Washintonian

So a few weeks ago Colin and I went to Washington to visit my family. Because of his job we wont be able to switch off holidays with the families anymore so we will be switching off leave blocks. He gets 2 weeeks in June/July (May/June this year) and Two weeks in Dec/Jan. We spent Christmas with my familiy this past christmas so we will be going to Omaha this year. Any way, We went to Washington the weekend of memorial day and as soon as we got off the plane my mom wisked us away to the property they own in North eastern washington. Its far away from civilization, I think its one mountain over from a popular ski resort. So sometimes in the summer you can hear concerts and things that the resort puts on in the off season. Pretty much my whole family was out there, Mom, Dad, Neices (Kassandra, Victoria, Ashley and Steffanie), Bro-in-Law Mike and some family friends also came up. It was good times. Bella even got to make a new friend, my sisters dog Sammy. He is a big white Samoyed. Beautiful Dog! Well the bugs out there were horrendous you practically had to bathe in bug spray but that comes with the territory. So we had some fun up there taking adventure hikes and wrestling with bears. Well not really but there are a couple of bears that have been hangin around our camp, my dad lovingly named them Yogi and Boo Boo. Go figure they are trying to seal food that my dad had up there for bateing turkey traps. We didn't have too many problems with them while we were out there but it gets a little unnerving at times. Colin was stoked because my dad let him cut down a tree... for the first time. Well he kinda had to cut it more than once and then they had to do some crap to get it to actually fall.. but hey it was his first time. But all and all the camping was good times.

Most of the trip was pretty chilled out we sat around watched movies that we have never seen good stuff like that. One morning we went to school with Ariyanna and made a poem with her that was fun. The poem was about the sun and how it makes the ground hiss. Yes, very poetic. The point was to use verbs to describe a season that you wouldn't necessarily think of as typical. It was nice to get to do something for her. She doesn't always get to go do things special like that. After the poem writing I made Colin walk with me downtown on the Centenial Trail. Its a big long trail that goes from Spokane to Idaho. We only walked from the school downtown so it wasn't that big of a deal. Only about 5 or 6 miles something like that. The trail going downtown cuts through the middle of Gonzaga University. Go Bulldogs!! So I had some conversation with Colin about how the basketball program at GU has really beefed up the campus. They have all new buildings and new sports complexes. Its amazing what can happen in just 6 short years. So we hungout downtown for a little went shopping at this crazy little shop called Boo Radleys that have all sorts of off the wall stuff. Colin got a suction goat t-shirt. (the suction goat is down town across from the Carossel, you push a button and it eats your trash, pretty funny) and I got a wonder woman save the planet bag for like 5 bucks. Good place. We also went to see Angels and Demons. I thought it was pretty good, but i have never read the book. People have told me that the movie is crap compared to the book. Well guess what people.... most movies based off of stories from books are! After the movie we decided that walking back didn't sound that fun and I was starting not to feel good because it was unseasonably hot outside. So we took the good ol' STA (Spokane Transit Athority) aka the bus, back to my parents house. Its weird how doing stuff like that brings up so many memories. Like when i was younger and taking the bus was SOOOO cool and now you look at it as you get older and its not as cool. And also how the bus route by my parents house use to be on our street and it was totally awesome when you took the bus because when you got off all you had to do was walk across the street and you were home. LOL now you have to walk 3 blocks. But still it was cool to have front door service. As the week went on we did some other things like hang out with my mom and go shopping and went and checked out some yard sales fun things like that. One saturday, Colin, my sister, her husband and I all got to go to the temple and do some work for our family. It was great. We spent all morning in the temple doing the different ordinances. Its also interesting that when I was preparing the names I found a common link on new.familysearch.org for the mother of the family I worked on in school. And her work has been done and her family has been tracked back on one line all the way to the 1600s. Its crazy how we are all connected. I didn't know about any members linked on my mom's side. But we went to the temple and did some of the work for my Grandfathers on both sides and great grand mother on my moms side. Then on Wednesday we went back and finished some with the endowment. It was great to see my sisters enthusiasm for temple work. Im so glad I got to share that experience with them. I hope they will continue to go to the temple regularly and partake of those blessings.

