Over Memorial Weekend Jeff and I went up to Caldwell, ID (just outside of Boise) and stayed with our cousins KC and Val. Our other cousins, McKay and Lyndie, joined us as well. We ha da blast up there and can't wait to go up there again!
Saturday morning the men and women split and did separate things. The guys took the 4-wheelers out and us girls went shopping...what else would we do?! :) That night we went to the horse races down in Boise. That was the first time for me (Jeanette) and I thought it was a blast! We have added a slide show of some of the pictures.
Sunday we did the usual and then had a big family dinner with more family that live up in that area. We even had S'mores for dessert!!!
Monday we hung out for a bit, packed up, made a few stops, and headed on home. One stop we made was at my (Jeanette's) sister's home in Boise. it was great to see and visit with them for a little while as well!
Thanks all you guys for a great weekend, can't wait to see you all again!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
My (Jeanette's) horse won!
And they're off...
While at the races, on each individual race, since we were able to see them being saddled up, we would each choose which horse we thought would win. In this race that I just happened to be recording, my horse won!!! As you can hear in the video below...me cheering number 7 along as I realized, while I was recording, that it was winning!!!
Both video's were are form the same race. Oh and don't mind the big horse butt in the way...couldn't very easily tell him to move it! :)
While at the races, on each individual race, since we were able to see them being saddled up, we would each choose which horse we thought would win. In this race that I just happened to be recording, my horse won!!! As you can hear in the video below...me cheering number 7 along as I realized, while I was recording, that it was winning!!!
Both video's were are form the same race. Oh and don't mind the big horse butt in the way...couldn't very easily tell him to move it! :)
Friday, May 23, 2008
My New "High"
Okay so I have officially become a COUPON CLIPPER!!!
I've always been one to look for sales and bargains, but have never really been big on coupons. I just always figured they were such a huge hassle and it was just more clutter to add to my purse. Well I am happy to say that I am officially a changed woman! Jeff and I went to Costco last night and there was only one...yes count it ONE item that we did not have a coupon for. It was so fun to go around and find things and then realize how much better the price was with the coupon! It was a rush...in the end we saved $53. We had coupons for a lot of cleaning supplies and things that will be VERY helpful when we get working on the Town home. So it's now become a drive of mine to see what kind of deals I can get with coupons...instead of just searching through racks and shelves to find the good deals, sometimes they're right there in the mail/newspaper!
As a couple of side notes, we would like welcome Kent Martin Petersen into the world. He is the brand new son of my cousin Tyler Petersen and his wife Marianne Petersen. Jeff and I had the opportunity to go see them for a few minutes and Kent is just as cute as can be! All three are doing great and are already home.
As the other side note, we have an official close date on our town home. We will be closing on June 10, receiving the keys by the 13th and will start the overhaul/personalization process on the 14th. We are so excited for this HUGE step in our lives, a little intimidated, but excited!
I've always been one to look for sales and bargains, but have never really been big on coupons. I just always figured they were such a huge hassle and it was just more clutter to add to my purse. Well I am happy to say that I am officially a changed woman! Jeff and I went to Costco last night and there was only one...yes count it ONE item that we did not have a coupon for. It was so fun to go around and find things and then realize how much better the price was with the coupon! It was a rush...in the end we saved $53. We had coupons for a lot of cleaning supplies and things that will be VERY helpful when we get working on the Town home. So it's now become a drive of mine to see what kind of deals I can get with coupons...instead of just searching through racks and shelves to find the good deals, sometimes they're right there in the mail/newspaper!
As a couple of side notes, we would like welcome Kent Martin Petersen into the world. He is the brand new son of my cousin Tyler Petersen and his wife Marianne Petersen. Jeff and I had the opportunity to go see them for a few minutes and Kent is just as cute as can be! All three are doing great and are already home.
As the other side note, we have an official close date on our town home. We will be closing on June 10, receiving the keys by the 13th and will start the overhaul/personalization process on the 14th. We are so excited for this HUGE step in our lives, a little intimidated, but excited!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Fun with the Haley's!
