Last night Brett cheated.
He took some time and wrote this post, and then scheduled it to be posted at 12:01am.
That's cheating.
You see, for 12 years now we have had this race to be first. Every holiday, I mean EVERY holiday it is a race to see who can say Happy ____ first. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Birthday, you get it.
So, here I am. I'll teach him. It is almost 12am again and I am just getting around to posting my own.
Twelve years ago today I began eternity with the man I love. Back then we celebrated every milestone.
Happy one month anniversary - let's go out to eat.
Happy two month anniversary - this is cause for celebration.
Now, here we are 12 years later and there is more cause for celebration.
Brett made the comment today that his love for me grows stronger every day. I poo pooed him, but he's right. I feel the same way. Each path we cross and each hurdle we jump over just deepens my love for him.
We started this new thing last week. My duel challenge wasn't working. I think we were sabotaging each other. So, the new deal was that for every day that we don't exercise, we owe each other a dollar. You can bet that he won't be getting any of my money.
We were both busy today so our exercise consisted of taking a 38 minute bike ride together. I love getting out on the road with Brett. I envy him and sometimes I tell him to shut up when he is trying to push me, but the longer he is in front of me, the better the view.
I asked him if his legs were burning. He wouldn't answer.
Show off!
I am grateful for Brett. We often finish each other's thoughts. That's what you do when you're together for a while, working toward the same things.
I love you Brett. Happy Anniversary. Here's to the rest of eternity.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Our Final Day
On our final day in the DC area, we were able to visit the Washington DC Temple. It was beautiful. I feel a special feeling when I walk the grounds here. Brett's grandpa Crowley has pictures of this temple from its construction on through its completion. As far as I know there are no other such pictures out there.
We were also privileged to meet Brett's Uncle Doug. I have never met him, and I was so pleased that he came and had dinner with us. It was also very kind of Kara and Drew to host the meal in their beautiful home.
I could easily live back east. I have been reminded however that I would have to get a job, the kids would have to go to daycare, and we would have an hour commute to and from work.
I think we will stay put.
Washington DC Temple
We were also privileged to meet Brett's Uncle Doug. I have never met him, and I was so pleased that he came and had dinner with us. It was also very kind of Kara and Drew to host the meal in their beautiful home.
I could easily live back east. I have been reminded however that I would have to get a job, the kids would have to go to daycare, and we would have an hour commute to and from work.
I think we will stay put.
Uncle Doug, Brett, Deni and Uncle Ken
Drew, Kara, Brett, Deni, Shannon, Aunt Tricia, Uncle Ken, Uncle Doug
Saturday, April 18, 2009
VA - For Lovers - or so I hear
On Friday night Uncle Ken and Aunt Tricia took us to their lake house at Lake Ana, Virginia.
Brett mentioned several times on our trip that Virginia was for lovers. I think he was reminding me that I still needed to be in love with him, and especially in Virginia.
Oh how I could LIVE at the lake house. It is absolutely beautiful and I felt so privileged that we were able to go and just relax for a couple of days. I don't think I can ever thank the Crowley's enough for their kind hospitality.
While there, Brett's Uncle Rich and Aunt Andrea came and visited, along with Matt, Gabe, and Lottie (cousins and their cute little daughter). For some reason I don't have pictures of the cousins....
Brett mentioned several times on our trip that Virginia was for lovers. I think he was reminding me that I still needed to be in love with him, and especially in Virginia.
Oh how I could LIVE at the lake house. It is absolutely beautiful and I felt so privileged that we were able to go and just relax for a couple of days. I don't think I can ever thank the Crowley's enough for their kind hospitality.
While there, Brett's Uncle Rich and Aunt Andrea came and visited, along with Matt, Gabe, and Lottie (cousins and their cute little daughter). For some reason I don't have pictures of the cousins....
Friday, April 17, 2009
Washington DC - Day Two
Today we went into DC for a second time. I really wanted to see the Holocaust Museum, so Shannon took us to see it. I was fine walking through until I came to a portion where they showed how the Nazi's took out the elderly and children with disabilities.
There was a picture of a young boy about Ryan's age standing without clothes on. I assume he lost his life. That is when I lost it and was ready to leave.
As we left the museum we entered a portion that is especially for children. It started out in a home that was much like our own and as you walked through, the home changed from happy times to desperate times. It was very moving. It is hard to fathom the evil that went on just a short time ago.
