Piano!!!

My brother, Kyle, has had this old piano for like 8 or 9 years. Recently he asked me if I would like it, so he could make room for another used piano he was offered. I absolutely accepted!!! Um duh, you don't turn down a free piano.

We had several hands helping us, for which I am ever so grateful!!! Pianos are heavy! It was quite the feat getting it in our house...

It may not be very pretty to look at, and it may not play like a grand ( or even a baby grand, which is what I want someday....) BUT I DON'T CARE! It's a piano!! Which is much more than I had before!

P.S. This does not mean in any way shape or form, that I need a calling that involves playing the piano!!!

Exercise

I understand the meaning of this 8 letter word, and the importance of implimenting it into our lives. I make goals every year to exercise more often becasuse I know how good it is for me. I love the feeling I have after I finish. I especially love that feeling if it was difficult along the way and I had to work really hard.

I had such an experience this weekend.

I've always said that, for me, the best way to exercise is to trick me into it. For example, when I go on a bike ride, I have a blast... but I'm still exercising. If I play volleyball and get really into it, I don't realize that I'm working out, all I'm think about is how much fun I'm having. Such has been the case recently for floor hockey with Briant and his buddies. I don't concentrate so much on how out of breath I am, but rather I engage myself in the game. While snowshoeing I try to focus my thoughts on the view.

It all started on Friday night...

Briant and I played floor hockey with some guys (and sometimes their wifes/girlfriends) that Briant works with.

This picture was taken last year, but we play with the same people. We try to play at least once every 1-2 months. I feel that I have learned alot about the game, and have improved my skill since I started. Don't get me wrong, Briant still kicks my butt big time, along with all the other guys, but I am starting to enjoy the sport. To be honest though, I never realized what a workout hockey can be.

It continued on Saturday...

Saturday morning, Briant and I went snowshoeing up at Kelly's Canyon. I go all the time, but I thought it would be fun to go with Briant who had never been. As we started up the hill, I commented to Briant that my legs were a little stiff from the previous night's hockey "workout". "Oh well," I said to my self, I do this all the time, I'll be fine.

The past week we've received a little bit of snow. Everyone knows that when it snows, you may only get a little in the valley, but you'll get a lot more in the mountains. That was the first thing we noticed when we got up there. Plus the wind was blowing, there was plenty of fog, and it looked like the mountain would be getting a lot more snow that day.

Because of the snow, a snowshoe trail has to be marked a little differently. Because the trail is constantly being snowed on and lost, they nail little yellow disks that have a picture of snowshoes on them to the trees. When you are in a valley with no trees, they have poles sticking up instead. But usually you just follow the path that others before you have made.

This first part of the trail is a pretty good climb uphill through the trees. The view was beautiful because of all the fresh fallen (and wind blown) snow. I couldn't help take this picture because of how the snow clung to the branch in such a way... It was really cool looking!Then we hit Cole's climb (an uphill stretch that has no tree cover and is rated 'most difficult') ... I like to call this suicide hill, because IT'S HARD! But once you get to the top and back into the trees, it is a breeze..... mostly flat. We passed another couple eating lunch, and soon found out that they were breaking our trail. Right after that the trail lead us to another little hill in the middle of a meadow. Because of the dense fog, it was really hard to see those little yellow disks and since I could see them better than Briant, I was up front breaking our path through the deep snow. But I lead us too far the right (because I couldn't see the marker) and we had to do a little backtracking to find the marker. By this time, the guy who was originally breaking our trail caught up to us and helped find the marker. I honestly thought this would be our only bump in the road because after that we continued on our way through the "easy" part in the trees. We were having a great time, talking and laughing, and I was noticing all the landmarks along the way that I'd seen before... Like Garney's Junction. Well, soon we came to the place where we were suppose to go downhill and back onto the service road. I look for those markers that would take us down but never found them. There are a couple hills that look like that one that goes down, so when I didn't see the markers I thought that it must just be the next hill, and we continued following the yellow disks. Pretty soon I started to not recognize the landmarks around me. I didn't really want to say anything outloud because I didn't want to worry Briant, but alas I did and we both got a little upset. There were still the yellow disks so we kept following them and later than I expected we came out on a service road. By this time, we were both very sore from all the trail breaking and tired from all the hiking... but very glad that we were not lost.

When I got home I went onto the internet and found this map. If you decide that you want to go snowshoeing up there, PLEASE print out the map... it could save you from worry. We traced our steps all the way and found the downward slope that we wanted to take early on (we found out it was called Corkscrew). But since we didn't see the markers we hiked an additional 1.5 miles or so. Toward the first part (when I couldn't find the markers in the meadow & the guys helped us), I said a silent prayer. I'm so greatful for a Father in Heaven who watches over us. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father answered my prayer and helping us see the signs, so that we didn't get lost! Next time I think we'll bring the map!

As I got out of bed this morning my body screamed at me not to move! Briant and I were so sore!!! I think that we got some pretty good exercise.

