When it rains it pours!!!!

This morning Brice stopped and put $65 into his gas tank. Gotta love the price of oil these days!! A few hours later he took his car for an oil change. Then on the way back to the office his check engine light came on! He went back to the Honda dealership to see what was wrong. He called me on his way to share the good news.

A while later, after they had looked at the car, he called back to tell me we were looking at close to $4000 in repairs. I guess the whole top part of the engine has a major problem! We also had been told that sometime in the next 12,000 miles the transmission is going to need to be replaced. So we were now faced with putting all this money into Brice’s car, and more down the road, or getting another new car!

After talking over with his friend (whose father just happens to own the dealership) we decided that it would be better to cut our losses and get another new car! We were really glad this was the dealer we ended up getting my car through on Saturday, as they then were fully aware of our somewhat desperate situation, and willing to help us out as much as they could.

After spending most of his day at the dealership they put a dealer plate in the car he had decided to get and headed for home. On his way home a construction type truck carrying rather large steel beams decided to lose a beam directly in front of Brice. I’m not even kidding!!! Luckily for us Brice ran over the beam (it didn’t do any damage to the car that we know of yet) but it took out 2 cars behind him. So he then spent over an hour dealing with the Highway patrol and all four drivers involved. Could the day just end? PLEASE??? I hope July is a better month for us!!! I told mom tonight… “I’m sure glad we pay our tithing, cause I’d sure hate to see our trials if the Lord WASN’T on our side!

One good thing that happened today…I had a baby check and everything is going well. We are growing just as prescribed! The baby had the hiccups today when the Dr. was listening to the heartbeat. She told me that is a good thing and to continue to watch for that. I have noticed that the baby has the hick-ups quite a bit. It’s funny to know that’s what all that movement is!!

Goodbye old....Hello New!

Earlier in the week, after putting another $350 in repairs into my car, I finally came to the decision that we needed to get rid of my beloved car. This has been such a fun car for me. I bought it spur of the moment, but have loved it. I got it when before Brice and I met. It was kind of a gift to myself. I have alway been very sensible about what cars I have bought, before this one!!! Brice has been trying to talk me into selling it for close to a year now, telling me I could have WHATEVER kind of car I wanted, yet I have wanted just to keep my cute little BMW.

However in the last 6 months we have put almost $1000 in repairs into the car and with the baby on the way, we need something that isn’t as costly to repair!!! Last night as we were driving to the concert I asked him if he felt like we were doing the right thing in buying a new car. He said yes because he couldn’t take the stress of me and the baby driving in a car he couldn’t rely on. I said to him this morning “Do you think these problems (the repair this week and the car dying last night) are my signs we were doing the right thing?” He said yes!

We got up this morning and the plan was that we would go and exchange the cars in the morning and have the rest of the afternoon to do whatever needed to be done. We hoped this would work as planned, as we had found 2 cars we like earlier in the week, and Brice had talked to the salesman (for the first car of choice) yesterday and everything was suppose to be in play. As we were in the car driving towards the car dealership, the other salesman from dealership #2 called to tell us that he had a buyer for my car and they were offering us $1500.00 more for it then the dealership #1.

We continued to dealership #1, we decided to see what they had to say. When we got there we told the salesman that this was the car we wanted, we were definitely buying a car today, but the other dealership was offering more for our trade in. He went to his managers and they came back with $100 more then what they had originally offered us, which was still $1400.00 short of dealer #2. We said thanks, but no thanks!

We called dealer #2 to tell them we were accepting their offer and could be there whenever they had the car. They were getting it from another lot here in Salt Lake. They were having a problem getting the car from the dealer… the other dealership didn’t want to release it to them. He told us to give him 2 hours and he would have the car. So we went home to wait, and have a nervous breakdown!! I really did, and it wasn’t pretty!!! This was more stress and conflict then I could handle. I hate car salesmen, and car dealerships!!! I guess this is why I hold onto cars so long.

Well… to make a very LONG story shorter… the dealership didn’t get the car until 5pm. They then had to detail it and do all of the paperwork. We didn’t leave the dealership until almost 8pm!! So much for having this all done by noon!! We got home to a much neglected dog…giving me the “Someone please pay attention to me!!!” brown eyed sad dog look. She was all too happy to inaugurate the new car with a ride to the gas station for a soda for Brice and me. The car is officially ours, as it now has a few dog hairs in it.

So… we are now a true Honda family, with 2 Honda’s in the garage. Hopefully this will be the end of our car repairs for a while!!!

