Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wahooo!
Yesterday Connor had his first soccer game of the season. His team is the Red Dragons. I love how much he loves sports and how excited he gets about playing. He laid his soccer uniform out, socks and all on his bedroom floor the night before the game because he was so excited. I think he would've worn his uniform to school if I had let him. It was a fun game and the best part was Connor made his first soccer goal! He was trying to act all cool and not smile, but he couldn't hold back. I am kicking myself for not bringing my camera. Go Red Dragons!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Istanbul Not Constantinople
A couple of years ago I was able to go on a trip that I considered a once in a lifetime opportunity. I went on a girls trip to Paris and Turkey. Recently I found out that I have been given this chance again! This Spring I will be going back to Turkey. A lady in my mom's ward works for an airline and asked if my mom wouldn't go with her to Turkey and provide her with a buddy pass. She generously offered to have my sister Alissa (who didn't go on the trip last time) and I go along as well. I was a little worried at first about all the details like what to do with the kids and how I probably should be more practical with my money. Thankfully I have a very supprotive husband and a very generous mother in law. I love Istanbul and I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life going there. Here are a few pictures from the last adventure:
The lobby of the hotel. You go up the winding staircase to the rooms. We are going to stay here again. It is easily my favorite hotel.
Teresa, Janice, me, Kami, Aunt Gayla, and Breanne.
Now the big question is: Does anyone have any good ways of making some extra money? :)
Our Hotel: The Empress Zoe
The lobby of the hotel. You go up the winding staircase to the rooms. We are going to stay here again. It is easily my favorite hotel.
My mom, Aunt Teresa, me, sister Breanne and sister in law Kami inside The Blue Mosque.
Teresa, Janice, me, Kami, Aunt Gayla, and Breanne.
Now the big question is: Does anyone have any good ways of making some extra money? :)Friday, February 26, 2010
Crazy Lady
Yesterday Leah's Grandma got Leah the cutest swimsuit with matching coverup, sunglasses and swim bag. The lady at the store was telling us about an adorable swim cap that went with it, but was sold out within a few days. I checked online and they only had 0-6 months. I had to have it! Pathetic, I know. So, I called 44 stores and everyone was either sold out or had it in a o-6 months. I finally found a store in North Carolina (Thank you Charlotte!) that had one in a 2-3T even though I needed a 4T. Oh well- Leah will have to squeeze into it, because it is being shipped to our house.
I know I am crazy. It probably isn't the smartest thing to spend a chunk of money on a silly swim cap, but I had to have it! A matching swim cap?! Adorable. I'm creating jobs. Right?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ice Skating
I haven't posted forever. Does anyone even read this thing :)?
On Monday night we took the kids to the rec center to go ice skating for our Family Home Evening. It was Connor and Leah's first time. Poor little Owen had to play in the rec center's child care. But, I think he had fun crawling all over and exploring new toys.
The kids did great. First they started out with us holding both of their hands, then they went down to one hand, then they went to holding the wall, and then they did it ALL BY THEMSELVES! I was so impressed! It is funny what kids can learn in just an hour. Maybe Connor can be a hockey player and Leah can be a figure skater. I think they might enjoy watching the Olympics and seeing what they could learn to do with enough hard work and practice :).
The kids are begging to go again next Monday. I'll be sure to bring my camera next time.
On Monday night we took the kids to the rec center to go ice skating for our Family Home Evening. It was Connor and Leah's first time. Poor little Owen had to play in the rec center's child care. But, I think he had fun crawling all over and exploring new toys.
The kids did great. First they started out with us holding both of their hands, then they went down to one hand, then they went to holding the wall, and then they did it ALL BY THEMSELVES! I was so impressed! It is funny what kids can learn in just an hour. Maybe Connor can be a hockey player and Leah can be a figure skater. I think they might enjoy watching the Olympics and seeing what they could learn to do with enough hard work and practice :).
The kids are begging to go again next Monday. I'll be sure to bring my camera next time.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Sorry Alissa! :)
Check out my sister Alissa. She was nominated for Wastach Woman of the Year for her work in the community.
