Valentines Day

I had been planning what I what do this year for David on Valentines Day for at least a month. Every year David has done something really sweet and special for me and I well....I haven't done anything, i'm lame I know. Two years ago on V-Day, unknowlingly David suprised me with a proposal to marry him and of course I said yes. This night before he gave me a gift card to get a manicure and I was sad because I thought I had figured out that he would propose to me due to some hints from his family---so I guessed I was wrong. He took me on a picnic to the temple on the 14th, read me to amazing poems and knelt on one knee.


Last year, I came home from work and there was a trail of little paper hearts from our front door to our bed. Our bed was showered in little hearts and three presents.

This year was a bit harder to carry out because I can't see very well-still have no contacts in. I managed to get my mom to take me shopping and I created a candy boquet with a valentines day card I scrapbooked and had my sister stacey drive it down to Wells Fargo and personally deliver to David (He was so suprised that I did that, knowing that I couldn't see or drive). I then made cupcakes and decorated the table with candles, confetti, the cupcakes and put white lights on the ceiling. When David got home, we went to Wildflower Bread Company to have soup bowls and sandwhiches in a nice quiet environment, and NO long lines! We came home, pulled out our hide-a-bed couch and watched EMBER, a fairly weird but good movie about underground town and two kids who are trying to save the town as its electricity source and food are running out.


I just want to tell David thank you for three years of wonderful Valentines Days! The first picture below is of our engagement on our first Valentines Day. The next several pictures are of this years V-Day and my decorated room that I came home to after Wildflower-David's secret helper came in and decorated and suprised me while we were out eating!

THEN:

NOW:

Have pity on me.

Wednesday afternoon I noticed my right eye started getting really mucusy and so I would try to clear it and well, stuff kept coming out of my tear duct area, an abnormal color. It was really strange and the thought entered my mind, oh no maybe i'm getting an infection. My eye kept draining all day and finally during the middle of Wednesday night, I woke up around1 a.m. and noticed my eyes were both sealed oompletely shut. I went to the bathroom to rinse it off, and concluded that I had to have pink eye because I had never had my eyes do this since I can remember. I couldn't sleep the rest of the night because I knew that if I indeed had pink eye, I would be blind for a few days seeing how I depend on my contacts and have no glasses to back me up.

I was able to get into the Doctors THursday at 8:45 and he said that yes, i was infected with pink eye. THe story gets better. The medical assistant who did my weight and blood pressure tested my pressure three times, and all of them came out 160/? apparently a really really high pressure. So the doctor sent me in for blood testing this morning and I have to get my blood pressure checked once a week for the next four weeks and call their office to report to them the numbers. I have never had high blood pressure before and I am praying that nothing serious comes out of this, that I don't need to be put on any medications.

As for my eyes, my right eye which got infected first and was the worst is doing much better today than my left eye which has gotten worse(even with medication). Hopefully its one of those things where it has to get worse before it gets better. I have been blind since yesterday afternoon and am not sure when I will get to see clearly again. I"m praying by at least sunday morning so I can see at church. Lesson learned: get glasses no matter how expensive they are. So that is why my post is entitled have pity on me. I am stuck at home for a few days, blind...except for when my sweet husband is not working and can take me out, or when my mom is able to take me to her house to do laundry. Ugh! Thats what I get for working with20 kids every day in the schools. :) Keep me in your prayers, that I heal quickly so I can see again!

Cupcakes and Linguini

This past week has been a fairly stressful and busy one-more busy than usual. I am taking a research methods class and it takes me SO long to finish the homework-namely coming up with research questions that no one has ever researched before, and looking up articles. I know you wish you were in my position :) Therapy with my students has been so fun, but exhausting on my vocal chords and throat. Its been sore on and off since the beginning of the school year from talking so much. I love how the children are so cute, especially the kindergartners. I have one little boy who is working on /s/ blends so I always ask his group "who lives in a pineapple under the sea" and he proudly shouts "fungebob warepants!" It's hilarious, but I know he is trying to hard to say it right.

On a bad note, smokers have moved in downstairs from us and their smoke is coming through our piping, especially through the pipes under our bathroom sink and bathtub. So, this week when it's smelt especially bad i've jumped on the floor a few times to vent my anger. Sunday morning while I was blow drying my hair I heard a knock on the door and it was the lady (with one snaggle tooth left) downstairs. She said "I've noticed you guys have been making lots of noise downstairs lately and we want to ask you to stop (this said in a wheezy, i'm going to fall over and die any moment type voice). So my sweet david said "well we've been wanting to talk to you about your smoking because it's been coming through our vents." She says "well its our washer and dryer making the smell." David just says "Well, we'd appreciate it if you could smoke outside." She responds "Well, thats not something we can control". I thought, if you can march all the way up our stairs, you can certainly move yourself to your screen door and blow your smoke. I was so livid the rest of the day and was rather emotional during church with so many wonderful ladies announcing they're leaving the ward and with what happened this morning.

