A month of 1st's

So, it's hit... Yep... The cold. It's my 1st one this year. I've been lucky thus far to avoid the terribleness of being sick while everyone around me has had colds, flus, etc. Guess it was too good to be true! So, I'm sitting here, with what appears to be a sinus cold as my head is about to explode and send snot spewing everywhere! On top of that, the joys of being a woman is upon me, so I'm miserable with that! THANKS MOTHER NATURE!!

But, on the bright side, I've been getting jobs more frequently at the school district. I've enjoyed most of them and will enjoy the paycheck coming in a few weeks. It feels good to get out and work again, except when I'm feeling like this! Gotta get better because I have jobs the next 2 days. Luckily, they're only for 4 hours each day and should be fairly easy.

1st Judo Tournament

So, Keven competed in his 1st judo tournament last month. Unfortunately, his sensei was a ref for the older kids and was unable to help him out. One of the other black belts from his dojo was there and helped where he could, but poor Keven had no one to warm-up with and was so horribly nervous. It was in Seattle, so we had to be up at 6am, so we could leave by 6:45 am in order to arrive by 8:15. So, Keven had breakfast pretty early and the tournament began at 10am. Well, it was 12:30 pm and Keven's group STILL hadn't competed yet. Needless to say, he was tired and VERY hungry, on top of being so nervous and unsure. He was a wreck and we were wishing we had brought his DS for him! So, by 1:00, it was his turn. He was so nervous and didn't realize that once you throw or get thrown into an epon (basically a clean throw) then the match is over. So, that 1st match lasted about 25 seconds. It was double elimination, so we hoped he'd do better the next time. We sat there for 45 minutes and he STILL hadn't gone again. Next thing we know, they're moving onto the next group. So, we talked to the other black belt (Sensei Dean) from the dojo and he went up to the judges and scorekeepers and talked to them. Apparently, there was Keven and another kid that lost in their 1st round that they just dismissed off the list! GRRRRR!! So, they had to redo stuff and Keven finally got to go again. This time, the kid did a move on him that I thought shouldn't have been allowed. Keven didn't even know it and it's not one that his Sensei really teaches. So, he was done in about 6 seconds. He was pretty devastated and tried to hold back the tears, but his eyes kept welling up. He was frustrated and tired and hungry... So, his Sensei caught up with us as we were leaving and talked to him and told him he'll do better next time and to just be confidant and go after it like he does in the dojo. We let Keven choose lunch and we went to Olive Garden (his favorite).

He has another tournament on May 2nd and this time it's in Bellevue. We plan to hit up the temple after (walking the grounds) and go to a lunch of his choice again. My parents are going to be able to make this one, because the last one they were in Disneyland! We will be bringing his DS this time, so he won't be so nervous. Although, he now knows what to expect this time and his friend is planning on coming to compete as well, so they'll have eachother!

We informed Keven that he may not win a match until he's done several tournaments, so he shouldn't fret and just keep trying his best! So, wish Keven luck if you see him for this coming Saturday! Better pics will happen and we'll have my parents do a little video clip with their new camera!

Almost 10 years

This was the picture in our wedding invitation

So, coming this Friday (March 13) is Ben and mine 10 year anniversary. I can hardly believe that 10 years ago, we got married. On our 1 year anniversary, we were sealed for all time and eternity along with Keven, who was only 4 months old.

Well, you'd think that with it being the big 10 that we'd be doing something huge, right? WRONG!

There's a traveling event that happens once every 18 months or so around here called, "Time Out For Women", put on by Deseret Book. It features LDS speakers (mostly authors or professors) and an LDS musical artist. It is so uplifting to be with hundreds of other LDS women and be enlightened on womanhood in the church and in daily life. So, this year, it happened to fall on March 13 and 14. A 2-day event, which in the past has only been a one day event. I talked to Ben about attending and said that I would like to, but would just go on the 14th and he said to go the whole time since we couldn't really go do anything. Then, he told me that he had some scout training that's overnight which he wanted to attend the same night! So, for our 10th anniversary, we'll be at separate places. HAHA!

Our desire was to go back to Vegas in May, where we went on our honeymoon and haven't been back since. We had to wait a few months to go on our honeymoon because I had a new job and needed to earn leave. Unfortunately, with having to live with my parents to save money, that just didn't seem like a great idea to bring up to my parents. Also, we're still catching up and not able to save a whole lot yet!

We have dinner plans the next weekend and are looking forward to a nice evening out. Maybe we'll get to do something in 10 more years!

And... yeah

Ben, Keven and I went to see "Coraline" the other night and it was pretty decent. Unfortunately, there were a few things that could've been left out. There's one scene that shows a WELL ENDOWED lady in an opera with just pasties and a thong on! She was acting like that famous painting with the lady in the seashell. Yeah, it was quite disturbing. Also, Coraline kept saying, "Oh my Go*" instead of gosh and it bothered me. Other than that, it kept Keven's attention and made him laugh often. It's not a favorite for me and not one I wish to purchase. Keven wants it, but he can wait for someone else to buy it. I wouldn't recommend this movie for children under 7, maybe even 8.

Anyway, there seriously isn't anything else to update on. How pathetic, huh? Just living the same old, same old lives. Feeling a cold coming on that my mom has had for 3 weeks! Hope it fades away quick! Hope to catch up with others soon who need to update their blogs!

