictures of the that because I was playing on it the whole time. There was a group that went on a Joel hike so I quickly volunteered to stay home for that one because I know how those end. I was right they didn't even make it to there destination before they turned back and came home. The auction went well, I got what I wanted. My sister-in-law (the one that just moved back from Germany) she's a photographer and auctioned of a package so I get to have some family pictures taken yeah! Can't wait for that. I guess we needed the Jones and Kim there to get the games rolling we didn't play to many games. But me and Kailey and Reilyn sang camp songs that was fun and hysterical. Mainly because I don't sing very good and I can never remember the words.
Well here are some pictures I didn't take to many.

Girls Camp

2008-07-13T15:04:00.001-07:00

Well are stake dose the meals at a Stake level and then each ward is assigned a meal to help with. We got lucky we did a morning meal that was cold cereal or oatmeal and fruit. Not to hard. I felt really bad and I could hear my Grandma Raymond's voice in my head about all the oatmeal that got wasted. We only ate about half of one of the pots we cooked.

Each year are stake dose a Hair competion. We intitled ours camp nutrition. We had a good time doing this to Haley. They picked the top 3 and we where of course part of that.

We enjoyed playing secret sisters to other wards. This are some crazy eye masks that we enjoyed.

This is Sister Brooksby she is one of the girls moms that came up and helped out during the week. I didn't know Sister Brooksby before this, but can I say now I know her and she was so much fun to get to know, She had me laughing all week long.

We also enjoyed putting are skit together. Ever ward was given a bag of props and had a word that we had to tie into are skit. Are word was Dependable. We came up with a great skit. The girls had fun playing dress up with the props through out the week. We swept the skit show and claimed first place.

This is a picture of my first years. I had eight and they were all so great!
Getting ready for the slip-n-slide. This was I think lots of the girls favorite activity. Every day they asked if we where going to the slip-n-slide.
The theme this year was Super Heros. We picked the Green Lantern. It was a lot of fun we decorated mask we had ring pops for are ring that held are super powers.

We even had a girl loose a tooth at Girls Camp but she through the tooth away so no tooth fairy visit for her. Would of been fun to play the tooth fairy.

Yummy summertime is Veggie and Fruit time

2008-07-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

Well I don't have any picture to attach but you know what I'm talking about don't you. I planted two tomatoes and that is all. One is a Early girl and the other is these yummy yellow pear tomato that taste like candy. So far I have one little tomato coming . I just love all the garden veggies cucumbers, carrots, squash. Then there is the fruit. Today we ate at my in-laws. We had some honeydew melon which I'm not a big fan of melons except for watermelon. So I was looking at the honeydew and was thinking to my self, self don't take any you know you don't like that. But then I saw something else in with the honeydew. It was limes. I thought interesting. So I tried it. Can I just say it is so yummy. You must all try it with the limes it makes it taste so good. Who ever was smart enough to come up with this trick is a genius. Try it and let me know what you think.

Well I will be at Girls Camp this week so I will see you when I get back. Or maybe not. Then I will be babysitting for two weeks. But that doesn't mean I won't be checking every bodies blogs so keep blogging.

Sunburn.... Ouch!

2008-06-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

So Marta told me I had to post my sunburn. As seen previously I went fishing and a cold windy morning turned into a beautiful sun shinny day. Too shiny. I stripped down from my fleece underpants and coat and changed into shorts and a T-shirt. I only burned my legs which have been paper white since winter. I swear I was only in the sun a couple of hours, but you lose track of time when you're fishing and a couple of hours becomes six. You saw the other pics so you know it was worth it, but I'm paying the price now. Wet towels, aloe vera with lidocaine, and some pain killers left over from a nose surgery have been a real help.

Girls Camp

2008-06-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

Okay I need some major help with Girls Camp. Please I will take any kind of suggestions. Think long and hard back to the good old days of camp. What where some of your most favorite things you can remember. Our stake doesn't allow snipe hunts so that is out. Our ward does not do secret sisters. But that doesn't mean I can't leave little things for the girls. Any games you can think of that you played as a ward or on priesthood night? I'm desperate for ideas. I really would like to make this special for my new Beehives as I have a handful of them.

