DC Trip

I had the extreme priveledge of attending the National Epilepsy Foundation's Walk for life and Public Policy Institute. We visited Utah's senators and two of our representatives. We also spoke in front of all the President's of the State Epilepsy Foundations. It was an amazing experience. We also got a little bit of site seeing in while we were there. So warning there is a lot of photos attached with this blog post.

The day of the walk was rainy and muddy. Margo ruined her shoes in the mud. But it was really fun. We walked with over 5000 others for epilepsy awareness. We started the walk just below the capital and went down and around the Washington Monument and back. The total walk was a little over 2.25 miles. I am not use to walking that far by the time we were done with the day we had walked over 5 miles. My legs hurt so bad.

After the walk we took a tour bus around to Arlington. I learned so very much. It is so inspiring. All of these amazing men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. We saw the women in the Military exhibit. I learned a lot about the WASP group from WWII. They were a women's pilot group there was a little over 1000 of them. Margo's mom happens to be one of them. They did this amazing triute to them. These women did amazing work. They weren't even recognized for VA benefits until 1977 or were made officers. They weren't even brought home when one of them died in duty. All the women pulled their money together to get the body home to be buried.

This tribute was really nice. If you ever get to Arlington I suggest you take a few minutes to visit this. Then we went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was so amazed at the reverence and awe that was there.

We traveled to the White House visitors center and went back to the hotel. We were incredibly tired. Sunday we did our speach in front of the president's and exec's that were in. The speech went well. I was excited to have it over. Monday we spent the big part of the day in meetings. We learned a lot. Near the end of the day we skipped the talks about how to talk to legislatures (we figured we knew how to do that) and went site seeing. We went to the Jefferson Memorial, Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vetanam Memorial the WWII Memorial. Around where all the memorial are the Cherry Blossom Festival was going on. It was amazing. I took over 100 scenery photos mainly of the flowers. The photo of me has the Jefferson Memorial in the background.

Now that this blog post is getting even longer. Tuesday we had our meetings up at Capital Hill. Believe me it is a hill after all the walking we did. We met with three out of the five Senators and Reps offices. We dropped info off at one other. I was really impressed with Jason Chaffetz's office and staff for being the new guy on the block and not being on any health committee's they were really receptive. We met with Orrin Hatch personally. Well at least long enough for the photo op. His office staffer was amazing and commended us a lot on the bill we passed in Utah.

Wednesday was our travel home day. We had a breakfast meeting with people from the National Epilepsy Foundation. I was excited to be going home and my kids couldn't wait. Although they were spoiled by Grandma so I am suprised they wanted me home at all. Erik did a great job will I was gone. I am really proud of him. We ended up being delayed in the airport for a while and it took a lot longer than it was suppose to but while it was storming on the ground I took this photo above the clouds over DC. It was a beautiful site. I am really shocked that the photo turned out. Now I just have to get back into the routine and on the right time zone.

Homemade Parade

My friend Michelle posted this on her blog and because she is so amazing and creative, I know I’ll love anything she makes. So...I signed up! The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year (hopefully sooner than later, although for sure after DC)
4. You will have no clue what it is going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me you did will win a marvelous homemade gift by me!

Washington DC

I'm sorry I haven't written much this month. I don't know where this month went. I swear it was just the first of the month the other day. I have been invited to Washington DC. I am going this weekend representing Utah for the National Epilepsy Foundation walk. I am attending with my VP Margo. We are also speaking to our Senators and Representatives and speaking in front of the heads of the state foundations about the bill we passed last year. I am really honored that they have asked me to come and do this. Margo and I are planning all of our fun things we want to try and see between meetings. I have never been there before. Clarissa took me shopping on Saturday to help me get ready and to plan something to wear. I was really afraid of looking like a frumpy housewife when I walked in to meet some of these people. Not that isn't what I am I just don't want them to know it the second they see me. So wish me luck. I have six days in DC. My husband and kids are staying at home. I am hopeful that things will go really smooth while I am gone. Erik has taken half of the time I am gone off of work to be home with the kids. Although he is having a rough week working this many days in a row to get ready for me to leave. I don't know what I will do with myself to not be with them for that many days. Although I couldn't turn down this opportunity. I am really grateful to be doing this!

Happy St. Patricks Day!!!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! I feel like we already celebrated St. Patrick's day because we went down to see my niece Adrianne in the parade in downtown last weekend. We never have been a very big St. Patrick's day family. Every few years or something my Mom made us green pancakes for dinner, but that is about all we ever did. I didn't realize how BIG this holiday really is. So I will be posting photos later from the parade and of my daughter who got herself dressed for school today. She really doesn't match but it was all green. I managed to talked her into taking off the Sunday dress that was on the top. This morning when I was so frustrated at her I couldn't laugh but by this afternoon the fact that I let my daughter go out looking like she does. So I will have to take a photo when she gets home from school. Two years ago Kimmie had a friend in her class who's father was Irish and he came in and played the bagpipes and everything for her class and did a big party. Kimmie really wants me to throw a big thing today and I am just wanting to enjoy the day! So it will be an interesting day.

