Our Life

19 months down------ 5 to go!!!

2012-02-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

As most of you know- my brother Kade is serving an LDS mission in Spain. Spain has different areas to be called to.... So Kade's area is shown here, is the Barcelona Mission (my cousin James- Kade's bff- is ready to leave the missionary training center and is called to serve in the Madrid Mission. So they will be pretty dang close!!):

Brother has been gone for 19 months already!!! It seems like I have not seen him in forever- but at the same time, it feels like he just left. We don't get to talk to him on the phone except Mother's day and Christmas (so I have heard his voice 3 times, and we were actually able to skype him 2 of these times, so I have seen his face). We are able to email him every week, but his time to email is so short I usually receive one liners saying "I ran out of time, I'll email you next week." Or "I can't wait to see how fat you are getting." Or "You suck at updating your blog." Or "When are you going to do a blog post about me?" He does send a nice long one to my mom and dad though, so I can stay updated on him through those emails. Bottom line--- I miss my brother!! These next 5 months are going to fly, hopefully!!!

Kade has served in only 4 areas these past 19 months. He was just transferred to his last area, so those are the 4 he will serve his whole mission. This is very unusual. I think some missionaries would get restless and bored serving the same area for nearly 6 months. But it was perfect for my brother. The Lord truly knows Kade! He takes a while to break out of his shell, and is not real good with change. Staying in the areas for so long made him feel more comfortable, helped him become the best missionary possible, and truly made him fall in love with the people he was serving--- and they all really fell in love with him. Along with that- transfers were all really difficult for him, but he got through them and looks forward to returning to each of his areas after his mission is completed!

So- my goal over the next 4 months is to blog about each of his areas. I will show pictures, tell my favorite stories of Kade (how he grew, funny quotes he has said, challenges he gave, etc), along with some of Kade's favorite memories and introduce you to some awesome families he got to know and teach. And then the last month he is out--- I will just get excited for his homecoming, and.... oh yeah, HAVE A BABY!! (*P.S. our due date is 2 weeks before his mission is complete- Exciting times!!)

As a jump start to the count down of brother's arrival, here are some of my favorite pictures from his mission:

(Kade's favorite companion- in the blue striped shirt- and family. They are awesome. We were actually able to meet them all over Christmas while we were in Utah).

(Bother's first day in Spain. Look how scared he looks!! Poor little guy!!)

Welp--- brother has not changed much the last 19 months he has been away. He still has has stupid sense of humor that I love. He still makes fun of everyone. He is still immature. But--- he has also grown a ton. He is a true missionary. It's fun to read his emails now and compare them to when he first left. He loves his mission, he loves the Lord, he loves the gospel, and he loves the people of Spain. His Spanish is awesome (it was fun listening to him and my dad speak Spanish together on Christmas morning), he is way more open-minded and less judgmental and less selfish. So yes--- he is pretty much awesome!!

Stay tuned for more of Brother's mission!!

A tribute to 2011

2012-01-27T15:18:00.000-08:00

January:

We returned home from our 2 weeks of holiday time in Washington.

Worked our hineys off to build back up our back account- which was almost depleted.

My sister and nieces came down to visit for a few weeks.

We started yet another crazy semester of school.

Febuary:

We had an amazing first valentine's day as husband and wife.

Participated in our first couple's massage (Erik loved it!)

New Mexico got smacked with a crazy winter storm-->

We were out of school and work, and without water for nearly an entire week.

March:

School and work consumed our lives.

I managed to sneak away (invited myself) on a road trip to Phoenix with my parents and Kelsy

We hit up Mariners spring training.

Watched Kelsy's last soccer tournament, enjoyed shopping, and sunny Phoenix weather!

Erik got a new truck

April:

Spring time came!!

Lots of BBQs, planting flowers, spending as much time outside as we could (our swamp cooler was still not turned on at this time).

I started my CNA (certified nursing assistant) clinicals.

Erik continued to rock out his engineering courses.

May:

We went shopping and got excited for Mexico!

Skyped bother for mother's day (first time we had seen him in nearly a year!)

Finished a crazy few weeks of finals!

I was able to work at a nursing home (40 hour weeks) for my final clinical time- Loved it!

Celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary!

Went to Mexico with my family!

June:

We began our first summer together with neither of us in summer school!!

We enjoyed life!!

We had plenty of date nights

Worked as often as we wanted

Celebrated my dad's 50th birthday

Went camping down at the lake with our friends!

July:

We got our house ready for a move.

We went to Washington for almost 3 weeks.

We stayed with my sister for a few days and saw friends from Moses Lake.

I was a bridesmaid in one of my best friend Erin's beautiful wedding.

We went camping at Lake Alta with Erik's dad's family.

We went to Montana for a week with Erik's mom's family.

August:

Came home for a few days to move out of our house and into our new home!!

Headed right back out to visit my family in Utah for about 10 days.

My sister, bro-in-law, and nieces came down here to hang out!

Got sad to say goodbye to such an AWESOME summer!

Started back up, all too soon, yet another crazy semester of nursing and engineering classes!

September:

Took lots of adjusting to get back into the swing of working and going to school.

Worked hard on turning our new house into our home!

Went camping for Erik's 25th Birthday!!

October:

We found out that we were going to be parents----- huge surprise!!!

Had to let the whole baby thing sink in---- and hold in such a big secret!

Got excited for fall time and Halloween.

November:

We went to our first doctor's appoint for baby Fitz.

I was exhausted--- and wanted to do nothing.

Erik's mom came to visit.

Did the whole "black Friday" shopping- got a new flat screen.

We enjoyed a quite but awesome thanksgiving with my family and Erik's mom.

And I apparently did not feel like taking any pictures this month.

December:

Went to our first ultra sound- Erik realized here there was, indeed, a baby!

Got excited for Christmas---- especially with the new house!

Focused on finals, and watched yet another semester pass us by.

Erik took me on a romantic getaway to Toas, NM for my birthday.

We were off to Utah to celebrate the holiday's with my family.

My family threw me a surprise baby shower!

What an AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING year 2011 was!!! Every year I say it, "there is no way anything will top this past year." And every year--- it just keeps getting better. Thanks for all the fun and intimate memories 2011!! 2012 Has lots to live up to---- but I'm sure it too will exceed all expectations!!

Back, Back..... Back it up!!!

2011-10-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned our life is crazy? Have I also mentioned I am no good at blogging? Welp... most things in our awesome little life get turned down here on blogger world, because.... well..... I would rather do something else. Poor excuse. I love documenting my life!! I need to be better. So I am prioritizing... and documenting some of the super awesome events... like family vacations (even if I need to rewind to 6 months ago). *warning- picture over load.... surprise, surprise!!*

May 21, 2011- Kelsy, Jose, Rachelle, Demi, Mom, Dad, Erik and myself all piled into the suburban and headed to Mazatlan, Mexico!! It was Kelsy's (and Jose's) senior trip.... and it just so happened to be our anniversary a few days before so we decided we HAD to go and called it our anniversary presents! And we are soooo glad we did! It was AWESOME!!! Honestly, if my oldest sister and her family and my brother were there.... would have been the perfect family vacation. We missed you!!

We arrived around 1pm to the El Cid Marina (this is my parents home time share- you are able to use the points at other places..... we went to the Mayan palace in Puerto Villarta the year before.... but you must come "home" every so often.) We love this place! This was my forth time Mazatlan- and I'm happy to say I did not get offered any drugs by the drug lords, and we all still have our heads attached to our shoulders. We all felt very safe there, and besides us being the only American family around (exaggerating) not much was different.

When we arrived I, of course, offered to take Demi straight to the pool as my parents and Rachelle went grocery shopping. Ha.... such a nice sister, right?

Erik and Demi immediately became water hog bffs!

When my parents got back, it was off to check out our private beach......

The "little" boat on top of this huge boat is nicer then anything I will ever own in my life.... just saying.

And...... the next 7 days were just as perfect as the first! We got up and hit the pool...

Then the rest of the day consisted of shuffle board, bingo, black jack, shopping..... some of us painted pottery, some got tattoos, some got braids, some went golfing (dudes), some had a spa day (ladies) which consisted of hour long full body massages, manicures and pedicures for 400 pesos ($40 total.... did I mention I love Mexico??), some went para sailing, and some simply enjoyed negotiating EVERYTHING (Erik!).

And then........ Beach time baby!!! I love the beach... but I am terrified of the ocean. I didn't get until the second to last day. But it's okay. Because I love the beach. I love staring at the water. I love hearing the sound of the waves crash as I read my book. I love watching my husband turn into a 5 year old and be the happiest as the wave takes him out. I love how Erik and Demi would hold hands and scream with laughter until the sun would come down. And I love how relaxed everyone is there.

And of course we ate. Oh man.... did we eat!!! I don't know if we were rested from the naps before dinner, or if we were slap happy because we were so zapped from the sun, or if food makes us extra happy, or if we were just simply loving life..... whatever the reason, dinners were always so much fun! Laughter.... and lots of it!

I nights would end with playing the wii, playing cards and dominoes, watching movies on the projector at the pool, listening to the live music at the restaurants, watching the horrible tornadoes in Joplin, MO on TV, and crashing hard as our heads hit the pillows!

And all too soon it was time to back up our beautiful suites, say goodbye to palm trees, oceans, beautiful pools, tans, relaxations and everything else we love about wonderful Mexico!!

Goodbye Mazatlan.... We already miss yoU!!!!

Few things I love about vacationing with my family:

1.) We sleep in!! It's vacation!!! We do not plan anything for the morning. I understand there are some families that "don't want to waste any time".... but hey, I don't ever get to sleep in until 10... so when I'm on vacation, I will wake up when I want! We all meet at the pool and when everyone is ready, we go on with our day from there.

2.) Although I think my family is always pretty easy going.... this trip was extra relaxing. No pressure. No set plans. No time schedule. In fact.... I don't think anyone ever knew the time. If someone wanted to do something.... we would all discuss and do it whenever we wanted to.

3.)And by relaxing, I don't mean boring. This trip was a blast! I just mean... it was an actual vacation. You know when you do so much on "vacation" that you need a vacation from your vacation? Yeah... not this one. It was perfect.

4.) We are all great friends. We can talk and laugh about anything and everything.

5.) Can't wait until next summer when brother is home from Spain and our WHOLE family can be together again!

~Hellooooooo new house!!!~

2011-09-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

We have been in our new house for about a month now... and are Loving it. It's a working progress.... we still have lots of work to do, and lots of purchases to make. Keep wanting to wait to post pictures until we are finished with it.... but then I realized that could be months.... probably years! So.... enough words. I've got a picture over load here (apologies now for the terrible picture taking.... not a strength of mine).

The tour:

(View from the front door)

(entryway table- $10 from a yard sale. gotta love good deals!)

(Front room)

(Dining table)

(View from opposite end of front room)

(walking out of front room)

(... into the kitchen. Next purchase is bar stools and kitchen table)

(down hallway one we have....)

(our sweet bright aqua laundry room)

(with a message board... neccessity in this relationship)

(We also have our P90x room---- good one, right?)

(The room is boring.... still is... but I added some of my sweet motivation signs. Really want to make one that says "Do your best, Forget the rest." Any other suggestions from my fellow P90x-ers? Erik rolls his eyes)

(We also have our extra bedroom. PINK!! Everyone come visit us!!

(still down hallway 1- our guest bathroom!)

(also has a door to enter hallway number two)

(anyway.... back into the kitchen- looking to the back of the house)

We've got the family room!

(Name that movie.... if you can we could probably be great friends-if we already aren't. I watch this on at least a weekly basis.... usually while cleaning)

Erik's "man chair"- he felt it deserved it's own picture)

Looking from the opposite end of the room... back into the kitchen)

(now.... down hallway 2- we have the opposite door to guest bathroom, a closet and....

Erik's messy, unfinished office/ "man room"

And our bedroom!

Boring right??? Can't stand it!!! Have so many visions for this room.... but need to find sometime to put it together. Any suggestions?

Best part of the house!!! How did we ever live without one??

(Oakley peeking in to see what I was doing... but enjoying the cool weather at the same time)

(Proof that even my fatty magoo Sugar can fit through that tiny door--- but yes, it does take her a little longer with her lovely lady lumps)

(another angle of the room)

(Into the bathroom)

(We love our big stand-up shower!)

(I love this jacuzzi tub even more!)

(Aaaannddd.... we love that this is the view from our tub the most!!! Yep... Erik was just watching sports center while he showered and got ready for work.)

(The yard! Erik's project this weekend.... but we love it. And yes... New Mexico landscapes with rocks. Not my favorite... but that's okay!)

(At least we have a park right behind our house. This is where Erik and the work boys play basketball every Tuesday night)

And obviously the pups love it all too!!!

So there it is! This is where we are now. As you can see.... Life is good!! And trust me.... we are very aware and so greatful for all of our blessings!!

Goodbye old house.....

2011-08-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

We will definitely miss some things about you!!! You were a good first home for us- a "starter home" is what we refer to you as. And I have to admit.... we are very proud to call you that. You played a big role for us. You put a roof over our head our first year of marriage and never put us in dept with your affordable rent. So thank you. And listening to my parents and grandparents talk about their "first homes"- your single wide, 1100 sq foot structure sounds pretty idealistic. Not to mention you were not an apartment (don't think I could handle people on either side of the wall or worse... people below and or on top of us).

We will NOT miss the ant infestation.

We will NOT miss the swamp cooler.

We will NOT miss not having a garage in the winter time (especially with my leather seats).

We WILL miss your glamorous and spacious dirt yard (dogs conquer with this one)

We will NOT miss the drive to that end of town and waiting for the tram to pass as I'm running late to class.

We WILL miss living 3 minutes from church and mother's office. And 10 minutes closer to the VC campus.

We will NOT miss the creepy neighbors the stare every time we walk out our gate- especially when I go for a run or go pay rent. Or the hundreds of dogs that freak out and look like they are going to break through the rusty fences and eat my dogs and myself.

We WILL miss "chili's lane". We had many awesome neighbors that worked with us and whenever either of us were bored or needed something, we could walk on over and BBQ, chat, use the Internet, borrow tools, etc.

We will miss the memories of this little home. We did lots of first together as the "Fitzgeralds" in this house.

(view from the front door)

Living room/ office/ work out space/ everything goes down here!

Thank you for providing a dishwasher! Lots of fun memories of "first" time dinner attempts in this kitchen.

Our bed took up the entire room. But hey- No disrespect to your "master room". It worked great for us.

Our bathroom. In that little room straight ahead is where you would find the toilet and a tiny shower Erik had to duck in to get his hair wet. Again... we loved it! And the best part about the master suit?? It had two walk in closets! Highly recommended to always have his/her closets. I think we would have had a lot my fights if I had to walk into what his closet looked like every morning to find something to wear!

"guest" bathroom. or "poop" bathroom as Erik called it. Yes... we are weird. But did you notice no door in our bathroom?

Second bedroom. again... bed takes up most of the room. but that's okay!!

That's it!! A tour of our first home as husband and wife! Lots and lots of fun memories in this little trailer! It was bitter sweet locking that door for the last time to turn in the keys.

Like I said. We always took pride in our little home. Always so excited to make it "our home". My favorite memory was decorating for Christmas. We went to lows with my family... while they payed a million dollars for their huge 12 foot tree, we were so excited to pick out our cute little 5 footer. We put it up together, we hung lights together, we picked out our first ornament color scheme together, we got up on the roof together and strung lights outside the house.

