Now its official...I think... haha

So we had a post on here about the house we are having built and that was like a few months ago. Well now things have changed...AGAIN. We figured out that the builder Atreus was being sold and so they were in the process of changing their name, doing this and that, taking their sweet time, yada yada yada.. Basically they were going under. Things were just taking too long for us as usual. Well since we have been looking for a house since last March you cant blame me for saying I am SICK of everyone taking their sweet time getting us into a house!! We really thought and were basically told it would not take this long to build our house. Well they still haven't even started it!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!

So, the whole reason we looked in this area in the first place was because we went to look at a spec home. When we got there we decided the house was too much for us and started having a home built for us instead. Since the house we got is taking a long time we decided to look at the spec home again. Good news was now the interest rate is lower and we CAN afford it. So on Tuesday we are officially signing papers (hopefully for the last time) and are buying the spec home!!! YEAH!! We can be in within 30 days now and are looking at end of January. We liked the idea of having a home custom-built for us, but we like the idea of being in sooner better :) And Jameson can actually be telling the truth when he tells everyone in the ward we are moving... he has been asked to do so much stuff, but he just kept saying "oh I canat we're moving" haha and now we actually should be in like a month. Yeah!!

the christmas season!

I know I am saying what everyone else has already said, but I love this time of year!! Some people get stressed out with everything they feel like they have to do, but I love it! One thing I love about Christmas is the things and feelings focused on Christ. We have a tradition in my family where we always had a huge Family Home Evening focused around the true meaning of Christmas. I don't know what my mom has planned yet with our family coming into town, but I decided I wanted to do my own this year with friends. I'm super excited. I love the lessons in church as well at this time of year. I am anxious to teach the little kids in nursery all about Jesus and his birth. I mostly do singing time so I'm thinking of teaching them a Christmas song. I've been gone the last couple Sundays and sick the other so any ideas which Christmas song I could teach them???

Another favorite part of Christmas is the time with family and sharing gifts. I am definitely a gift giver. I love seeing peoples faces when they open gifts. It makes me feel so good and happy. I also love the surprise part of opening gifts too. Jameson hates it!!! His theory is if you tell him what you got him that was one moment of excitement, and then when he actually opens it on Christmas morning that is another moment of excitement because he gets to use whatever he got. Therefore getting to experience 2 moments of excitement instead of just one. BUT I have to disagree. He just doesn't like surprises and hates waiting to know what he got. I think not knowing what you get intensifies the magical feeling on Christmas morning when you open up presents from loved ones. I also love to tease him while I'm shopping for him. I tell him "Hey guess what?? I got you something today and you are going to LOVE IT." He hates when I do that haha. So anyways, if anyone wants to share their favorite part about Christmas or their favorite Christmas traditions I would love to hear them :)

I hope everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS this year and we love you all!!!!

Prom Date Night

This summer while Abby and David were in Alabama... we were here planning a date night for when they returned. Just to fill you in a little bit, Abby never got to go to her high school prom. She married the love of her life before she even finished high school. So we put together a "prom night" as an excuse to dress up, go out to eat and go dancing. David even officially asked Abby to prom and bought her a corsage. It was a blast and a really fun night. I felt like I was in high school all over again... except at the end of the night I still get to go home with my hubby :)

this was our theme..haha

the whole group at dinner

the after party

I think this picture is great... cracks me up!

Brian and Katelyn

Ashley and Kal

Me and Katie

Me and the Hubs

Thanks for a fun night everyone!! And Brian and Katelyn for offering their house!!

Update

CallieMaddy

Its been a long time since I wrote a blog . At the first of the month nothing was really going on and now that's it the end of November and I still had not written anything because I have no wireless Internet. I've gotten so use to the lap top using this computer is kind of annoying because its slow and the keyboard is different.

Anyways, I thought I would update you on some things that are going on. First, our house had a little bit of a hold up with the building because they had to put the property in our name. Now everything is sorted out and they should start building this... they said the first of December. I'm so excited I cant wait!!

Next is we added some new little members to the family... their names are Callie and Maddy. We got two ADORABLE calico kittens and we absolutely love them. However, because we don't have the house they are not staying with us (Jameson's parents have a dog who doesn't like cats, thus they are staying with my mom...who said they get into just about EVERYTHING!!) So hopefully she will have them trained by the time they come to live with us in our new home :) Pictures above because this computer was being weird. Thank you Joe and Deidre!!

more on the house

So today Jameson and I went to the design center to pick out our cupboards, tile, carpet, counter tops, and linoleum flooring!! We were so excited. When we walked in I felt even more excited when we saw this sign below...