If You're Reading This

Friday morning was just another morning...except it was one of "those" days. You know the kind when you just wake up ornery, I didn't want to get out of bed, didn't want to go to work, but here I was in the car !!! As was driving to work, this woman pulled out in front of me...NO ONE behind me, and then she's going slow. Okay, I admit everyone drives slower then I'd like them to, but why don't they just get outta my way? This made me even more grumpy!

As I'm driving down the road the radio was on and the DJ's were talking about the Tim McGraw concert that was happening tonight. They were giving away backstage passes and trying to determine how they would determine the winner. They were discussing Tim McGraw's song "If You're Reading This." It is a letter from a solider to his wife, written before he was killed in the event that he was killed. The DJ's were talking about what it must be like for those soliders over there to know their life is in danger everyday and what they must say to their families over here in their emails and phone calls. They then decided the winner would be someone with a loved one over fighting in the Middle East if they had a letter they could share part of. I wasn't going to call. Every time I try to call the line is ALWAYS busy. A couple minutes went by. I thought what the heck, I'll call. It rang!

When they answered I told them I had had a loved one over in Iraq, but that he had been killed. The asked if I had a letter I could share. I told them I was driving to work, but I could read them an email as soon as I got there. They put me on hold. I continued to drive to work, periodically they would come back on the line and ask me questions about Nate, what the email said and if I still cried when I read the email. I told them still, almost 5 years later, I can hardly think of him without still crying. They asked me if I had tickets to the concert, I told them no. He then asked if I could go tonight if they gave me tickets (the prize was just the backstage passes), I told them yes I could go. He didn't know for sure if they would give me concert tickets too, but just in case. Once I got to work I read them the email. Of course I cried. They then told me they would call me back. They played my story on air followed by Tim's song. I cried through both! Here are the words to the song:

If You're Reading This...

If you’re reading this, my mama’s sitting there.
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here.
Sure wish I could give you one more kiss.
War was just a game we played when we were kids.
I’m laying down my gun, hanging up my boots.
I’m up here with God, and we’re both watching over you.

(Chorus)
So lay me down, in that open field out on the edge of town.
And know my soul, is where my mama always prayed that it would go.
If your reading this, I’m already home.

If your reading this, half way around the world.
I won’t be there to see the birth of our little girl.
I hope she looks like you; I hope she fights like me.
Stands up for the innocent and the weak.
I’m laying down my gun, hanging up my boots.
Tell dad I don’t regret that I followed in his shoes.

Chorus

If you’re reading this, there’s going to come a day,
when you’ll move on and find someone else and that’s okay.
Just remember this; I’m in a better place.
Where Soldiers live in peace and they just sing “Amazing Grace.”

So lay me down, in that open field out on the edge of town.
And know my soul, is where my mama always prayed that it would go.
If your reading this..... if your reading this.... I’m already home.

They called me back to tell me they were giving me the backstage passes AND the concert tickets!! I was so excited. I have NEVER won anything off the radio! They took all my info. and told me to pick the tickets and passes up at willcall at 7pm. I called Brice and asked him if he wanted to go on a "hot date" with me tonight!

We got home, got ready, grabbed the camera and walked out the door. We went to Chili's for dinner, hey the rest of the night was free... might as well go get some good grub! As we were getting in the car after dinner my phone rang. It was the radio guy calling to see if we were there. I said "I was told to be there at 7." It was currently 6:30pm. He said "Well it's a pre-show party and it's about to get started!" We were on 33rd south and 13th West. We needed to be at 5300 South and 6400 West!!! I was so upset. I told the guy we would be there as quick as we could.

The real race car driver in me came out, this driver even made Brice nervous, and Brice loves the fact that I drive fast!!! He kept telling me that we wanted to make it there alive!! When we got out there the line to get into the parking was HUGE!!! We had passed a sign that said "Parking $20!" I was like NO WAY! Brice told me to go there. They let us in, didn't ask for any money or a VIP pass. We zoomed by the attendant and into a space. We RAN!!! We got up to the radio stations booth, got the tickets and ran again to the tent for the party. As we approached the tent one of the workers said "Don't worry, it hasn't started!" I said "Good 'cause I think I might have enduced my labor!!!" Looking back on it, I'd still have run, but I don't think it was the best idea, I pulled my groin musle and it really hurts, but hey... I saw Tim McGraw!!!

So we get in there, he had a girl do a couple of warm-up numbers and then he came out! (Okay honey... don't be offended) THIS MAN IS HOT!!!!!!! He starts talking to us (there were maybe 30 people in the tent!) and singing a couple songs. Me, miss camera woman, I'm snapping away my pictures and all of a sudden my camera says "recharge battery pack" and turns it's self off!!! Can you believe it? Honestly!!! I almost died!!! Luckily Brice had his phone, it took some good shots, and we got this video, but still, hello!!!! How many times do you get backstage, and then to have your camera die... I mean really.The concert was awesome!!! We were on the 18th row!!! It was a great night, despite all it's rough beginnings.