On our way home from St. George we made a pit stop at my (Jeanette's) sisters' house in Cedar City. I used to live in Cedar and have been close to the three older kids (Veronica, Tyler, and Samantha) their entire lives, it's been hard for me to be away from them. I always loved being so close, they could ALWAYS bring a smile to my face no matter how horrible my day could've been/felt. And the twins have just added to that joy. Marie and Joe, along with ALL of my siblings, have been such great examples to me of being a parent and raising children. Thanks for letting us stay for a night and part of a morning, it was a blast! (Jeff especially enjoyed the two-year-old twins (Brenna and Braelynn, buddying up to him!)
St. George
This weekend we had the opportunity to go down to St. George with Jeff's Grandma Ivy. Her sister was going through temple and being sealed to her husband who passed away about a year and a half ago. It was a wonderful experience and we had a lot of fun visited with some of Jeff's family. After the temple we went to good ol' Up-Chuck'O'Rama!! :) Which actually turned out to be really good. I, of course, ran into some people I've known pretty much my whole life from Lincoln County, which is almost a give-in, but it was great.I actually remember my camera this time, so of course I took some shots!
Yard Work...even though we don't have a yard yet!
A few weekends ago ( I know, I know-we've been busy) we went over to Jeff's mom's house to help her out with some yard work. Luckily I was the one with the camera so all pictures are of Jeff...with the exception of a few of his sister and her boyfriend!
Jeff worked on pruning a tree that is actually one he planted when he was younger, and also helped in replacing some sprinkler heads. I rolled up my pants and did some car washing! We are so ready for summer to be here so we can spend more days like that out doors! Even more so we can't wait to have our own house so we can start doing all that to our own home!!! But we'll continue to help Mom and get all the practice in that we can :)!
Jeff worked on pruning a tree that is actually one he planted when he was younger, and also helped in replacing some sprinkler heads. I rolled up my pants and did some car washing! We are so ready for summer to be here so we can spend more days like that out doors! Even more so we can't wait to have our own house so we can start doing all that to our own home!!! But we'll continue to help Mom and get all the practice in that we can :)!
C.E.R.T.-Community Emergency Response Team
This past week I finished up my last CERT class. I volunteered to become a member of the CERT team at work, but this will also be helpful in my home and community.
In this program you learn how to help in disaster relief and a trained community member. We aren't trained in full CPR, AED, or First Aid, but we are taught basics of caring for people and even rescuing people after a disaster. The classes were fascinating and I loved learning what I did. I honestly hope that nothing major ever happens in the area but it is nice to know the basics of what I can do to help out when/if something does occur.
Personally I am CPR and First Aid certified...I have been pretty since I was old enough to be. But ever since I can remember my mom has been a volunteer EMT back home and so I've known the skills for a LONG time!!! Thank you mom for teaching me all the wonderful things that you have, with those skills I feel even more prepared just to be a better wife (Jeff is sometimes accident prone!), mother, and now a community member!
Learn more about C.E.R.T.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
SHMILY~J
SHMILY
Written by Laura Jeanne Allen
My Grandfather and Grandmother were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "shmily"in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving "shmily" around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.
They dragged "shmily" with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where they always had warm, homemade pudding with blue food coloring. "Shmily" was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my Grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave"shmily" on the very last sheet.
There was no end to the places "shmily" would pop up. Little notes with "shmily" scribbled hurriedlywere found on dashboards and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. "Shmily" was written in the dust upon the manteland traced in the ashes of the fireplace. This mysterious word was as much a part of theirhouse as the furniture.
It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparents' game. Skepticism had kept some of them from believing in true love-one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparents' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatiouslittle games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affectionwhich not everyone is lucky to experience.
Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble.
My Grandmother whispered to one of her friends about how cute my Grandfather was, how handsome and old he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew "how to pick 'em." Before every meal they bowed their heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings:a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.
