Our New Car

Ok, after struggling with constant repairs on the malibu Mike and I decided to go and get a new car. I swore we would never get an actual Brand New Car...always used. But the guys at Team Mazda Subaru got us a great deal and we paid about what we were wanting to spend on a used. So we bought a new Subaru Impreza AWD Sedan....And here it is:

So this was another first for us as neither of us has ever had a non pre-owned car.

(If anyone is looking for a new car they gave us cards to give to friends for discounts.)

Jump Creek

Jump Creek and a Hockey Birthday Celebration

Mike and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful Saturday and go somewhere I have never gone (don't know why since have lived here my entire life).
Jump Creek out in Owyhee county was a lot of fun. While we didn't hike up to the top of the falls we did the little trail in and then climbed around on the rocks a whole bunch. It was a blast! My ears started to freeze from the cool wind hitting them and being in the shade so we only stayed for a few hours.
Later that night we went to a hockey game to celebrate my friend Sabrena's birthday (she works for the stealheads) and went out to Chilis....their molten lava cake is sooooo good. I figured I had a decent workout that day so I could indulge a little.
It was a fun packed Saturday and Mike is completely enjoying having Saturdays off. He really likes his new job and we feel so blessed that he found a job so quickly. Our prayers are with all those who are still looking.

One Word Tag

This one was new (at least to me) so I thought I would do it and tag a bunch of you.

Here's what you do....copy to your "Post",
delete my answers, type in your answers,
tag a bunch of people for their One Word...then hit publish!
Remember only ONE WORD!!!
1. Where is your cell phone? counter
2. Your significant other? entertaining
3. Your hair? messy
4. Your mother? teacher
5. Your siblings? many
6.Your favorite thing? hmmm
7. Your dream last night? forgot
8. Your favorite drink? milk
9. Your dream/goal? happy
10. The room you're in? family
11. Your fear? childless
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? California
13. Where were you last night? movie
14. What you're not? mom
15. One of your wish list items? car
16. Where you grew up? Boise
17. The last thing you did? dishes
18. What are you wearing? sweats
19. Your pet? cute
20. Your life? boring
21. Missing someone? Terrie
22. Your car? clean
23. Something you're not wearing? necklace
24. Favorite Store? none
25. Your summer? camping?
26. Your favorite color? purple
27. When is the last time you laughed? today
28. Last time you cried? duno
29. Your next vacation? Utah
30. Favorite Show? Psych
31. Middle Name? none
32. Favorite Season? Fall
33. Favorite Dessert? VOLCANO
34. Favorite Place? DISNEYLAND
35. Thing you want to do this year? camping

and the only question you can use more than one word...
Who do you tag?
Monae (when she starts posting again)
Terrie
Sarah
Steph
Terrilyn
and anyone else who wants a challenge.

Happy Valentines Day

Love plays such a big part in our daily lives....I hope everyone is able to recognize the love that surrounds them this Valentines Day.

Just saying how I feel

I am sick and tired of people losing their jobs...I mean seriously. Today a good friend's dad lost his job where he has been for over a decade out of the blue. Of course, Mike lost his job at the end of January and many other people we know are out of work right now. I am so tired of this happening to people that are good people, live modestly and try to frugal already. I have kept reminding myself it is the pride cycle and as we have often been told, even the good and the righteous will suffer during hard times...but it still sucks! I just keep praying that we will all be able to come together, be humbled and understand the steps we need to take to be able to be blessed enough to come out of this smarter, stronger, and humbler.

Walking on the Greenbelt

A Little Taste of Spring

So we have been very blessed this week to get a little taste of spring. Saturday, Mike and I took advantage of a gorgeous Saturday and took Sage for a walk on the greenbelt. The path was filled with bikers, rollerbladers and pedestrians. It was so beautiful out!

While I loved the weather I am grateful that we are expecting snow in the mountains over the next few days....perfect for the Special Olympics that are going on in Boise and the surrounding areas this week.

