Almost time to go!

For those of you who dont know I have been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, I report to the Provo MTC on May 1st. If you can do math you will notice that its only 9 days away! I am getting more excited and stressed as it gets closer.
I cant wait for my turn to get out there and join my friends an get my turn to serve the Lord.

The majority of my life is now consumed by preparing and packing etc. to leave soon. Stuart came down with his baby girl to visit. Clara is almost 2 now! Crazy. And Lindy Lee is in Ghana with the Collegiate Choir preforming for the Saints in Africa, and while they were there the pathways students in Ghana were given the chance to audition and then sing with the choir. Its an amazing experience and Im so happy that she got to go with her choir! Even if I didnt get to see her again before I leave, but thats okay. 18 months is not the end of the world.
Anyhow, Stuart and Clara came to visit and they brought a friend with them. Zach is also married to a member of the choir, and since its the break between semesters Stuart invited him to come and see beautiful Oregon and get out of Rexburg for a little while. Zach was fun to have with them, very polite, the perfect guest, a gentleman and he s from England so he had some cool stories. Oh and he served his mission in Germany so when we went to the tulip fields he loved the food we ate there!
While they were here I worked until wednesday, but they went to the beach with Keira and got to do some fun things around here that we love. We went to the tulip fields on thrusday and took a bunch of pictures and what not.
Then on Friday Keira flew back to Texas with Gpa to take him home. Then Stuart, Zach and Clara took off on Saturday. On Sunday I was standing in the kitchen with Keira and she looks at me and says: "I miss having Stuart and Clara and Zach here, they were so much fun!" and she was right. It was really fun to see them one last time before I leave for Philly.

Now all I have to do is pack and sort and organize. Which is fine, I get to listen to music all day and I have something to do at all times, no getting bored for this girl!

The unexpected umbrella attack

So there I was at work, minding my own business just scanning the mail and what not like Im paid to do. And it starts to rain, really had. Which I love and it made me really happy! Then I realized that I had to transport all of the outgoing mail to the other building to put the postage on it and then send it out. Well, I then had a dilemma which most of you will not have. You see I am from beautiful rainy Oregon : ) When you are here we don't typically use umbrellas, in fact I would say I all but hate using them, as you will soon see my reasoning for.
I then had the dilemma of using an umbrella, which I hate, and keeping the mail dry or running to the other building shielding the mail with part of my jacket and running. But with the running came the realization that I am more likely to drop the mail into the now small streams running through the parking lot forcing me to go to the people how have prepared the mail and telling them we must redo the process, which also includes re-notarizing and having the attorneys re-sign the documents. Its not really an option. So I decided to use the umbrella that was sitting near the copy machine for such purposes.
I pull on my coat and pile up the mail how I am going to carry it over to the other building, I grab the umbrella and walk outside onto the deck. Its a handy umbrella a simple to use so I hit the button which opens it and realize at that exact moment when I am lifting it above my head that it is windy outside. This is only important because it was much windier than expected and because of this the umbrella swings and stabs me as close to my eye as is possible without actually touching my eyeball.
You probably think I am exaggerating this but i am not! I have a little tiny scab forming right by my eye so close that you have to look for it to notice it, not because of its tiny-ness but because of the placement.
And that ladies and gentlemen was the umbrella attack, and one more reason why I dont wish to use one if I am not obligated to do so.

What do chicken bones, a penny, chewing gum and a metal painted coin all have in common?

Well if you can guess where I am going with this without reading it... I still wont believe you.

