2007 Meme1- What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Started Blogging. Brandi called me one night and asked me how much time I had on my hands. I just laughed and asked her "why?" She told me she thought I needed to start blogging because it would be a good way for me to journal and document my pictures since I'm not scrap booking anymore. I had been thinking about starting one but I didn't know how to get it started. She walked me though the beginning steps and Wa-lah! I'm addicted.
2- Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I kept some of them. But overall I didn't do very good. I was able to lose my baby weight but not by the time I had wanted to. I had a goal to visit the temple more often. We did better, but not as good as I wanted to. I think I've become more patient with my kids, which is something I wanted to work on. I would like to have more "Date nights" with the kids though. (Brayden asked that we please not call them date nights cause that's embarrassing.) I had a goal to become more organized and on top of things and I didn't do that. So that would be another goal for this coming year. Another goal was to get the basement finished and it's almost there, but not quite. I'd like to see it finished in the next month, But we'll see. So basically most of my goals got half way finished.
3- Did anyone close to you give birth? I had lots of good friends have babies and lots more that are pregnant.
4- Did anyone close to you die? Mike's dad passed away November 9,2007.
5- What countries did you visit? We went to Switzerland in March. Mike's company sent us there for a week of pure bliss! Before we left they sent us luggage and coats in the mail so we would be prepared to go. We stayed at a 5 star hotel, Every night we came back to our room we had chocolates or some sort of present waiting for us in our room. We were able to choose different activities that we wanted to do while we were there. Mike and I went on a train ride that took us through the Alps into Milan, Italy. Once we got there we stopped and had lunch. Some friends we met on the plane trip over were with us, Brad and Ashley. And up at the top of the mountain he proposed to her. Then the next day we took a helicopter ride through the Alps mountains. It was so amazing! The pilot basically took us on a roller coaster ride, threatening to slam us into the mountain, before he would quickly take us back up again. What a thrill!
The next day we did a zip line from the highest peak in the Alps. I only signed up to do this because I figured this was Mike's trip that he won and I couldn't deny him this experience. I am so afraid of heights, but their was no talking him out of this activity. So, I toughened up and decided I would go. I wanted to pee my pants, I screamed from beginning to end! It actually ended up being a lot of fun. Afterwards they had an ice cave that you could walk through and see a bunch of different sculptures. It was really neat. Each night was filled with fun activities as well. We went dancing one night which was a lot of fun. I have never really been able to get Mike to let loose and dance. So in the beginning I was out on the dance floor dancing by myself, trying to get him to come dance with me, and of course he wouldn't. So another girl we were with asked this older man if he would dance with me cause I was desperate for a dance partner. It was so embarrassing! OK, so not too embarrassing after a minute... I just wanted to dance.
I think after that Mike was jealous:) He didn't want to lose me for the night to the old man. Everybody else in the group was dancing, including a guy that he manages on his team that's in the bishopric. Maybe he was worried about his ego, but in the end he decided to let loose and we had a blast! Here's a picture of us after a long night of dancing, in front of a Ferrari that was parked out front. Too bad it didn't take us back to our hotel, cause our feet were hurting pretty bad!
The food was incredible! We ate a ton of food. Every meal had about 5 courses. The only thing I didn't like was we were served veal a couple times. Not a fan.
The last night we were there they had a big banquet dinner for us. It was incredible. Once again, a ton of food. The CEO's of the company had a little presentation for everybody then afterwards they shut off the lights and told everybody to look out the windows. They had a light show going on just for us. It was so cool. People were skiing down the mountain with torches. And then afterwards their were fireworks. It was amazing. What a cool way to end an amazing trip.
6- What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Organization. I feel like I am always scrambling to find something.
I would like to spend more time with my friends. I feel like I have some great friends but because we are so busy with our kids and our own lives I feel like I am missing out on some great friendships. I wish I could spend more time with them.