We also drove over to Seattle so Colin could meet his nephews Christopher (13) and Shaun (8). He has never met them because they live with there father and we are never in Spokane when they are. So before they got too big we decided to go ahead and make the trip over to Seattle to spend some time with them. We didn't really get much time, but it was still good. We took the boys to a Mariners game and saw them lose 1-0!! AWESOME!! Oh well. At least now I can say that i have been to a MLB game. Whatever, I think they had a good time, eating crap food and watching crap baseball! The next day we decided before we left to get in some site seeing. We headed down to the Seattle Aquarium in the morning and hung out with the fish, then went to the public market at Pikes place... sorry to say we didn't see a fish get thrown. It really doesn't happen as often as people might think. But we did get to see THE ORIGINAL starbucks. We walked right by it. I didn't even pay any nevermind too it because they are literally on every corner in Seattle, but Colin saw a sign that said "this is the original starbucks" or something like that. The market was fun but we had to skadoodle over to the Space Needle for our lunch reservations. The resturant in the space needle has some good food and good seanery. As you sit the floor rotates around and you get to see a 360 degree view of Seattle. It was nice. I had an Ahi Tuna salad and Colin had a Burger with the best french fries he has ever had. (he is a french fry conesour) They didn't taste all that great to me but whatever! So we at lunch, took some photos and went back to Spokane.

All in all we did alot of things and had some fun visiting my family. Good times!

Mothers Day in the Bag!

So i know its been a while since mothers day but I really wanted to share this with everyone. I had been looking for ideas for what to get my mother-in-law for mothers day and I searched around online and found these cute bags made out of ACU tops (Army Combat Uniform). Well I really wanted to make one of these, because buying one was simply out of the question. I couldn't find a pattern so i just looked at the picture of the one i saw online and i guesimated about how big I was going to make it. First time around i cut it too big, better saft then sorry I say but i would have to say the finished project was great!! And She LOVED it. I knew she would, it had some extra special meaning because it was made from a uniform that Colin wore in Iraq... Stains and everything. Very cute. But now she has a bag that she can change patches on when Colin gains rank and moves units. Its great! Hey and if you know anyone that may want one... let me know!!

Sick of the Runaround

Someday... I when I grow up, I want to be a nurse. Sounds simple right? Well I would have to say WRONG! I feel like I am never going to get my degree finished. We move so much in the military that I havn't been able to start a nursing program because once I start there is no going back because if i start one place and have to move the process will start all over again. So I try to prepare myself for a universitys nursing program and the BAM! I dont get to go to that school I have to move and go to another school. So now I have to take 4 classes before I can even apply to a program. Come ON PEOPLE! I dont have time for this runaround. I want to get it finished. I even thought about going from a BSN to a 2 year RN. Well guess what. It will take me just as long to get the 2 year degree as it will the 4 year degree. SO... i'll take the 4 year. Now I am all waivered up to try and get into the program for fall but that doesn't secure me a spot in the program. I still have to be accepted and because I am on a waiver my application doesn't even get looked at till after all other applicants. My opinion on that one is thats absolutely stupid. I wouldn't even be going to your dang school if it wasn't for the fact that my husband is fighting for our freedom in the US Army and I choose to be with him and support him. But do i get anything for that... well if you could count all the crap I have to go through to get this degree then yes. But really all i get is a pain in the neck and ulcers in my stomach trying to deal with this junk. The army needs to have something in place to help Army spouses recieve the schooling that they want. But thats just my humble but correct opinion.

Working in Utah

Sooooo. I went to Utah in February to work through to March. It was super fun!! NOT!!!! Well the company while I was there was fun but the work wasn't always. While I was their I went through 1467 records for an annual audit, 184 records were found to no longer be in the Air National Guard. We had aproximatly 90% of the records accounted for.... which is pretty darn good for not having a good tracking system in place. But it didn't start out that way... I HAD TO WORK.... you better work... work it girl.. Sorry got off on that RuPaul tangent. HAHA... Not only did I go through all those records but I filed probably about 7000 peices and another 2000 I found to not belong to the Unit. So as you can see. I worked and the worst part about it was... I didn't even get to finish what I was doing. SUCK!! I enjoyed the time I got to spend with friends though. Brett and Becca are two of the greatest friends I could have made in Utah. I stayed at their house the whole month I was there and they even fed me. And let me tell you that Brett he sure can cook!! I was able to go down to Provo and visit some friends from school. Amanda and I had lunch and I went to see Mike at the shop. Amanda also came out to SLC to hang out for a day with B and B, we went to lunch and Red Lobster and saw New in Town (HILARIOUS movie). I also was able to see Gustavo and Camila and we had dinner at Cafe Rio. Im sad that i didn't get to see more people but im sure they still love me (at least i can hope) .... The month was good... the money was decent ... the comanionship was excellent. What more could I have asked for with a trip to Utah!

Life is Strange but the Lord provides.

