Happy Birthday Krystal!!!

Happy Birthday Krystal!!!

I don't know if you've ever seen this picture?!? I'd forgotten that I had it! This must have been our Sophmore year at BYU? I always loved Pippi Longstockings!

Here are a few random pictures I came up with (don't worry, Krystal - I kept the one of you posing in my penguin pajamas out :). This one is our freshman year at BYU w/ a bunch of our Moses Lake friends! Andy thought that Charlie was Aaron Zappe - do you remember Aaron, Andy's roommate? They do kind of look alike! Crazy how time flies!!!

Krystal's apartment (right next door to mine) at King Henry. That was such a fun place! We had a blast and it was sooo fun to have Krystal right next door! I haven't talked to Jessica much since I started dating Andy. I hope she has forgiven me :) - I'd really love to get in touch with her, Krissy, Kellie, and some of the other girls!

Krystal's SURPRISE birthday party last Saturday - Jacky's beautiful crepe paper art and Cami's beautiful cake before the poor thing fried!!! We thought we'd light the candles before Krystal came down (we had it all set up in the basement b/c Krystal thought she was going to be scrapbooking with me)! Unfortunately, we didn't hear Andy yell down the stairs that it was a false alarm. So, the candles totally melted down to the whicks! But hey, it made for good memories and some fun sizzling!

Cami and Jacky lighting the candles (if you can call them candles) for a second time!!!

Krystal, Cami, Jacky, and Heather

Thanks for helping me surprise Krystal guys, you are all awesome! We missed you Christen, Marta, Kacey, and Melissa! We had a whole bunch of movies collected and were planning on watching a chick flick but ended up just eating dinner and talking for almost 4 hours! That is when you know you have good friends - when you can just sit and chat for that long! Krystal was a little embarassed b/c she had just come from the gym. She looked way too cute to have just come from the gym - I don't know if I believe her :).

Thanks for being such a good friend through all of these years, Krystal! You have always been there for me, rain or shine and you'll never know how much I appreciate that. I still have your home phone number memorized from all those calls from elementary school through high school - which is pretty funny b/c I can't even remember my phone number from when I was growing up!!! I guess that tells us that we talked on the phone way too much!!!

I hope this year brings all kinds of surprises! Happy Birthday!!!

p.s. When I went to look at this post, the song "Hey, Good Looking" came on!!! That was one of my dad's favorite songs and it always makes me smile!

WE PAY. YOU PLAY!

I just checked my e-mail and noticed the following advertisement: “WE PAY. YOU PLAY! - A CREDIT CARD FOR PEOPLE WITH BAD CREDIT!” I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that even with the state of our economy being the way it is, that those kind of sales tactics are still being used. I really hope that people in our country are too smart to fall for the idea that we can play all we want and not ever suffer the consequences of our actions. The really sad part for me to watch is that those consequences often fall on the innocent. Our new neighborhood is full of some of the sweetest retired people who have worked so hard their whole lives to save for the future, giving much along the way to help those in need. Now they can’t help but worry if what they have saved will be enough to sustain them throughout their old age. Then there are so many losing their jobs and unable to provide for their families.

We had a wonderful older man speak to us today about what an inspiration his aunt was to him. She passed away not too long ago and the most she ever earned was $20,000 a year. Shortly before she passed away she talked to him about how she really didn’t want to die. She loved her life and was so happy and grateful for all that God had given her. She cherished all of the wonderful memories that she had made and had such a happy life despite her meager income. This man is retired and talked about the changes in our economy and how he and the rest of us are going to have to learn how to live simply as she did. He also talked about how the prophets have been telling us for over a century that we need to live simply. I think the thing that touched me the most was the fact that instead of feeling resentment, he feels that if we learn to live simply (because of choice or because of necessity), we will be blessed because we will remember the important things in life and spend time with those we love. He had such a positive, optimistic outlook on things even though his savings has been greatly depleted because of the poor choices of so many. I just love the wisdom of so many of our neighbors and their amazing examples of faith and optimism! Some other day I need to write about my favorite neighbor. Her name is Joy and her name reflects her sweetness - but I'll save that for another day!