27 Reasons for 27 Years

About 6 months ago, give or take, the man of my heart wrote some nice things about me on our blog for my birthday. Well Briant, what comes around goes around, so sit back and enjoy while I try my hand at this...

27 Reasons Why I Love You,

and why everyone should wish you a
Happy Birthday on January 8th...

#1 You do housework! Most of the time you do this without even being asked, and when I do ask to help with specifics, you don't complain about helping.
#2 You hold the Priesthood. What a comfort that brings, knowing it can be used if needed.

#3 You are a very attractive man. I love your smile, it still gives me butterflies.

#4 You are a hard worker. You are very driven and ambitious. This is one of the reasons I feel in love with you. I am always impressed that you have a plan and a way for how you will accomplish it. You do what you put your mind to.

While we are talking about hard work, let me also say how efficient you are, whether it is for church callings, cleaning, or even at work (I'm sure), you are very effective.

#5 You are patient. I tend to have a bit of a wandering mind, but you never get mad at me. In fact you never get angry! You solve it or let it roll off your back.

#5.5 You check my posts for spelling and grammar errors before I publish, even though I'm sure it gets annoying that there are so many and I always spell defiantly wrong.

#6 You are always thinking of fun things to do and places to go. Because of you, we are always looking forward to something.

#7 You love Halloween. You get so excited when you finally figure out what your costume will be, and the ideas that keep coming after that. I have to admit, you come up with some pretty cleaver costumes.

#8 You are always looking for something to do. Even if it is a holiday or a day off, you constantly look for ways to keep yourself busy and get a head start.

#9 Your a great public speaker. You have a way with words, and can say something just right with little to no effort.

#10 You have some mighty fine footwork with a pair of skates! You can twist and turn so smooth, I'm still not sure how you do it!

#11 You are much better at budgeting than I am, and your a better saver!

#12 When you are watching TV and I am on the computer you come give me hugs during the commercials. They show me that you care and melt my heart.

#13 You stand over the crock pot until the contents are ready to eat.

#14 You are great with surprises! I am never disappointed, but am still in awe that you are able to get so much past me...

#15 You are very supportive. You are almost always up for what ever I want to do in life.

#16 I love your commentary on the videos we make and the funny things you add to my posts when I'm not looking.

#17 You love the beach and you want to go to Hawaii with me someday!

#18 You build snowmen with me, dance with me in the kitchen, and sometimes talk in a gay voice-- I love that spontaneous side of you.

#19 You have great taste in jewelry!!!

#20 You take your church calling seriously. You are always planning and preparing for upcoming events. You know how to make sure everyone has fun, but that they understand the point behind everything.

#21 You pretend the iron is a phone when you are checking to see if it is hot enough. "Hello?" Makes me laugh every time.

#22 You are terrific with kids. I can tell how much they love you!

#23 You are a great listener. I love that I can always be honest with you. I can tell you everything about me, good or bad, and you still love me.

#24 You have a great sense of humor! You make me and others laugh till we drop!

#25 I remember while we were dating, you would give the most wonderful spiritual thoughts, they gave me goosebumps... they still do.

#26 You are an Eagle Scout. I can see that leadership in you everyday.

#27 You are self motivated and you are always doing what is necessary to make our future better.

Resolutions

Well, this is a little late but I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! We had a great three day weekend! We went over to my parents for soup and rolls, then looked at pictures from Chris and Chantelle's trip to Dubai. What a cool place!

After dinner Chantelle and I went out with Esau to play in the snow and built a snow man...

Briant named him Mitch.

While Briant was watching Football with my dad, the rest of us put together a puzzle and just talked. It was a very relaxing day, which is just how I wanted it to be! It's always good to spend time with loved ones.

I have always loved New Years because it gives you the feeling of starting new. I love having the opportunity to make resolutions, giving yourself another chance to do better, and having a fresh start.

I was thinking about this a little more deeply today because our Stake President visited our Fast and Testimony Meeting this last Sunday. He got up to bare his testimony and said, "It is nice to have a New Year, but we don't need a new year to make new goals" (or something like that).

It is inevitable that we are going to screw up now and again. We are human, and we were sent here to learn and grow from those mistakes.

I gave a talk in church about New Years Resolutions when I was a young teenager. I really don't remember much about what I said but I do remember one thing I learned. I talked with my mom earlier that week about my topic and about what I should say. As we talked she told me that if you don't succeed with your goal, you should never give up; just change the goal so that it better suits you.

For example, you set a goal to read the BOM for 30 minutes everyday before you go to bed, but every time you try, you fall asleep. Instead of giving up, you can try to read you scriptures earlier in the day when you aren't tired, or read for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes after school/work.

I have come to learn over the years that we change, our schedules change, and sometimes our Resolutions become outdated with what is going on in our lives. Don't me wrong I think it is a great time to set new goals each year, but I think it is also useful to set mini goals each week/month.