After the Holocaust Museum, Shannon had arranged for us to tour the capital bldg with a friend of hers. The friend worked for the UT Senator Orrin Hatch. We were taken underground on a tram that took us from the Senate bldg to the Capital bldg. Not many people get to do that so we felt privileged. Thanks Shannon...and Becky :).
There was a picture of a young boy about Ryan's age standing without clothes on. I assume he lost his life. That is when I lost it and was ready to leave.
As we left the museum we entered a portion that is especially for children. It started out in a home that was much like our own and as you walked through, the home changed from happy times to desperate times. It was very moving. It is hard to fathom the evil that went on just a short time ago.
After the Holocaust Museum, Shannon had arranged for us to tour the capital bldg with a friend of hers. The friend worked for the UT Senator Orrin Hatch. We were taken underground on a tram that took us from the Senate bldg to the Capital bldg. Not many people get to do that so we felt privileged. Thanks Shannon...and Becky :).
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Our Days Away
I'm behind here, so I'm going to plagiarize from Brett's Blog. I must say that after seeing all of the many things that we saw, I want to know so much more about American History. I am very much Proud to be an American despite what might be going on in the world today.
Arlington Cemetery Entrance
Graves at Arlington Cemetery
Brett and Deni at Arlington Cemetery
The Eternal Flame at Arlington Cemetery
Unknown Solider 1
Unknown Solider 2
White House
Washington Monument
Brett and Deni at the Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Deni reflection
Roosevelt's Dog - I had to have a picture in front of this dog. I thought the kids would love it!
Front of Jefferson Memorial
Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial
Arlington Cemetery Entrance
Graves at Arlington Cemetery
Brett and Deni at Arlington Cemetery
The Eternal Flame at Arlington Cemetery
Unknown Solider 1
Unknown Solider 2
White House
Washington Monument
Brett and Deni at the Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Deni reflection
Roosevelt's Dog - I had to have a picture in front of this dog. I thought the kids would love it!
Front of Jefferson Memorial
Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A Surprise in the Friendly Skies
WARNING: - It's a Book!
About 6 weeks ago I decided that it was time for a break. We had a lot of things going on with our church callings and work and it had been a long time since Brett and I were alone without the kids. Brett has an uncle that lives in Maryland and we have been saying for years that we were going to come and visit. Well, I did some checking, calling, more calling, arranging for kids, etc and finally decided that it was time to take the plunge and buy tickets to go on a trip.
Just me and Brett.
I didn't want Brett to know, so for the first couple of weeks only two or three people knew. Even my closest friends in our neighborhood didn't know we were going. I had talked with Brett's manager at work and arranged for the time off for him, and for several weeks I put the plan in motion. Church responsibilities had to be taken care of, work responsibilities had to be handled, our travel plans had to be archived in my inbox, and any communication of the trip had to be made in between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
A week before the trip, Brett's manager Ken, called me and told me that he would be out of town that day and that he wouldn't be able to help me pull the surprise off, but that he had arranged for a man at the office to help. I didn't know this man, but he gave me his name.
Well, just two days before we were to leave, I couldn't remember his name. I did a search on Novell's internal web site and found a few names that I 'thought' could be the person and I figured that if all else failed, I would just call them all.
I picked Brett up from work that day and he said "Sorry I was late coming to the car, I was chatting with Doug Christensen." That's it! It was Doug!
I called Doug the next morning and told him what I was trying to do and that I might need his help. You see, just a week before we were to leave, Brett came home and announced that he would start working from home on Wednesdays. Hmmm. We were supposed to leave on Wednesday, so I needed a plan set in motion if he was going to be home. Then the day before we were going to leave Brett decided that he would hold off a week from working from home. So, another plan had to be arranged just in case he went to work.
Tuesday night Brett told me he was going to work until noon and then come home. On Wednesday morning he told me that he was going to come home at 2:30 because I had asked him if he could get off early (I wanted to see if he would be willing to leave work early so that I would know which plan to execute.) In order for this to work, we needed plans A, B, C, D, etc.
Doug arranged for a couple of Brett's co-workers to help me out. One of the co-workers sits right next to Brett so he was the 'eyes' for the day. Brett likes to exercise during lunch, so our plan had to work around his exercise.
Another of his co-workers (Kevin) is on a different floor and his assignment was to lure Brett away from his desk, and then to get him outside to our car. Once Brett was lured away from his desk, our 'eyes' (Jim), would shut down his laptop and bring it to the lobby for me to pick up.
As soon as that exchanged had been made, we would give the sign to Kevin and he would get Brett into the parking lot.
