Spring is here! Yay!

Other than a day of yard work, yesterday was the first day I have been able to get out and really enjoy the nice weather we have been having. We went golfing with some good friends of ours. It was really fun even if I did have a couple of melt downs where I wanted to curse the name of golf forever. We all finished strong though and look forward to a summer of golf, tennis, and camping and hopefully moving into our new houses! :)

Happy Earth Day

I was planning on making an Earth Day post today, but I dont think I could say it better than my sister does, so I am just going to refer you to her blog. For a nice insight to Earth Day, click here, http://vanderlindenclan.blogspot.com.

P.S. We are trying to get rid of our pointless Toyota, so if anyone wants it, let me know! :)

When did this happen??

Isac, when did you go from being my sweet little baby nephew to this smart, grown up 10 year old??!!!

Today is my nephew, Isac's, 10th birthday! I can't believe how this time has flown by! Isac is my special little nephew that I was lucky enough to live with, help take care of, and watch grow up for a majority of his life and he seems like more of a little brother to me than a nephew. I know I don't get to spend as much time with him as I used to, but I want him to know that having him in my life has been one of the best blessings Heavenly Father has ever given me. I love him so much and I am grateful for the chance I have had to be his aunt. He just needs to stop growing up so fast!! It is funny because last week while I was going through stuff while packing I found a poem that I wrote back in high school after he was born. I thought it was so funny to read and also brought back a million memories from so long ago. I thought it would be fun to share. For all you writers out there, you can't make fun of my poor writing skills...I was only fifteen! :)

The Miracle of Life

The most amazing thing that I've ever witnessed took place when I was fifteen

I was awakened one Saturday morning by the sound of my sister's voice saying my name.

Selfishly I ignored her voice, trying to enjoy the pleasures of my own sleep

Although my brain was fogged I heard her make the call that meant it was time to go to the hospital.

After the rush of getting things ready to go we started on our way to Oklahoma City

We arrived and they got her settled in her room and prepared her for what was soon to come.

Thus begun "The Wait"; We were all nervous and excited for what had been anticipated for nine months.

Finally, after eight long hours of seeing my sister in pain, the moment had arrived

Joined by Chris, my Mom, and my other sister, Amy began giving birth to her son.

My dreams of ever having children were shattered after observing the head of my unborn nephew.

Contraction after contraction, push after push she successfully delivered her healthy baby into the world.

"He's here, he's really here. I can't believe it.", I thought in astonishment as we all stared in awe of the reality.

Ignoring the doctor's orders to get his blood circulating, we all stood and marveled at this wonderful creation.

Things settled down and order was restored as little Isac was passed from Mom to Dad to Wee-ma and then to his new aunt.

As I held my precious newborn newphew in my arms, I realized that I had just experienced the greatest miracle of all...The Miracle of Life.

-Arin Walker

I left my heart in San Francisco...again!

Well, San Francisco was amazing just like it has always been. We added a fun twist to the trip two days before we left, I decided to bring our 15 year old niece, Marissa, with me for the girls part of the weekend. It was so much fun sharing San Francisco with her and having some fun bonding time! She is just an awesome girl and has alot to offer everyone around her! The first few days with the girls were spent doing an unbelievable amount of SHOPPING! Some of the highlights of the trip include: shopping everywhere, eating at In-N-Out Burger, Fisherman's Wharf, walking through the neighborhoods and seeing all the cool homes, Lombard Street, taking a ferry to Sausilito, Chinatown, riding the cable cars, eating at Dottie's (most amazing cafe EVER!), enjoying the Marriott, and, my personal favorite, doing ALOT of people watching! Some note worthy things we saw: a woman helping her little daughter peeing on the side of the street, a woman yelling at us to take the next elevator b/c it was too full, men dressed as women, a woman stealing Marissa's bathroom stall and telling her, "Oh, Sweetie, I've gotta go!", alot of weird street people, two bums throwing punches over a Carl's Jr. breakfast sandwich, the frozen fish bins in Chinatown...many more things that I can't think of right now. It was nice after the girls left and I was able to spend the days cat napping and watching TV while Troy worked. It was such a fun trip and I was so happy to get to spend it with so many of my favorite people, even if I did spend way too much money on new clothes. After almost a week in the hustle & bustle and weird smells of the city, I was definately ready to come home and enjoy a little breathing room again. Now I get to look forward to moving and going home to Oklahoma!