I loved this home. I don't care what it looks like. What the size is. What kind of neighborhood you live in. Great memories is all you need to make a home YOUR home!!! And love to make a house a home! Thank you starter home for humbling me!

Half time report 2011

2011-07-31T22:29:00.000-07:00

Life continues to be busy.... I continue to slack in the blogging world.
This post is dedicated to the first half of our 2011 year!! And what a great year this has been.... Here we go---->

Perhaps cheating here because this was over Christmas but still haven't documented these pictures so... who cares! Here I am with my new AWESOME cousins sledding in Montana @ the Ranch!

Erik, his cousin Zeb and brother Mark

Turner and I :)

My nieces were in New Mexico to greet us after we returned back from the holidays. I love them sooo much!! Seriously... how cute are they?

We shared an awesome first Valentine's day together as husband and wive (refer to previous post- I actually posted this event)

New Mexico had a huge "winter storm". It was -20 degrees... which poor New Mexico was not prepared for such conditions. We ran out of gas in some parts of the state which caused many to go without heat and evacuations were made. Lots of people's water pipes froze. Our pipes busted and caused a flood in our whole back yard and we were without of water for about 4 days. The whole town was pretty much shut down for a week. No school. No work. It was exciting!

Made a road trip to Phoenix Arizona with little sis Kelsy and the parents. (More details on this awesome trip in previous post).

Spring time came!!

Erik got a new truck!

School continued to take over our lives (and yes we are still OBSESSED with our dogs). Erik finished up the last of his ridiculously hard engineering math classes, but apparently didn't want to say goodbye and has decided to double major in a math degree. Gross!! He is such a nerd tho. He would always pull out his little white board and show me one of his math problems (that would take at least an hour to figure out) to try to intrigue me with his passion- didn't work. I got to do lots of hands on "nursing procedures" this semester and it just gets me more and more excited to pursue my passion of being a nurse.

Celebrating the end of a very LONG and busy semester of CNA clinicals. Ended with working at a nursing home. I LOVED IT!!! I did a little bit of everything. From changing hundreds of briefs (yeah, be jealous! I can do it like *snap* that now and not even smell anything or gag), to making beds, to transferring patients (even a 250lbs paralyzed male- impressed?), to filling and changing oxygen tanks, to taking all 5 vital signs on over a hundred patients all before lunch time, to yelling out BINGO cards and leading morning exercises. What an experience!! I loved (almost) all of my patients. I think I talked Erik's ear off for a least 2 hours every night.
*Side story- someone pulled the fire alarm our last day there. Do you know how difficult it is to transfer over a hundred old people outside not knowing if there was really a fire? It was hard- some are grumpy, some are over 400lbs and need special machines to lift them out of bed, some our on oxygen... you get the idea. I wheeled out as many as I could and was sprinting (yes, sprinting) in and out of that building like they were my own family. Toward the end I was in charge of the hardest patient to get out because nobody could "deal with him". He refused. He would listen to anyone. He kept swearing and saying things like "leave me here to die in the fire, I won't tell anyone." I got him outside by distracting him with conversations. I chatted with him about his kids, his home town, his baseball career. He would tell a story then look around and say "why the hell am I out here? This is so stupid. No no no!! Take me back to my bed!!" After about a half hour we were almost half way around the building- I said "um, hello (so and so)!!! If this was a real fire we would be dead by now... I'm about to throw your on my back and run you to where we are suppose to meet everyone." He laughed. Yep- laughed!! He never cracked a smile. He looked at me and said "why can't you be my nurse? You are the best!" Aw.... melted my heart. I fell in love with that man and will make it a point to continue visiting him!!

We got to skype brother for Mother's day! It was so good to talk to him and see him! He looked great, but was a little nervous so was kind of quiet at first. He hit his year mark a few weeks ago so I shall write a post on his updates sooN!

We celebrated our first year of marriage! We took the day off and Erik spoiled me with breakfast in bed, swimming, steak dinner, movie (my choice- "Something Borrowed") and Ben&Jerrys Ice cream, AND.....

Went to Mexico with my AMAZING family!! So so so much fun. Full post in detail and a crazy amount of pictures to come!

We celebrated dad's 50th birthday!! Mother planned a surprise party for him and he loved it (although he wouldn't admit it because he didn't want to "do anything" for it).

We went camping for a few nights with some awesome friends!!

We are in the middle of some pretty big and awesome things now. Hopefully it will be less then 2 months before I can share and update!! dom dom dom......

Happy Happy One Year!!!

2011-05-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked our one year anniversary of marriage. We made it through one year... that's a big accomplishment!- says Erik. We heard from multiple people that the first year of marriage is the most difficult. All I have to say is if that was the most difficult.... I think I'm going to LOVE marriage. After 1 year of marriage, we still are madly in love. We still wake up laughing until I snort, and Erik has tears coming out of his eyes- And we go to bed the same way. I still hate being away from him. I still get butterflies every time I see him. I still love him more and more every day. Now.... It would be silly (and a lie) if I said it was all roses and no struggles or arguments. But the good definitely outweigh the bad on this end! And I am proud to say, the first year of marriage... there was not one night we were both home that we went to bed in separate rooms (and we even have a guest room with a super comfy bed and 2 comfy couches). We took the advice we received from our wedding- "Never go bed bed fighting" and "Make sure to also say I LOVE YOU before you go to bed" very serious. What's the saying? "Never go to bed angry. Stay up and fight." Something like that. Anyway.... "An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow."-Author Unknown. Our wedding day was perfect, the married life has been amazing, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for us!

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(Wedding slide show)

No need for more pictures (check last post- picture over load).

10 reasons I love Erik-
1.) I love that he's a dreamer. He could go golfing with my dad one morning and come home and plan step by step how he's going to the "PGA tour". He can think about how long he's been in school and say "I should be a doctor" and then go on and on about how he's going to become a doctor. He can read an article in his "popular mechanics" magazine or watch the discovery channel and come up with all kinds of things he is going to do to take over the world.
2.) I love that he's a doer. Everything he does.... he is such a hard worker. He goes full force with school and studying and work and church and housework and finances everything else he takes on.
3.) I love his sense of humor. He is constantly cracking me up!!! No joke. Every time we are around my family they are saying "you guys are so stupid" bc he is constantly cracking jokes and I'm constantly laughing (and snorting- I have nasal problems!!).
4.) I love the he makes me his number one. Always willing to get me a drink of water or asking if I want a pickle because he knows they are my favorite! He always goes with my "visions" or ridiculous ideas- He goes with the flow with a "whatever you want, Kimber" attitude. He's even watching Dancing with the Stars with my sister and me as we speak. He really loves me :)
5.) I love that he makes us a "we". Everything is "we should do this...." or "we can do that..." From the way we spend our money, to the plans we make for date nights to making a game out of who can do the dishes the fastest. He truly makes me feel like we are a team and we are in this together.
6.) I love that he is a great listener. Every day when we get home he asks how my day was. He truly cares and asks questions about every aspect of my day. He makes even the insignificant things I say sounds sound important. (good thing this is a quality he has because I talk A LOT! And tell him everything.
7.) I love that he is my best friend! I can't get enough of this man. Obviously he is hilarious and everyone loves to be around.... I feel so lucky to get to spend forever with this little character... laughing all the way through lives journey.
8.) I love that he is hot. Enough said!!
9.) I love that he loves being a husband. He loves sharing a house with me. He is always saying... we need more pictures of us up (our house is literally cluttered in pictures of us). He takes pride in doing yard work. Making our home a home. Helping with chores (love that most about him). Talking about our future. And excited about everything that come with being a "married couple".... especially using the terms "husband" and "wife" as often as possible.
10.) I love Erik for being Erik! He is amazing! Simple as that. I love him so much!!

P.S. No... We are not pregnant after our first year of marriage. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been asked that tho (maybe it was the married-life weight gain). We are still selfish and can't share our time with anyone else :). Not to mention.... we kind of enjoy inviting ourselves on vacations with family. This week we are up and leaving to beautiful Mexico to enjoy a relaxing time on the beach!! HAPPY HAPPY ONE YEAR TO US!

~The best 5 years!!~

2011-04-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the day Erik and I met each other 5 years ago.....

(Erik-19, Me-17)

He was a 19 year old butthead (for lack of a better word). He was getting ready to start his last quarter of his freshman year of college. Baseball and having fun with baseball buddies were his only interest. School?? Mah..... not so much. If it meant he could play baseball, he would stick with it. Girls?? Yeah girls liked him. Lots of girls. But girls took time. Time away from baseball.... so no thanks.

I was barely 17 (but thought I was extremely mature for my age-ha!). I was a junior in high school, and had just finished my last performance (state) as a Molahiette (Moses Lake drill team). I was getting ready to move to New Mexico in a few months.... and hated life--> perhaps a little extreme. But really, who moves to New Mexico?? Do they speak English in New Mexico? Do I have to live in a tee pee? And I really have to move my senior year of high school? Who does that? My life was definitely over! (Guess I was not as mature as I once thought).

I had just gotten out of a "long term" relationship (a year and a half- that was "long term" in high school). I got talked into going out with some girl friends one Saturday night to take my mind off of things. They were going over to the "baseball players" house. They were college boys... and baseball players... all the girls thought they were pretty cool when they hung out with them. I would hear conversations about these boys every morning at drill team practice; "A-bomb" this..... "Fitz" that.... All these weird names. "Fudacz" "Hendo" "Capone" "J-mo"..... Who are these fools?!?! I remember always mocking them saying my name was "K-dog". I never knew them and didn't think I would want to know them......

I walked into this house filled with "college" people. It was not my scene. I felt uncomfortable. I stayed against the door we had entered and hid behind my girlfriends. I scoped the place out for a half a second and thought "what did I get myself into??" In the middle of that thought I made eye contact with Erik (we was in a back bedroom and we managed to see each other through a door opening with probably 30 people in between). I changed my thought to "dang! I will marry that man one day". Good looks, love at first sight, prayers being answered, premonition.... call it what you would like. He was known as "Fitz" to everyone, but introduced himself, and very politely I may add, as "Erik". He got my number... and the rest is history! haha.

P.S. I was very wrong about all the baseball players. Some (and by some I mean most) of my all time favorite high school memories involve those boys. I love those boys!! They were like my brothers and I still get excited to hear from any and all of them. Erik made some life long friends with that great group of guys and still calls them his best friends!

Of course it was not as easy as saying "I will marry that man one day" than bam!! We're married. We had a few speed bumps along the way. Okay... maybe more than a few. We did the whole dating other people. We did the long distance. We went months at a time without seeing each other. We moved to be together. We proved most people wrong about us. We made life changing sacrifices. We loved each other- we hated each other- we missed each other- we couldn't stand each other- we got frustrated- we laughed until it hurt. I'm confident to say we've been through it all! And guess what?? I wouldn't change it for anything (except maybe the "goodbyes"- those sucked!) BEST 5 YEARS OF MY LIFE!!

(Mariners game, Seattle- Summer 2008)

(Colorado roadtrip for BYU game- fall 2008)

(Lobo Basketball- Jan 2009)

(Blizzard Beach, Florida- May, 2009)

(Summer 2009)

(Phoenix, AZ- Jan 2010)

(Engaged- Sept 29, 2009)

(Engagements, UTAH- Dec 29, 2009)

(Honeymoon, Puerto Villarta, MX- May, 2010)

Married May 15, 2010!!!!

Married life.....

(Camping-Summer 2010)

(Zoo-Summer 2010)

(Halloween 2010)

(Christmas 2010- Wolf Lodge water park)

(Valentine's day-2011)

It's been an amazing 5 years!! I am so lucky to have spent it with the most amazing man! Thanks for coming into my life Mr. Fitzgerald! I love you!! I can't wait for the next 5.... and many more!

Message from Erik: "I love you honey! Can't think of a better woman to spend the rest of my life with! Happy five years sweetheart."

Best 5 years ever!!!

Let's Help AUSTIN!

2011-03-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

My AMAZING sister has worked really hard to put together a fundraiser for her friend's little three year old boy who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. The fundraiser started today and will end the 27th (Sunday). Check out her blog for more information on her fundraiser and the awesome giveaways you can enter when you donate

(If this picture doesn't make you want to help donate.... I don't know what would----> breaks my heart)

This little man has gone through so much. While away on a family camping trip, Austin came in contact with a terrible bacteria, E. coli, that almost left him for dead. Though this nasty bacteria tore apart many small blood vessels in his organs (especially kidneys) and attacked his colon to the point where they had to take out 11 inches of the decayed organ.... Tough Austin stayed strong and pulled through it. However, doctors confirmed little Austin's kidneys would never recover. You can get the full story here

He is a huge inspiration to me and I cannot even begin to realize what he or his family has had to go through. This sweet, innocent little three year old deserves to live..... and a good life. Let's all do our part to raise money for Austin to get a very much deserved kidney transplant!! He needs $50,000 before he can do the surgery and he is at almost $10,000. Please, please, please donate!!!

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can. ~Sydney Smith

Our weekend to Phoenix

2011-03-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, we went over to my parents house so my dad and Erik could work on our car. That same night my parents were bragging about going to Phoenix and how hot it was suppose to be. I thought for a second, and said "I'm coming!!" Just like that... invited myself. Got my shift covered Friday night, got permission from the hubs (he was the one encouraging me to go... think he wanted a weekend to himself) and was on the road to Phoenix at 5am Friday morning with my parents and my sister!

It's about a 6 hour drive from Albuquerque, and the real reason we were headed there was for Kelsy's soccer tournament. Naturally we HAD to go to a Mariner's spring training game. Yes, I'm aware... they are terrible. But it was still fun and about 83 degrees and sunny. What beats that?

(Ichiro)

(Peoria Stadium)

Our new Mariner shirts.... yes, we made fun of ourselves when we saw this picture. So save the mocking! Who does thumbs-up anymore? This guy...

My cute parents

Kelsy got thirst while waiting to check into our hotel....

I just love palm trees!!

My dad thinking his daughters are soooo cool!

Then we went shopping

This is my bug face? Yeah I don't really know either...

We then decided to go bowling.... I plugged in 'bowling centers' into the GPS, chose a random one... drove about 20 minutes to get to it... and this is what we pulled up to!! HAHA!! It was a subdivision of just ridiculously huge houses (they probably all had bowling allies in them). My parents kept saying "Kimber... where are you taking us!" I was cracking up.... to the point where I couldn't breath and was snorting as I struggled for air. I thought it was hilarious! All they could do was laugh with me.... good times.

Kelsy then grabbed the GPS, "Kimber you're an idiot.... let me find us a bowling ally!" She chose one that required us to drive about 20 minutes further away from the hotel and brought us to even bigger mansions and this was what we pulled up to. A gate even!! Great job kels! We had some good laughs on this little adventure of ours.

This was one of my favorite houses.... understand what kind of neighbors we were in?

I blame this little guy....

We gave up on bowling for the night because we were all starving..... So we headed to outback. I insisted on documenting our whole trip but they wouldn't let me use the flash in here.... so this is the best we've got! Aren't my parents so cute tho??

The next day we went to soccer games all day

In between games we shopped... and ate! I swear.... every mile there were huge shopping centers where we were welcomed by huge pathways of palm trees. Now you know why I would love to live here??

I can't wait to have a little girl to dress in cute pink tu-tu dresses. And yes... this little beauty was definitely worth documenting. Your welcome.

We got sunburned....

We finally found ourselves a bowling ally.... and real one... for "normal people.... like the public" (Yes, I said those exact words when we called them up to verify they were an actual bowling ally)

We celebrated...