Tra la li lo

So, poor Keven has been really sick since Friday. He's had high fevers and a NASTY, deep cough. He even "mostly" lost his voice for the 1st time ever. Well, no fever today so he'll get to return to school after a nice, 4-day weekend for him! Except, the news was saying we are supposed to get pounded with snow starting super early in the morning. I hope it doesn't effect school, because he needs to go since there's an actual 4-day weekend this week!

I went to the temple last week with Kanoe and Donna and did our bi-monthly initiatories. As usual, it was an uplifting experience and to go with my best friends, it makes it even better. I think I'll call to go again later this month and not just on our ward day. I truly enjoy it! Now, if Ben and I could just get a move on and go! Hmmm... Maybe we'll go on Monday since he doesn't have to work. I'll have to see if Mom has plans that day.

Keven has his pinewood derby a few weeks ago. I haven't taken a pic of his car yet (bad me) but will and post it. The cutout was his idea but the paintjob was mine and I helped him with it. Again, most of the kids LOVED how his looked. He didn't win, but he got in the top 10! And that's out of almost 40 kids, so GOOD JOB KEVEN! His design was great. I told him that next year, the painting is ALL him and Ben is going to let him try to cut the piece of wood. (with a lil help)

Well, that's about it on our uneventful lives. haha!

Move, Christmas and Trip

So, we finally finished moving into my parents house and due to the snow, we ended up staying here for Christmas. That was fine. I think my parents enjoyed having someone else here, especially my Dad! Here's a few pics from Christmas.

Keven got Nana some gluten-free chips and she was excited!

Keven got Papa a Grumpy hat that says "Bad Attitude". He has a matching one!


We left the next day and headed to Boise for the night. On our way, we had a tragic loss. It was so horrible that we almost turned around. We were driving in the Cascade Mountains and it was snowing and it was icy on the roads. After we got on the other side of the pass, there's a rest stop. So, we stopped there and came back from the potty's and noticed it. Please help us pay respect to our lost friend, back-passenger side hubcap. May he live long in the Cascades!

So, we stayed in Boise overnight, then headed out to SLC the next morning. The roads between Boise and Twin Falls were NOT fun to drive in. Things got a little scary at times, especially when idiots would pass us in the lane that was LOADED with snow and ice! We saw several SUV's and F-250 size trucks in the median. No cars though. Hmmmm... Maybe these people and their big cars aren't so indestructable?? YOU CAN'T BEAT ICE SO SLOW DOWN!!!

We did make it to SLC in safety. It just took us 2 1/2 hours longer than normal! We stayed at Audra's house for 2 nights and enjoyed the time there. Keven loves playing with his cousins!


My birthday was Dec. 28 and I spent it at Audra's and a few of my cousins came over to hang with us. It was nice to see them. Alishia was too lazy to come and drive 40 minutes to come visit me on my birthday. Her loss! haha!

So, then we headed out to Soda Springs, ID (where Ben is from) to go visit his grandma and his Dad. We went to the lil steamer there called "Half Pint". It's a lil train engine that was found in the bottom of the reservoir many many years ago. They pulled it out, painted it and now it's in their park. Someone wrote a book about it and we have 3 copies! So, here's Keven in front of it and then Ben, Keven and Ben's dad in front of it.

We stayed at Ben's grandma's house and I think she enjoyed the company. Keven has one more inch and he's as tall as her. haha! His Aunt made a Hawaiian dinner for his b-day, which was the 30th and that was yummy. Then, on Wednesday morning, we headed back to Boise.

We spent the remainder of the time in Boise (3 days) and all Keven did most of the time was play video games with Ben's brother, Jeffrey. We didn't do a whole lot, but it was nice to just talk and rest a little. We had been moving and cleaning for so long that we were plain exhausted and welcomed the rest.

On Saturday, Jan. 3, we headed home. The Blue Mtns were a little scary and stressful, but the rest of the drive was a piece of cake. Between Baker City, OR and La Grande, OR it got down to 4 degrees! The roads were icy, but we managed. Our PT Cruiser drove like a saint through the snow we had here before we left (16" in a few days) and over those mountains and hills on our road trip. The road trip was 2200 miles and we don't plan on doing that again anytime soon! We were so exhausted when we got home!

There... Now I've updated my blog! Have you?!?!

Gettin' closer and STUPID SNOW!

So, we are now living at my parents house. We have everything but a few bins and the big freezer to bring over here. BUT.... we have A LOT to pack to put in the storage unit, which we have yet to get. Ben through out his back a while ago and put us back nearly 2 weeks in packing. (Well, I was going through stuff best I could, but it's hard to do it alone!) I had the flu on Monday-Tuesday and dealing with a cold, so my energy is WAY low. Now, the SNOW came last night and we got 6", which cancelled school and prevented me from going over to the other house to purge kitchen items and pack it up. My hope was to take Keven to school this morning and head over to the house and have the kitchen completely done by the time I had to pick him up from school. STUPID SNOW!!! So, Ben is taking 1/2 day tomorrow and we'll be going strong at the house trying to get through stuff and get it packed. Our hope was to be to the stage of everything out and cleaning on Sunday, but I don't know, considering we're supposed to have MORE STUPID SNOW on Saturday. Now, mind you, I do love the snow, but not when I'm trying to move!!! GRRR!

Anyway, I've got most of the things unpacked here and emptied lots of bins to take back to load up at the house. I think we'll need to purchase more bins, but I'm not sure. So stressful not knowing.... I just pray that the snow holds off until Sunday morning or something, so we can pretty much get things completed. Everyone have prayers for us to hold off on the snow!!

I hope everyone stays safe in this weather, no matter where you're at.