But there was a dark cloud in the couples' life: my Grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared ten years earlier. As always, my Grandfather was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that way so that she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside.
Now the cancer was again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my Grandfather's steady hand, they went to church every morning. But my Grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally,she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, my Grandfather would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over my Grandmother.
Then one day, what everyone dreaded finally happened. My Grandmother was gone.
"Shmily." It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my Grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time.
My Grandfather stepped up to my Grandmother's casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her.
Through his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.
Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. I knew that, although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.
S-h-m-i-l-y: See How Much I Love You.
Written by Laura Jeanne Allen
My Grandfather and Grandmother were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "shmily"in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving "shmily" around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.
They dragged "shmily" with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where they always had warm, homemade pudding with blue food coloring. "Shmily" was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my Grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave"shmily" on the very last sheet.
There was no end to the places "shmily" would pop up. Little notes with "shmily" scribbled hurriedlywere found on dashboards and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. "Shmily" was written in the dust upon the manteland traced in the ashes of the fireplace. This mysterious word was as much a part of theirhouse as the furniture.
It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparents' game. Skepticism had kept some of them from believing in true love-one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparents' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatiouslittle games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affectionwhich not everyone is lucky to experience.
Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble.
My Grandmother whispered to one of her friends about how cute my Grandfather was, how handsome and old he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew "how to pick 'em." Before every meal they bowed their heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings:a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.
But there was a dark cloud in the couples' life: my Grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared ten years earlier. As always, my Grandfather was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that way so that she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside.
Now the cancer was again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my Grandfather's steady hand, they went to church every morning. But my Grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally,she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, my Grandfather would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over my Grandmother.
Then one day, what everyone dreaded finally happened. My Grandmother was gone.
"Shmily." It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my Grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time.
My Grandfather stepped up to my Grandmother's casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her.
Through his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.
Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. I knew that, although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.
S-h-m-i-l-y: See How Much I Love You.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
New experiences...
In my new position at work I've already had a few new experiences that I never thought I'd really care to have, but turned out to be really amazing and informative.
One of my supervisors (my main one actually) is the Health Science and Technology specialist in the state of Utah's education. Each year they have a huge event for high school students where they watch a video of a surgical procedure and can ask questions to a doctor who is explaining the procedure. In the past two years they did open-heart surgery, well this year they did maternal and infant. The whole process consists of pre-visits to each of the separate school in which nurses go in and talk about everything, they even take real placenta's in for the students to see and touch (yes I got to as well).
This past Wednesday (April 30th) was the main event. I stayed here at the office (well down in the studio) helping with the doctors that came for the broadcast. The event was broad-casted to 6-8 different locations. The video was of a natural (vaginal) birth and a c-section. Now for those that know me, you know that I am NOT into this kind of stuff...it's not any interest of mine to go into any field anywhere close to dealing with that stuff. But I was curious about the watching the video and listening to the doctor explain the procedure. So I did watch it...it was fascinating and interesting and I definitely learned a lot. My personal goal was for the video to scary me out of having kids for awhile :)...unfortunately the only thing it did was make me hope I never have to have a c-section! Anyway, Deseret News was there (among others) to report on the event so I'm attaching the article.
Needless to say it was definitely a new experience for me, but I did enjoy it, for the most part!
The Article
Thalea Longhurst (mentioned in the article) is my supervisor.
One of my supervisors (my main one actually) is the Health Science and Technology specialist in the state of Utah's education. Each year they have a huge event for high school students where they watch a video of a surgical procedure and can ask questions to a doctor who is explaining the procedure. In the past two years they did open-heart surgery, well this year they did maternal and infant. The whole process consists of pre-visits to each of the separate school in which nurses go in and talk about everything, they even take real placenta's in for the students to see and touch (yes I got to as well).
