USA vs Canada Soccer

We went to the United States vs Canada game today and it was a blast! The game was great, we had super close seats (not from where my picture was taken) and we had a great view of the United States team, Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Amy Rodriguez, Megan Rapinoe, Lauren Cheney, etc. USA won 2-1. We got a ton of sun, but it was worth the high temperatures to get a London Olympic Games preview.

Archery World Cup 2012

We went and watched part of the compound finals for the Archery World Cup today, it was VERY VERY hot, but fun watching some, now official, 2012 olympic athletes compete for the World Cup gold.  This is probably the last time that the Cup will come to Ogden, we have great memories from all three years that it has been here.

What just happened?

We had a wonderful time playing with friends up at Bear Lake over the weekend.  Upon coming home the list of things to do before moving was started and can I just say how insane just 3 days have been?!?  I was so stressed Monday night (poor JD) that I didn't know what we were going to do about any of the 'little' unknowns: what city to move to, where we were going to live, how we were going to get ourselves and our stuff there....nothing all that important, I can't imagine why I was so stressed.  I haven't applied to very many jobs because it is hard to interview and start working when you are two states away, so that has been stressful too, combine that with JD getting student loans in order and that whole aspect has just been so much fun as well.
Then today happened and things got a little more interesting.  While packing up winter clothes I received a phone call with a 626-0000 number, this is Weber State's line, I figured it was my committee chair asking where my final thesis draft is.  Well, it was her, but it wasn't about my thesis, she was offering me a full time adjunct faculty position at Weber!  Ultimately that is what I want to do and where I want to be.  It was so sad and hard to tell her that I couldn't accept the position (one I didn't even apply for, they had an application in their pool from a position I applied for 3 years ago) because I was moving to Oregon in a month.  So my ultimate job and set up on hold for a few more years I guess, this would have been infinately worse if we both hadn't felt so sure about choosing Pacific University.....To make up for that moment of insanity, 5 hours later I got an e-mail from a Forest Grove bishop's mother who offered to rent out her house to us.  It is twice as big and has 2 extra bedrooms, 1 extra bathroom, and costs $100 less than what we were planning on.
I feel like I am riding a roller coaster.  I am definately grateful to know that we are being watched over and to know that as crazy as all of this is, we know that we are going where we are supposed to go, and that we are being helped along the way as we make this move.

Bear Lake with Friends

We spent the weekend up at the cabin with some of our closest friends.  It was a weekend of intense mini golfing, delicious food, swimming, watching groundhogs, talking late into the night, playing games, and hanging out.  We are so grateful that we were all able to make it work out and spend some time together before we leave for Oregon, and Garners to Iowa. 

Temporary Post

 This is a preview of sorts, I use this blog for my personal journaling more than anything else, which I print off at the end of the year, so I will be going back in time to post some of the adventures I had with Erin this past week in Yellowstone, Island Park, and Lake Hebgen.  More to come!

Addendum: I am not going to delete this post because I think it is crazy that it took me until July 4th to catch this blog up by documenting our amazingly fun trip. Not so temporary.  So as of today, all caught up!

Mesa Falls, Rexburg, & Home

 Unfortunately, vacations wouldn't be vacations if they never ended.  So today we headed home, but we are not into the boring, just drive home idea. One year we drove through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson, and the Teton Scenic byway, this year we did the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.  It was SO pretty!  I can't remember being there when it was so sunny to the point that you could see multiple rainbows off of the falls.  We went to Rexburg and explored our favorite stores: Artco & Porter's.  We found some cute deals, stopped at the temple, and then continued on our way home.  We had so much fun!  We relaxed, explored, photographed, napped, read, cooked, stoked fires, hiked, walked, 'hunted' moose, drove, talked, laughed, and had an amazing time.  I am grateful to have such a great kindred spirit for a friend. 

Snowy Sabbath

Happy Snowy Sunday!  We woke up to lots of pretty snow on the trees as we went on our way to church, it was a pretty winter wonderland.  Church was great.  We went to Big Hot Springs afterwards and saw Johnny Sack's cabin while there, it was cool to see how warm the water was there keeping everything near it green and free of snow. 

Erin was really sick, probably after doing so much the day before, so we stayed at the cabin most of the day.  The cabin was toasty from our fire, we watched Anne of Avonlea, I read a lot, and Erin had 4 1/2 naps.  We really did have a very nice and relaxing day.  I don't know the last time that I had such a quiet day watching the snow fall, reading, and poking logs.  It was AWESOME.