Dog Lake

2008-06-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

So... Post #2. My Dad, My Brother in Law Devin, and I went fishing up at Dog Lake, right below White Pass. It was a nice trip. We had good weather, too much food, and we caught fish. It could be argued that my Dad caught the most fish, but Devin and I think that he was catching and releasing the same fish multiple times. He probably caught about 30 fish. The water was a cool, 44 degrees and there was snow up at the campground still and it's almost July.

We ate good, including chicken Alfredo, dutch oven potatoes, marta's breakfast cake, and sandwiches. We didn't cook up half of what we brought because we were so full. Mosquitoes were pretty bad so we had a fire for smoke more than heat.

The next day the water was calm and smooth like glass. Fishing was a bit slow but green wooley buggers and nymphs seemed to produce. Devin and I were on the raft we anchored using a big rock on some rope, because I lost my dads anchor tipping a canoe about 2 years ago and I still haven't replaced it. By stripping the line and only being about 3-4 feet below the surface we got quite a few bites, but Brook Trout are elusive so we missed a few. The color on the Brook Trout was beautiful a very colorful fish. We had a great time.

Here is some more fish pics. We caught mostly Brook Trout, and only one Rainbow.

My dad won in all three categories: He got the biggest fish, most fish, and first fish. But next time Devin and I will be ready. We've got a plan to sabotage his pontoon and take his net.

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I'll keep you posted.

Who doesn't Love a Bargain

2008-06-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

Well I must say I love to get a good deal or better yet a free deal. So my sister Kim in Utah got me interested in using coupons and rebates. She was in charge of Enrichment in her ward and had the Savvy Shopper Lady from one of the newspapers come and talk about savings. How to use coupons ect... I have been working on it the last 3 weeks. We don't have the savvy shopper lady working for are local paper but maybe if I get good enough they can Hire me.
So I have been going to Rite aid and Walgreen's once a week for the past 3 weeks. My total in rebates for this month was $50.00 at Rite aid and $34.00 at Walgreen's.
That doesn't include a few of the other good deals I have gotten this month. I got a Thomas the Train for retail value $12.99 for a $1.05. It is the caboose that plays the theme music to Thomas the Train show. You might ask why I need a Thomas the Train Well I have a train box for when I have little boys over. My nephews Levi and Ty love to fight over it. They need to come and see my new piece.
As for other savings I was at Albertson they had a Shaving razor or razor blades on sale. They where original $8.00 on sale for $4.29 I had a manufacturers coupon for $4.00 off. So I paid .29 cents for 4 pack of Razor blades. Yes thats right you read this right .29 cents. They aren't even the cheap generic kind.
My other deal is I love Shade shirts. I usually only buy them when they are on SALE. I like the quality of them. So right now they are having free shipping so I though I would ck to see what was on sale. They have some on sale for rather good prices. I got some of the puckered tees for $8.99 and a Perfect Tee for $12.99. Plus no shipping.
The other great buy was stuff I didn't need for sure but couldn't pass up the great prices. So when I was in Utah at the beginning of the month we where going to go to Stave and Barry's the clothing store because everything is under $20.00. We didn't make it there so when I was in Seattle this last weekend. I went and everything in the store was $8.99 and under. I found some ridiculously great buys that you can't pass up. Some great red pumps that are velvety.
A black cocktail dress. This are both going to be worn to my friends wedding on 8/8/08 because they are her colors black, red and white. She was shopping with me and approved. I also found a really cute jacket and other things.
Joel has the camera other wise I would post pictures of most of this great buys. So I will have to post the pictures later.
Is this a Bargain or is this a Steal of a Deal, is the Question?

Joel's First Post

2008-06-23T12:18:00.001-07:00

So, this is my (Joel) first, official blog entry. I wanted to make sure and get some pictures up of my first real camping trip this year.

Fathers Day Weekend I went up with my dad to Bear Lake. I have been blessed to have a father who took me out fishing and camping most of my life. We were able to spend quality time together and I have learned many things from him, and not just about fishing. They say that there are three reasons to become a teacher June, July, and August. I am glad I had those months with my dad each year.

