I've been Tagged!

Well, Thanks Sarah for Tagging me and yes I know I'm a blogging slacker. It's just not that fun when you don't have pics to blog about. But, Here it goes, 6 random things about me and 6 things I'm happy about.

Random:
1. I'm off pop, I know I can do it and surprisingly it hasn't been hard.

2. I also love Hip Hop Abs with Shaun T! If you do it with the "Loud" music you can't here all the cheesy things they say.

3. I am growing tomatoes in my kitchen and they are turning out really well. The Better Boys are growing faster than the Early Girls. We also planted peas and onions.

4. Sarah is teaching my adult dance class tonight because I'm skipping to relax and blog. Thanks Sarah, I needed the break.

5. I love Taco Time and use to eat there for every meal in collage and at least once a week after that, I haven't been able to eat there for 3 months! The thought of it makes me queasy!

6. I seem to follow in Elisa's footsteps, first she loved Dawson's Creek and then I did to, the she loved Gilmore Girls and I do now!!

Happy about:
1. I just got my nails done. They are purple tips. I get gel nails because I think they stay on better and don't lift. I also love getting my nails done because I never change size so it's not depressing. As long as I have the Studio pay for it, Jared doesn't care, it's my little splurge! I'm getting my toes done when I go one a Cruise in May..

2. I just got done teaching the tryout dance for Emery High Drill Tryouts. I love doing things like that, being in a big gym, it makes me recall the "good 'ol days" of my youth.

3. I had a jewelry party and earned $260 worth of free stuff. Jewelry is like nails, you never have to wear the next size up.

4. I'm going to take a bath tonight in grandma's deep tub, I love that you can fill it up to the top with bubbles! I also love to read in the tub, but have a problem of dropping them in sometimes:)

5. This is the one I'm most happy about! I'm Pregnant!!!! I just went to the doctor's and had an ultrasound for the first time and cried all the way! We saw the heart beat and the doctor says everything looks really good! I'm 13 weeks and still sick, but seeing the baby was amazing. It made it all real, I'm really pregnant!!



6. I get so happy when Jared talks to my belly, which is all the time! I might get sick of it later but seeing him happy is amazing! He can't wait to be a dad and is already excited about Mother's and Father's Day! I also love that I have wonderful sisters and sister-in-laws to give me all their advice I love that Elisa is pregnant! My mom and Mother-in-law have been really great and I'm so lucky!!



Here's one pic of the ultrasound, The baby was moving all over the place, I couldn't believe how active he/she was!! This is amazing! The baby is only 7cm long!! I kinda feel like Rachel on Friends, I can't really tell whats going on, only the head and the arm.

My Pyro!

I wish I had pictures of this! But, I left my camera at one of the performances and some lady pick it up and I haven't been able to get it back, but I know who has it so at least it's not lost. But Last Sunday after church, I was cooking dinner and Jared comes in the kitchen and gets a big bowl out and starts filling it with water. He calmly says, "the bushes out front are on fire". What! I run out there and sure enough the bushes, and roses are on fire with flames as tall as our mail box! I run in and fill another pot up and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law begin to do the same. We haven't hook up our hoses yet and the outside water isn't turned on. We began to wonder if we should call 911 but Jared says it's no big deal. we finally get the fire out before it sets grandma's house on fire but smoke was everywhere and I knew that someone, Helen Matthis or someone might have called 911. So we waited for the fire department to show up but they never did. I asked Jared what happened and he just wanted to burn the weeds so we could plant something else! I told him that it's illegal and he couldn't' believe it, after all they do that sorta thing all the time in Wellington! Oh, my country boy!! Now our mail box is melted but I think the roses will survive, so don't worry.

Happy Birthday Mark!!

Today the day to celebrate the birth of my little Bro. Mark! Mark is 20 today and looks so grown up in his Mission pics. He is in Brazil so we all miss him!

Here are some things that most people might not know about him.

* When he was little he was obsessed with "boobie Trapping" the house, I mean Home Alone style. Cars on the ceiling fan, string tied to door knobs so he could yank them out of your hand, the works.

* He spent one Halloween up in a tree in the front lawn scaring all the trick or treaters and taped fishing line on the ceiling of the patio so it felt like you were walking into spider webs.

* He use to take me on dates before he was 16 when I'd drive and he'd pay.