Yellowstone

Today was National Outdoors Day which means free entrance into Yellowstone National Park.  We had a blast today!  We saw tons of baby buffalo, a marmot, a momma and baby elk, and bonus: NO SNOW.  The forcast looked terrible when we set out, but while it was pretty cold, the weather was great.  We drove up to Mammoth Hot Springs, then down to Old Faithful, we loved the new visitor center, the waterfalls, and our all time favorite spot in the Old Faithful lodge with a perfect view of Old Faithful and perfect napping spot for sick friends.  We took pictures, snacked, played, napped, and ran all over the park that we have come to know so well.  Having done everything we can now be picky and go to our favorite parts.  Pizza at Pete's in West was delicious, and we made it home just before a very cool blizzard came through, I had fire down at this point so we didn't mind, we got cozy in our blankets and snuggled down into them as we watched Anne of Green Gables. 

Hebgen & West & Fires

 We drove up in Montana today and it was so pretty!  Quake Lake and Lake Hebgen were beautiful.  We found a Beaver pond that was pretty cool too.  A stop at Erin's favorite place per tradition was great, the water was really high this year so no dancing around in the duct going to Quake.  After our adventuring in the 'wilderness' we went into West Yellowstone and walked around pretty much all of the shops.  It was kind of weird to be there and have the town be so quiet.  We had dinner at the cabin and I got really good at maintaining a fire to warm up us and the cabin, it is cold up here!

We Made It!

Back in January before school had started, Erin and I had spent a long night chit chatting about all kinds of things, when it turned to what we wanted to do when we were done with Grad school we pulled out planners, pencils, and wrote down a few things, including a trip to Island Park June 7-11.  We laughed even that far in advance knowing it would most likely never happen.  However, after a long day of work and Erin arranging her clinical externship, we set off for Island Park.  We are here and it is wonderful, beautiful, happy, and fun!  Another adventure!

Marigold Hotel

JD & I were invited to go to a movie about India with his grandparents yesterday.  I was under the initial impression that it was going to be something of a documentary on the country.  On our way there, however, JD mentioned it was a flower hotel or something of that nature.  Having been a fan of Masterpiece Classic's Downton Abbey, I suddenly knew exactly what we were about to attend: a coming of age movie for people entering retirement.  JD and I were by far the youngest people present, and what ensued was hilarious.  Any time a character side whispered or said anything, there would be at least two people who would go, "what did they say?!?" followed by a loud translation.  It was just a funny, random experience all around. Movie was...interesting, but it was fun to see its depiction of India.

Sunrise

I woke up this morning around 5:40 because I noticed the room was pink, I thought it was strange, so I walked to the window, opened the blinds, and then ran straight for my camera.  I found myself in the middle of my street, in my pajamas, and 5:43 in the morning taking some pictures of the watercolored canvas.  Things like this serve as a reminder that my Heavenly Father loves me.

S.P.E.T.H.

These were all taken at different spots around Temple Square when JD & I went to City Creek.

The Speth surname is dervied from the Middle High German word "spath," meaning "late;" thus it is supposed it may have evolved from a nickname for a tardy person.

First found in Bavaria, where the name Spaeth was anciently associated with tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes in early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region.  Their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Memorial Weekend

 

 
We escaped up to Bear Lake this weekend.  Crazy weather best describes our experience.  It was very rainy the drive up but sunshiney at Bear Lake.  The next day it seriously snowed all day long.  The only time it may have stopped was when we were in church because the rest of the day definately consisted of snow, and very muddy roads.  Then today was another beautiful day of sunshine and warm weather.  I even went out and read some Sherlock Holmes on the porch.  It was fun being up there with my cousins, JD, and relaxing.

Whooosh

So we were driving home after a lovely Mabey-Miner family session of sealings at the Jordan River Temple last night when an unexpected event occurred.....I heard a thump sound followed by a PssssssssssssssSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss sound and then the car started bouncing a bit.  We found ourselves on the side of I-15 right before North Salt Lake, at 11:30 at night, with a shredded tire.  A couple of months ago the tire on our Civic was punctured pretty bad and we received valuable experience in changing that tire with JD's dad.  I am so grateful for parents who teach us important things.  We had that spare on pretty quickly and were on our way back home without any further incidents.  What an exciting (and soon to be expensive) temple night!

***Also, super grateful for the nice guy who pulled over to see if we needed any help.***

City Creek

JD & I made it down to City Creek today and just had a nice time walking around looking at the fish in the pond, the creek, the fountains, and Temple Square. I had fun finding shapes that spelled out our name, but I will have to share that another time.

In a nutshell....

