tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76854665433810088362024-02-21T11:10:12.265-07:00Jammin' with the JamisonsRandom Notes About Our LifeEvelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-19430932283909931252011-10-05T13:17:00.001-06:002011-10-06T10:55:52.114-06:00IVF JourneyI have been contemplating about whether or not to share our experience; but through this difficult process, I have been grateful for all the message boards and blogs that I found on the Internet that helped answer so many questions that we had throughout the process. Even though our experience is not quite done, I only hope that by sharing our experience, it will reach out to those who are going through the same ordeal.<br />
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<u><b>Background</b></u><br />
Our journey began in 2009. We met with the fertility clinic about a year and a half after we had no success on our own. After discussing with the doctor, we had tried 6 IUIs and all were not successful. The next option was IVF. We were quite scared of the IVF process, but decided to schedule it for Dec 2010, which at that time, was quite a while. As the time got closer, we were still very hesitant about the timing because I was still in school and the week of retrieval was during finals week. However, we ended up cancelling it because of an experience we had at the temple. <br />
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Instead of IVF, we decided to try and take a less invasive approach and met with a naturopathic doctor. After 3 months of taking about 19 pills a day, still no success. We also decided to try acupuncture. The acupuncturist treated me for stress, insomnia, and infertility. Still no luck.<br />
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<u><b>The Beginning</b></u><br />
Summer of 2011 came and went and we finally felt that it was time to do IVF, especially since I am done with school and all the major youth program events that we participated in for our church were completed (e.g. Girls Camp, Scout Camp, Youth Conference). We scheduled an appointment to meet with the fertility specialist again and we were so surprised how quickly everything fell into place. We scheduled IVF for Sept and it was a whirlwind of events. The fertility clinic gave us a calendar and packet of information about when all the injections and medications would start. Everything seemed to be on rapid speed since they put me on birth control right away and we only had a few short weeks before the whole process began.<br />
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<u><b>IVF Process</b></u><br />
<b>Injections. </b>Let the dreaded shots begin. I was fearing these shots, but I was quite surprised that they were not bad. I was able to gather the courage to do the morning shot myself with the Follistim pen and Ryan did the evening shots (Menopur and Ganirelix). Each day, I went into the office so they can monitor follicle growth and blood testing (more needles!). Everything was going well and we were set for egg retrieval a few days earlier than normal. After getting the go-ahead, we did the HCG trigger shot. This was a beast of a needle and goes in the lower backside. I was so scared of it. Ryan was brave enough to do the injection. No hesitation and with dart-like maneuver, the needle went in without an issue. Relief! (This would be the same for the daily progestrone in oil shot as well)<br />
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<b>Egg retrieval.</b> Egg retrieval went smoothly as well. Prior to egg retrieval, felt really bloaty, but overall, okay. I was put on local anesthesia for this procedure so I don't remember much. I remember waking up and saying "It's done? That was fast!" According to Ryan, I said this multiple times and then would promptly fall back asleep until I finally woke up for real. The doctor asked Ryan if I took cough medicine or drank much and being a Latter-Day Saint, the answer was no. The doctor said he figured as such because they only put in a tiny bit in me and I was out. We were fortunate enough to have 15 eggs retrieved! I still felt bloaty afterwards and later that day, felt really bad cramping, but it was tolerable with some Advil and a heating pad. Next few days, I was drinking Gatorade like crazy to avoid OHSS (ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome). Gatorade felt like it was running through my veins, but I felt good--no OHSS!<br />
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<b>Transfer.</b> We were undecided as to how many embryos to put in and came to the consensus that we would say 2, but will do what the doctor recommends. He recommended that we do a single embryo transfer due to age, egg quality, first IVF. We felt good about the decision and proceeded. This process was easy and very similar to an IUI. The only thing that was difficult was maintaining a full bladder for the transfer process. It was amazing to see the transfer on the ultrasound screen. There was a tiny white streak on the screen and the doctor told us that was the air bubble with our embryo inside! Amazing! I was on bed rest for 2 days. First day/night, I spent it on the couch, but found out that was not a good idea. Sore back/shoulders/etc. I mainly slept those 2 days. Overall, feeling fine.<br />
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<b>2 Week Wait.</b> Ahh. The awful 2WW! No more daily office visits and blood tests. Just waiting. It is enough to drive someone crazy, let alone all the hormones pills/injections. Tried to take it easy. Went to the library after being done with bed rest and felt some intense cramping. I was trying to handle the cramping by quick breaths. Felt a little silly because it seemed like something one would do during labor. Took it easy the next few days. Was warned not to take a home pregnancy test because of false negatives and positives, but I couldn't resist, so I took one 2 days before the first blood test. It was a negative. I was saddened to never see the 2 blue lines. Ryan said not to worry since it could still be too early. Tried to remain positive and to remember how smoothly everything was going. We went to a movie to get my mind off of it.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>First beta test. </b>Couldn't sleep at all the night before because of worry about the test results. I received a Priesthood blessing from Ryan and the blessing said that I would have peace and comfort. I told Ryan that the blessing did not seem quite positive and he chuckled and said to be patient. Went in to get my blood drawn for testing early that morning and just waited for the call from the office. I realized now that the wait is the worst part of the whole process. That one call would be life-changing. The nurse finally called shortly before lunchtime and told me the results. Beta count was at 6, with 5 and under being a negative. Therefore, since my beta count was so low, it is most likely a negative. However, they still wanted me to remain on all drugs and wait for the second beta test to confirm. <br />