It says "Congratulations on your new home!" And it had our name on the sign!! Sorry if this is cheesy but we are just way too excited we had to take a picture.

And here are the colors we're picking. We are going with mostly all standard stuff for now except for the carpet. For the kitchen and bathrooms we're doing linoleum floors because we decided it would be cheaper to do tile on our own. Things are moving along and we are very excited. I said that already didn't I? Well its true. We feel very blessed for this opportunity and hope things move as quickly as they say they will...

the final apartment sleepover!

I was just looking through some pictures on my camera and forgot about these ones. This was us in our apartment for our final sleepover with the Workmans... I cant remember the last time I stayed up so late eating junk food and playing games!! We felt like we were in high school (note my moon valley high school t-shirt haha). Definitely good times!! We'll never forget our first official home we got after being married.

the joys of nursery

So I have been in the nursery in our ward now for over a year and I must say it has its ups and downs. Today was probably one of the most interesting times in nursery to date. Let me also remind you we go to church from 11-2 and we are watching these kids during what should be NAP TIME!

Anyways, aside from all the screaming, running around, and toy stealing we get from the usual kids, today we had a first. One of the little girls, who is usually very good, at the very end of nursery comes over and stands in the middle of the room. She then announces to us "teacher I have to go potty now" and two seconds later before we could even react held up her dress and peed all over the floor. Usually she says she has to go and then we quickly run her to the restroom because she is potty trained. For some reason though today she was too interested in play time to let us know soon enough about needing to go

However, despite what others might say about being in nursery I actually enjoy it a lot. Today was also a very rewarding day when one of the little kids comes up to me and tells me "your my favorite" and then gives me a big hug. It makes me feel accomplished and like I am making at least some small little difference in this child's life.

we bought a house!!

That's right... we bought a house. No more middleman, no more declined offers, no more having a rug pulled out from underneath us trying to get a foreclosed or short sale house, no more waiting and wondering if the offer will go through because we bought a BRAND NEW custom built home just for us! The house we're getting is located off of Olive and the 303 (Brian and Katelyn we're almost neighbors and we'll be in the same stake :))

We're super excited and after months and months of looking at houses and numerous offers we really feel like this is where we are suppose to be. We always asked Heavenly Father to lead us in the right direction and help us find where we should be living. After today we feel really good about this home and cant wait for it to be built. We should be in by January. Here is the link to the floor plan below. Scroll down to see the whole thing....

http://www.atreushomes.net/images/stories/floorplans/amorosa_at_cortessa/Silverstone.pdf

We are so grateful that this is a for sure thing and we don't have to worry about being outbid or the sale not going through. This is something that will take a little longer than hoped, but I'm sure come January we could have still be looking at foreclosed homes anyways.

AAAAHHHH!!

Well well well.... the good news is our lease it up and we no longer have an apartment, the bad news is we didn't move into a house. Yes, we are back living with the in-laws. We definitely don't want to be here for that long but there isn't much we can do but wait. All I know is I really don't like going from total independence to having to wear clothes around the house and being quiet because other people are sleeping and not making my own food and just feeling like a guest. We don't really want to be here for much longer but we don't really know what we would do either if we cant get into a house soon... Pray for the best!!

HAIR CUT!

So yesterday I gave Jameson a hair cut!!! YAY!! Usually we have Katie do it for us cuz she is so AWESOME at everything!! But they wanted me to learn how so I can cut it for him and so I can cut my little boy's hair when the time comes... AND because Bryan and Katie have decided to abandon us so Katie wont be around much longer for free haircuts.. here are the results...

Nothing to hard... It was pretty much a buzz cut

So tempting to stop right there and leave a mohawk haha

THE END... YEAH for haircuts!

I still need Katie though to dye my hair and wax my eyebrows :) Love you Katie!!