Mother won the first game.... What?! Don't worry... I didn't know she could bowl either.

*Her very first turn she had she bowled a strike, but right before the computer timed out b/c we were taking so long. She was so angry.... She ran straight to the front desk "I got a strike!! I got a strike! That better have counted b/c I got a strike!!"*

Kelsy insisted on documenting the short minute she was beating everyone. (Notice my split spare underneath? Okay... just making sure)

And mother won the second game as well.... my dad was not too happy about this!

After bowling we went to a Mexican restaurant and all about fell asleep on our plates.... Good day.

The next day was more soccer games.....

I have a confession to make.... Kelsy is not in either of these soccer pictures. I was so adamant about documenting our whole trip, but the first day of the tournament I forgot to take pictures of her 2 games. That night, I admitted my failure to my family and everyone laughed b/c well... that was the whole reason we were there! I said "don't worry.... there is two games tomorrow and I will take a ton of pictures!" Tomorrow came around and I skipped out on the first game because it was at 8am and I got zero sleep the night before. We got ready for the 2nd game of the day (and last of the weekend) and I had my camera on hand. Before the game started I went and got some hamburgers.... they took a few minutes on the grill so I sat down for Kelsy's game about 3 minutes after is started. THREE minutes ppl..... I'm not even lying. The first play of the game Kelsy collided with the goal keeper and both limped away. A few minutes later, Kelsy asked to sit out. And then she was taken away only to return as such.....

What an idiot right?? Wouldn't be right without a little trip to Urgent care. So I didn't even see Kelsy play at all this day.... hence.... zero pictures of Kelsy playing soccer. Glad we captured this beauty tho. Not only does she look like... um.... this.... but you should have seen this sling!! The splint was made out of a card board box and the sling made from duck tape!! Oh man.... I laughed so hard once again (yes, tears and snorting was involved). Funny, funny..

Oh yeah.... She's fine! It was a "stinger" (Erik's medical term).... just a little shock to the nerves that caused her to loose feeling in her arm for a good 3 hours. And a clot in her blood vessel that caused a nice size bump (that's where they thought she may have broken it)

The cactus' were a highlight of the trip. They are awesome! And every time we saw one we would come up with what it looked like. Mother started by "that one is flipping us off". Others included "that one is praying" "that one has arthritis" "that one wants to give me a hug".... you get the idea.

The weekend was amazing! We did not stop the whole 2 and 1/2 days we were there. Never a dull moment with us! I love my family. Thanks for letting me tag along!!

Thanks for the great weekend Phoenix!! I will be back!!! (Note: this was my 4th annual trip to this wonderful city I like to call "Paradise". Hope I can keep it up... and maybe have a house here one day!!! Husband, are you reading this??)

Peace out 2010!! You will never be forgotten!

2011-01-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

January

We went to beautiful Arizona to get some sun and relax before school.

We continued to plan a wedding.... finally set a date and booked a venue!

Started school back up.

Feburary

More wedding planning.

School and work became the routine.

Enjoyed our one and only Valentine's Day as "fiances".

Brother got his mission call to Barcelona, Spain!

March

Started the huge project---->backyard for our New Mexico reception (Yard work would be our life from here on out)

Crysti (sister) and my two nieces came to visit!

More and More wedding planning.... designing, emailing, cutting, stuffing, coordinating, etc.

April

Mariners came to play the major league game at Isotope statium

The yard project became bigger and bigger than originally planned

Stress took over me

School and work and wedding consumed both of our lives.... no joke!

May

We got married!

We took our endowments out in the Albuquerque Temple, then a small open house at my parents house.

We were sealed in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple.... with a dinner reception to follow.

Then a beautiful ceremony in Auburn, Washington..... with a dinner and dance reception after.

We went to Puerto Villarta, Mexico for our honeymoon!

June

We moved into our very own place :).... definitely a newlywed "starter home" but we love it.

Erik went back to Washington for his brother's graduation.

We adopted two German Shephards.

We went back to Washington AGAIN for Erik's dad's wedding :-)

July

Brother got set apart as a missionary.

He was sent off to the MTC in Provo, Utah.

Erik started summer classes.

Demi was down here for summer!

We relaxed from all our traveling.

Built back up our bank account and worked like mad!

August

I went back to Washington for Ryan and Amanda's wedding (good friends since we were in middle school).

Broke my foot.

We both started school back up (crazy crazy semester!)

September

Struggled with finding a balance of crazy school schedules, me out of work with a broken foot, Erik working extra hours, making our home a home, finding time for married life, family, friends, homework..... the list goes on!

Doctors confirmed I had 3 more fractures in my foot--- continued on crutches and a stabilizing boot.

Managed to go on a fun camping trip with friends!

Celebrated Erik's 24th birthday!

October

We hit up a Rascal Flatts concert!!! (And Kelly Pickler and Chris Young)

I had another month off of work.

Doctors confirmed my foot was not only multiply fractures... but the tendon was torn.

Between Baxter (our dog) and I..... Doctor's appointments became regular

Our dog was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer.

We took it one day at a time and learned to just enjoy life!

November

I finally went back to work with my boot :) (after 3 months)

Baxter passed away on our bathroom floor

We were sad.

Got a new puppy..... not as perfect as Baxter

Went to the temple with my dad for the 1st time.

Enjoyed a small but perfect Thanksgiving with my family.

Got our first Christmas Tree/

December

We stayed focused for the last few weeks of the crazy semester!

We got way excited for Christmas!

We celebrated my 22nd year of life (8 times--- I have awesome family and friends!)

We went to Washington to spend Christmas with Erik's family.

We went to Montana to visit Erik's mom's side of the family.

We went to The Great Wolf Lodge with Erik's dad's side of the family

We got to talk to my brother on the phone (from Spain)---> first time I heard his voice since July!!!

Wow!!! What a year! That was a lot of stuff..... but it was a big year for us! Big, amazing, fantastic, unforgettable, incomparable, simply.....THE BEST!!! We are so grateful for married life, for the happiness it has brought to us this past year, for our family, our friends, and the endless amount of blessings we have!

Wedding slideshow--->All because two people fell in love

2011-01-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

Before.... during.... after... and beyond! Watch Erik and I as babies, grow up and fall in love. I made this video in hopes to share our story and have a beautiful memory to always look back on.

This video took forever to make! You would never guess because it is nothing extravagant.... but lets just say technology is my weakness! I have never edited photos, I have not used many programs (besides google and facebook), I have never edited music (I now have a new found respect for my dance teachers who always put together the most amazing mixes), and I have most certainly never made a DVD. Nothing went my way.... but with lots of help from my sisters and sweet husband.... we managed to come up with this and were able to make DVDs for our families for Christmas. Hope you enjoy!

slideshow

Dear Baxter,

2010-11-20T23:34:00.000-08:00

(Warning: this post may sound very depressing, annoying, pathetic...... depending on how you feel about animals. Feel free to skip..... we just wanted to include it in our "journal" to remember the time we went through)

Dear Baxter-

We can't believe it's been one month since you have been gone. We still miss you. We still love you. I still cry everyday for you. I still cry every time I see a soccer ball, or when I walk in the door and you are not there to greet me, or when I get out of the shower very carefully because I am expecting you to be standing on the other side of the door, or when I wake up in the morning- expecting to feel your cold nose next to mine- and you are gone. You have impacted all of us (me, Erik, Sugar) and your lack of presents has changed us all. We will never forget you. We will never have a dog like you.... and in 50 years from now, and many other dogs come and gone...... we will still think "Remember that first dog we had, Baxter..... there is no dog that compares." You were amazing to us. If we can have at least one dog in Heaven with us.... we hope it is you (sorry Sugar, Oakley, and future dogs- hopefully we can have all of you!). We love you Baxter Baby!!

Remember that one day (October 5th)- when I wanted to get a picture of you with your soccer ball in your mouth (because it was so cute). When I said "get the ball baxter!!!" in a really high, annoying voice.... you would always get so excited and grab the ball and shake it from side to side. Not this time.

When this was your response.... I knew right then something was wrong with you. I started crying and told Erik right when he got home. He, of course, thought I was out of my mind and told me I worry too much (and added "what are you going to do when our actual kids get a runny nose??") That night I tossed and turned thinking about you, worried something was wrong. After hours of this, I said my prayers (forgot before I got in bed.... don't judge me), and right away I knew, "Baxter has cancer." I woke up Erik and told him and cried the rest of the night.

The next day, I noticed you had a hard time running up the stairs when I called your name. Other than that, you seemed perfectly normal. I got my hopes up. (Note: I had not worked in 3 full months at this point, and I spent a lot of time with these dogs. I noticed every little thing they did different). The following day (October 7) I got home from class and you always came out with me to get the mail. You stopped at the fence and did not come all the way with me this day. After getting back in the house, I noticed your testicles were three times their normal size (sorry for the TMI to the blogger world). I called the vet immediately, and Erik ran you over there 5 minutes later. This vet (I'm not sure if it was the vet, or Erik trying to keep our hopes alive) said you may have an infection and prescribed you steroids and an antibiotic. He mentioned if it was not an infection, it was most probably lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes). You had 2 weeks of meds, and we were to take you back for an evaluation when those were up.

I cried (once again) all night. I knew deep down it was cancer. But our dear sweet Erik and a few other friends and family kept telling me to have faith and keep my head up. You, as well, saw the sorrow in my face every time I looked at you, and you would do all you could (act normal, get up and jump around, play with your ball, wrestle with sugar, etc) just so I would have the slightest bit of hope and not be as sad. I love you for that!

Two days later (Saturday- Oct 9), was the worst day ever!!!!!! When you would randomly look up at us- I could not tell if you were confused as to where you were, or if you simply did not have any control over your body/bladder any more- but you would just start peeing on the carpet, and my heart just broke. We took you on a walk that afternoon, and you tired easily and you could hardly urinate---it was more like a few dribbles (sorry again for the TMI). I knew you prob had a bladder infection and it had to be painful. You just laid by the door with the most painful look in your eyes. I could not stand it!!! Erik and I both looked at each other and said, lets go. We took you to the vet ER because we knew it was much worse than we thought and we hated not knowing the facts. This vet did not sugarcoat ANY thing with you. With you laying on your side at my feet and your head reached over to touch Erik's feet, the vet told us.... this is not an infection. This is lymphoma and it has spread throughout your body. He made us feel the swelling in your neck, on the front of your clavicles (shoulders), behind your legs, just everywhere. I tried to fight back the tears. He said your pelvis and urethra were also pretty swollen and that was probably what was making it so difficult for you to use the bathroom. He also mentioned that you had dropped about 15-20 since your last check up as a "healthy dog" not long ago. I lost the battle against my tears as a squeaked out "so now what?" The vet, giving as all options, but again no hope.... said "well, you could do treatment. We do not offer it here tho. You would have to go to a place about an hour and a half away that specials in that. It would be expensive. He's an old dog- over ten years old. So even with the chemo, he probably wouldn't live long anyway." Our sweet Erik asked, "How much are we looking at." The vet said, "about $4,000+." I sobbed..... loud. We loved you so much Baxter. We would have done anything to have you around longer if we knew it was for the better. This was not the right choice for us. We knew this when the vet continued, "He is in a lot of pain, and I do not think chemo is the right choice for you guys or your dog." He beat around the bush a bit here, but basically told us our only other option was to put you down. I couldn't take this. I struggled for air as I was literally sobbing that hard. You got up and put your head in my lap as to let me know "this will be okay." The vet said we did not have to do it right then (thank goodness!!!! There was no way I would have even been capable of doing it right then). But we did need to make a decision soon.... you were only going to get worse, but the steroids would make your last days bearable. He let us know you would probably not even make it to finish your full two weeks of meds (this made me angry---- at least pretend like there is a little hope!!)

With that, I took you and ran out (okay, more like hobbled out considering I was still in a walking boot) to get some air and not make such a fool of myself as I lost it inside the office. We went to the car where sugar was waiting (I think she knew everything that was going on) and she just kissed you all over.... then on to me as she noticed how hard of a time I was having. We went home and Erik just held me and we cried and cried (yes, Erik cried too.... he probably does not want me telling the world that... but I think it's rather sweet). He told me we do not need to make our decision any time soon (as I struggled to think I HAD to make your death sentence), and we just needed to enjoy our time with you.

So that we did. We went to mothers every single day (because we knew you loved the grass and the fresh air). We gave you all kinds of people food. We cuddled with you nonstop. We both found ourselves, whenever possible, sitting with you.... either to pet you or to play with you. I hope you enjoyed yourself!! You seemed happy. You seemed like the normal Baxter. You ate a TON! You were using the bathroom just fine. You enjoyed your car rides and your walks and would still get excited and jump around. You still played with Sugar. You still greeted me at the door and would jump up on Erik or I whenever we came into your view. I was hopeful!! I knew we would have you longer than that stupid vet said. And decided not to worry about your "death sentence" and we would just know when it was your time.

But with all those good times that gave me hope..... there was the reality of it all. You were dying. Cancer was taking over your body. Day by day you got skinnier. Day by day you were slowing down. If it wasn't bathroom problems, it was wheezing. I did not sleep as I heard you struggling for air every night. I did not sleep as I heard you wondering around the dark house because you could not get comfortable. And that one night when you and sugar were playing/wrestling.... I had the biggest smile on my face and told everyone to watch and you were going to be just fine.... and just like that, everything changed. You randomly got a bloody nose and there was blood everywhere!! All over the carpet, all over me, all over sugar, all over your fur... and when I freaked out you got embarrassed and went and laid in the kitchen. Blood all over the kitchen floor... I mean ALL over.... and it was not stopping. I tried to help you but you just put your head down like you were ashamed. I cried--- do you see a pattern here. Erik again just held me and said he would take care of everything---- again, another pattern?

It was a roller-coaster of a week. And just like that..... cancer took my baby. I cannot believe how fast this AWFUL illness took you. I hope you were not in too much pain! I cried every time I saw you like this.

Sunday (October 17)- You had the best day ever!!!! You were running everywhere, very alert, very lively. My parents made steaks that night and let you and sugs have the left-overs. You guys were in heaven!!! Was that all you needed to make your life complete?

The next day..... was fine. Not as good as Sunday.... but not bad. That night I noticed there was still a full bowl of dog food when we were packing up to go home and thought (hm.... the dogs did not eat much today) and went on with my night.

The next day..... you were done. You had lived your life and did not want to suffer anymore. You knew your time was up. You refused to take your medicine, you refused to eat. We did not want to give up that easy. We did not want YOU to give up. We tried everything. Hiding the steroids in a hot dog (knew it was over when you refused a hot dog.... those were your favorite!!), hiding them in peanut butter, my mom tried giving you a brownie... my dad tried salt just to see if you would eat ANYTHING. Nothing. You were done and were trying to get us all to except this. That day was terrible. My family had grown to fall in love with you and the sweet spirit you were. Even they (who are not huge animal lovers) hurt to see you this way. They all took turns (especially mom and dad) to go out and spend some time with you and try to get you to take your meds just to have another day or 2 with you. I text Erik (who was at work) and told him he need to get the next night off because it was time. And to hurry home because it was the last night with our sweet baby. Leaving my parents house that night was rough. My parents had a hard time saying goodbye (and my sisters refused to say bye). You were not responsive at all at this point. My dad tried convincing me to just let you stay there... but I just wanted one more night with you (I hope that was okay). At my voice, you slowly got up and followed me to the car. You needed a little help, but you got in the car- and into the house. I did get you to eat a little bit of ice cream that night (I justified the ice cream by saying 1. the cold would feel good on you throat and 2. it was simply your last night and I would spoil you all I wanted to!!) The second I tried to sneak in the steroid (yes, I was still trying) you stopped eating once again.

