So I am a mermaid....

Hmmm.... so I am a mermaid.... makes sense.... considering how I hate my hair to get wet, and I don't love the ocean....course, it's not the actual ocean I am opposed to... it is the feel of the sand on my feet and hands that I dislike. I guess Ariel technically doesn't spend much time on the beach, does she?
You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

JordySue and RiRi

You tell the story... I got nothing....

Go Cougars....

So I have had a few funny encounters with Ute fans lately here in Tooele, both at Walmart.... last week I was coming out of the store. Getting out of a van parked right next to my car was a woman with a few small children. As I approached and opened my trunk, the woman said to her young son...
lady.. "go ahead, tell her"
little boy.."I like your BYU sticker on your car"
me... "thank you... Go Cougars!"
little boy.... big grin
lady..."he loves the cougars, but his dad is a UTE fan"
me.... "Oh no.... Booooo Utes"
at this point, the dad comes around from the other side of the van...
dad..."That's not very nice.... I don't boo the Cougars..."
me..."then you're not a real UTE fan..."
haha... this got a good laugh from his wife...and me I might add...

Other story... I am in line waiting to pay, and this girl, maybe 11 or 12, is helping her mom put groceries on the counter... this girl is wearing a BYU t-shirt... she pulls out a half gallon of UTE icecream and with a VERY disgusted tone says....
girl..."Mom... don't buy THIS icecream... you need to buy the BLUE kind...
mom..."no, this is the kind we want to buy..."
girl.." No, I'm going to go hurry and trade it..."
mom..."leave it alone, that is the kind I am buying"
girl.... "I won't eat it..."
mom..."fine then, don't"
girl..."please mom? Let me trade it..."
at this point the mother notices me, and can see that I am very amused by the exchange. She says "my daughter is confused... she's the only one in our family who likes the cougars"
I tell her that I am with her daughter on this one.... and then I tell the daughter that I am very proud of her courage to rise above her upbringing.... haha....cause that takes courage to stand up for the right when you live with a bunch of 'heathens'.... sorry Kelly D...
Anyway... our Cougars are having a heck of a year so far.... ranked 7 and 8 in the polls.... WooHoo! Tomorrow Ed and I will be driving up to Logan to watch the Cougs take it to the Aggies.... whom any other weekend we would totally root for.... then a relaxing weekend of conference... I love conference... I think I have mentioned this before... I get this love from my mother... so we will enjoy it together.

Fall...

I love this time of year.... I love everything about it. The weather, the changing leaves, the crispness in the air, kids going back to school (what's not to love about that...) tomatoes from the garden, apples ripening, my list goes on and on....
my mom used to always complain that our fall kept getting jipped. (how do you spell jipped?) We kept going from hot summer straight to winter snow...but in the last 3 years since she has been gone (and yes, it has been 3 years) we have been blessed with beautiful falls... I think that is no coincidence. I think that is her gift to us... so I will not take it for granted..... thanks mom.

Girl Trip anyone?

So my friend Kori is a travel wizard... She is the best at putting together travel arrangements. She is a travel agent who specializes in premium cruises. Anyway, she is embarking on a new venture (adventure) that I am really excited about... because I get to go. She is going to put together hosted girl trips... did ya hear me? Girl trips... the kind without husbands or kids.... doesn't that sound like heaven? It is... trust me. And Kori knows her stuff. My friends and I have actually traveled on many a girl trip together, and Kori is always in charge of the arrangements. Anyway... I would like to help her get the word out. She would like to take a small group of women (6) for her first trip... just to get her feet wet. After that, the groups will be for 20. She would like to take a group to Santa Monica, Hollywood, Universal Studios, and best of all... to go see Wicked at the Pantages Theater... sign me up. I am going. Who's going with me? This will be a 4 day/3 night trip which is all inclusive (minus personal spending money). The projected cost is around $800.00 per person... depending on airfare. It includes airfare, ticket to wicked, entrance into Universal, hotel costs, and meals... yes, you heard me... your meals are included. So, if you would like more info... please leave a comment. If you want to see what she is all about, please visit her blog... I'm escaping...which is one of my favorite links... and let her know what you think. Future trips she would like to pull together would include Branson Missouri, NewYork City, cruises, etc... And if you would REALLY like to help her get started, please add her to your blog's list of favorite links. Let's get the word out, and help a fellow sister get her business going.... better yet, come with us.

