One year down...eternity to go!!

Bring it on! Right before we got married I remember quite a few people telling us this first year was going to be a bumpy ride and that it would be really hard. I'll admit, it takes some getting used to living with a guy! But, Richie and I both agree this has been the best year of our lives! It's been such an awesome year filled with growth neither of us ever expected. I'm so glad I married my best friend, it sure makes life a lot funner. And it's even better when your best friend is a good looking, sweet, smart, talented guy who will watch Anne of Green Gables with me if I really want him to, even though it's not his 'favorite'! :) I sure lucked out! Love you babe!


To celebrate we went to a fantastic Thai restaurant called "Mai Thai" in the Eagle/Boise area. (We didn't get any pictures! What were we thinking! So, if you want to check out the actual area, here's the website: (http://www.maithaigroup.com/) Wow! It was so good and the whole ambiance of the place made the meals even better. Richie had a curry dish (called the "Evil Jungle Prince". I got a kick out of that), cause he can handle the spicy stuff. Myself on the other hand played it safe with some Chow Mien. Our waiter also got us some free Summer Rolls (Sushi) which were very tasty. We splurged and even ordered Dessert. There was a particular dessert item called "Captain Jack" for $7.95, that was served on fire, so we thought we'd get that. LAME! We learned our lesson. The ice cream reminded us of Brian Regans bit on 1/2 cup ice cream servings, and the fire was pretty weak sauce. We passed Coldstone on the way home where we could have gotten double for the same price, and kicked ourselves the rest of the way! :) Moral of the Story, don't ever order an ice cream dessert that is served on fire! Especially for over $7! It was a really fun experience though and a great way to celebrate our first, fantastic year of marriage!

Sorry about no pictures! I'll try and post some later!

What a Crazy Summer!

Ok, here's the quick update. We were supposed to be here until the end of July, but plans have changed and Richie's uncle/boss needs us back in Rexburg by the 14th! So, we scrambled around calling the apartment we wanted and were able to still get one! Whew! Then, Richie's grandma wanted us to come live with her. So, after we heard that, we packed up all of our stuff from Jo and Jolene's and headed over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house. We're so lucky that we have so much family here that is willing to take us in! It is a huge blessing. Although life is great and everything is going well, I'm ready to not be living in and out of a suitcase and have our own apartment again! And that's all she wrote.

The BUN is in the OVEN and the CAT is out of the BAG!

You see, when two people really love each other....just kidding.  Yep! Mark your calendars for February 2nd! Richie and I are completely excited to be getting a new addition to our family and feel SO blessed!

Fun weekend!

Although we couldn't make it to our reunion, I was able to get a day off of work and go visit Richie at the cabin for the weekend! We went on a four wheeler ride, discovered we are not meant to be fishers (we didn't catch anything but the attention of some squirrels) and tried to go camping, but after almost 3 hours of driving trying to find places people told us about, got frustrated and went back to the cabin to sleep in a comfy bed! Among those grand adventures we also got locked out, tied a quilt, watched some movies and had a cook-out in the back yard.  Man, Richie's pretty dang good at roastin dogs and mallows! It was a great weekend and the best part was that Richie got to come home on Sunday and doesn't have to be at the cabin alone this week, so we are happy!!

Bummer Deal

For this next week or maybe longer, Richie is working up at a branch of the store about 2 hours away staying at his Grandma's cabin while I am here in Nampa. Kind of lame, but that's life sometimes I guess! I got to go up last weekend to be with him and his Grandma Linda and Great Grandpa Ewing. It is absolutely gorgeous up there!  Because of the harsh winter, all the new spring wild flowers are just coming out!  Our big project while we were there was to get Grandpa Ewing some more firewood.  Let me tell you, this man is 89 years old and still works like a champ! It was lots of fun to be up there with them and play some mean rounds of Canasta! I also get to go up this weekend to keep Richie company, and we're both looking forward to that.  But we're both missing the Crosby side of the family very much right now!! We wish we could be there for the reunion everyone!!! Too bad work and money are always getting in the way:( We love you!!!

Beautiful Country

We live in such a beautiful country! There are these fields, of mustard seed plants I think,  close to where we are living.  The fields are so big and brilliant in color that when you come over the hill it's breathtaking every single time! And in the middle of one of the fields is an old, white, farm house surrounded by old farm equipment and weeds.  I think it's absolutely gorgeous so I went to take some pictures there the other day.  Fun stuff! The last picture is of Richie fixing the brakes on our car! Isn't he great? They work fabulously now!

Preparing

We always hear about food storage and being prepared in the church.  But it seems to me that lately we've been hearing more and more about it, including an official statement from the First Presidency read in church recently about saving money for a rainy day.  I received this email the other day and thought it was a good wake up call or reminder to all of us to be continually preparing. 

 

"On April 26, 2008, President Packer unexpetedly attended the Highland Utah Stake Conference.  He spoke on some very sobering topics regarding the events that are about to come upon us.

He first had his secretary, who lives in the stake share her testimony.  She quotes D&C 68:6: "Wherefore be of goof cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."

Then he spoke frankly on several things and he did not beat around the bush, but also in a way that did not cause fear.

1.  The church is now larger in countries outside of North America

2. North America and Europe are no longer considered Christian regions or nations.

3. South of the equator and other 3rd world countries are more Christian but very destitute.

He said the time has now come that we will see some very hard times.  He talked about how we have basically grown up in luxury, but that he had not.  He lived during the depression.  he talked about things that occured during the depressions such as soup kitchens, vagabonds and hobos that traveled the train system looking for work and food.

He told the youth and their parents that they will need to be thrifty.  Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.  He talked to the youth about obeying their parents, respecting their mother, and learning to eat differently than they had before.

He talked to parents about families.  The church is not, and will not be responsible for raising their children.  The church programs will be different.  He made this seem like this change, and other changes that will occur, will be happening very soon.  He stressed that things will change, but that the church is on the right course, and he stressed this several times. 

He said the saints in the 3rd world countries will need our help and it will be our responsibility (the Church's).

1. Ramp up your food storage in a major way.  The status of the church with regards to food storage is that 27% have short term supply and only 13% have long term supply.

2. Consecrate our efforts by asking for a blessing

3. Stake temple service will help us better weather the fallout of the storms that are ahead.

D&C 38:30 "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear"

For those of you who are living in tiny apartments like Richie and I, all this talk of food storage is sometimes hard to take because really, where in the world are you going to put it?! :)  Well, we have found that under the bed works great! Just buy some of those long skinny plastic bins from Wal-Mart and they fit so nicely under there.  

Also save all your big juice and soda bottles to put water storage in.  (which also fit nicely under or behind the bed.

Another way to feel prepared is to have a 72-hour kit date night! When we first got married we spent a FHE going to the DI and wal-mart to find old backpacks, food, matches, flashlights, warm clothes, can openers, dishes and such things.  Then we put them in those backpacks and put them...you guessed it! Under the bed!

Any other tips from anyone on how to be more prepared??