7- What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? August 14 was the day we found out that Bill's cancer was terminal. They told him he had at most 6 months to live.
I remember Mike came home from work and it was earlier then usual because I had a doctor's appt. to go to. When he walked in the door I walked over to him to tell him hello and to give him a big hug and he just started sobbing. I knew instantly they had heard the news from the doctor and it wasn't good. We had been waiting for so long for the test results and we had just been praying for a good outcome. When that moment came I instantly felt helpless, all I could do was hold him and let him cry. We now knew we had a limited time with this man that we all love so much... what do you do with that information? Needless to say, I canceled my doctor's appt. and Mike went over to his parents house to make sure everybody was OK. He had a long talk with his dad, mom and sister. Then we were able to spend the rest of the evening as a family. That was a tough day.
Another day I will always remember is November 9, 2007. That is the day that Bill passed away. The day before was Mike's birthday and it was a tough day for Mike because he really thought his dad was going to go that day. But his dad hung on he didn't want to ruin that day for Mike. He was always thinking of others. Neither Mike or I was able to be there with him when he passed, we missed him by about 5 minutes, but we were able to say our goodbyes the night before. The day was a really peaceful, sad day. I'm grateful I was able to be a part of the special memories that took place that day.
8- What was your biggest achievement of the year? I think I've become a better mom (hopefully.) I am slowly but surely, and with the help of others here and there, teaching myself how to sew. I made two quilts this year. I made one and donated it the Humanitarian Aid. The second one I made for Sonia out of Bill's old t-shirts.
9 - What was your biggest failure? I feel like I wasted a lot of time. I look back at the year and think, " What did I do? What did I accomplish?" And I can't think of a whole lot.
10 - Did you suffer illness or injury? Luckily no, I had a healthy year besides the usual migraines. The only injury I can think of is when Kade had to get 5 stitches in the back of the head.
11- What was the best thing you bought? New jeans, new kitchen table. My dad gave us his old stove so we bought a matching microwave and dishwasher to go with it.
12- Whose behavior merited celebration? I think I would have to say Mike. I think he has done a really good job at putting our family first before his other "stuff." In the past he has had the tendency to get side tracked really easily with "fun stuff" whether it be basketball, golfing, guys night out, or Halo. But this past year he has done an awesome job at cutting back and if he does want to do something he makes sure I'm OK with it first (and not just saying I am.) He still has his scheduled night to play Halo and Basketball (that's usually during my Primary Presidency meeting so it works out good.) I think without those nights he would go absolutely insane, so I'm willing to compromise, plus, I like to have some free nights to myself:)
13 - Where did most of your money go? Into finishing our basement. Mike also spent a fair share on golfing!!! Did I just get done saying he did good in this area? He might need to work in this area next summer
14 - What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our girls trip that we took to Mesquite. It was so much fun to get away and not worry about any obligations. We got to lay out, and shop, and just do a bunch of girl talk. I would love to make this a yearly thing. I hope next time more people are able to make it though.
Also, when I discovered the Salmon at Texas Roadhouse. That makes me really, really excited when I know we are going there to eat. It actually makes me all giddy when I'm eating it. Really, food in general makes me quite excited. I love going out to eat (preferably without children.) People make fun of me cause I'm always the last to finish my food, but I love to savor every little bite! Ooooh, I'm hungry just thinking about it and we just got back from Tepanyaki:)
(BTW they have a really yummy salmon too.)
15 - What song will always remind you of 2007? Michael Buble I wanna go home. Any and all High school musical songs
16 - Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer? I know I'm happier. I struggled a little bit last year. I think as I'm getting a little older and my kids are getting older things are getting a little easier. That makes things nicer. I've learned that life doesn't get any less stressful but I think I'm learning to handle it better. Because of that hopefully I'm nicer. I want to be a better person. I guess each day you learn new things, hopefully you learn from them, hopefully they make you better. I'm definitely not any richer...darn it.