I was trying to look up some of the quotes that this man used, but came up with a talk by Elder Worthlin from 2004 that summarizes what we have heard for soooo long regarding finances. I've only included bits and pieces here, so feel free to check out the whole thing if you want! Oh, and just so you know I am in no way trying to preach! I, like anyone else have plenty of room to do better in this area and really hope to work in the coming years on Elder Worthlin’s 3rd and 5th suggestions! I know that as we try to follow the counsel of the prophets, we will be blessed as a nation!

“Remember this: debt is a form of bondage. It is a financial termite. When we make purchases on credit, they give us only an illusion of prosperity. We think we own things, but the reality is, our things own us.”

Elder Worthlin then suggests 5 key steps to financial freedom that we’ve heard over and over again from the prophets.

“1-Pay your tithing. Do you want the windows of heaven opened to you? Do you wish to receive blessings so great there is not room enough to receive them? Always pay your tithing and leave the outcome in the hands of the Lord. Obedience to God’s commandments is the foundation for a happy life.
2-Spend less than you earn. This is simple counsel but a powerful secret for financial happiness. All too often a family’s spending is governed more by their yearning than by their earning. They somehow believe that their life will be better if they surround themselves with an abundance of things. All too often all they are left with is avoidable anxiety and distress. Credit is so easy to obtain. In fact, it is almost thrust upon us. Those who use credit cards to overspend unwisely should consider eliminating them.
3-Learn to save. The wise understand the importance of saving today for a rainy day tomorrow. They have adequate insurance that will provide for them in case of illness or death. Where possible, they store a year’s supply of food, water, and other basic necessities of life. They set aside money in savings and investment accounts. They work diligently to reduce the debt they owe to others and strive to become debt free. Brothers and sisters, the preparations you make today may one day be to you as the stored food was to the Egyptians and to Joseph’s father’s family.
4- Fourth, honor your financial obligations. From time to time, we hear stories of greed and selfishness that strike us with great sorrow. We hear of fraud, defaulting on loan commitments, financial deceptions, and bankruptcies. We are a people of integrity. We believe in honoring our debts and being honest in our dealings with our fellow men. (He tells an incredibly inspiring story about a man who sacrifices so much in order to repay his debt.)
5- Fifth, teach your children to follow your example. Too many of our youth get into financial difficulty because they never learned proper principles of financial common sense at home. Teach your children while they are young. Teach them that they cannot have something merely because they want it. Teach them the principles of hard work, frugality, and saving. If you don’t consider yourself informed well enough to teach them, all the more reason for you to begin learning.

The scriptures tell us, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” The riches of this world are as dust compared to the riches that await the faithful in the mansions of our Heavenly Father. How foolish is he who spends his days in the pursuit of things that rust and fade away. How wise is he who spends his days in the pursuit of eternal life.
Know within your hearts that Jesus the Christ lives. Be at peace, for as you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. Let not your hearts be weary, but rejoice."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts,” Liahona, May 2004, 40–43

I also loved this quote that President Monson used from Sarah Ban Breathnach in his recent talk, "Finding Joy in the Journey": “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

I guess that is why that sweet man's aunt didn't care to die. She had already found heaven on earth!

Oh, the satisfaction that comes from removing wallpaper!!!

We spent most of Martin Luther King Jr. Day buying paint and wallpaper removing supplies and tackling Drew's bedroom, which we finally got set up a couple weeks ago! It was hard for Andy and I to separate Drew and Jesi who had been on bunk beds the last couple years. They always had so much fun talking and giggling together after lights out. Since moving Drew to his own room, Jesi has wanted someone to stay with her until she falls asleep, but hopefully that won't last too long. Drew was so excited when we finally did get his very own room set up. Andy even got an old radio from his office and so we've been having dance parties in Drew's room at least once a day! His room had the prettiest flowered wallpaper and will soon be BYU blue! (Actually, any shade of blue is considered "BYU blue" to our kiddos :). Speaking of colors, Drew begged me for green eggs and ham this morning and I gave in to his demands (this is probably the 10th time in the last year or so and I'm finally starting to get used to the idea of eating green scrambled eggs w/ bits of ham mixed in). It is amazing how one drop of food coloring can brighten a boy's mood! Although I was just thinking about all of those boxes of food advertising "no artificial colors or sweeteners." So is a drop of food coloring going to do anything crazy to the human body. There has to be a Magic School Bus book or video about that somewhere?!