Sugar cuddled a lot with you that night. She was also very very sad! Not the same Sugar at all. I made a bed next to you and laid with you all night. When Erik got off work, he joined us. He struggled that night.... not realizing it got that bad that fast. He just wanted more time with you.

The next day was terrible.... to say the least. We both woke up knowing that this day, October 20th.... was the day you were going to die. What a feeling!!! I have never been so depressed. I left for class early and came back to get ready for work at about 10:30. When I got back from class you did not greet me at the door (Erik and I both said... the moment you stopped greeting us at the door, or the moment you stopped eating.... that would be the time. You did both). I found you laying in the guest bathroom with your head between the bathtub and the toilet. "Please don't be dead!" I remember saying over and over. You were still breathing. Thank goodness. How terrible would that be if I walked in and saw my sweet dog laying there dead??!! I was sad you would not follow me, or respond to me no matter how hard I tried. I cried in the shower, I cried while I got ready for work. you finally came back there to find me. I did not have a chance to wipe up the water from my shower, so you fell. You did not have the strength to get up... so there you were, all 4 paws spread every which direction and you just looked at the ground... knowing you could not get back up on your own. I did the best I could to help you.... but again, my heart just kept breaking more and more. I got you situated on the bathroom mat and said goodbye. I told you I love you very much.... and was dying inside knowing what what going to happen when I came home from work. Off I went.... praying the whole day at work that I would have the strength to do what I need to do when I got off work. I honestly knew I did not.

Erik got home from class that day around 3. He found you, just where I had left you (on the bathroom floor) lifeless. His heart dropped. He freaked out. He loved you just as much as I did... and I honestly can't imagine what was going on in his head. He sat there with you for a long time and cried along with Sugar. He than thought of me (of course- such a sweet man I have) and knew I would be home from work soon and could not see you like that. He called my mom and asked her for help. My mom grabbed one of the lawyers from her work and her suburban and came right over. Together, the men wrapped you up, and carried your lifeless body to the back of the suburban. My mom sat with Sugar to hold her back from you. You were then handed off to the vet. Just one day shy of your 2 week follow-up appointment with him. He assured Erik (with my mom there with him) that we did everything right. He was not in pain for more than a day if he continued eating and playing. And we gave him a great life (who knew what would have happened if we did not rescue him). And some dogs just know. And I think you, my Baxter, were special. You knew that there was no way I could have got you up on that table and said goodbye to you while you were still breathing on your own. But also knew that I could not watch you suffer any more. This was the best possible solution for the worst possible situation. I cannot image what Erik went through.

Were you in a lot of pain? Did we wait too long to decide to put you down? Are you mad at us for trying so long? I'm sorry. I hope not. We did what we thought was right.... but yes, I'm sure we were a little selfish along the way as well. I hope we did everything okay.

Erik waited to tell me what happened until I got off work. I think I already knew deep down. It was rough. But I think Erik had a harder time seeing you lifeless. I could not image. We laid together and cried for a good hour or two. To this day.... I still have the perfect image of you. You were the most beautiful dog. You were the sweetest dog. You were the perfect dog!! You were and still are a part of this family. We love you Baxter babies!!

I'm sorry if I was ever bitter at the fact I felt like you came into our lives just to die on us. Or bitter at your previous owners for treating you (without flaws) so poorly. Or if they abandoned you just because they found out you were sick. I am grateful they let us take care of you those last (crucial) months. I would not change a thing (well maybe a few things). I hope we made your life.... at least the last 4 months..... enjoyable. Worth living. You definitely made ours worth living.

Sugar had the hardest time.... believe it or not (considering we had such a hard time). She was literally depressed. Her best friend was gone. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING got her excited. We took her on walks.... she cried and jumped up on me the whole time (and walks are her favorite, you know that). Not car rides... she would get excited for a second and then before jumping in the car, she would step back to let you go first (like she always did) and then realize you were not coming and would be depressed again. She did not eat, she would not come and get her treats in the morning... she just laid on the couch depressed. We let her sleep with us, and had to give her human food just to get her to eat. We had to get her another dog within 2 days. Not to replace you (nothing could replace you) but just to have her a little friend while we were gone. She did not like him. It was not "Baxter" and she wanted nothing to do with this annoying puppy. She's doing better now, but I know she still misses you.

Erik, like I said, also had a really hard time with you going. You were his buddy! I don't know if it was because you were a male, or if it was your personality. You were always "his dog" and sugar was always my dog in his opinion. He loved playing with you. He always claimed you when we went on walks. When he went to do anything outside it was "I'll take Baxter." He loved, loved loved you. And still does!

I think I goes without saying how I feel. I was heartbroken. And still am. I miss you very very very much.... but I got to admit.... I'm glad that emotional roller-coaster is over. I hated getting my hopes up just to have them crushed within minutes. I hated looking at you knowing that you had cancer and you were dying. Also, I questioned myself. I questioned whether I should be a nurse or not. I hate hate hate cancer... and obviously do not do well with it. I do not do well with bad news. I do not do well with sickness. With dying. And you are "just" my dog (don't worry... I saw you as much more than that).... but what about when dealing with actual humans. Actual kids and babies. Can I do it? Am I going into a profession I can handle?

See.... you affected us a lot!!! But along with questioning my whole college career and life long goal.... you made me realize, "Yes, this is the profession for you." I have my weaknesses to work out... yes. But I clearly have the passion and the compassion that it takes to be in the medical field. The medical field is a special place..... helping people (and animals) is a special feeling. And who knows... maybe I'll go on to research and help find a cure for that stupid STUPID cancer that has taken the lives of so many of those I love very deeply.

We love you Baxter!!!! Rest in Peace. Until we meet again.

Happy Birthday Kelsy!!!

2010-11-06T00:42:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my little sister Kelsy. She is the big 1-8 today! I still think of her as being 8. My other sisters and I, for the longest time (seriously like 4 or 5 years), would say 8 whenever somone would ask how old she is. I don't know if it was the "baby" stigma, or her maturity level..... or the fact that she never quite cared about the things that came with growing up (to this day... does not wear any make-up, never has really liked boys- as Kade would say "she is...." nevermind). Anyway..... needless to say, she has always seemed very young to me..... its crazy she is 18 and a senior in high school!
We love Kelsy!!! What would life be like without her in our family? Nobody to laugh at, nobody to save you just when you are feeling a little dumb, no "kelsy stories" on a daily basis, no soccer to go watch. She is an awesome soccer player.... I have been out of work for the last 3 months (high school soccer season) so I was able to go watch a lot of her games. They are actually pretty fun... and Kelsy dominates (other than she is kind of a wimp and ended up on the ground every game)!

Here are a few "Kelsy stories":
Kelsy: ".... blah blah my teacher Mr. Card-ER blah blah blah...."
Me: "Kelsy, why do you say his name like that. Don't you mean Carter"
Kelsy: "noooo...... it's not with a 't' it's like a Card, and then -er. Card-er. Not Carter!"
Me: "Right Kelsy..... but you still pronounce it the same." *Kelsy with her confused face* "Nevermind Kelsy, say it however you want"

One night Rachelle and Kelsy were watching law and order and they were talking about how someone was bias......
Mom: "Kelsy, do you know what it means to be bias?"
Kelsy: "um..... to be bisexual?"
all of us: "what?!?"

One day at church, my mom was sending Kelsy home to get a few things for her. She was writing her a note during sacrament meeting (1st hour of church) and wrote a few things. One thing said.... blah blah blah get something in the cupboard next to the fridge. Kelsy read through the note... then sat there and stared at the note with a look a confusion. She turn her head to every angle as she stared at a very specific stop on the paper.
Mom: "oh Kelsy...... what word do you not know?"
Kelsy: "Mom, what is a cup-board?"
Mom: trying to hold a stern face "Kelsy!!! A cupboard!!!! That says cupboard... you know... like a CUPBOARD!!"
Kelsy: again, very confused and very concerned "no... that says CUP----BOARD. That is not how you spell cupboard"
Mom: "okay Kelsy... whatever"

From mom:
Kelsy had a concusion a few weeks ago from soccer (I'm telling you... she's always hurt!!) My mom- being the mom she is- would run over to the school every day to bring her whatever she needed and to check on her. This particular day, she brought her food, ibuprofen, and a root beer float. She handed her the ibuprofen, and the drink and then waited for her to put it in her mouth and swallow it (there is a reason we treat her like she is 5). Kelsy puts the ibuprofen in her mouth, takes a drink..... sits there for a second thinking (this is rare).... and then looks down her straw.
Mom: "Kelsy!!! Did you swallow the ibuprofen?"
Kelsy: "um..... I don't know..... I think it might have gone down the straw..."
Mom: "Kelsy!!! I didn't bring any extra"

From Crysti:
Kelsy has a always been very strange. Remember when she was little and she used to pretend like she was a dog? She would litterally come up to you and sit at your feet and bark and pant like a dog. Or you would be sitting on the couch watching tv and she would jump up on the couch and lick you and continue barking and panting. Weird... right?? Also.... remember whenever any boys would come over, she would just walk up to them and stare. When they would finally get passed the confusing, small girl staring up at them.... they would manage to say "hi" or "how's it going?" or something along those lines... and then she would just kick them in the shin... and causually walk away. Weird. No other way to descibe little Kelsy.

From Dad:
Last night we were watching tv together..... (this is a 'Princess Bride' reference.... which we all grew up with... so it you don't know that movie.... skip this)
Dad: "So.... tomorrow is your birthday, huh?
Kelsy: "yep."
Dad: "the big 18, huh??"
Kelsy: "yep."
Dad: "you know I kind of love you... but I'm going to have to kick you out tomorrow"
*reference from the princess bride when that one guy says to Wesley- "You know I kind of like you, but I'm going to have to kill you tomorrow"*
Dad of course cracks up at him self, and Kelsy just turns her head to the side and looks at him in confusion. Nevermind Kelsy.

This happens a lot. We try to joke or talk to her about something, and she just does this very specific look and says "huh?" She doesn't understand much... and you have to explain things like 5 times or talk slow for her to catch on. But this makes things very entertaining. Whenever we think of a big word... or any word that sound a little sophisticated we say "hey Kelsy... what does blah blah blah mean?" Just so we can get in a good laugh as she tries to come up with her most sensible answer. A question as simple as "how was your day" or "what have you been up to" gets you the most random/ amusing/ dumb/ crazy responses you can think of. It's good times whenever you talk to this girl.

Happy Birthday Kelsy!!! What would we do without you??

Our big, little additions!!!

2010-10-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Baxter. You already know, from the previous post, how I ended up with my family. I was abandoned..... starved.... and abused. I am over 10 years old. I love Kimber and Erik. My new owners fed me A LOT when they took me in, so I got some meat on my bones. However.... I did have some seperation anxiety from being abandoned. The first few weeks after being rescued, I would hyperventilate any time Kimber and Erik would leave my sight (including leaving for work, using the restroom.... anything that required them to leave my sight). The second night with them, I was in the yard (surrounded by a 6 foot fence), and Erik and Kimber where on the other side getting groceries from the car. I could hear their voice and my anxiety kicked in.... I did NOT want to get abandoned again. Although I am old, and huge, and can't jump..... I gave it all I had I got my paws over the top of the fence and pushed myself over. I fell onto my back on the other side.... it did not feel good, but I got to my owners! I was hyperventilating and crying. I went and sat in the trunk where the groceries were.... they were not leaving me!!! After a few weeks... and Kimber and Erik coming back to me every time the left..... I starting to trust them more and more and my anxiety slowly stopped and things with me got normal.

I'm an alpha dog. I guard...... especially Kimber. I follow her wherever she goes, and I lay in front of the door of whatever room she is in. I don't get on any furniture, I don't chew up anything (except Kelsy's soccer balls), I don't bark at people, I am house broken and I am just content laying around all day. I sound pretty perfect, right? One flaw I do have..... being this beautiful, and having this fur comes with shedding. I shed like crazy!!!!

Although I love sugar- I'm not a fan of other dogs. I am a bit sceptical. And although I am the biggest sweetheart.... little dogs (especially) bug me! I need to uphold my image and be intimidating to the dog world. One day, Kimber was taking us on our daily walk. We were coming up on an annoying yappy little dog. Kimber did all she could to avoid the situation, but her not being that strong, and trying to hold back two huge dogs.... this dog and his owner did not stand a chance. I licked the owner (because I love people), and that gave him a comforting feeling and walked passed with his annoying dog in his arms. I reached up and put that little dog in my mouth! Now.... I know what you are thinking. But I did not break the skin..... in fact, I would hardly say I even bit him! He was not hurt, but he squealed like a little baby. This of course got me a few swats from Kimber... and a threat to have the pound called on me from the yappy dog's owners. Nothing happened. The next weekend Erik took me to his friends house. When outside using the bathroom, I saw a couple little chiwawas. GOLD! I ran right over there and put the whole thing in my mouth! Something about having a whole dog in my mouth does something to my ego... and I like it!! Again.... I did not cause harm to this dog. Erik freaked out within seconds and I split the little guy out... you should have seen that thing scurry off!

Anyway.... I am so grateful for my owners. And in return.... my owners are beyond happy I came into their life. They love me so much!!! I have cancer throughout my body. My time with them will be cut short. My owner is crying as she writes this post.... so she will stop here. Maybe once I am put to rest and am out of pain she will write more about this.

Hello! I am sugar. I also go by: sugs, sug-night, sugar babies. I am three years old. I am basically the opposite of Baxter! But I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. I love to cuddle. I weigh about 75 pounds.... but think I weigh 5 pounds. Don't let my size fool you. I'm actually a lap dog at heart. I am a princess (according to Erik- that translates to a "pansy"). I will not lay on the carpet.... gross! I hate being outside. I need to be the center of attention. I insist on sleeping on a real bed (comforters are my preference), but these new owners of mine insist I sleep on this nonsense they call a "doggy bed." I got away with sleeping with them for the first few weeks. Erik is huge so he got a good portion of the bed, I'm a princess so I sprawled out and took about 1/2 of the bed, and poor Kimber got a small corner. Apparently since I'm the "dog" I'm the one who got the boot. This "doggy bed" of mine just does not work for me. I get up after a few hours of sleeping in the middle and all the cushion is on the sides. I have to use my paw and push it all back to the middle- usually takes about 5 minutes of continuous "scratching" motion and sound. Ridiculous.

You can usually find me in these kinds of positions. I'm constantly making Erik and Kimber laugh. I'm also a ditz. I run into everything!! You name- the bed, the night stand, the coffee table. Oh man that coffee table is going to be the death of me! I run into that thing on a daily basis!! Lets face it... I bring the entertainment to this household!

I love Erik. I really do.... But I am definitely a mamma's girl. If she goes to the bathroom... I'm right there. If she gets up to get something from the bedroom, I am right there with her. If she's on the couch... and there is no room to sit next to her, I sit on top of her. I do make for a great cuddle buddy tho. When we go to Kimber's parents house.... I'm not allowed inside. Can you believe that?? I love going over there because they have grass, but when everyone is inside my anxiety just kicks in. I NEED to have Kimber in sight at all times. I can cry and scratch the doors all I want. Doesn't work. So... what do I do? I follow her.... from window to window I go. Wherever she goes. I start to cry when she starts to do her make-up. I know that means she is leaving (heaven forbid she actually get ready for any other reason). And when I see that stupid purple suitcase- I'm done for it. I cry and cry. I refuse to eat when she leaves for a long period of time, and I even go thru the trash and act out just so she needs to come home!