Needless to say, if they don't stop smoking, we will be forced to find another home over the next two to three months. I don't want the chemicals to affect our health or the health of our future children.

On a positive note, I made some funfetti cupcakes for my fourteen year old sunday school class. These kids are truly amazing and I love them so much, despite their chatti-ness (my new word). They are one of the reasons i'd be so upset to move, they've taught me so much and are a pleasure to teach-they are SO smart! So below are pictures of the cupcakes and the chicken linguini David and I made for dinner. Hope you enjoy :)

Necklaces and Bracelets

Hi all!

So once again I am promoting my friend Sharianna's business. She sells custom made bracelets and necklaces for infants through adults...and they are cute cute cute! Ordering is very easy as it can be done straight from the website. If you have a baby shower to go to soon or a friends gift to purchase, this is the place to do it! Here is one example of an infants bracelet (they can be done with pearls or crystals).

Her website is: http://www.delicatedelightful.com/

LOST

For any of you who don't know me, i'm a "LOST" addict. I have tried over and over to quit this addiction, but I continually give in to my cravings, week after week, year after year. I am proud to announce that I am STILL a LOST addict and am SO excited that the fifth season is starting tomorrow night. I just have one dilemma. I told my visiting teachers to come that night (forgetting this momentous occasion) and now must find a way to rearrange the meeting. David wants me to wait until this weekend and watch it with him on ABC15.com since he has school that night...but i'm not sure I can stand knowing that millions of viewers have already watched the 2-3 hour long premier....and I HAVE NOT! Lost is about a group of people who survived a plane crash and land on a mysterious island where crazy people called "the others" live. The plane survivors must learn to live with each other and endure the threats posed by the island and "the others"...each episode is rather addicting as each one ends leaving you with more questions then what you started with. It's delightfully entertaining. I believe these are the people that remain (about half of the amount of people that started on the island).

Thank you to all of those who posted helpful comments about housing. We will prayerfully considering where we should move or if we should stay here a little longer. I find myself dreading being in another ward because this one is SO amazing.

**Side note: I've decided I LOVE to cook and bake, and my mom will attest that this is a shocker because prior to being married, i wanted nothing to do with preparing/making/or baking food of any kind (outside of my famous chocolate chip cookies). So any of you who make yummy recipes please feel free to share. I'm always looking for something new to add into our meals for the week :)

Christmas Post #2-as promised

Again this year we missed going up to the snow with David's family because David was working, and I.....didn't want to go by myself :( We mentioned our wanting to go to the snow with my brother since we went with him last year and soon plans were made-December 31st was the day that became our fun snow trip with my family. Driving up we saw very little snow and it was around 51 degrees so I was afraid that all of it had melted. Luckily the place we usually go to was still covered in snow and so many people were there sledding and we joined in on the fun. Below are some pictures of adventure. The ones with my mom and sisters in them are so funny, mostly because they used a deflated air mattress along with a foam mattress cover (that people use while camping) and that was their sled. It worked out great but they ended up falling over quite a bit.

On another note, David and I have been praying as to whether or not we should stay in our apartment another year. Our lease ends in May and it would be wonderful to find an affordable two bedroom apartment/condo/townhouse not too far from where we are. If you hear of anything in East..east...Mesa or in Gilbert thats under 720$ a month please let us know :)

My niece Kiara making a snow angel

Stacey and David getting himself out of the sled

My sisters and mom squished in the middle (told you they are funny to see!)

My brother, Kiara, and sister in law Jessica with their Russian Snowman

David poking out of the window of the snow fort we built

Above is my mom, Kiara, and Stacey with the snowman they built, below is my family huddled in the half-built fort. We couldn't finish it because it took over an hour to make the little bit that we did.

Christmas-Post 1

So much has happened over the last two weeks that i'm going to have to make two posts in order to fit all the pictures on here that I want. Last week of course was Christmas. Like usual, David and I spent the morning together, then went to my parents around 8a.m. and opened a ton of presents from my side of the family and then went to David's parents house for more presents and games. This year, there wasn't anything huge that I was hoping to get. I had wanted a kitchen aid but told David not to get one for me. We then contemplated getting a new t.v., but again I told him to hold off because it wasn't a necessity. So many of my family members including those on my husbands side, and my husband, were so generous and put so much talent and love into the gifts they bought me. Thank you to all of those who brought magic again into my Christmas and suprised me with things that I never asked for but made my Christmas amazing. Below are some, but not all of the favorites that I recieved:

David suprised me with a beautiful Diamond necklace.

And....an organizer so I can get rid of some of the boxes in our apartment

My wonderful mother and mother-in-law bought a BOSCH and ice cream maker--boy was I shocked to get both of these because they were something I have wanted to badly but never thought I get for a few years! Thanks moms!