http://wasatchwoman.com/article.php?id=173
(ARTICLE TAKEN FROM WASATCH WOMAN MAGAZINE)
Support for the Broken
Community Honoree, Alissa Black
by Marcia Armstrong Chidester
Murray Police Department crime victims advocate Alissa Black knows the consequences her clients suffer after being raped, robbed and beaten by raging husbands. She's seen the black eyes, bloody noses and broken bones. She's witnessed the terror and plummeting self-esteem. She's been frustrated at the lack of emergency financial assistance — for a hotel room needed to escape an abusive spouse or food for hungry kids — that made the aftermath of an already awful situation much worse. But one day in 2005, after trying in vain to locate money to help a rape victim who'd been robbed of every cent in her bank account, the 31-year-old Alissa had an "aha" moment: The area needed an emergency fund for such things. And, she would have to organize it. "I wanted to take care of that totally unexpected, emergency need," she says. Alissa had organized a similar fund while working as a victims' advocate in San Diego two years earlier, so she knew the fundamentals of making it happen. After receiving permission from her boss, Murray Chief of Police Peter Fondaco, she started calling businesses and foundations across Salt Lake Valley, looking for money. What she got was dozens of rejection letters. "It was depressing that the foundations didn't want to give money to a new organization, but I don't blame them," she said. "We were so new, with no audited financial reports yet." Then, Chief Fondaco talked to Utah mogul Larry Miller, who discussed the concept with executives at Zions Bank and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Alissa says. Between the three organizations, Alissa soon had $225,000 in seed money, and in 2006, the Salt Lake Valley Emergency Fund (SLVEF) was born. In the last three years, she's written checks for such urgent expenditures as funerals, burial dresses and the home biohazard cleanups necessary when family members are killed or commit suicide. "I'm in awe of what she's accomplished in a few short years," said Lynda DeRushia, who nominated Alissa for the honor. Lynda was president of the Murray Chamber of Commerce when Alissa started raising funds. "Alissa was stepping into unknown territory to make things happen for people who needed immediate assistance," Lynda says. "She has a real compassion and a need to go the extra mile." Now, as executive director of SLVEF, Alissa fields calls for help from area police stations, rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters. Victims fill out a one-page application explaining their emergency need and detailing exactly what help they are seeking. While most relief agencies use income to disqualify applicants, Alissa doesn't take family finances into account. "Some couples make a lot of money, but often the wife, who is a victim of domestic violence, doesn't have access to that funding," she says. To keep the organization's coffers filled, Alissa applies for grants and holds fundraisers. She also asks prosecutors to request reimbursement from perpetrators in court-ordered restitution. The paybacks help make the offenders accountable, a character trait sorely lacking in most domestic violence criminals, she says. "They are paying our emergency fund back for their bad choices." Not all donations have to be monetary. Businesses can also help by supplying such things as hotel rooms, food or clothing, at no charge to crime victims. Alissa willingly donates her lunch hours at work and uses the leisure time she could spend with her husband to scrutinize SLVEF applications, get checks signed and secure supplies. Such dedication has reaped great results, Chief Fondaco says. "She's invested a lot of time to make this thing work," he says, "and she is the only reason it is a success."
http://wasatchwoman.com/article.php?id=173
(ARTICLE TAKEN FROM WASATCH WOMAN MAGAZINE)
Support for the Broken
Community Honoree, Alissa Black
by Marcia Armstrong Chidester
Murray Police Department crime victims advocate Alissa Black knows the consequences her clients suffer after being raped, robbed and beaten by raging husbands. She's seen the black eyes, bloody noses and broken bones. She's witnessed the terror and plummeting self-esteem. She's been frustrated at the lack of emergency financial assistance — for a hotel room needed to escape an abusive spouse or food for hungry kids — that made the aftermath of an already awful situation much worse. But one day in 2005, after trying in vain to locate money to help a rape victim who'd been robbed of every cent in her bank account, the 31-year-old Alissa had an "aha" moment: The area needed an emergency fund for such things. And, she would have to organize it. "I wanted to take care of that totally unexpected, emergency need," she says. Alissa had organized a similar fund while working as a victims' advocate in San Diego two years earlier, so she knew the fundamentals of making it happen. After receiving permission from her boss, Murray Chief of Police Peter Fondaco, she started calling businesses and foundations across Salt Lake Valley, looking for money. What she got was dozens of rejection letters. "It was depressing that the foundations didn't want to give money to a new organization, but I don't blame them," she said. "We were so new, with no audited financial reports yet." Then, Chief Fondaco talked to Utah mogul Larry Miller, who discussed the concept with executives at Zions Bank and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Alissa says. Between the three organizations, Alissa soon had $225,000 in seed money, and in 2006, the Salt Lake Valley Emergency Fund (SLVEF) was born. In the last three years, she's written checks for such urgent expenditures as funerals, burial dresses and the home biohazard cleanups necessary when family members are killed or commit suicide. "I'm in awe of what she's accomplished in a few short years," said Lynda DeRushia, who nominated Alissa for the honor. Lynda was president of the Murray Chamber of Commerce when Alissa started raising funds. "Alissa was stepping into unknown territory to make things happen for people who needed immediate assistance," Lynda says. "She has a real compassion and a need to go the extra mile." Now, as executive director of SLVEF, Alissa fields calls for help from area police stations, rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters. Victims fill out a one-page application explaining their emergency need and detailing exactly what help they are seeking. While most relief agencies use income to disqualify applicants, Alissa doesn't take family finances into account. "Some couples make a lot of money, but often the wife, who is a victim of domestic violence, doesn't have access to that funding," she says. To keep the organization's coffers filled, Alissa applies for grants and holds fundraisers. She also asks prosecutors to request reimbursement from perpetrators in court-ordered restitution. The paybacks help make the offenders accountable, a character trait sorely lacking in most domestic violence criminals, she says. "They are paying our emergency fund back for their bad choices." Not all donations have to be monetary. Businesses can also help by supplying such things as hotel rooms, food or clothing, at no charge to crime victims. Alissa willingly donates her lunch hours at work and uses the leisure time she could spend with her husband to scrutinize SLVEF applications, get checks signed and secure supplies. Such dedication has reaped great results, Chief Fondaco says. "She's invested a lot of time to make this thing work," he says, "and she is the only reason it is a success."