What would life be without these sweet little additons to our family?? I can't image. They make life so much more interesting. They are my best little friends. I had a hard time excepting Erik and I's conflicting schedule and I felt we never got to see each other. These little beauties filled that "lonely" feeling I was having in this new life of ours. When I was home with a broken foot.... they entertained me. I talk to them all day long. I enjoy coming home and having them both right in the door (to the point I can't even get in), excited to see us- yet whimpering with sadness because they missed you. I'm so grateful they came into our life!!

They love grass. They love, love, love going on walks!!! Baxter loves his soccer balls.... think he has 3 now that he has popped and he loves carrying them around. Neither one will play fetch with Erik (he was a little disappointed), but they love going to the park and just running free.

They love car rides. Yes.... this is a picture of their arrangement in the car. Shows their personalities- Baxter's carefree "whatever" personality. And sugar sitting on Baxter..... crazy, princess personality. Make fun of me.... but I take them every where I can. Post office, bank, when paying bills, to my mom's office, to my parent's house.... any place I can leave them in the car for a short while and they will be okay. I even took them to the mall with me one night (30 minute drive). Sugar apparently has never been on the freeway and the high speeds freaked her out! She was shaking and basically sitting on my lab. I'm sure anyone that drives by and sees these 2 huge dogs in the car with me gets a slight smirk on their face. Hey... I'm just here to make some one's day!

They love each other!!! They play together all day/night long. I love watching them wrestle. Sugar is usually the instigator..... but Baxter always dominates. Sugar usually ends up on her back, with Baxter's mouth around her neck (again no harm... he just has this thing with putting dogs in his mouth?). And it ends when sugar comes hiding behind me or Erik like a pansy! I don't think they have ever been separated since we have taken them in (4 months ago). Sure they have their differences. Baxter likes his food... and doesn't want to share. When sugar is trying to take his food.... he simply picks up the whole bowl of food and takes it across the room to get away from sugar (usually causing a trail of dropped dog food). And of course sugar cries until she gets her way. But at the end of the day... they are best little buddies. They have their own dog beds- when I wake up in the middle of the night they are usually cuddled up together on one.

What will sugar do with our Baxter?? We will cry together for a while.

What's up!!!

2010-10-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Wow..... I nominate myself for worst blogger in the world!!!! Has it really been months since we have been on here? I look at everyone elses' blogs multiple times a week, and I always mean to do an update.... BUT (there is always a but, right?) something either comes up when I do have a free hour to blog, or I convince myself I "need" pictures to go along with my updates and posts (and cord to get pictures from the camera to the computer is MIA). Well.... I can tell you now I should be finishing up our "thank yous" (yes- I'm aware we have been married for almost five months.... better late than never??), or studying every vein and artery in the body... and there will most likely be no pictures. But dangit- I'm going to do some sort of update!!!

SO....... Whats up???

Like I said, we have been married for almost 5 months (will be exactly that in 9 days).... and loving every minute of it (okay... may not EVERY minute... but close). Since then we have moved into our own little place (pictures to come). It's nothing huge.... nothing spectacular. But it is ours! Okay, not OURS- we are renting. Our good friend Chris (works at Chilis with us) manages about 37 units in a subdivision. Aw... who am I kidding? In a trailer park. Yes.... we live in a trailer- a two bedroom, two bathroom single-wide :-). And we are proud of it! Ha. Chris takes good care of the lots and homes, and our neighbors are all of our friends and co-workers (about 14 of us from Chilis living in our neighbor hood). Pretty sweet if you ask me! It has a good size fenced off yard, nice inside, Chris gave a good deal on rent (sold right there if you ask me), and is located only 8 minutes away from mothers- yes we timed it! We are very happy here.

I am a pansy. Never realized this until I moved on my own. I refused to be home if Erik was not. I would either stay at work late and wait for Erik to get off.... or I would just have Erik drop me off at my parents, and pick me up on his way home. Solution?? We got dogs!!! Yes plural- there is two of them. And they are huge!!! German Shepherds. We knew we wanted a dog (my thinking was always to have two so they could be friends and not be lonely while we were at work and school- one small and one big one), but we did not realize we would have one so soon.... and two huge ones for that matter. Story? It was two weeks after moving in (3 weeks after returning back from our honeymoon)... we got a phone call. "Hey- do you guys want a dog? He is super cute and a really good dog." Um.... Why? Our friend Andy rescued a dog who had been abandoned and abused but her landlord would not let her keep him. Alright..... bring him over after work and we'll see if we want him (like I was really going to put him on the streets again). At work.... talk started that Erik and I were taking in this German Shepard. A lady that worked with us came up to me with pleading eyes "NO!!! Don't adopt this german shepherd.... take MY german shepherd. She is beautiful and lovable.... house broken.... potty-trained.... the best dog! And I'm getting evicted and have no place to go, let alone a place for a big dog. Our water is turned off... and I just really want a good place for her." Again... my sensitive side wanted to scream "YES!!!" but really? Two german shepherds? Solution? "Ask Erik." Erik's response? "Bring her over after work and we'll see how it works out." There it was. Andy came over first with the boy. WOW! German shepherds are really THAT big? Guess I didn't realize this. I was hesitant.... but let him inside just to see what he would do. He laid right next to me when I did the dishes? Hm... comforting. When everyone was outside, he laid by the door as if he was guarding it for me. And he really was the sweetest- most laid back dog. Sold!!! We got a dog- and named him Baxter! He warmed up very quickly and clung onto Erik and I (not surprising considering he was abandoned). Next up- Suger (co-workers dog). Thought we were content with one dog, but thought we would give this other one a chance. She was younger... and little more lively than Baxter. Bad? Nope. Her and Baxter got along great and Baxter seemed happy to have a friend. Then suger hopped up on me while I was laying on the couch and rested her head on me while Baxter laid as "alpha dog" right in front of us. Sold! BAM- Two dogs! Same day. And they are huge! More to come on them (I am obsessed) along with pictures!

Kimber update- Summer treated us both well. I worked about 6 or 7 shifts a week. We enjoyed many fun vacations, and I especially have enjoyed turning this little house of ours into "our home". I have returned back to school this fall semester. I am attending 3 different campus' (one 20 minutes away, one 30 minutes, and one 45 minutes away), accumulating 17 credits. It has been exhausting, but these are the 3 school I am planning on applying to for nursing school. I had a couple classes from 2 of the programs I needed to take, and UNM main campus I just took classes at to get that GPA up (very competitive program). I am ready to apply- just need to suck it up and not be afraid of possible rejection. Going before a board to petition for one program in January. The other ones I just apply to around Christmas.

What else? Oh yeah.... I broke my foot! The first week of August (9 weeks ago) I went to a friends wedding. I was wearing heals for about 5 hours that day. I sat down for a bit (think that's where the swelling came in) took one step- my heal and ankle slid off my 5" heal while my toes stayed in place (my foot twisted at about a 90 degree angle-it did not feel good!). I was done for it after that. No walking for me. I had to be carried the rest of my trip (2 days left). My sister came and got me the last day- and her brother in law had crutches. Thank goodness for sisters and crutches!!! Airports were not fun going thru by myself (I let go of my pride and accepted the wheel chair assistance..... have you ever walked on crutches? I broke a sweat before I even got to security!!)
A week later and still no walking and a ridiculous amount of swelling- I gave in a went to the doctors. Stress fracture. Doc assumed it was being in 5" heels for 5 hours. Doc- "Were you wearing your heals for a long period of time?" Me- "No not really, like 5 or 6 hours." Doc- "Um..... are you kidding me??!! That is a long time!" Stay on crutches. Absolutely no weight on the foot. Foot was too swollen and was cracked in an awkward place that casting would be a bad option. Go see podiatry (foot specialist) in 3 weeks- stress fractures last about 4-6 weeks.
3 weeks later- Podiatrist found 3 more fractures. Could have not shown up on the first x-rays because of the swelling or could be new (very likely considering I fell A LOT on those stupid crutches- I fell coming up our front steps almost every night. I fell getting off the couch trying to get to my crutches... Erik, my dear sweet husband, thought it was fun to play on them and then leave them all the way across the room. Sick joke, right?? I fell getting on and off the toilet- even got stuck in between the toilet and sink one night. What a sight, I am sure. Embarrassing? Yes... but would like to think I will one day let go of these bitter feelings I have toward crutches and one-legged days, and will have something to look back and laugh on). Anyway.... multiple stress fractures. Come back in another month. But hey.... take this sweet, HUGE walking boot. Like that is suppose to make me feel better? "In a few weeks.... as long as there is no pain you can walk short distances without using the crutches." SWEET!!! I'll take it!
A month later (2 weeks ago tomorrow). Another doctor (podiatrist still).... your fractures are healing well. Lets evaluate. You have blah blah blah tendinitis. "You probably had stress fractures before you fell... and when you fell you actually tore the tendon that wraps under your arch. That is why your arch has been hurting you." Oh really?? I've only been saying that for the passed 2 months!!! "Depending on how bad you have torn the tendon... you may need surgery. We need a MRI to determine this. In the meantime..... You need physical therapy." As ashamed as I am to admit this.... we do not have health insurance (of course something like this would happen the few months we don't have insurance- we are getting some, but won't be effective until the new year). Doc- "oh you don't have insurance? *sigh* well here is my referral to the PT- will probably be a few hundred just for the consultation. Here is my note to get an appointment for the MRI those are also pretty spendy without insurance. And you may need surgery.... which is just going to get outrages. And I can't release you back to work *sigh* you... you.... you just need to get insurance..." Hey doc! Thanks for your advice!! Would've never thought I needed health insurance without you. And three docs.... three different diagnosis... 9 weeks of being in the same spot.... still not working..... hundreds of dollars spent?? Want to know what I say to your referrals? IN THE GARBAGE!! Now I definitely respect our health care workers (hello- I want to be a nurse!) and i don't feel like I'm above them by any means. But really? I think I can do therapy on my own (Kelsy's trainer gave me some good exercises), and ruptured tendon that needs surgery? Don't you think I would have UNBEARABLE pain when I put any weight on it? Yeah.... i don't have a ruptured tendon. I will fix this myself. And I will go back to work tomorrow. May be difficult... but I like to think I'm tough. But smart. I will not push it....

Erik update: Oh my dear sweet Erik. I'm sure he is thinking this marriage thing is way more than he bargained for. He is always saying "why are you always broken?? I want a refund." He started summer school shortly after coming back from our honeymoon. He was up late every night and up early every morning trying to study and get homework done all summer. Could not be fun considering nobody else was doing homework or going to school. He also worked about 6 shifts a week all summer. He is crazy!! I love his work ethic and motivation with everything he does. He has also taken on a full schedule this semester. He's taking: calculus (like 27 or something.... ok 3), circuits, physics, digital electronics.... and other ridiculously hard classes engineers take. He gets frustrated with how hard his classes are.... and how much time he has to spend in each class. But he still loves what he is doing, and can't wait to be done! I love him!! He works when we can (which is probably too much... but he needs to keep up the bills considering I've been out of work for months- oops!). When I was out of commission... on crutches.... He literally had to do all the house work, everything for the dogs (including getting up in the middle of the night to let them out to use the bathroom), and everything for me (I literally could not even get a drink of water for myself). What a good man!!!! He truely is the best husband in the world.... and I am very very lucky!!

Okay.... I think this post is long enough. Sorry if it was boring. Hope all is well with everyone else. I will post a tour of the house (with pictures), dog biography, honeymoon and other fun trips of the summer, and an elder update soon!!

Until next time.....

Elder Update- Week 2

2010-07-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

Just so you know....... Brother can email every friday. (so before his email or letter comes tomorrow.... I figured I should update on his second week at the mtc (last week).

Mother usually sends 2 or 3 emails a week, my dad sends one, all my sisters, and of course.... Erik and I have sent one every week. Not to mention his friends, his girlfriend, and other family that writes to him. He doesn't get much time to use the computer (think he gets about the time it takes for him to do a load of his laundry). So by the time he reads everyone's emails.... he doesn't have much time to respond (he can't type or read very fast haha.... just kidding!).

Anyway...... because he had to cut our email short, he wrote us a nice 2 page letter which we recieved in the mail last week! We were so excited. He went into more detail than he had in any of his emails. So here it is...

Elder Update!!
His spanish is getting so good!! It's funny to read his letters because he says some of his words in spanish. I'm sure the majority of his classes and studies are in spanish.... and if he's like a lot of other missionaries, spanish is their 1st language for 2 years.... and they actually forget a lot of their english. I'm excited to talk to him on the phone over the holidays to hear some of that!! He wrote me his testimony in spanish even. Very neat! (Because I'm planning on printing out these blog entries and putting them in some sort of scrapbook for him.... i'm going to share his "first spanish testimony" with all my faithful blog readers.... and for him to look back on!)
-"Yo testifico que JesuCristo, es Slvador y nosotros hijos de dios. Yo se Jose Smith es profeta de dios. Yo se el libro de Mormon es verdadero y yo se la Iglesia de JesuCristo de los santos de los ultimos dias es verdadero inglesia y Thomas Monson es profeda de dios. En el nombro JesuCristo. Amen"

Not bad for a week and a half.... huh??? He also said.... "The MTC is great.... I'm getting a little pudge. I have been eating a lot. I think I gained a little weight. My life in the MTC is eating y class y goofing around. I made a slingshot with mi compeneros on p-day. It was fun I'll send pictures later. " He mentioned that his first companion left (as I posted in my last update) and it was the worst day. He admitted to having a really hard time with it. I told him that these first few weeks.... and probably months are going to be the toughest. Getting home sick and going into this completely different world can't be easy! But I know Kade will get through it and be great! He is now the only Elder in his district that is going out of the country (I think he's really excited to get to spain). He still hasn't told us any new info on his visa.... or when he heads to Madrid (hopefully tomorrow's emails will have the good news!)

The rest of the email was just person stuff directed toward Erik and I. One part I thought was funny.... and if you know Kade's sense of humor you will just roll your eyes to "I think you will be prego soon. I know. The Lord told me. Me and him are like peanut butter and jelly these days." He's so dumb! But we love him!!

Until next time....

~Elder Update!~

2010-07-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

Okay..... I have sooooo much to update on, but for now.... an Elder Update. As most people know..... brother is gone. He entered the MTC (Missionary Training Center) July 7 to start his training to be an ambassador for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I will try to do an "Elder Update" once a week (that's how often he gets to email)..... at least until mother starts up a blog for him (she will be much better at updating than I will).

Lets back up a few days.....

Wednesday June 30 (a whole week before he entered the MTC)- Brother was set apart by our stake president. For those of you who don't know...... This is when he receives a blessing and is ordained "Elder Montoya," an official missionary of the church. The President and Bishop both gave some great advice to Kade and also to the family. President then took Kade into the office for one last quick interview to assure his worthy to serve. Once his final interview was complete.... Erik, bishop, and president set him apart. During this blessing, president referred to him as "Elder Montoya". It had all seemed so surreal to me up until this point. This is when I then realized brother is going to leave for another country. He would be gone for 2 full years. I would only hear his voice on those major holidays. I also realized, and admired his love for the Lord. His assurance in what he was about to do, and how much he knew it was the right thing. And although he was sacrificing a lot (school for two years, leaving is family, friends, girlfriend..... everything he found comfort in) there was not a doubt in his mind that he loved our Church and believed in it's teachings. So many emotions had built up during this beautiful blesssing from President Cordroy. I know if he listens and follows the councel of his blessing he will be a great and successful missionary. After the blessing, mom and dad both had a moment to say a few words to bother.... and to share their love of the gospel. After was Elder Montoya's turn. He broke down right as he started speaking. He shared how much he loved his family. He went through each of us that were there (whole family except for Crystal, Scott and the girls.... we missed you!!). He gave a special thanks to Erik for his example. He told my dad he was going to miss his "golfing buddy" and best friend. I was literally sobbing throughout this whole ordeal..... but so was everyone else! Even Demi (at 7 years old..... and may not completely understanding what was going on) was crying! It was kind of weird for me to see my brother so serious and emotional (something I have not seen too many times in my life).

