tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77230782641708058672023-11-16T03:18:21.895-08:00joseph + biancaJosephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03948939149090133811noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-77971198099393860602011-10-30T18:13:00.000-07:002011-10-30T18:15:40.575-07:00Album Release on 11.11.11!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNciLRp9Q4QxNwjmz4kEIhLMqDc38h_K9y4sQAgGrG9eGrI0iga9oLg0oK6EJPAlVregwtoSZgo3ie4i__4f72FAT0p3iOS1Q75B5fmf7r0La5OAxALbVxBNiMsWyBgexU38U_kK2MAs/s1600/CD.Release.Poster.lo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNciLRp9Q4QxNwjmz4kEIhLMqDc38h_K9y4sQAgGrG9eGrI0iga9oLg0oK6EJPAlVregwtoSZgo3ie4i__4f72FAT0p3iOS1Q75B5fmf7r0La5OAxALbVxBNiMsWyBgexU38U_kK2MAs/s400/CD.Release.Poster.lo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669458729603818162" /></a><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F26014182"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F26014182" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/biancamerkley/a-new-day">A New Day</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/biancamerkley">Bianca Merkley</a></span> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-54326446981109125082011-02-22T18:09:00.000-08:002011-02-22T18:42:45.029-08:00Ok, so maybe it's been a while...My mom pointed out to me today that I haven't posted on our blog since August. I thought, "Wow, has it really been that long?" And yes, somehow it really has been that long. Hard to believe actually. But I blame it on the fact that we lost our camera after our trip in August, and then didn't find it until just recently. So now that we've got our old trusty camera back, I'll be posting more regularly again.<br /><br />As for now, here are some of the pictures we have on our camera from our sweet trip back to Utah in August- this was for our 5 year anniversary- and where better to go than to where we first met and fell in love...the magical Logan, Utah. What a special place this little town has in our hearts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFA3mPH7PMVGKwwYgc7FWxKl6dLnJSqJYMe-4izR_eVGkmxE1T01u5wbvcjf_aCEk4fv22GAcT0mne6ytRLnlML6ok6Yi5P_-hlZWt3oPk9Ot3nX-ogbPC4CsC44YnHlxHMaIgR_5T0s/s1600/IMG_5730.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFA3mPH7PMVGKwwYgc7FWxKl6dLnJSqJYMe-4izR_eVGkmxE1T01u5wbvcjf_aCEk4fv22GAcT0mne6ytRLnlML6ok6Yi5P_-hlZWt3oPk9Ot3nX-ogbPC4CsC44YnHlxHMaIgR_5T0s/s320/IMG_5730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576703324598612818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZiaKZiFJsT2dy3f6CkSXw17AWD1fIgpcpOKCQn3JgjH0vOr_ua-5rtnI2xJcDGtl4dPKPVClfTN9c1k9auiQyfcFvwWFmXtmpOyl4L1Cwq0Nr0U1ThgUzht2efuDjtRSMkVrCWa9sDQ/s1600/IMG_5735.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZiaKZiFJsT2dy3f6CkSXw17AWD1fIgpcpOKCQn3JgjH0vOr_ua-5rtnI2xJcDGtl4dPKPVClfTN9c1k9auiQyfcFvwWFmXtmpOyl4L1Cwq0Nr0U1ThgUzht2efuDjtRSMkVrCWa9sDQ/s320/IMG_5735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576703643941409794" border="0" /></a><br />We also got to go to Logan Lanes where many-a-bowling games went down back in the day. We couldn't believe how cheap it was to bowl in Logan! Funny how quick you forget. We loved it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierulIY6kyl__n0VjWOjRm0BxF6sORXNyesDgUCRlK7vD5OYJHviWj-su7qJhokafo9RwZ-XPsjXVrUwEtLtWUcNowRDuOpiuQFZG-AUKjam2hxnHvJt7gMJsa7yEJxI2x76axSwGxkKI/s1600/IMG_5738.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierulIY6kyl__n0VjWOjRm0BxF6sORXNyesDgUCRlK7vD5OYJHviWj-su7qJhokafo9RwZ-XPsjXVrUwEtLtWUcNowRDuOpiuQFZG-AUKjam2hxnHvJt7gMJsa7yEJxI2x76axSwGxkKI/s320/IMG_5738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576706026139901202" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZgkadbDuwroevH3XDLl6IqYwxddcci3gY8AzwBcXqhyphenhyphenbvn3obOUNmMDX6xjBflH6VTHbgYYrGKj5_4GsT4Zq1GIdUnGUhQGEoCVErnionnc6X9Lv6MIExGBaLv97ZxgOv5JZwJxW_zU/s1600/IMG_5742.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZgkadbDuwroevH3XDLl6IqYwxddcci3gY8AzwBcXqhyphenhyphenbvn3obOUNmMDX6xjBflH6VTHbgYYrGKj5_4GsT4Zq1GIdUnGUhQGEoCVErnionnc6X9Lv6MIExGBaLv97ZxgOv5JZwJxW_zU/s320/IMG_5742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576706865517901026" border="0" /></a><br />And to finish off an amazing Summer vacation...my grandma made us peach pie from scratch with peaches fresh off the trees from her back yard. Really? Yes, really.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgiil3nPEkKy9oe3P12_eMyqCEAtulWg7TpVoLXep6q7qs0VbeAh2ROh0BUuS71mwgxS4Wk_QR25C2ndjr7LN6IYhyphenhyphentAu7_5jZBn7lae2OMDKQiTYASMao24EoAQMNdrPVwg0aqcPCno/s1600/IMG_5756.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgiil3nPEkKy9oe3P12_eMyqCEAtulWg7TpVoLXep6q7qs0VbeAh2ROh0BUuS71mwgxS4Wk_QR25C2ndjr7LN6IYhyphenhyphentAu7_5jZBn7lae2OMDKQiTYASMao24EoAQMNdrPVwg0aqcPCno/s320/IMG_5756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576708528002354450" border="0" /></a><br />It was sad to say goodbye to family and especially to our little nephew, Nixon. But oh how nice it was to see everyone. A nice end to the Summer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy44IfddulWzo_pSoxDwFb4oJCML8WBOVnuNKBhX5zFycEojttaQvtngX5eP_pGh0pxLY7yz684o_ngXK4m0VyOmR6qkaodFafvzco7fTb82NV7HwD-lCB1UkpF6Exe_hUUAk_4nAetA/s1600/IMG_5767.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy44IfddulWzo_pSoxDwFb4oJCML8WBOVnuNKBhX5zFycEojttaQvtngX5eP_pGh0pxLY7yz684o_ngXK4m0VyOmR6qkaodFafvzco7fTb82NV7HwD-lCB1UkpF6Exe_hUUAk_4nAetA/s320/IMG_5767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576709140425205570" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-74896750253603873572010-08-20T21:29:00.000-07:002010-08-20T21:44:22.125-07:00August 20th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqryjqDPMXIeOAb0Z911TQ04e78SSlxJdmyO0mw-wff6mthyphenhyphentvGJ6L1PL4T1IUtLwOsRxAHiNsNfzpm6iaKj_S-qff0RYWBPzpQqlAl84LRpeozT-BO1uoDQRgxfFko_9yLOC7SPaM7o/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqryjqDPMXIeOAb0Z911TQ04e78SSlxJdmyO0mw-wff6mthyphenhyphentvGJ6L1PL4T1IUtLwOsRxAHiNsNfzpm6iaKj_S-qff0RYWBPzpQqlAl84LRpeozT-BO1uoDQRgxfFko_9yLOC7SPaM7o/s400/cake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507717112093454450" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Although it may seem like a very trivial thing... I've decided after this birthday- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">the big 25</span>- that a simple <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">phone call</span> on your birthday is really worth a lot more than one might think. Texting and Facebook messages take little to no effort. Granted, better to send that then nothing at all, but a phone call...the value in that simple act is almost unmeasurable. My resolve from here on out is to create a list of all my family and friends birthdays and to send them cards and/or call them on their birthday- not after, but <i>on </i>their birthday. Will I be able to do it? I hope so. I'm terrible at remembering birthdays. But it really means a lot when someone does, and it just requires a little extra effort. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Happy birthday me. (I'm off to a good start, at least I remembered my own birthday)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-69751113888773533302010-08-19T07:24:00.000-07:002010-08-19T07:26:52.472-07:005 Years Already!?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8Hvcigr8drnMgU6JwO8JcsuULWdQ6uo-b4Fqn2-fILkXK4q9VWmHbeyfqYZyRD6EQRKJotoT8_5qFVfYTfddfjpmkKlsqKG4KConrCj-6vslxVR5gPyO7QU4AZZwI-lqGuMkrN_KG9s/s1600/IMG_2773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8Hvcigr8drnMgU6JwO8JcsuULWdQ6uo-b4Fqn2-fILkXK4q9VWmHbeyfqYZyRD6EQRKJotoT8_5qFVfYTfddfjpmkKlsqKG4KConrCj-6vslxVR5gPyO7QU4AZZwI-lqGuMkrN_KG9s/s400/IMG_2773.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507126822396956962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Happy 5 year anniversary. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is why I married you...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">and I'm so glad I did! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-87757380656765237172010-08-17T18:08:00.000-07:002010-08-17T18:57:49.174-07:00Summer 2010<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:180%;" >Where have we been?</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> I don't really know what to say. I kind of forgot that we had a blog, so I'm sorry for being lame and not posting anything. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">It almost feels like when you don't write in your journal for a long time, and you don't know if you should try to go back and recap everything, or if you should just start fresh.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Let me just briefly recap...In June, Naomi and I put on the "Harmony for Healing: Women Helping Women Through Music" benefit concert at <a href="http://ashlandcoffeeandtea.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ashland</span> Coffee and Tea</a>. We had a good turnout, and had such a fun time at the show. Most importantly, we were able to reach our goal of raising $1,500 to donate to women in mental health! Here are some of the pictures my sister-in-law took of us at the show.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVmMNWgyzI10ZwLK2FZNI6DH5U2Y3MaCD2BqSAzQLRhbxP0BNsDoJ-0iQh2ZVBhub6zUPzCXYpvV7LXtaVjYvXP_n_OJTfT29yQO1oiE4zfO0fQ1A6tko68ZtsTQyBLmWspsHhV0us_4/s1600/h4hfinale.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVmMNWgyzI10ZwLK2FZNI6DH5U2Y3MaCD2BqSAzQLRhbxP0BNsDoJ-0iQh2ZVBhub6zUPzCXYpvV7LXtaVjYvXP_n_OJTfT29yQO1oiE4zfO0fQ1A6tko68ZtsTQyBLmWspsHhV0us_4/s400/h4hfinale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506554144121978818" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjfcXdPuceGGS2kmR5Zh-UHB_FnGumdSK8E4g1zjkzA0EDdI0a8jI20qfcr_I7dwq_42ZsPJHC0QbupBLoU2oTOvPNBHDOuLuk4eXFv9zvmKyZsV_w3qHkW8474ui-nRErVszLKSlA_I/s1600/h4hfelix.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjfcXdPuceGGS2kmR5Zh-UHB_FnGumdSK8E4g1zjkzA0EDdI0a8jI20qfcr_I7dwq_42ZsPJHC0QbupBLoU2oTOvPNBHDOuLuk4eXFv9zvmKyZsV_w3qHkW8474ui-nRErVszLKSlA_I/s400/h4hfelix.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506552966580282386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdguSFeXNl2rBcq3Y4pCZpWq0brzPKfMbPB7BBBe84UMn-2pYaPWrxvXtmiB2jnOzDeXmTtczWeYhTFKBKF2a_PFNv-U9pXu5K5SzGJArX17mqGZZ8IVfkrjpdFvC12ux3ExBDgJ2OOT0/s1600/h4hbn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdguSFeXNl2rBcq3Y4pCZpWq0brzPKfMbPB7BBBe84UMn-2pYaPWrxvXtmiB2jnOzDeXmTtczWeYhTFKBKF2a_PFNv-U9pXu5K5SzGJArX17mqGZZ8IVfkrjpdFvC12ux3ExBDgJ2OOT0/s400/h4hbn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506552642375706802" border="0" /></a></span></span>Thanks to Felix Stevens for being our Emcee for the night and being willing to play a song with us. And also a huge thanks to Jackie Frost, Libbie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Dunton</span> and Sheryl Warner for playing a set in the show. We couldn't have done it without the help of so many!<br /><br /><br />As for the rest of the Summer, Joseph and I have been working, sweating ridiculous amounts in this New York heat, enjoying youth camps, going to the beach, long boarding, going for late night <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Carvel</span> ice-cream runs, going to concerts and shows, going on short road trips, and that mostly sums it up. Pretty soon we will be visiting family out West once again which we are both excited about. So I'll be sure to post pictures of this sooner than my previous posts.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWHyEyKDAWwvyYpRe6g6u3Od2f8JuhqxXk1DDrgYyJc6Z_woz8UUKC634fNt_phkYAlPIK8rug-kFJRRL1GFc5yyBepQTx3G7TDcldK1OjBctpLO7YTTeWuPZur7P5Kw_RK3MR1UwfKE/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWHyEyKDAWwvyYpRe6g6u3Od2f8JuhqxXk1DDrgYyJc6Z_woz8UUKC634fNt_phkYAlPIK8rug-kFJRRL1GFc5yyBepQTx3G7TDcldK1OjBctpLO7YTTeWuPZur7P5Kw_RK3MR1UwfKE/s320/IMG_5315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506562602453231650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67ZRPBMv8fh3XfAEM9MaiFE6RNYFaYbTLYyJPPKpFllAkUi_qdaIJJpOilBo1J9DPi5u69-hS42OEQy5QBQgcVci41YzqssfLNu_sBw8AVFh3Pr3xmZO30Rx0O7Ny2aG6UPeWFXt8Tw0/s1600/IMG_5562.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67ZRPBMv8fh3XfAEM9MaiFE6RNYFaYbTLYyJPPKpFllAkUi_qdaIJJpOilBo1J9DPi5u69-hS42OEQy5QBQgcVci41YzqssfLNu_sBw8AVFh3Pr3xmZO30Rx0O7Ny2aG6UPeWFXt8Tw0/s320/IMG_5562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506558314612311474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu6bbEU91Jb9FhPGgyyz33Fj-9klZHgAkuBIZuKXjKhLVzjv5_wceMqyHICPArVKqbpIuEmVSs2fuEoS38U_G7tvtDZyyCXwe_ZRgXlTiqgdGj4ypnuet0Bi9kdluPCe9oGT_pEmhqQk/s1600/IMG_5596.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu6bbEU91Jb9FhPGgyyz33Fj-9klZHgAkuBIZuKXjKhLVzjv5_wceMqyHICPArVKqbpIuEmVSs2fuEoS38U_G7tvtDZyyCXwe_ZRgXlTiqgdGj4ypnuet0Bi9kdluPCe9oGT_pEmhqQk/s320/IMG_5596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506558463443282834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBs3yfx4Qr5DBaOeM9d-R3vfv9fb3RiENeiCgzFvUcnKbJ9If7NBkey12yamzGNXQhD3XDhLf8bM3yn2s5Z1KTgD0ArOe8YroQneUHnq3rLxuLh2QGHH347umcbtbXfMUh_3eogv0l-4/s1600/IMG_5612.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBs3yfx4Qr5DBaOeM9d-R3vfv9fb3RiENeiCgzFvUcnKbJ9If7NBkey12yamzGNXQhD3XDhLf8bM3yn2s5Z1KTgD0ArOe8YroQneUHnq3rLxuLh2QGHH347umcbtbXfMUh_3eogv0l-4/s320/IMG_5612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506558952134844130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkiHeeWcWeVk5vCrcXRZ-aG9IidldRB3OzZrFytYkaa05MCvX6dkevWRHVynkTqxW5M6_OBkdbEs4DPclZOX2czakGX8qBiUTP7MNUQPK77vHgHqIkaxUElwzZBCh7q3JL1Ug22q0QoE/s1600/IMG_5622.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkiHeeWcWeVk5vCrcXRZ-aG9IidldRB3OzZrFytYkaa05MCvX6dkevWRHVynkTqxW5M6_OBkdbEs4DPclZOX2czakGX8qBiUTP7MNUQPK77vHgHqIkaxUElwzZBCh7q3JL1Ug22q0QoE/s320/IMG_5622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506559487251954786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOg2_Z0K3ChRQUmeFWdcnzIwyOC-BS3YahV5NKC1Mn6WZYwFQhvxD8HDlh0VyfT4KC43nruwVMSNVazsii33VJqCKAZV5EalfGQulK1ruyFQoo3UupQLSc_DQm0SGQNEM6XQMOlTvh8U/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOg2_Z0K3ChRQUmeFWdcnzIwyOC-BS3YahV5NKC1Mn6WZYwFQhvxD8HDlh0VyfT4KC43nruwVMSNVazsii33VJqCKAZV5EalfGQulK1ruyFQoo3UupQLSc_DQm0SGQNEM6XQMOlTvh8U/s320/IMG_5641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506559655067029778" border="0" /></a><br />Summer to be continued...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-8468064664604153572010-03-16T18:53:00.001-07:002010-03-16T19:39:13.947-07:00A little update<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So perhaps it's been a little too long since I've posted last. This is true. But, nonetheless I am posting tonight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> <div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy-84Eq0_SWH63Iq3d8-a30OkUXiagU9aLQ-y-h1pDQi0Lx0QyM5PvaRkGmqFgV_nwUqFRwS65QGCjgejwxtj_dD0jUq_j7LvOnOP8rqgwDYtWMmbS4pJhabMTMwE8X2RBH5TmkeBVco/s320/photo-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449418530512110370" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I spent a good majority of February out West for the birth of my little baby nephew, Nixon Bradly Dame. It was an interesting experience seeing that I flew out there twice. The first time was a false alarm. The doctors had told my sister that they were going to take him 6 weeks early, and so I bought my ticket right away to be there not only as a support but to experience it all. Of course, the doctors had changed their minds, and decided to wait. They gave us the impression that the baby would just continue growing full term. So, I flew back home thinking that I would not be able to see the baby for a couple of months. The following week, the doctors found that the baby had stopped growing and decided to induce my sister the next morning. So, my sweet mom kindly let me use her extra flight miles to once again fly out for the birth of the baby. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZb4v2D0eSbx-bxaNYZ6oNnmLiy5WkNYdqGaWe_ksogfQmDmbHykl8ZEXIcaTyogtTawbVzBe8ePz3yfqnpljHaHao2SX-nLdZjxjrdLTVyMa-4Bd-OsJBc2xcqofNjwXb_YHyoxqJhY/s320/23993_365299893241_603938241_5140907_5324835_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449418921568009170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>He was born 4 weeks early and I made it literally right in time for the birth. It was so amazing to witness. He was a fighter from the first second he came out, and a tough little guy to endure all of the pokes and lights and beeping noises that he had to experience during the first week while he stayed in the NICU. But, gratefully everything went well and he is a growing happy little guy. So glad he is here with us. My friend <a href="http://www.thehollydays.blogspot.com/">Holly Hackett</a> made his hat. She is a talented gal.</div><div><br /></div><div>After coming back to NYC, my mom stopped for the night while flying home to where she lives in DR. We had a good time, and quickly saw a few of the classic NYC sites. She was only here for one night. We went to Times Square, and went to see Blue Man Group in Astor Place. It was fun to have her visit- even if the visit was short. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBOe9OT0_UMI6CMFw7u6CESPUaC6B4FcC1YgasEiv0KPnkcFTSmlOpqpT9PT6J8aD3_X7VwQAzNZJxHvAlTuOC4GOvuOfPIo6ZAb0phAIctIqeyp9tSeaLyxFcyjOXG8mYPW7TNgWBwE/s320/IMG_4719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449426664719838450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKXUJ0EkVDM5nWSAvSVr6JPfHFKPv6sWDW0vx0Yqe-fFsb-611eMjy6l4BY2Q98TxZmi6utVbHfPBdOr1SerQQ5I2u3s-_2a972nAFAdM0vfOz7C2iTMKgSb2PZUroVEPh5a39aqloIM/s320/IMG_4718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449422218141462962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-52737295944598913982009-11-29T18:30:00.000-08:002009-11-29T18:46:42.477-08:00It's time to celebrate Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7449rS2kLlBe3CORW6X3wGX3L8176bME-FTg6YlrQCLrL6gHv1k-4yCbC5MSEIa5eu89dfD4MRqE0OrqQdfE7t_kFGhY7W4U9Llv1kQL8HrI3pH8dWBEC-TMkYMgNzxaghwoJ0_R4eGs/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7449rS2kLlBe3CORW6X3wGX3L8176bME-FTg6YlrQCLrL6gHv1k-4yCbC5MSEIa5eu89dfD4MRqE0OrqQdfE7t_kFGhY7W4U9Llv1kQL8HrI3pH8dWBEC-TMkYMgNzxaghwoJ0_R4eGs/s320/IMG_4424.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409719107090497442" border="0" /></a>I got to pick our Christmas tree this year. Our first ever! Joseph didn't really like this one because he said it was "too small" (whatever), so he agreed to choose the tree next year if I got to choose this one. Why would we need a bigger tree? I just didn't get it. I think it's a guy thing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGe93F_8CSsbMt10U-NG0cLy7xSkTyGvEWtCcpvV79vsrMjLbButEDPNeAEid5PaePC17OcpbFTcp3DpyxH4VgF20NXEXnzUViMnDenQ5t82QyihaqWveTkOjhlXKvKrB0BvX6vhe2Y8/s1600/IMG_4430.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGe93F_8CSsbMt10U-NG0cLy7xSkTyGvEWtCcpvV79vsrMjLbButEDPNeAEid5PaePC17OcpbFTcp3DpyxH4VgF20NXEXnzUViMnDenQ5t82QyihaqWveTkOjhlXKvKrB0BvX6vhe2Y8/s320/IMG_4430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409719122990397618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-fqMKalHGq3SkNr2wU4uYI0COXqvWIP1b6noAznXw9pKUxjOFBYkcQZT4asxRuiR9yCoDnxkVjGceSdILu7TjrOS8RE2nrO3GSCB-IjITB8SPhOLpwUnH1WXBozyAU9OatMkzQbVGHA/s1600/IMG_4432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-fqMKalHGq3SkNr2wU4uYI0COXqvWIP1b6noAznXw9pKUxjOFBYkcQZT4asxRuiR9yCoDnxkVjGceSdILu7TjrOS8RE2nrO3GSCB-IjITB8SPhOLpwUnH1WXBozyAU9OatMkzQbVGHA/s320/IMG_4432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409719115272247842" border="0" /></a>Anyway, it was fun. We've never bought a tree before, and when I was growing up- the Christmas tree was never anything we really got that into. My dad bought a 6 dollar tree one year I remember because he bragged about how cheap it was all the time. (And as you can imagine, it was a sorry looking tree) Then another year, he cut down a bush/tree from our front yard for our Christmas tree and that was embarrassing. I think no tree might have been a better option that year. So needless to say- this was an exciting event for us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmqCmzKzSBpppoDv0Q_tQoCDM5sdwc2mNNTZIeST_Z7TpsN3XFWEOi1t4aFWO22Biz6zzEWt-6lJ2uom2DYqAIiEM6zlx135_zJsXCq8xgXzQZ8Le5HjFcQq1Xt13ffi3_LC_-mh5o1g/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmqCmzKzSBpppoDv0Q_tQoCDM5sdwc2mNNTZIeST_Z7TpsN3XFWEOi1t4aFWO22Biz6zzEWt-6lJ2uom2DYqAIiEM6zlx135_zJsXCq8xgXzQZ8Le5HjFcQq1Xt13ffi3_LC_-mh5o1g/s320/IMG_4425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409719109265315138" border="0" /></a>It smells wonderful, we love