My ever so talented sister-in law Fawn (yes thats you :)) spent the last creating a masterpiece stocking for me. It is absolutely beautiful and something I treasure, thank you!

Nutcracker

So as many of you know, David and I have been so excited to watch the Nutcracker, as we love seeing ballet's and play's. We just don't get to very often due to cost and time. We met up with two couples in our ward at Applebees for dinner and then David and I split off to go to the Nutcracker as the other two couples weren't able to get tickets. We had to park at a church by the Mesa Arts Center and there were only 4 cars in the lot so I was praying that no one would break into our car. (Shame on anyone if they ever did-especially in a CHURCH parking lot!) When we got inside, there were tables set out with decorations, toe shoes, nutcrackers etc for sale. Side note, the lady I babysit for has literally hundreds of decorations on her tree, each unique to things she loves or events that she's been to. So back to my story: I have decided that I want to start collecting ornaments of things that remind my husband and I of important events or memories that we have shared over the year. We happily purchased a little ballerina ornament and my husband said later that he also bought a nutcracker which he was going to suprise me for Christmas, but couldn't wait. Then we went in for the performance. The dance moves were amazing and so were the sparkles on the costumes (sparkles draw me to them like a magnet). I have realized more and more just how grateful I am that each of us comes to earth with specific talents, and that people are willing to share them so that we may all benefit from them! So thank you to all those hard working men and women dancers who have spent countless hours to bring happiness and joy at this Christmas season to all of us!

I was watching CNN this morning and they were showing clips from Georgia of a man who has been passing out food to hundreds of people who were waiting for hours just to get one bag of food! And I think of how many people I've heard complain about the presents they aren't going to get this year. I am SO grateful that I don't have to worry about my next meal, or a warm place to live. I may have a tiny one bedroom apartment, but we are doing ok-and we have enough. This will be my last post before Christmas, so I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and pray that each of us will remember the Savior's birth and all that he has blessed us with! I want to thank each of you for being such a blessing in me and my families life. You have each used your talents, your kindness, your love, and your friendship to bless our lives!

Lost and Found

(David's story)

On Natalia's (my little sister's) 18th Birthday I lost my wedding ring. She had been playing 007 with some friends (a more involved game of tag) and had added water balloons into the mix. While they were all looking around the land for the last people to make it back to base I snuck out with some water balloons and set up my ambush. I waited unit Ta(my sister) and a small group were walking inder a tree and then launched a volley of balloons into the branches over head, showering the unsuspecting victims. Return fire instantly wised past me as I ran for it. As I was running, one of ta's friends called me a stupid @$$ (0) and so I slowed my retreat. Auston grabed my arm as I was turning around so I swung him off but in the process my ring flew of my finger. Enraged by the punk kid who was running up just behind Auston I disregarded my ring and ran at the kid. After tackling the kid down and giving him a nice sternum rub with my knee I let him run off to now look for my ring. It was too late. I wasn't even sure where exactly I was when it flew off. Two nights of searching went by (only time I had available) it was sunday and fast and testimony meeting. The overal topic, as there often tends to be one, was about prayer and finding lost things. I got up and explained that I knew what I needed to do to find my ring and shared why I think I lost it in the first place. It was my anger and pride that kept me from stopping right where I was and finding my ring. As i shared my thoughts on not letting things distract us from whats most important I looked down at Lynette and felt so much love for her and thought of what that ring represents. "I never want to let myself get distracted from how important Lynette is to me and damned with my pride if it ever gets in the way" were the feelings going through my head. After the meeting was over a sister came up to me and said she felt inspired to tell me to look for it at night and I would see the gold shine. I had to laugh at that because I had been looking at night with a flashlight for two nights now under that very hope yet to no avail. Monday morning I woke up early and before work went over to the land and layed out a grid of where the ring might be. Loren Lilly (my uncle) had given me his metal detector but the grass was so thick that the air space made the thing go off all the time renduring it usless. There I was raking every inch of my grid, back hurting and eyes straining when the sun came out of the clouds and the comment from the sister poped into my head about the gold shining. I looked up to see a glint in the grass up top the hill. Excitement ran through me as I considered the possibility, yet as I got just overhead the beautiful glint was no more then morning dew. Devistated that I had to return to the raking I lifted my head to find the ring not two feet away from the dew drop. Elated I picked it up and crammed it onto my middle finger where I have to bruise the nuckle for it to come off. Surly the ring is not our marriage but I learned a good lesson about focusing on what's important, not letting my anger or pride distract me and to rely on the lord and the inspiration he gives. I hope this Christmas we will stay focused of the Birth and life of Christ and not let the many distractions turn us away from what's most important.

Happy Thanksgiving!