Monday morning rolls around and I get out of bed and I am brushing my teeth (the last step in my getting ready for the day routine, so I am dressed skirt and all makeup done and ready for the day) when I get a phone call from my supervisor. Now I work at a law office and I deal with two things: one, outgoing mail and two, opening new files for collections. This particular Monday just so happens to be one of those holiday's that we all know about but for some reason only the post office gets it off, you guessed it, President's Day. This means that no mail is moving in the US through the US postal service (which is half my job, and I am currenly still waiting for my mission call so its great).
Anyhow, my supervisor calls and offers me the day off since mail wont move at all and she knew my brother was leaving for his deployment that same week she said take some time off and have fun with your family. So I did! I put my p. jam's back on and crawled right back in bed for a few more hours of sleep.
Well a huge part of my life, which is also vital to this story for without it this story wouldn't exist, is the fact that my mother is the on-site manager of the apartments I live in. This means that on any given saturday when you are complaining about doing a little bit of yard work (or even a lot a bit of yard work) you should be greatful that at least it's your families mess you are cleaning up and not someone else's. I know this because I am typically cleaning up someone else's. Anyhow you now thinking this story is taking way to long and your ready to be done. So I cut to the chase:
My sister and I were assigned the task of staging a few apartments so they would be move-in ready, not a big deal... usually. But as we are going through making sure all the switches work etc. I check the garbage disposal in the kitchen sink, and wouldn't you know it? It sounds like metal grinding metal! So I flip the switch off and I try to use a light to see into the sink because the last thing I want to do is stick my hand down in there, not because I've never done that before (because I definitely have!) but because its usually gross. At this point my sister has guessed what the result of the grinding metal will be and has walked away saying 'I'm not doing it. There is no way I am sticking my hand down that drain'. She is just always so helpful!
Inevitably I have to stick my hand down into the drain. Now you can probably guess what I found down in there. The first thing I pull out is a penny, thats right a 1 cent piece of money, who the heck puts money in the disposal?! ( I understand they probably didn't put it in the drain but they did not take it out.... so they are the bad guys). But as I am searching around down there I realize there is more than just a penny.
I then proceed to scoop out several hand fulls of chicken bone, another coin of some sort that is metal and painted, and several wads of not so hard yet chewing gum. It was lovely.
I then call mom to tell her what my discover has been to ask her what she wants me to do next. So we return home and gran the crank so we can physically force the blades to move about. I hit the reset button the disposal and crank the blades around a few times and finally flip the switch again. It took a minute to grid up all of the chicken bones but I think they are all out now.
The moral of the story is: do not, under any circumstances, put pennies, ay form of money or coin, bones of all sorts or chewing gum in your food disposal at the kitchen sink. Let alone at the same time! I did not think I would have to tell anyone that but apparently it needs to be taught.
Consider yourself taught, and then remember it. Tune in next time to learn some other gross funny story about what my days off are like, so that you can more fully enjoy yours!

Oh and we did get to go to Bullwinkle's with my sister, brother and some of his friends so it was a successful fun day off, so no worries!

Mail time!

So I checked the mail today, and I found out that we havent checked the mail in a few days, that thing was packed full! But since my call could be coming soon I figured I should empty it so it doesnt have to be crammed in there any more than it already does.

But although I know my call isnt going to be here yet, it was still semi-sad to check the mailbox and not see it. Even though I did not get what I have been wanting for a long time now, I did get my first letter from Sister   Strasser :) and I got a painting from my roommate who I lived with for like a year and a half. And she is the best and an artist and I love her work and I got a picture :) So I am happy with my mail for the day :)

How the game was born

Yesterday morning at work Tucker was sitting at Linda's desk working on her computer, (which has been  a headache since she received the new one) and I was scanning the outgoing mail. 

Ryan came in and he was collecting the shred-it from the building, at this same time I realized that that the water cooler was empty... and I didn't really care to change it with a man around... so I asked Ryan if he would switch it for me. He agreed laughing, because I waited until he started talking about the fact that none of the girls are asked to go collect shred-it, just the guys. (Which I am fine with, I dont want to do the manual labor if there is a man to do it). 

Anyhow, Ryan said 'sure, I'll come back' which confused me but I went along with it. After Ryan left for the other building I told Tucker, if Ryan doesnt come back to change the water I dont know if we can be friends anymore (because if I cant trust you how can we be friends?! haha) Tucker chuckled his agreement and then we both went back to work. 