So I snapped a few photos while we are on the greenbelt. Unfortunately we have had to reformat our harddrive a few times on the laptop so I am not able to fix the darkness or shadows and stuff. I had Mike take one or two as well...he says he isn't good at it. I told him he needs to learn since people are always getting after me for taking all the photos and not being in them.

I can't wait until this spring. We are already planning all the outdoor activities we hope to do. Hopefully we will be busy and outside almost every weekend.

The Big Picture that I don't see

Today I realized just how little we as humans see the big picture. I struggled with wether or not I was going to share this experience or not. But the overwhelming realization of how I don't see the big picture like our Heavenly Father does touched me so deeply I had to share.
As some of you know, and other don't, Mike and I went through the IVF process for the first time last May. My egg retreival was on Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekend I was told I was expecting. We were so thrilled. After about 2 weeks I started feeling like something was not right. I ended up miscarrying. While I was eventually able to accept it, thinking it just was not the right time, I still found myself asking Heavenly Father why he would even tease me like that... Eventually, I came to understand I just wouldn't know the answer until a time much later.
Today I realized how I just don't see the big picture.
Mike lost his job last week. So I am the only one working and while Mike is applying and getting interviews, working around his school schedule and the economy makes us have to plan that he may not get a job right away.
Well, I looked at the calendar today...and today is February 5th, what would have been my due date had I not miscarried. So neither of us would have been working. Is this the real reason we did not get to keep that baby to full term...I won't know for sure until after this earthly life. But it makes you step back and really think....maybe we just don't see the big picture. Hopefully someday the Lord will bless us with children but I am sure he knew what he was doing when he chose not to give us a child at this time. Sure, I could still wonder why he even let us conceive...but why? I have my own theories but none of that matters. What matters is that Heavenly Father knows what is best for us and he sees the big picture even when we don't.

Danielle & Codie

I think there are times in our lives that we step back and go "Whoa" and sometimes I feel lucky to witness those times in other peoples lives....


That is how I felt as I did the photography for Danielle and Codie at their wedding on Saturday. Like Mike and I, and some other people, Danielle and Codie threw together a wedding in a rather short amount of time, found things had to change when more people decided to come last minute and also, kept it simple but meaningful. The words the Bishop spoke who married them were beautiful and sincere. Reminded me of my civil wedding to Mike. What made me reminisce even more was after the ceremony when Danielle said these words....


"I am married.....that is so wierd"


I felt the same way a little bit after I got married. After the ceremony and reception, when things are winding down and you have a moment to rest it hits you....you did it...finally....you are married. I loved watching the couple, how they looked at each other, smiled at each other, the happieness in their eyes. So I would like to present....

Danielle and Codie Bowsky

I am so glad I was able to be at this special night for Danielle and Codie. I wish them all the best and look forward to photographing their family as it grows throughout the years to come.

Just Venting....

OK, it isn't very often that I need to do this but today I really need to just vent.

Why is it that some people just can not handle that someone else may do well at something? Why can't they just be happy for the person rather than acting like they have no talent, should not pursue something, etc. Especially when they are a family member? Does it really bother that person that much that someone else is developing a talent/interest and they are not? Really? Now that I am trying to develop a certain interest this person suddenly looks into it as well? Acting like he/she is way better at this particular thing? Come off it! Whatever happened to being happy for someone, that they are developing an interest and finding something they enjoy? Where is the support? I usually try to not let this bother me, I try not to choose to be offended. But this time was so in-your-face that it is hard to ignore.

Now that I have vented I feel much better! Now I can move past it. Hopefully it will get better and hopefully I can become more Christ like and not get offended in the future.

On a more positive note......Wasn't today the most gorgeous day. I didn't even need a jacket today at lunch! YEAH! Tomorrow it is supposed to rain but for today....the day the Torch for the Special Olympics made its way through town to City Hall....it was GORGEOUS!