Here is a picture of all of us...... ignore or bloodshot eyes and red noses (who is attractive when they cry anyway?)

Stake President (President Cordroy.... love this man) and Elder Brother (that's what I call him)

After this special event.... with everyone still crying, we decided to go do something fun! We changed our clothes and set out for laser tag and dinner. We had a blast.... and we shall add this to another night we will never forget!

Most Elders do not get set apart until either the day before or a few days before they enter the MTC. Once you are set apart..... you are an Elder, and, therefore, expected to follow the rules of a missionary. Some of these rules include, no TV, music, Internet (any media) that is not spiritually uplifting. And one of the toughest for him..... no being alone with any female (other than family members) and technically you can only shake hands with females. Why was this so difficult for him? He was off to Utah for the next week before entering the Missionary Training Center, which is where is girlfriend lives.

Elder Montoya with the cute girlfriend.... Aubree! She is such a sweetheart. These pictures were taking when she came down to New Mexico to visit in the middle of June. Don't worry.... we asked her every day why she was with Kade (think they've been together for about a year). She didn't have an answer..... Haha! Just kidding she's very cute and has the perfect sense of humor to put up with Kade! I think it must have been pretty hard for them to say goodbye...... but I know she was very encouraging and supportative with Kade's decision to serve a mission. Are you going to wait for him, Aubree??? :)

Brother left the following day (July 1st) with my parents and Demi. They spent the week in Utah with the rest of my family. Erik and I, unfortunately, had to stay behind to work. Throughout the week they had lots of family gatherings (for the fouth, for Demi's bday, and for brother's "going away"). They also spent the day before at lagoon...... a SWEET amusement park!

July 7th- Elder Montoya was to report to the MTC between 1:15 and 1:30. He spent the morning getting everything ready and saying goodbye to family. I heard my sister Crystal, and my grandpa Montoya had the hardest time saying good bye. (These pictures were taken off Crystal's blog.... mother hasn't got her pictures yet)

My mom said that brother got pretty quite on the way to Provo (MTC). They started talking about sports and other things to calm his nerves and get him talking. On the way down.... they picked up his friend Brock- Elder Lybbert (from Moses Lake, WA) who was also entering the MTC the same day and time as Kade! This helped a lot! When they got to the MTC.... they pulled up to the curb, brother and Brock got out and got their stuff..... Mom and dad snapped a few pictures..... and then they were off with their missionaries that were there waiting for them! My dad said that it is way different than how it used to be... and way less emotional. Both of my parents agreed they liked this better!

Since then: Elder Montoya says he's going great! He loves it at the MTC. He is learning a lot about the Lord, and is catching on to Spanish pretty good. He gets to play soccer every day. He claims he's putting on some weight.... and says they have tons of food! His original companion that he had (he really liked and they were to be on the same flight to Madrid together) already went home. He had a really hard time with this.... but has stayed positive and got 2 other companions that he really likes. His visa hasn't came in yet.... and he got a letter saying he will be delayed going to Spain because the Madrid offices were closed during the world cup. Haha!! He really misses everyone, and loves to hear stories of what's going on in "the real world". He has to get sports updates from my dad every time he emails. Anyway.... think that's about all for now. We really miss him! When we go to my parents at least one story gets brought up about brother, and my mom still says "go get Kaaaaaade.... oh wait..." when it's time for dinner.

Wedding part 3.......

2010-06-04T02:35:00.000-07:00

The following weekend.... we were up and at it again!

May 21, 2010- Our ring ceremony. The weekend before was about us. This weekend was for our friends and family. To show them how much we love each other, and to include them in this big step in our lives. We decided to incorporate some of the traditional symbolism of a "typical" wedding...... flower girls, wedding party, aisle walking, music, and the exchange of rings (which we had not done). It was very important to us that they felt apart of everything! We felt by doing it this way.... we got that best of both worlds!

Getting ready...... I was still nervous, and still very very excited!!!

My favorite girls in the whole world!!!!

Bride and the beautiful bridesmaids!!! (The rain let up for about an hour for us to take pictures.... how perfect was that??)

Handsome groom.... with his handsome groomsmen

Our HUGE wedding party!!!!

Montoya gang! I love my family!!

Fitzgerald gang.... I love my new family too!!

Erik's whole family.... cheering us on!!

Us with Grandma Fitzgerald

With Grandma and Grandpa Fiksdal (Erik's mom's parents)

Whelp...... guess we're not quite fit for parenthood just yet....

Us with The 4 most amazing people... our parents!!!

The cute flower girls!

Yep.... I tripped. Leave it to me! And not only did I trip.... I screamed as I did it. Graceful, right?

Jeff Earl performed the ceremony. He did amazing!!!!! Could not have asked for anyone better! I love this man.

Exchanging a few words to each other.....

You may kiss your bride!!

Mr and Mrs. Fitzgerald! Party time....

The venue....

The Cake.... (We literally sent a pictures about 6 months ago to the caterer.... just as an idea of something I liked..... and didn't think anything else about it). We walked into the reception and saw this cake (identical to the picture)...... we were so pleased!!!!!

Toast time!!! Our DJ let the best man (Greg) and the maid of honor (my sister, Rachelle) give their speeches (which were awesome by the way), and then turned the microphone over to anyone else who had something to say. He told me before hand that usually the parents will say something, and then people will hesitate so he moves onto something else quickly. The parents each said something sweet and heartfelt (lots of tears..... I contained myself *shock!!!* but my sweet hubby on the other hand...... showed his soft side). Then we literally had a line of friends and family who wanted to say something to us. Everyone kept it short and sweet.... but it meant so much to us to hear what everyone had to say. We really are blessed with some great people in our lives!

Erik's mom...... who put EVERYONE in tears!!! But quickly had everyone smiling as she told the story of the bride getting left the night before at the rehearsal.

Story: We had rehearsal the day before, and then had to rush off for rehearsal dinner. I was in the house changing into my dress for dinner.... and walked out of the house to see everyone was leaving. I quickly walked around the house so my ride could catch the end of the line and not get lost..... oh wait.... there was NOBODY left!!! No family, no groom.... nobody!! I came with my parents.... but told Erik I was going to change in the house real fast, and was expecting to head over with him (still can't decide who's fault this all was). I slowly walked to the barn where the owner and her workers were fixing up a few things. With my head down, I asked if anyone was in there waiting for me? She started laughing.... and thought I was joking. I said "no really..... I got left!!" She responded in the mists of her laughter "They left the bride??? You have your own car though, right?" Wrong. No car.... stranded. No way of getting to rehearsal dinner...... who needs the bride there anyway, right?? This, of course, sent Johanna (owner) into another burst of laughter. Right then, my phone rings...... It's Erik's mom, "Kimber...... where are you?" She asked in a shaky voice. She said she got a bad feeling in her gut and pulled over and thought "I didn't see Kimber get into anyone's car." I responded as calmly as I could "Wine and Roses..... I got left." She felt terrible and said she was turning around and would be right there!!! So there it was....... Julie (Erik's mom) was looking out for me and took care of me!!! Not Erik..... not my family by blood...... but my mother-in-law!!!! I love her!!! Needless to say, it was quite the topic at the rehearsal dinner. Everyone got a kick out of hearing the bride got left behind!

Cake cutting....

Cake fight..... I'll admit, I got dominated!!! In my defense..... look at how much longer his arms are than mine!!!!

Cake completely up the nose..... he thinks he's sooooo funny!!

Erik with all the beautiful single ladies for his LAST time!!

Bouquet toss...

Oppps........ I hit the chandelier right above me and it landed (with it's pedals scattered everywhere) like 2 feet behind me. Dang it!!!! Can't I do anything right? Sorry ladies. They need to teach the uncoordinated brides, such as myself, how to do these things!!

Guarder toss..... I have always found this as an awkward tradition..... and this is exactly why!! In fact.... I'm pretty sure I could see my dad through my peripheral vision at this exact moment in my life....

First dance.... "I'll take today" by Gary Allan

Good news...... he still finds me funny :)

Daddy/Daughter....... "Brown Eyed girl"

What would I do without him??

Mother/Son...... "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

The DJ was awesome and so much fun!! The caterer was amazing and the food was fantastic (stuffed chicken and salmon). The venue was beautiful, the landscaping was gorgeous, Johanna (owner) was a sweetheart. Two families coming together. It was perfect! I couldn't have asked for more. Okay..... So it rained. Oh well.... We were in beautiful Seattle. Small price to pay! Besides..... what do they say about rain on your wedding day??? Life time of happiness? Good Luck? I can't remember.... But I'm pretty sure it's good. Guess we're guaranteed lots of luck through this journey of ours!!

Wedding part 2.....

2010-06-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

May 15, 2010- Wedding day! This was our actual wedding day. The day we signed our marriage licence, the day Erik saw me for the first time in my wedding dress, and the day we were sealed for time and all eternity! We were married in Salt Lake Temple (picture above).

For those of you who don't really understand a "Temple marriage" or a "sealing".... let me briefly explain. It's not really what you think of when you think of your typical civil wedding. There is no flower girls, no bridesmaids, no aisle for the bride to walk down, there is not even a ring exchange. It is still beautiful, it is still meaningful, there is still symbolism, still tears and laughter, still love, and most of..... it is still the uniting of a husband and wife. The main difference between a temple sealing and a civil marriage is that you are "sealed for time and all eternity" versus "till death do you part". And as most people know.... not everyone is able to witness this ceremony. It was hard to not have most of my family in the room with us, and none of Erik's family with us..... but we kept our heads high and knew this day was truly about us. Erik and Kimber. Husband and wife.... making promises and commitments to each other, and covenants with the lord. It was perfect.

Wedding day: I got up early because I had quite a bit to do. I slept great the night before!! Everyone kept telling me I wasn't going to sleep at all..... wrong! I stayed at my aunt's house..... and we were up until about 1am trying to fix my dress (yikes!!) and passed out the second I hit the pillow. Erik, on the other hand, slept at my grandma's house and I guess didn't sleep well at all! He's the one in the relationship who worries...... he thinks about years down the road and it really hit him what was about to happen the following day. He claimed he wasn't nervous at all to marry me..... but his mind was racing, and he was a little nervous for all the attention he was going to receive.

Erik and my family headed back to my aunt's house (where the reception was taking place later that evening) to finish setting up tables and chairs, linens, centerpieces..... and everything else we didn't finish the day before. I worked on the slide show, got my hair and make-up done, got ready and had to head out to meet my mom and Erik by noon. Our ceremony wasn't until 3, but they wanted us (bride and groom) there by 1:45. I wasn't nervous at all...... My brother (who was driving me) kept asking "Are you nervous?" "Is it hitting you yet?" Nope. Nothing. The moment I saw Erik in his suit I got a little flutter in my gut. Not nerves though.... excitement! Erik was a mess!! haha.... my family kept making fun of him, and was shocked how calm I was.

Temple: The Salt Lake temple is huge. It's gorgeous!! It's grounds and landscape is incredible! Therefore.... it's crazy busy ALL the time. Erik and I were one of 53 weddings in the temple that day. Note: The man performing our sealing mentioned they were so busy that they had lots of general authorities and President Monson had even performed a few of the sealings.... how cool would that be?? Erik and I went our own ways to get ready. There was about 11 other brides in the bridal room getting ready with me. It was a bit hectic.... but I found much amusement in it all. (There was one bride who had apparently put on a few extra lbs. and she was literally laying on her stomach as two ladies were on top of her trying to get her dress zipped.... it was hilarious!!) I had my dress and everything ready to go the fastest (I was even ready before Erik). I was ready to get this show on the road!!! I sat and watched the other brides until someone came to tell me Erik was ready. They guided me to where he was..... then I started to get nervous, and my heart started beating really fast!! It was the first time Erik had seen me (or the dress). It was amazing!! We were nothing but smiles.

Sealing: The sealing was not more than 10 minutes long. The man performing our sealing was awesome!! He made us laugh..... even making fun of my future cooking (we felt like he really knew us.... even though we had never seen or talked to this man in our lives). He gave us great advice and had most of us.... especially me in tears! The sealing was beautiful and something we will both never forget!

And just like that..... BAM!!!!! Married!!!! Husband and Wife..... for time and ALL ETERNITY!

Us with grandma Reeder (mom's mom)

Us with my parents!!

With my immediate family......

With my best friend Whitney, and her hubby Cody. Love these guys! They are both still in school.... so they left after their classes Friday night (from Washington), and drove the 11 hours to Salt lake. They arrived at 6am Saturday morning (day of wedding), stayed awake and was apart of everything all day Saturday, and then turned around and went back home Sunday morning. What troopers!! It meant so much to have them there!!

Brothers...... Kade is so excited to finally recruit some men into this family!! Love these boys!!

Sisters...... my best friends!

Husband and Wife :)

Then off to the reception we went...... only a half hour late....

Us with Grandpa Montoya (dad's dad).... he literally would cry every time we came around him. It was so sweet!!

My aunts and sister (Rachelle..... the cook in the family) spent days cooking homemade Mexican food..... my favorite!!! Thanks for all the work. Beautiful picture of me stuffing my face.....

Cute niece Aubrey....... found the dessert table

Sweet niece Olivia..... sick :(

Huge thanks to my Aunt Weda and Uncle Brian for letting us do this at their house! They have a beautiful house and yard, and they put so much work into making this special for us! Again, to all my aunts (Aunt Vivian who even flew in for the weekend just to help cook) and Rachelle for all the awesome food. Aunt Suz for the beautiful centerpieces. And my mom's family for making drinks, and desserts and salads. Everyone helped out..... Thanks!!

Let the dancing begin!

Wedding march!!

Money dance! Erik and my cousin Kalee

Me with little sister Demi

Cutting our cute little cake.....

cake fight..... (I won this one!!!)

Look at that technique!

And Rilee catches it!

And we're off...... tired and exhausted!!

But wait.... the car we borrowed to take to the hotel..... Thanks siblings and cousins!!!!

What a great day it was!!!! Thanks for all the hard work everyone put in!! Again our "simple little dinner" turned into something much more than we were expecting. We love our Utah family!!!!

So we leave you...... the new Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald!!!

Wedding part 1.....

2010-06-01T22:05:00.000-07:00

We have returned!!! And despite my weakness I have shown to the blogging world..... I am determined to blog about this huge step Erik and I have made in our lives!! So sit back..... it has been a crazy three weeks.

Here we go:

May 8, 2010- we decided to have an "open house" or an engagement party as most people saw it as. We were not married yet, I did not wear my wedding dress, there was no wedding cake, nothing fancy about it. But..... It was a chance for all our New Mexico friends and family to wish us luck. I have already posted most details of the wedding so I will try to spare repeating myself. Lets jump back a little, and share some pictures....