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<b>Wait #2. </b>Now we wait again. First word that came to my mind after the call: Devastation. But kinda had a feeling this was the case based on the home pregnancy test and a general "off" feeling. I will be honest, it is so hard to maintain an optimistic and positive outlook. I feel numb. The emotional pain is so much worse than anything. I have come to realize that physical pain is much more tolerable. Tons of questions have swarmed through my mind as to what went wrong. Did I do something? How did the whole process go so smoothly until the end? What could we have done differently? What more must we sacrifice? I wish we could re-wind and go back to the transfer process and re-do. Maybe I needed to take it easier? So many unanswered questions. I took another progesterone shot last night and wondered if it was even worth taking this shot. I wonder if there is still a small glimmer of hope and chance for a miracle that the second beta test will turn out positive.<br />
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<b>Second Beta Test.</b> Went in to get blood drawn one last time. For some reason, I have a lump forming from the blood drawn. What a way to end this IVF cycle. Still feels very surreal knowing that we have reached the end. The whole thing went by so quickly, I almost wonder whether we forgot something along the way. Finally got the call from the office to confirm that my betas went down to 4, so it is a definite negative.<br />
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<b>Next Steps. </b>The obvious question is: what next? To be honest, we are still dealing with this. I know many have asked whether we have considered adoption or foster children and we have truly analyzed and prayed about it. But right now, it is not our time. There is just another level of emotions that go through the adoption process and we are not there yet. The only thing we can do is to take it day by day, as painful as it might be. To hold tight on the idea of hope and to have faith that the long-term plan is the right one. Is this easy to do? By all means, no! It is agonizing and it hurts--and I don't know how long it will hurt. There have been many tears shed through this whole journey. But I know that our journey is not complete. And that is what keeps us going.Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-56607529116784295262011-05-14T08:46:00.000-06:002011-10-05T08:08:37.161-06:001 Year Later from Last PostStill grasping the concept of blogging as you can tell from my last entry :) One year later...I graduated. Very surreal, but worth it. Had to take a pic of my new shoes for the occasion!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dR1kKYFJ-1hL03SdNiMtHdRGmNXCuu1wsZg0w4UP-lNRjmytGibDKm-TAUFEojJh6KmE99JV9akrtU289On8ukxtlp-REa1NvTlUHf9NTYwNGfHG-v3oTLi7tftsWejOBqebjCuDEMcV/s1600/DSCN0847%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dR1kKYFJ-1hL03SdNiMtHdRGmNXCuu1wsZg0w4UP-lNRjmytGibDKm-TAUFEojJh6KmE99JV9akrtU289On8ukxtlp-REa1NvTlUHf9NTYwNGfHG-v3oTLi7tftsWejOBqebjCuDEMcV/s320/DSCN0847%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-22850567900879277522010-05-10T15:03:00.005-06:002010-05-10T15:11:44.753-06:00So close...yet it seems so far awayFinals Week: The countdown to the end of Spring 2010 semester classes starts today.<div><ul><li>Late-night cramming sessions</li><li>Group presentations</li><li>Papers meeting allotted page amounts</li><li>Multiple-choice "guessing"</li></ul><div>4 more days seems like forever...</div><div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDQFlxSugCzxDaIYkKg7e-iIfMxp_Ys_BTSRF9aQlgRKoGFRuE5mtGnh8fv5iYiNe6vZO7i4J7LRMWGlchmUpZdXK9mMDzu66spZgtc3vH-ml6w-4OmsNzONgHv1haGHXb1E6DPmehJcn/s1600/calendar+icon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDQFlxSugCzxDaIYkKg7e-iIfMxp_Ys_BTSRF9aQlgRKoGFRuE5mtGnh8fv5iYiNe6vZO7i4J7LRMWGlchmUpZdXK9mMDzu66spZgtc3vH-ml6w-4OmsNzONgHv1haGHXb1E6DPmehJcn/s320/calendar+icon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469751078963537346" /></a><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-78858124925960455402010-04-28T11:40:00.002-06:002010-04-28T11:44:01.479-06:00Lesson Learned...Lesson learned from living in New Mexico: <div><b>Never leave your windows opened during high winds!</b><div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02pYGoVL9ZHhds6UBMZ1Ijh0KsErx4WjHE4fAJK3FpyWeKm9aCAD8ZJb63jVAgrhCbyhiENYm_43lFrhnCpcYjHpUEDYodCSbxkeKdeXz-f44-89TqDrIyigMnaP-dYzzorzenML209LX/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02pYGoVL9ZHhds6UBMZ1Ijh0KsErx4WjHE4fAJK3FpyWeKm9aCAD8ZJb63jVAgrhCbyhiENYm_43lFrhnCpcYjHpUEDYodCSbxkeKdeXz-f44-89TqDrIyigMnaP-dYzzorzenML209LX/s320/DSC_0181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465245334455438562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">No fun finding a nice layer of orange dirt in a white bathroom :(</div></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-72252342571942268342010-03-05T11:36:00.004-07:002010-03-05T12:05:41.582-07:00Say What?!?So I'm a total slacker when it comes to blogging...but here's a quick update:<div><br /></div><div>It's halfway through another semester packed with stats, econ, and tech. Oh the joys! Each class seems to have its own "language" and the phrase which best summarizes each class is: "say what?!?" Not so fun feeling after spending 2.5 hrs in class in complete and utter confusion. Too bad there isn't a Rosetta Stone kit for these classes to learn the language in 10 mins!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiEvZnaArft0rfQT5j-F1zeOhcbiTS4Xzv4UviyFjvN02cP8JSELID_eFZTDENbdy1i0j9NP5s7p5YMqfoYyVnRR3nuKYqHAxd5jcxrh9eee1LYPm15oBi7L4llu24MVRn_P6YU7r-gKE/s1600-h/DSC_0178.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiEvZnaArft0rfQT5j-F1zeOhcbiTS4Xzv4UviyFjvN02cP8JSELID_eFZTDENbdy1i0j9NP5s7p5YMqfoYyVnRR3nuKYqHAxd5jcxrh9eee1LYPm15oBi7L4llu24MVRn_P6YU7r-gKE/s320/DSC_0178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445224154449111714" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-85605221594775378772009-11-15T18:42:00.005-07:002009-11-15T18:51:09.909-07:00'Tis the Season...