This past Wednesday (April 30th) was the main event. I stayed here at the office (well down in the studio) helping with the doctors that came for the broadcast. The event was broad-casted to 6-8 different locations. The video was of a natural (vaginal) birth and a c-section. Now for those that know me, you know that I am NOT into this kind of stuff...it's not any interest of mine to go into any field anywhere close to dealing with that stuff. But I was curious about the watching the video and listening to the doctor explain the procedure. So I did watch it...it was fascinating and interesting and I definitely learned a lot. My personal goal was for the video to scary me out of having kids for awhile :)...unfortunately the only thing it did was make me hope I never have to have a c-section! Anyway, Deseret News was there (among others) to report on the event so I'm attaching the article.
Needless to say it was definitely a new experience for me, but I did enjoy it, for the most part!
The Article
Thalea Longhurst (mentioned in the article) is my supervisor.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A blessed event
So the reason I could only stay at the girls' weekend with my sister was two of our very dear friends got married on Saturday, April 26, 2008.
Dustin Ericksen and Christy Steele were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mt. Timpanogas temple in American Fork, UT. The day started VERY early (especially for me, since I didn't get home until 1:00 am) with getting to the temple at 7:30 am...may I mention it takes a good 35-45 minutes to get down there from where we live. The sealing ceremony started at 8 and was over before it seemed possible. The ceremony was beautiful and very special. I personally loved it because it's the first one we've been able to witness since Jeff and I got married.
After a quick (well quick on our part) picture-taking session Jeff and I headed to IHOP with some new found friends Nathan and Angela, because we were all starving! After eating and chatting Jeff and I headed to Bed Bath & Beyond to grab one last gift for the newly married couple. With my being VERY tired due to a severe lack of sleep, we headed back to the church where the luncheon was to be held and I took a quick nap while Jeff read. The luncheon started around 1 pm. It was a good lunch and fun to once again visit with new (and old, on Jeff's part) friends.
Once the luncheon was over we had another few hours to kill before the reception was to start. We debated driving back home, but decided against it...gas is just WAY too much! So we went to Walmart to grab a few groceries, then once again went back to the church parking lot and slept :).
The reception started at 5:30 and it was your typical reception, but a lot of fun towards the end when the fun stuff started. Jeff was able to catch up with some old friends that he hasn't seen in awhile. For the first time ever for either of us, we did NOT have to participate in the "single" events (bouquet and garter tosses). The entire day was overall beautiful and very special and fun to share with the happy couple. The reception ended around 8 pm and Jeff and I headed home.
CONGRATS DUSTIN AND CHRISTY ERICKSEN!!!
Dustin Ericksen and Christy Steele were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mt. Timpanogas temple in American Fork, UT. The day started VERY early (especially for me, since I didn't get home until 1:00 am) with getting to the temple at 7:30 am...may I mention it takes a good 35-45 minutes to get down there from where we live. The sealing ceremony started at 8 and was over before it seemed possible. The ceremony was beautiful and very special. I personally loved it because it's the first one we've been able to witness since Jeff and I got married.
After a quick (well quick on our part) picture-taking session Jeff and I headed to IHOP with some new found friends Nathan and Angela, because we were all starving! After eating and chatting Jeff and I headed to Bed Bath & Beyond to grab one last gift for the newly married couple. With my being VERY tired due to a severe lack of sleep, we headed back to the church where the luncheon was to be held and I took a quick nap while Jeff read. The luncheon started around 1 pm. It was a good lunch and fun to once again visit with new (and old, on Jeff's part) friends.
Once the luncheon was over we had another few hours to kill before the reception was to start. We debated driving back home, but decided against it...gas is just WAY too much! So we went to Walmart to grab a few groceries, then once again went back to the church parking lot and slept :).
The reception started at 5:30 and it was your typical reception, but a lot of fun towards the end when the fun stuff started. Jeff was able to catch up with some old friends that he hasn't seen in awhile. For the first time ever for either of us, we did NOT have to participate in the "single" events (bouquet and garter tosses). The entire day was overall beautiful and very special and fun to share with the happy couple. The reception ended around 8 pm and Jeff and I headed home.
CONGRATS DUSTIN AND CHRISTY ERICKSEN!!!
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