it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-88443096938719360582009-11-19T13:18:00.000-08:002009-11-19T14:16:41.793-08:00Water, Weed, Repeat: Transform your lifeJoseph and I have now been in our apartment for almost a month. And, during this time I've had a lot of time to myself which has allowed me to process a lot of things. I haven't had this much free time to govern for myself in years (or at least that is what if feels like). We moved here because Joseph found a job, which has been what I've been wanting since he graduated in May. So we were so excited to come and start this "new chapter" of our lives. This is the first time that at least one of us hasn't been in school our whole married lives (4 years). So, I came to New York excited, but still unsure of how if fit exactly in this new picture of our lives. I didn't know very many people around, I came with no job in place for me, and so when I first got here- I spent hours just cleaning the apartment, unpacking, and looking for jobs. This is what I did every day for about the first two weeks. However, I started noticing that if I didn't get everything done that I wanted to- then I started to feel bad and get kind of down on myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMkdA_HptbxP9dDlRdiKeLfRQGdkcnTNuWuCKRk454U1AVTU83F-zM_4bEiLpjeQa1HFIzW0fnF3zuNDVLFLgpfMjkyue7WYa3g_G20Z2CzKr_mz8-9tH41JjBGQqVPzftK4ojTSSHAI/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMkdA_HptbxP9dDlRdiKeLfRQGdkcnTNuWuCKRk454U1AVTU83F-zM_4bEiLpjeQa1HFIzW0fnF3zuNDVLFLgpfMjkyue7WYa3g_G20Z2CzKr_mz8-9tH41JjBGQqVPzftK4ojTSSHAI/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405937291968366690" border="0" /></a><br />While all of this was going on, a friend of mine asked me, "so have you been writing more songs?" and I thought about it and was embarrassed to admit that I actually hadn't even picked up my guitar since I'd been in New York. I hadn't given myself permission to do so. I had to ask myself in that moment what was really going on with me- why did I feel this great pressure to get so much done? It wasn't coming from Joseph. In fact, he asked why I didn't go explore the City more. Why was I feeling bad about myself if I didn't get these things done that I felt I needed to?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NrbdoTdWjLG4BIZO3l-iUDWIHm4jCLT13Y6ZavlUhPXoXrpQnQ-uyqOp1BjKeRZjEyNs2ZeAui69Ui2Y903qVV2vqSDGcJUct9IZHSwIoi-ZkEHDS8wSrvvrs7sC0FG2jt2L7zK5Vzg/s1600/516806801_f1a28aea3d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NrbdoTdWjLG4BIZO3l-iUDWIHm4jCLT13Y6ZavlUhPXoXrpQnQ-uyqOp1BjKeRZjEyNs2ZeAui69Ui2Y903qVV2vqSDGcJUct9IZHSwIoi-ZkEHDS8wSrvvrs7sC0FG2jt2L7zK5Vzg/s320/516806801_f1a28aea3d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405938882768172034" border="0" /></a><br />I began to realize that this was coming from feeling like I had to <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> all these things so that I could <span style="font-style: italic;">show</span> all of what I had done at the end of the day. That feeling gave me a sense of worth and purpose. I had always had a job and been busy with other things in the community, and that before had been part of what I based my worth and value on. I felt pride as I said to people when they asked me what I <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span>, "I work at a psychiatric hospital." That meant that I had worth in some way. But now, when people asked me, "what did you do today," I felt myself trying to justify my day and if I didn't have something to show for it- than it wasn't enough.<br /><br />I made a goal from that point on to write more, play more, and allow myself to enjoy each day. I started listening everyday to these CD's that I got Joseph for our anniversary gift. They're called, "Water, Weed, Repeat." They are CD's with a man named Tony Litster talking who created this program that helps people transform their self-image and create lasting change. It was actually listening to these CD's that helped me realize why I was feeling this way. I don't know if I would have noticed it before. But now, after working through this program- it is so clear to me where some of these thoughts, patterns and behaviors are coming from. And now that I'm aware of them, I am able to stop myself from thinking these things, and I'm able to really transform my belief about myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsELQOM8pTZLRbjnmrKV6b-0a0ckVwFexIy0BaUtu59sxsmi6O8T4O149_cdikL3V__i7p_wmqdmv5l0Atpp4VyoaEs9m6z2NvjSnklLzQUi4HIdwsSfOYHIhIEizuB49U8Tf0yfClQGI/s1600/newwaterweedbig.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsELQOM8pTZLRbjnmrKV6b-0a0ckVwFexIy0BaUtu59sxsmi6O8T4O149_cdikL3V__i7p_wmqdmv5l0Atpp4VyoaEs9m6z2NvjSnklLzQUi4HIdwsSfOYHIhIEizuB49U8Tf0yfClQGI/s320/newwaterweedbig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405927529603942594" border="0" /></a><br />Part of the program has you write your own positive affirmation (something that I used to do with the patients I worked with at Central State), but until now, I had never really recited the affirmation daily like I am now. I write it and say it to myself every day. I feel like it really is working. Going through this program is helping me to see myself more as God sees me and to accept myself. I never felt before like I had this terrible self-esteem. It wasn't until I had nothing- no one to talk to or distract myself with, no job, a busy husband at work and no close friends yet- that I started to realize that I felt kind of down about myself.<br /><br />As I have been listening to these CD's, and going through this program, I feel enlightened. I am really trying to now restructure the way I saw myself before. I recite this affirmation to myself everyday:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"I am a child of God. I have infinite worth and value. God loves me and accepts me as I am and I now fully accept myself. My soul is of great worth."</span></span><br /><br />I know that this is true and the more I say it the more it resonates within me that it is true. I fail sometimes, I think I'm right sometimes when I'm not. I make many poor choices, but God still loves me. Elder Maxwell said it this way, "your individual worth is already divinely established as great. It does not fluctuate like the stock market."<br /><br />I don't have a job yet. But that is ok, I'm going to get one soon. And what I <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> does not mean that that is who I <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span>. I am beginning to understand that <span style="font-style: italic;">being</span> is much more important than <span style="font-style: italic;">doing.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVphLBqkyNFF-a4470M0G5d7zmTuac3dnLAmFE2qCelJ5SVSSUj1uv2TuQ7MwYOZZSrnqrSsFG3e24fLM2hNNNd-D7YZTZxO2Q4uiwoTORt8GTTpzglUUDFhI_ySx4Q5jFchiPBwJ_C0/s1600/no_car_no_job_no_money_but_im_in_a_band_tshirt-p235296495783307917t5hl_400.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVphLBqkyNFF-a4470M0G5d7zmTuac3dnLAmFE2qCelJ5SVSSUj1uv2TuQ7MwYOZZSrnqrSsFG3e24fLM2hNNNd-D7YZTZxO2Q4uiwoTORt8GTTpzglUUDFhI_ySx4Q5jFchiPBwJ_C0/s320/no_car_no_job_no_money_but_im_in_a_band_tshirt-p235296495783307917t5hl_400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405941147138295202" border="0" /></a><br />So if anyone wants to know what I've been doing these last few weeks in New York, this is pretty much it. Of course there are other things that are going on, but not a lot for me to show for it. Just an apartment that I unpacked, many emails sent, no jobs yet, and time to exercise, write music, serve in calling at church, and listen to these CD's. It's been quite a process for me, and although challenging for me still, I'm loving it.<br /><br />(If you're interested in learning more about the CD's, or about Tony Litster, go to www.tonylitster.com. And, if you've really read all of this, I am impressed. I never read wordy posts. Give yourself a pat on the back.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-77372245059155467342009-11-10T17:36:00.000-08:002009-11-10T18:07:52.065-08:00Mom got hitched!<div style="text-align: center;">We had a good time visiting with family and friends and are excited about our family growing.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC8RqXRggZSepZ_hfUC4tbhROqErUc4AvlEmFbu6cEkv0X8XHweXU8ZMsMRjQBRslCgCtPriLstB2Jfeq2o18K_TJk2g3BEPIh2fzs0PJ-m62GzpORplJ3BFgMzlhXG7b_QcNzPFKay4/s320/IMG_4310.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402655327357775122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yay! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCkz8J-NKw1S05jQc829KhA_DTkJY0ZRkLV4Y7QBmjoXNdEg1QZDKymVSHw2OXzYXbu4Z0Ky1ItdyPQXDW7ALS1zpP8lJMCg2v1KR-seH67H5MeOn8vD2DW3vZSRAy1nnPAUSe7Z7Z8w/s320/IMG_4290.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402655319025282178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOwKmuP6G-TTMpNvjBe2sBoYSfS41AcWf3xgqWXiVJKNRDol3MY6ww4LGzkuKdNrX117MLr5RC3R9pq08vM6WAVxi35jwFSzMYMj1MjnwNelWrMjdWfbaV9E6hNzXVv9RZVwV_8VNyc4/s1600-h/IMG_4330.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOwKmuP6G-TTMpNvjBe2sBoYSfS41AcWf3xgqWXiVJKNRDol3MY6ww4LGzkuKdNrX117MLr5RC3R9pq08vM6WAVxi35jwFSzMYMj1MjnwNelWrMjdWfbaV9E6hNzXVv9RZVwV_8VNyc4/s320/IMG_4330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402655341292073090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cristi, Mandy, Alex, little Manu, and me hanging out with Grandma Gloria</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1ABOZY67nCGeowdfThUkyHy46sQmU-RsuDjNyWXDA4LonEWH1ctK99PgOlsXfCad7NWofCzhF2R1pCg26bdbaGjC_mncGCUJZP6i3HXWkuV8sCF92c6zioVqkG1daoL9NVt7LivtZZM/s1600-h/IMG_4313.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1ABOZY67nCGeowdfThUkyHy46sQmU-RsuDjNyWXDA4LonEWH1ctK99PgOlsXfCad7NWofCzhF2R1pCg26bdbaGjC_mncGCUJZP6i3HXWkuV8sCF92c6zioVqkG1daoL9NVt7LivtZZM/s320/IMG_4313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402655334249962370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Gotta love brother-in-laws</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-88284322408649879772009-08-19T13:47:00.000-07:002009-08-19T14:29:17.583-07:004 YEARS AGO!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhqgtfxdSV03QEjru9-kYckEl5j_CSHEMn6GYkj4HprgDiHrB62xnFKmqriOday6wNXpbKHbhaAiffxLOAXJYmWRx2gvIGSp12tkuVYl6-TvWbxUEzeLAcdrouJP40zhyD3m5ueupDpA/s1600-h/bianca.