<div style="text-align: left;">Today we woke up to snow! Granted it was only a dusting, but it definitely felt like the Christmas :) Since we're going to be very busy these next few weeks, we decided to put up Christmas decorations after church. Here's the results of our first Christmas tree and the decorations:</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLcCgA8MQqiB7VS8mPF5gHGtwOyOBOGkv8kIHlQjBGmFoqMEHY2dYqgcwyfWUPupazV3RtRpHj-tkbsuTna6IrdBHo8863tCoJStK2ZU7jPq1wqEfQ9mZIgSI1bnfSCh_7tbQpWQ5cch2/s320/DSC_0169.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404512316799428930" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyyn_OnSsR2C5cQzzFr43v8IjWVkW7iETEq8WxG9zL8rISBKFv5BmRbu3lfO7zUm4IT9reCqB6WDw6AikLhVn_koeYJkQD0_QKe8WTJMa5b_ihsAhp6K9Siln5Z-TzWRwdqePGph3WYm9/s320/DSC_0170.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404512564557551474" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhuy3DGwwYdtWbsNg5a4GATUryuxWHSpzvoo3lk6O9HYzOuTTfVGdgJaHppOyt2VTwV9K7ZJrIV81H5C6raXbZX30j4ZRj2WcXGpG6C3BRDyunFF3wn21fpFrtDDa-Hz0yGclpnHUe87e/s320/DSC_0173.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404512770318084466" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-62299490033040499672009-10-22T15:33:00.007-06:002009-10-22T16:59:58.808-06:00My "view" for the past few months<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Since my blog has not been updated for a while, here is a quick "Evelyn's eye view" of where I have been/what I have been seeing for the past few months. I know, very exciting. (this pic was even taken with my laptop, which now seems to be an appendage)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qeDyn_zH6xSuVsx9-mOyaFQks_6OG-oFOGA34PSV9y9tkdKf2GswYXUboqc_FRBDQBxXXT0eCwLZhHxAggKn63TOB2pg6OJyqbpBYefGXE4Sl7q5J3OM92YZwRmUWm4M7EVr8vt7Xgj3/s1600-h/Imported+Photos+00000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qeDyn_zH6xSuVsx9-mOyaFQks_6OG-oFOGA34PSV9y9tkdKf2GswYXUboqc_FRBDQBxXXT0eCwLZhHxAggKn63TOB2pg6OJyqbpBYefGXE4Sl7q5J3OM92YZwRmUWm4M7EVr8vt7Xgj3/s320/Imported+Photos+00000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395540993477226354" border="0" /></a>UNM Parish Library<br /></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-7412533125282694582009-09-01T11:42:00.008-06:002009-09-01T12:34:04.345-06:00Back to school...as a Freshman again!I am now in my second week of school. It has definitely been an adjustment with getting back into school mode. My classes are Mon-Thurs, almost all of them in the evenings, which throws my schedule off a bit since I am use to studying at night and spending the evenings with Ryan.<br /><br />Parking is atrocious! Maybe it's because of my sense of entitlement, but I would think that there would be privileges for grad students since: a) we already have survived undergrad, b) we are considered as the "seniors" of the school--seniority rights, c) we pay more money for grad student tuition!!!<br /><br />Starting in a new school has been a surprise too. Wandering around looking for classrooms/buildings, not knowing people, not knowing the "insider" hints in making school life easier...guess that just comes with being a "UNM transplant".<br /><br />But enough of the gripes. Overall, I think this will be a great experience and that not only will I learn about the subject matter, but also about myself.<br /><br />I know a lot of people have been posting their kids' first day of school pics, and my friend joked about me doing one, but I decided to post a pic of something that will endure the next few years of classes with me:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABttUDg1FdE0_5hCqzRpMvx7RT7gwVROgPeJNJA7FX3aQaFkaSXOyncsbGvNQgNa2j_uQibbe5JQw7adSbUZq8BImortsCzmewQL39QuJB-otYRNodoiQIPKOnrPqp6Gmt4XTjBsLkNUL/s1600-h/DSC_0151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABttUDg1FdE0_5hCqzRpMvx7RT7gwVROgPeJNJA7FX3aQaFkaSXOyncsbGvNQgNa2j_uQibbe5JQw7adSbUZq8BImortsCzmewQL39QuJB-otYRNodoiQIPKOnrPqp6Gmt4XTjBsLkNUL/s320/DSC_0151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376560072307761458" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-91520273954943964422009-08-23T10:10:00.004-06:002009-09-02T09:26:53.286-06:00Wedding SeasonRyan and I went to Oregon for my brother's wedding. This was our first time in Oregon, so we went a few days before the celebration to explore.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzZGPBybJeoNUxJNPkRpuZKFSxZ4GHmmlkK3TZgMiEbPa-yBwA8TR9X5UPZ1QpJaCn8-4HvRM07aanoKHRVzWKDmH6I5TZAj1rYQzE1Fki2c-Val0W3HV-ywW2Z0fv7AaBVn5OTvnuueF/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzZGPBybJeoNUxJNPkRpuZKFSxZ4GHmmlkK3TZgMiEbPa-yBwA8TR9X5UPZ1QpJaCn8-4HvRM07aanoKHRVzWKDmH6I5TZAj1rYQzE1Fki2c-Val0W3HV-ywW2Z0fv7AaBVn5OTvnuueF/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376563624507213666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jPVNlmoDrpVNNUHAKZ4YIrA5GvP9eRynvCJV0BfEv0h7g9NtckAsm1lI-SWuJ53w66N6R3dz7rNMrMjCWnDIXr1xBZCN0n6MRQw63r4Xt-XXVBXNhMcpikGlF8okObzcvKYpWV4sZe4X/s1600-h/DSC_0077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jPVNlmoDrpVNNUHAKZ4YIrA5GvP9eRynvCJV0BfEv0h7g9NtckAsm1lI-SWuJ53w66N6R3dz7rNMrMjCWnDIXr1xBZCN0n6MRQw63r4Xt-XXVBXNhMcpikGlF8okObzcvKYpWV4sZe4X/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376564096396412770" border="0" /></a>The happy couple:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Iuxy2NLMslU63aMXdpGh6Y2hoaiyIZfoz-bnRtiWTrzTITTsPd2qhmOTd8mXIyycAwLecJUSJqPYx6jMMwFdx7PJCwRe84OAYEx2miZRRwNZoq-GrXStfKUR0i31g-YC3JBDEFkvorC5/s1600-h/DSC_0140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Iuxy2NLMslU63aMXdpGh6Y2hoaiyIZfoz-bnRtiWTrzTITTsPd2qhmOTd8mXIyycAwLecJUSJqPYx6jMMwFdx7PJCwRe84OAYEx2miZRRwNZoq-GrXStfKUR0i31g-YC3JBDEFkvorC5/s320/DSC_0140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376564744546447202" border="0" /></a>They actually got married on our anniversary, so here's a little tribute to 3 wonderful years and plenty more to eternity :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxcl4hcTNxlolKJBH6ynuUcjxMUnQj2aRmUGbmfGLoUB_NiKtz2Fxxn9GkEL4ZyLwUh-En58uFqJKwn7PrdcrFiAH9pBoM6f81nVOzOQpukvpV33uOOM6oUYUIR-2z_rZwbkoaRO3iIzJ/s1600-h/DSC_0616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxcl4hcTNxlolKJBH6ynuUcjxMUnQj2aRmUGbmfGLoUB_NiKtz2Fxxn9GkEL4ZyLwUh-En58uFqJKwn7PrdcrFiAH9pBoM6f81nVOzOQpukvpV33uOOM6oUYUIR-2z_rZwbkoaRO3iIzJ/s320/DSC_0616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376566336786835522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOPIqr8FpqJBiEhhKWKn3eH5Paa8A2fkgDinYg1JcTVGLgwmkDKK5SXPG7wIRKSPllftv6BeBJr5urL0USpjhxUzripd5-rPjSIEADxzGdSCtOeR4ZPKiMutua4KqRe6lq8Hhn8IhU_MM/s1600-h/DSC_0154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOPIqr8FpqJBiEhhKWKn3eH5Paa8A2fkgDinYg1JcTVGLgwmkDKK5SXPG7wIRKSPllftv6BeBJr5urL0USpjhxUzripd5-rPjSIEADxzGdSCtOeR4ZPKiMutua4KqRe6lq8Hhn8IhU_MM/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376565281613882274" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-11891328932226944662009-08-19T08:20:00.012-06:002009-08-19T09:29:12.597-06:00Cutting