*He taught me how to snowboard, he was so patient, I spent most of the time on my bum!

* He has a testimony that strengthens mine everyday.

* He is a great writer and use to draw maps for his stories( like the ones in Lord of the Rings)

*He use to want to be a F16 fighter pilot and loves History

* He is the most respectful and independent guy I know

* I love him and will always look up to him!

Happy Birthday Mark! You are so amazing and we pray for you and the people of Brazil every moment!!

Running!!!

Well, all that know me will have to pat me on the back because I have been running!! That is HUGE for me! I'm not a runner, don't enjoy it and can't breath when doing it. But because of some friends and my sister in-law, Amanda, I am doing it!! We are planning on running a 5-k in march. I am completely scared out of my mind, but with peer pressure I know I can do it.

My friend Shawnelle and I started going to the track about three weeks ago. She wanted to get into shape and I'm going on a cruise in May. (and who wants to wear a swim suit feeling like a whale) Now there are four of us running three times a week getting ready for a 5-k!!

Every time Amanda and I tell someone about our goal, they have laughed...right out laughed! Our Mother in-law told us that she could never picture us running one lap around the track! Our own mother in-law!! We have already proved her wrong...we've ran two laps!!! It just goes to show ya you can't live down the past, but you can change the future! We are going to prove everyone wrong!!:)

I definitely need running shoes and some pain pills. Being a dancer I have become accustomed to my feet being in pain all the time, I've now realized that my feet don't have to hurt, that the saying "if it's not hurting, your not doing it right" does not apply to running. How nice. So tomorrow I am going to Provo to buy good running shoes and maybe a pink track suit. Anyone with some good info about shoes or track suits?

So as I was searching for pictures these kept popping up...destiny.

2 Down, Many more to come!!

This Sunday is our 2ND Anniversary!! Yea! We celebrated at the Anniversary Inn in the Jackson Hole room and I loved it!! It was so fun to sleep in a covered wagon! The bathtub water came out of a bucket with holes in the bottom. And of course there is always cheese cake and sparkling cider. Jared is so good at surprising me. I never know where we are going until we get there. Because our Anniversary is right after the holidays we have deiced to celebrate at Bed and Breakfast's all over Utah. That way we can get away on a budget, and no presents.
It's only been two years and I can't believe how much more I love Jared, it's hard to imagine that it can grow anymore. Here are just a few of the reason's why I love him so much!

*He makes me laugh, even when I don't want to.

* He can fix and build almost anything!!

* He can get us out of any mud, in life and in the mountains.

* His testimony is so strong and I learn from him every day.

* He can do math! ( I can only count to eight)

* He is determined to do his best and takes pride in his work.

I could go on and on but I'll stop bragging. I'll just say that I'm so grateful for him and our marriage. Yes, to me he is Prince Charming!!

Thanks to Spencer for the amazing Pictures!!! I love and use them so much!!

Tis the Season....To be SICK!

Well, get your shots, sanitize, and wash your hands!! It's EVERYWHERE!! This last weekend we went to Grand Junction to visit Jared's family. They all had a stomach virus! The kind of virus that if you just look at them you'll have it too!! Well, Jared was sent home Monday with it and I had it Tuesday. I had to get one of my Company girls to run my classes. It was awful!! For 24 hours my stomach cramped every 15min! I didn't eat anything!! I only threw up once, but the other was tough...If you know what I mean! I swear, if you just look at someone you'll get it!! My first dance teacher never got sick! I don't remember her missing one day, She even had Cancer!! How did she do it!! My mom read this book about bio terrorists, and I think that could be the scariest thing ever!! I don't want to know about it!! My little intro's all had a nasty cough which was sick and annoying! I made all the girls use hand sanitizer before they came into the studio, and we will not be holding hands for a few months... I guess that means no "Tip Toe Around the Rosie's". I was so glad to eat an orange this morning!! Then I had a banana and stir fry for lunch, and toast and a sucker!! I love food!! I love eating it and not feeling like I'm gonna die!! I hope you all are healthy and sanitizing!!! Oh ya, my nail appointment was canceled today because my nail lady, Stacy, woke up with the stomach thing, I swear, it'll sneak up behind ya and attack!! KEEP YOUR GUARD UP!!