Since I've gotten older we've gone out less and less. We made time this summer and have some other trips planned so you can look for more pictures. The camera ran out of juice so I only took a few pictures.

Fishing Report: Bear Lake was 58 degrees in the am. We fished in the evening the first day and they were biting from 5pm until 7pm pretty good. The next morning my dad was out at6am and they were biting until about 10am. We had great luck as you can see we fried a couple up. Mostly Rainbow Trout but we caught a couple Brook Trout. They must have stocked it for the weekend. Every other cast you got a bite. 8-10 inches a couple 12 inchers. Used a green Wooley Bugger (the Dulude Staple), and a pattern of March Brown my dad has been tying up.

We were in float tubes as you can tell by the fins. Lots of people up there with there sons. We also picked up two bags of garbage around the lake. That's another thing my dad always taught me.

I Feel the Need for Speed

2008-06-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why I'm such a speed demon, but it runs through my blood. It has always been that way. I have remained amazingly lucky and have only had a few tickets in my short driving yrs. But it has been especially bad since I have returned from Germany and got to experience the Auto Bahn. I don't know if it just feels like I'm always driving. For instance I have gone to Seattle 3 times this month. The first time I flew from Yakima to Seattle so of course that went by quickly. (42 minutes to be exact) So the last 2 times (driving)start to feel rather long and I have to put the pedal to the medal. I love to drive fast. I made rather good time both times. Lets just hope I don't get pulled over anytime soon. I'm sure it would be a hefty ticket.

On the other hand I can't stand those people who drive to slow especially those Grandmas and Grandpas who should probably not be driving. But this old Grandpa guy sure put a smile on my face this week when he himself is a little speed demon. Gotta love the Old people who actually drive the speed limit and aren't scaring you. This old man even passed me which most people don't, so he certainly lit up my face with a smile. It was cute to see him drive fast yet still driving safely. I just silently cheered him on in my car "you go old man, you go"!

Now that I think about it I hope that he wasn't going to the hospital.

The Past Week

2008-06-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

To start of the week Joel and I headed up to Leavenworth and went Camping just the two of us. It was pretty fun, perfect weather and yummy food. I picked where we went to. It is called Icicle Creek. I guess the only bad thing would be the river was to swift for fishing and to cold for swimming. At night it was the perfect temp, not to cold not to hot and hardly anybody else camping.

The first day we hung out in the sun a little bit by these awesome huge boulders that was like a rock couch.

We did go into Leavenworth but it seemed pretty lame now that I have been to the real deal. We where able to see lots of beautiful wild flowers.

Overall it was pretty fun next time we will have to invite some company to tag along with us.

I Knew I was Unique

2008-06-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
0
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

There isn't another me out there. That might be a relief to some of you. I have always known I was different and this just confirms it. You should try it for yourself.

GAS $$$$$$

2008-06-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Just a little humor for the day. Is this what your guys piggy bank looks like after paying for gas? To think that it is just the beginning. Okay so maybe this isn't really funny. I try.

Cafe Rio

2008-06-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well I have always heard of Cafe Rio or should I say have read about it on peoples blogs. Lot's of times it was when people would be so excited that they where visiting Utah and they would be going to Cafe Rio. So I finally got to experience Cafe Rio. It was good, yummy, lot's of food for cheap. Thanks to my friend Amy in my ward, some how has the recipe and I have made Pork Barbocoa and it taste pretty darn close or better. She actually has a fun recipe blog. Everything that I have made on it I love.

New Sister pictures

2008-05-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

While I was in Idaho and Utah my sisters and I all of them where able to spend some quality time together. We stayed up late, ate to much food, went shopping and made more memories (Flying J bathroom runs). We where able to get a up-dated picture taken. Yeah! Now I just need to actually order the picture so that I can put it in a frame. That is one thing I don't like about Digital Cameras I never order the pictures. There is just something to be said about Sisters. They are the Best. Even if they don't listen to me! ha ha I love you Guys!

Visit with Old friends

2008-05-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

While down in Utah I got to visit with some old buddies from High School days. Thanks you guys for making a effort to come see me. We had fun reuniting and catching up on everyones lives. It's just to bad the rest of the gang couldn't be there.