The month of Birthdays....

I know I have already had 2 birthday posts this month, but I just had to post one more...

Happy Birthday Bekah!!!Bekah, you are seriously one of the most creative, fun, and outgoing people I have ever met and I'm so lucky to have a friend like you! I dont know how I would have made it through one of the biggest transitions of my life with you & Mary. You guys are definately my M.V.P.s! :) Thanks for being one of the best friends I could ever have!

P.S. Did I mention how excited I am for San Francisco???!!!! Here is a preview of what's to come....

Happy, Happy Birthday Mother Dear!

I know this post is a day late, but I wasnt able to post it yesterday...anyways, yesterday was my mom's 53rd birthday. I know this doesnt mean much to most, if any of you, but I just wanted to give a shout out to the coolest mom in the whole world. I love my mom more and more the older I get and I realize that she has taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be over the course of my lifetime. I don't know how someone can go through so much in their life and still be able to be happy. Mom, I am so proud of you for everything you have had to overcome, I hope I have inherited a portion of your strength. Thanks for being so easy and fun to talk to. I love you!!

Blogging motivation

It has been brought to my attention that my blog has gotten very boring as of late. Sorry that my blogging motivation has dropped significantly in the last month or so. Maybe my life has just gotten too boring, or maybe I have have been too busy stressing about getting things done to move, or there is even the chance that I have actually been trying to work during the day instead of surf the Internet. Whatever it is I apologize to all of you who have so anxiously been checking my blog for an exciting post only to be sorely disappointed. Here is a brief update of whats been going on....

I actually have something to blog for Troy. He went on a brother-in-laws plus my dad mountain biking weekend to Grand Junction, CO. They ended up having alot of fun, I don't know if it was the mountain biking that they enjoyed more or the karaoke at the local bar. The two nights they were gone I had to have my nephew Isac stay with me one night so I wouldnt be too scared and then the second night my sisters and all their kids had a huge sleepover at my house. It was just one huge tornado. We ended up ordering pizza and eventually decorating easter eggs. It was a definate wake up call that I do NOT want to have 5 kids! I think I would be OK with just 1. Here are some pics from the boys adventure...

We also had a really fun Easter holiday. We had breakfast with friends, went to church, had lunch and an egg hunt at Amy's, then went over to another friend's house and played cards all night. It was an eventful day, but really fun! Here are some pics from the day...

Emily loves her Uncle Troy!

Will was late for his lunch at the Country Club

Mackie Moo showing us his sill face

Isac, Coral, and Rachel getting the hunt started

Sam licking the frosting off the cupcake. I let him do this to 4 of them before his dad noticed and stopped him! :)

Ireland seemed a little confused about this whole egg thing...

The new baby Skye...

And finally, me and my sweetie!

Happy Birthday Ganny!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GANNY!!!!!Today is my grandma's 78th birthday and I just wanted to take a minute to say Happy Birthday and let her know how much I love her and appreciate everything she has done for me! I miss you so much and we can't wait to see you in May!!

I can't believe we actually did it...