Not five minutes later Tucker looked up and said 'I guess you are going to be friends!' Which surprised me, I looked up just in time to see Ryan walk past us with a filled water jug that he had carried over from the other building. We let him walk by and then I looked at Tucker. [Now you should know at this part that we have a stash of water jugs in every building, so there was no reason for him to carry a new jug to my building]. Tucker looked at me and asked 'aren't there some of those here?' and the answer was why yes, yes there are. "Tucker should I tell him?", "Well no, probably not. But maybe you should tell him so he will know for next time. Oh and you have to use the word Dragon Slayer when you do it".

I looked at Tucker exasperated, and before I could ask what?! Ryan walks by and is about to exit the building, so I yell after him to get him to come back. "Ryan, thank you for being my Dragon slayer, but next time you dont need to carry the water over."

And that is how the game was born. Now Tucker and I give words back and forth to each other. Some have been: curly, mountain, porcupine, galvanized (I still havent really used this one), citrix, coby and meow. If you have any suggestions let me know, and Ill let you know how it goes.

PAPERS ARE IN!

I had my interview with my Stake President tonight and before he goes home tonight my papers will be submitted :) I am so excited words can't even describe how I am feeling :) I wish I knew when my call would be here and if it will get here in time for Garret to be able to be here for it. We will see how it goes but thats what I am hoping.
People are saying it could be here in as soon as 10 days but thats just people talking. For the most part they are taking longer than that, and they typically come on a wednesday but well see how it goes. Ill take guesses starting now!

OHSU Tram time!

So there are certain things that every Portlander should do. And I have made a list of things that I need to do  before I go on my mission because who knows when I will be living in Oregon again :( Plus when you tell people your from Oregon and haven't been to VoDo donuts etc. they look at you like 'uh-huh sure ya are!' So I want to be able to tell people about the fun things to do in Portland.

This weeks adventure was to ride the OHSU Tram. Lynsi and I have had this on our Portland bucket list, we also brought along Keira and Zach. Which made us feel better about running around Portland at night since we did have a man with us.





We also got hot cocoa from a gas station on the way out and it kept us quite warm in the car, between the cocoa, the seat warmers and the defroster we were definitely toasty! But it was delicious!

After the Tram ride we then taught Zach the simple joy of jumping in the elevator as it starts to go down, you know that feeling like your floating and your stomach drops? Love it! So we taught him that in OHSU as we were going back to the car, he had never done it before! Then we decided where is the BEST elevator we know? Uh, the ZOO! The Max runs under the Zoo and so they have an elevator that brings you up, its cool because it tells you how far underground your going, and its several hundred feet. Anyhow, it moves way faster than any other elevator I've been in.

So we left OHSU and went to the Zoo to show Zach. We get there and the only people in the parking lot were the Tri-Met security, so we ran over to the elevator quickly and jumped inside before he saw us. We rode the elevator down but you can do it just once! So we rode it a few times, and each time the doors would open and we would stand there all nonchalantly until they would close, ride it again and try to stop laughing as the doors opened at the top and bottom.

Well we decided since security was in the parking lot we should probably return to the car and get the heck out of dodge. So we did, and then we went to Wunderland, the nickle arcade. We played a bunch of games and earned bunch of tickets for cheesy prizes that will be eaten and broken quite quickly. But it was fun! And one of the games was like a big jump rope machine. You had to jump as the lights came around an turned red at the bottom, like a jump rope. And thats a really bad description but you know its whatever.




I might have liked it so much because I mastered one of the games and got a lot of tickets : ) Plus they had my favorite bowling game!



That is my acabalieve it pose. I fell like I do that a lot though...

Apparently its tradition....

Every family has their own traditions that they do year after year at the holiday season. Well I used to think we had some boring traditions, until this year when I realized that the pull up bar came out again, and so it continues. The humiliation and laughter as we realize that once again, Stuart can do some pull ups, Keira and Lindy can do a handful and Janelle and I? Well, with some assistance we can do one! : )

 Here is Stuart doing his pull ups....

 

Keira can do a few

 Clara even did a few. With a little bit of coaching from uncle Garret about keeping her chin up, she tilted that head back and went for it like a pro. Only for a few times and then she was done playing daddy and uncle Garrets game.