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhqgtfxdSV03QEjru9-kYckEl5j_CSHEMn6GYkj4HprgDiHrB62xnFKmqriOday6wNXpbKHbhaAiffxLOAXJYmWRx2gvIGSp12tkuVYl6-TvWbxUEzeLAcdrouJP40zhyD3m5ueupDpA/s400/bianca.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371780688843670802" /></a><br /><div>WOW! I can't believe 4 years have come and gone already. Happy 4th Anniversary B! Thank you for the all good times and sweet memories! Te Quiero mi amor! </div>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03948939149090133811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-75869080495508729652009-08-01T20:36:00.000-07:002009-08-01T21:01:51.645-07:004th of July<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G0TDfcncTSO6aGghSAwOY8nZjnRtCzlbPhlT_ZS8Hf-X9k1yWweqkIHzpq1yGAaqWPXn7auXL6geYzs0izQqGG_dL5jAhg3YwpoOpKOgwN4q4xgBGGLLcL80L_nM9WbwbmaWH84t5Ig/s1600-h/IMG_2197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G0TDfcncTSO6aGghSAwOY8nZjnRtCzlbPhlT_ZS8Hf-X9k1yWweqkIHzpq1yGAaqWPXn7auXL6geYzs0izQqGG_dL5jAhg3YwpoOpKOgwN4q4xgBGGLLcL80L_nM9WbwbmaWH84t5Ig/s400/IMG_2197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365205445444070594" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAq7vAZ530cIJvFCv6Sjf47ZbqZtQGSQ-xpUvih4sLl72q2OdIZITclK3tzGLRTkFaOGSbfrg0zbv4_w732UJ8QMAIgL3p5AhrJlkgQlU4UMwz4Hc1RgAhyW6zrk3JRzc0cIknSHKfPk/s400/IMG_2199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365205542184110914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>Joseph makes a great Uncle. He enjoys being a kid (probably more than the kids do) and I've got pictures to prove it. I love that about him so much (although there are times when it does drive me nuts, but for the most part, I love it.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the 4th of July weekend, we spent time at the Merkley's farm swimming all day, eating delicious food off the grill, and to top it all off at the end of the night- we set off fireworks and watched the fireflies put on a show of their own. It was such a nice weekend- fun to see the kids, and even more fun to watch Joseph play with them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7BJEBelVx3VqdScAB1LP8Kk85PfU8Kw5jIDblU1g5BUEGOJVwylfr6uT8CyVgMtzVmaMiRdVLvCJAhbvxtjQ5ghoDXeNCjPNqLIJGAAmhdLcocKnOUEqAmQIa9LkhKLWFwOsoVthNqQ/s400/IMG_2265.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365207267077244226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div>Now when it came to the fireworks, Joseph was the master... </div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg-ucKBaHiLJJiK3RGm58rRsG5b4_RmzuzU06Suw4471QuszX1frL95k_hwn-ZaDIKTPZBlLbNO1dNne67539nzEsZsQ0uebWs_YWIHrnHBeqFi99xi_oeQBQlntlVVShmeYXtnRpKOU/s400/IMG_2269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365207402871779714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V-7f2gEGwg0dkbIudJV9T01flRZ2jeR3PMBPSEFG-kRiIoh2hhBjZBEZnAkEy7YcLsE43Fyc6WaDYNnNB3ih34FV3QOb306hcpIzBB0Asvbm89z1TWummhx0ZGoLWUCz1fY0wdR5ucQ/s400/IMG_1255-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365208327462111042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...risking his life just for the sake of putting on a good fireworks show for the rest of us. I'm so proud. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx77jHtklClaRN4r2IasIs3LrAGXuHsE6CycezoG-84ZG6ejWP0gniGl6-hNr5rSJUUqdLdiTCDNDb8Mm9ee8AbXllqpgA0KlD3UG2j1wFH5MXofdKm3Wr6N5vXQP2B81AH-KijgFztek/s400/IMG_1256.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365210669534212770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-60572024434093640172009-06-29T19:39:00.000-07:002009-06-30T19:18:01.112-07:00GRADUATION + EL SALVADOR = GOOD TIMES<div style="text-align: left;">It's been a good couple of months. Sorry we haven't been faithful in updating this recently. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We'll start from May... Joseph didn't want for me to post this, but I just had to because it's a huge accomplishment. He graduated from graduate school at VCU in their advertising program. It was a long two years that seemed to go by quickly (weird how that happens), and it felt so good to finally finish- I think almost just as good for me as it was for him. Now I'm sure you are wondering as you read this, "what are you going to do next?" And that is a question we are asking ourselves as well. The idea after graduate school is to find an awesome job, but we're coming to find out that that is taking a little longer than we had originally planned. Even still, we are enjoying this time "off," and I am continuing to work at my job until we figure out what our plans are next. That is still a mystery, but we will keep you updated.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zoQkUhSL_WBM6jrJBnwzG7KrzJlSAIBoIdO7GSlzHHdRL5vb5flR8FGy0izqUuHwTNE2YfNMA2cUqUhyphenhyphenGXVSSSBSRx4tKrrKe8fV88XBxnwTgN2Ykw0HkXDnAgY71yqroBop__VctUs/s400/IMG_1577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352947208588974786" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After graduation, we were fortunate enough to get to go on vacation to El Salvador (where my mom is from). We'd been there before three years ago, but that was the only other time that Joseph had been. This trip was packed full of family parties and celebrations. Two of my cousins graduated high school, my aunt graduated from a program in business that she was doing, my sister had her birthday, and my other cousin had a baby shower. On top of that, we spent some days at the beach and went on a few scenic tours of El Sal as well. It was great. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYlfSru2LzLulJpYpDOo77-XYcHfOROOBxZX5w9is-jbP2ISmTvOsjz-7jGaeWWUJ7_6_J2f3QMeh9f0xlnzAxsXPV7s-gORUIVdokhHOwoHZgfSD0j0hwqvPwA6R1h7BbYkt-zqbOn0/s320/IMG_1791.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352951176188719650" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here was our first day there. All the ladies in our family got to go to the salon to get our hair and makeup done before the big graduation party for my cousin Alex. I think there was a total of 11 of us that day at the salon from our family. In this pic you see just me, my sis, my aunt and my mom looking super sexy after our day at the salon. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpgzN3OujvXmNDLsUw0PZGzmoyC2J-sOy15qAojToWsUdvDJwWbs_1IdVasd-g4QifkNrRp-0-xfkUFZyBl9MmPR4FQNV8ZWVb9fNAbdJLVDqglxD9rbH7KohphPtc78E2xuBO2QEUa0/s1600-h/IMG_1792.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpgzN3OujvXmNDLsUw0PZGzmoyC2J-sOy15qAojToWsUdvDJwWbs_1IdVasd-g4QifkNrRp-0-xfkUFZyBl9MmPR4FQNV8ZWVb9fNAbdJLVDqglxD9rbH7KohphPtc78E2xuBO2QEUa0/s320/IMG_1792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352951996913091666" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the picture above here you see Brooks and Joe on the dance floor before the carnival started... <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-c1CKCjV8Zf9qZpMdW-71iymUIiK0vC0YKvQfzAwgQCrswecn5T814z8i6iDajd-498ppkLWzpOL07F77g_lFGdNfEYoyu2CwtC22WgR4MaXmHD3BBjzOrMFJ-y6SrFEJT7KPUX2XxQ/s320/IMG_1847.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352953494769234194" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">...30 minutes later...the real party began. (Side note: they were the only ones wearing the fake hair in the entire place. And that is why we married them. )</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1Pw816zLIQuytKVlZ7P_Z1pRINC_nsBPtRyA4uxcCtFYeDm5-nLjG4gurEXy94yIEgrb5aqiVBWF8bN536SqhHmWkH9wzL-CihsxhGk_wHgHoJXcXeRgzLXP64BYI6zJbgNHFZ5tpKQ/s400/IMG_1852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352955239041839346" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the two of us with our party face on! And of course since we had been traveling all day and I had spent all night packing, not too much time passed before I was out.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:33px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGrc7mEgqW0cTvdAnnEzRFfP1_yQfkPu2q9eAWL-AumRlkxeOivfRB6auaZhfnQukE1SW96Aoc5SOiXZYPdX3ect09iIIc39NvBe6TvtNpnzd1MBGirCRxzIDB2Jp-9u8aUHAg1u5YWM/s400/IMG_1893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352955731465277650" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">20 minutes later at 1:30 am, which really was 3:30 am for us. (this is joe: if you look closely you can see a little drool)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7pFV37OLAHPOW6lgvsTGtJ_nbaQv4OJd9sq0PFlCCDLX7SmANhRavsxZQPsoYBDgMT_EthgOXWnNUj8vaVbj4sjJrwoWTnzvtSQ3dzdw3qo1ln9UfV6-ubpmCqDUmis3aU0PslF_wI8/s400/IMG_1960.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352958298190171698" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVd7Xrug8Tnrc-H157DF1rsJvsl_ScxqUQtBqt3x_3btp_4w-81Sqa-HaajImzFED721JK67eD2PdyWRvsdMNffI6TxswgBukMc2gVBLtieborUuRLDDkfrQDWxXs-LEK_O7qxXRRvXI/s400/IMG_1964.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352958304490602258" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Joe speaking) Here is a sweet old guy working on either a hammock or a blanket. It was pretty crazy to see how it all worked and just how long it took them to finish one...no electricity or machines, just pure 80 year old muscle. I don't exactly know what he is doing on the second image...I just thought it was a funny picture.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOJt9uGJJG1DXpX8XJVAlXFlupR4KGWX8SWKUlUvEKOwsXJ-usZ2PgV3wp4HRj-M9Oz92z1THLo_j4FSq2I1NloLEkX5GX4t0k1szJwKZkC-_5uVIe7rdKCxNKAo7_iOtSgkASda1tzA/s400/IMG_1975.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352961220402621074" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brooks and I after a good body surfing session...we were tossed around like little rag dolls, but it was all worth it. The wave in the background doesn't do it justice. They were seriously pretty intense....I promise.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:23px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_MO16UQDkYAXyjFvSFrccRFNALEZhU84z9zog-xI8viYZ7szQ5L7alnwJ2Jwd03T0L6_fqWkvuUHfqX3dv_wcTmMHDQHLAl4IUlAOXkKImwJeQHQZfu35q_kog9_7HBym2j1LlcN2rw/s400/IMG_2144.