Anyway, Andy and I had heard so many horror stories about removing wallpaper, that we were really nervous about it. But, we found a strange satisfaction in peeling off as big a strip as possible - kind of like when removing dead, sun burnt skin :)!!! Hope I didn't gross anyone out too bad with that analogy. I get grossed out pretty easily, but for some reason I've always enjoyed peeling skin - ew I'm disgusting!!! It must go back to my childhood when my brother who is 6 years older than me would have me peel his back. Anyway, I'm sure I'll be eating my words when other rooms in the house that the previous owners painted over the wallpaper start bubbling and we have to remove wallpaper with layers of paint on top!!! But, for now we are enjoying the process and today I plan on tackling the adhesive layer. Hopefully we'll get to the painting soon! So, stay tuned for photos of the completed project - hopefully this year ;)!

Always good for an orange smile!!!

Jesi thought her daddy was the funniest thing - we thought her chocolate face was pretty funny too!

OK, this was when I was dying laughing and every time I see it I laugh like crazy. In fact, the kids just came running in the room to see what I was laughing at! Andy wedged clementine slices between his gums and his lips. It was much funnier in person ;). Don't worry Andy, I will post a normal picture of you soon :)!

This is Andy coaching Drew's soccer team. They are in the middle of their season and Drew just LOVES having his dad coach! He is quite the runner and always has his hands in his pocket, on his back (like this picture), giving me a thumbs up, etc. He is the coolest dude on the indoor soccer field in my opinion (well, next to his dad of course). I love to watch Andy with the kids. He has a talent for making everyone feel like they are an important part of the team!

Andy is always telling me that nobody is perfect and that he loves me just the way I am. He makes me want to try a little harder and be a little better. He is the main reason why I've been attempting to wake up at 5:30AM to go to an aerobics class at the church. I'm determined to become more of a morning person like he is! This is the first week I've made it all 3 mornings! Now if I can just wake up at 5:30 on the other mornings too!!! His constant love inspires me. I guess that is why I think of him as being so much like my dad and one of the most Christlike people I know. Last night he was encouraging me to feel free to post a quick thought or something on our blog and not feel like I have to have a dozen pictures to go with it. The mai problem is that I love to take pictures and so I always have way too many to choose from - which makes scrapbooking and blogging seem a little overwhelming at times (that would explain why I haven't scrapbooked at all for over a year). So, while I have lots of pictures to post from Christmas, Drew's soccer games, and lots of other things to update our blog with, I wanted to take a few minutes this morning to dedicate a post to my man :). Hope you enjoy a few pictures of Andy and the kids that show him in his element :). He is always making us laugh - at the dinner table or anywhere else we may be! We've had lots of oranges lately and he has been having fun entertaining us!

This is a blue Mustang model car that Drew got for Christmas which ended up being Drew's favorite present. I don't know if he loved the car more or the fact that his dad helped him put it together. The model car was Andy's idea - he wanted something he could work on with Drew and Drew has always loved cars! I finally got a quote from Andy's mom that his parents have in their basement - it is a poster with this quote and a picture of a little boy that looks so much like Drew. It says, "A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove . . . but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." Andy has always loved this quote. Even when he is at work his heart is with his family and he loves to come home at the end of the day and play with his children. He is such a wonderful father that it inspires me to be a better mom. The kids helped me pick out these pictures, Andy. We love you! Thanks for always making us smile! Now I know why you encouraged me to write a little something now and then - so I don't write an epistle like this :). But this is all for you and you deserve it! (I mean that in a good way!)

Drew's Kung Fu Panda B-day Party!!!