My parents graciously came from AZ to watch our kids. I am so grateful to them for making the trip. They have never had my kids one on one like this and I am so thankful not only that they came, but that my kids were able to be with their grandparents.
Brett likes to be in on the planning of things. I talked to one of my friends in CO and told her what I wanted to do and asked for her creativity. She suggested that I e-mail Brett and give him a heads up that something was coming. I thought that was a great idea, so I sent an e-mail and told him that in 29 hours a surprise would happen. I think that drove him crazy.
He immediately started asking me if he could look at my credit cards to see what I was up to. I agreed. Little did he know that the purchase had been made on his mom's credit card as I knew that he would figure it out if I paid for it myself. I rightfully agreed :).
At 1:30 pm I spoke with Kevin and he told me that Brett still hadn't gone to exercise. My parents had just arrived and we were loading stuff into the car. I told him we would be there as close to two as we could as I needed to stop somewhere to pick up a gift for my mom.
We pulled into the Novell parking lot at 2:16pm. I called Kevin and told him that we were there and he said it was a good thing as Brett had just told Jim that he was going to exercise so Jim was stalling him.
The plan was now being executed. Kevin went up to Brett's desk and had him go and look at some pictures, and Jim brought the laptop to me in the lobby and then called Kevin to let him know the exchange had been made.
It was snowing terribly. I made two signs and had the kids stand outside the door of the building. One sign said "Maryland or Bust" and the other said "If you love them, Leave them". Brett walked out the door and read the sign and looked up at me a little perplexed. They all came to the car and saw that my parents were with us. Brett looked at me and asked what was going on. I told him we were leaving to go to MD and that was the surprise I had warned him about.
He said he needed to go and get his laptop and I told him I had it. He didn't believe me so we showed it to him.
At that point we headed to the airport.
About 6 weeks ago I decided that it was time for a break. We had a lot of things going on with our church callings and work and it had been a long time since Brett and I were alone without the kids. Brett has an uncle that lives in Maryland and we have been saying for years that we were going to come and visit. Well, I did some checking, calling, more calling, arranging for kids, etc and finally decided that it was time to take the plunge and buy tickets to go on a trip.
Just me and Brett.
I didn't want Brett to know, so for the first couple of weeks only two or three people knew. Even my closest friends in our neighborhood didn't know we were going. I had talked with Brett's manager at work and arranged for the time off for him, and for several weeks I put the plan in motion. Church responsibilities had to be taken care of, work responsibilities had to be handled, our travel plans had to be archived in my inbox, and any communication of the trip had to be made in between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
A week before the trip, Brett's manager Ken, called me and told me that he would be out of town that day and that he wouldn't be able to help me pull the surprise off, but that he had arranged for a man at the office to help. I didn't know this man, but he gave me his name.
Well, just two days before we were to leave, I couldn't remember his name. I did a search on Novell's internal web site and found a few names that I 'thought' could be the person and I figured that if all else failed, I would just call them all.
I picked Brett up from work that day and he said "Sorry I was late coming to the car, I was chatting with Doug Christensen." That's it! It was Doug!
I called Doug the next morning and told him what I was trying to do and that I might need his help. You see, just a week before we were to leave, Brett came home and announced that he would start working from home on Wednesdays. Hmmm. We were supposed to leave on Wednesday, so I needed a plan set in motion if he was going to be home. Then the day before we were going to leave Brett decided that he would hold off a week from working from home. So, another plan had to be arranged just in case he went to work.
Tuesday night Brett told me he was going to work until noon and then come home. On Wednesday morning he told me that he was going to come home at 2:30 because I had asked him if he could get off early (I wanted to see if he would be willing to leave work early so that I would know which plan to execute.) In order for this to work, we needed plans A, B, C, D, etc.
Doug arranged for a couple of Brett's co-workers to help me out. One of the co-workers sits right next to Brett so he was the 'eyes' for the day. Brett likes to exercise during lunch, so our plan had to work around his exercise.
Another of his co-workers (Kevin) is on a different floor and his assignment was to lure Brett away from his desk, and then to get him outside to our car. Once Brett was lured away from his desk, our 'eyes' (Jim), would shut down his laptop and bring it to the lobby for me to pick up.
As soon as that exchanged had been made, we would give the sign to Kevin and he would get Brett into the parking lot.
My parents graciously came from AZ to watch our kids. I am so grateful to them for making the trip. They have never had my kids one on one like this and I am so thankful not only that they came, but that my kids were able to be with their grandparents.