it off!Thanks to my wonderful friend, MyLyn, I finally found a hair stylist here in ABQ! Since then, I had waited to get my hair cut each time we went up to Utah. So yesterday afternoon, I took the plunge and not only tried out a new hair salon, but also a new "do". I haven't had short hair since my last few years of college. I just let my hair stylist work her magic and--voila! Here's the results:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8urimjCrdT2r58nwfd65mYCYvjxnNeBxGja5EaUymR7A0gjo2kW8U0ZLORj6v5_xTwUUyWVvhYtpTaFSsIJcJbGoTrzpXFYgifGlUZ08vaKrLJ861JCQhSkqmNDL2UAC3JIzUUXwWy45_/s1600-h/DSC_0963+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8urimjCrdT2r58nwfd65mYCYvjxnNeBxGja5EaUymR7A0gjo2kW8U0ZLORj6v5_xTwUUyWVvhYtpTaFSsIJcJbGoTrzpXFYgifGlUZ08vaKrLJ861JCQhSkqmNDL2UAC3JIzUUXwWy45_/s320/DSC_0963+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371689816387137314" border="0" /></a>Before: About a month ago<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbQ9HEQp6qDb8IkeIGZ7G_i8S4RpyIjv3F0fBQamUcuX5UI7o5UZoytCv-hIDVeYX6WbQVnKXiRMJKRev3dhDH3xAb1FPpmmKAJbFCUEGDMQrdU4jDsxJHqWXr3CHb5GUKBYLUQuTacM5/s1600-h/DSC_0963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbQ9HEQp6qDb8IkeIGZ7G_i8S4RpyIjv3F0fBQamUcuX5UI7o5UZoytCv-hIDVeYX6WbQVnKXiRMJKRev3dhDH3xAb1FPpmmKAJbFCUEGDMQrdU4jDsxJHqWXr3CHb5GUKBYLUQuTacM5/s320/DSC_0963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371692502819048914" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After: The New "Do"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I wasn't expecting to go so short, but what's done is done and I think it will grow on me!<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-64825496454478864682009-07-09T16:08:00.018-06:002009-07-09T18:11:42.616-06:00UFOs, Bats, Stalactites, Stalagmites all on the 4th of July!<span style="font-size:100%;">For the 4th of July weekend, we ventured south to further discover why New Mexico is considered to be the "land of enchantment". We stopped by the famous (or infamous if you have a fear of UFOs ) city of Roswell. I loved the UFO streetlights: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcwwW04J_SSf5sn4Z7kPau2QMrWTdJnNeiKGKEBq-G3-XdL3yXp7pigAdXzo1SYgz0kOpxG4gp_bAywLUxMla4qDuIbR-otEU8cxUccX4xD0T9Hc1VqjMoKz8WCVM13x09KemGuqKkH6b/s1600-h/DSC_0818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcwwW04J_SSf5sn4Z7kPau2QMrWTdJnNeiKGKEBq-G3-XdL3yXp7pigAdXzo1SYgz0kOpxG4gp_bAywLUxMla4qDuIbR-otEU8cxUccX4xD0T9Hc1VqjMoKz8WCVM13x09KemGuqKkH6b/s320/DSC_0818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356592107478096242" border="0" /></a>We visited the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Sadly, there wasn't much there and this was the only "UFO" we saw.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOPbyIfLfKle4kvJmc2nEAQs47i1TVqp9LiVmz67rfkVuZmV4t9Hn4Z-InCaqL895-JI3gzrc3eFJLGgp1Zl7txOkHx7qNF1M5NWT6kitGOPy4q4CDQaNKGV-_pejjrmUnXn8lQCl44xS/s1600-h/DSC_0814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOPbyIfLfKle4kvJmc2nEAQs47i1TVqp9LiVmz67rfkVuZmV4t9Hn4Z-InCaqL895-JI3gzrc3eFJLGgp1Zl7txOkHx7qNF1M5NWT6kitGOPy4q4CDQaNKGV-_pejjrmUnXn8lQCl44xS/s320/DSC_0814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356591854295790818" border="0" /></a><br />After our quick visit to Roswell, we headed off to Carlsbad, NM to visit the Carlsbad Caverns. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >We watched a massive, ominous dark cloud of thousands of bats swarm out of the cave's mouth for their evening bat flight. </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;color:red;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(no pics since bat hearing is ultra-sensitive)<br /><br />The next day was spent in the cave. 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--></ul><span style="font-size:100%;">The cave is at least 750 ft below ground and it is amazing! Here are some pics:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><div><embed src="http://widget-5f.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3170534137692203103&site=widget-5f.slide.com" style="width: 400px; height: 320px;" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width: 400px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3170534137692203103&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5f.slide.com/p1/3170534137692203103/bb_t047_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3170534137692203103&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5f.slide.com/p2/3170534137692203103/bb_t047_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3170534137692203103&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5f.slide.com/p4/3170534137692203103/bb_t047_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><br /></span>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-26263987899974495022009-06-16T16:20:00.007-06:002009-06-16T20:22:15.426-06:00Accepted!!!I am officially a new Lobo (translation: Going to grad school at University of New Mexico in August)! I got my acceptance letter in the mail and was surprised how thin the envelope was. Back in the day (am I really getting that old?), I remember the difference between acceptance/rejection letters was dependent on the size of the letter--the bigger the better. So for a brief moment as I was opening the letter from UNM, I was a tiny bit worried, but relieved with the results! I registered for classes today and I am anxiously awaiting the start of a new schoolyear. It has been a while since I set foot in a classroom setting, but I look forward to the learning aspect of it. Doesn't courses like Operations Management, Organizational Behavioral, and Ethics, Politics, Social and Legal Environment of Business sound like fun??? ;) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO08Ea4fpSrDiedrumWDRmkP32yQLf-q5gtTd7flJDbnSft96QzF1d93hwM9lylTdnjCj8Q_fF3UF248Zforj0LPZABiDN7xSZVDc8zAELOvsSKsed1vi3c4EX6XrjAUIEPHdC5pU3lui/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO08Ea4fpSrDiedrumWDRmkP32yQLf-q5gtTd7flJDbnSft96QzF1d93hwM9lylTdnjCj8Q_fF3UF248Zforj0LPZABiDN7xSZVDc8zAELOvsSKsed1vi3c4EX6XrjAUIEPHdC5pU3lui/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348055822924849458" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-85711797756280031052009-06-08T09:32:00.010-06:002009-06-11T11:06:19.939-06:00Stake Youth TrekLast weekend, Ryan and I had the opportunity to participate in the Stake Youth Trek. This is a mini reenactment of what the Mormon Pioneers had to go through as they crossed the plains to Salt Lake City.