1st Performance!!!

Today Encore had it's first performance!! It was a little show for the Helper Christmas Arts and Craft Fair, we were some of the entertainment. I only had 3 dances so the show was about 10 min. Jared thinks that's the best length for a performance. Short and Sweet! The girls were so good!! We only had 2 weeks to prepare so it was a good start. They worked hard and had fun. We had about 40 people come and watch which is good because they fill all the chairs that were set up and we had people standing in the back. I'm so proud of my girls, The Elite company (High school) did a hip hop and a jazz and my Mini Elite did a cheerleader jazz to Beach Boys- Be True To Your School. I'm trying to download the show since it's so short, but I haven't figured it out yet. The costumes were simple, I wanted colors of the studio. I made the pom poms out of plastic table cloths with the help of Jared, Heather and Kate. Tyler fluffed them. Dianna Root made the Cheerleader costumes but didn't have time to make the Elite ones so that will be for the next performance. It'll just keep getting better and better!!! Here are some of the Pictures of us as we waited for our

turn to dance.

Where has the time gone!!

Time is flying by! I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving, and with all the store's and their Christmas decorations up already! I feel like it's next year!! Why do we start Christmas so early? Don't we need to have Turkey first and be grateful?!
Any who, I've been quite busy lately. The studio was asked to perform this weekend for the Helper Christmas arts & Craft Fair and I didn't have all my choreography done. So I've been stressing over costumes, music and finishing dances! One more week to get things perfected and things are already coming together. I just hope my shirts come in the mail by Wed. or I'll be in a real pickle!!
That is really all that I've been busy with, so I guess I'm not so busy! Ha Ha!
We are practicing for our Primary Program for next Sunday and It is crazy!! Those kids are funny!! My class is the 10 yr. old so they are pretty good and can do all their parts by their selves. But those little ones say the funniest things! One little kid has a talk and talks about how he had to walk to school with his mom and it was raining! She told him of how the prophets were on a boat and Jesus was sleeping. It began to storm and the apostles were scared so they woke Jesus and he calmed the sea. The little boy, said that by the time his mom was finished with the story the rain had stopped. I thought it was so touching!
The singing is another story! We have a pretty large primary so a couple of the classes have to sit in the congregation on the first rows and then come up when we sing. It take forever and is so crazy! They all stand in the front and swing or rock back and forth! It drives my nuts because when I was in primary, my mom was the chorister and if we leaned on anything or moved or poked our neighbour we were in for it!
The kids sound so good and they love to sing! Scripture Power is my favorite song and the kids love to sing with the loudest voices they have! You definitely feel the spirit! Hopefully it goes smoothly!

Witches Night Out!!

This weekend was so much fun! Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE HALLOWEEN!! Not only is is my b-month but I love the weather, I love candy, I love playing dress up, I love decorating, and I love scary movies and being freaked out of my mind!! Elisa had the great idea to go to Witches Night Out. I'm so glad we did! Everyone dressed up with at least a witches hat. There were some pretty scary witches! Gardner Village decorates the whole place with gigantic green witches doing silly things, like, ride a bike over the water, playing baseball, or riding in a wagon being pulled by brooms! They had music and dancing and of course drawings, but we didn't stay that long. They also had story telling for the little ones and a fortune teller. ( I forgot to get my fortune told so that's a must for next time!) All the witches were dancing around the stage and from a distance it kinda gave you an eerie feeling...as Sarah said, "it makes you feel like we're trying to open some sort of portal or something". I laughed!! They had great deals, but still to expensive for me. I love all the pics! Elisa has some cute ones so check out her blog!

Madison's Baptism

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. Madison was baptised. Elisa, Darrin and Miram came down and we spent the morning getting ready for Madison's Special Day. My mom made her the cutest babtism dress in eylet material and we all put our testimonies in a book Elisa made for her. It was so fun being all together and Madison is the sweetest girl ever! Her and my dad sang Teach me to Walk In the light of his love and it was so cute, Madison has a really great voice and a good ear! Elisa gave the nicest talk about enhariting his kingdom. Darrin babtised her and my dad confermed her. Mom lead the music. Her whole class was there and so many friends from the word came to support her. It was such a special day!! I think my favorite part was when all the kids got to gather around the font to watch the batism. What a good example she is to her little cousins.

