Alright, I'll show you.

Based on a few comments, I don't feel so bad about posting my home improvement escapades. So Here is our latest:

Our guest bathroom remodel for under $500

What we did:
Replaced white linoleum with tile (thanks cousin Todd. That is hard work)
Pulled the old vanity, mirror and light fixture (us)
Painted (perhaps 2 or three times) (me)
Measured, cut, painted and nailed in the trim (us)
Found great deals on awesome stone vessel sink, faucet, vanity, mirror and light (me)
Re-plumbed (which is pretty intense. we had water all over a few times, but is just perfect now) (barry)
decorated (me)
... and it only took us a few........... months!!

before
after
before
after

before

after

BLOG FOG

I'm experiencing some thick blog fog folks. I have just been at a loss for anything exciting to post. I don't have kids to brag about and I sometimes feel silly always blogging about my home improvement projects and well, Barry and I haven't had any DRAMATIC news to announce. I have managed to stay out of car trouble, four-wheeling accidents, hospitals and such.

So here's the boring truth: Currently I am jobless. frustrating. Not that I haven't been working at all. I HAVE. I have been temping since I graduated in May which has given me some good experience, but nothing permanent nor reliable. I have done my best to search out a job. I have spent hours online and door to door answering ads. I get rays of sunlight with interviews that wind up being some crazy dentist office that has a horrible idea of what a good office should be. BUT---I just had an AWESOME interview TODAY in Scottsdale Az. The best most promising interview I have had yet. AND I have two working interviews lined up for WED and THRS of next week. So PLEASE say a little prayer that I can impress them and do well so I can finally land a JOB!! So thats work.

In church Barry and I got called in September to be nursery leaders. UGH. I am struggling with this calling. We were BRAND new to the ward, just married, didn't know anyone and got called to a calling where you interact with 18mo old kids who don't talk. I feel totally out of the ward. I don't know anyone. We pray every night for a change of heart (yes Barry struggles too, not just me). The church is still true though. wink wink. It would just be nice to have the chance to make some new friends. I know, I know, it is a important calling and gives others the opportunity to enjoy the other meetings. I know. OHHHH I just found out that our ward is being SPLIT this coming Sunday so we might actually be changed out of our calling anyways. Also for new years goals Barry and I have been working on our spirituality. We have been doing really well at scripture study, prayer, temple attendance, family night and Barry has even been great with journal writing. So proud of him. YAY!! We still are working on food storage. We need to do more. DAD HELP US.

We are happily married. We have learned good lessons about marriage. Barry stresses out about me. I know he does. But he loves me as I am. I have pretty high expectations for him/us. bless his heart for putting up with me. We still have a lot to learn about being better husband and wife for each other. I sure love him. Barry works hard to provide for us. He is doing GREAT. His insurance agency is doing well and he has lots of plans for the future. Barry has been hitting the GYM almost everyday!! HOOT HOOT! He is such s stud. His knee bothers him a lot but he has been very diligent. Barry has also been a trooper with wearing his braces. Yes, my 28 yr old husband is wearing braces. His teeth are looking so good!!

and there is our life for now.

A happy, honest post

ALRIGHT, BATTER UP! Here goes my debut of "tag, you're it!" posts

I really don't think I can come close to topping Tami's amazing post but, here I am:

10 random things that make me HAPPY
There is so much about life that makes me happy here are some that were on my mind most recently:


#1. Picture this, or if you have a horrible imagination or if my descriptions are lacking, I will add the imagery for you, hot sun shining down upon your face, bluish greenish water all around you, wind whipping your hair around and the bounce from the boat cutting through the waves. Now add some fun music, bathing suits, sweet wake boarding tricks, tubing, and a leather interior cushion on your behind. AHHH, there, now i'm in a very happy place. The lake and summer time are very good times.#2. I am happy when I replay in my mind a favorite memory of mine of my roommate Jen and I. We were cruise'n the streets of Mesa, blasting a little JT enjoying one of our many fun nights being single together, when the car dancing began. Anything went and you didn't cease dancing at a stop light though others could see. Car dancing makes me happy. It is unfortunate that I do not have a photographic representation of this memory.


#3. Clean. Cleanliness in general puts a smile on my face. The lines in the floor from the vacuum, the smell of fresh sheets, the crisp lines of a well made bed, and organized desk (an orgnaized anything for that matter), folded towels, clean people, clean teeth, fresh breath, fresh air, clean nose. BE CLEAN, breath clean, see clean uhhhmmmmm!

#4. My husbands laugh. I always try to replicate it and its a little difficult to pin down. He is a happy guy and enjoys the funny things of life (that's why he married me, wink). It is great. I love it. If you've heard it you will agree.

#5. Joseph Smith. Wow. The persecution he endured, the trials he faced, the faith, the unwavering testimony, the leadership, and strength of this man is truly awesome. I smile knowing a man like him exists. What a stud. I can't wait to shake his hand. #6. Eating. I love good food. Snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizer, dessert, second breakfast, 2nds, main course, I rarely miss a meal in any of the above forms. Dinner is also a time I get to spend with my husband after he gets off work and I have missed him all day. There are many reasons eating makes me happy. Any occasion is better with food. true. My typical favorite times involve a meal with family and friends surrounding me.