Eclipse

Ogden Half Marathon

What a blast!  I can scratch off a Half Marathon off my wish list as of today.  I loved participating in the Ogden Half Marathon.  It was seriously so much fun.  I liked the whole course....except the last 7 blocks on Grant with the Finish line glaring at me in the distance.  Utah blocks aren't short and that part just wasn't much fun, though the crowd was great.  I couldn't have asked for a better race buddy.  Erin was fantastic too and it was fun to have that experience together.

 

 

 

 

2 1/2 Hours

If you don't have about 3 hours available.....DO NOT go into the war surplus section of Smith & Edwards with your sisters.

Brigham

We stopped by the Brigham Temple to see how it was coming along today, I love it, and I am so sad that I won't even be around for when they open it.  I liked how the pictures turned out though-they look almost as if they were computer generated to me, only instead of people in church attire, there are little construction men.

Applications

I have started to apply for jobs up in the Portland area, and can I just say how tired of it I am already and it has been less than 24 hours!  There is something not fun in inputting the same information over and over and over again, tweaking your resume to fit the position, and submitting.  Hopefully some good comes of it.  In the mean time, I will keep submitting away-as my brain continues to melt.

Mum's Day

The Girl in a Whirl by ‘Dr. Sue’ (a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!

You could do what I do

If you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;

I bake,

I upholster,

I scrub,

and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;

I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms!

I sew all they wear!

I drive them to practice!

I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;

I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano!

I bless with my talents!

My toilets all sparkle!

My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;

I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .

I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished;

Our t-shirts are ironed!

My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;

The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.

It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;

I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children!

I help all my neighbors!

I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;

My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.

It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;

I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .

I write in my journal!

I sing in the choir!

Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!

My kids get straight A’s!

And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money;

I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;

I change the car’s tires!

I fix the sink’s leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;

I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;

My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard;

’tis good if you do them;

You can if you try!

Just set goals and pursue them!

It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It’s easy!” she said

and then she dropped dead.

I know, kind of a goofy poem, but I like it.  And while not all of these things were done all the time growing up (which was the point of the poem in the first place, that no one can do it all), it is amazing to see how amazing moms are at doing so much.  I am grateful for my mom and all the sacrifices she has made for me and for the example she has been to me of service, of a job well done, and being kind to those around me.  She is amazing to say the least. Happy mother's day!

Sunscreen

My grandparents have always been sun people.  As soon as the weather is warm enough to get something accomplished outside, and the sun is out long enough to finish a project they will be outside all day long.  This can be working on things at the cabin, working in my grandma's beautiful garden and yard, or just sitting outside to soak it in.  We had a BBQ outside for mothers day today and I could tell I was starting to burn, so I asked my grandma if she had any sunscreen.  I got a look of concern as she replied, "I think I do".  Several minutes later she came out with sunscreen.  My grandpa saw it and said, "I have something much better, I have to use it almost every day and it works great."  What he brought out was After Sun Moisturizer, to help sooth sunburns and prevent peeling.  Grandparents are pretty fun, even if they don't really believe in sunscreen.

Wednesdays

This summer JD and I get the same day off-Wednesday.  I am pretty excited about this because instead of stressing and rushing to the temple as soon as we get off work, we now can go in the middle of the day.  We can go to movies-like the Avengers.  We can use gift cards for dinner.  We can be out in the sunshine together.  If you can't tell, the first Wednesday this summer was pretty neat.

Piglet

When I was growing up my mom would always call us piglets when we had made a mess.  This was not necessarily a term of endearment, but rather one of exasperation.  This expression would come from projects being left out, socks left in the living room, dishes left in the sink after a cooking experiment etc.  This week I have been a 100 billion percent piglet.  The key part of being a piglet is that you don't really notice what you have done, you make your messes and over time they build up into what could be referred to as a pig sty. My projects that have culminated into such a mess include:

• Assembling my new bike
• Creating an amazing card for Erin's graduation
• Experimental enchiladas
• Primary lesson
• Remnants from our trip
• Redoing my Summer blocks
• To do pile

I am not proud of this mess, but the first step in piglet recovery is to observe the individual projects on a whole and come to the conclusion that it is indeed a mess.  Now I am trying to wrap everything up as quick as I can to get this mess out of sight so that full remission can be obtained. In the mean time: I am a piglet.

USA Cycling

I volunteered at the US Collegiate Cycling National Championships today in Ogden.  My job was to make sure no one walked into a guy or gal riding their bikes, since that would probably hurt....a lot.  It was crazy cool watching the cyclists who were incredibly fast, zooming around downtown Ogden.  They were out on Antelope Island yesterday and will be in the valley going through Hunstville and Liberty tomorrow.  Pretty cool stuff!

Camino Rio

Sometimes random river parkway walks with one of my best friends are just what I need.