See guys? Im all tuckered out!

See Janelle can do it!

Mom tried... and then walked away

and this is just so the world can see how Garret looks when he is doing pull ups! Gotta get that chin up there

While Stuart, Lindy and Clara were here Lindy was often cold. Okay Lindy is ALWAYS cold, so of course her favorite spot is right in front of our heater! And Clara always found here, even if she was cuddled up in a blanket almost hiding.

We realized after having Clara here for a few days that we had all of our toddler toys in storage. So we went and got them out for her to play with. She loved Mr. & Mrs. Potato head, and a few other toys we had.

Our little Sweet Pea!

Christmas Eve with the Aloha Wilson's

On Christmas Eve mom enjoyed reading one of dads intricate pop up books to us. Clara sat with Auntie Keira as Grandma read and she loved watching all the pages go by.

      

Once mom was done reading she put the book back up on the top shelf so that Sweet Pea couldn't reach it and rip it to shreds like all children seem to love to do. Clara was not too happy with that and kept asking to read the book again, sorry sweet pea, you can look at it when your older!

   

Then Clara got her Christmas Eve jammies and got to run around for a little bit before she had to give kisses and was sent to bed. Isnt she so cute? Running around in all those polka dots?!

 I managed to get one picture of Garret and Zephyr. Proof that he does somewhat like the cats and can be nice to them when he wants to be.

Then it was time to give every one loves and go to bed for the baby girl. She went around and gave everyone loves, twice! But each time she got to Uncle Garret she was not quite sure of him, she would tease him by getting up close and then waiting for him to lean down and then she would turn and run!

No loves for Uncle Garret!

                                                         
                                                     

Games with the Wilson Cousins

Since we were all in town together we got together to play some games. We got to sit around a chat for a while and then we played apples to apples. We have since then decided that married people have the advantage, because Brianna & Alex, and Stuart & Lindy kept picking each others cards. Unfair! 

Clara loved her new Christmas dress. And believe it or not I had nothing to do with picking out this dress, that was all mom. She has just picked up on my great taste in clothing :)

Brian and Jordan playing games

Jayden is always Garrets right hand man when they are together

Jayden loved having someone around that was closer to his size. He played catch with Clara and they ran up and down the halls while we played games.

Well we had fun with food, chocolate, games and fun together. Who knows when we will all be together again so we enjoyed the fun while it lasted.

Bowling with the Barfi!

One tradition that has started recently when everyone is home is bowling! We go to Big Al's and bowl our hearts out. This year we invited the Barfuss family to come with us. Some people are in it to win it, but believe me that is not what I am there for because I am always in the bottom two! : ) So I got to play photographer for the night as well with moms nice camera. I love taking pictures of everyone! As you can tell if you have looked at anything on any of my blogs. A picture is worth a thousand words right? So if you think about it, ive written a lot in this here blog....

The happy 3 years and counting couple

Clara liked playing with David, I mean he is just a big kid!

Lindy is a good mom, this is the "now dont cross this line" picture

Action shots

Look at Lance's form! Where did he learn that?

I love the fact that the ball is completely in the air

Grandma loves dancing with her Sweet Pea

 This is Lindy, isn't she cute?

Garret's got jokes

I made it in the gutter!!!!

 The cute little Clara, she loved playing with the ball rack? I dont know what to call it. But she liked that whatever it was was her size.

Janelle was definitely in it to win it

Mom's 'are you seriously taking pictures' face

 Proud Uncle Garret helping Clara figure out how to bowl.

I feel like these faces are conflicting when you look at Keira and then the rest of them...

eh, could'a done better

The married bowl off!

And well Lindy is more excited! haha

Clara loves showing off her belly button for everyone (whether or not if were in church and she is wearing a dress!). She also really enjoyed this air when she found it and figured out she could get it to blow up her shirt, she was very excited!

Well there you have it, GOAL!

Needless to say we had a fun time, and I did not win either round. But Janelle and I doubled our scored when we figured out how to put bumpers up for the second round, woot woot! Progress is progress right?!