It is very interesting to realize how the lord puts us exactly where we need to be at the right times and not always for the reasons we expect. When we think we want something so bad and dont get it, we feel horrible. Is that really the reason we were put into that situation? For example. When I was in the Air Force stationed in Texas there was a doctor that worked in the clinic I did, one day while I was installing a computer in his office I noticed a picture. The picture was that of an LDS temple. At the time I was not active and I wasn't even sure that it really was a temple. I had only seen very few temple pictures in my life to that point and I really had never been fully active since I was bapized at the age of 10, but I asked his if he was Mormon. He was of course and he invited me to go to church with him and his family. I did go once but didn't become fully active, but I am greatful for the role he played in my life by being an example and inviting me. That moment may not have lead to me becoming active but kept the church in my thoughts. The military has dont that alot for me. When I was in North Carolina and I needed friends my mom told me to turn to the church and I did. I met great people and found out that I was able to marry in the temple. That was my goal and that is what I did. Colin was in North Carolina for Special Forces training when I was stationed at Pope Air Force Base. He was not selected to finish the training, but he needed to be there to find me. When he went to Fort Campbell in Kentucky Colin met Jamin Moore. They both arrived at the same time and they became fast friends. Having friday steak nights and doing guy things together. They were in the same company and both tried out and made it into a specialty scout unit. When they deployed to Iraq in 2007 Jamin sustained 65 percent burns in an IED blast and was Airevaced back to the states. Colin would kept in contact anyway he could. Talking to Jamin's Friends and Family and keeping up with his condition. From the moment Jamin left country Colin was adiment on going to visit him durring his 2 week leave from Iraq and we did go see him. He still keeps in contact with Jamin. I fully believe that Colin may have been put at Fort Campbell just to become friends with Jamin. Now we are moving to Fort Polk in Louisiana and Jamin is not alot closer and We will be able to go see him in San Antonio while he heals. These are only a few examples but there are so many of why the Lord puts us in certain situations that we may not understand. What ever is put in front of us we need to enjoy the moment and live as rightously as we can.

Our Star Gazing Experience!

So What Colin didn't mention about our lovely trip was. In the airport while I was waiting for him to get his bag to the screening section, this guy behind me asked this girl for a picture. I looked at her and thought to my self until the split second when she spoke to her mother.... I was like, hmm, thats Miley Cyrus aka Hannah Montana. Before I even thought about snapping a picture She was wisked away behind the ticket counter so she wouldn't have to deal with the loads of crazy fans just itching to get her autograph and pictures taken (the same 3 people who kept hounding her). Then while waiting to get through security, what do you know there she is again cutting at the front of our line. LOVELY... lol this woman behind us was complaining that she didn't understand why she had to walk all the way over here ( behind us at the end of the line that was obviously swinging the wrong way) and those to ladies got to go to the front of the line. I was like ma'am thats because she is Miley Cyrus. WHo? the woman said. You know, Hannah Montana. She was like OH, well, That still doesn't give her the right to be able to cut. I thought it was hilarious. Just so everyone knows, just because you are famous doesn't mean you shouldn't wash your feet. When you go through security you have to take off your shoes. Well Colin kindly pointed out that Miley Cyrus had the most nasty dirty feet he had ever seen. And seriously they were dirty. Come on girls, if you know people are looking at you atleast take a shower! Well while we were waiting for a direct flight into LAX we went and had some good gourmet airport foot at Le Burger King.(said with a french accent) And when we were back our flight was boarding. Just passing the time until group 5 was called I decided to comment on boys wearing Girl jeans. That is the mistake of the century. I really dont want to see the lack of butt you have or how skinny your legs are. Even if you do turn out to be the bass player and the guitarist for Kings of Leon. WHO just happened to win a grammy that weekend and who I had no idea even existed till, you guessed it, they were on our flight with there brittish girlfriends, or maybe fake brittish i dont know. So anyway group 5 was called and we walked on board and low and behold, skinny pants dudes and 2 empty seats at the very front of first class. Hmmm i thought. I bet those seats are for Miley and her Mommy.(who was the lady traveling with her) And 30 mins after our scheduled depature they finally decide to bring little miss superstar on board. I do have to admit i was a little annoyed with the whole situation. Im glad my life has to be pushed back just so miss thang doesn't have to sign a few autographs and take a few pictures with her 5-10 year old fans. Cause you know that would just be HORRIBLE!! Now to a real star of my heart that I got to have dinner with and spend the night at her house. My lovely friend Jean and her husband Sam were nice enough to let colin and I stay over at their house. Although we didn't get to stay very long its always great to see friends. I love you Jean!! Thanks again

