Reward: Your Dignity!

Have you ever felt violated by a person that you've never know, met, or seen? I have, twice! First in Baltimore when my wallet was stolen out of my purse, at a Burger King, which had all my stuff in it and later hundreds of dollars worth of gas was purchased with my credit cards. And secondly, just recently here at our house. It was a nice warm hot day so we pulled out the swimming pool for Benjamin. I sat in our red camping chair next to the pool and house. As you can see in the picture, it is no longer there. I had left the chair out that night and in the morning when I went to go get it...it was gone. I looked around thinking it may have blown away because of the storm that night, but it was no where to be seen. Jon's chair was still in the same spot he had left it so why wouldn't mine still be there. I have festered over this for the past few days. It frustrates me and angers me in such a way that I can't even explain it. Why would someone steal a chair, who needs a camping chair, what were they thinking? So to let my frustration out on the unknown criminal I wrote a little note on our wall:
Who knows if they have or ever will see the note, but it made me feel slightly better. I guess I am just a normal person and can't understand why someone would do such a thing. I have still been secretly hoping every morning that I will look out my window and the culprit will have returned the chair. I'm probably only dreaming though.

Strawberry Picking

A couple Friday's ago Benjamin and I went Strawberry picking. Every Friday there is a set activity that we can go and do, so we met with our friends at the Strawberry patch. Our friend Lisa was there and took these wonderful pictures of Ben. As I was picking Ben would either wonder around or he would help pick the strawberries. Of course it seemed that he was popping them into his mouth quicker then he was picking or I was able to pick. It was cute watching him pull off the green stems and leaves and then quickly pop the strawberry into his mouth. Later that day I didn't really know what to do with all the strawberries so I decided to make some freezer jam. Last year a few of my friends and I got together and made some so I felt confident enough to try it myself. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure it turned out just fine. I think berry and fruit picking is one of my favorite things to do with Ben. He seems to enjoy it because he can walk around free and eat if he wants to. I'm just glad that the owners figure it will happen and don't seem to care.

WICKED

This month has come and gone so I find myself doing a few of these posts a little late. Months and months ago I found out that Wicked was coming to Rochester. I enjoyed it so much the first time I went with Jon in Chicago that I just had to go again. I looked and looked for a great deal and finally found one. The only catch was that I had to purchase a minimum of 20 tickets. So I quickly emailed my friends to see if they would want to do a girls night or date night with their husbands. They all responded for a date night so I quickly purchased 22 tickets in hopes of being able to sell them all, especially since I had to pay in full by a certain date. Well, to make a long story short after many headaches and worrying I sold all of the tickets. Jon wasn't willing to go for the second time so I went with the group while Jon stayed home and watched Benjamin and Zach and Emily's little boy Connor. The play was amazing, even the second time. I just wanted to jump out of my seat and start singing most of the time. Jon did well with the two boys at home. I think Ben had a lot of fun with little Connor hanging out. I just love how Ben will get into little kids faces and smile at them. I also like the other picture of Ben's innocent smile with Connor in the background probably wondering what's going on. It was a great night for us all. We had great seats and everyone seemed to enjoy the play. Thanks everyone who purchased tickets so we could go at such a great price.

10 Years

I've been getting all of these emails to send pictures for a video that is being put together for my 10 Year High School Reunion...10 YEARS! I can't believe it's been 10 years. Where has the time gone. I remember when I was getting ready to graduate and wondering where I would be in 10 years. I must admit that I definitely thought I would be a lot "further" than I am now, done with school, more kids, etc. However, I will say I am happy where I am and what I have accomplished so far. So, for a recap of the last 10 years:

1998: I graduated for Skyline High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The picture is of LaChelle Hill, Me, and Katie Thuernagle.



1999: I bought my first car, a Mazda Protege. My dad, Jan, and Uncle Joe helped find the perfect car for me. I can't believe I've had her for almost 10 years. She's been a great car, but if we move to Hawaii or Texas we'll have to get rid of her because the AC no longer works.

2000: I moved up to Rexburg to live during my second year of Rick's College, now known as BYU-Idaho. Pictured is Me, Christine Seeley, Karen Larsen, Echo Wood, and Jamie Quan, not pictured is Heather Hiotakis. It was a fun year. Too bad I played and worked more then I studied. If only I had focused more on school and a career back then, maybe I wouldn't be working so hard towards Dental Hygiene now.

2001: I moved to Texas to live with my Dad and Jan while I waited to put my papers in for my mission. While I was there Jan and I took a self-defense class and got our yellow belts.

2002: I was in Seattle serving a mission. I had been there for 3 months in 2001 and another 5 months in 2003. I had many wonderful companions and experiences. I wouldn't say it was the easiest thing, but it was worth it. I will always remember those 18 months. Pictured is Becky Harmer, Me, and Katrina Easton.

2003: I met Jon. He was my Zone Leader in my last area. I went home in May and wrote to him for 7 months before he come home. He came out to Idaho to surprise me. I knew I was going to marry him about a month after I got home. I didn't want to waste my time waiting for him if nothing was going to happen and I didn't want to waste my time dating others if he was the one.

2004: Jon and I got married! What more can I say. I had been waiting for this day for a long time...ok, my whole life. I thought I would never get married and it was hard when my friends were and I wasn't. But I found Jon and it was ok. I'm glad I waited for the right guy, for my "Gilbert." Jon and I went to Mexico on our honeymoon-LOVED IT. After I moved to Chicago to join Jon while he finished school, and we moved to Baltimore in 3 short months.






2005: Jon and I moved to Rochester from Baltimore. Jon's Dad and brother Billy helped us move from Baltimore to Rochester and then my Mom, Van, and Lisa came out for a visit and helped us unpack. We went and saw the sites while they were out here, Palmyra, Niagra Falls, etc. We were also getting ready for the long haul of Medical School. It's hard to believe that we only have a year left. Pictured is Lisa, Van, Mom-Marie, Me, Jon at Niagra Falls.

2006: Benjamin was born. Dad and Jan were here during the time Ben was born. I can't believe it's been almost two years since they have seen him. He is growing so big and fast. We are so happy to have Ben join our little family. What a great little guy he is. We couldn't ask for a better son.

2007: What happened last year...Not much, Jon and I went on our first vacation together as parents without our child. We went on a cruise and took a disposable camera so our digital camera wouldn't get stolen. Since we are so use to digital the pictures still have yet to be developed. However, we did have our first Christmas at home. Jon's family came to visit, but I think it's fair to say we had and hosted our first Christmas at home.

2008: 10 Years later...I've been married for 4 years, a mother of one, working towards getting into the Dental Hygiene program, making a dream come true by going to Hawaii at the end of September, and finding out in December where Jon will be doing his residency and where we will be living for the next 5 years. I wonder what the next 10 years will bring.

Pool Party and Being a Good Boy

Every Friday there is a activity that Benjamin and I get to do with other mothers and their children in the ward. This past Friday was a Pool Party in our complex. Our friend Shelly was taking pictures and posted them on her blog. She captured this cute picture of Ben. Thanks, Shelly. I also wanted to mention that last night, Saturday, we gave Ben his bath and then let him play in the tub until the water had drained out. Jon and I were in our room talking when all of a sudden Ben came running into our room. I went to grab a towel for Ben and much to my surprise all of his bath toys had been picked up and put away in the right spot. I was so proud of him. He did something without me having to tell him. I love this little guy; I hope he will continue to surprise me with such wonderful acts in the future.