Spring!

I just love spring! The days are getting longer and warmer (thank goodness). Flowers are starting to bloom, the lawns are turning green, the sidewalks and greenbelt are full of bikers, joggers, strollers (both the people and the child vehicle), the parks playground equipment is covered with children and there is just a feeling of happiness in the air. I love after a light spring rain (the kind that comes when the sun is shining so bright you are wearing your sunglasses while using your windshield wipers), to go outside and take a deep breath. The whole world just feels and smells so clean! There is just something rejuvenating about spring.
I also love the opportunity spring gives us to do things. I like being able to go on the greenbelt, hiking trails, out to jump creek, and our big one for March and April.... road trips. I absolutely LOVE that Boise is an area where we really can experience all 4 seasons.
We are very excited that Mike works Monday through Thursday so we can really enjoy our weekends this spring and summer. We really look forward to camping, swimming, and all the other activities we plan on doing this summer.
We really love our ward and feel this is where we are meant to be for the time being and so we are going to extend our lease for a year here. We are really growing and being able to see how strong our testimonies really are. I think it was a good thing for us to move to a ward where we didn't know anybody. It helped us to know that we really do have testimonies and are strong enough to stay active when we are away from the area where we know everyone. I really am learning a lot in my calling and Mike is enjoying his calling and growing from it as well.
As for the TTC (those who are wondering about this part of our lives will be able to figure out what it stands for), we have decided to hold off for a little while right now. Mike's family is having some things going on right now that makes it hard for us to think about it and we really do not feel that this is the time for us. We appreciate all the prayers over the years and will let you know if anything changes.
We hope all is well with all of our friends and family! I love reading your blogs and keeping up with all of you!

Thorvaldsen's Christus

Girls Weekend in SLC

Girls Weekend!

So about a month ago I had a longing to get out of town. It was a nice day that made me want to be out and experiencing new things. So, I asked a friend if she wanted to do a Girls Weekend.
So Sabrena and I packed up and drove down to Salt Lake this weekend. The weather was GORGEOUS and we had a relaxing time. One of those weekends that just gives you time away from the rush and stress in your life. We had cool hotel rooms at great rates thanks to employee discounts and travel clubs. We arrived around 9 on Friday and went to dinner at Chilis. Saturday morning we met up with Sarah for breakfast at IHOP. After that we went and hung around temple square. We saw at least 8 couples who had just been married and were taking pictures. It was so busy there. We also went to the Legacy Theater and watched Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration. I cried. At the end with MOTAB singing Praise to the Man and the scene of Carthage jail, tears were streaming down my face. The Spirit was so strong. From there we went to the visitors center and went up to the statue of Christ. I fell so blessed to have been able to be there. My testimony was strengthened. I know that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet. I know that Christ atoned for my sins and is the Savior. I feel so spiritually fed.
Later we went to Gateway Mall. It was so nice out. Sunny and in the upper 50's to low 60's. We did some shopping and enjoyed the sun and the gorgeous mall.
Saturday night we went to Chick-fil-a for dinner. I have seriously been craving it since coming home from Texas. I was so excited to have it and am excited I can have it again in 2 weeks. Afterwards we walked around Fashion Place (the mall chick-fil-a was in). We ended the evening with some swimming in the hotel pool.
Sunday we were a little lazy. We got out of the hotel around 11 am. Went by our friend Sarah's so Sabrena could see her place. We visited for a bit and then fueled and headed home.
Although we were pretty tired by the time we got home it was a great weekend and I totally enjoyed it.

Godspell

So my nephew Gregg Miller, is a senior at Meridian High School and played the lead role of Jesus in their school musical Godspell. He did an excellent job and it was quite a good production. Of course flash photography was off limits so sorry if the photos are not the best.

Here is one of most of the cast. The guy who played John/Judas is not in here but the others are.

For those who are not familiar with it, it kind of puts the stories in the book of Matthew in a more modern setting. There is Jesus and then a character who plays John(the baptist) in the first act and Judas in the second. Other than that all the characters are the names of the actors.
Godspell is running for 2 more nights, March 13th and 14th and Meridian High School and is $6 for general admission and $5 for students. 7:00 pm both nights.

Congrats again to all those who are in it-
You guys did great!

The iPod Game

This is circulating on facebook but have seen it on some blogs too....It is kind of fun. Give it a try.

The iPod Game
.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
.
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Rush- Ali &AJ

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
She thinks my Tractors Sexy- Kenny Chesney

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

That's the way- Jo Dee Messina

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Shut Up & Drive- Rhiana

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Wherever You Will Go- The Calling

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Tim McGraw- Taylor Swift

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
With Arms Wide Open- Creed

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Wishing Well- Jo Dee Messina

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Amazing- Aerosmith

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
We're An American Band- Grand Funk Railroad

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Welcome to the Jungle- Guns N' Roses

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
What Kind of Love Are you On- Aerosmith

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
The Impression That I Get- The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I Wish- Jo Dee Messina

HOW WILL YOU DIE?

Walk on The Ocean- Toad the Wet Sprocket

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
867-5309/Jenny- Tommy Tutone

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Drink, Swear, Steal And Lie- Michael Peterson

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Love in an Elevator- Aerosmith

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Karma- Alicia Keys

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Far Away- Nickeback

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Whiskey Lullaby- Brad Paisley (feat Allison Krauss)

YOUR ULTIMATE FANTASTY?
Lovin U- Alicia Keys

What is really funny that I kept getting the same artists over and over even though I may only have 6 songs of theirs on my ipod out of thousands total songs. Really...I listen to more than country and Aerosmith (but really like both those). It was kind of fun.

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.