17 - What do you wish you'd done more of? Service. I tend to get wrapped up in my own little world. I know if I would serve more, I would be a better person. I try to look for opportunities to help, but honestly sometimes I just let them pass by.
More one on one time with my kids. They are growing up so fast and I don't want to miss out on any special moments.
18- What do you wish you would done less of? Housework. Even though if you would come in my house you would think I need to do more. I hate doing it, but I feel like I am constantly picking up after somebody.
19- How did you spend Christmas? We had a good Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve at Mike's mom's house. The kids re-inacted the nativity, we had dinner, and then we exchanged secret Santa gifts. We came home put the kids down and Mike and I finished wrapping presents. Brayden woke up at about 6:30 all excited and ready to go and then we let him wake up Kaylee. I thought we should let Kade sleep since he would probably go without a nap that day, But Mike didn't think it would be fair for him to miss out. So at about 7:00 Mike went in and woke him up. The kids had fun opening up all their gifts. Kaylee squealed at each gift she got. Kade wasn't to interested in anything beside the stupid Binky's he got in his stocking. And Brayden was really interested in everything that everybody got. After we opened our presents we got ready for the day and went to my mom's house at about 10:00. We opened presents with them and my brothers and then had the traditional Swedish breakfast plattar. They are like little mini crepes. It was yummy! Around 1:00 we went over to Mike's mom's house and opened presents with them. Brayden ended up getting a snowboard so after all the presents were opened he wanted to go try it out, even though he didn't have any snow clothes. He had fun with his cousins playing in the snow, it didn't last long though. Around 5:00 we went over to my Dad's to open gifts and have dinner. It was good to see everybody while we were there. It was sad not seeing my Grandma and Grandpa who are usually over there. They moved to Filmore this year so we weren't able to see them this year at Christmas.
20 - Did you fall in love in 2007? I know this answer is gonna sound cheesy so just skip it if you don't want to hear it. I feel like I am constantly falling more in love with my husband. So I would say Yes I did fall in love in 2007. He constantly has my best interest in mind, he is my rock! I definitely think I am more in love with him now then I was last year. Maybe it was the Switzerland trip:) Also everyday that I wake up I have 3 kids that are doing and saying things that melt my heart. I love those angels more than anything.
21 - What was your favorite TV program? Grey's Anatomy. For some reason this show really draws me in. I really feel like the characters are my friends. I've been a little upset lately that the writers have been on strike and the show hasn't been on, cause I miss my friends.
22 - What was the best book you read this year? The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyers. The books are SO good and so addicting! Once you start them you cannot put them down.
23 - What was your greatest musical discovery? I don't listen to a lot of music. Most of the music I listen to is either the kids songs, which is usually High School Musical. I can recite any song from High school Musical 1 or 2 by memory. Or We listen to Primary songs, or I just listen to the radio. I think the only CD I actually got this year was Josh Groben's Noel Christmas Cd. Mike and I did make a Cd for each other with different songs that we both loved. Other then that not a big music fan.
24 -What did you want and get? We started and almost finished our basement. And finally after 7 years of marriage, we got family pictures.
25 -What was your favorite film of this year? Mike would hate this question because he loves movies but I hate going to them. If I'm going to get a babysitter their are so many other things I would rather do then go and see a movie. Mike would disagree. I obviously win that debate because I really can't think of any shows that we've seen this year that were really that great.
26 - What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? On my birthday we went to Tucanos. It is the best Brazilian restaurant ever. Their food makes me happy:) I turned 26
27 - What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More time with my kids and more time with my hubby. If I could eliminate all housework and just spend time with them I would be the happiest person alive. If Mike could stay home from work and be with us- oh how I would love that! (I know that's impossible, but I would take a day here and there.)
If somehow I could manage to get more sleep in a 24 hour period, I think my life would be more satisfying.
I would love to start scrap booking again. One day when I have more time on my hands I would love to start up again. That is something I really enjoy doing.