A Season for Everything

So, I thought Spring and summer were the seasons for flowers. Nope I was wrong. I planted some flowers that my mom gave me along the fence by the neighbors. My mom said to cut off the blooms so that they can grow back fuller. I did and never saw another bloom. Until today. On plant had completly bloomed! Its been raing a lot lately, but I watered, why didn't they grown before! I had also been fighting with my porch flowers all summer. Kelly gave them to me when she moved and I thought I could get them to grow. They did, then they died, then they grew, then they died. They look better now then ever before!! Whats the deal? It's fall!

Refelction

Today is Thursday and it's UEA weekend so I do not have classes today. So, I'm catching up on blogging and cleaning. I can't believe how many blogs I've missed! You are all so entertaining! (and creative) Well, First of all thanks for all the birthday wishes and gifts! I have the most loving and thoughtful family! All the calls, comments on Elisa's post and surprise visits we're much appreciated! I was however bummed that I'm now 25! I know, I know, some of you are older but come on! My body certainly is not 21 anymore! But on the grateful side at least I'm healthy and able!!
So, I was thinking back on life and remembering back in grade school when you fill out those papers that say "Where will I be when I'm 25?" and wondering what happened. I'm so grateful for whatever did happen but, I thought I'd be on Broadway like in "42nd Street" or something. It's crazy how life turns out. I wonder where I'll be when I'm 52? My favorite thing to tell myself is that "if it's meant to be, everything will fall into place" that's how my life has been, I mean I do set goals and work for things, but if it doesn't fall into place then try something else or wait for the right time. It's funny how hindsight is 20/20. I'm so glad I met Jared after 5 years of going to the same school. Yes it's a small town but not that small. I definitely needed those five years to prepare myself for him. He is amazing and I had a lot of growing up to do. Where is this blog going? I don't really know but anyways. Life is good! "Bloom where your planted", and soon it will be time to "Dance among the Flowers"

Fall Fun

Well, I have a lot of catching up to do. I just can't seem to find time to blog! Something always goes wrong! I can't get my pics uploaded or my computer is so slow or something! But anyways here is an update on what is going on.
Two weekends ago, Jared and I met a friend and his wife up at the cabin for the opening of the Muzzleloader deer hunt. Weston and Jen are going to school in Ogden. Jen and I slept in and really good breakfast, watched chick flicks and went on nature walks. I loved it! The boys went hunting early in the mornings and then came home for lunch. We did go out with them in the evenings on the four wheelers but did not see and buck, just does. It was fun! I loved how beautiful it is up there, all the leaves are changing and the weather is nice and crisp with the smell of camp fires in the air. The pics are of Jared and Weston trying to split a huge log. They were trying to be "Manly Men".

This weekend Jared's family came to visit for my birthday. We went out for dinner and carved pumpkins and played a super fun game called "The Wrong Game". We laughed so hard! You'd be surprised at how hard it is to give the wrong answer to the questions. But for all of you pumpkin carvers I have a few tips to make sure your experience goes smoothly.

* Be sure to cut the top off at an angle so that it doesn't fall in and to prevent extra light coming out of the top.
* Cut a key in the top so that you know how it fits.
* Make sure that the top is big enough for you hand to fit in.
*Don't cut out letters...They may seem easy but they are really hard.
*Make sure to scrape the bottom evenly so that the candle or light can sit evenly
*Carve at an angle to the outside so that more light can show through
*Put your pumpkin in water at night so that it will last longer
*Rig something to the pumpkin so that when kids try to take them to smash them they're arm is cut off. Or just bring them inside before you go to bed.

Now I'm not an expert and that's pretty much all I can do, but if you have any other tricks let me know. The carving kit is pretty good and I do like the little saws, I think they do a good job...But what do I know:)

Mark painted the car before he left for his mission. It's pretty sweet. He just used lace and spray adhesive. Mark is so talented! I miss him!

