Remembering

I was going through some old scrapbooking stuff at the Utah house a couple weeks ago, and came across this beauty.  I couldn't wait to get it home and scan it.  

This is one of my all-time favorite photos.  It was taken July 4th weekend, 2003, 2 weeks before Dan and I were married.  We went to the beach with good friends Jessica and Chris.  Such good memories!  

Whoooooo are you? Who? Who?

You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Memorial Day

I hope you are all having a happy and relaxing Memorial Day.  We have been pretty lazy!  The weather here is HOT already. I'm not sure I'm going to make it through a Texas summer!  We went to the Church picnic and by early afternoon, it was in the 90's.  

After the picnic, we hurried back to the nice cold air conditioning and played some Wii Fit!  Then we watched a movie and have been relaxing ever since.  Here are some scrapbook pages I finished, too.

 

credits:

template & green paper: LivE Designs

brown paper & tag: Merkeley Designs

font: Another Typewriter

credits:

Template - Andrea Gold

Word Art - Daniela Peuss

Paper & Love Sticker - Elisa's Bits "Aquamarine"

Staples - Atomic Cupcake

The "big" news...

Did you really think that we would announce something important on a blog without calling our family first?  Really?  

We've gotten quite a few phone calls regarding Dan's post a couple days ago.  I have to apologize.  He was trying to be funny, since he just learned how to post here.  So, here is the long-awaited announcement.  The "addition" to the family:

The Wii Fit!  It's an accessory for the Nintendo Wii. We have been having so much fun with it!  So far, we have hula-hooped, ski jumped, done some Yoga, and tried some balance games.  If you haven't tried it - you're missing out!

Sorry if this is disappointing news to any of you. :)

Happy Memorial Day!

{intermission}

I'm going to make you wait one more day for the news.  I know, it's not fair.  My mother always used to say, "Life is not fair."  :)

I've been a little on the reflective side lately.  Probably started with the funeral last week.  And then I had to go to Houston for 4 days (I got back last night).  Anyway, all that time in the car makes me think.  Sometimes that's a good thing. :)

Mostly, I've been thinking about just how blessed I am to have the friends and family I have.  I really couldn't ask for anything better.  If you're reading this, that means you!  I was able to chat with a few old friends this past week too, and it was great to catch up and see what they and their families are up to.  I'm sad that so many good friendships seem to take a back seat to daily life, which is so busy for everyone.  What are we all so busy with, anyway?

Speaking of staying in touch, I've been trying to contact a couple of friends who seem to have gone missing.  K & J, if you're reading this, would you please call me?  I'm starting to feel like a stalker.  lol.

Over the past 18 months or so, I've belonged to an online forum, and the ladies there have become like a second family.  While in Houston, I learned that one of these special women lost her husband.  The outpouring of love was amazing!  Notes of encouragement and love and support just started flooding the forum.  Homemade digital sympathy cards filled the photo gallery.  We've only met on the internet, but somehow those who belong to this forum have really formed a bond.  L, you and your family are in my prayers.

 

While blog surfing, I found out that a friend of ours, from when we lived in Portland, has left the Church to pursue other interests.  I was surprised that I feel such intense sadness at this news.  She wasn't what I'd call a 'best' friend - but one that I got to know pretty well.  We've lost touch over the years, and suddenly now I wish we could chat and catch up.  And I wish I could just listen.  

This has been a pretty random post, huh?  Well, every once in a while it's probably good to throw out some serious thoughts. 

New Addition coming to the family!!

Ha ha, you really think I will tell.... I must let my wife spill the beans. :)

New Specs for all to see!

Well, What do you think?

Probably not appropriate...

I'm not sure I should share this, but here you go.  

This is DAN'S result.  

74%

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

And here is MINE:

35%

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

I'll let you decide whether to hang out with us anymore. :)

On Location: Pocatello, Idaho

Saturday morning we got word that Dan's grandmother had passed away. We knew it was coming (she hadn't been well for a couple of weeks), but even when you're expecting it, it still isn't easy. Grandma Wanda would have been 98 years old in July. She will be greatly missed.

So we packed up and left McKinney at about 2 pm on Saturday, and got to Idaho at about 9 pm Sunday evening. Definitely a long drive. We'll be here for the week, helping where we can and just spending time with family.

New Look - for me and the blog!

I thought it was time for a change. My first real attempt at "blog design."  What do you think?

Also, Dan and I went to the optometrist Monday for our yearly eye exam.  We both checked out fine, and after spending a small fortune, we will both have new glasses in 5-7 days.  I usually wear contacts, but the doctor suggested I start wearing glasses a few days a week because my eyes are not getting enough oxygen. Who knew 15+hours/day of contact wearing for, oh, 16 years, might do some damage?   She also talked me into wearing sunglasses.  So I got a pair of those, too. They are super cute.  

What?  You're excited to see my new glasses?  So am I!  I'll post pictures when they come in!  

One other interesting note, the office has this new fancy device that takes a picture of your retina.  That way they can check for any abnormalities.  Anyway, mine turned out fine, but funny thing - Dan has a freckle on his retina.  I didn't even know you could have freckles on your retina.  It doesn't interfere with anything, so no cause for concern.  Interesting stuff.

Too good to be true?

See that little link over there?  ----------------->

It says you can earn $25.  And it's not a scam.  My friend Lyn introduced me, and here's how it works.  

There is this new company that is trying to compete with PayPal. They are giving everyone that signs up before May 15th $25! Just for creating an account with them. The best part? It is a totally legit deal and completely free! I've done my research and it is for real.  Don't believe me?  Check out this article in USA TODAY.  You can create an account for both you and your husband! Just think in a few days you can be transferring $50 into your checking account! Awesome! Plus, if you click on my "magic" button on my side bar, I get $10 for referring YOU! Anyone you refer you get $10, up to $500! Can you believe it? Who couldn't use an extra $500?  That's like 2 tanks of gas. :)  Anyway, so help me and yourself out and go get your account TODAY!