Past, Present, Future

I was tagged by Kim. It's been fun trying to remember when...

20 Years Ago... I was 3 living in Twin Falls, Idaho hanging out at home with my mom and younger brother. We were getting ready to move in June to Tennessee where I grew up.

10 Years Ago... I was 13 and in the 7th grade at Newbern Junior High. I was learning clarinet in band and making new friends, some I still have to this day. Every day after school I played Sonic the Hedgehog on Sega Genesis. I think it's the only game I ever beat. I also played outside with my brother Will, our neighbor Jessie, and our dog Maurice. I got my ears pierced that year too.

5 Years Ago... 18 years old and ready to graduate! I was in color guard, indoor drumline, jazz band, and 1st chair clarinet in concert band. I also was in the high school choir and surprisingly won the Most Outstanding Choir Member award on Senior Award Day. Go altos! My best friends were Stephanie, Amy, Tiffany, Millie, Gabby, Germaine, and Will. I was boy CRAZY, ask my friends. I was a car hop at Sonic making big tips. I got accepted to BYU-Idaho and won several scholarships from different organizations including Wal-Mart! I moved to Idaho in August and haven't lived at home since. :(

3 Years Ago... I was 20, had been married for a year, and still lived in Rexburg. I was in my soph/junior year of college and started working at Broulim's in the meat department. In March, Rob, Will, and I drove out to Indiana for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. In June Rob and I drove to Denver for his sister Tamera's wedding reception. In November we drove down to Arizona for Rob's grandma's wedding! Lots of travelling. I was busy with school and work. Will left for his mission that fall in Paraguay.

1 Year Ago... March 30, 2007 was my last day of student teaching in Phoenix, AZ. We lived with the Tubbs and enjoyed having a warm winter. I graduated April 6, then we left a few days later for Herndon, VA to sell APX. I enjoyed my summer with no work and played at the pool, worked out, and visited my sister Kim and hubby Jacob in Richmond a lot! I also went to D.C. for the first time (and several times) and got to watch fireworks by the Washington Monument. That August we drove back to Idaho and packed up to move to Hawaii. Rob started school at BYU-H and I worked as a substitute teacher all over the windward side of Oahu. I started as an ordinance worker in the temple in October. We made lots of friends and I gained a workout partner, Rose, and tried to work out everyday.

So far this year...I worked as a sub until Feb. then got hired as a skills trainer. We played softball with our ward and won the tournament. I've been on 3 beautiful hikes. We've made more friends and are feeling more at home here in Hawaii.

Today I... worked with my student, helping him with his assignments and "skills," I was jealous as Rob got to go scuba diving with his friend, and I checked everyone's blogs and realized I really need to update mine.

This year I will...earn lots of money (hopefully), have fun being a tourist when Kim and Jacob come and also when Rob's family comes, go to the Polynesian Cultural Center 3 times, go to Utah for Rob's family reunion in July, visit 1 or 2 other islands, go on more hikes, explore more of Oahu, get in better shape, try surfing again, soak up all the fun in Hawaii while I can.

I tag... Ashlyn, Rose, Becky, Kelsy, and Lou.

Katie Éireann

Our newest niece was born just after midnight on Feb. 28th to Kareena (Rob's sister) and Matt. She looks really cute and we can't wait to meet her in July. Her middle name is Gaelic for "Ireland" which is where Matt served his mission. She is their first girl and has 3 older brothers. Congratulations Kareena and Matt!

Fun Stuff

Our friend/neighbor Jess made this video last week for Mitt Romney. The 2nd guy (in the beanie) is our neighbor Mike, Rob is the 4th person, and the girl at the end is Jess's wife Rose, my friend and workout partner! Go F building!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5p-wxaH410

On Wednesday for enrichment we had a Japanese culture night. We learned about Japan, made origami boxes, tried on yukatas (lighter-weight, less expensive kimonos), and ate Japanese food. We have several people in our ward from Japan so it was nice to learn more about their culture. Thanks Hikari for the pictures.
Concentrating on making the boxes
Miha, Chelsea, Rose, and me. Look at their shoes! I don't know how they walk in them. Plus you have to have 'Japanese Barbie feet to fit in them' as Miha said.
Showing off the bows. The Japanese girls had to dress us and it looked complicated.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Two weeks ago the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away. He is the only prophet I really remember since he was called when I was 10. I love President Hinckley and will miss hearing and seeing him. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and was a great example to all of us. I am thankful for technology and that I was able to watch the funeral even though I'm so far away. I was sad to see his empty chair in the conference center during his funeral but I know I can see him again. I know that President Monson will be a great prophet.


Rob's sister Kareena sent us this link. It is a tribute to President Hinckley. Please take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DONH655IR1E&watch_response

This is a video of when President Hinckley visited Hawai'i.

http://newsroom.byuh.edu/node/1544/play

Diamond Head

Back in December we went to hike Diamand Head with Scott and Ashlyn. There was a beautiful view from the top. Afterwards we ate some yummy burgers at a place called Kua'aina Sandwich in Ward Centers. I felt touristy but there is a fun atmosphere in Waikiki/Honolulu.

Waikiki Beach

Rainbows are everywhere in Hawaii.

Going down these 99 steps was the easy part except that my legs were jello by this time.

Game Night

Saturday our ward had a game night on campus for winning the Turkey Bowl in November. There was bowling, pool, ping pong, air hockey, karaoke, and guitar hero. These are some of the good friends we've made here.

Larissa and Ryan Chase
Mike Denning and Rob playing guitar hero
Rose Bradfield and me playing guitar hero
Spencer and Amberly Duncan & Scott and Ashlyn Bigler
Rose and me bowling
Us
Mary and Shane Boyd
Matt, Miha, and Asher

crazy Rose
Leah and Taylor Stimmel
Derek and Hillary Williams
Mike and Chelsea Denning

Christmas Vacation Blog?!

Yes, I know it has been forever since I posted. This will be quick. For Christmas break we flew in to Salt Lake and got to attend a temple session in the SLC temple for the first time. It was beautiful and a neat experience. A few days after being in Rexburg we drove down to Smithfield to see all of my family. It was the first time we were all together since Kim's wedding in 2002! We had a pre-Christmas celebration late at night when Mom, Dad, Anna, and Will finally made it to Grandma's after a long trip across the country. It was fun to all be together and open gifts. We spent the rest of the time in Rexburg except for one more trip down to Utah to take family pictures. We had a fun time seeing all our family members. We even got to see Rob's grandma and grandpa Joe in the Phoenix airport during our layover home. We miss everyone but we have lots of photos to look at.