<br /><br />When we were first asked, I was very hesitant to go since I have never gone camping (Girls Camp in Florida was in cabins). The thought of no showers/facilities sounded like torture for a neat-freak/germaphobe like me.<br /><br />But surprisingly, the experience was much better than expected--it was truly an amazing and uplifting experience. We were "Ma and Pa Jamison" for a group of 9 youth ranging from 12-17 yrs old. We went up to the Jemez and hiked a little over 12 miles on Thursday hauling 400+lb handcarts while wearing pioneer attire. There were some pretty steep areas along the way, but with trek family unity and wonderful leaders and many prayers and words of encouragement, we were able to complete the trek.<br /><br />I must say that one of the most incredible experiences during the trek was the woman's pull. Along the way, there was a segment of the trek where the boys in the group were tapped out of pulling the handcart, leaving the women to pull on their own. This represented the time when all the men had to leave and join the Mormon Batallion, leaving the women, children, and elderly to continue the journey on their own. I know that when I was pulling the cart with the 4 other young women, I thought we were not going to make it up and over the hills. There were times when our cart was moving backwards as we climbed uphill and felt like we just didn't have enough strength to go on. With much faith and many prayers, we were able to make it to the next section of the trek. From the men's perspective, I know that Ryan and the young men in our group said that it was so painful to see us struggle without being able to help and do anything about it.<br /><br />Having this experience made us realize the great sacrifices that the pioneers had to go through on both sides--the men seeing how difficult it was to leave their women/children and see them struggle on their own, and the women realizing that they must rely on each other and to have the faith, strength, and courage to overcome obstacles. We were able to talk about the experience with our trek family and the youth talked about the importance of families.<br /><br />On Friday, we were able to have a day of pioneer activities. It was a day to relax and re-cooperate from the previous day. That evening we had a fireside with talks given by a few of the youth and the Stake Presidency. We ended the evening off with family home evening held within our trek family. Our youth shared their testimonies and it was so uplifting to hear their thoughts and impressions from this experience.<br /><br />Saturday was our day to go home! We packed up camp and loaded up our handcarts and walked about 2 miles out to the main road. Everyone was in good spirits knowing that hot showers and civilization was awaiting. Overall, it was an incredible experience for all. There were many lessons taught and learned during the trek. I think some things that really impressed upon my mind were:<br /><ul><li>FAITH and knowing that Heavenly Father and our Savior is there for us and knows who we are and what we can accomplish and having faith in the people around us<br /></li><li>PRAYER and that He hears and answers them<br /></li><li>ETERNAL FAMILIES and the importance of celestial marriages and finding a true companion to help each other along the way and to help lead and nurture family members<br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some photos of the Trek weekend:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFQ33xpux1I6D43rohy7_kX8jWcPrBQc4RymqYbzyop6LDJ9CWI2GXMr5z3VTtl_yF6syHPK4D1r_OvFQHyhRpSlJtaTZLW6nmv2L-sV9PmUmxObkFpzkVjjmT05WmF1mYs6TW_5pxcez/s1600-h/DSC06331.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFQ33xpux1I6D43rohy7_kX8jWcPrBQc4RymqYbzyop6LDJ9CWI2GXMr5z3VTtl_yF6syHPK4D1r_OvFQHyhRpSlJtaTZLW6nmv2L-sV9PmUmxObkFpzkVjjmT05WmF1mYs6TW_5pxcez/s320/DSC06331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346111803963575410" border="0" /></a></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAuOVhiGYiB6maL-NNBvxmXTb97_WH9TNIQzQcL36TNvckdEgNTMkiaCGFxsXtTQGhPWII6feLLeyHVH1C5R1d4WguDT81c-qQPWv_XHQ43yT_iP_QebcXyU73aePRKqD34pllksUlqmj/s1600-h/DSC06204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAuOVhiGYiB6maL-NNBvxmXTb97_WH9TNIQzQcL36TNvckdEgNTMkiaCGFxsXtTQGhPWII6feLLeyHVH1C5R1d4WguDT81c-qQPWv_XHQ43yT_iP_QebcXyU73aePRKqD34pllksUlqmj/s320/DSC06204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346111258660539714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzLFPq5jd3RgOePCD91g8O-vOxfe_yw98zbO_XkKFtw5_0kb5HgeCPyL3ywbJnKu6i6m0Wv8keU8i8RqvE9g-RUCVCUdIJ8wzQzdSu9w7_ArY3c6N_gl3-clfT_KIwA0MAz6wtCWOC1w7/s1600-h/DSC06200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzLFPq5jd3RgOePCD91g8O-vOxfe_yw98zbO_XkKFtw5_0kb5HgeCPyL3ywbJnKu6i6m0Wv8keU8i8RqvE9g-RUCVCUdIJ8wzQzdSu9w7_ArY3c6N_gl3-clfT_KIwA0MAz6wtCWOC1w7/s320/DSC06200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346112826364189122" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMCBdeV5b2fIKcOXrR34sLq4gitxHkapw9SsgO62eXyy84-FerNscSkmLsLz9fll1rf_-x60HowuFdxN6ZJLaKADtB6j5mPQ2xGYMBT4q5YlzmmVY8kov82JZK7JxUEfFjad2DHnt21ko/s1600-h/DSC06215.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMCBdeV5b2fIKcOXrR34sLq4gitxHkapw9SsgO62eXyy84-FerNscSkmLsLz9fll1rf_-x60HowuFdxN6ZJLaKADtB6j5mPQ2xGYMBT4q5YlzmmVY8kov82JZK7JxUEfFjad2DHnt21ko/s320/DSC06215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346113682923069794" border="0" /></a></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-92138966907313819392009-06-01T11:30:00.002-06:002009-06-01T11:31:50.056-06:00Graduations, Weddings, Vacations, Oh My!!!After a month's hiatus from blogging, it is finally time to catch up with all the events in our lives! So here it goes:<br /><br />At the end of April, I was able to attend my brother, Jeff's, graduation. It was nice to go back to the ol' BYU Cougars stomping grounds.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlqDhD6odn0DUm7-SQ4tpC_W9iVY0FDFnbjNntN7EDLeDhUMcjvZj67pITxlSrWtivwMVfG4cvO5Z0A82lRxe5mzyuwWfA9FE_Ywyd7LxlnRuQR82xzb3oL8qDj6wrhGNSeybBNYUCMoz/s1600-h/DSC_0396.