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353306494732543074" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi22yKAettV0l5qmZnGWox-eMFeoSAbTvmVERvZUNnYzdS03y8FvzDRRLpWIrHVU9K48HRy2El8AW5n9pSceuq0zjSBq4jG2tJFOSruNntZ7b6ATty7UbzoUElnsIjwFwImhWtaqx6Cu8/s400/IMG_2145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353307920879348130" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">(back to B) In between our family parties and chillin' on the beach, we took a few tours of El Salvador which my aunt had set up for us. Right as we were taking off in the tour bus, we hear this sudden loud bang behind us which happened to be a pole that the bus driver ran into. The best part about it was the drivers reaction. Brooks' facial expression above pretty much sums it up. "Este..."<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:23px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFL-oCAK5nroNBE_TdIynLa9A74S7xlA6NxoFm6oLLOZlsFobtTnpIJiKkvaURGdDccxll0wph1j77g0x4D4C6G9UkNZfW1QLAVkzoH82ZAyJYFnY3f_abGbz561QJ_pfTEp11uzukc2U/s400/IMG_2031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353307084282120514" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynq-NVCvRYCKKC4sPHl2Hmzap90BuU5ZmjT7T0Q0Cj5LhIQVbI-ope6nzZ_btiwWF2wmA7fygF-BdIkhXnwUnhycLBkEGQiHATgC0QNCzmKQQJfSpiW1COtbtKZcWFb3Yy2wY5eawrjQ/s400/IMG_2051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353298979024765234" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The picture you see here is a hike we took through the jungle that went around a crater and you could also see one of the volcanos from here as well. It was really pretty, I especially loved the hike. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXPeHDey3XTECTjUebCK_KD1y4d4sxPUMosN0fBPwrDeaeZiIrz6b1bgxOjkUsVIECH4HYEQQTmIAGrqWEU1VNbDYBboCoP4l-GOMW1d70O4rCsbjkH15RH28vaqNkHpcIhT_ylR_L7U/s400/IMG_2109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353298986609938706" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SI1sywaa1wKmKbKQdbs-ZCpOQ_jhWc6vF931XWypJXX72HtWK9tXZaWhc3xu61L0lh4xR2l-6fqRJoBlDSLf1GZfh-oHo-eygkkDL8L9GGZDw5HLGLRP7ZBeMIgg4YqoV9LKTlpIlMA/s400/IMG_2110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353298988900124082" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also went horse back riding on this tour- it was pretty awesome. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKukHYYuCedsYeVwO23uTdFaL5L16jZO7-bx4GWEAdMSKOnEhAFxiFA4LNZXPsaTr0JisDkyLXQc6XwzPx_uPnQPewbxHi0HnH3GFp8m32QFg2aNDpOiA1_geeAFUnGc3AfiJZueH8Kg/s400/IMG_2122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353299958262368642" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This picture is one of my favorites. How perfect is his face right now? He is always asking me to pose in pictures by myself which I hate- so I said, "here, you get in one." And now he knows how awkward it feels sometimes. </span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzmraVxToMyimawel4VhTnknBXeAqrtnlDUZGjlm9AYjDiMlpFMoJIg9XA0y0osETRLoQhCMLSe5DRO33aCk4v7XCxSo43dSnlkwJjJhLEzsq4t2wnF2S5EYFP-pEVnHI8_eHfptfMcc/s400/IMG_2124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353299965156778274" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In this picture, you see Brooks, Cristi, Daniel (my moms fiance), me and Joseph. Pretty, yeah?</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7KmsJL7CCNX7FHzS0fOMsJgjitTu5gnTCfE4ZgRzDEp2Ii5_OtO3U8PmElFVMTbFY6QMfIvB2Yv0S7Vp0rQUkftxCIY7L2QHcEU6k-oePSOWoE0sGDdCG6lHkoYZpqNMEt5iCaJOheA/s400/IMG_2127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353299969732053650" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sisters- love them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had so much fun during the trip, seeing the sites, hanging out on the beach, and I think best of all...getting to just chill with the fam. For now, these are all the pics we'll post, but we'll have more to come shortly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-56081035149455149612009-05-18T18:15:00.000-07:002009-05-18T18:21:56.231-07:00Summertime<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-FdneKcTo9v6SPnM7MnvwkrnSSU_IgvmiPUpKx2Be47yL6vzxQ0cigZwn9CRl9OwNK53MWjLzJp38Bcm5xl5-H5zYbgqTyudA1S-dGGYK5xJNm9h4ZKM-U601CSV80sDq4-tK806ZRU/s1600-h/Summertime.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-FdneKcTo9v6SPnM7MnvwkrnSSU_IgvmiPUpKx2Be47yL6vzxQ0cigZwn9CRl9OwNK53MWjLzJp38Bcm5xl5-H5zYbgqTyudA1S-dGGYK5xJNm9h4ZKM-U601CSV80sDq4-tK806ZRU/s400/Summertime.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337339140032852146" border="0" /></a><br />It was a sad reality that I had to face recently when I realized that there really is no such thing as "summertime" anymore. The meaning of the word no longer holds the joy and freedom that it has for so many years. All summertime means to me now is more 8-5 days...Monday through Friday...week after week. The smell of fresh cut grass, the warm breeze as the sun goes down in the late evening, and finally being able to pull out the flip flops...those are all wonderful things, but they don't quite hold the same meaning to me anymore. This is my first summer in the "real world." I never thought I'd say this before, but I kind of miss school.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-30734470832917127802009-03-29T14:49:00.000-07:002009-03-29T14:57:06.576-07:00Coming Soon...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO3cE8YkmHPqnRsMXU_MsjkW4dWa5bGa0G2KDz9gkbd0Tl_fzT1xWQCu5nP3fZF5jUAkuV2WUYdxsyv7WLJE0hEuIMJquPracYf8K4ApkvKHNHAZUpzlgpQftyJ80mFW1zF_PfUvSEpc/s1600-h/Bianca_Enter-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO3cE8YkmHPqnRsMXU_MsjkW4dWa5bGa0G2KDz9gkbd0Tl_fzT1xWQCu5nP3fZF5jUAkuV2WUYdxsyv7WLJE0hEuIMJquPracYf8K4ApkvKHNHAZUpzlgpQftyJ80mFW1zF_PfUvSEpc/s400/Bianca_Enter-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318731148979207970" border="0" /></a>I have exciting news! My website that has been "coming soon" for the last year and a half is finally finished and on the web! Thanks to my amazing husband who lovingly put hours of work into it- the website can now be found at www.biancamerkley.com- Please check it out! He did an amazing job.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-73979208526723093782009-03-04T19:54:00.001-08:002009-03-04T20:10:18.130-08:00What happens to Richmond when it snows??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPZlaeXrYddh455kfY3MGvtoVg4UjTueBblLX8kJ59uncVWyGqx_VfyK1vgK7U0tMfEwqSH0-EZV7cdBTYVYmGtkYumtkjY0eMr380Ms8kJdgtKYWg5n9nFxqS7VRDHYtFG_SQeUxPxM/s1600-h/IMG_1042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPZlaeXrYddh455kfY3MGvtoVg4UjTueBblLX8kJ59uncVWyGqx_VfyK1vgK7U0tMfEwqSH0-EZV7cdBTYVYmGtkYumtkjY0eMr380Ms8kJdgtKYWg5n9nFxqS7VRDHYtFG_SQeUxPxM/s320/IMG_1042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309547212665104466" border="0" /></a>So what do you think happens to Richmond when it snows 6-8 inches??? It is beautiful at first as you can see above.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EN2n1NiUxhsGQOd7JXg06GUYtSeLQJz4IzSYXa3XsUlSUsL2BG-07gIJPq_jV8UMW64nC_O-2MTpyh0P73xD5hneHe_7LnPuG-ixDd__0w6rQ2G_jPB4uB250IvGcYU4XBG1kUdx8-8/s1600-h/IMG_1068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EN2n1NiUxhsGQOd7JXg06GUYtSeLQJz4IzSYXa3XsUlSUsL2BG-07gIJPq_jV8UMW64nC_O-2MTpyh0P73xD5hneHe_7LnPuG-ixDd__0w6rQ2G_jPB4uB250IvGcYU4XBG1kUdx8-8/s320/IMG_1068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309547759297470514" border="0" /></a>Then later on after it begins to pour down thick- things start to happen. As you can see above- the wiring in Richmond needs some help. This is a picture of our back yard. I'm pretty sure that the pole you see is not supposed to be leaning. Anyhow, the result is what you will see below...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyNoXg2_J2Pv3Wsf1g91leZpK1t41Z17JaB23d-vDHIeWxYfwJxbOXFM8dmCHd5n303ApNio7jMKztCEzZ5og' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Huge explosions and power outages all over the city. What would be considered a light flurry in Salt Lake practically puts the entire city of Richmond to a halt. Gotta love Richmond!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHVeJf4DN_eqfThHeC7emahcol748eiZ_1Vipl7JAv3a1VdY9-llUu7LedCqIS9L3ug-HWFt7_FlZYc2vqX_YdbsJaSzt48eugntAgfIls0AelJZR2m4zgs7-0VWe2APMgfICNwUR3Hs/s1600-h/IMG_1059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHVeJf4DN_eqfThHeC7emahcol748eiZ_1Vipl7JAv3a1VdY9-llUu7LedCqIS9L3ug-HWFt7_FlZYc2vqX_YdbsJaSzt48eugntAgfIls0AelJZR2m4zgs7-0VWe2APMgfICNwUR3Hs/s320/IMG_1059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309547604443521666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0GdIouQ_C0DfOdcdGdeVBqS85vXy0jZmGCu5e9OvAvaTPolppuFy60KB-XkrWEqjklztN9tm0kCr8uWP_dVSH7rLik7fp8daK5orj_gypl1a1X7IKhyphenhyphenPtbXk6KJgojPTkJo5CFhDp2c/s1600-h/IMG_1047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0GdIouQ_C0DfOdcdGdeVBqS85vXy0jZmGCu5e9OvAvaTPolppuFy60KB-XkrWEqjklztN9tm0kCr8uWP_dVSH7rLik7fp8daK5orj_gypl1a1X7IKhyphenhyphenPtbXk6KJgojPTkJo5CFhDp2c/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309547461187890834" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-69038778855961910982009-03-04T18:07:00.000-08:002009-03-04T19:53:31.768-08:00music + family + friends = good times<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL98n1VNrvWTprUL0ysTEXgZJ1iUP3nrzXDVgM4NL4JT4l4MvYxPIVxnHHWaU9Nn-gkqCRkfHfvP-2J_PjhG3DvSMLTp7oiuHne4xOh-gjOLv4HKBGpyQNJtTB9_E8y3C4if6yVO7JDY/s1600-h/store_front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL98n1VNrvWTprUL0ysTEXgZJ1iUP3nrzXDVgM4NL4JT4l4MvYxPIVxnHHWaU9Nn-gkqCRkfHfvP-2J_PjhG3DvSMLTp7oiuHne4xOh-gjOLv4HKBGpyQNJtTB9_E8y3C4if6yVO7JDY/s320/store_front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309530709875192354" border="0" /></a><br />Ellwood Coffee is a great community place. It offers the best in delicious, organic, fair trade, food and drinks. This past Saturday, my friend Naomi and I played at the new Ellwood's Coffee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EWgXZozLvILuwlSYeIuWMbs_-OmiCqWGXQBrHaoCr0NYXBQmOLJAXIRnJj8VWKZQi9tAusrD8Q00fJMqt-eNhxv1805ReYN1Jd6CWWIYIzqmzudhWVUnSmTPxUO2BP_8V4UWfWhbY_I/s1600-h/IMG_0969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EWgXZozLvILuwlSYeIuWMbs_-OmiCqWGXQBrHaoCr0NYXBQmOLJAXIRnJj8VWKZQi9tAusrD8Q00fJMqt-eNhxv1805ReYN1Jd6CWWIYIzqmzudhWVUnSmTPxUO2BP_8V4UWfWhbY_I/s320/IMG_0969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309529367766947218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcEDMtVj5MCyYvrYvwTU-k1kMzDflOYv2Yz0W1o3uKhMX11BmbIs7jyWDSuCielq9TfpkhDbUKA2R29CwRxeHWQkmfoP3F9bUp8QsTIsCqjjcyqBzRhdqOvwdJmcUSOzG9LAZj-nSp9M/s1600-h/IMG_0961.