Well, it's official we went and signed papers last night on our new house we will be building out in Hooper. I know, it's a shock, huh? We seriously must be crazy! We are both really excited about it, but are not looking forward to the whirlwind we are about to go through with all the changes. We will be renting out our current house so if any of you know anyone who is looking for a house to rent in Kaysville let us know. We have already listed it and have been getting a TON of interest so I'm sure it will go fast. The projected move in date we are shooting for is May 1st. Amy, you better start clearing out your basement for us and let Troy know when he can help Ryan finish the bathroom. It's really happening!!! The house we are building is actually the same as the model home in the picture I posted, it should be completed in August. We thought this was a good investment for us while we have two incomes and no kids so we can sit on the equity of both houses for a few years before we move to Idaho and settle down. It's funny because I have just been so excited about it until last night when we were out there, I realized that there are actually people that I will miss here! I hadnt even thought about that yet in the midst of my excitement. Thank goodness for blogging, right?! :)

Husband Tag

What is your husbands name? Troy Victor Jeffs

How long have you been together? Met in November 2005 and married December 2006, so 2 years and 4 months I guess

How long did you date? Umm...that depends on who you ask, Troy would probably say since Jan 2006, but I didnt really know we were until July 2006

Who eats more? Umm...we both eat more than we should!

Who said I love you first? Troy did and it was totally out of no where because I thought in his mind we were just friends (even though I REALLY REALLY liked him!)

Who is taller? Troy definately has me beat there

Who has more speeding tickets?I think Troy, I havent gotten a ticket since I was 16

Who is smarter? Well, I like to think I am smarter considering the fact that Troy didn't even graduate from high school, but he really does know alot more than I do about alot of things, but I am smarter in some areas, too

Who is more sensitive? Umm...I don't really want to answer this...I can be so sensitive that it's embarrassing

Who does the laundry? I do because it was of the thing I am OCD about

Who does the dishes? Troy is really good about doing the dishes when he has time b/c he knows how much I hate it.

Who sleeps on the right? Troy does b/c it is closer to the door so that if a bad guy comes in Troy can protect me. I am freak, I know. I have a phobia about sleeping by the door.

Who pays the bills? I do and I hate it b/c I would rather be spending money on fun stuff

Who mows the lawn? Troy, although I did have to do it once last year b/c our lawn was just embarrassing and he was too busy

Who cooks dinner? I do and I really like it, but Troy will from time to time

Who drives when you are together? Troy

Who is more stubborn? I thought I was the most stubborn person in the world, but I was proved wrong after marrying Troy. He is getting alot better though! :)

Who is the first to admit when wrong? Let's not even go there...

Who's parents do you see more often? Well, we have 4 parents in 4 different places so it is hard to see them all regularly, but I would probably say that we make an effort to see Troy's dad the most because he is sad and lonely. I talk to my mom often, but only see her probably a couple times a month. My dad, we see when he happens to be hanging out at my sister's house while we are there. And Troy's mom lives in Idaho so we probably see her the least.

Who has more friends? I definately do, since he has lived in Idaho the past 7 years and the friends he left here aren't really the type of friends he wants to have anymore. He has made some good ones over the past year though. :)

Who wears the pants in the family? That's a good question, I have never really thought about that before. I think we both probably think that we are the one in charge.

Who eats more sweets? Probably Troy, I am more of a savory eater.

Guilty pleasures? I can't think of anything out of the ordinary, but he loves camping more than anyone else I've ever met in my life! Well, other than his brother Scott!

Who kissed whom first? He did

Who asked who out first? I guess he did. Since we met online with him in Idaho and me in Bountiful it was his idea to meet after talking for awhile, I guess that answers this question???

Who proposed?He did. On my birthday in Idaho. He blind folded me when we left his house and didnt take it off until we were standing on the bridge in the picture at the top of my page. We took this picture and didnt realize until we looked at it later that the rose petals are in the shape of a heart...

Who has more siblings? He has 4 brothers, I have 2 sisters and 1 brother

What is my favorite thing about him? On a serious note, my absolute favorite thing about him is that he is such a genuine person and he lives his life the way he does because he WANTS to, not because someone told him to or because he feels obligated. I admire the courage that he had to change his lifestyle and have his whole world flipped upside down because he wanted to be a better person without the pressure of anyone else. I love him because he CHOSE to change all on his own and that's how I know that he is real and his testimony is true. And he is constantly making me laugh at the most ridiculous things. For instance...

I tag...Amy, Jenni, Brooke, and Holly

Our trip to the zoo and then some...