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlqDhD6odn0DUm7-SQ4tpC_W9iVY0FDFnbjNntN7EDLeDhUMcjvZj67pITxlSrWtivwMVfG4cvO5Z0A82lRxe5mzyuwWfA9FE_Ywyd7LxlnRuQR82xzb3oL8qDj6wrhGNSeybBNYUCMoz/s320/DSC_0396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340164471635656098" border="0" /></a>Me and the Graduate<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Mid-May, Ryan and I flew out to Florida for some R&R at South Seas Resort in Captiva Island, FL. It was amazing!!! I had forgotten how much I love the beach. The weather was a bit rainy, but there was a day when it was clear enough for us to get sunburns :( Here are some pics from our vacation:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U9O-zb7X-kgVmA5KOAfhtz3DY8gNy-NQIO2wt5AI7e-Y2o225426d-VvPMfV0on5IOXihhPnAldPV_XN9dZa_iMlbWuSjiKyd5n2hF-43uou9avNQC_NsG3UC4n5y3BwIthf1fnWSzCK/s1600-h/DSC_0429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U9O-zb7X-kgVmA5KOAfhtz3DY8gNy-NQIO2wt5AI7e-Y2o225426d-VvPMfV0on5IOXihhPnAldPV_XN9dZa_iMlbWuSjiKyd5n2hF-43uou9avNQC_NsG3UC4n5y3BwIthf1fnWSzCK/s320/DSC_0429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340165688820414450" border="0" /></a>Much needed R&R<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW88eV1kLwq0BuRvBTfzh7etqOBbUyPn5TXkxSbKA6JwlO9ysdLMbEqamY2AXFuaT-iGeMIFKIrv0yJbh18AWIEDAF_dH4Q_9Lkc4GoMkOFhGNuRrrRbkakDPbrYr3lH4-J2W5mD5Y5ol/s1600-h/DSC_0466.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW88eV1kLwq0BuRvBTfzh7etqOBbUyPn5TXkxSbKA6JwlO9ysdLMbEqamY2AXFuaT-iGeMIFKIrv0yJbh18AWIEDAF_dH4Q_9Lkc4GoMkOFhGNuRrrRbkakDPbrYr3lH4-J2W5mD5Y5ol/s320/DSC_0466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340166683551656546" border="0" /></a>Loving the sand and sun<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-raE3XxdpLpmymdTxD_fnksMYg4LY2Sq97IrqAu09T3irXu2DGbfkJ6IVjUn-2XDcwJQl6JjJi6rVy_kQRF0W9wVpwIQlEfYpE8wdkfJkDaCYIRNUbrNNIlcEKvYT_Oa01PNRavBqczC-/s1600-h/DSC_0471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-raE3XxdpLpmymdTxD_fnksMYg4LY2Sq97IrqAu09T3irXu2DGbfkJ6IVjUn-2XDcwJQl6JjJi6rVy_kQRF0W9wVpwIQlEfYpE8wdkfJkDaCYIRNUbrNNIlcEKvYT_Oa01PNRavBqczC-/s320/DSC_0471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340167215549046482" border="0" /></a>An approaching storm<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqv9xAAlecNQwLP37_0cE6hFcnPa0kyFdAOBYeKXx1Fq19vS1x1mDHROHId6bBJ1o05c6bWFHxZhQWZQdBrSa9ZL8YBEPFnKP7-qMWBH_Qf8Ni-UBpWDypdAmRG2J9uIlCLyo3V9aTNBw5/s1600-h/DSC_0503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqv9xAAlecNQwLP37_0cE6hFcnPa0kyFdAOBYeKXx1Fq19vS1x1mDHROHId6bBJ1o05c6bWFHxZhQWZQdBrSa9ZL8YBEPFnKP7-qMWBH_Qf8Ni-UBpWDypdAmRG2J9uIlCLyo3V9aTNBw5/s320/DSC_0503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340167641060482066" border="0" /></a>More beach<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On Memorial Day weekend, we went down to Naples, FL for my cousin's wedding. They had a beautiful ceremony right on the beach.<br /><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6YahEUwvzrxuUpfaiHJ6dJ71mWvBlv5i7W0RjErV3Ea0r53W96DqjS9Wztl4qf4DzkLR0MMMHjiahfyR-bRqqcytSY7SMh-_INoLqi6wmc9TTDKpZWWe62HXcZa-ilTmuuNlc6wUEIwh/s1600-h/DSC_0655.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6YahEUwvzrxuUpfaiHJ6dJ71mWvBlv5i7W0RjErV3Ea0r53W96DqjS9Wztl4qf4DzkLR0MMMHjiahfyR-bRqqcytSY7SMh-_INoLqi6wmc9TTDKpZWWe62HXcZa-ilTmuuNlc6wUEIwh/s320/DSC_0655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340173257514289266" border="0" /></a>Wedding Ceremony<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3o-UoJmOWvyWDYTN4uXljLCO9r_79sSrLZNOIPdXMvd1wsCRH4dEJag_FKzUaoq4Vftui_vH25i1CejiSiO-HY7yPMkUjID_wCgu4p9PyhEQ2QHBMyV3Hbn7HKtIpBqnf4ZPwRiJkphD/s1600-h/DSC_0604.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3o-UoJmOWvyWDYTN4uXljLCO9r_79sSrLZNOIPdXMvd1wsCRH4dEJag_FKzUaoq4Vftui_vH25i1CejiSiO-HY7yPMkUjID_wCgu4p9PyhEQ2QHBMyV3Hbn7HKtIpBqnf4ZPwRiJkphD/s320/DSC_0604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340173821973051570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rp0okQMNK-rDxu5UhYJxGDARPfZXuPuPl7H382JMp4aHLuBXZz98AFGcKhjSaaBiSC1NWKb50N0af6oUgPz21o6FvmrXxTeUVh1e89wx5ycen_kBSEdRERQUA7RI7byYMpqLaJ4Y8xao/s1600-h/DSC_0721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rp0okQMNK-rDxu5UhYJxGDARPfZXuPuPl7H382JMp4aHLuBXZz98AFGcKhjSaaBiSC1NWKb50N0af6oUgPz21o6FvmrXxTeUVh1e89wx5ycen_kBSEdRERQUA7RI7byYMpqLaJ4Y8xao/s320/DSC_0721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340174531123426626" border="0" /></a>Celebration Time!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In the last weekend in May, Ryan flew out to UT for his sister, Sara's, high school graduation.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy8eOVDl7ND8u7ttgivg0OAilqgTxWBFdV72QH7BibCE5KgBo0e1k5OiylXYdakDYfztPSgrwYws0vc_W_Xdenq3P23nkcemuY9tFRq0IkOGzDw9Krh7-25DVSHjQMsG_yH6E5QIO5uCR/s1600-h/DSC_0775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy8eOVDl7ND8u7ttgivg0OAilqgTxWBFdV72QH7BibCE5KgBo0e1k5OiylXYdakDYfztPSgrwYws0vc_W_Xdenq3P23nkcemuY9tFRq0IkOGzDw9Krh7-25DVSHjQMsG_yH6E5QIO5uCR/s320/DSC_0775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342412125046241218" border="0" /></a>Ryan and Sara<br /></div></div>Yea for a month of celebrations!!! :)<br /></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-14994190913356438982009-04-22T14:32:00.006-06:002009-04-22T14:56:02.048-06:00A New Career?Yesterday, a neighbor came to our door and asked if I was willing to give piano lessons to her 10-year-old daughter. She "found" me when she heard me play as she was walking around the neighborhood (which makes me wonder how soundproof our house is!).<br /><br />This took me by surprise and I quickly told her that I have never taught piano lessons before. She seemed to be okay with that fact--which further surprised me. I agreed and told her that we can try it out and that I would not be offended if I am not a good fit. I will start my first lesson on Monday. We'll see how it goes. I am a little apprehensive--especially without a teaching background. I am hoping that I will be able to teach her all the good techniques that my piano teacher has taught me years ago and that this will be a positive experience for the both of us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xQFyUjUYugRixmZsaYNlU2mOT6kWkKAbM578_R-j8TZ_rhEhKmPdHntfNwZxo7-mSEymtzRpwhRqEToFF-f66LW2yeUnTICCAiLDh2g55fy2EAe4JKh0w-NIUvlFMZULQAQ9hCWrF4QI/s1600-h/Picture1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xQFyUjUYugRixmZsaYNlU2mOT6kWkKAbM578_R-j8TZ_rhEhKmPdHntfNwZxo7-mSEymtzRpwhRqEToFF-f66LW2yeUnTICCAiLDh2g55fy2EAe4JKh0w-NIUvlFMZULQAQ9hCWrF4QI/s320/Picture1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327618511183399186" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-11411313474216754742009-04-10T15:44:00.009-06:002009-04-10T17:08:33.040-06:00The Sweetest (and Cutest) Little ThingsI decided to try out a recipe I found on a blog from Bakerella called "Cupcake Bites" (http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/05/cupcake-bites-made-easy.html). They are essentially mini bite-size cupcakes with a candy coating. It was a surprisingly easy recipe and the results were so cute! I must admit, they were a little too sweet (probably because of the cake, frosting, and candy coating), but they are so cute, they are almost irresistible!