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcEDMtVj5MCyYvrYvwTU-k1kMzDflOYv2Yz0W1o3uKhMX11BmbIs7jyWDSuCielq9TfpkhDbUKA2R29CwRxeHWQkmfoP3F9bUp8QsTIsCqjjcyqBzRhdqOvwdJmcUSOzG9LAZj-nSp9M/s320/IMG_0961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309529102734209890" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafoj5gsNTLx8qu4A1StfN659fmUO9Do2JwO9eUSfFKBd-WlS4JpZtzfjJZLsMrnlzKAsiTPnfJSZHqmfUqJ08LM25V6-HBPKZKxmwVLcOJxt1FSUWHRkzTZ1z46TUb-2mBp_qHzw0OwY/s1600-h/IMG_0986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafoj5gsNTLx8qu4A1StfN659fmUO9Do2JwO9eUSfFKBd-WlS4JpZtzfjJZLsMrnlzKAsiTPnfJSZHqmfUqJ08LM25V6-HBPKZKxmwVLcOJxt1FSUWHRkzTZ1z46TUb-2mBp_qHzw0OwY/s320/IMG_0986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309540451571577266" border="0" /></a><br />We had so much fun and enjoyed spending the night playing music and mingling with family and friends that came by for a listen. Thanks to those who came out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-2089840220047852212009-02-12T18:49:00.000-08:002009-02-12T18:58:17.650-08:00Thursday NightIt's Thursday night- and I think that mentally I've already checked out for the weekend. I have that careless and relaxed feeling that usually accompanies Friday afternoon-<br /><br />I've been getting lost here in front of the computer for the past hour and every time I think I am just about to X-out of every page I suddenly think of one more thing I want to do on the computer...like post on the blog for instance. <br /><br />Anyway, just wanted to post on here and say that overall- life is good. I can't complain. I am continuing to learn and grow at my job- so that is a good thing. But, I must admit, after an hour of looking at other people's blogs and seeing what seemed like hundreds of baby pics, I'm kind of wishing that was my life. Someday at least.<br /><br />Joe continues to be busy at school. Just a few more months though! We are getting to the end. Can you believe it?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-91493459849687893732009-01-06T19:03:00.001-08:002009-01-06T19:39:41.361-08:00Goodbye 2008It's officially 2009! That is exciting to me for some reason. I just feel good about 2009, I think good things are coming. Joseph will finish up grad school in 2009! That is already something we are anxiously excited for... and with that graduation will come a lot of changes... and I am hoping and anticipating that they will be good changes.<br /><br />It has been a while since we have posted on here and I have quite a bit to catch up on. So I will go back a little.<br /><br />First of all...Thanksgiving. For Thanksgiving this year, we had so much fun because Mandy, Cristi, Brooks and my mom can out to visit us! We got to celebrate Mandy's birthday together as well as Thanksgiving in Williamsburg. I had never been to Williamsburg before, so I was a little worried that it might not be as fun and interesting as everyone had told me it was. But we had a really good time. As you can tell by the pictures, we really tried to experience Williamsburg to the fullest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqffHrU7wL0B_gYtUqU16VL02KO-UavJAsknX_vr_RWEwx3JtjISJABdlRIU8ej7eY502AHB30z00zDhaSzW2vuEM42yDgVM6YvnMu5An7gLPxiFw4mQgsJzXJF5is2OWdUa2a3MxmAU/s1600-h/IMG_0638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqffHrU7wL0B_gYtUqU16VL02KO-UavJAsknX_vr_RWEwx3JtjISJABdlRIU8ej7eY502AHB30z00zDhaSzW2vuEM42yDgVM6YvnMu5An7gLPxiFw4mQgsJzXJF5is2OWdUa2a3MxmAU/s320/IMG_0638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288384227459271410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r2K4YFXTFrAkp7DQgHkTjdROHCA2OJaxEKVs0v_aUrh1HLeJbHlqrcKrvIEF7DckLy2v-sNMq-biFn6y6DFqzxYGZUUOmhdUZsBTWGr0APirYXyUmazopM4__ece3HoozceT24XwwtM/s1600-h/IMG_0633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r2K4YFXTFrAkp7DQgHkTjdROHCA2OJaxEKVs0v_aUrh1HLeJbHlqrcKrvIEF7DckLy2v-sNMq-biFn6y6DFqzxYGZUUOmhdUZsBTWGr0APirYXyUmazopM4__ece3HoozceT24XwwtM/s320/IMG_0633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288383729304077282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68NCFj3yZpJ9QXmPlQcdPO8jgCfx119hFVNLoRKmqAY5DFTKgpm2kQyQbDCtvD7qCvxglXGjyV9Fbp6ZLuTM7nar8imb0p_A32hh2Ok875EA7yzbDBKG167CJZ8CJZIRDDJohr2stO7I/s1600-h/IMG_0634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68NCFj3yZpJ9QXmPlQcdPO8jgCfx119hFVNLoRKmqAY5DFTKgpm2kQyQbDCtvD7qCvxglXGjyV9Fbp6ZLuTM7nar8imb0p_A32hh2Ok875EA7yzbDBKG167CJZ8CJZIRDDJohr2stO7I/s320/IMG_0634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288383933909798354" border="0" /></a>After they left, it was hard to go back to work and get back into the routine of things. I have to admit, I had so much fun with them that it was really hard for me to see them leave. I was able to get back into the swing of things after about a week, and the fact that Christmas and New Years was approaching made it that much easier to continue forward.<br /><br />We had a really nice Christmas and New Years break with a good amount of time off to chill out. We also went all over the place it seemed. Joseph and I went up to Wilton, CT where he grew up and spent time with friends family for a few days. We met up with Sarah in New York and went to see the train they have at the botanical gardens. They have created an entire town out of all natural products from plants and trees, and it is pretty unreal! The detail was amazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOCqN7Mz-7DEVK7MjbMtetkR2m3YoYoJ_qtsj_SX98fpU_3yE9oH0kN9CZp1BmaAChVxZaNBCceB7tZmryA14n-v3yjtV4HTjMqzIZdu6tiCmNuyoISOODxKXQeVaed-tlpKu6ix-Phw/s1600-h/IMG_0730.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOCqN7Mz-7DEVK7MjbMtetkR2m3YoYoJ_qtsj_SX98fpU_3yE9oH0kN9CZp1BmaAChVxZaNBCceB7tZmryA14n-v3yjtV4HTjMqzIZdu6tiCmNuyoISOODxKXQeVaed-tlpKu6ix-Phw/s320/IMG_0730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288387160624087954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCKyp6BkIOHftg74_HWnRpbRi-ZZzoLIe298C0hZxZsFQvxq2yd6aZ_jFezF1j3myqJgN28BzVjUgI-sikpX-tyHcZXGpL47UH1KlDMcmNgeBfPi0Ds9MHaHISuGqe2lokmB3u0tA-qk/s1600-h/IMG_0746.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCKyp6BkIOHftg74_HWnRpbRi-ZZzoLIe298C0hZxZsFQvxq2yd6aZ_jFezF1j3myqJgN28BzVjUgI-sikpX-tyHcZXGpL47UH1KlDMcmNgeBfPi0Ds9MHaHISuGqe2lokmB3u0tA-qk/s320/IMG_0746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288387502940636418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXGqPre457dB0yH-HYbF6yL7LhTiicshCr0HRZFeGLzH3oCQpO0Nq6fO-KIx3CUGRskCbui1Mw7daINAI0rvLiil6fR5-DCWv5vQ7Zm9qLUD0e2iIKyGBSHQ3QQflX8WFK1NdeOblKJk/s1600-h/IMG_0755.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXGqPre457dB0yH-HYbF6yL7LhTiicshCr0HRZFeGLzH3oCQpO0Nq6fO-KIx3CUGRskCbui1Mw7daINAI0rvLiil6fR5-DCWv5vQ7Zm9qLUD0e2iIKyGBSHQ3QQflX8WFK1NdeOblKJk/s320/IMG_0755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288387367187403682" border="0" /></a><br />We also had a chance to do some ginger bread house making with our friends, the Pratts, one night. Ours for some reason turned out to be an LA house. We have a half pipe and a pool in the back yard. (Clearly Joe's idea)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1wCqlakmIp6EkDJjkfKaTZaizTFEhuGbeYSGdl3_djRRSApxkyMC2kDn-Fzq9XywoBrfJO3FZ_GJipLsjLD_VJpSvqHGc4deWNTQsCXYjBLIIha_ieNcszvptCGuRSa2_t1gCbkxoyY/s1600-h/IMG_0786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1wCqlakmIp6EkDJjkfKaTZaizTFEhuGbeYSGdl3_djRRSApxkyMC2kDn-Fzq9XywoBrfJO3FZ_GJipLsjLD_VJpSvqHGc4deWNTQsCXYjBLIIha_ieNcszvptCGuRSa2_t1gCbkxoyY/s320/IMG_0786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288388266871464146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKBnYbPaKfcHaiUYWeyqFo6lsOsawt63ERmeXGGoJ02iIEcOvbG4s9biUSSsJK9uIG2sl3OX14NTae61kWsWi_lccLRAOSHjrrmU1JRpan2dRzZSog4ie_17RW9QRILbhOUevzxjC4uE/s1600-h/IMG_0795.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKBnYbPaKfcHaiUYWeyqFo6lsOsawt63ERmeXGGoJ02iIEcOvbG4s9biUSSsJK9uIG2sl3OX14NTae61kWsWi_lccLRAOSHjrrmU1JRpan2dRzZSog4ie_17RW9QRILbhOUevzxjC4uE/s320/IMG_0795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288388774556249410" border="0" /></a><br />We also had a chance to play in the snow up there with the Francia family. It snowed quite a bit when we were up there. I miss the snow, but I'm not so sure I miss the cold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGxAgNbbTNBct96vcDgOKn66_XFiQbobJV8UoQuMxQn4i1M4akvQUa5OveGFY_RipcZbdXc0_eYUD_JHVIzzhwou6v5S5nWrFkQDdR5Pokbm1SKBmCO667EhmoIVAbCZ-o9vA6NFGRlA/s1600-h/IMG_0767.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGxAgNbbTNBct96vcDgOKn66_XFiQbobJV8UoQuMxQn4i1M4akvQUa5OveGFY_RipcZbdXc0_eYUD_JHVIzzhwou6v5S5nWrFkQDdR5Pokbm1SKBmCO667EhmoIVAbCZ-o9vA6NFGRlA/s320/IMG_0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288389559763647154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6fu1H272aPrIy4ANUP4Ddadosmz9_NlLzNhf-VETDmLmzLIVrWA9BlOOvJ3bupS9b-kIeOCwDJF5nK5-vlfnMslgSlKYMxlJzkGCAHjSUTzkdz3Dmgh-8rE_UCbYINoyz1OnhCrU0Uc/s1600-h/IMG_0769.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6fu1H272aPrIy4ANUP4Ddadosmz9_NlLzNhf-VETDmLmzLIVrWA9BlOOvJ3bupS9b-kIeOCwDJF5nK5-vlfnMslgSlKYMxlJzkGCAHjSUTzkdz3Dmgh-8rE_UCbYINoyz1OnhCrU0Uc/s320/IMG_0769.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288389872623832722" border="0" /></a>Look at how cute this little girl is. You gotta love the suit.<br /><br /><br />Finally...to end out trip and vacation, we spend Christmas and a few days after the new year at the Merkley's farm in C-ville. It was much warmer than NY and we got to spend days by the fire and take walks out in the beautful woods. It was very relaxing and we had a great Christmas. It was different this year because there were no kids around, so we woke up late, ate late and opened our gifts around noon. It was a nice way to end the Holidays.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOU05sTN-qI48-k1qXWZTYjhqdUX-Ikr86p5w7pZFIw1P7RzfKjQHmwvS6N58CQuPCyZIEPNv9wB0fNYV4s2q4iXQd7bDihUo7H_yb0u2FT_O_2zgzB36HuTNzMZkjfrZ0HxuGlEik7g/s1600-h/IMG_0917.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOU05sTN-qI48-k1qXWZTYjhqdUX-Ikr86p5w7pZFIw1P7RzfKjQHmwvS6N58CQuPCyZIEPNv9wB0fNYV4s2q4iXQd7bDihUo7H_yb0u2FT_O_2zgzB36HuTNzMZkjfrZ0HxuGlEik7g/s320/IMG_0917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288390492071602754" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-2520567078468731922008-11-21T17:15:00.000-08:002008-11-21T17:17:34.539-08:00Possible Christmas Gifts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvBlzxOz_ItgiPYHksdfBKp3G2rmhR1_7VDmXsVroaqTEZKq6COlHAPJrIP8b4S3vuIgmFMppYH-KNZEuSv6d5ZWaaTCEqKZO0guBoFyqXdYDOw7QK2ANJgTUwnKiYODVbZ38IgiUPqA/s1600-h/IMG_9787.