Biking License

A few weeks ago I started to ride a bike instead of driving. I'm not some crazy biker... I have never owned my own bike. Some of you may think that I was deprived, but to be honest I was only ever interested in roller blades (The 90's fad). My parents couldn't get them off me. During the summer they wouldn't come off until the sun went down or we were called to dinner.
So after years and years of not riding a bike and never having one of my own meant that I had put in very minimal hours on a bike.
Paul laughed a little as I proposed the idea of "biking everywhere" to him. At the time I thought he was thinking that I couldn't hack the kind of exercise it took. Now I'm pretty sure he was just worried about my competence on two wheels.
My first attempt went okay. I borrowed Paul's "Moab Edition" mountain bike. I kind of felt like I was learning how to ride a bike again ...trying to look cool to all the neighbor kids but not succeeding. I'm pretty sure I look retarded. And I guess people don't care to put their butts on the seat when mountain biking because it's hardly the size of a small child's back side.

The next day Paul helped me pick out this flashy seat tailored more to the real size of a normal persons butt. I love it! Although, I'm pretty sure it doesn't exactly fit on a Moab Edition; in fact it probably lowers the value.

Over all I'm pretty amazed that I haven't crashed into a light pole yet. And surprisingly this ride is super comfortable.
I'm trading in my car for this baby!

Blast from the Past

When we arrived we were greeted by warm faces and warm smiles. I don't know what it is about Grandmas and Grandpas but they always seem to give the best hugs! They hurried us to the table were we sat down to a meal prepared of garden vegetables. Someday I too will have a garden. There's something about a home grown tomato and a little cottage cheese that makes me smile.



Paul's grandmother seems to be a very wise woman. I can say I already love her as if she were my own. I really wanted to have the type of conversations that would lead to advice for "young people" like us, and memories of their own young adult experiences. She seemed to know just what I was looking for. She told me that not to long after her parents had passed away she wished that she could have had one more conversation with them. She had so many questions that she never asked. She gave me the best advice she could have. Ask questions, and make memories with your grandparents before you look back and regret that you haven't.

This conversation led to this perfect swing in their backyard. She told me her father had one that was similar. When she got married she made sure that her husband built her a swing just like it. As I sat in it I envisioned our (someday) new house where this swing was hung in the backyard. I took pictures of every piece to make sure mine would come out an exact replica.

We then took a trip to Paul's uncles house where Grandpa showed Paul his fathers truck that they rebuilt. It seemed from the reaction that this was Paul's favorite part. Especially the part where he took it for a test drive. Thanks to Bruce and Jolene for making his dreams come true!!

Beautiful Work and an Amazing Artist

This is my sisters work. She an amazing artist and I am so jealous of her skills. She is finally starting her own business. Her blog isn't completely finished but if you would like a drawing done for yourself or one of your loved ones, or you would just like to see more of her work visit her blog at http://www.inspiredbyamemory.blogspot.com/

She is amazing! You won't regret it! Spread the word.....

Fireworks and a Huge Crush!

Fireworks have always been intriguing to me; maybe it's the thought of putting fire up in the sky that's exciting. When I was younger I remember lying on the lawn in the park with my family. Above us the city set off a round of fireworks...I began to squirm, I thought for sure they were close enough to touch me.
Then when I was nineteen, a few months before Paul left on his mission he took me to that same park where where we stood and watched the same fireworks. Afterward he carried me on his back to his parents house were we sat on his lawn and talked till I had to go. I had a huge crush.
This year Paul and I sat on the trunk of our car and watched the cities fireworks from several blocks away in the comfort of our own driveway. I know it sounds boring but I loved every minute of it, and I still have a huge crush.

We also took some liberty to purchase our own. This comes with a Warning!!! If you think to purchase a box of fireworks (no matter how large) from a grocery store...just know that they will all look the same!!

Just Another Day

It seems like a dream, waking up to the sound of his voice. He was there to tell me that he was leaving, going to school again. I begged him to stay even though I knew he couldn't. He gave me a kiss and left me sleeping. I'm still tired, I slept until nine, and I still wake up tired. My eyes hurt from the beating they took last night as I cried in my husbands arms. Life can throw some cruel punches.
The new morning sky brings happiness, and I smile. As I sit down at the kitchen table the sound of emergency vehicles ring outside just as they do every morning. I wonder who will be rescued today. After breakfast I drive the bus to Mom and Dads. The morning is truly beautiful;I roll down the windows and breathe the fresh mountain air. After a long day yesterday and feeling like I was being kept a prisoner in my own home it feels good to be outside.
When I get to my destination I head straight for the kitchen where the dog leash hangs from one of Mom's shelves. It was fraying at the handle where the remains of the previous walk still lingered. Disgusted by the weeds and dirt I find a pair of scissors and give it a little bit of a trim.
With trimmed leash in hand I walk straight to the backyard where Poscha seems to be waiting for me, or maybe she knows I'm her only ticket out of her pen until the afternoon.

Meet Poscha, she will forever be my favorite Dutch Shepherd. She is an excellent listener, and for the most part will do whatever you ask. She is smart, and on more than one occasion has made it known that she is the dominant female.

Poscha and I walk for quite a while and for the first time in a long time I pause at the end of the street and stare up at the mountains. Only God could have created something so magnificent. This is what Katherine Lee Bates must have meant when she wrote American the Beautiful, "Purple Mountain Majesties".
Today is a better day...

Graduation

Graduation made possible by: (see below)


When I married Paul I was working full time and going to business school part time. I had decided to become a business major because it was one of the only majors that offered night classes that would allow me to work full time to support my single self. The life I knew before, which I had grown so comfortable with was turned upside-down when Paul convinced me that I no longer needed to work full time. He suggested me going to school in something I enjoyed a little more.
I didn't really know what to say. For as long as I could remember I had always wanted to go into music.
After much contemplation I quit my job. I couldn't believe what I was was about to do when I took a part time job making half as much money, and started my early morning classes in the music program. I loved it! I was a little behind in age but I will always be so grateful to Paul for being there to push me to do something I love. I love that he continues to support me in all my crazy dreams!

I was a little nervous as I waited in line to walk across the stage. I began to wonder what life would hold for me next. For years I have know exactly what I was going to do as I registered for school every semester. I have a few things in mind but I guess we'll see where the Lord points me next. I am excited to see what the future holds!

Despite my brothers wedding being the same morning my parents made it to support me. Thanks Mom and Dad it meant a lot to have you there! Paul's parents were great to
sit through 2 graduations that day, and Paul's Dad took all of these beautiful photo's. Thanks Rod and Anne, I really appreciate everything you do to support Paul and I!
I am looking forward to the next graduation I will attend....hang in there babe!

Pictures of the event

The Time Has Come...

I'm a little nervous....we'll hope it doesn't show!
I hope everyone can come.