Husband Tag

A lot of you have done this on your blogs. Seeing how it is almost Valentine's Day, I figured I'd join in.

What's his name? Doug
Who said 'I love you' first? I don't remember
Who is taller? Doug
Who is the better singer? Uhh...I would say we're both ok, but I don't recommend sitting by us in church.
Who is smarter? Doug when it comes to Science, but I have more common sense
Who does the laundry? Me, Doug claims he did enough in his mission with his washboard
Who does the dishes? Me, Doug used to help out when I was teaching and pregnant, but not anymore
Who pays the bills? Me
Who mows the lawn? If we had a lawn I'm sure he'd make me do it
Who cooks dinner? Me
Who drives when you are together? Doug--I hate driving
Who is more stubborn? Doug--he never apologizes and can stay silent forever. I can't stand the tension so I always give in.
Who kissed who first? I think Doug kissed me
Who asked who out first? Doug asked me
Who proposed? Doug, after I told him to
Who is more sensitive? Me
Who has more siblings? Me--I have 7 brothers and he has 2 brothers and 2 sisters
Who wears the pants in the family? He likes to think he does, but nothing happens without going through me first.

Ok, so now I feel like I picked on Doug instead of building him up. He is a wonderful husband and father and I'm lucky he picked me.

This is for you Rebecca

I've Been Tagged...

Two Names You Go By:
Hottie (I wish)
Mallena
Momma

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
Jeans
Socks (I have on more, but this says only two)

Two things you Want (or have) in a Relationship:
Complete trust
Someone who'll clean the toilets (still working on that one)

Two of Your Favorite Things to do:
Read
Wonder around the complex trying find people who'll let me in their apartments.

Two things you did last night:
Took a long bath while watching a movie
Scripture reading with the kids

Two people you Last Talked To:
Miriam
Shaylynn

Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
Ummm....I need to prepare my Sharing Time lesson
Laundry
Oh, I'll say cleaning too because according to Amanda, I'm always cleaning. :)

Two Longest Car Rides:
Rexburg to Nauvoo
Rexburg to Oregon Coast

Two Favorite Holidays:
Christmas
Anyone's Birthday

Two Favorite Drinks:
Ice water
Ice water

Two Things About Me you may not have known:
I have 7 brothers, two of them adopted from Kazakhstan
Doug really is my better half

Two jobs I have had in my life:
Kmart cashier/customer service/phone answerer
Newspaper delivery girl--for like 6 years
Radio D.J. (kinda) I read newspaper articles over the airwaves for blind people. I was also in charge of the volunteers that came in to read.
Madison School District: Teacher's Aid in Special Education classroom
Rigby School District--First grade teacher at Kinghorn Elementary and Harwood Elementary
**I'm too old to only mention two past jobs

Two Movies I would watch over and over:
Pride and Prejudice (A&E Version)
The Magic of Ordinary Days

Two of my favorite foods:
Anything out of the kitchen of Emily Andersen and Tricia Molen
Chicken Chowder with rolls (Emily's recipe)
In all fairness, I have to say I love my mother and my mother-in-laws cooking also. It's just been too long since I've eaten some of their food.

Two places I'd rather be right now:
Rexburg, ID
Menan, ID

Consider all of yourselves tagged. If you'd like to participate, great, if not, well, you're a party pooper!

Missing Elder Anderson

Today I've been thinking about my baby brother who entered the MTC two weeks ago tomorrow. As you can tell from this picture he isn't very baby-like anymore, but he'll always be my baby. I prayed and prayed that he would be a girl, but alas it was not to be. Instead I was stuck being the only girl amongst five brothers. It's funny how I was disappointed he wasn't a girl until I met him. Once I saw him I was in love. I've never once wished he was a girl since then.

It's always fun to talk to Hyrum because he has an opinion about almost anything. He isn't afraid to share what he believes. He doesn't just agree with whatever you say, and if he does agree with you, he has some great insight about the topic of discussion.

Hyrum is one great person. I've never seen anyone work so hard in preparation for their mission. He spent time reading the scriptures and working on the Bulgarian language he would soon be learning.

I know you'll probably never see this, but Hyrum, I love you. Good luck in Bulgaria!

The Weight Loss Program that Doesn't Work

After almost two weeks of sickness I think we're finally starting to feel better. It seems like I was the last to finish up, and I'm grateful to say I'm done being sick. At least for now.

I learned a valuable lesson though while I was sick. During our illnesses Doug lost 7 pounds and I lost 3. We were both very excited until we started eating solids again. I don't know about Doug, but 2 of my 3 pounds came back a little too quickly. So, what was the lesson learned? Starving yourself and bulimia are not a good diet plan if you're wanting to loose the weight and keep it off.

So, the next time you're in the market for a new diet plan, keep my advice in mind. The weight WILL come back! My advice? Forget dieting all together and enjoy a candy bar!

Good Friends

I wrote earlier about Doug and his support these past few weeks, but I didn't mention some other people who were just as wonderful.

I was so nervous that I wouldn't make any friends when we moved here. I'm a tad strange and it takes a special person to, uh, how do you say, get me. Well, just two months after moving in, Tricia moved next door. Well, it takes a special person to "get her", so of course we hit it off right away. Since then more and more wonderful women have moved into our complex and through them I've gotten to know many more women in our ward.

Well, this is a tribute to those who have helped me through this week, either knowingly, or unknowingly.

Tricia--Thank you for the ride, the support, and the punch to my backbone that I needed. You always help me get angry enough at the situation so I can prepare myself to stand up to the problem. You are a fantastic neighbor and an even better friend. Thanks for always letting me in your door, even when Mason is throwing up all over your house.

Elaine--What can I say? You are so sweet to step in and take my kids so I can run all over the place. I can always count on you in a pinch. You listen to my ramblings on the phone and are sweet to at least pretend to care. Lets face it, you make birthdays FABULOUS!

Emily--Thanks for being my sounding board. Plus, you are such a great listener. It is always so hard to stop talking because you always listen so carefully. I appreciate your help the other day and for being a treasure trove of ideas. This baby that's coming into your family is the luckiest spirit in Heaven right now.

Amanda--The other day I really couldn't face reality and come home. You let me stay at your house for longer than I'm sure you would have liked. It was hard to tear myself away from the comfort I felt in your home. Thank you for not booting me out the door.

Sierra--You've been so great at just letting me pop in. Today when I was bubbling with excitement because the call went good you were there to listen and congratulate. I needed someone to talk to and you were right there. Thank you so much for letting me talk, even though we were cooling down your house by leaving the door open.

Anyway, thanks to all my friends here in Philadelphia! I can't write a personal note to all of you, but I adore you all and your friendships make living here so much easier. I wouldn't be able to do it without you.

What's Your Color?

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Green

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

A Thank You to Doug

I'm going to take this opportunity to thank Doug for being so wonderful these past few weeks. Due to our circumstances we've had to use public assistance since moving here in August 2006. We had to renew this month and it has been something that has stressed me beyond my limits to handle. Without all the gorey details, I just have to give credit to Doug for stepping up to the plate these past couple of weeks. I've basically been useless, but he's helped in every way possible. He helped me create my Sharing Time lesson, he ate leftovers for days, and he held me when I just needed to be held.

Well, today he came home and offered support when I needed it most. Now it is all done and we should be good for another six months. I can't express how happy I am.

Doug--I love you babe! I just want the world to know how great you are, well at least those who read this blog.