Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Life time memories

I attended the funeral of a widow that lived a few doors down from us. She was a great lady. Our neighborhood has a lot of older people in it. Over the past few years we have had some of them die. It is always amazing to me as I sit there listening to their life story and all that they have done. War stories, accomplishments, funny times. It makes me grateful to have known these great people. It also makes me wonder what things will be said about me. I haven’t done the amazing things others seem to have done. I guess all that really matters is that they can honestly say,
“He fulfilled his Church callings. He loved the Savior. His family knew that he loved them. His wife knew he didn’t deserve her, and he was a grateful to have the friends he did.”

Monday, April 28, 2008

People

This past weekend we were able to meet and visit with Maggies birth mom and her extended family. It was so great to see just how good our birth mother is doing. She looked great and sounded very happy. As she puts it "I'm just enjoying the ride"
We are so grateful for her courage and the strength she had to place Maggie with us. This gift is beyond words and I am crying just thinking about it.
Again Birth family...thank you!!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

April in Utah

Yesterday we had nice weather, last night a storm started to roll in. It was a long night, once in awhile a certain kind of storm comes in and the dog freaks out. The thunder starts far off and moves closer, the dog jumps off the bed and runs around barking. (she also does this in the winter when deer come through the yard) Then the hail started to hit the windows then the rain and runoff of the house. This morning it was cloudy but cool, then at work I looked out to snow. Then on the way home it was clear.
Wow how I love April in Utah.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

DVR on Cable

I have to admit I would be lost without my DVR with cable. The ability to set up a recording of a show and then re-watch it is not new. I used to do that with the large, boxy top loading Video recorders. But having it go on a hard drive and then just deleting it is nice. I don’t think I watch a lot of TV but what I enjoy. I am also excited because the new Robin Hood on the BBC is starting on Saturday and this way I will not miss it.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Safe at home

Ok so I have returned safely from my trip to Juarez Mexico. Before I went down we were told that the military and the police were having a strong presence and in basically a war with the local drug cartels. We were given instructions on how to behave if we were stopped by the police, a military patrol, Drug cartel or caught in a riot. We flew down to El Paso on Tuesday without problems. Wed we went across the border to the plant or office and came back that afternoon. We had no problems and did not see any patrols. At the hotel we were talking to some of the IT guys who were down there and installing a server who told us they had been pulled over to get out of the way of a military patrol. Jeeps and machine guns and uniforms. That night as I was watching the news I saw a story on them cleaning up a shooting in Juarez. I looked and then noticed that it was a intersection that we go through on our way to the plant.
Thurs we went over and back without issue. Friday I flew home without any big problems. As I walked back to my seat a really big guy just glared at me. He was in the sit next to mine and half into mine as well. I pointed to my seat and then a very clean cut guy with a loose fitting untucked shirt that was siting across the isle said that my seat had been moved up front. I said thank you and went to my new seat. Several times on the flight from El Paso I have been on the same plane as prisoners and sky marshells or police. They are pretty easy to spot now and this was no different.
Well needless to say I am grateful to be home.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Calm thinking wife

Well this morning we had quite the adventure. I lay in bed and about 7am I hear water outside. I thought great the Weber water(outside irrigation) has been turned on and I did not turn off the tap all the way. So I went out and the faucet right by the front of the house was leaking. I bent down to tighten the tap and the top blew off shooting high pressure water, dirt, and gunk right into my face. The geyser was higher than the house. I just panicked, all I could think of was it flooding the basement. So I ran out back to look for the shut off but it was buried in the thick pyrocantha (VEry prickly bushes 5 feet deep) bushes. I went into the house and did the only thing I could think of and called my good neighbor Russ. I then went out and put a wheel barrow over the geyser since the garbage can wasn't working. By now I am covered in ice cold water, dirt, and scratched all up from the bushes. I dug around but could not find the shut off. So I then dived in the geyser to undo the broken pipe and then tired to retread a new one all while the neighbors tired to help by laughing at me. Well just then the water guys drove up. My dear coll headed wife called around and found the guys on call. After alot of bush cutting and scratches and more dirt the geyser died. I then heard more water and looked next door to see my neighbors tap leaking like crazy. So another neighbor and I went and found their box and turned it off. My wife has never seen me without at least some idea on how to fix something...ok I admit I panicked some...
Thanks Nat you are the best.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Reheated Lasagna

Years ago when my brother was on his mission to Canada he brought home a recipe for lasagna. It was wonderful. My wife has taken it and changed it slightly to be low fat. (She wants to keep me around a long time I guess)
I love this stuff! It is even better reheated the next day. Another great meal we now have regularly is low fat taco soup. It too is even better reheated. My most favorite meal of my breakfast burritos has not been created in a low fat version yet so we have not made it for awhile. Guess I better work on that.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

a pushy spouse

Ok so I really do not like going to the gym!(I am weak!!!!!!) for the last few days Nat has been telling me we are going and using that tone that I know means...you better come! Well I have willingly gone and enjoyed it. I hate to go to the gym but when I am done with it each day I know I feel better.
MAggie has really enjoyed her ride in the stroller around the track as well.
Thanks Nat. At this rate I will be around for a long long time...

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Conference (a double Sunday)


COnference weekend again...wow, I do love conference. SOme say they love it for the double Sat they get . Meaning since they don't have to go to church on Sunday that it is like aanother Sat. Well for me it is a double Sunday.

Instead of going for 3 hours on Sun and then another 1-2 hours of extra meetings, we do 6 hours on Sat and 4 yours on sunday. The best part is that you can sit in your PJs for most of it. ANd if you fall asleep you don't hit your head on the bench in front of you but rather just curl up on the soft couch.

I do love conference and this weekend is no exception.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Soy Sauce in packages

So I must admit I am very happy that I can get Chinese food here at work once a week. Panda Express comes in and sells us a selection. I am very happy that they have the soy sauce in the small foil packages. That makes life so much better. Not to metion catsup and mustard and other things that come that way.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

little miracles

Yesterday while driving home I noticed a car 2 lanes over start to do 360 and head toward me. I slowed down and quickly moved over only to be followed by the dancing car. I had to swerve into the next lane and then swerve back around the spinner to avoid the idiot who was slowing down to see what was going on in his rear view mirror. Well, needless to say I made it ok.
I truly belive that I was protected. For that I truly am grateful.