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvBlzxOz_ItgiPYHksdfBKp3G2rmhR1_7VDmXsVroaqTEZKq6COlHAPJrIP8b4S3vuIgmFMppYH-KNZEuSv6d5ZWaaTCEqKZO0guBoFyqXdYDOw7QK2ANJgTUwnKiYODVbZ38IgiUPqA/s320/IMG_9787.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271284553823297826" border="0" /></a><br />I have finally gotten around to posting some of the jewelry I've made on Etsy.com. If you want to check it out you can find it at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6081982Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-53296139544453559052008-11-11T18:31:00.000-08:002008-11-11T18:53:00.629-08:00Happy Halloween!This year was similar to last year in that we hadn't decided on a costume until literally right before the Halloween party we went to. I had gone to the dollar store and to Target in search of something cheep and yet amusing. Nothing was to be found except $50 costumes on the shelf that were quite ridiculous for the price. And the dollar store- there are no costumes for a dollar even though I had hoped I might find some awesome make-shift costume for a buck or two. They did have fake leaves for sale at Kroger however, so I thought I'd create something...I thought I could pin those leaves to me and I'd dress in all brown and be...you guessed it....a tree. So I bought my leaves and safety pins and headed home. Little to my surprise, Joe was not impressed with my creative contraption- and he decided to look on line for something better.<br /><br />5 minutes before our party he found something that was better than my tree idea- hard to believe, I know- but we ended up being "Mavericks" for the night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CINL3GsCiWpGm3pCsVFCWjC1VhbBIW2ALS483QRssqMWplUN9eTquWXa2e3lz0B1zlm7YUfvkgNyYsfVm3xIdd-OrH3ObDo7u5gSKsFOgBodourM9IylzSKqT9N-Cvjna28fT9HVSsQ/s1600-h/IMG_0482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CINL3GsCiWpGm3pCsVFCWjC1VhbBIW2ALS483QRssqMWplUN9eTquWXa2e3lz0B1zlm7YUfvkgNyYsfVm3xIdd-OrH3ObDo7u5gSKsFOgBodourM9IylzSKqT9N-Cvjna28fT9HVSsQ/s320/IMG_0482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267596305420962738" border="0" /></a><br />And his school buddies especially loved it being that only 3 out of 200 students are republican. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3-cTvfhjrqkv1Apr8XxRxwr81299IX14jcje4f_D2jgIfbbYkWHAFFIdwhhkea2xkTJ8uVfwzlPOY_2ygpgp2U3wxxO0_-kIisbKu1-g_YkVVQHQvNd279gPz7dcbPHE0U4w_yfG8FY/s1600-h/IMG_0483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3-cTvfhjrqkv1Apr8XxRxwr81299IX14jcje4f_D2jgIfbbYkWHAFFIdwhhkea2xkTJ8uVfwzlPOY_2ygpgp2U3wxxO0_-kIisbKu1-g_YkVVQHQvNd279gPz7dcbPHE0U4w_yfG8FY/s320/IMG_0483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267596851930182354" border="0" /></a><br />Before the Brand School party, we went to a dinner party with some friends from church. We had delicious soups and bread, watched some old school scary movies and had the "best costume" competition. I can't believe we didn't win. Just kidding, we only spent 10 minutes on our costume, so we definitely don't deserve best costume. But none the less, it was still a good time. We did have a happy Halloween!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxI8AyxGkMLV_cb4opzo2xcKthctdsRzw2hD6qMPinLPN0WuFqlwv-Dx8AgqheuTqDXNHBprC1qfX2Cfe3Fayayo4cufczN_gvwvhNdHN5mpBydp7Fecn5YT9mOE1Denugb8woH6-4Dk/s1600-h/IMG_0475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxI8AyxGkMLV_cb4opzo2xcKthctdsRzw2hD6qMPinLPN0WuFqlwv-Dx8AgqheuTqDXNHBprC1qfX2Cfe3Fayayo4cufczN_gvwvhNdHN5mpBydp7Fecn5YT9mOE1Denugb8woH6-4Dk/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267597918844055618" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-27251821013525294242008-09-30T19:08:00.000-07:002008-09-30T19:34:23.682-07:00Just us girls and the new job-<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2a22MqTTvlQiepd0atmP6Vm4mPS485FybnIJEOImuY0FtJNT66dOIbBvmSWE6MfOxq9okX8Errg7p5djay3YKgog_uo6aGGymtbzBu0_qV5a8dWjx8tHOkWKo6-Ghpi_8Iq43vTlGWo/s1600-h/guinea+pigs+095.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2a22MqTTvlQiepd0atmP6Vm4mPS485FybnIJEOImuY0FtJNT66dOIbBvmSWE6MfOxq9okX8Errg7p5djay3YKgog_uo6aGGymtbzBu0_qV5a8dWjx8tHOkWKo6-Ghpi_8Iq43vTlGWo/s320/guinea+pigs+095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252002412103252514" border="0" /></a>So, just about a week ago, I got to go to visit my family in Utah. My sister Cristi was going to be in town, as well and my grandma, so it was really fun to have time to hang out with just us girls. It was a pretty last minute decision to go out west, but it all just seemed to fall into place- so I couldn't turn down the offer when my mom found one spot left on the flight to Utah using her flight miles.<br /><br />We had such a great time together. Here is one of the things we did which was give our cute and very old dog, Patch, a bath. I got Patch when I was in 3rd grade which makes her 16 years old now! How crazy is that? She is the cutest little thing, but sadly has a harder time these days with running or going up the steps. She also has some really nasty breath, and there is some kind of growth that has appeared on her upper lip- it makes us laugh.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkwGl3xAUYpTAJHKv0i_3R6cf1GMh8sla0o0tycuNXVF-WQuRIO8f7utaRkdieGd66SG_xyFGSR6g-6ZUWwzFbqNZ9xnvV5dJggPRtsXtaRVjg1KYUKDZZ_0zvKBAdUFryXQu_MeRL_U/s1600-h/guinea+pigs+068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkwGl3xAUYpTAJHKv0i_3R6cf1GMh8sla0o0tycuNXVF-WQuRIO8f7utaRkdieGd66SG_xyFGSR6g-6ZUWwzFbqNZ9xnvV5dJggPRtsXtaRVjg1KYUKDZZ_0zvKBAdUFryXQu_MeRL_U/s320/guinea+pigs+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252002593730314018" border="0" /></a>Here is the before picture...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs_-yRvTVZTbehlxI8KnO4CjhCEmdpdHeX12eZkI48hnlHgqjM5x_Y26IfE0fcf2nbu2ezmV1FG_q-Ef1Hc2kU4UEvn7mcLOMYP77DSTM1IwfMtpTqXY-7f2x3-LWXCDIpj2cqCUvvr0/s1600-h/guinea+pigs+084.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs_-yRvTVZTbehlxI8KnO4CjhCEmdpdHeX12eZkI48hnlHgqjM5x_Y26IfE0fcf2nbu2ezmV1FG_q-Ef1Hc2kU4UEvn7mcLOMYP77DSTM1IwfMtpTqXY-7f2x3-LWXCDIpj2cqCUvvr0/s320/guinea+pigs+084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252005498860030514" border="0" /></a>...And here is the after. She looked and smelled so much better!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTahsOjFErrZb9I3EwuPY9rKijVMZ9ewPZglSeTv2WplDfGV7AtCZPVx50oyFWaDM4H9dUAt72qJaeI-g_2QQOL_hLDgHRSiAb0U7BnwWpItzKsDw0hloQRZyNYjWPNaBwdSk_D3qHqtU/s1600-h/IMG_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTahsOjFErrZb9I3EwuPY9rKijVMZ9ewPZglSeTv2WplDfGV7AtCZPVx50oyFWaDM4H9dUAt72qJaeI-g_2QQOL_hLDgHRSiAb0U7BnwWpItzKsDw0hloQRZyNYjWPNaBwdSk_D3qHqtU/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252002962091716626" border="0" /></a>Since I've been back from Utah last week, I have taken my certification exam (which I passed!) and I have also started my job at Central State Hospital. I've got my keys and ID here to prove it. So far things have been going pretty good. I met the other MT's there which was great- and I've just been observing groups so far because I am still in training. I am looking forward to starting my own groups there- but for now I am just trying to learn everyones names. It has been hard because I meet new faces every day! But, I'm hoping I'll get it straight soon.<br /><br />Anyhow, Joseph has been really busy with school, but is enjoying it! We have been very blessed so far this school year and things seem to be really coming together. Sorry it has been a little while since I posted last- now that we have a new camera, I promise we will work on posting more often!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-79660946894800680792008-09-09T20:31:00.000-07:002008-09-09T20:54:14.367-07:00Back in the swing of things...I am sorry that we have not posted anything cool as of late. Joe has seemed to misplace our camera I'm afraid, and so we haven't been able to post the great pictures we have from our anniversary/birthday trip to the outer banks. But, I'm hopeful that we will find it, and we will post those pictures as soon as possible.<br /><br />As for now, we have not been really living the exciting life. Joseph's school schedule is really starting to kick in, and I am still on the job hunt but had an interview today, so that is good. I have have been babysitting on the side, making jewelry to sell at the local farmers market, and I have also been doing my music stuff as well. I actually wrote a new song just this week! So, although I don't have a "real" job, I've been keeping myself pretty busy. This week I will also be substituting for a teacher at where I did my internship, so we'll see how that goes. I've kind of always dreaded the thought of being a substitute teacher only because I remember how we used to feel about them when I was in middle school and high school...but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.<br /><br />Anyhow, that is where we are at right now. Here is a picture of some of the jewelry I've made using natural beads that we brought back from South America.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiptt3IM5vbm5-wqnb7-RTrrspvKOciSmXUJMTRnndNm_RgyQ0yXjLzkZJmigftiRaX9Vu4-tdO80LUSkQoyOg30xtiocQWwINmwngmceZLxFt06_7L2dnKCgePpsq6C_9kGYGvB1yhg/s1600-h/biancurly+073.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiptt3IM5vbm5-wqnb7-RTrrspvKOciSmXUJMTRnndNm_RgyQ0yXjLzkZJmigftiRaX9Vu4-tdO80LUSkQoyOg30xtiocQWwINmwngmceZLxFt06_7L2dnKCgePpsq6C_9kGYGvB1yhg/s320/biancurly+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244233397550707394" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-43981952269475028562008-08-24T18:14:00.000-07:002008-08-24T18:28:07.019-07:00There's no place like home...