Did Someone Say Arachnaphobia?

A cacophony of deafening squeals from the girls equals a tarantula. Dan found this beauty on our driveway tonight and captured it for a neighbor collecting insects. The squeals came from our side of the cul de sac.

Ensign Peak

Dan and I spent last night in Salt Lake City and we decided after dinner and a little shopping that it would be fun to hike up Ensign Peak. We made it to the trailhead around dusk and I was wanting to hurry up to the top so we wouldn't miss the sunset. Knowing nothing about the trail, we embarked up a cemented trail which quickly turned into a dirt path. I was wearing sandals with a heel (I never wear the right shoes) and the sandal on my right foot didn't make it. However,the hike up was completely worth the effort because the views are amazing. Looking south toward downtown Salt Lake you can easily see the Utah State Capitol building and the Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle. Looking out toward the west you have a full view of the Great Salt Lake. The monument on top of Ensign Peak was dedicated in 1936 and stands as a testament to the early Church leaders who climbed the peak just two days after their entrance into the valley. President Brigham Young had seen the prophet Joseph Smith in a vision in the Nauvoo Temple that showed him this peak and that the shadow of the peak would be the place the saints were to build up a new city. The monument literally lines up with State Street which stretches down the Salt Lake Valley. We look forward to taking the girls up there before winter gets underway. Next time, I won't forget the proper foot wear!

In Remembrance of 9.11.2001

Like everyone, I will never forget where I was when the terrorist attacks began seven years ago. I remember I was at the gym that morning and watching what reporters thought was a small plane crashing into the World Trade Center. It caught my attention because three years earlier, Dan and I had been at the WTC while we were in New York City and ate at the restaurant, "Windows on the World." After my workout I headed home and turned on the television to see an update (remember I am a news junkie). The older girls were getting ready for school and it didn't take long before Dan and I were glued to the television, shocked by the images we were seeing and the news that was being reported. I was so grateful that Dan was home and not traveling as he did so often that year.

Last summer, our family spent some time in New York City and one of the places we visited was Ground Zero. There really wasn't much to look at, but a somber spirit permeated the area and was felt by each one of us despite the loud, everyday noises that are characteristic of a large city. I always felt that eating at "Windows on the World" would be a once in a lifetime experience and the terrorists attacks of 9.11 have sadly proved me right. The picture posted is a little blurry but it shows the New York City skyline as it was in 1998. I know none of us will ever forget.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Dearest Mother,

I hope your birthday is wonderful! I miss you and I'm grateful we always have the telephone to talk to each other. It wasn't until I went through some old pictures that I realized just how many dresses you made for me and Elizabeth. You are truly a wonder of a woman. I admire all that you have done in your life, from serving as a sister missionary in Scotland to serving with dad on another foreign mission. Because I want to be like you, I continue to strive toward my own college graduation. Your continued service in the temple and your dedication to all that is good and worthwhile is an inspiration to me. I couldn't ask for a better mother or grandmother to my girls. We all love you dearly and wish you the very best!

The Snows

18 Years Ago Today

If you don't recognize the individuals in the photograph it's because we are 18 years older now. The female brunette is also a shade or two lighter with the help of some highlights (I hear it is good to keep up the highlights as you age so when the gray hairs appear it is much less noticeable--let's hope)!

The BEST decision I have ever made in my life is to marry this guy. Our engagement became official September 9, 1990 at the start of a new fall semester at BYU and amidst all the fun that accompanies this season--changing leaves, BYU football games, brisk days and cold nights. I think what really solidified my decision was Dan's genuine willingness to do whatever I needed and to do it with a smile on his face. For example, unclogging a toilet of a fellow roommate (it wasn't pretty), moving all of my boxes out of storage to my student housing unit, and setting traps in the kitchen for the mouse that unceasingly scratched between the kitchen wall and my bedroom wall all night long! His heroism did not end there however, he even retrieved and disposed of the dead mouse just a day after he set the trap. What a guy!

Seriously, though, I pinch myself daily wondering how in the world I am so fortunate to have found someone who is perfect for me. I love you Dan--here's to many more years and memories!

100 Tidbits About Me

I think every fun idea should be copied, so here goes the 100 tidbits about me. Thanks to Lexi and Elizabeth for the inspiration!

1. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. I lived in Mesa, Arizona from the age of one until I graduated from high school.
3. I loved swimming as a child, but not so much now.
4. I think Seven Peaks is overrated.
5. I did not meet my husband at BYU.
6. I'm eight years younger than my husband.
7. I've been married almost 18 years.
8. I have four daughters.
9. I had fraternal twins (child #2 and child #3) in the middle.
10. I delivered one twin normally and another twin by c-section within a 20 minute period.
11. I've had 2 of my 4 children in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.
12. I like snorkeling but I've never tried scuba diving.
13. I'm terrified of rodents and cock roaches.
14. I like "do it yourself" house projects.
15. I really like to paint and I've been known to paint and repaint the same rooms in a very short period of time.
16. I'm a stay at home mom and I love it!
17. I'm a BYU student.
18. I have 3 more classes to finish before I graduate.
19. I'm an American Studies major.
20. I detest, in the strongest terms, math!
21. My favorite season is fall.
22. I could easily live on the beach.
23. I love living in Provo, Utah.
24. I have lived in Temecula, California and Atlanta, Georgia.
25. I like Major League Baseball games for the first 6 innings.
26. I saw "The Unit" pitch a perfect game at Turner field.
27. I'm an Atlanta Braves and Utah Jazz fan.
28. I love Broadway plays.
29. I am a news junkie.
30. I like politics.
31. American history and literature are never boring to me.
32. Writing is therapeutic to me.
33. My dream job would be teaching high school American history.
34. I like yard work and planting flowers in the spring and fall.
35. I always feel inclined to bake on a rainy day.
36. I love making homemade soup on a cold winter day.
37. Baking to me is much more enjoyable than cooking.
38. I've helped design and oversee the building of a custom home.
39. Southeast Africa is the farthest place I have traveled.
40. I hope to go back to Africa someday, perhaps as a missionary.
41. I have never been on a cruise.
42. I own and hope to sell an investment business.
43. I married my best friend.
44. My husband is still my best friend.
45. Mexican food is my favorite.
46. I collect Christmas ornaments from every place I have traveled.
47. I collect salt&pepper shakers from the places I have traveled but often forget to use them.
48. I ate dinner at "Windows on the World" on top the World Trade Center 3 years before September 11, 2001.
49. I plan and help give a surprise family vacation every year for Christmas.
50. I traveled with my family to over half of the states in America.
51. I prefer the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean unless I'm in Hawaii.
52. Sunset Beach, North Carolina is my favorite family beach.
53. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
54. I like to snowski in the spring.
55. I play the piano for my family or when needed in foreign countries.
56. I play the violin.
57. I hope to take violin lessons again, but don't want to give up my fake fingernails just yet.
58. I felt the Northridge, California earthquake--very scary!
59. Hearing tornado sirens in your neighborhood is a very eerie feeling.
60. I've been "under the knife" four times but never for plastic surgery.
61. I prefer Twizzlers to Red Vines.
62. A Diet Coke and Stacey's Pita Chips are my favorite mid-day snack.
63. I have never broken a bone.
64. I really dislike cats.
65. I've explored Africa's "Big Five" in the wild.
66. I sometimes have the fear of heights.
67. I've seen Niagra Falls from the U.S. and from Canada.
68. I hope to see Victoria Falls someday.
69. I've supervised the ownership of 6 hamsters, 2 dogs and countless fish.
70. Heavy snowstorms are peaceful to me.
71. I love a snowstorm on Christmas Eve.
72. I weigh myself, along with my family, before and after Thanksgiving dinner for fun.
73. My favorite jogging place is a sandy beach.
74. I write notes on the napkins of my girls' homemade sack lunches.
75. I wear a nightguard in my mouth at night.
76. I DVR "Seinfeld," "Jon and Kate Plus Eight," and "The Joseph Smith Papers"
77. My i-pod consists of the same music my kids listen to.
78. I wish I were more patient.
79. I don't like surprises!
80. Once I start a project, I like to finish it as soon as possible.
81. The Louvre is my favorite museum in the world.
82. I am not a morning person.
83. I hope to travel to Italy for my 40th birthday.
84. I prefer dark woods (walnut, mahogany, cherry) to lighter woods.
85. I like antiques and antique stores.
86. I could spend hours on end in a bookstore.
87. My favorite college class was the History of the American Family.
88. I'm afraid to cut my hair above my shoulders.
89. I intend to add highlights to my hair until the day I die.
90. I had Lasik eye surgery.
91. Seven years later, I'm far sighted.
92. I wear glasses only when I need to.
93. I've taken kids to the ER for stitches twice.
94. I've taken kids to the ER 6 different times for broken bones.
95. I'm klutzy sometimes.
96. I often spill on myself.
97. I've been known to trip going up or going down stairs.
98. My favorite color is red.
99. I look forward to yearly trips alone with Dan.
100.Hawaii is my favorite family vacation spot.

P.S. Instead of taking an Ambien for sleep, read this list several times...

Diary of a New Puppy Owner

4:37 am- Sleeping blissfully in my warm, comfty bed cuddled next to a hunk I call my husband.

4:38 am- Disturbed cries penetrate my dream and I begin to wonder what the awful noise is-- is it in my dream?

4:39 am- I'm half awake and remember we brought home a puppy last night. I wake up husband and we stare at the ceiling wondering what we're supposed to do next.

4:44 am- Hubby and I yank each other out of bed and walk toward the sounds of a tortured newborn baby, but it's our sweet little Scout (aka new puppy).

4:45 am- Hubby takes Scout out to do her business in the pouring rain. I stand on the porch feeling grateful that he is happily helping because this was my insane idea.

4:50 am- Hubby and Scout run laps up and down the front yard.

4:58 am- Julia joins Hubby and I in the family room with our wide-eyed, scampering puppy.

5:15 am- Julia falls asleep on the sofa while Hubby cuddles with Scout on the floor. The television emits the sights and sounds of ESPN. I smile and head back to my empty bed feeling a little guilty, but not guilty enough.

2 HOURS and 15 MINUTES LATER
7:30 am- The oohs and aahs begin again as the girls awake. I join the love fest and wonder aloud how many more early mornings we'll have with Scout. Hubby replies--a lot!