On my day off this week I thought I would spend a day with my niece and 2 nephews by taking them to the zoo. (It was free Wednesday!!) I was able to get my sister to let Isac play hooky from school so he could come too. We seriously had so much fun!!!! I haven't had that much fun with them in so long. Emily and Sam were both really good while we were there...they didn't get too excited about anything until we went into the Reptile house. They both really liked it in there. Sam really like the Black footed cat they had and Emily loved the huge turtles. She actually reached her hand through the net and touched it on it's nose!! I am so glad that I had Isac there to help me keep an eye on both of them, I dont know how I would have survived without him. After our long afternoon at the zoo, we had to go back up to my house before I took them home and, of course, they didnt want to leave once we were there. So we stayed for a little while and enjoyed tearing apart my bed making pillow forts, watching Curious George, and eating some bacon. I still couldnt get them to want to go home so i bribed them into getting in the car with hamburgers from McDonalds and a trip to the park. By this time, we were all pooped after such a long, active day. I really enjoyed spending so much time with them and getting to see more of their cute personalities. It is funny b/c rather than wishing that I had kids of my own by the end of the day I was convinced that I want to wait a long time and just enjoy being the superstar aunt a little longer. I love them all so much and I dont know how my own kids will be as cute as them. Sam definately won the cute award for the day. We were at the park eating and I said, "Oh man, it's cold out here" and Sam says, "Don't worry, Dawn-Dawn, I keep you warm" and he wrapped his little arms around me. Just thinking about it gets me all choked up....thanks Amy and Jenni for letting them spend the day with me, you guys are so lucky to have them.

Welcome to the world...

My brother and his wife had their 4th little girl over the weekend. She is the perfect little Polynesian baby just like the other 3. I think her hair is thicker than mine has ever been. Say hello to little Skye Walker...

My flu question has been answered...

For anyone interested, I read this article on KSL.com over the weekend...

Flu season growing stronger
February 23rd, 2008 @ 9:50pm
(KSL News) Health officials say the flu season is getting worse across the country. The latest report now shows widespread outbreaks in every state except Florida. And the percentage of deaths from respiratory illness has been climbing sharply.
Dr. Nancy Cox, with the Centers of Disease Control, says the agency isn't sure when the virus will slow down. "But we really don't know when the season will peak and when it will be over with," she said.
One of problems fueling this year's flu strain is that it's immune to this year's flu shot. Officials are already working to fix next year's shots to prevent a similar outbreak.

It sounds like all of us are doomed...Good luck! :)

That crazy flu...

So, I put a new poll because it seems like everyone is sick right now with the flu and I just wonder how many of the people that are sick either had a flu shot or did not have a flu shot. I personally have never had a flu shot and I have never had the flu so I didnt see the point in getting one this year when everyone told me I should. I am not anti-flu shot, I think I was just too lazy to do it. So I guess I am just wondering if I should be worried about getting it this year or if people who got the shot are still getting sick? So, if you have been sick or have know anyone that has been sick, please vote on the poll just to humor my curiosity. I know this post has just been one big ramble so I'm sorry if I don't make any sense. :)

And yes, I do realize that I am doomed to get the flu now after saying I have never had it...

Good news just got better!

So, as previously blogged, I am going to San Francisco in April with my sweet hubby to keep him company while he is there working, but the trip just got better!! Two of my bestest friends, Bekah and Mary, and I will be going a little earlier than Troy to spend the weekend just hangin out like old times and SHOPPING and then they will go home the day Troy comes in to town! So basically, I am getting like 2 trips in 1! I can't wait, it's going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!! San Francisco here we come!!!!

Frozen Grand Central

I thought this was kinda cool...be sure you turn off the music so you can hear. Enjoy! :)

Sisterly Love...