28 - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Lazy. It's usually jeans and a t-shirt. I will try and get away with a pair of pajama pants whenever I can. It's a good thing I have friends who know a lot about fashion, I can call on them whenever I need them.
29 - What kept you sane? My husband, Dr. pepper, Time to myself
31- What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I heart McDreamy
32 - What political issue stirred you the most? Political issues don't really stir me. I can't get to involved because I get to emotional over it. I don't feel like I can ever choose sides, so it's easier to just stay out of it. One reason I don't vote. I know, I know, I should. I just can't.
33- Who did you miss? Becca
34 - Who was the best new person (people) you met? Brandi's mom via blog stocking. She is hilarious, uplifting and motivating.
This was my first full year in the primary and I feel like I got to know so many kids in the ward. I think we have so many amazing and wonderful children. I honestly think I will go through a mourning period whenever I am released. I feel it an honor to work and serve with these kids. I'm grateful I've had the opportunity to get to know so many kids.
This last weekend we had the chance to get away. We went down to Mesquite and met Becca and Gerry (who came from California) for the weekend. We left on Thursday and drove down to Filmore, where my Grandma just moved to. It was fun seeing them and their new house. The weather started getting really bad so we didn't get to stay as long as we wanted because we needed to get on the road. Then we drove to St. George and met up with Mike's brother and his family. It was fun spending some time with them and we got to go eat at the Pizza Factory...Yum! Brayden was excited because they made him his own pizza in the shape of a 7 for his birthday. Then we went on our way to Mesquite to stay in Betsy's condo. (And sorry Betsy if you recognize the stroller in the above picture, we borrowed it for the day.) 
On Friday we went back into St. George for the day so the boys could golf. Mike has been having withdrawls from golfing, so it was good for him to get out. Becca and I braved the outlets and Roberts with all the kids. Everytime we would walk in a store, all eyes would turn to us and our loud kids. It was funny. We didn't last to long shopping, if you can imagine why, so we grabbed some lunch at Cafe Rio and then crashed Mike's brother's house. They were so nice to let us spend a few hours over there. The kids were able to jump on their tramp and play Wii, so they were in heaven.
The next day we all went into Vegas to do a little shopping. I love their outlets! But after a little while there I think Mike understood why I was a little on edge the day before, shopping and kids just don't mix! Then we hit the strip and spent a couple hours there. We tried to go see the tigers and dolphins at the Mirage, but that was closed by the time we got there. So then we walked over to Treasure Island to see the show they do on the ship. Can I just say, it's not so much a show geared towards kids anymore. They had girls in the skimpiest little outfits basically strip dancing. Take note, we are all in coats, it wasn't warm, but hey they looked "hot" so who cares if it's only 45 degrees. So word of warning for anyone going there, it's a little uncomfortable to be standing there with your kids. It's a good thing they had cannon's and fireworks going off and people diving into the water, I don't think they noticed how inappropriate it was. But I won't ever take them back.
It was fun hanging out with the Lind's. They are such good friends and we never get to see them. Brayden and Zac have been friends since they were just tiny, it's been fun seeing them grow up together. They just played, played, played! And they loved the fact that they got to slumber together for 3 nights in a row. We stayed up at night playing Settlers and just talking. But Mike got sick the last day we were there, so sorry guys we were kind of party poopers that last night.
I loved listening to President Hinckley speak. He was always so insightful, and funny at the same time. I loved it when President Hinckley had finished with the sustaining of the officers of the church during the Saturday morning session, Elder Eyring had moved to his new seat on the stand. Unfortunately, they didn't show this on TV, but when President Hinckley turned around, he stood there for a moment looking at Elder Eyring, then picked up his cane and "knighted" him on his shoulder and head. I love that President Hinckey was a prophet during my time. I know all the prophets are called of god, but their was something Amazing about this man, and I'm glad I got to listen to his words. 