Brett likes to be in on the planning of things. I talked to one of my friends in CO and told her what I wanted to do and asked for her creativity. She suggested that I e-mail Brett and give him a heads up that something was coming. I thought that was a great idea, so I sent an e-mail and told him that in 29 hours a surprise would happen. I think that drove him crazy.
He immediately started asking me if he could look at my credit cards to see what I was up to. I agreed. Little did he know that the purchase had been made on his mom's credit card as I knew that he would figure it out if I paid for it myself. I rightfully agreed :).
At 1:30 pm I spoke with Kevin and he told me that Brett still hadn't gone to exercise. My parents had just arrived and we were loading stuff into the car. I told him we would be there as close to two as we could as I needed to stop somewhere to pick up a gift for my mom.
We pulled into the Novell parking lot at 2:16pm. I called Kevin and told him that we were there and he said it was a good thing as Brett had just told Jim that he was going to exercise so Jim was stalling him.
The plan was now being executed. Kevin went up to Brett's desk and had him go and look at some pictures, and Jim brought the laptop to me in the lobby and then called Kevin to let him know the exchange had been made.
It was snowing terribly. I made two signs and had the kids stand outside the door of the building. One sign said "Maryland or Bust" and the other said "If you love them, Leave them". Brett walked out the door and read the sign and looked up at me a little perplexed. They all came to the car and saw that my parents were with us. Brett looked at me and asked what was going on. I told him we were leaving to go to MD and that was the surprise I had warned him about.
He said he needed to go and get his laptop and I told him I had it. He didn't believe me so we showed it to him.
At that point we headed to the airport.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Third Day
Easter this year was a little more emotional for me than it has been in years past.
I found myself reflecting on the miracle of that third day so many years ago. What a miracle that Christ was resurrected, paving the way for each of us to be the same.
I have thought so much about the resurrection. It means so much more when you lose someone you love, a sister perhaps.
As I have thought about the events of yesteryear, I have thought about the significance of the resurrection, and what it means exactly.
We are taught that our spirits will be reunited with our bodies, just as Christ's spirit was reunited with His.
We taught the primary children on Sunday about the meaning of Easter, and I couldn't help but parallel all of this with the blessings of the temple. While everyone will have the privilege of being resurrected, it is through the temple that we are bound to those we love and hold dear. What a blessing!
My thoughts have also taken me to my personal life and how I can give my commitment to the gospel and my commitment to my family a sort of resurrection/rebirth.
I have been given a Third Day.
What will you do with yours?
I found myself reflecting on the miracle of that third day so many years ago. What a miracle that Christ was resurrected, paving the way for each of us to be the same.
I have thought so much about the resurrection. It means so much more when you lose someone you love, a sister perhaps.
As I have thought about the events of yesteryear, I have thought about the significance of the resurrection, and what it means exactly.
We are taught that our spirits will be reunited with our bodies, just as Christ's spirit was reunited with His.
We taught the primary children on Sunday about the meaning of Easter, and I couldn't help but parallel all of this with the blessings of the temple. While everyone will have the privilege of being resurrected, it is through the temple that we are bound to those we love and hold dear. What a blessing!
My thoughts have also taken me to my personal life and how I can give my commitment to the gospel and my commitment to my family a sort of resurrection/rebirth.
I have been given a Third Day.
What will you do with yours?
Thursday, April 09, 2009
A Night of Bad Dreams
Last night was a night of bad dreams.
First at 2:30am Brett declared (out loud, in his sleep) that I could have No Sex unless I was nice. Uh oh.
Then at 5:44am Sydney came in and had had a bad dream, so she climbed in bed. I wonder what her dreams were about.
First at 2:30am Brett declared (out loud, in his sleep) that I could have No Sex unless I was nice. Uh oh.
Then at 5:44am Sydney came in and had had a bad dream, so she climbed in bed. I wonder what her dreams were about.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
The Future
This past weekend Latter Day Saints turned their attention to our beloved prophet President Thomas S Monson, and many general authorities, and auxiliary presidents for our annual General Conference. Archives can be heard here.
My favorite part:
President Monson ended one of his talks with this "The Future is only as bright at your Faith."
Today the sun is shining.
My favorite part:
President Monson ended one of his talks with this "The Future is only as bright at your Faith."
Today the sun is shining.
Perception
Perception is another one of those words that sends me into deep thought.
We have all been given an opportunity on this earth to make it or break it. Experiences among people aren't felt the same from one person to another. One person's trials may seem trivial, while another who experiences a similar trial may sink to the brinks of despair.