#7. My Shows. HGTV - Color Splash with David Bromstad. He is my favorite designer. His creative abilities are so wonderful. I love feeling inspired to make something better. HGTV is just good pg TV with a lot of really talented people on it. I have always been into it. When my roommates were watching Americas next top model I was watching home and garden television. dork. AND SYTYCD!! So you think you can dance. Talented people make me happy. I'm totally into it.



#8. My Nanna and Pomp! Oh how they make me happy. They are so sweet. I love them. I love my Pomp's stories of how he fell in love with Nanna, his sweet lips. Their lives together is honestly very romantic, passionate, and dramatic- and would make the best movie. It helps that they look like movie stars to. They are the best grandparents who have always been there for me.

9. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I can obtain lasting happiness through its teachings. The Gospel of Jesus Christ endures into the eternities and by obedience to the commandments and counsels I can have peace and joy in my life through hardship and trial. I am happy because I have the truth.

10.When my husband comes up behind me wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my cheek. A simple pleasure. I like it.




10 Honest things about myself.

#1. I hate shopping. honestly. I like getting new things, but HATE shopping. I endure shopping because I like new things its a love hate relationship. Shopping is a lot more tolerable WITH someone.

#2. My indecisiveness drives me (and others) crazy. My inability to come to a rational choice in a certain amount of time truly affects my life. I waste a lot of time with worry that I won't make the best choice. It creates a lot of unnecessary anxiety. I wish there was a cure for my tendency.

#3. I am honestly not ready for a children. I know I want them at some point, but it is not right now. I like my life just the way it is for now. I just have a feeling that there are more great lessons I need to learn and character flaws I like to change before I am put in charge of another human life.

#4. I LOVE custom homes. I drive around fancy neighborhoods and go to open houses just to look at them. I also have a whole folder on my computer dedicated to ideas for my custom home. Someday I will build a custom home, at least I really really want to, that is.

#5. I think I am such a control freak because I sometime feel as though I am out of control of my OWN life, so if I can control others lives (my husbands- sorry babe) it gives me that false sense of control I might be lacking in my own life. Or i just might think my way is honesty better.

#6. I dance and sing to really loud music at home when I am alone. In fact, speaking of loud, I watch TV really loud and sometimes sit 4 feet away from the screen (even though it is 52") too.

#7. I honestly didn't think it would be so darn hard to find a job after I graduated from dental hygiene school and its pretty depressing. The way I used to see my life before I went to school is a whole lot different than my reality now. I feel pretty worthless some days.


#8. I am a secret admirer of people with really good style. I pretend that I can look that good too, but always feel a little off. I wish someone with excellent fashion sense would take me shopping and show me exactly what to buy- no for reals that would be RAD.

#9. I really want to create another occasion where I can wear my wedding dress again in public and not be weird for doing it. I just loved my dress and its a shame that such a beautiful thing has to sit in a bag until it goes out of style.

#10. 100% truth. and this one might surprise some. I have gained an affection for English bull dogs. I think the are the so cute in a short, fat, droopy and ugly kind of endearing way. Its the only dog I would ever consider actually owning.

I tag EMILY LINDBLOM and DANAE KEIME

Christmas and New Years

We have had a wonderful holiday season. We had a great Christmas. We spend Christmas eve with Barry's Fam. They have some fun traditions that I really enjoyed. The first one I liked was the "cookie" contest. Every one brings how ever many dozen of cookies they want and the kids judge and vote for the best. Well, little did I know that pretty much ANY treat is counted as a "cookie" in this contest. I showed up with traditional sugar cookies and everyone else showed up with homemade truffles and layered brownies and all this fancy stuff. One thing about Barry's family is they take this contest seriously!! I felt a little inadequate. wink. After everyone oooed and ahhhhed over the TABLE full of goodies we sat down to dinner. I made a big pan of (tiffanie inspired) green chili cream cheese enchiladas and cilantro lime rice. I was happy to take home empty pans! yummm. There was so much good food. Another lovely tradition is the Christmas book. Collette makes these great laminated programs with pictures of all the families, fav recipes, stories and songs that we sang. I also really loved the Christmas video. Every year Holly makes a fun video with all the cousins with still pics and music and editing stuff. Last was the cousin gift exchange. What a good night.

Barry and I spent our Christmas morning with each other. I was really excited to give Barry his gifts. Yup more excited than getting gifts. I knew he would love 'em and he did. It was fun to make him smile!!

A WONDERFUL New Years surprise was the announcement that my sister Kari is pregnant. She and her husband have been trying for some time now and we all have been praying for them. So it was special news to us. We were all sitting at the table eating pizza when I noticed Kari had wording on her shirt. I asked her what does your shirt say and then while that was coming out of my mouth I comprehend that it said Mommy!! and then I look over and Kirk's said Daddy!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

So here are some pics of our holidays

We spent New Years with B&B Kirk and Kari, Tami & Ryne playing lots of fun games and good food.

CHRISTMAS DAY!!
This year we counted our quarters and were able to get Bret, Becki and the kids a trampoline. They were so excited!! Kingston loves to jump!!