About a month before (weather was still not great)..... my dad decided he wanted to fix up the backyard a bit (as I have mentioned in previous post). A "little project" in his mind. HOLY SMOKES!!!! What an understatement.....

He first started out by building a 12ft x 12ft deck coming out of the pool.

We then went out and bought all these bricks (or whatever they are) to build a "small" retaining wall to use as a flower bed in front of the deck. This "small" wall gradually got larger and larger. Multiple trips BACK to home depot for hundreds more bricks..... and multiple trips back to the lot to retrieve more loads of dirt (to cover our not so "small" flower bed)...... here we have.....

One retaining wall built within another retaining wall. And a wall that wraps around the whole deck. We just kept building.... and with a few minor details (not leveling right, wall collapsing in, and not knowing how to stop the dirt from the upper wall from sliding down to the lower beds....) we managed to get it done!

May not look like much.... but trust me!!! It was a ton of work. On top of the deck (I think I have officially mastered the drill), the rock wall, planting a TON of flowers, maintaining the pool and pond.....we also layed red rock around the whole pool, we built steps, pathways, dug up and re transplanted multiple bushes, and sod.... we redid (twice) the side yard with sod and more red rock and pathways. End result.....

Not bad, huh?? Again..... have to give most of the credit to my dad. He is awesome! Hardest worker I know! I didn't get many pictures of this reception (and no photographer.... dang!). Not even a single picture of Erik or I..... opps! Maybe someone else has more on their camera?

New Mexico open house was a success. Mother got little sandwiches and desserts and drinks. Almost everyone from our church stopped by, along with lots of other close friends and coworkers to wish us off. It was so nice to just relax and chat with everyone.

Oh yes..... there was a chocolate fountain as well!!! It was a major hit..... highly recommended!

Toward the end of the night...... some of our close friends stayed. We had a fire, opened presents, and went hot tubbing and swimming.

I've always been taught that trials are blessings in disguise.... and as much as I did NOT want to move to New Mexico a few years ago, we could not help but to sit back and realize how much we really do love it here...... and everyone we have come in contact with.

~We shall return.... Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald~

2010-05-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

We are off tomorrow!!! I know...... I've said it once, I'll say it again.... I stink at updating this thing. I promise, pictures of the yard and some excited things are coming! For now...... I'm writing down a few quick updates and thoughts before I finish packing and head off to bed..... my last time going to bed in this home "single."

Where does the time go?? As Erik's grandma says "tempus fugit!!"
>These last few weeks have been crazy! Finals completely consumed us. I had 3 huge "medical" papers, and lab write-ups, and 5 finals this semester. I'm grateful for the Man upstairs for really helping me out this semester, because I know I was not as motivated as I have been in previous semesters to pick up the books and start studying or to do homework. **Whoever thought having a wedding the week after (technically the week of) finals was a good idea...... WRONG!!!** However it did make things more interesting (tested my patience..... which I think we all realize I do NOT have). But in the end.... it is the end! And I actually ended up with pretty good grades this semester (if I do say so myself). Erik should be getting all the recognition here tho!!! He had tough tough classes (those engineering classes.....) and had a TON of homework and tests and papers and long labs. My sweetheart could never catch a break, but he stuck with it through all this crazyness (me being his number one crazyness), and also dominated this semester!! Hurray!!! Summer time!
>Our New Mexico reception was a success :-). One down, two to go! We had an amazing morning! Something very special and something we will definately never forget. Grandma Reeder and brother flew in the day before to share this special day with us and help out with the reception. It meant so much to us to have them there. We spent a few hours before the reception finishing up the yard (aka painting the hot tub, getting the fountain in the pool set up, arranging furniture, setting up tables). It was sunny and hot, and a very relaxing day. About an hour before ppl were suppose to show up, we were finishing up some centerpieces and starting to prepare the food. Right then, the wind picked up..... and of course, the pool gets a leak! Dad heads straight off to home depot and Erik and Kade immediately stop what they're doing to help with that. 15 minutes before reception...... Food is still not prepared, yard still has tools and paint and wheelbarrows scattered everyone, the cover is not off the pool, all the trees and plants and pictures have been blown over from the wind, cars were not where they needed to be to provide enough parking..... the chocolate fountain was not coorporating (because of the wind), nobody had showered or gotten ready..... and the list could go on! Needless to say, everything worked out just fine, we got ready, guest showed up.... and we had a great time! We got lots of compliments on the yard..... so go dad!!! He did an awesome job. I'll post pictures upon our return!
>We found a house!!!! We will not be homeless when we return back from our honeymoon..... we were a little worried. It's nothing fancy or exciting..... but we are happy. Our friend Chris is the manager of them, and we have lots of our co-workers on all sides of us. It should be fun, and we are grateful for Chris for helping us out! Our move in day is June 4 (we get back from our honeymoon May 30.... so we hope the parents will let us stay a few more nights with them) so we have time to pack and clean when we get back.
>Um.... what else?? Oh yeah.... we're getting married!!!! We head to Utah tomorrow. Friday will be a crazy day setting up and getting everything ready. We're so excited to see all our family there (and Whitney and Cody are even coming down!!). Should be a beautiful sealing and fun reception. We're excited.
>We head out Monday to Washington. We are excited to see all of Erik's family! It will be a fun week getting ready for the big reception, enjoying time as all the family and friends start coming in (some which we haven't seen in a long time..... and a few I've never even met before!). We're really excited for this too!!
> Yep..... excitement! That's all we are feeling right now. Life is good! Everything is coming together. And i'm done worrying about having the perfect dress, the perfect flowers, the perfect receptions. If I don't have something..... I'm not going to have it. If something doesn't turn out right.... it doesn't turn out right. We're done worry.... and we're on to enjoying. Hope our guest are okay with that!
>I've spent the last few night packing. Packing for Utah..... for Washington.... for Puerto Villarta...... for the new house. So many changes. So many adventures. I'm beyond excited! Erik is sitting next to me now (playing tiger woods on the xbox) and we both just looked at each other and smiled ,"life is good!!"

So we leave you, dear blogger world....... and when we reunite, we will be married! Together for eternity!!! Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald :-). Until then......

Yes, we are alive!!!!

2010-04-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Blogger World,
Sorry you have been next to... nonexistent. I hope you will forgive us, considering everything going on. I'll be honest and say it's probably a good thing we have not been posting. I went to post a few weeks ago, but couldn't even type because I had burned my finger tips of on a sizzling fajita skillet at work..... and I was not in the most positive mood. I had spent hours and hours on the phone trying to hunt down a flower girl dress (we had gotten them months ago, but one was the wrong size and by the time we went to exchange it... the dress was unavailable and was no longer made--- go figure--- but a few places still had them, and it was our job to hunt it down). Flowers were not working out..... centerpieces were being doubted by some. When I had a few hours to study, I found myself writing and responding to emails for almost 3 hours! This wedding has completely consumed me, and I felt I had been defeated. I literally went into the bathroom.... but my head in my hands and sobbed, and sobbed and sobbed. I wanted to give up...... I wanted to be married (never have I doubted that), but I wanted to give up on the wedding planning. I wanted to give up on school (finals were starting that same week), on work, on looking for a place to live, on finances.... the list seemed never ending. I had about 7.38 minutes to throw a pity party for myself and let it all out, and then it was time to pull myself together and head to work.

Dear Wedding......
Regardless of the resentment I have shown to you over the past few weeks, I'm beyond excited for you!!! It all starts next weekend (brings a smile to my face just thinking about it). And just as everyone has said..... it will all come together. And look at that...... you are! We located the flower girl dress, Suz found a solution to the centerpieces and they are turning out great! Aunt Rosie found awesome deals on flowers for both big receptions that will work wonderfully. Our backyard is looking like an backyard...... and an awesome one, if I do say so myself (it was a little scary there the past few weeks). Tuxes are ordered, rentals are reserved, hotel came through...... Just a few more things to be completely and I think we'll be good! I'm going to try my best not to stress over you, and just enjoy the excitement and happiness I KNOW you will bring to us.

Dear family of the bride (Especially Mom and Dad)......
Thanks for all the help you are giving to us!!!!!! Dad leaves for work before 6am..... returns from working all day usually around 7pm. Goes straight to the yard and works until after 10. His weekends are spent out there from the time he wakes up, to the time he goes to bed. He has done so much in the yard (I will post pictures soon!). I know he wants the best for us.... and has been stressing to get this done (and now he's gone all this week on business). Mother has been a HUGE help with everything!!!! From calming me down and talking me through this whole thing, to gathering and printing off addresses, to confirming payments on everything, to getting rentals, cakes, food, refreshments, chocolate fountains, more and more decorations, hundreds and hundreds of phone calls on a daily basis, coming with me to my dress fittings, pretty much doing it all! I would literally be lost without her! Kelsy and Rachelle have been a huge help as well! From also putting in a ton of hours into the yard, to putting together the music for us, to folding..... stuffing.... and licking (gross!) nearly all 350 announcements. Thanks times a million!!!!!

Dear family of the groom.....
We are sooooooo excited to see you! 2 weeks and 6 days..... we have been counting down! Erik's dad has helped us a lot. He found us (and took care of) a caterer (which was huge.... and we're very excited about), the cake which is also huge and was included in the package, he took care of the tuxes, looked at the venue and has given us lots of advice and help with all of this! Erik's mother has also done a ton for us! She went to the venue and asked a ton of questions for us and gave us lots of suggestions on what we should do with it. She has also put in a lot of work and is taking care of the rehearsal dinner for us! And is also taking care of present opening (day after wedding) for us. She has also given us a ton of advice and sent us lots of links to help us get through this all. It's not easy planning a wedding 2000 miles away.... so we are very grateful for Erik's family and all they do for us! And Brett and Mark..... we love you! Are you ready for a sister?? :-)

Dear Erik.....
I love you so much!!!! You get on my nerves sometimes (haha)..... but I really am so grateful for all you are doing for me! I have been a bit crazy these past few weeks.... so thanks for putting up with me! What kind of man would jump in a freezing cold pool to clean it? Or pull out a huge tree with his bare hands like a gorilla? Or play "mule" and haul all those bricks and rocks and dirt and boards like it was nothing? I'm definitely marrying a stud!!! I thank you for all the hard work you put into this wedding, the yard, school, work, providing, etc. I shall be your wifey in just a few weeks....... and you're stuck with me FOREVER!! are you sure you don't want to back out??

And now for Erik's wonderful post. He saw me start the blog "dear blogger world....." and then I left to do something real fast and this is what I came back to. Isn't he so sweet??

Dear Blogger World,
Life has been so hectic lately and I have been having a hard time. I have to take birth control now so I have been flying around the neighborhood on my broomstick. Erik and I work together as you know which is okay until he asks me to switch shifts "he bugs!" As far as the wedding planning is concerned I am doing everything! Erik is such a lard a**! He doesn't do anything which makes this not so exciting....... We are still living in my parents house because Erik is to cheap to get an apartment. Speaking of cheap every time I mention the debit card we have to drive to the ER because Erik has chest pain. Blogger world Is it supposed to be like this?

I will continue this post (along with some pictures) in the next few days! Hope all is well with everyone!

Q: What's cuter than us???

2010-04-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

Answer: NOTHING!!!!

My sister Crystal and my 2 nieces were down here to visit us a few weeks ago. I love my sister...... and my nieces! Crysti is so crafty and so fun to be around. She always has so many projects to do for her home, and her girls..... I hope to be half the mom she is someday (don't worry.... that day won't be for a while)! We spent many nights playing cards, staying up until 2am talking and laughing and having "heart-to-hearts". I look up to Crysti in so many ways, and I just hope she realizes how much I do love her and appreciate all she's done (from taking me to and from dance, being there for me through some of life's toughest trials and challenges, and just being an amazing person and sister), and still does (helping me with wedding plans, calling and talking to me for hours about anything and everything, and continuing to be my example) for me.

Aubrey~ my cute niece....... makes me smile!!! She is such a sweet girl. She's very easy going, and does things at her own pace. She's always been a bit shy, but it was so fun to see her break out of her shell while she was here.

She loves her disney movies! I think she watched "Anastasia" and "Sleeping Beauty" about 27 times.

Me: "Hey Aubrey, how about we go outside and play"

Aubrey: "But this my fav-ite mooovy"

Me: "How many time have you seen this movie today?!"

Aubrey: "for twenty-eight yearrrrs"

Oh, ok. The things she came up with made me laugh. She's really getting a cute personality.

My other forvorite thing Aubrey says is, "Well......" She literally would say "well...." in front of everything she would say, and would truely look like she was thinking very hard about what you said, or about what she was about to say.

Me: "Aubrey, are you going to do gymnastics when you're big?"

Aubs: "Well...... yes."

Me: "Oh cool, can I come watch you?"

Aubs: "Well.... alright."

Me: "Thanks. Should we go to the zoo today?"

Aubs: "Well.... that sounds fun."

HA.... so cute, right??

Whenever I would ask Aubrey to smile at the camera...... she would look the other

way and cross her arms......

Olivia~ on the other hand would be tapping me on the back of the leg..... "Cheesh, cheesh!!!" Want to talk about complete opposites?? These little girls are totally opposite of each other. Don't get me wrong, they are both beyond adorable, and very funny, but as far as personalities..... very different!

Livy was almost 2 when she was here. She had grown so much since I had seen her at christmas, and was talking so much more! This little girl would repeat EVERYTHING you would say. And was communicating quite well "ilk"- milk. "poopies"- diaper change. "namies"- pajamas. "ug"-hug (usually said in between cries). "side"-she wanted to go outside. "buh-byes"- she was bored and ready to move on to bigger and better things. "azy"- crazy. "ince"- prince (they call erik "prince erik" from the little mermaid). She could say almost everyones name, and if you asked who was who, or what was what she would know, and point. I taught her how to say "peace out"- she released quite a bit of salivia while saying this clever phrase, so beware if you're face to face with her..... other than that, soooo cute (and she knew it..... she would smile every time she would say it). Mother taught her "dane-it"- dangit. My mom thought it was so funny. And Livy would run into the living room where we would all be gathered, and yell "dane-it" and run off.

Prince Erik and Olivia...... Not the best picture, but I thought it was cute. And shows how tiny Olivia is (compared to big Erik..... probably not that fair. You're good, Livy!)

But Livey doesn't let her size stop her! She IS the boss. If she's playing barbies, or eating, or whatever it is.... she'll just grab toys, or your candy (usually from Aubrey) "mine". Aubrey usually just says, "oh, babies?" and gives her anything she wants. See what I mean by opposites? She would also just grab anyones fingers, and drag them where ever she wanted to go. She may be little, but she's so dang cute! Who could resist?

Little Livy is like the energizer bunny. She would sleep until noon (any other 2 year old out there that does that?)..... but would go go go until all hours of the night. She's a bit stubburn..... everything I would say to her, she would simply reply "nope"- that word was very clear, and very much used (Crysti's got a handful). She's also very independent. No matter how difficult the task may be, if livy is determined to do it.... livy's going to do it! She does not like anyone helping her. For instance: one night I took her up to get her pj's and a diaper. This girl loooves her diaper (she hugs it every time she see's one, and Crysti says she sometimes has to sleep with one-besides the one she wears.). So she got very excited when I gave her a diaper, and then I was looking for her pajamas, and she yelled "aub-ee, aub-ee!" I turned to see if Aubrey was there. "Aub-ee namies, aub-ee namies!!" She was screaming and laughing and was just so excited. Okay... take Aubrey's pajamas to her. "oh.... are these your nammies, Livy??" The excitement began all over again "yyy-eah!!!!!! livy's nammies!" She insisted on hoding her pj's, aubrey's pj's, her diaper, and aubrey's pull-up. When we approached to the stairs, I tried to help her.... but she would freak out and start crying. Alright, fine... have it your way. I think it took a good 15 minutes.. and she would continue dropping one of her items (and then another item when she would bend over to pick up the original dropped item), but she did it!!