Drew's practically insane mother allowed him to invite about 15 boys to a fun Kung Fu Panda party at his house in Provo. He wanted to invite some of his friends from Spanish Fork, some from his new neighborhood, and some from his class at school. How could she resist?!? This is Drew cooking up some of his "secret ingredient noodle soup." I won't mention that half of the secret ingredient (which consisted of a bunch of Ramen seasoning packets) ended up all over the floor and we are just lucky the glass bowl didn't break in the process.

Drew served up his secret recipe to his friends, who all had to at least "try" to use their chopsticks. One of the boys asked for a rubber band and pretty soon I was searching the house for a dozen rubber bands to put on the end of the chopsticks?!? I think we'll try to replace the white carpet in the dining room before throwing another party with 13 boys, noodles and chocolate cake involved! Then again, maybe we'll start having half birthday parties for Drew so that we can celebrate outside!!!

Half of the boys checking out the cake. Don't look too close - I tried to wing a panda cake without a pattern. Notice, however, that he is doing a perfect split like Poe :). I used cupcakes for the arms, legs and ears and those were the first things (followed by the eyes) to get eaten!

Dad lighting the candles!



Drew finishing up his Dragon Warrior training. The training was cut short because we weren't expecting the noodles and cake to take so long. But, the boys did learn the pinky hold and they played this game where they had to try to pop the other boys' balloons (tied around their ankle) without their own balloon getting popped. (OK, so I remember playing this game w/ kids when I was his age, but I'm sure it would help us to become the "Dragon Warrior"!?!)

The important thing is that Drew had a blast, enjoyed spending time with his friends, learned how to cook Ramen, and he surely knows that his family loves him! Thank you, Uncle Darren for helping Andy and I supervise and rescue the carpet from permanent chocolate stains :)! And thank you to all of you who helped make Drew's 7th birthday special. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. We've been watching home videos of when he was little. We loved watching him when he was 2 years old. He'd waddle around and say, "Hi. How are you?" He is always so much fun and just as thoughtful as his Daddy. What would we do without his sweet spirit in our home?!? We love you, Drew!!!

Drew's B-day celebration at the Olive Garden!

Hungry Kassi!

Drew and Grandma McConkie

Jesilyn's interesting noodle eating technique!

Andy, Nicole, and Heidi


Kassi - ooh, salty!

Could I get some more breadsticks please?!?

Temple Square with Mom and Nicole!

After the Olive Garden, we about froze on temple square. We tortured Mom and Nicole and made them run around and look at the lights and nativity scene with us. I bet they are enjoying Arizona all the more because of this experience! It was COLD!!! You can't see very well but the lights, the temple, and the nativity in the reflection pool were beautiful!

Only 3 New Year Resolutions!!!

1. Study Diligently.
2. Pray Earnestly.
3. Serve Willingly.

I read this conference talk by President Thomas S. Monson recently while preparing for a sacrament meeting talk. I remember being so inspired by this message back in October 2007 when he addressed the Relief Society sisters. But, as I read through this talk I realized that this was a message for everyone. I figure that if I work on these three goals, all of the other things (there are at least a dozen) that I want to work on this year will fall into place! Hope this year treats you all well!!! Oh, and my favorite quote from this talk and one of my all time favorites from President Monson is "Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle." So, if you are searching for some realistic New Year Resolutions or just want to be inspired to do a little better, please read this message :)! I was also so inspired by last conference's talk entitled, "Finding Joy in the Journey" which, along with all those other inspiring talks can be found on lds.org. I'm so excited that Andy figured out how to download conference talks to our IPod so that I can listen to 1 or 2 talks a day as I'm cleaning, cooking dinner, or anything else that doesn't require a lot of brain power :)! Actually, I tend to listen to the same talk a few times because I somehow manage to get distracted a little and after 3 times I usually catch it all. Speaking of, Jesi just sat on my lap and is acting out a funny part in the movie "Elf" (a new Christmas movie that has been a big hit with our family) where Buddy sings, "I'm in a store and I'm singing! I'm in a store and I'm SINGING!!!" So, maybe my kids don't need to watch so many movies during Christmas break - just another resolution that will be worked on if I stick to the following 3 goals encouraged by President Monson :)!!!

Three Goals to Guide You
President Thomas S. Monson
First Counselor in the First Presidency
October 2007 Conference