My week in Idaho & Utah

2008-05-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

The main reason for this trip was to go to my Grandma Raymonds funeral. She is my mom's mom.

Gwen Johnson Raymond

McCammon - Ceann, Anita and Carla began a new chapter in life May 14, 2008 with the loss of their dear mother Gwen Johnson Raymond of McCammon. After a few long months, then a quick decline in health, Gwen quietly passed from her mortal journey of 90 years while at the home of her daughter in Garland, Utah.

Gwen began her earthly sojourn in Arimo, Idaho August 7, 1917 with her parents Heber Francis and Edna Caroline Shepard Johnson. School days were spent in Arimo where she graduated from Arimo High School. She also graduated from the Southern Branch of Idaho (ISU) in Pocatello, Idaho and the Albion Normal School with a life time teaching certificate. She taught grades 1-3 in Bancroft, Arimo and McCammon, Idaho for the span of 39 years. Many of her students have remained a special part of her life.

Gwen met Cedric (Ted) Odell Raymond at a Gold and Green Ball in McCammon. On November 13, 1940 they were sealed in the Logan, Utah temple. They began their lives together in a two room basement home in McCammon. Just shy of 5 years of genuine devotion and support of one another, Ted passed away October 29, 1945. Thus began the challenge of raising and supporting three little daughters by herself. Hard work became her means of meeting the challenges of life. If our mother had a hobby it would be labeled WORK.

Gwen was a dedicated and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She accepted and magnified every calling she received, which were many and varied. She served an LDS mission in the Spokane, Washington area and several years as a temple ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls temple. She enjoyed temple and church history tours, temple attendance, family history, her vegetable and flower gardens, cross-word puzzles and visiting with friends. A highlight of her life was a trip to Sweden with her sister Carolyn to visit with relatives. Her life resonated her testimony and love of the gospel, the love of her family, and service to others.

I will truly miss my grandma as she is one in a million. As I like to think of her as one of the last pioneers and my weird grandma and I her weird granddaughter. She was such a strong lady that left a great legacy to follow. I love you Grandma and I miss you.

Okay I'm Back

2008-05-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

well I have been back for awhile now. But I was going to post my pictures and it has taken me forever. I wanted to do it in order and managed to mess it up. I give up it has taken me long enough already so you will just have to be confused. Oh how I miss Germany so much. You can check out my sister blog also if you want.
kimmariel.blogspot.com
jonestribe7.blogspot.com

I will be leaving again on Monday to fly down to Utah for my Grandmother's funeral. I will probably be gone for another week.

Day 8

2008-05-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

Day 6
Again another one of my favorites. So we got to go on the Sound of Music Tour. It was so fun. We drove around to the different places the movie was filmed at. Salzburg and the little villages outside higher up in the hills are gorgeous. The tour guide was good. We meet a few LDS military families on the tour also. We even got to sing some of the songs on the tour bus.

Day 7
We drove from Garmisch up to Munich to go to Church. We had the missionaries translate the meeting for us. Very different but cool experience. We then went and saw the Nueschwanstein & Hoehnschwangau castles. They belonged to Prince Maximilian and King Maximilian ll and King Ludwig ll. The Nueschwanstein castle was so cool but a little disappointing to find out that it isn't really that old. It was built 1869-1886. I would of loved to play hide and seek in one of the castles. We then traveled around the mountain to go to the Linderhof which is where they would go for the hunting retreats. It was one of my favorites. The gardens where breath taking and we are early, things have just started to bloom. I would love to come back to see this place when everything was in full bloom. I don't have pictures because I was sick of taking pictures by this time. Plus my sister Kristen's camera took way better pictures.