Goodbye Sylvester

Ok so I know this may seem kind of cheesy, but I got some very upsetting news today from my dad. But first, let me just remind you how much I love dogs and cats and how much I really wish I could get a house just to have a pet!!! But my story starts yesterday, when we went to have dinner with my mom at my parents house...
My parents have a cat named Sylvester that they have had since he was born. We had his mom, but she ran away and so we've had him longer than any other cat... I cant even remember how long. Anyways, he's always there when we get to my parents house and I always give him a little pet because he's such a beggar of attention. But yesterday, my mom had told me "I feel bad for him...he's so neglected" and it really kind of hit me hard. So after dinner I felt bad for the little guy and I sat down on the couch and had a little one-on-one petting time with him... more than usual. And I distinctively remember him looking at me in a way almost like he was saying "thank you, I really needed that."

But your probably wondering why I am telling you all this.. well its because my dad called me today and he said "I have some bad news...Sylvester is gone." I was silent for a moment and definitely shocked! I asked him what happened and he said my mom called him and told him she went for a walk this morning and when she turned around the corner from the house she saw a coyote walking away with SYLVESTER IN ITS MOUTH!!!! This is an image I will never get out of my head of defenseless Sylvester being eaten by a coyote!! I almost think its his own fault because he probably thought he was so tough he could take the coyote himself, but obviously this was not the case.
Now you may think I'm cheesy for loving a cat so much, but you have some kind a special bond with a pet who you watched be born, who you named yourself after your favorite cartoon character, who fell asleep in your lap and cuddled with you all night long, and who would let you tease and play with like a doll, but still loved you no matter what. So I cant help be sad for the little guy.. (well he actually wasn't so little cuz he was so fat he couldnt even jump the fence) but anyways, you cant help but feel sorry for him to die in such a cruel way. I will miss him for sure... Consider this my tribute to him... I'll miss you Sylvester...

A weekend of firsts...

So this weekend I had a couple of firsts for some things I have never done before...

First on Friday night we went to the Cardinals game!! I have never been to a professional football game. It was really fun and we had super good seats. Thanks Dan and Holly for the tickets (they actually gave them to Jameson's dad who gave them to us). It was an awesome game. They did really bad in the first half, but almost came back to win it at the very end!

Jameson was worried for this to be my first game.. He didn't want me to get too excited or have too much fun cuz he really wants me to be a Cowboy fan not a

Cardinal fan... we'll see about that.

Then on Saturday we went to the Diamondbacks game. I've been to the Diamondback games before, but last night after the game they had a concert. And I have NEVER been to a concert. I have always wanted to go to one, but just never have. So after the Dbacks killed Houston 9-0 we heard Montgomery Gentry sing. They aren't my favorite band and OK I guess for my first concert, but I do really like country music! Here I am on the stage...


Just kidding I took pictures of the jumbo tron because we were too far away to get really good pictures..haha you thought I was serious didn't you...


Then this last week, Jameson actually had one of his own firsts! He was at work spraying a customers house (he does pest control right now in case you didn't know) So while he was spraying the customer opened her garage and her dog ran out coming right at Jameson. He said it was a pretty big dog too, and right as it came at him he turned and the dog bit him!! That's right, my husband got bit by a dog! Here is a picture of his disgusting bite mark.

He thinks its pretty cool cuz he's a boy, but I think it looks gross...you can tell from the picture though it really was a big dog. My poor hubby

San Diego 2009

Finally, here are some pictures from our trip to San Diego. Here

we are on Mission Beach...

Me and my niece Jordyn.. such a sweetie pie!!

Hunter and Brexton. Hunter is really good with Brexton and

all the younger cousins. So cute!

Sunday we decided to go for a walk, since we really couldn't get in the water on a Sunday. Well, on Mission Beach they have this rock peninsula called the jetta. You can walk out on the rocks and you end up walking out really far into the ocean. The walk took a lot longer than expected because we saw lots of cool creatures along the way and kept stopping to see them... like these starfish at the very edge of the jetta

However, there are consequences for walking outside in San Diego with no sunscreen. I didn't think we would be gone for very long so I did not even think about sunscreen, especially since we weren't even going to the beach that day. Well, this is what happens... you get BURNT RED!!! It was definitely not fun to get burnt the first day. I was afraid of making it worse so I lathered myself in sunscreen every day after that. So much for trying to get a tan. I tanned from my burn, but now its all peeling off. Not to mention, sleeping with burnt shoulders and back would have to be at the top of my "things I hate most" list. Word to the wise.. always think of sunscreen!