Well, even though I hardly got to see Troy this past weekend, I had one of the best weekends I have had in a long time. We kicked it off Friday night when my sisters were able to get a night away from their kids for Amy's birthday. The stars must have been aligned just perfectly because when we met up, this is what we looked like... ...a little embarrassing, but funny at the same time. We spent the evening doing some kid-free shopping at Old Navy, Famous Footwear, and of course, the mall; followed by a late dinner at Noodles & Company where we stayed until almost an hour after they closed. We didnt even realize it until the workers started leaving...Oops! Then we headed over to the Marriott so they could enjoy a good nights sleep, but we just couldnt pass up the oppurtunity to spend half the night talking and laughing. We finally went to sleep around 1:30 so we could get at least 6 hours of sleep before having to get up and get ready for a relaxing day at the spa...

Amy was the lucky one of the day, her husband went all out and got her a well deserved full day of pampering. I am so glad that we had the chance to spend the night together and I really hope that Ryan and Pete are willing to be "mom" again sometime soon so we can have another chance to touch base with our true selves and feel like home again.

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. "

Happy Valentines Day

Ever since last Valentine's Day I have been telling Troy that he did so good getting me my puppy that he doesnt have to worry about even trying on Valentine's Day for the next few years. And it's funny because even though it was always kind of joke now that Valentine's Day is here all I am thinking about it how happy last years was and that is honestly enough to last for years to come. My little Sariah is definately my everyday Valentine...

San Francisco here we come!

Troy was just selected to go to a training for his job and guess where he gets to go...San Francisco! And guess who gets to go with him? That's right, ME! :) I am so EXCITED even though I will probably be spending most of the days by myself. I have been trying to get Troy to take me back to San Francisco, but he hasnt really been too interested. Now I have the chance to make him fall in love with it so we can keep going back again and again. Now I just need to find a friend that wants to come with me to keep me company all day. Either way, I know I will still have a blast!

Another Tag! *ABC*

My sister tagged me on this one-

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend(s): Troy, my sisters, Brooke, Bekah & Mary
C-Cake or Pie: Carrot Cake (Hey, I would get 2 points for that one if we were playing Scattergories!)
D- Day of Choice: Sunday
E- Essential Item: I have to agree with my sister, I have to take a shower everyday! If I dont, it just isn't pretty, I am not one of those natural beauties like the rest of you. I have terrible skin and oily hair
F- Favorite Color: Blue
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Mmm...I'm not crazy about either, but I guess worms
H- Hometown: Chickasha, Oklahoma
I- Indulgence(s): Fast food and buffets
J- January or July: Normally I would say July, but since I have become a skiier this year, I would have to say January. That will probably change once July gets here though. :)
K-Kids: do our dogs count? Missy, Ruger, & Sariah
L-Life is incomplete without: Love and Family
M- Marriage Date: December 1, 2006
N- Number of Siblings: 3
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges, I always feel car sick when I eat Apples thanks to my Dad
P- Phobias or Fears: Too many to list, but recently I have really been afraid of losing someone I love and natural disasters
Q- Quote(s): I am a total quote person, I collect them like crazy, my favorite that I heard recently is "My past is redeemed, my presence makes sense, my future is secure." -Henry B. Eyring Some of my other favorites that come to mind, "Pain is inevitable, misery is optional." and "When we let go of fear, only then can we move gracefully from what was, into the miracle of what can be."
R- Reason To Smile: I am going skiing tonight and just because my life is so good
S- Season: Spring or Fall
T- Tag Six: I love reading these so anyone who wants to participate, please do! :)
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I used to ride a motorcycle, no not a scooter, a real motorcycle. We recently sold it because motorcycles and babies don't really go together, right?
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Weren't animals put here for us to eat? I could live on only red meat. That's probably why I have an inner tube around my stomach.
W- Worst Habit: Surfing the internet too much while I am working and watching too much stupid TV
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: X-Rays, I have had 2 ultrasounds in my life and both of them delivered bad news
Y- Your Favorite Food: cheeseburgers, hot dogs, mashed potatoes, french fries, my mom's chicken noodle soup, breadsticks...holy cow, it's no wonder I'm gaining weight instead of losing it!
Z: Zodiac: Virgo