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Traditions
Every year we have some family Christmas traditions. Here are some of them:
This little guy on the blender is named Stephen our elf. Connor named him last year. Every night he flys back to the North Pole and reports to Santa if we are being bad or good. Every morning we find him in a different place in the house. He has really come in handy when we have needed to point out that Stephen is watching.
This is an ornament Trent and I got for our first Christmas. Every year we have bought an ornament. Sometimes it is to symbolize something that happened that year.
This is our ornament from last year. We bought it while we were in Hawaii.
Here is our little Christmas tree. Our kids enjoyed putting the ornaments on it.
Owen has become a little crawler in the last couple of weeks. He loves going to the tree and trying to grab any presents or ornaments in his reach.
Every year we take the kids to see Santa. Since we are cheap we take them to see Santa at RC Willey :). They even take the photo and print it out for you right there :).
After walking around the store for a minute Connor said he needed to go back to Santa. He forgot to tell him what he wanted for Christmas. He told him a Batman movie and a t-shirt. Santa said to go to bed early and to make him some chocolate chip cookies. Connor asked if it was O.K. if we made him gingerbread cookies because we already bought the mix for them. Santa said that would be great. It was pretty funny.
While at RC Willey we couldn't pass up the free hot dogs and soft drinks.
Another one of our family traditions is to go to the Festival of Trees. Here is Leah by her favorite tree.
Connor liked the Grinch tree.
This little guy on the blender is named Stephen our elf. Connor named him last year. Every night he flys back to the North Pole and reports to Santa if we are being bad or good. Every morning we find him in a different place in the house. He has really come in handy when we have needed to point out that Stephen is watching.
This is an ornament Trent and I got for our first Christmas. Every year we have bought an ornament. Sometimes it is to symbolize something that happened that year.
This is our ornament from last year. We bought it while we were in Hawaii.
Here is our little Christmas tree. Our kids enjoyed putting the ornaments on it.
Owen has become a little crawler in the last couple of weeks. He loves going to the tree and trying to grab any presents or ornaments in his reach.
Every year we take the kids to see Santa. Since we are cheap we take them to see Santa at RC Willey :). They even take the photo and print it out for you right there :).
After walking around the store for a minute Connor said he needed to go back to Santa. He forgot to tell him what he wanted for Christmas. He told him a Batman movie and a t-shirt. Santa said to go to bed early and to make him some chocolate chip cookies. Connor asked if it was O.K. if we made him gingerbread cookies because we already bought the mix for them. Santa said that would be great. It was pretty funny.
While at RC Willey we couldn't pass up the free hot dogs and soft drinks. 
Another one of our family traditions is to go to the Festival of Trees. Here is Leah by her favorite tree.
Connor liked the Grinch tree.We love the Christmas season and all the fun things we do together as a family. We also love the reason why we celebrate Christmas and are grateful for Jesus and his example to us.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Job Interview
Trent and I just recently returned from Iowa and Illinois. Trent was interviewing for a job out in Iowa and the company flew us both out to interview and check it out and see if it was somewhere we would like to move to. We brought Owen along with us (since I am his food source right now) and we left the other two crazies at home with Trent's nice mom.
Owen enjoying some alone time with his parents at our hotel.
John Deere's headquarters are out there. This photo was taken at their museum.
Owen and Trent
On Sunday we went to a small ward building surrounded by beautiful corn fields. Then we took a drive out to Nauvoo to see the Temple. It was beautiful. I wish we had more time to see everything.
After the Temple we drove to Carthage to see Carthage Jail. I was so glad we were able to go there. It was really emotional and we had a really neat missionary couple take us on the tour. His great great grandparents had lived in Nauvoo and her great great great grandparents had. She was actually a convert to the church. He shared such a beautiful testimony in the room where Joseph Smith was killed. Then he let Trent and I stay in the room alone for a minute.
We had a good trip and enjoyed seeing a part of the country that we had never seen. But, we were happy to see our other two rug rats.
Owen enjoying some alone time with his parents at our hotel.
John Deere's headquarters are out there. This photo was taken at their museum.
Owen and Trent
On Sunday we went to a small ward building surrounded by beautiful corn fields. Then we took a drive out to Nauvoo to see the Temple. It was beautiful. I wish we had more time to see everything. 
After the Temple we drove to Carthage to see Carthage Jail. I was so glad we were able to go there. It was really emotional and we had a really neat missionary couple take us on the tour. His great great grandparents had lived in Nauvoo and her great great great grandparents had. She was actually a convert to the church. He shared such a beautiful testimony in the room where Joseph Smith was killed. Then he let Trent and I stay in the room alone for a minute. 
We had a good trip and enjoyed seeing a part of the country that we had never seen. But, we were happy to see our other two rug rats.
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