I think that taking the sacrament each week is a good time for setting new goals and starting anew. It is a time to take a deep breath and say to yourself, "Keep going, you can do it!" But it is also a time to remember that even though you can't make it all the way by yourself, we have someone who will help us reach our goals. Jesus Christ is our coach, our friend, our guidance counseler, our Savior. When I think about him while I set my goals, I feel like my goals are more reachable.

How grateful I am for a new year, for an opportunity to set new goals and try to be a better person, and for the help I receive from those that love me.

Briant's Most Memorable Moment of 2009

What a great year 2009 was! So before I get too deep into 2010, I'd like to share my most memorable moment of the past year. Yes, 2009 was highlighted by some great moments, but none of them quite stands out like this one. No, not even celebrating our 1 year anniversary was more memorable than this.

It was late one night and Melissa was in our bedroom reading a book. It must have been a captivating story; she had been in there on the bed reading the book for quite some time. Well I was getting tired, so I decided to hop in bed and go to sleep. I was able to break her attention from the book for just a second to ask her if I could turn off the bedroom light and if she could just turn on the lamp on her nightstand to continue reading. She did, so I got in bed and within a few minutes I was dozing off.

As I lay there slipping in and out of sleep, I began to hear some sniffles coming from beside me. I was on my stomach facing the opposite direction of Melissa, so I rolled over and looked at her. I could see she had tears in her eyes and was beginning to cry. I wondered to myself, "Did I do something to hurt her feelings? Did I forget to kiss her good night? Was she mad at me?" I quietly asked her if she was ok.

"Yes," she said.

"Did I do something that upset you?" I asked.

"No," she replied.

"Well, what's wrong?"

A moment of silence as tears were coming down her face.

And then, through her sniffles, she mustered the words I will never forget...

"Edward broke up with Bella."

Another moment of silence because I didn't know what to say. I rolled back over, thinking it would be best to just let my wife come to grips with the tragedy, the heartbreak, on her own. I would be there for support if she needed it, but I knew Melissa was strong and could overcome this heart-wrenching episode in her life by simply continuing to read "New Moon."

Christmas Festivities

We had a great Christmas this year! I have to admit that I feel a little spoiled with all the love that has been thrown our way. Thanks to everyone who made our Christmas special!

I had a very busy month. As I have said in the past, Christmas time at Great Harvest is very busy and this year was no exception! I think my longest day this year was 13 hours, but most of the others ranged from 9 to 11 hours each day. But it only last for 2-3 weeks. I just want to express a big THANK YOU to my husband, for all that he did around here without even being asked. I came home every night to: the dishes washed, the laundry done and folded, the walks shoveled, the tree watered, the house spotless, and sometimes dinner waiting. I love Briant so much, and I truly appreciate him always helping out with house work on top of the responsibilities he has at his own job. Briant, you're the best!!

My family had a little Christmas Eve feast at my parents house, but we weren't able to go until a little later because I didn't get off work until 4pm. After I felt good about my appearance, we headed over. Thanks to my Mom for saving us a plate, we had some yummy ham, mashed potatoes, corn, and to wrap it up, apple pie! Love apple pie! We had a great time visiting with family and playing Pictionary! My aunt Pam gave me some canning bottles for Christmas so now I can get started this summer learning how to can!

This was really our first Christmas that Briant and I had in our home. It was nice to just be together and share each others company.

For Christmas this year, we got ourselves a new computer. Which we absolutely love! I am still learning all there is to know about burning DVDs and Blu-Ray, but we are excited that we finally have that option and that our computer is fast! Now, I have a lot of projects to do that I previously put off because we didn't have the speed/technology.

One of my favorite gifts I got this year was the strand of pearls and pearl earrings Briant got for me. Pearls are my birth stone, and I absolutely love them!

I gave Briant another 'That's How I Roll' t-shirt. He has quite a few of them with different pictures, but this one has a pizza cutter, since he LOVES pizza!

I'm really excited about the outdoor cooking stove and the bike rack we got from family... now we can really go camping and take our bikes too!

We received lots of cards and newsletters from friends and family this year. It's been fun reading them and looking at pictures. I'm trying to keep all the address so I can be better about our cards next year... there were a lot of people I missed!

Since we both had a couple days off Briant and I spent some of our time at the movies. We went to see Blindside and Avator in 3D. They were both really awesome movies and I recommend them to all of you!

We are so grateful for this time of year. We love that it is a time to spend with friends, family and most of all each other. We are grateful for the Savior and his example, the role that he plays in our lives, and the most important gift that he gave us all. It is no wonder that this is my favorite time of year, with that special Spirit that is around us. We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

P.S. Cindy I need your peppermint bark recipe... assuming you made it. It was delish!

Cool Christmas Lights

Has anyone ever seen this place?

I was shown this place a few years ago (I'd never seen anything like it before). I took Briant there our first Christmas, and we've gone every year since.

You can find this place in Iona, ID on Barnes street. They have a station on the radio that you tune into (I think it was 88.5 or somewhere around there) and the lights are syncronized! They have several songs and some great messages. Overall I think it is a pretty good show.

Here is their WEBSITE (also has a map).

Enjoy the show!