Another quick funny story about Aubrey (sorry, I couldn't move these pictures up with the rest of aubrey's pictures). Anyway.... Crysti and I were having a heart to heart one night (about 1am). Aubrey slowly walked to the table where we were....

Crysti: "Aubrey, go back and lay down or we're going to turn off your movie"

Aubrey: "but..... I have m-ynms in my yammies."

Crysti: "What? You have m&ms in your tummy?"

Aubrey: "Nooo..... I have m-and-ms in my YAMMIES!"

Me: "I think she said, she has m&ms in her pajamas"

Crysti (very confused): "You have m&ms in your yammies?"

Aubrey (relieved): "Yeah!!!"

Crysti: "oh...... why do you have m&m's in your pjs?!"

*Aubrey and I are dying laughing*

Crysti (seeing how random and funny this is) "does that mean they're all the way down at your feet?"

Aubrey (smiling ear to ear): "well...... yeah."

They were footed pj's, so crysti had to unzip them all the way, reach her hand down by her feet.... she pulled out multilple peanut m&ms. "Is that all??"

Aubrey: "um... no"

Really?? Crysti continued to dig down both pant legs. After multiple m&ms and lots of good laughs, Aubrey seemed content and back to her bed and movie she went.

I could sit in one room with my sister and nieces and be perfectly content. But don't worry.... we didn't. We went to the park, we played outside quite a bit, did lots of shopping, rode a carasal (olivia: "horsey *hahaha* tute"), met the easter bunny, did some wedding stuff, and just enjoyed each others company.

Sorry this post is ridiculously long. I'm obsessed with my nieces!!! Can you tell?? I adore them beyond believe, and can't get enough of them. Erik loves them too! Every time he would walk in the door from work or school they would run up and give him a hug. Or every time they he left Aubrey would ask him where he was going.... and why. After they left, Erik said "man, now who am I going to play with??" (Um.... I'm right here!!) But needless to say, we were sad to see them go. Wish we were closer to them (And crysti and scott!!), but in the meantime.... We'll just enjoy their visits. Please come back and visit us soon!!! We love you!

Holy Crap!!!

2010-03-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

For lack of a better title......

Wedding extravaganzas start 6 weeks from tomorrow. We have our first open house/reception here. Then finals week for everyone..... then off to Utah we go for more wedding and reception stuff..... then to Washington for even more ceremonys and receptions. And then..... MEXICO!! For relaxing and honeymoon time. It's going to be a crazy 3 weeks..... but we're beyond EXCITED for the crazy-ness and what it all represents and brings.

In the meantime, (again HOLY CRAP!), where has the time gone? We have been engaged for over 6 months..... seems like maybe..... MAAAAYBE a month and a half. And we only have six weeks to go. And only 6 weeks to get everything together. And what kind of crazy people are we to be doing 3 different receptions? 3 different states? I assure you there is good reasoning for all of it.... but along with good reasoning and good family and friends EVERYWHERE...... brings triple the amount of stress (and expense).

Again, another month has come and gone since our last post..... again, where does the time go? Sorry to anyone out there that actually reads this thing! So here is for yet another WEDDING UPDATE:

My dress has been fitted! I'll be picking that up sometime in the next week. Our vases for the centerpieces were ordered a few weeks..... but because they did not have all of them in stock, they have yet to arrive..... but should be here this afternoon or Monday (if not..... bridezilla is coming out!!). Announcements are done, and should be out soon! Rentals for Utah are done.... finishing up the ones in Washington this weekend (haha.... been saying that for weeks). Um..... New Mexico reception is going to be kept very informal and simple.... not too worried about that one. Utah reception is in the hands of mother (which is why things are probably actually getting done!). We've got tents, tables and chairs, linens, food.... and the basics ready for that one. Washington is coming along. We've got a ton of help from Erik's family..... so big thanks goes out to them! We've got our food, half of the tables and chairs and linens, rehearsal time, our cake (I'm really excited to see how it turns out), most of the center pieces and in the process of contacting DJ's. Last night we all piled in the car and set off to HOBBY LOBBY (our favorite store!!)

We got lots of pictures frames for our "display" tables. We got flower girl baskets, sampleS of our colors and flowers we're using, decorative rocks (for center pieces), my gaurder (I know.... very exciting), um.... a few things for our new house :-) (trust me, they were all necessary). And just a few other things here and there.

I dragged Erik along with all of us girls (8 girls..... and him). He kept saying "why am I here?!" I would simply reply, "you're the one that asked me to marry you!" He would also ask "Why do we need flowers?" For you're wedding Erik, remember? "Why do you need bouquets?" UGH! You just do, okay? "Well I can just pick you some flowers for you to hold." "Why are we buying all these rocks..... I can find some rocks that are better than those, for free!" Okay erik..... you do that. "Why are we buying that.... I can make that." "$40 for a little flower girl basket?! Forget it..... I'll take a basket weaving class! Don't buy those." Ugh....... who invited Erik to come anyway?!? Haha..... At least we get some good laughs out when Erik's around. Please tell me this is typical "groom behavior".

My cute niece Aubrey (they've been down visiting for the past week and a half.... I'm sure I'll be doing a whole post of them soon. I can't get enough of them!!!) and a sneak peak of colors and one of the flowers.

Thanks to Aunt Rosie..... she's doing our wedding favors for all 3 receptions, and all the bouquets! Thanks to Aunt Suz..... we just sent her a bunch of stuff to start putting together all the center pieces and decorations for Utah and Washington.

Not only did mother come up with her great idea of having an open house here before we left.... she also came up with the idea to just do it in our back yard. Good one, right?! Hopefully this yard will look a lot better in a month. We were all out this weekend for a few good hours pulling all the dead flowers up, taking off the winter pool cover, draing the ponds and pulling weeds. I'm sure this will be a routine on the weekends up until the big day. Hurray! Good thing we've got a big family..... lots of helpers :-)

Fun, fun!! I'm trying to enjoy all this crazy-ness going on around us constantly! I'm pretty easy-going, but along with that comes a bit of procrastination. I'm getting a bit nervous that it won't all come together. I've officially had my first "bridezilla" moment (that I've noticed.... I'm sure there has been more.) I've started with "the dreams." I have had 3..... most consist of the typical; nobody showing up and the decorations and centerpieces not working out. But this last one.... not only did we not have any guest.... but my groom didn't show up! He signed the marriage liecense so we were "married," but didn't feel the need to stand up and let everyone know or particiapate in any of the other "crap" we insist on doing for weddings (sound like Erik? ah! I'm worried). I feel like it's coming along.... but still have a ton to do over the next 6 weeks! Don't even get me started on the personal "to do list". Need to still loose those lbs. i've been hoping to shed. Need to be wearing my retainers (for my teeth) religiously for the next 6 weeks. Need to start tanning..... oh man, the list could be never ending! Wish us luck!

Called to serve

2010-02-28T17:05:00.001-08:00

I'm sure you've all heard...... brother got his mission call....... Yep..... to Barcelona Spain!!! It's the exact mission my dad served 20-some years ago!!! It's not a common thing for father and son to serve the same area, but it is definitely cool. My aunt (who Kade lives with) made a board over the past few weeks and had friends and family guess where we all thought Kade would go. I think a lot of us were thinking (and hoping) for Spain. On Wednesday.... Kade received "the letter".... which he knew was his mission call. It contained when he was leaving, and where he would be serving for the next 2 years. He called all of us and let us know he had it in his hand..... and he was going crazy!! But he decided to wait to open it until the evening at 7:15 when my parents were home, and some family members were over to celebrate with him. He had about 20 family members there.... and my family here on speaker phone.

Dear Elder Montoya,
You have been called to serve in the Spain Barcelona Mission. You are to report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on July 7, 2010!!! Blah Blah Blah Blah (no disrespect.... those are all good "blahs").
Here is a few thoughts from family members:

Mom- "I'm excited he's going where his dad went exactly 30 years ago"

Dad- "I'm excited he's going to the place I served 30 years ago. I'm sure he's going to love and honor the people of Spain as I do. I'm excited he's going to be an ambassador of the church. And I've already made some phone calls to some people in Spain and they are excited for him."

Kelsy- "I'm proud of him for once in my life"

Robin- "I'm excited he's leaving"

Erik- "Little Kade is growing up. I'm happy for you bud. Good luck!"

Rachelle is at work..... but I've talked to her and she's also very excited! (she's going to spain in a few weeks). And Crysti and Scott posted about this on their blog ("The Harris Family".... scottandcrystal.blogspot.com)

We are so excited for you brother! We love you.... and look forward to the few months we have with you before you leave! Oh yeah.... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Friendship is the most constant, the most enduring, to most basic part of love. ~Ed Cunningham

2010-02-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

You say boyfriend.... I say, best friend! You say fiance...... I say, best friend for life!!! We truely are the best of friends. I love that I'm marrying the man that makes me laugh.... nonstop!!! (and i'm going to speak for him, and say I make him laugh quite a bit as well :) ). We vent to each other about everything and anything, we comfort each other, we always have each other's backs, we defend each other and lets face it..... we do EVERYTHING together! For example:

We work together. Not only do we work at the same place..... but we work the same shifts. Our managers love us (if i do say so myself), and schedule us to come in at the same time every day. Not only that, but they will never cut one of us, without cutting the other. I must say.... it makes me enjoy my job a little more!

Church callings. Last year, we both helped my mom in the nursey (18-month-year-olds to 3 year-olds..... there was 22 of them..... want to talk about some serious birth control?? YIKES!!!) This year, I moved up with the 3 year olds to sunbeams in primary (3-12 year olds). And Erik just got called to teach the 4 year olds (9 out of 10 are boys..... maybe this will change his mind set in wanting all boys!) We help each other with our sweet, CRAZY little kids and prepare activities and control mechanisms together. It's a bit exhausting, but we have fun, and if nothing.... it's teaching us patience!

We live under the same roof.... we are planning the same wedding (weird... i know)... we can sit in our little spot and watch a movie, talk, bug each other, or laugh until we both have tears coming out of eyes. No matter what we're doing.... I love it! I love being around him.... and I just love him!!!

This post may seem a little random.... a little corney (*clearing my throat* sarah *cough*) but it was a thought I had at dinner the other night. Erik took me to a really nice brazilain resturant for Valentive's day last week (Mmmm....) and we both brought up that we've been dating for almost 4 years, engaged for 5 months, and will be married in less than 3 months.... crazy!!! What would life be without him?!? (I'd rather not find out)

Also...... I meant to do a Valentine's post.... but never got around to it (weird, right?) We actually had to work on Valentine's day (hurray.... one and only V-day we get as an engaged couple). But Erik made up for it by asking for that Saturday off and planning his date that night. He started off the morning by bringing me beautiful flowers and a cute teddy bear (so cute!). We then headed to Bed, Bath and Beyond and spent the next 4 HOURS registering for wedding gifts. Erik was so into it.... it was so cute! We had to hit every inch of the store (Erik loved the kitchen and appliances, I loved the bedding and decorating stuff.... we balance each other out well). We would go around and find the most ridiculous things to register for, and say "think anyone would buy us this?!" There was lots of out-of-control laughter, tears (from laughing so hard), snorting (from my end.... I can't help it!) and odd stares from other customers and employees.... we didn't care. We then went and took care of other errands and things that needed to be done.... then it was off to an amazing dinner! After dinner he was planning on taking me to see "Valentine's day".... but we both thought I would be fun to go bowling instead! We love bowling.... so we switched out the high heels for some sick bowling shoes, prepared for the black light, hit up thunder ally, and showed off our bowling skills! It was a lot of fun. After bowling, we got some ice cream and watched a movie and cuddled :). Amazing day!!! Thanks, my love!!!

OOooooo Brother!

2010-02-10T14:17:00.000-08:00

The other day.... I was talking to my brother, Kade. He said, "Kimber, you guys suck at updating your blog." I think I came back with some witty/smart alleck comment like "Yes, brother. It's because we have something called lifes.... you wouldn't know anything about that."

The converstation continued, and the mocking and witty comments kept coming from both ends. This is the way my brother and I are together. This converstation made me realize... 1.) I think I really do "suck" at updating this thing, if my brother even points it out. And 2.) I'm really going to miss this guy!!

Thus.... this blog was inspired.

Brother (that's his name around here) sent in his mission papers last week!! In our church, 19 year-old men are encouraged to serve a two year mission and share the gospel with those that are interested. It takes about 6 months to get papers filled out, all the proper shots, medical and dental "okays", and interviews taken care of. Those boys that are interested in serving a mission, can then send the papers to the first pesidency of the church, in Salt Lake City. The first presidency will view the letters and records, and send these boys their "callings." Until they recieve these letters, they have no idea where they will be serving (if it will be in the states, or not.... whether it will be in a third world country, or not.... whether it's a place where they eat cow tongue or road-kill on a regular basis...... whether you have to learn a second language..... etc.)

It's kind of been a joke where we all think Kade is going to go. We keep saying Moses Lake, Washington (where we grew up), or Albuquerque, New Mexico or Salt Lake City, Utah (where all our family is). My dad went on his mission to Spain. My brother-in-law went to Brazil. My Uncle went to Japan.... and I think most of these 19 year-old boys think it would be neat to go somewhere out of the country. But the reality of it all, is that you are serving the lord. It doesn't matter where you are called. And lets face it.... I think mother would sleep better for those 2 years if Kade was called somewhere in the states! Brother should recieve his calling in the next few weeks..... I'm excited to see where he is going!!

That said.... it's starting to hit me that brother's going to be gone for 2 full years!!! He's the only boy in the family... with 5 sisters! Who are we going to make fun of? Who's is going to be my dad's golfing buddy over the summers? Who is going to call nightly, and talk for hours to whoever decides to answer the phone? That boy can make me laugh.... "Kimber, stop laughing at him..... you're just encouraging him." -my mom would tell me on a regular basis. I'm proud of you, and I'm going to miss you brother (shh.... don't tell anyone!).

Other updates:

Story of our life...... school, work, wedding! We go to school all day (5 days a week)... we both work 4 nights a week at chili's (Erik works at his other job in between classes during the day).... I attend dance class 2 nights a week.... Erik attends labs 3 nights a week. In the little spare time that we have.... it's usually spent studying and doing homework. We both make sure school is top priority. And when that's done... it's wedding planning!

WEDDING UPDATE!

I don't think there's much to update since the last one. But we did book our honeymoon! We're going to the Myan Palace in Puerto Vallarta, MEXICO!!! Thanks mom and dad. I'm very excited!

We also got out all of our "Save the Dates." Sent out a big stack last week.... and another stack this week. So hopefully you all are recieving them soon. If I didn't have your address and you want one.... let me know! We've got extras. Anyway.... um..... we're in the middle of contacting florist and caterers. Thanks to both of our parents for all the help they are giving us! It's desperately needed.... and very much appreciated! This weekend we took Saturday off and we are going to register (not sure where.... thinking Bed bath and beyond, and target. suggestions?) Oh yeah.... and we are beginning the designs of our announcements! Hurray.... I know, i just sent out the save the dates.... I'm a little behind. But it'll all come together.... right? 3 more months.... and we'll be married! That's all I'm focused on.

Back to studying I go.... Hope all is well!!!