So this is where the story should end... but there is more!!! So we get in the car and we are driving home from the far end of Egypt. The gas light was on, but it said it had 30 miles before empty. So we are trying to get as far away from the venue as possible before pulling over for gas. I made a left hand turn and all of a sudden the car is puttering. Like it's not getting enough gas, and then the car DIED!! Right in the middle of Redwood road. (4 lanes of traffice for any of you out of staters!!) Brice was really excited about this!! He has been trying to get me to get rid of my car since the first time he had to work on it (over a year ago).

So Brice pushes it off the road and we walk down the street to get gas. Brice is pissed, I'm in pain and totally emotional! (You know how we prego girls get!) We bought gas, got back in the car and tomorrow we are going to trade it in!!! :( I am so sad, but I know it's what we need to do! Bye, bye Beemer!!! Tune in for all of tomorrows adventures, as I so love dealing with cars and car dealerships!!!

**Sadie

Sadie is my dog, but really she is my baby. I call her my furry baby! I got Sadie when she was 7 weeks old and weighted a mere 8 pounds. She is now 3 1/2 years old and weighs 93 pounds. She is the first dog that I have ever had, and the sweetest thing as well. She loves to be loved. She could be pet, and kissed and loved on 24 hours a day! She loves it when I kiss her forehead. I will "rapid fire" kiss her forehead, and when I stop and move a little ways away.. she will put her forehead back up to my lips to get more kisses!! There have been many times when I am kneeling by my bed praying, and crying...as soon as she hears me crying she comes to my side. It is not enough for her to just sit there to comfort me. She will nudge me with her nose until I wrap my arm around her as she sits by my side, as if to tell me it's okay and she is there for me! She has been such a comfort to me, as well as filled a nurturing need that I had before Brice, or this baby. Sadie is a inside dog, but she loves to spends quite a bit of her day outside by the fence watching the world, and the school kids go by. However, when I am sick, or have a migraine and am home on the couch, she only leaves my side long enough to relieve herself and make sure her back yard is secure. Then she is right back by my side. Whenever I move or lift my head, she stands up to check on me. It really is a cute to watch her do this. When I come home, from anywhere, she is waiting at the door for me, with toy in mouth and tail wagging.

As soon as I walk through the door she drops down to get her belly loving!! It makes me laugh every time. She follows me everywhere. She sits in the bathroom as I get ready to leave, she follows me to the door and watches me go. At night when we go upstairs to go to bed, if we leave her downstairs because she is to sleepy to walk upstairs with us, pretty soon we will hear these little barks/yelps. Kinda like "Hey... you left me down here." She wont come up on her own then. I have to go down there and rub her belly and bring her upstairs! It's really kinda funny. Anyway, I could go on and on! I love this dog. I just hope I will continue to give her the love she needs after this baby is born! I really think she will just love the baby. She LOVES kids. I just need to remember to give her her puppy loves!