Field Trip with Kimmie

I took the day off last Wednesday and went with Kimmie's school class to Chuck e Cheese and Bowling. I had so much fun. It didn't matter if I got a gutter ball or a strike these kids were just excited! Plus I pulled it out in the last frame with a stike and a spare and ended up getting the best score I have had since my bowling class in college! We ended the day at Chuck e cheese. I bought extra tokens. So when Erik came to pick me up Erik, Johnny and I stayed after Kimmie's class left and finished off the tokens! It was a long day but really fun!

Draper Temple Open House

I finally downloaded some photos today at work. My favorite of which are the photos that were taken at the Draper Temple Open House. We went on the 28th. We had a great time although it took us 3 hours to go through. I was incredibly relieved that half way through Kimmie asked one of the ladies if she could go up the elevator. Normally I wouldn't have let her but I was incredibly excited to get away from the people who were talking behind us. At one point I wanted to say to them didn't you read the signs asking you to be quiet? But I didn't. Kimmie asked if she could go up the elevator and the cute girl said yes so we ended up about 50 people in front of the noisy ones and it was a great tour! We had an amazing time! Kimmie started singing I Love to See the Temple on the bus ride. It was so sweet. Kimmie's favorite part was the big bath tub (the baptismal font) and Johnny's favorite part was the eternity mirrors in the Sealing Rooms. Although this fun photo of my family should have been taken before the three hours. Maybe I would have gotten better looks on my kids faces.

30 Answers about Erik and I

Okay I have to tell you I am addicted to FB. I never thought I would be addicted to a web site although I am. I need to get help or something. Welcome my name is Kris and I am addicted to Facebook. Hello Kris...
I filled out this survey about Erik and I and I thought I would share it on the blog as well. In case there are a few of you who have not found the joyful addiction that is FB.

1.How long have you been together?
We have been married for 13 1/5 years and we were engaged for almost four months before that we only dated for 2 1/5 weeks before we got engaged
2. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
seven months
3. Who asked who out? Erik asked me
4. How old are each of you? Erik is 38 and I am old enough to not answer that question although he is a lot older than me
5. Whose siblings do you see the most?
It’s fairly equal although we see my parents more than his
6. Do you have children together? Two
7. What about pets? Some fish
8. Did you go to the same school? Yes for college no for High school
9. Are you from the same town? Yes
10. Who is the smartest? Me of couse JK
11. Who is the most sensitive? Erik
12. Where do you eat out most as a couple? Applebees, Chilis
13. Where is the farthest place you have traveled as a couple?
Orlando Florida
14. Who has the craziest exes?
No ex spouses although Erik only dated one other woman seriously before me (although she is an interesting lady). I dated a lot so I would have to say me.
15. Who has the worst temper? Me hands down
16. Who does most of the cooking? Erik
17. Who is more social? Erik
18. Who is the neat freak? Me
19. Who is more stubborn? I am
20. Who hogs the bed?
Erik, between snooring and hogging the bed I didn't sleep for the first year we were married.
21. Who wakes up earlier? Usually, Erik
22. Where was your first date?We went Bowling for sandwiches and played Phase 10 with his room mates. I won at Phase 10 and bowling! Yes he still asked me out again.
23. Who has the bigger family?
Erik if you include step siblings but it is even without
24. Do you get flowers often? No, although I use to
25. How do you spend the holidays?
With family, rotating between both families
26. Who is more jealous? Erik - the funny thing is he is jealous of the man I didn't ever really want to marry and I never kissed and not the one I was almost engaged to.
27. Who does the laundry?Usually, I do
28. Who is better with the computer? Me
29. Who drives when you are together? During the day Erik at night me
30. Is your family still growing?
Yes taller and wider although we are done having children.

Is it the NFL or NBA?

I have received this e-mail about five time now. I don't know if this is true but somehow it really seems true with the idiots we have now back there. So because I have already broken my rule about getting political earlier than I minus well add one more. ENJOY!!!

Is this the NFL or NBA?
36 have been accused of spousal abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad checks
117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits, and
84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year

Can you guess which organization this is?
Neither, it's the 435 members of the United States Congress The same group of Idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.