Day 8
Was a whole day in Munich. We walked a ton this day, rode some buses and subways. I was pretty tired by the end of the day. We had a free lunch at Motus the cafe that is connected with Tahitian Noni, which my sister Kim works for. They treated us like royalty. Pretty much anything we wanted we got. They where so friendly and helpful with getting us around the city. We saw the local market that has been in the same place for over a 100 years. It was a pretty good size market. We saw the Glockenspiel, we saw some World War ll sites, Some more of King Ludwig's castles (Schloss Nymphenburg). We saw some more churches, gardens expensive stores. I was able to find me a piece of Jewelry for my souvenir. We almost made it to the English Gardens which is something I wanted to go to because they compare it to Central Park, which I have always wanted to go to. But it started to ran really hard and it was getting late and we hadn't eaten dinner yet. We where later told that the English Gardens actually has a lot of nude sun bathers there. Glad we didn't make it.

Day11

2008-05-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

Day 9
Left Garmisch went up to Munich had lunch at the Cafe with are friends. Then we went to Dachau the Concentration camp. It is something that I have read about and always have wanted to see. We unfortunately didn't have enough time there to take the 2.5 hour tour. So I was not able to get the whole experience. I didn't have the crazy emotions that people tell you about. We where there 63 years to the day that Dachau was liberated by American troops. We then drove up to Nurnenburg and flew to Switzerland. I liked the flight because they gave us yummy chocolate.

Day 10
We traveled to town called Luzern. The morning started out sunny and bright. We went to the only glassworks in Switzerland. The musuem was so cool & interesting. I couldn't believe that it was free. One of the best musuems I have been to in awhile. They had such beautiful blown glass you could buy. But it was just a tad to pricey for my wallet. Then we went and bought a ton of Swiss chocolate had some lunch. It started to rain and made it miserable. Saw s bridge that is well known and a lion that is carved into a rock wall. It wasn't a day that I remeber to much about. We had a long drive home because we sat in traffic for every because everybody was leaving for the holiday.

Day 11
We ventured to the top of Europe. The Swiss Alps to a plcae called Jungraujoch. To sum it up into a few words. Breath taking, once in a life time, cold, hard to breath. We purchased are tickets in the town of Grindewald and rode the train to Kleine Scheidegg had lunch and a snow ball fight with some little boys, got back on the train which took us up thru the actual mountain. At the top is amazing we almost missed the last train down the mountain for the day so we had to run which is extremely hard to do at that elevation. There is even a post office up there. It stamps from the Top of Europe. We read a sign saying the place between Heaven and Earth. There is three big mountins in a row Eiger which is where they get North Face from, Monch and the Jungfrau. Great way to end the trip. On the way home we drove to the Bern Switzerland Temple. Oh yeah one thing I liked about Switzerland was there was tons of Subaru's.

Today was a sad but good day. It's always sad to leave to go home, but I was ready to be home and to see Joel. Let's just say that jet lag kicked into gear on the way home for me. Things that I already miss about not being over in Europe scince I got home. The Ausfarht signs for (Exit). Hardly seeing people on their cell phones. You don't see people constantly on them like here in the states. I don't think I saw one espresso stand the whole time I was over there. Same thing with car dealerships and gas stations on every corner. I came home and was like yeah this place is not what I would call beautiful. Maybe in the next hundred years Selah can reach to their full potential, but then again easier said then done.

My Travels to Germany, Austria & Switzerland

2008-05-05T07:01:00.001-07:00

Okay so this may not be in any order and this will probably take me days to do. But this was such a fun trip. The weather was pretty great for the most part and I got to have so much fun and make so many good memories and made a new best friend, ha ha. I went on this trip with two of my sisters Kristen & Kim and my sister Kim's friend Heather who couldn't have been any funnier. We had a ton of laughs and we defiantly have some inside jokes for sure.

Day 2
Flew to Frankfurt Germany where my sister-in-law Kailey picked us up. We then drove on the Autobahn which is basically any rode in Germany. We went to her town of Wurzburg. We walked downtown threw the cute shopping district as I call it. Got some Gilatto. Heard a little history about the town. So far I'm loving Germany.

Day 3
We went and saw the Residence downtown Wurzburg, we didn't go inside but the gardens where starting to turn beautiful. We ate are first Bratwurst. Not bad taste like a morning sausage to me. We couldn't stay to long because we then drove to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It is a town that is surrounded by a wall still to this day. It was one of my favorites of the trip. We went on a Night Watchmen tour that was fantastic. We had one of our best meals here. Lots of wonderful shops. Lots of people come to the Christmas store. They also had some beautiful gardens. We ran out of time I don't think we saw it all.