Then on Wednesday, Jameson's mom bought tickets for everyone to go to Sea World. I was really excited to go because when we went to Sea World for my first time on our honeymoon there was a storm. So I never really got the full experience of Sea World. This time it was awesome! Even though it was more crowded I really likes going with the nieces and nephews because they all were so excited about every little thing. Here we are in the polar bear exhibit... you can tell by Wednesday the sun burn went down a little bit

Here is Shamu... always a favorite classic of Sea World!

Here are the barking sea lions always begging for food... you have to be careful though when you feed them so the birds don't get the fish

And one of the funniest parts of Sea World was Dan, my brother-in-law, got picked to come up in front of everyone during the Cirque de la Mar show. The character from the show came up the stairs, took one look at him, saw his big muscles and asked him to follow him to the front of the stage. There he had to compete with the other guy to see who was better and had bigger muscles. It was hilarious!! He was bigger than the other guy, and in my opinion much funnier, but the other guy won because I think they planted him and paid him to be a part of the show...

Then on our last day in San Diego, Bryan and Katie came to hang out before their three week long vacation. We spent the morning at the beach and then the afternoon in Seaport Village. For some reason Bryan enjoys spending his vacation digging holes on the beach. He made one that was as deep as he was tall. But he quickly had to fill it in because of all the little kids. They loved it so much, but one got a little too close and fell in... not so good. This picture shows him about only half way done with his hole...

Us four just being goofy... I think this is actually the first

picture we have with Bryan and Katie

At the end of the day, this was an amazing trip and vacation. I enjoyed taking some time off from work and spending time with Jameson's side of the family. Jameson and I both think San Diego is our favorite vacation spot by far.. cant wait til we go back

CRICUT!!

Oh and I almost forgot... I got a bonus this month of $150! So Jameson let me get something I wanted for awhile now and this weekend it was on sale! I got a Cricut! I have tons of scrapbooking to do now after this vacation and I cant wait! Jamesons mom has one so I already know how to use it and I know how convenient they are too for someone like me who loves scrapbooking! This is the best thing I could have gotten with my bonus. I love it!

my first break down

So yesterday, we just got back from our week long vacation in San Diego (another post with pics to come). When we got back we were unloading the car and then I got in our car to pop the trunk (because we don't have a key to open it you have to use the button). Well to my surprise the trunk wouldn't open and nothing else would turn on either. The battery was completely dead!!! Apparently the car door had been slightly open the entire time we were gone, which left the light on and completely drained our battery. So Jameson and his dad took the jumper cables and jumped the car...
Since I needed gas, the plan was for me to drive my car to the station, leave it on while I filled it up and then drive it back to our apartment. Which, all of this is within short distance and I didn't think it would be a problem. Well, no one told me as I was driving to the station I wasn't allowed to turn the air on in the 110 plus degree weather. So I did, and when I was at the intersection waiting for the light to turn (which is literally at the corner of the station) the car all of sudden shut off. I was stuck at the front of the intersection with no clue what I was suppose to do.
As traffic kept approaching I called Jameson, who didn't answer, and then I called his parents. His mom answered I told her what happened and she had Glen meet me at the corner. While I was waiting, I didn't know what to do with my car because I had no lights to turn on my flashers and I was afraid to get out thinking someone might hit me. Luckily, this really nice guy, who also teaches traffic school and is a safety instructor for the ASU saw me and came over to help me. He just got done teaching school and told me exactly what to do. Since I didn't have any flashers he popped my hood and told me I needed to stand on the corner in the shade and wait while he called the police. There was no way I could get my car out of traffic and out of the intersection without extra help.
So finally Jamesons dad arrived and shortly after the cops arrived. They had to stop the traffic as Jamesons dad put my car in neutral and another cop pushed my car into the gas station. Sadly, by the time I got over there the cops and the gentleman who helped me were gone. So not only do I know their names I did not get to thank them. What a way to get back into the real world after vaccation!! I'm just glad people are there at the right time to help in a time of need. It just reassures me that no matter how many things go wrong Heavenly Father is always watching and is always there to help us.

Im coming San Diego...

Lately, work has been really slow and kinda laid back. That part I cant complain about. However, this week has been going by soooooooo slooooooowwwwww! And to top it off, today was the slowest day of work ever!!! We were kinda busy but not really so the day kept dragging on and on and on.... I thought I was going to die of boredom. Not to mention, dealing with a certain someone at work is already hard enough as it is. I give up on her. I quit trying to make sense of her. She can try and make my life as miserable as possible, but I will stay optimistic and not let it get to me. I know the things in life that are really important and wasting my time fighting her is not one of them. This is why I can definitely use the vacation.