Ward Camp Out 2008

Friday night was our ward camp out. It was fun. We got home from work on Friday afternoon, hurried and loaded the car and then headed out. This year we got there earlier then last year, which was nice. Let me tell you how fun setting up a BRAND NEW tent in the dark rolls on a new marriage relationship... we thought we'd avoid that one this year. So we drove through Arby's on the way up and got to the campground (up above Oakley) well before sundown. We got the tent and chairs set up without any incidents, and set out to enjoy the night. Last year we didn't take Sadie's bed, and Brice ended up sleeping on the ground, so this year we packed her's along as well. Poor dog, can't really blame her for not wanting to sleep on the rocky ground. Families continued to roll in throughout the night. It was a nice evening weather wise and good company as well. Soon we got a fire blazing and pulled out the marshmallows. I don't like marshmallows, unless they are slow roasted over a camp fire. I am quite the roaster if I do say so myself, there is nothing quite like boiling hot, crunchy sugar!!!! Needless to say the baby was jumping around for a while when I went to bed after all that warm gooiness. It was fun to watch all the kids get excited about roasting their marshmallows and all the mothers freak out as their kids got too close to the fire. Guess I'm not to far off from joining that crowd. Sadie was great.. loving every part of being on an adventure with us. She was very grateful when we climbed into the tent to go to bed, as she kept trying to find a comfortable position around the campfire as Brice and I chatted. We finally got to sleep once we got through all of Brice's air mattress antic's, it wasn't happening in the woods with so many ward members ears close by, but he did make me laugh. As early as the sun started to rise Sadie thought it was time to get up. Or at least get some early morning loves in. She climbed up on the mattress next to me to cuddle, which was good until she started to lay on my every growing budda belly. That wasn't so comfortable. I pushed her over to Brice where she cuddle right up to her daddy for her good morning loves. I love how attached she has become to Brice, and he to her! Soon enough though she couldn't be contained and we went outside of the tent for her morning walk, despite the fact it was freezing. I say freezing because even Brice was cold. That's how I know that it's really cold outside, when Brice is cold. When we got back to the tent Brice and I both climbed back into bed and under the covers. Sadie took up her look out position right in front of the tent door. This was good with her as long as I kept the tent door open and my hand on her back to pet her. She is really funny...every morning when we get home from our walk she likes to sit in the front yard and watch the world go by. This morning was no exception. Just a lot less going on. She finally got back in the tent to take her morning nap, I was excited cause I thought I could catch a few more "Z's" too, when Brice said..."I'm done. I can't lay on this mattress any more!" So much for my morning sleep in. We made our way over to see if there was anything we could help with getting breakfast going, and then ventured back over to our camp site to start packing up. We left shortly after breakfast and headed home. I put Sadie in the shower as soon as we got home and washed out about have of the campsite from her fur! Then I went to the couch where I crashed for the next four hours!! Camping at 6 months pregnant wasn't to bad, except I forgot my pillows, so no propping up my tummy or my head. Plus I stuffed my pregnant body into a mummy sleeping back that kept sliding off the air mattress all night long. (We were on a bit of a downward slant.) Needless to say I didn't sleep to well. But it was fun anyway. I don't know if next year I'll be quite as excited to go with a new baby...but we'll see.

*Ode to Brice

I really married a great man! On Saturday morning I asked Brice to do 3 "honey-do's" for me. The first was to move my filing cabinet downstairs, second to fill the dog food bin (the bag is 30 # and I'm milking this pregnancy while I can!), and third was to move our 100 # coffee table out of the family room so I could clean the carpet.

Brice is a great cleaner, and when it comes to his car he could spend hours cleaning it and detailing it. I indeed benefit from this as well, as he often turns his attention to my car, but I comment that I wish he was as worried about the inside of our house as he is with his car! Now I am not a cleaning fanatic by any means. In fact my family would use words such as pack rat, kelpto, unnaturally attached to my possessions. But with having a long haired, large dog though you have to stay on top of a few things. Vacuuming and cleaning the carpets amongst them.

Anyway... after we had finished our errands we turned our attention to our house work. I was cleaning up the kitchen, vacuuming and getting ready to mop. I asked Brice to move the chairs out of the kitchen and soon found the table out too. I then looked to find Brice dusting and cleaning out the family room. I looked again to find he not only had moved the coffee table like I had asked, but the dog kennel, the side table, the DVD cabinet, and was moving the couches out, with first wiping down the backside of the leather that sits next to the wall!

This is what I love about Brice. He doesn't love housework (which one of us does?, besides my brother Aaron) but Brice always goes beyond. I would have settled for cleaning around the couches, dog kennel and DVD cabinet. Brice's motto on the other hand is..."if your going to do it, you might as well do it the right way!"

Thanks honey for your help, and for always doing more then I ask. You really are great and I love you so much!!!

Bittersweet

Today for Father's day we didn't do a whole lot. Went to church, went to dinner at my mom's, I crashed on the couch, Brice went to rescue his parents from car trouble! However, this afternoon I have been reflective... with my first child due this fall this is the first Father's Day that has had any significance to me in a very long time. Brice is so excited for this baby! He shares in all my planning, helped me decorator the nursery, listens to my fears, and rubs my budda belly!
What makes it bittersweet is Brice has not seen his 3 boys in almost 2 years now. This is a long story and one that makes us both frustrated and sad. I know Brice worries about his boys often. He wonders where they are and how they are! He hopes they are okay and being well taken care of, as we have not been allowed to even contact his youngest two by phone, let alone have our visitation!!!
I know that Brice will be a great dad to this baby. I watch him with mine and his nieces and nephews. He loves to tease!!! He is so attentive to me when I don't feel well, and constantly wants to be by my side. I hope in the future we will be able to be a "whole" family, that our daughter will know and love her brothers and have a great relationship with them. For now all I can do is place my faith and trust in the Lord, and know he has a plan. I so look forward to the day when Brice and I get to meet this little child!