Cabin Craze

This weekend was so fun! We went to the cabin with Sarah and the kids and mom, dad, and Erik and his kids. We went up to fix the front porch because there was too much snow last year and it caved in... sort of. Jared loves to work so he and dad, fixed the porch, made a sand box, cooked hamburgers, cut wood made fires and took us all to see the "bear cave"! I forgot my camera and Sarah's is broken so no pics. The bear cave is really close and I think it was made from water. We all had fun crawling through it. All the kids did it! Allie wants to sleep in it with the bear! At night Jared and the kids sat on the front porch listening to the elks talk to each other. He had his call so they were quite loud. Madison wants to go hunting with Jared so bad. She is really into real life animal stuff. She watches animal planet and the hunting channel all the time!! Weird! The Kids played the "Papa game" and we laughed so hard. It is when grandpa lays on his back and the kids sit on his knees. They put a coin in the "machine", his mouth, and he puts up his hands. The kids start putting down fingers until they've selected the "special" finger and papa lets them fall through his legs. they love it and we can't stop laughing. I remember playing when I was little. Well I hope everyone had a good weekend, Elisa we missed you and can't wait to see you next weekend.

Open Season!

Hunting Season! Well, It's time to wear bright orange, and camo clothes. And not time to shave. Jared has been hunting this month and will continue next month. He drew out for this unlimited bull hunt where he can hunt for a big bull elk during all the seasons...Riffle, bow, muzzeloader...He shot his bull this Monday in Huntington canyon. It's a pretty big bull. He is so excited! But, now he wants to mount it on our living room wall. Great! I've suggested the cabin but he wants it right by the door to greet him every day. He is not done hunting yet, he also drew out for muzzelloader deer which starts on conference weekend. He has been having a blast and it's crazy how a hunt unites boys together. He had a semi-friend from high school that he hasn't talked to in years call him up to go hunting together. It's crazy! But I'm happy for him! So Happy Hunting Everyone!!

Elisa's Tag

Elisa wanted me to do this tag so here it is. I haven't been reading much lately. I use to read all the time and get in trouble for it. But now I'm married to a redneck and he can't read. J/K
1. One book that changed your life. All the books by Jack Wayland. He was my "favorite and my Best" in middle school. I loved A New Dawn

2. One book you have read more than once. The Jack Wyland books, and The Children of The Promise books by Dean Huges. Love reading about WWII and of course the BofM

3. One book you would want on a desert island. Jared says that John Bytheway book about marriage because I would probably be with him. Same as #2

4. One book that made you laugh. Holes. I love it and the movie is almost as cute as the book!

5. One book that made you cry. Number the Stars. I just feel so amazed at what those little girls had to go through. I couldn't do that.

6. One book you wish had never been written. I haven't really read any crappy books because I only read books that have been referred to me but I wish that some things in the Sun Advocate
had never been written. Man I hate that newspaper
7. One book you wish had been written. The R.L Stines series, the one on Fear street
with the witches and the curse being passed down or something. I need to read them again. GOOD TIMES!
.8. One book you are currently reading. The Narnia Series. and the BofM

Dream Come True

I finally did it!! I opened a dance studio!! I have been planing this for years, since high school. It was fun to go from a ugly room to a cute studio! I loved every minute of it and appreciate all the help from my family and friends. Jared's mom and sister came for a "girls weekend" and helped with some painting. My mom helped clean the bathrooms and came up with the paint scheme. My dad and Jared put up the bars, mirrors, fake wall, and moved in all my dance stuff and equipment. Sarah helped decorate and advertise and Erik and Kelly painted the waiting area. Jared, my mom and dad helped finish painting the studio. With all the help it turned out great!! I had my first week of classes last week and had a blest!! I've had alot more girls sign up than I had hoped for! I can't wait for performances and costumes!! I'm even doing an adult class and I have so much fun! Now I can go to my high school reunion with confidence! Just kidding. If anyone has any cute dance ideas or decoration ideas please let me know!

It's time to get the house back together now. I've put off house work and improvments for a month! I'd rather work on the studio. We do need to paint the office and bedroom and get the guest rooms all situated. And I need to weed like crazy!!
I'll post pics as soon as blogger will let me! The "before pics" will not download so sorry. It was just a big white dirty room with a huge cut out on one wall.