We are stuck together

Our family being new in our ward had to speak in church yesterday. Kimmie was soooo mad that the bishop didn't ask her to take part of our family sacrament meeting. I don't think the bishop was prepared for someone getting mad at him for not asking them to take part of a sacrament meeting. Welcome to our life. Anyway, we decided that we would have the kids sing. Kimmie is really good and Johnny is usually okay in public if he isn't by himself. He doesn't like the primary programs because he has to stand up there by himself. Last year they put the cute little girl he likes right behind him so there was no way he wasn't going to do his part with her standing right behind him. Anyway, as of Saturday morning they decided they didn't want to do the song I am a Child of God. They wanted to do I love to see the Temple. We have Draper Temple tickets for this next weekend so they wanted to do the temple song. Anyway, they only really know the first verse really well. So we were only going to do the first verse! Until we practiced Sunday morning. Kimmie said, "hey, there is more words here." She knew there was a second verse but we discussed this before. So at the last minute both Kimmie and Johnny decided to sing both verses. I wasn't about to cause a fight 5 minutes before we had to be out the door. I just thought this should be interesting. We get through the first verse and most of the way through the second verse when Kimmie sings, "we are stuck together." I couldn't help but laugh, neither could most of the ward. Then right as they get done Johnny being an extra big help says you said the wrong words. What a helpful brother. They were really cute and I am really proud of them.

Valentine's Day

Honesty time here I am not a really big Valentine's Day person. I use to be until I stood in line for dinner one Valentine's Day waiting for an hour and a half then we sat at the table Kimmie had a seizure and we had to go home the minute we got a table. So therefore, valentine's day is a fun day to exchange cards to each other and that is about it. This year we knew we didn't have the money to do anything. There was a stake adult dance and dinner that we planned on attending if we were in the mood to go. Erik arranged the cute girl next door to come and babysit. We had never had her before so I was glad that we weren't going far. Trusting babysitters never has been my strong suit. Anyway she did great and they had a good time but it was new for me so rather hard to leave them. I will use her more often she did so well. Anyway, we got our taxes in! They aren't a lot and a lot smaller than in years past. But I wanted to do something fun for Erik. I bought him a BOSCH about 2 years ago. I love it he still wants a Kitchaid. I bought the bosch instead of the kitchaid for the extended warranty and how hard he is on his kitchen appliances. Anyway I suprised him with the food processor attachment and a cooking class at the bosch store. It was really fun to suprise my husband and put me in a much better mood. I love you Erik I hope you enjoy your new toy!!!

This Week

I don't know what it is about this week. I don't know if it is because crop is over or becuase the kids are off track, or if it is that it has been a bad money week (what is new there) or what. I also had a few meetings I didn't want to have this week and my boss is officially gone at work. I don't know what is wrong with me. Nothing actually is wrong. I am just feeling a little blue as Kimmie would put it. I can't seem to snap out of it. It could also be my SAD (seasonal anti-depression), it has been really icky this week outside. I just wanted everyone that I have been moody with that it is me. Nothing is wrong I am just feeling a little down and I don't know why. I am hopeful that things will look up in the next few days. I am just in a really weird mood. If I don't snap out of it make sure that you slap me over the head and yell or something. But life is fine. My mom and Erik keep asking what is wrong and nothing is actually wrong. I am just having one of those weeks.

Crop Days are over, well for this year

I have been really blessed with a wonderful crop committee to help with all the craziness of crop every year. Like previously said I was on KUTV news early in the morning. Clarissa and Laura came to make sure that I looked okay and everything went well. Laura ended up being dragged on camera. I don't know if she has forgiven me for that yet or not. The night before Clarissa and Laura took me to the mall and put me in a dressing room to try on clothes so that I didn't go on camera in my old cumfy jeans. I have to tell you it is really a good idea to take some of your best friends shopping. I remember why I use to like shopping. They are totally honest about what looks good and what doesn't we had way too much fun! We had tried a few of my local favorite stores and hadn't found anything that fit what I was looking for (not to menchion my big rear end). Clarissa bought me new jewelry so that I would feel cute! With Clarissa's and Laura's help I got a new outfit and looked okay on camera so I hear. I still haven't seen the tape and I am not sure I really want to.

Bethany was my crop co-chair this year. She is amazing! I love and appreciate her so very much. I have been blessed so very much by wonderful friends that surround me in everything and Bethany is one of them. (Not to leave out anyone else). Bethany not only watches my kids while I work a couple times a week I rely on her for so very much. My mom keeps telling me not to take advantage of her goodness. She even put up with me not wanting to give up my registration job for crop. I keep over booking myself with crop and when she said she would do it I thought great. Although it was easier said than done. Giving up my job of 7 years was really hard. She even put up with that stress without killing me. She is expecting her 5th child in June. I can't wait to spoil another one of her kids! This isn't a great photo of me although here is Bethany and I with our cute flowers from Jenn. After I took of my cute necklace (sorry Rissa), also I want you to look it was near the end and my hair is still curled!

I haven't gotten the photos from Laura yet I will add more as I receive them! Thank you everyone for your support. It was so neat to look around and see so any of my friends and family there supporting me. I couldn't do this without you.