David and I got to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving and family reunion with his family the last three days. While I enjoyed the time we spent together, I am also grateful it is passed, because I have come home every night ready to drop around 8p.m. (horrible huh ;)). Thanksgiving morning we ran the 2 mile turkey trot at Red Mountain Park, me pulling David to go rather than play football at his uncle Kelly's. Neither of us have really run a whole lot since we've been married, but it is a tradition that several members of my family have done every year...it was nice and cloudy outside, fresh rain had fallen...and so...we had to go!

I'm sad to say it took us 25:00minutes to run two miles and I'm sure david would have gotten done quicker but I had two cramps almost the whole time and made him stop every so often for a breather. The rest of the Thanksgiving was spent with his family doing a gigantic obstacle course, paintballing, a family talent show, and lots of yummy lunches. Several of you guys (like Crystal Lily said) went to the reunion so I will leave it at that. I will hopefully get some more pictures from family members that were taken at the reunion and post them. But for now, enjoy some of our Turkey Trot pictures. I am proud of us even though we took so long to get done---we finished! Our goal is to get in shape this next year and take better care of our bodies.

***Update: We have already purchased tickets to the Nutcracker and are going Saturday December 20th, 7:30p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center. Any one who wants to can join us (perhaps we can meet for dinner prior to the performance if you guys want to). Tickets again are between 8$-26$. We got the 14$ tickets. Let us know if you decide to go that night so we can meet up :) Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Kiara hanging out with Uncle David

Elders Quorum Party

Yesterday David and I had the opportunity to go to his mom's ward's Elders Quorum Party where they fixed ribs and other yummy foods. Here are some pictures taken by David's uncle. Try not to be too jealous ;)



On the other hand, I have never seen "The Nutcracker" before and we are so incredibly excited because we found some relatively cheap tickets to performances at the Mesa Arts Center as well as the Chandler Center for the Arts (8$-24$). Anyone who wants to join us is welcome...we're thinking Saturday the 29th of November or Saturday the 20th of December.

So....Saturday, I spent the afternoon doing some early Christmas shopping and babysitting until 10p.m. Came home and slept a long long time. Apparently David turned off my alarm in the morning which was set for 7 and around 8:15, I thought to myself, wow i've been sleeping forever...looked at the alarm clock and flipped out because I only had 30 minutes (nearly impossible) to get ready and I had NEVER heard the alarm go off. Church was absolutely wonderful, had a return missionary speak that was so "with it". By that I mean that he carried an amazing spirit with him and the way he worded things was amazing.

Later that evening, I went to my parents house with david and we made carmel popcorn balls which were extremely delicious (sorry for lack of pictures, batteries in camera aren't working). David taught my little brother battleship, and as always, I think David won with little Kyle not too far behind.

And....after battling a sore throat all weekend my mom and david made me go to the doctors (even though I feel SO much better) today. I tested negative for strep throat but still have these(DON"T GET GROSSED OUT) white patches covering my tonsils like bread got stuck all over them. Doctor said to take good old amoxicillin even though I am getting better to reduce a future occurence of a bacterial infection (he thinks I have viral right now). I feel nearly back to normal even without drugs but I want my tonsils to get rid of the nasty white stuff. Anyways, now that you have had several nice details.... :) Want to wish everyone a most wonderful week!

Halloween

Hello all! Sorry i'm a little late on posting Halloween pictures, but I was waiting on my brother to post them to his website as I forgot my Camera most of the night. Thank you Chris :)

Halloween this year wasn't what I had wanted it to be, largely because I hadn't had anything I could really dress up as and all the costumes I found were much to skanky for my liking. Therefore, the day before Halloween I decided I would be "Bella" from twilight (hence my "team edward shirt" that I made). I tried to search for a bracelet that Bella got from her two admirers with a wolf and crystal heart charm---but to no avail. I decided next year that David and I are going to plan ahead and be something very cute---who knows, maybe I will be Giselle from the disney movie "Enchanted!". Hope you enjoy pictures of my family below....
Me and my sexy vampire husband with our niece Kiara

Above is our niece Kiara who was dressed as a turtle (great job Jessica on the making the outfit!)

Below is little Hailey dressed as a pumpkin.

Nikki, Karen, Hailey and Fawn (the pumpkin guts! :))

Post 2---the Zoo

See previous post for some more of my weeks adventures! Today I had the opportunity to take two of my cute nieces to the zoo. Growing up, my aunts and uncles on both sides kept to themselves and as a result, the kids in my family never got to have a strong relationship with any of them. It's been my goal to take our nieces and nephew on little outings every now and then to build our relationships...so...that said here are some of the zoo adventures with the Nikki and Karen, the kids I stole from Fawn :)

The Giraffe Exibit-Stop #1

My brother Kyle, his friend, Karen and Nikki

Kissing Monkey Buddha (Above)
Mom, look what the chickens hatched! (Below)

The girls were SO CUTE petting the goats and feeding them!