<div style="text-align: center;">Here's the end results:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjCCJW6JCEpOIv9uAJ1iSBkR1BwYoZfMQpFDotM1EJ3CfH6if7ENPR6bT4htm7d6stwZNCjSpLpa74AbVB8J9mP9Q1z-3l67Q8zM8UkbFq9Vk4eb-QL_tCNIRs3i2_-bLM2LgV-KX8crh/s1600-h/DSC_0273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjCCJW6JCEpOIv9uAJ1iSBkR1BwYoZfMQpFDotM1EJ3CfH6if7ENPR6bT4htm7d6stwZNCjSpLpa74AbVB8J9mP9Q1z-3l67Q8zM8UkbFq9Vk4eb-QL_tCNIRs3i2_-bLM2LgV-KX8crh/s320/DSC_0273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323183288961981026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMKxWQN7dfzVsy7athCB8MAAoE-lr0zIv8eod1UkVt9LCYyiuEq7lHqgI8zguzsS24zpYrl9GbNJtEjNVFBucTtfryfkygtzW4fK3xsgV41en3Il0rSUsiFLD8JsSHTqpcLFva7pVwhYZ/s1600-h/DSC_0275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMKxWQN7dfzVsy7athCB8MAAoE-lr0zIv8eod1UkVt9LCYyiuEq7lHqgI8zguzsS24zpYrl9GbNJtEjNVFBucTtfryfkygtzW4fK3xsgV41en3Il0rSUsiFLD8JsSHTqpcLFva7pVwhYZ/s320/DSC_0275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323185807603896898" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan was nice enough to "model" the size of the mini cupcakes:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S9uTJlRl7DSRAqvb80IATFjgyd6Oh8cDrHhJE6HTY5wSpEzTJNnZ5t-nuwta3Zj2b6Sxjk88atS6lJ23vcAKlV32KjQ5N0soakZUFr_Etitj7XuhLhlz8Zvs6VxCqUG1Aio2ZMaQK_tU/s1600-h/DSC_0276.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S9uTJlRl7DSRAqvb80IATFjgyd6Oh8cDrHhJE6HTY5wSpEzTJNnZ5t-nuwta3Zj2b6Sxjk88atS6lJ23vcAKlV32KjQ5N0soakZUFr_Etitj7XuhLhlz8Zvs6VxCqUG1Aio2ZMaQK_tU/s320/DSC_0276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323183869355208914" border="0" /></a>This is him devouring the little guy:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_DX7c9P1R5Od9RJlk-HAcvAajxGzeo2YQqu9-ALTh104rcPPhu0-rpon-YUf_8nX2HOdokFcmsOcZoKyREFcXxGreZ79K8itPlzhxbv0rrpus-m3JhNkBASyHftpcvLTkXR-NM3XTet_/s1600-h/DSC_0277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_DX7c9P1R5Od9RJlk-HAcvAajxGzeo2YQqu9-ALTh104rcPPhu0-rpon-YUf_8nX2HOdokFcmsOcZoKyREFcXxGreZ79K8itPlzhxbv0rrpus-m3JhNkBASyHftpcvLTkXR-NM3XTet_/s320/DSC_0277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323184199094506130" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-8915333340743615312009-04-02T10:11:00.003-06:002009-04-02T10:14:02.862-06:00SpringtimeBeautiful spring flowers from my thoughtful brothers!!! Thanks Ben and Jeff--you guys are the best!!! :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOOZ2PFHAqyBPpGEj2aWAz0k9-ZYC0oAazHEHEapArDeUFgwYeBRVSDCn4Oz_EWgR2MUO0xzd7751c9pUXc0iW8E9QcXRavBi18XKGbrM0pVoCfm_szkxwEEb-9QEJu1GLFe8bz4OlXPd/s1600-h/DSC_0249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOOZ2PFHAqyBPpGEj2aWAz0k9-ZYC0oAazHEHEapArDeUFgwYeBRVSDCn4Oz_EWgR2MUO0xzd7751c9pUXc0iW8E9QcXRavBi18XKGbrM0pVoCfm_szkxwEEb-9QEJu1GLFe8bz4OlXPd/s320/DSC_0249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320127940390195906" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-28801314330183256762009-03-30T12:07:00.002-06:002009-03-30T12:15:45.910-06:00The Nemesis of My Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJUMthmctPEUwHTMcobDqXqV7KEMje1Tf66OENCCi1eyoqriaNJiFXE7WSdtcOjpaQ1-dC2QDRHxCtVRED-4aOAVl2HOmGi3ivuCQX55yk4SNiOsmbt5NTcR2gGg3jhMRHihCABG3-NGZ/s1600-h/DSC_0247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJUMthmctPEUwHTMcobDqXqV7KEMje1Tf66OENCCi1eyoqriaNJiFXE7WSdtcOjpaQ1-dC2QDRHxCtVRED-4aOAVl2HOmGi3ivuCQX55yk4SNiOsmbt5NTcR2gGg3jhMRHihCABG3-NGZ/s320/DSC_0247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319045944169805426" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a>Need I say more?Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-44694221165558347672009-03-25T10:16:00.007-06:002009-03-25T22:38:53.747-06:00To Tile or Not to TileFor our weekend project, we are debating whether we should tile our kitchen backsplash. Things in debate:<br />1) Does this tile match our kitchen?<br />2) Is it worth the time and effort to tile?<br />What are your thoughts? :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemFYh0-ycw84FHsinCmbQyNOcyLnx9u-PI72ruvCr6aYteWTAyOkg9kC67re4J36q1xF9Lzp_tUdJxrzJ8gKDFpMOlWZPHn6Il0IkESsE_IslUZXNDs7MD68qlsLmS29eLSYn8XKNTO39/s1600-h/DSC_0242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemFYh0-ycw84FHsinCmbQyNOcyLnx9u-PI72ruvCr6aYteWTAyOkg9kC67re4J36q1xF9Lzp_tUdJxrzJ8gKDFpMOlWZPHn6Il0IkESsE_IslUZXNDs7MD68qlsLmS29eLSYn8XKNTO39/s320/DSC_0242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317162577576873842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSNcJ-fPghOTlF-V_rwjAlIxQSd5KVilugrk-HvAjp6we9n0QvctwncWNhMtJ0rOdPdKVtwaT2PIWP8ogZSt0jPk05cjwuBVQmZnYKM1lUzWAl9aruaL9lJ93wfKgnz0fAIQ-w7ZyExzA/s1600-h/DSC_0243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSNcJ-fPghOTlF-V_rwjAlIxQSd5KVilugrk-HvAjp6we9n0QvctwncWNhMtJ0rOdPdKVtwaT2PIWP8ogZSt0jPk05cjwuBVQmZnYKM1lUzWAl9aruaL9lJ93wfKgnz0fAIQ-w7ZyExzA/s320/DSC_0243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317162349597513698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0wgHvaYcJyo6PbejFTScgdw4LHHyOzVeIBWwq1Iz0IO8JGNoAtGFmetVG_ZzVmmXhLPLNsKJAZfEqtk3xYmZJGt6baLZ0DnHesMCFz_mSmtx0BXFrZMLOO3tx-DaJAovAooz11OG9sv8/s1600-h/DSC_0243.JPG"><br /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-70483264508868268172009-03-15T15:09:00.004-06:002009-03-15T15:22:57.790-06:00Artist Block No More!A few nights ago, I was finally able to get some inspiration for the 3 giant canvases. It turned out much different than what I had intended, but the overall idea is there. I have 3 additional (smaller) canvases to paint for the hallways, so hopefully the ideas will keep coming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GCJTk5ZkGH3DJTWiD41OBJ3Z5Aj2QIm7obuTpR2hCEsQ6UMI7os9ojfJVjq2bpwe8aegJhecPK2QKgL-4w7ZDyfc2emezLKP2vUe094RVjSGXmZJsVy_Gmqslj6dGveiGJQXcKYHWcNY/s1600-h/DSC_0232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GCJTk5ZkGH3DJTWiD41OBJ3Z5Aj2QIm7obuTpR2hCEsQ6UMI7os9ojfJVjq2bpwe8aegJhecPK2QKgL-4w7ZDyfc2emezLKP2vUe094RVjSGXmZJsVy_Gmqslj6dGveiGJQXcKYHWcNY/s320/DSC_0232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313526946141161842" border="0" /></a>To complete the entranceway area, Ryan and I decided to bring some nature indoors. We bought some peace lilies that are stated to "cleanse the air while eliminating toxins and creating oxygen" (the selling point on the plant tag). Here is the completed entranceway.