Tyson update...

One quick message from Tyson's mission pres....

Dear Parents & families:
>
>I have been in touch with all of the missionaries today and all are
>fine. They are now involved in clean-up efforts and are enjoying
>being of service. Thank you for your prayers and concern. We have
>been blessed.
>
>With love,
>
>Pres. Allred
>
So my baby is fine.... Joey

Life is precious...

We lost a very dear friend on Friday afternoon to a tragic auto accident. Brent Oborn was one of the very first people that Ed and I met when moving to Tooele. His wife Debbie has been one of my closest friends from that time on. They managed the apartments that we moved into when Ed graduated from BYU, and we have remained very close since. As I sit here in shock and disbelief, my mind keeps thinking how precious life is, and how we just can't take anything for granted...savor every moment... don't let the small mundane things get you down, and rule your life. Enjoy what you have... cause you don't know what tomorrow will bring. My heart is breaking for my sweet, sweet friend who is now wondering how to go on... and my thoughts and prayers are constantly with her, and her 8 beautiful children. I can't begin to comprehend what it would be like to lose a spouse, but I have been thinking about my mom alot the past few days... and how she struggled after losing her sweetheart. One of the things that she talked to me about just days before her passing was how hard parts of her life had been... but that she had agreed to those trials in the pre-existence, and had even been excited to take them on... she said that she had agreed to come to earth to do "the hard stuff"... and she wanted me to know that her battle with cancer was really hard, but that she wasn't complaining, because she knew she could get through it with the Lord's help. She was such an inspiration to me, and I will never forget that conversation we had that day. Debbie... I just want you to know that your Heavenly Father loves you, and knows that you are "doing the hard stuff" right now... and he will help you get through it, cause that was the deal. You do as much as you can, and he will help you with the rest. For the rest of you out there.... don't take one second for granted... live as if you don't have tomorrow... and remember that I love you... Joey

Coming along nicely...

Well, the swelling is almost gone, and the color is deepening...
So this little boy did give me some resistance about the picture today... I said "come on bud... people are waiting for this, don't ya know? (haha)..don't you know you are famous?" He just laughed at me and said the pictures always come out goofy looking... So I told him to stop looking so goofy then....and he says "It's your fault mom... you're just not a very good artist.... What? What is that supposed to mean.... am I not a good photographer, or did I not do a good job in the actual designing and creating of the actual product being photographed??? Hmmmm... something to ponder.... it did make me laugh... and excuse me, but anyone who really knows me knows that I am a FANTASTIC artist! And I have adorable children... what does he know anyway... Joey

Hurricane Ike

So for everyone out there worried about my missionary and hurricane Ike, I am posting this map so you can see where he is (his area is marked with the red A). He should most likely experience extreme winds and rain, but nothing too serious... now check out where Texas City is... right along the eastern side of the coast... that is where he was before his last transfer... please pray for the missionaries in that area. They are part of Tyson's zone... his mission president is keeping the parents informed of all happenings out there, and I am sure those missionaries will be moved for a bit... anyway... just thought I would share, cause we have had many concerned inquiries.... Joey

Day two...

Day two of the eye saga.... so the swelling has gone down quite a bit, but is starting to turn a lovely shade of lavender.... with some nice hues of burgandy on the lid... at least he's smiling today, right? He is totally humoring me on this photo logging thing... thinks I'm crazy...hmm..whatever. No comments on the crazy please... Joey