Oh dear sweet San Diego, I am coming. I cannot wait to hear your waves crash against the shore, feel your gentle breeze, and squish your sand in between my toes. I cannot wait to lay in your sunshine all day, get my tan on, and just relax. I cannot wait to play, build sand castles, go window shopping, and jump in your water (as gross as your sea weed may be). I've been longing for you San Diego... I will see you soon. Just not soon enough!

Save a Life.. Donate blood!

So this past Saturday I signed up to give blood at our church blood drive. Usually when I go in to donate they turn me away because my blood doesn't have enough iron in it. This time I made sure to eat really good throughout the week and drink lots of fluid. I also bought a watermelon because I was told it helps you absorb iron.
Now in the past I haven't always had the best experiences with giving blood. My very first time I donated I was in high school and barely at the age and weight limit needed to donate. After I finished I was sitting in the chair drinking a juice talking to one of my friends from the soccer when all of a sudden things went black and I fainted in my chair! I had never fainted before in my life! Next thing I know I was being lifted up and carried to a reclining chair so they could put my feet above my heart. It was pretty scary.
Even after that for some crazy reason I still like to donate. I have donated a few times since, whenever I wasn't in sports or actually had enough iron to donate. Anyways, this Saturday I was able to donate again and I was really excited. Nervous, but excited. It had been awhile so I didn't know what to expect. Once they actually put the needle in me I was feeling good and breezing through it. Then.... not so good. I had almost finished when all at once I felt nauseous, hot, dizzy, and light headed. Fortunately I was able to finish the unit and this time actually stayed completely conscious. However, ever since Saturday I have been waking up with headaches and sometimes feel light headed when I sit or stand too fast. I am not the kind of person who easily gets sick or feels tired. But its all happens when I give blood.
You may wonder or ask why I put my body through this kind of uneasiness, but the truth is I LOVE GIVING BLOOD! It makes me feel good about myself and I like the idea of possibly saving someones life. I have also been told I have a rare blood type that is the universal donor, where everyone can receive my type of blood. My blood is also the safest type of blood so they use it for sick babies and newborns. And despite the headaches, which I'll still probably be getting everyday for the next month, I love donating blood!! Its well worth it to save a life and be a hero!!

Woo Hoo!!

So things with the house are actually moving alot quicker than we expected. First, we know they are doing their part because they already appraised the house and it appraised for $7,500 less than what we offered. We're super excited to be paying less than what we thought we would for a down payment and monthly mortgage! Also, I drove by it the other day with Jameson's mom and aunt and it looks like the people who were living there already moved out! Which is why I think everything is going so fast! Usually throughout the process too they sometimes can push back your closing date, but things actually look solid to be closing at the end of August! CANT WAIT!

4th of July weekend

I think this weekend was the best weekend of the summer SO FAR! BUT first, on a quick side note... after we got declined on two offers on a house Jameson and I were both pretty bummed. Then our realtor found another house in the same neighborhood that we went an saw and really liked as well. So right away we put an offer in and TWO DAYS LATER... guess what?? We got an accepted offer!! It was really fast and we are super excited. The people were still living in the home so it might still take awhile to get into the house but we're okay with that.

ANYWAYS, back to this weekend... Friday for the first time went to really REALLY nice restaurant for Bryan's birthday called Fogo de Chao. It was kinda expensive so we wouldn't do it every weekend but it was super yummy!! I would definitely go there again for any other special occasion. Then after dinner... after waiting forever and singing Defying Gravity everyday in my car for the past month... we went an saw the play WICKED. It was humorous, sad, happy, and... dare I say it... wicked!! The only bad part was we were at the very top and it was REALLY REALLY hot inside. You could look around and see everyone fanning themselves with their programs. Other that that, I have to say it was pretty much amazing!! Here are some pictures from dinner (we didn't get any at the play only because we were running late) but it was amazing!!

Fancy Drinks

yummy yummy meat

We got desert at McDonalds. Jameson couldn't resist getting it on himself

Then on Saturday we went on saw Transformers 2. It was pretty good but had a lot of unnecessary cussing in it. I still think the first one was probably best. Then we hung out, went swimming, and went to the fireworks show that night. I think it was one of the better firework shows I've been to. I love the festivities of the fourth of July! Happy belated birthday America!