Day 130 in Our House

Amazingly, we've owned the house for 130 days. I haven't chronicled all of the progress in the past few months but it is coming along. I've continued to remove wallpaper from the kitchen and it is almost ready to paint. We've hung some pictures. We've repaired the kitchen and bathroom sinks. This weekend, Joshua and his brother Mike built a door frame to add a door in front of our furnace closet. Previously this was covered by a thin piece of wood paneling, I think with some sort of deer pattern on it. Ugly. We took that down and covered it in plastic, but it poured cold air into the house all winter.

Behold, the new door (they even added the vent--awesome!)

Over the past couple of weeks, since we actually had a couple of nice spring days, we've been trying to get the yard cleaned up. There are many, many weeds (dandelions mostly) and a lot of junk awaiting a city dumpster to be delivered to our driveway in another couple of weeks. Today, we paid another visit to Lowes and then spent the afternoon in the yard, planting the garden.

Here's our plan: We've got all the critical components of really good salsa, though I will still need to plant some herbs, maybe on the back porch. We'll also hopefully have the makings for salad, zucchini bread, jack-o-lanterns, and watermelon seed spitting contests.

It doesn't look like much yet, but we'll invite you over later in the season to enjoy the fruits (or veggies as it were) of our labors.

Who does that?

We've been in our house for 4 months now. We've walked up the stairs countless times. Today was the first day we noticed the gum on the underside of the railing/banister. 4 pieces left behind by the previous owners. Ick. How did we not see it in 4 months? Better yet, who does that? I'm willing to cut them some slack and assume that maybe small children did it. However judging by the munge we've had to clean out of so many other places, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't children at all. It did chisel off quite easily, but again, ick!

Jared's Trip to California

My awesome nephew, Jared, invited me to join him on his first big trip away from home because he knows how much I love to travel.

It was his first time on an airplane. He looks like a natural to me.

It was his first trip out of the state of Utah. Legoland in Carlsbad, CA hosted the event.

Seriously. I don't know if the legos are glued onto models, but it's still pretty cool.

Check out Miniland:

Southern California New York City Mardi Gras, New Orleans

The Las Vegas Strip

San Francisco

The White House

We rode a few rides, had lots of junk food and then headed for the beach. It was his first time there too. How did he know how much I love the beach?

Then it was off to the hotel to wash the sand off our feet and sleep a little.

Then it was time to fly home again. Wow, that trip went too quickly.

Jared, when can we go again?

Principle #2: I believe in God and He is the center of my life

Really I believe this should be principle number 1.

I do believe in God and am grateful that he is the center of my life. If anything else were, it would not be a center but a fleeting spark driven by the wind; temporary and unstable. With God as my center, I married the most wonderful man in the world. With God as our center, we have the opportunity to be with our family throughout eternity. Our world is in chaos and many have what they think is the way to put it back on track. They have sparks.

The first Easter morning, one of atonement and resurrection, is the true center from which all things are possible. "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" "He is not here for he is risen, as he said." The miracle of all miracles to which I add my testimony with so many others--that he is the Savior of the world; That through him, we can be redeemed and return to the Father and enjoy life everlasting.

Happy Easter

Principle #1: America is good

Arrogant, Mr. Obama? No, just aware that I live in the greatest country in the world.

I've been a little miffed at Mr. Obama's recent European tour. Mostly for one comment, "Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive." While I don't entirely disagree--we quite often take for granted the great opportunities this country affords us all--I cringe when the leader of this great nation fails to acknowledge that America is still the beacon of hope to millions around the world. He acknowledges the "good that America often does around the world" but fails to stand up for a country that more often than not leads the rest of the world in development, enlightenment, and ultimately freedom. These roots certainly run deep, across oceans where our ancestors came from, but it is the unique spirit of America that draws millions from around the world to flourish in this garden.

Mr. Obama, I pray each day that the Lord will help me to not be arrogant, dismissive or derisive. However, I also thank him each day that I live in a country where this does not still happen: