London is always a good idea

Today began as an ordinary day. I woke up, showered, ate breakfast. I was running my normal 5 minutes late for work, which ended up being 8 minutes due to the sheet of ice that covered my car. I got to work went about my normal routine and by two o'clock I purchased an airline ticket to London. Okay not so normal. In fact it definitely was not in my schedule for the day. I hadn't even thought about going to London. However when I got to work my friend Lindsey asked if I wanted to go to London for spring break. She had found round trip tickets for $650.00 (including taxes and fees.) and her dad would help pay for the hostel where we would stay. I told I would think about it. And four hours later I had the ticket.

I am scared to tell people I am doing this because once they find out they will think I am crazy. Especially considering the other things I have planned for this year. But I honestly thought it through. I did some slight money planning and decided I could pull it off. And then I asked my mom, (who is supposed to be my voice of reason, the smart and wise one, who is also aware of everything that I have coming and who I thought would remind me of all the reasons why I shouldn't go.) what she thought I should do and she said I should go for it. "Oh, ok. If my mom says I should then I should. Mommy knows best!!!" So I am heading off to London in 20 days. YAY!!!! (Yes that is right after Abby's wedding.) I love London. I also will be scrimping and saving a bit more for the next few months (as well as taking back the extra pair of shoes I just bought.) and praying for a big tax return. That will be paying for the bulk of this trip. Yes I know I'm crazy. Lindsey and I are ok with that. =)

Israel or Bust

So I have two main goals this year.
1. Be out of debt by the end of the year.
2. Go to Israel and Egypt.
Not the best two goals to put together. One makes the other more difficult. But I am determined to do it. I'm not sure where all the money is going to come from yet. But it will come. To make this dream happen I am making a few sacrifices.

• Shopping for any unnecessary material good or substance; this includes: clothing and accessories, (Its amzing how many cute outfits appear in the stores and the sudden need for new shoes that comes when one is determined not to spend money.) Books (this will give me a chance to catch up on the books I already have.)and extra treats and snacks. (the best diet there is.) And toys or other electronic devices I thought I might need are on hold.
• I am not taking any roadtrips or traveling any farther than I have to.
• Eating out is out!! For the most part. I am finding that it is hard to have friends and save money. Friends like going out to eat and doing things that require money.
• I also decided to pass on the gym pass. One of the hardest things to give up. I love working out. Cutting this out also meant I couldn't train for a triatholon this summer. (Sorry Matt.) I still bundle up and go running.
• I considered selling all my worldly goods to help provide for this pilgrimage. But no one wanted any of my junk. All well.

Some highlights of the trip include:

• Cairo Museum
• Citadel Mohammad Ali (Alabaster) Mosque
• Horse-drawn carriage ride along the Nile and past the temples of Karnak and Luxor.
• The Giza Pyramids
• Clamel ride to top of Mount Sinai to watch the sunrise.
• Snorkeling or scuba diving or visiting an underwater museum
• Petra
• Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea
• Morning boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
• Swimming and a watermelon bust on the beautiful grassy picnic areas overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
• Mount of Olives
• Mount Moriah
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Church of the Nativity
• Yad Vashem (Holocaust) Museum
• Gethsemane
• Garden Tomb
• And a lot more!!

For the complete iternary click here. I think this is worth a few sacrices, don't you?

Go Forward with faith

The announcement came suddenly and surprisingly. The emotions that followed were a mix between a sense of loss and a great feeling of joy and relief for him. He was 97 years old and still going to work. Still traveling the world. And still giving his all. What a great example. Its been fun listening to the tributes on the radio and tv and reflecting back on the life of this great man who "did what he was called to do and left the world and the people better than he found them," wherever he went. It is strange to think that President Hinckley will no longer be speaking or waving his cane to the people.
It was almost exactly a year ago, thanks to a strange unfortunate, yet lucky, event that I had the opportunity to meet him. Something that I will always remember. It is a comfort and reassurance to know that the church will continue on without the slightest bump, snag, or run. The organization and pattern is seamless. I am thankful to have lived and witnessed the growth and the miracles that have come from this man's leadership. My life has been touched. I also look forward to the great miracles that are to come.

Meet Sampson

And yet more proof that the second coming is approaching quickly and Dinah and Calebe are spoiled. My family has a dog. I have been asking for a dog for 25 years. The answer has always been no. Dinah sticks out her lip and bats her eyes and my dad caves in.

Anyway we got him from animal services. I am in fan of adopting from the humane society. I feel like I am doing some great good by taking in a poor pitiful creature that has been abandon by previous owners. Samson is a sweety. He hardly ever barks. He was already house trained and he knows few other tricks. He also loves the kids. He follows Dinah all around. He is the perfect dog for our family. And he is so happy to have a home and a family.

Here's Lucy!

Hannah is Lucy. And she's good at it too and I am so proud of her ability to play a crabby, bossy, pushy, destined to take over the world and all the kids in the park girl. She took this part and made it hers. And isn't she cute.

Rexburg Temple Road Trip!!

It was off to Rexburg Cori and I went. Through the snow and the wind and the ice. And the trip was worth it once we got to the open house of the Rexburg Idaho Temple. It was so beautiful. I love the windows and the chandeliers.

It was also fun to walk around campus and remember the good times we had there. We both talked about how much fun we had there and what cute town Rexburg was and how much fun it would be to live there until it was ten o'clock at night and we were looking for some place to eat and the only thing open was Wendy's. And then it started snowing and there was not a cloud in the sky. Only in Rexburg. Ok so its fun to visit...in the summer. But Rexburg does hold a special place in both of our hearts. And now its got a beautiful temple.

Happy 200,000 Miles!

It's not everyday your baby turns 200,000 miles old. And it's not every person that gets to see their "baby" turn 200,000 miles old. Well, I got to witness such a miracle today on my way to work. And it was percious. She's been a good little car and I plan on keeping her around for another 100,000 miles. It was love at first sight just over three years ago. It didn't matter that she had an unexplainable amount of miles already. I knew she was the one for me. And she's been good to me through the years and the miles. She has run great through thick and thin. Including the year we went BYU-Idaho and the many trips back and forth. Trips south and to Las Vegas. We've been through snow storms, hot summer days, many road trips and camping trips, laughter, kisses, break ups, let downs, happy moments and suprises, speeding tickets, chips and flat tires. She's been there when I've needed to escape and get away. And she's been there to take me home. We've shared a lot together. She's forgiven me after I've gone longer than I should've between oil changes. She survived an incident with black ice and a sign. She's always there waiting for me after work. She keeps me warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Yes my life would be pretty empty and stationary without her. So here's my tribute to her. And here's to another 100,000 miles.