First Barb-que of the Year

2008-04-21T07:01:00.000-07:00

Well we have nice days then we have cold days where it tries to snow. We had a nice day Wednesday, so we barb-qued some chicken and asparaguses. It was so yummy. Just writing about it makes me very hungry.

Well I leave for Europe tomorrow. I can't believe this day is here already.

I Need A Break

2008-04-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah I'm getting one in six days. Well life is just to busy sometimes. There are some weeks I feel like I live at the church. Anybody else feel like this? I guess I just need lot's of blessings. It all started with Sunday I had to attend a ward council mtg, then church, then I had BYC after church. Maybe that is why I was cranky in BYC. Today I had a Enrichment Mtg that lasted a hour and half. Then this evening I had a Stake Auxiliary training mtg. It was two hours long. Tomorrow I have mutual which is about two hours. Thursday I have stake volleyball which you would think it would be fun for me. But re feeing isn't fun. That is about three hours. Plus I'm getting to visits in for visiting teaching. Oh how I can hardly wait for volleyball to be over with. I'm lucky because I will be missing to weeks of it, then there is only two weeks after that.
So I'm almost ready for my trip. I can hardly wait. I hope that the weather isn't to cold over there. I'm so excited to see my niece and nephew. I hope they like me. I will miss Joel so very much. I will miss my bed too.
Sorry nothing to exciting to post right now. My life can be so boring. Wait I don't have time to be bored.

Spring Break is Over

2008-04-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well I had high hopes of being really productive during spring break. I wasn't as productive as I should of been. I did get a project done that I started months ago. I finished some curtains that go over the sliding glass door. Needless to say I should of done it all at the same time. I made a few mistakes nothing anybody else will see but enough to drive me crazy and make me so mad. But what-ever. Joel was nice and said they where great and that he thinks they rock. Will see if I feel any better in a few days about them, enough to post pictures of that is. I also did a lot of card making. Got the laptop fixed, that will be great so I don't have to have Joel's school stuff all over the living room anymore. He can hang out in the 2nd bedroom and do his school stuff on the laptop. I made some more freezer meals for Joel for while I'am gone he wont starve or feel like he can eat out the whole time I'm gone. Did some organizing and ran across a book I have been reading that was good I just got busy and hadn't finished it either. So of course I started to read it again and that is why I didn't get more things done. I couldn't put it down and I finished it and sent off for the other one from the Library. Hope it comes before I leave. I managed to play tennis for the first time this year it was tons of fun. But my wrist has hurt ever since. I feel old.

Well I went to the Doctor today to get a update on my cyst. Or to see if it had gone away with my last menstrual cycle like the Doctor thought it would. I waited for a hour in the waiting room, wish I would of had my book to read. Then I got in and had a ultra sound to find out that it hadn't gone away. Bumb deal. So it isn't the type of cyst the Doctor was thinking it was in the beginning. So he wants to put me on birth control to see if that will get rid of it. I hope so, I'm so discouraged to have to go on birth control and wait longer to try to get pregnant again. I hate birth control of course its a different one then I was on so who knows if it will have any side affects. I never lasted long the one time I tried it before. Also I hate having to remember to take a pill everyday around the same time. Anyway we will go thru one cycle of the pill and then I go back in to have another ultra sound to see if it went bye bye. If not one more month on the pill. I hope it goes away soon. Okay their I vented my frustration.

April Fools

2008-04-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

I cannot wait to have children to do silly things too. I need some good ideas for the future. So if you have any ideas of nice, funny pranks, spill the beans.

Here is a shout out to are Friends Brandon and Kristen they are getting married today. Silly People.

Speaking of silly my little friend Floyd (age5) yesterday we where talking about families and kids in our families. He said, wouldn't it be funny if the Dads had the boy babies and the Moms had the girl babies. I was like yes that would be funny for numerous reasons. But I think that there would be a whole lot less boys in this world if that was the case. silly kids. I remember when I was little how I thought all cats where girls and all dogs where boys. Strange and amusing how are little minds work.