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A6y8pZEVenk86dJwOKKVCz1sktEpUcythi_CnOqZ-L0pFU5Z4blkn3W25WI1nRnf_SgJqfQk9rZq6y0_odaHlDt_79YLYqBba782hQTacNKQIKi_GJ5r3CC6wj1iMPOUjYx6bs7eQoss/s1600-h/DSC_0233.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A6y8pZEVenk86dJwOKKVCz1sktEpUcythi_CnOqZ-L0pFU5Z4blkn3W25WI1nRnf_SgJqfQk9rZq6y0_odaHlDt_79YLYqBba782hQTacNKQIKi_GJ5r3CC6wj1iMPOUjYx6bs7eQoss/s320/DSC_0233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313527737447590034" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-36625379165703718622009-03-14T20:49:00.001-06:002009-03-14T20:51:01.876-06:00I Love CookiesI love finding and testing out new recipes. My really good friend bought me a recipe book of cookies and I decided to try out a recipe for Black & White cookies; which apparently are renown in NYC. We had quite a few friends tell us that these cookies were on a Seinfeld episode. They were yummy and definitely a keeper!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsz4Nt4DGGm0BNsA6ukciyRp3qpPvQtW6sei5Dt-h18b2iPerC2fL5OToom-Kom4j6j4XC0FHHUVA6dRAzNuB5mhF-HTvx16tRkAIqasJsuvqphLXLiARvjRh91Ew-m4GXzibBa3ijEQN/s1600-h/DSC_0220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsz4Nt4DGGm0BNsA6ukciyRp3qpPvQtW6sei5Dt-h18b2iPerC2fL5OToom-Kom4j6j4XC0FHHUVA6dRAzNuB5mhF-HTvx16tRkAIqasJsuvqphLXLiARvjRh91Ew-m4GXzibBa3ijEQN/s320/DSC_0220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312013813815568402" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-26770361303707426812009-03-11T12:00:00.001-06:002009-03-11T13:18:57.051-06:00Artist Block<span style="font-style: italic;">"The painter's obsession with his subject is all that he needs to drive him to work." --Lucian Freud</span><br /><div><br />Unfortunately for me, I don't seem to have a "subject". I am having a major case of "artist block" and it has been lasting for a few months now. Not that I can truly call myself an artist since I merely dabble in it and have yet to make my very own portfolio. But I have tons of empty space in our entranceway and 3 large blank canvases staring back at me--very daunting!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG8iQCAhbszq3YUqX8-u9sYlhCTLxI46dmPvZDdhSG4Jy0mkMoEvEtmzScYUs_ltmKsl53VyvodtDfUXiwL1ML-4aDjTl6Hqq_xUV9XZsgcbTAPcrOfBchvN9uP0lqktywfnqdT6tV614/s1600-h/DSC_0223.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBG8iQCAhbszq3YUqX8-u9sYlhCTLxI46dmPvZDdhSG4Jy0mkMoEvEtmzScYUs_ltmKsl53VyvodtDfUXiwL1ML-4aDjTl6Hqq_xUV9XZsgcbTAPcrOfBchvN9uP0lqktywfnqdT6tV614/s320/DSC_0223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298435181283934898" border="0" /></a></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-45756206982004294262009-02-13T13:07:00.004-07:002009-03-11T13:14:15.940-06:00Yea for BirthdaysMy birthday and Valentines was finally celebrated with Ryan after having missed the past 3 yrs due to business travels. Ryan surprised me with a beautiful ring! I loved the box and had to take a picture of it before I opened the present. Ryan and I went to the Melting Pot and spent the night at a Sante Fe resort. It was such a wonderful weekend and I am so grateful that I could spend the holidays with my hubby :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14FUiZ0-8WD6BxNQ_TpWUvsWqACeozRR720T6APkYAQ8KSf4NNCYssUejHeOG3hoy3CcnGnpj6oU6bb4ebpj3b7vKpQ0HozP_H0nXutK9XngdnZRc7C4sF-XJtE6RZN3fM46o6IyhYKPq/s1600-h/DSC_0224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14FUiZ0-8WD6BxNQ_TpWUvsWqACeozRR720T6APkYAQ8KSf4NNCYssUejHeOG3hoy3CcnGnpj6oU6bb4ebpj3b7vKpQ0HozP_H0nXutK9XngdnZRc7C4sF-XJtE6RZN3fM46o6IyhYKPq/s320/DSC_0224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312010318212518962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJGBIYjJ5GhWa5Ks8tphua5mHyEQTf5NpbU-3YCo-XSjyj_MbctbxbmJp93SXis2kNLJ9ohEjUnF-psQpZcbLMpryy2eGMdN23IODXYrCaQMWLYuk8ntAVps9gi9USeGBrbFqhYIwJAOn/s1600-h/DSC_0228.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJGBIYjJ5GhWa5Ks8tphua5mHyEQTf5NpbU-3YCo-XSjyj_MbctbxbmJp93SXis2kNLJ9ohEjUnF-psQpZcbLMpryy2eGMdN23IODXYrCaQMWLYuk8ntAVps9gi9USeGBrbFqhYIwJAOn/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312010537723266018" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-88259233610766749632009-02-06T22:26:00.000-07:002009-03-11T13:18:03.149-06:00Dad's 60th Birthday!I have had good intentions of being a better blogger for the year of 2009, but I am once again, trying to play catch up. Late last year, my Mom and I decided to plan a surprise birthday for my Dad. We planned for Mom and Dad to fly out to New Mexico and have Ben and Jeff fly out the night before to have a family reunion. It was tough to keep this a surprise for so many months, but we pulled it off. It was so fun having my family here with us.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgFtsQ4BVhnoIe5Rv8I1O7tNgv0JNQqxrvcP0xo3qe37Mmp1ezS4oRU-cC2NVVYm06z7dTzm0uIDi6avIxGz1L_ltlh9L4xl2scH-PsTXd-7ovJudy46pov-JELw4SO5B3CojR8v8sbrY/s1600-h/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgFtsQ4BVhnoIe5Rv8I1O7tNgv0JNQqxrvcP0xo3qe37Mmp1ezS4oRU-cC2NVVYm06z7dTzm0uIDi6avIxGz1L_ltlh9L4xl2scH-PsTXd-7ovJudy46pov-JELw4SO5B3CojR8v8sbrY/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312011332712413746" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685466543381008836.post-29463216825430063472009-02-02T21:50:00.004-07:002009-02-02T22:03:23.730-07:00Heartfelt Surprises!Today was just an ordinary Monday; but for no apparent reason, I felt sort of sad. (Maybe this is attributed to being a girl.) Ryan noticed that I was not my usual self and surprised me by placing some roses on my laptop. I am so thankful that I have such a caring and loving husband who notices even the little things. :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnb8suuPNBNeLRpqHmgggYdZ3wPksN0sYa7PdDyYGAcS6fucIUHdvMsufNWpupAtNpzgKBitRJ5_2pJlLX5e9j-UrrL-ASNgFAZevh8d06k1oGnBkA-a5BwvvsZZcWDmcMwoLk8MkYFYm/s1600-h/DSC_0221.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnb8suuPNBNeLRpqHmgggYdZ3wPksN0sYa7PdDyYGAcS6fucIUHdvMsufNWpupAtNpzgKBitRJ5_2pJlLX5e9j-UrrL-ASNgFAZevh8d06k1oGnBkA-a5BwvvsZZcWDmcMwoLk8MkYFYm/s320/DSC_0221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298430524779046946" border="0" /></a>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964249413880981567noreply@blogger.com4