It's Starting to Come together

Well, I've started advertising for my studio and have already had people call and sign up!! I have had this goal since high school when I realized that I was too short to be a rockett or any kind of Broadway dancer or ballerina. In College I created my name and logo and company names and even had a test run through when my ballet company teacher Candice allowed me to teach 2 jazz classes. They were great and I loved every minute. I liked school but not my dance classes, I failed ballet and modern because of written tests. We had one test where we were to draw the nine body positions in ballet. I'm not an artist so my stick figures cost me a passing grade. But don't let that fool you , I'm still a pretty good dancer. Then I moved to SLC to gain more experience in teaching little ones. I loved this job but still had a desire to own my own studio. My patriarchal blessing encourages me to pursue this goal and to be a good role model to those girls I teach. I so want to help girls realize that there is no such thing as "bump and grind" in real dancing.. That's only for music videos. Because of my drill coach who always had modest costumes I want my dancers to be able to live their religion no matter what talents and interests they have. Well, for a few months I felt that this was not going to happen as fast as I wanted it to. I was looking for a building but no one would rent to me or the spaces were to small or I couldn't afford them. I looked into building but that seemed even more impossible because a commercial building and all the permits and little fees are way too much. But just at the last minute someone finally felt compassion on me and allowed me to rent from him. (It's Kelly's dad, I love family) Not only is he letting me rent from him but for the first few months it's rent free so that I can get it started and running. Plus the building already had mirrors, which I didn't have and a wood floor which I can't afford to put in! So now all the expenses that I thought I would have, I don't! So most of my money can be put into advertising!! I do have to put some money into paint to fix up the room but it'll be so cute when I'm done!! I don't know why all of this came about but it did all happen the same week Jared and I accepted church callings. He is the 17 yr. old Sunday school teacher and I'm teaching the 9 & 10 yr. old primary. Coincidence? I don't know but I'm grateful for it all!! If you want to check out my studio blog it's encoredance.blogspot.com. I can't sleep because I'm coming up with dances and class ideas and year end concert stuff and advertising! I love it!

Denver Trip

Denver Colorado

I've been meaning to blog about my trip to Denver with Jared's family for awhile now but it just hasn't happened.

At the end of May Jared and I met his family in Denver and the Denver Aqarium. His brother lives in South Dakota and the rest live in Grand Junction Colorado. Denver was in the middle with a Six Flags so we met in Denver. It was fun to be with his family and the neicies and nephews. We went to Six Flags, the Aquarium, Denver Temple and the Denver Zoo. Now, Jared is not a big picture taker. He doesn't like to stop what he is doing to say "cheese". So at the Zoo I finally got mad and told him that we wouldn't be able to remember anything if we didn't have pictures. So what does he do? He finds a poor unsespecting bystander to be the modle of his photo shoot. The modle was an over weight guy taking his daughter to the Zoo. Well I guess it was his pants that Jared was interested in...more like his butt. This guy had a trail of brown something down his crack! Now I don't know what it was or what happened to him but Jared found this very entertaining and made it his mission to get the best "memory" of our family trip. Leave it up to Jared to take great family pictures. Poor Guy!

Elder Rasmussen

Elder Rasmussen

Mark is now in Brazil beginning his new chapter in life. It was hard to see him go so far away. His talk on Sunday was so impressive! He really is a smart guy! Now I'll have to write my own talks for church! Just kidding! But he was just a little boy setting boobie traps and pretending to be a Ninja Turtle and now he's in a foreign country learning a new language and learning to rely on the lord. How selfless is my little brother!!

We drove to SLC on Monday and Mark rode up with me. He was in such a good mood and I think he was really happy to be serving the lord. My family and Uncle Damon ate at the spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square and then went swimming at the hotel pool. Madison splashed Mark and we had a blast. I can't remember the last time we all went swimming together, even dad. Mark's plane left for New York at 9:50 a.m. so we had to be at the airport early in the morning. Dad said a prayer and off we went... Almost without any problems. Thank goodness for cell phones, because dad missed the exit and finding parking was trouble! While we waited for Mark to get his tickets I asked Miriam where Uncle Mark was going and in her tiny voice she said "Brazil" and she told me he was a "missionary". What a good example my little brother is to his nieces and nephew's. They will miss him so much!!

With all the Security we had to say good-bye early and that was the hardest part!! There wasn't a dry eye in the whole place! Elisa has all the Pics and I'm sure she'll put them on her blog! Mark and the other Elders looked so young! How can he be nineteen and teaching strangers for two years! He's my Little Brother! But I know He'll grow so much and do some amazing things!! I love him and am so proud of him!

God Speed Elder!!