What might be an observation to one, is a form of judgment with another.
Of course then we have one's intent. That in and of itself is a whole other post. One's intent.
I personally like to observe behavior.
One sibling may feel like another has the easy life.
Take Sydney for example. Yesterday she threw a huge fit because Ryan had two pieces of candy. Imagine that. Two pieces. He wanted both of them. She wanted them too. She made the comment that his life was so easy and that he always had candy. Never mind the fact that she had just eaten a few hands full of M&M's. Her perception was that his life was better, easier. What she didn't take into account was that she had made a choice to eat her candy, and he had chosen to save his. Him having candy had nothing to do with how he was being treated by me or anyone else. It was just a matter of choice on his part, and ultimately hers.
The same can be said for many other situations. It's just all in how you look at it.
Perception.
We have all been given an opportunity on this earth to make it or break it. Experiences among people aren't felt the same from one person to another. One person's trials may seem trivial, while another who experiences a similar trial may sink to the brinks of despair.
What might be an observation to one, is a form of judgment with another.
Of course then we have one's intent. That in and of itself is a whole other post. One's intent.
I personally like to observe behavior.
One sibling may feel like another has the easy life.
Take Sydney for example. Yesterday she threw a huge fit because Ryan had two pieces of candy. Imagine that. Two pieces. He wanted both of them. She wanted them too. She made the comment that his life was so easy and that he always had candy. Never mind the fact that she had just eaten a few hands full of M&M's. Her perception was that his life was better, easier. What she didn't take into account was that she had made a choice to eat her candy, and he had chosen to save his. Him having candy had nothing to do with how he was being treated by me or anyone else. It was just a matter of choice on his part, and ultimately hers.
The same can be said for many other situations. It's just all in how you look at it.
Perception.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Time
For the past several days I have thought a lot about TIME
It is amazing to me that a concept, a word, well, TIME can be influential in so many areas of our lives.
It takes TIME for a broken heart to mend.
It takes TIME for forgiveness to happen, and for relationships to be strengthened.
When given our TIME, our children are molded into the people we want them to become.
It takes TIME to keep up a house.
I need more TIME to perfect that one.
Each day I live, I am one more day closer to the eternities, where I will spend TIME with my sister, whom I miss terribly.
You see, it's all about TIME
It is amazing to me that a concept, a word, well, TIME can be influential in so many areas of our lives.
It takes TIME for a broken heart to mend.
It takes TIME for forgiveness to happen, and for relationships to be strengthened.
When given our TIME, our children are molded into the people we want them to become.
It takes TIME to keep up a house.
I need more TIME to perfect that one.
Each day I live, I am one more day closer to the eternities, where I will spend TIME with my sister, whom I miss terribly.
You see, it's all about TIME
Temple Square
This past weekend we were excited to welcome Kati and Boston into our home. They came up to visit, and to watch General Conference. I absolutely loved having them here. Makes me ache to have my family closer. Neither of us want it bad enough to move though. We both love where we live.
Boston hadn't seen Temple Square, so for FHE we took a trip to SLC to see the sights. You forget how beautiful things are until you are there again.
We first visited the Beehive House. It was built in the 1800s and was one of Brigham Young's homes in the Salt Lake Valley.
Us in front of a waterfall just east of the temple. I'm grateful for digital pictures. I was able to crop out my muffin.
We also took a tour of the top of the Conference Center. President Hinckley's vision of what it should be has been realized, and I am amazed at the beauty. There are actual living trees and shrubs that grow on top of that building. It is amazing.
Boston hadn't seen Temple Square, so for FHE we took a trip to SLC to see the sights. You forget how beautiful things are until you are there again.
We first visited the Beehive House. It was built in the 1800s and was one of Brigham Young's homes in the Salt Lake Valley.
I am amazed that it still stands, and that there are articles of clothing, books, toys, and other things that have been preserved. Our lives have changed so much from when the Pioneers first came to this valley. We are spoiled compared to what they had.
We spent time in the Tabernacle and heard the amazing acoustics there.
While I didn't get married at the Salt Lake Temple, I am still grateful for the meaning of it. This structure took 40 years to build.
Us in front of a waterfall just east of the temple. I'm grateful for digital pictures. I was able to crop out my muffin.We also took a tour of the top of the Conference Center. President Hinckley's vision of what it should be has been realized, and I am amazed at the beauty. There are actual living trees and shrubs that grow on top of that building. It is amazing.
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