Catalina Here We Come

We got approval from Colins chain of command to get a pass on Feb. 5 - Feb 8. Since we got approved we get to go to California and go on a scuba trip to Catalina Island. I went on this trip in October it was great! We get on board in San Pedro and Head out late Thursday early friday and start diving as soon as we get to the Island. The boat crew keeps us going by preparing 7 meals during the 2 day trip. Its going to be fun and i can't wait for Colin to get a taste of REAL scuba diving in the ocean! Its going to be Awesome

Our Adventure

So on our way back from Spokane, Colin and I went on an adventure about 30 feet from the Idaho stateline, mile marker 196 to be exact. We were driving down the road and the snow was blowing like CRAZY over the roadway. It was a nice day, blue sky and everything but the visibility was worse than if it had actually been snowing. So Colin began to slow down and we passed a truck that was justs chillin on the side of the road. "I wonder if there waiting for the wind to die down" I said. Then Colin said "They'll be waiting a long time." Then it happened, "We're SLIDING, WE'RE GONNA HIT A SNOW BANK" Yep thats right. We slid off the interstate right into the 3 ft of snow on the side of the road. Thank goodness it was soft snow because it helped to break the fall. (if that can even happen with a car.) And then we waited for about 2 hours before we were able to be pulled out. Little did we know that a truck with a trailor flipped behind us and 2 more jeeps in front of us flipped. The state patrolman said.."Jeeps are no good on this ice" Luckily Colin handled it very well and kept us from not only hitting a pole but from flipping the Jeep. And Someone was watching out for us cause the only thing wrong with the Jeep is we broke our license plate cover! Such a blessing!

Talk about a White Christmas

Colin and I spent Christmas with my parents this year and it was great. About 3 days before driving up to Spokane though i get a call from practically every member of my family telling us how bad it snowed. They said the snow fall was 3 ft in one day. I was like wow 3 ft thats alot, but 3 ft of snow isn't something I could even fathom untill driving there. We drove up on the 20th of December and after we made it through Lookout Pass and 4th of July Pass. I started to think that my family had over reacted just a bit on the excessive amounts of snow that they had recieved. When what to my suprize when we pulled of the interstate in spokane? Exactly as was said massvie amounts of snow. It was crazy, I have never seen so much snow in Spokane. You could barely drive down the side streets to get to my parents house. Thank goodness for a 4 Wheel Drive Jeep! But hey we got quite a white christmas!

Shes a Firecracker!

SOOOO... have you ever done something and had people just stare at you like you were absolutly obserd? Well, thats what happens when people in Utah see what i did to my hair. I got it cut shorter and dyed the top red! LOL. This is something I have wanted to do since I was in Highschool, but after i went into the military i was never able to do it. So when I ended up finishing at BYU and not having to do military duty for a while i decided to go for it! I just think its funny the looks that i get from people. I know its not conventional, but people need to lighten up, my hair will grow back and i probably wont do it again soon.

NO! The guy behind Curious George.

Since i added George to my blog I thought I should probably explain a little bit of what that is all about. When Colin and I were dating we would spend long hours talking to eachother, well Colin wasn't good at saying he is tired and should go home (because you know he cannot get enough of me) and he started falling asleep while talking to me. Have you ever been in that state where you are awake but dreaming and start talking in your dream and the whole time you are actually talking out loud. Well that is where George came from, because one night while we were talking and he was falling asleep i asked Colin something and he said.. "No, the guy behind Curious George." and from that time on, George was Colin's Mascot. So i bought him this little George doll and now we like to include him in things. Like he went to Iraq, went on missions with Colin in a home made military uniform, He went to Disney World with us and he was even in our family photos. He has become a part of the family now. HAHA! Right now George is offically ready for Christmas! Hoooray. George isn't the only thing that came out of those late night conversations. We have 400 Million dollar flashlights (lighthouses) Two Matching yellow race cars and much much more!!

Love and Hate!

So I called Colin on friday and he picked up and the imediately hung up the phone. I tried calling him back but he didn't answer. Then about 2 seconds later i get a text message from him stating that he was in court, one of the guys in his unit was pulled over for drunk driving and he was having to deal with that he said he would call me after it was done. Well time went on and I went to an appointment and no call, so i tried to call him back and his phone was off. I didn't know why his phone was off, i just figured that he was still dealing with the drunk guy. Well.... little did i know, As I was walking back from Krystals house having aired my frustration about my husband, who do I see standing across the lawn, but a husband of mine dressed in his Class A uniform and Then it clicked... he was lying about the whole thing! Man I hate being tricked, but i sure do love him!