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaryRhp1AhZDWlAyvKijhyI3KSVf1Irj9O0biJ1pCbXNI8B9_AiBzsuBrhFIWSWaB2PGtNbDDhyBzSVOFl14KaU_gzd-2d1tvy_EazbNzHHpQtgvJ3OhGSZJwDt7TmRkF8ZDDWdrOLS0/s1600-h/flag-k-sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaryRhp1AhZDWlAyvKijhyI3KSVf1Irj9O0biJ1pCbXNI8B9_AiBzsuBrhFIWSWaB2PGtNbDDhyBzSVOFl14KaU_gzd-2d1tvy_EazbNzHHpQtgvJ3OhGSZJwDt7TmRkF8ZDDWdrOLS0/s320/flag-k-sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238259613155452674" border="0" /></a>Well, we're back now. And although the trip to Colombia was so amazing, it feels great to be back. Even just arriving to the airport, I found myself suddenly so excited about once perceived common luxuries such as drinking fountains and endless supplies of toilet paper in the bathroom (that is free mind you)! It was quite wonderful. We had "American" Chinese food in the airport on our layover and it was delicious! It will be a little while before I bust out the beans and rice I think. :)<br /><br />Now Joseph has started school and we are just getting back into the swing of things. We're almost all the way moved back into our apartment. And I am currently studying for my certification exam and looking for jobs. Finding a "real" job is kind of hard. But, I am continuing the search and I know something will work out the way it needs to.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-43521345598350893362008-08-11T20:03:00.000-07:002008-08-11T20:34:25.678-07:00Saying GoodbyeWell, I'm sad to say that our time here is coming to an end. We recently said goodbye to our 31 children at the foundation. I made little cards for each of them with a little note that I put on their beds before we left. I wanted them to feel like they were important as an individual. It took me quite a while to finish, and some of them will toss it into the trash right away I'm sure, but I hope it will mean something to someone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa_RIdwVYdhwJhNjG8nzdJmO9zAX8v8Xz_imEKIfMI2T3-BahzMNJQB92CPFk3Kz4mVdQ3JFxSUvXWnmpQcq9n3_XaLKBD14g2ebrqfrw7rCtk3sjNXkyAsQbcRqNKoBVXRt7cWCtqrM/s1600-h/Fundamor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa_RIdwVYdhwJhNjG8nzdJmO9zAX8v8Xz_imEKIfMI2T3-BahzMNJQB92CPFk3Kz4mVdQ3JFxSUvXWnmpQcq9n3_XaLKBD14g2ebrqfrw7rCtk3sjNXkyAsQbcRqNKoBVXRt7cWCtqrM/s320/Fundamor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233463266047560178" border="0" /></a><br />It was hard to leave- we were sad to go and hope that they know that we love them and are not leaving out of rejection to them but because we have to. We are hoping to keep in touch and told them that we would call when we got back to our home in the States.<br /><br />This last week we were busy at the foundation building a garden. As you can tell from this picture, I had to really hold them back at first from not all working at the same time (just kidding). They were actually not as excited about it at first as I was, but they still enjoyed it and when it was finished, I think they were proud of what it had become.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqEFaHNQmg59cl3XYRBnNxUDRyy5exEUOG468qbwl9M3_ILT3HRdrEsTDlpewx0hWkVzRxmIlhpkjBFBufvX4RDnQs0YA0PDyHfUTWflUTUKR_GzIY64OFcs41alXOI6mmLlRigYabDk/s1600-h/IMG_4719.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqEFaHNQmg59cl3XYRBnNxUDRyy5exEUOG468qbwl9M3_ILT3HRdrEsTDlpewx0hWkVzRxmIlhpkjBFBufvX4RDnQs0YA0PDyHfUTWflUTUKR_GzIY64OFcs41alXOI6mmLlRigYabDk/s320/IMG_4719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233464432040230386" border="0" /></a><br />We plated carrots, lettuce, cilantro and beets. I am hoping that the vegi's will grow that that they'll be able to make salads with it. Here's kind of a cute picture that Joseph took. It looks like he's thinking to himself, "Please God, make this garden grow- it will take a miracle." That was pretty much my thought as we were doing it. I really didn't know what I was doing. But thank goodness we had one of the workers there help us out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgwCvkBZaBwQmvcoGlZn1KJWNJK2v3vw5jN03Ij-43HPiuJTI3TzsQU_5dS-5SMcn_XlisGFxiKmh7ZrMViWxIRVwJornaEOrqx3DiuXMaROWivJ8N32BBd3YWrhvgTBjti4F4ynCNok/s1600-h/IMG_4736.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgwCvkBZaBwQmvcoGlZn1KJWNJK2v3vw5jN03Ij-43HPiuJTI3TzsQU_5dS-5SMcn_XlisGFxiKmh7ZrMViWxIRVwJornaEOrqx3DiuXMaROWivJ8N32BBd3YWrhvgTBjti4F4ynCNok/s320/IMG_4736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233465629925627954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9jH_qD-7iOzPZ6AO-aVQX7wkAok37Yb8lo-qpFronppccsWzgtm_k5riOVd4vq8zf64yuPqK09mqrjg7DQw6-sfkQmLj7ZvTQdcoyCmbY46JRFMR22OFfQ9La-mbwA1HO6_gbKOLxM4/s1600-h/IMG_4893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9jH_qD-7iOzPZ6AO-aVQX7wkAok37Yb8lo-qpFronppccsWzgtm_k5riOVd4vq8zf64yuPqK09mqrjg7DQw6-sfkQmLj7ZvTQdcoyCmbY46JRFMR22OFfQ9La-mbwA1HO6_gbKOLxM4/s320/IMG_4893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233468492554985154" border="0" /></a><br />And here it is after we planted the seeds...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4TCq-VXmkivfBMkm52C3BQ3Ryl5l0fj6BEFLhFmB-N35lCe5EXIf6tQ_dUJdJs04OuFaefck3QiDeqeEW2YOh0h0eZTZ3mYItRFMhDhy8I0J6v6fpcOPS7NkzCz9St4X4r1w3Gh8lmk/s1600-h/IMG_4823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4TCq-VXmkivfBMkm52C3BQ3Ryl5l0fj6BEFLhFmB-N35lCe5EXIf6tQ_dUJdJs04OuFaefck3QiDeqeEW2YOh0h0eZTZ3mYItRFMhDhy8I0J6v6fpcOPS7NkzCz9St4X4r1w3Gh8lmk/s320/IMG_4823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233466524290654514" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway, Joseph and I are going to go to the LDS temple in Bogota tomorrow. We're looking forward to that. And then on Wednesday morning, we head back to the good old USA. We're getting pretty "trunky" as missionaries call it. We have already decided where we want to eat when we get there- Thai food. I think we've probably had enough beans and rice here in Colombia to last us the year. :) We are glad that we've been able to have the experiences we've had this summer. It has been amazing really.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmwdi7_gSNrOgaiZMc18tdz7GFOM9a7ngfacHfVQympA2EK_yo32KXTU_8H64EazspIeMogUTzcUmTOQ-Lv0uuZ75-8cBlwPTBZrcRjQg9CV9yxP_lGL-0i0sajZ50a-egPV6IzFQF_Y/s1600-h/IMG_4774.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmwdi7_gSNrOgaiZMc18tdz7GFOM9a7ngfacHfVQympA2EK_yo32KXTU_8H64EazspIeMogUTzcUmTOQ-Lv0uuZ75-8cBlwPTBZrcRjQg9CV9yxP_lGL-0i0sajZ50a-egPV6IzFQF_Y/s320/IMG_4774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233467985651210370" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723078264170805867.post-41130714303763790632008-08-06T18:12:00.000-07:002008-08-06T19:28:40.599-07:00Not The Most Gifted Athletes...But we can run a 10k and here is our proof.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmHesCftVXOTN57Coj7BAYFbCF82i2vhppUf4eH0UyyEkGjDXowtqXIMXLUTxsVe4DeKUyen-crpg_EVQqyQHiZJSr5S02HWMl6h50WzUruaHL3ytqkWiMAC80bZBXKZKNU1SduA3_Jc/s1600-h/IMG_4635.JPG"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPlDaaMvhX-TMfOPIVSf851jOEqvb2GLQGF12cnG2n3ZlQqy6uNcqMRLVOwGMnjbOKsNK-8h4M5ozjArrosA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmHesCftVXOTN57Coj7BAYFbCF82i2vhppUf4eH0UyyEkGjDXowtqXIMXLUTxsVe4DeKUyen-crpg_EVQqyQHiZJSr5S02HWMl6h50WzUruaHL3ytqkWiMAC80bZBXKZKNU1SduA3_Jc/s1600-h/IMG_4635.JPG"> </a><br />Well we didn't come in first...more like 8,607, but we all finished so that makes us winners!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoh-bGsXXsDM5RK81rIdlpiIxvXAJCRznCZxnzY-o5zBtjt3l_9sw74jjCMVPQLGUpGSVGLkV1tIBwWLf0MpQgSmWrcyD6brgNfS9Qxo6nhV4UGEFVm471uPLYKZu39pmiDYfo5itcoE/s1600-h/IMG_4613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoh-bGsXXsDM5RK81rIdlpiIxvXAJCRznCZxnzY-o5zBtjt3l_9sw74jjCMVPQLGUpGSVGLkV1tIBwWLf0MpQgSmWrcyD6brgNfS9Qxo6nhV4UGEFVm471uPLYKZu39pmiDYfo5itcoE/s320/IMG_4613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231578675705412658" border="0" /></a><br />So we totally thought we were in such great shape because at the beginning of the race everyone was walking and we were jogging through them all until we realized we hadn't even crossed the starting line yet. I guess everyone else didn't sign up for the 10.5k...more props to us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51jhLDEcxU0oaYn98bXiPoCHjg77f8lgni1_Qo_dDf7Gd4C-QuaP1yjTjF7X4emlSJd8WwBe4PYN4U5td0v5ZgbcvU29I2yMa_y-LpynTcB_vtPy77OIIqyhKCUtaNtBYhS8G4XvsJKI/s1600-h/IMG_4631.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51jhLDEcxU0oaYn98bXiPoCHjg77f8lgni1_Qo_dDf7Gd4C-QuaP1yjTjF7X4emlSJd8WwBe4PYN4U5td0v5ZgbcvU29I2yMa_y-LpynTcB_vtPy77OIIqyhKCUtaNtBYhS8G4XvsJKI/s320/IMG_4631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231578681952325186" border="0" /></a><br />I'm glad I brought the camera along to snag this great picture. I believe at this point we were more than half way done and still pumped! {This is Bianca speaking for myself...I must admit, I was not pumped. You can tell in the different faces I have in the first and the second picture here. Joseph was still so excited and all full of energy and all I could say to him is, "How are you not dying right now?! I usually always can run farther than him because I run more, but this day, he somehow had a ton of energy. I was very proud of him- he wasn't sure if he even wanted to do it. Now, he's talking me into doing the half marathon in Richmond! Way to go Joseph! It was a lot of fun- just a little rough for me at about mile 4 I think. I'm glad we did it.} Oh, and by the way I wasn't the only serious runner with a camera during the race.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmHesCftVXOTN57Coj7BAYFbCF82i2vhppUf4eH0UyyEkGjDXowtqXIMXLUTxsVe4DeKUyen-crpg_EVQqyQHiZJSr5S02HWMl6h50WzUruaHL3ytqkWiMAC80bZBXKZKNU1SduA3_Jc/s1600-h/IMG_4635.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmHesCftVXOTN57Coj7BAYFbCF82i2vhppUf4eH0UyyEkGjDXowtqXIMXLUTxsVe4DeKUyen-crpg_EVQqyQHiZJSr5S02HWMl6h50WzUruaHL3ytqkWiMAC80bZBXKZKNU1SduA3_Jc/s320/IMG_4635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231578683234642194" border="0" /></a><br />Here we are at the finish line! Overall, it was a great experience and something I would for sure do again. For biacna this was her second 10k and I dont think her last. I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to run the whole way, seeing our training consisted of about 5 runs none of which I was able to run a mile without stopping and I think I maxed out at a 1 and a half. And yes there was talk of a half marathon in Richmond, but we havent run more than ten feet since the race, but who needs to train anyway.<br /><br />{And a shout out to Mandy for running with us. We miss you and love you and are glad we could have shared that 10k experience with you! Joseph says that you get the award for most fashionable runner with the styln' $3 gucci glasses. :) }Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03948939149090133811noreply@blogger.com5