If you hide from the missionaries did you purchase a first class ticket to Hell?

We moved to Florida in 2006 for work and a change of scenery. We both worked in the hospitality industry and Orlando seemed a logical place. When you move far away from family and friends you find out quickly that you really are alone. Dennis went to the grocery store one day and ran into the LDS missionaries. He was excited because it was something familiar and began talking to them. After giving them our address he gathered his things and left. Now, if a "less active" member gives the missionaries their address...what do you suppose they will do??? They come over! At the time neither Dennis or I were interested in hearing their message. So after that when they came over, we would literally hide in the closet or a back bedroom. How pathetic is that?!? It wasn't like they could see through the door, or that we were obligated to answer the door and let them in. Looking back I think it was because we knew they were there to tell us something we needed to hear. And for the record after getting to know the missionaries they informed us that they know when you are hiding from them. Maybe it was the lights being on or the TV. We were not the first and certainly will not be the last. Months went by and at least once a week we would come home to a note on the door or a pass-along card from the missionaries. A short time after that something happened and we decided we were ready to at least hear what they had to say. So we invited them over and took the discussions, just like a new member would. We set up appointments and the missionaries started coming over once a week. We usually had them over for dinner and then we would have a lesson. They invited us to church so we went. Well, technically we went for sacrament meeting then made an excuse that we had to leave. The ward was awesome and after a few weeks of going we decided to stay for other classes. It was an amazing experience. Our ward was incredible at making you feel welcome. I even attended activites which were my biggest fear. Dennis starting visiting people with the missionaries, which was a great experience and testimony builder. During those six months we built relationships with some amazing people. Even though we were only active for a few months before we moved we encountered a ward split. This was a huge challenge. We had relationships with our ward members and now we were being asked to move to a different ward. Although that ward was amazing I always feel a stronger bond with those whom we met in the Metrowest Ward. Recently, I was talking to my family about finding our missionaries. They made a huge impact on our life and I just wanted to thank them for everything they did for us. So naturally, I turned to Facebook. And through a few searches I was able to find Elder Bonnett. And from looking through his friends I was able to find Elder Unga. I sent them messages and they are both home and doing so well. They live locally and we are planning on getting together soon. Hopefully Elder Unga will not mind me stealing this picture from his Facebook. I just wanted to show you our missionaries. This picture was taken in the community where we lived called Metrowest. So from Left to Right is: Elder Olson (New York), Elder Hamilton (Arizona), Elder Unga (Utah), Elder Bonnett (Utah)

Going to the dentist=fun

I cannot say that I love sitting in the dentist chair. With my mouth wide open, unable to swallow, a child screaming in the other room because they are trying to take an X-ray. But, at the same time...I don't hate it. The acutal process is not the best. But my hygenist is really nice, they always schedule you with the same one. My dentist is awesome. And they give you a free toothbrush! But truthfully that is one thing I cannot thank my parents for enough. I always went to the dentist...always! Every six months for my entire life. Not to mention the braces, not fun but I am so glad I have straight teeth. And it all pays off in the end. I have had only a few cavities in my life and no additional dental work. And today...no cavities!! So Mom and Dad my teeth and I thank you.

While we are on the subject of teeth. It is often recommended that you chew sugar free gum. There is a gum on the market today that is a fraud! You think when you purchase it that it will be a raspberry delight and will leave you with a "Just Brushed Clean Feeling". The first time I tried this gum was in church. Dennis was kind enough to offer it to my mother and me. So we put it into our mouths and at first it isn't bad. But it goes south very quickly. And you cannot say loudly in the middle of sacrament meeting...this crap tastes like Robitussin! We experimented on Bryan and he claims it tasted like "raspberry".




So here is your warning. The general consensus is that this particular gum tastes like cough medicine. You don't believe me?...try it for yourself.

Goal Jeans, Fat Pants, Before & After

I am really sorry you have to hear more about my weight loss. But I have included some much anticipated pictures. I was getting dressed today and decided to try on a pair of jeans I bought a few months ago. They didn't quite fit but the next size up fit too perfectly and I was hoping to lose more so I bought the smaller size. It felt so amazing when I slipped them on and they fit! Here is a pic of the goal jeans. I have officially dropped four sizes.



So I decided today was the day to show my humiliating fat pants pictures and before and afters.

Here are the pants that I wore when I first moved back to Utah




This is the most humiliting part. The first picture was taken days before we moved back to Utah. It was the end of January 2008.



And here is Dennis and me today March 15, 2009



I think Dennis has lost a few pounds too, eh??

Arlo Guthrie

One of my all time favorite artists is Arlo Guthrie. I have seen him a number of times in concert and I am never let down. He is amazing! Just for a little background Arlo Guthrie is the son of Woody Guthrie. Woody was a folk singer and composer. Some of you may know his song...This Land is Your Land. Arlo Guthrie carried on the tradition of great folk music. Some of you may have heard of the song Alice's Restaurant. It is a talking blues song that lasts 18 minutes and if you have not heard it you must! Alice's Restaurant was also made into a movie in 1969. His daughter Sarah Lee Guthrie is another great folk singer. It must run in the family. We have seen her play a few different times and never leave without a smile. Now, why pray tell am I telling you this?? I get to see Arlo Guthrie at Kingsbury Hall on March 29, 2009! Not only do I get to see a great folk artist in a wonderful venue, but he will be playing music from his new album. I browsed You Tube for an Arlo Guthrie clip so you can hear a taste of his music. I did find one of Alice's Restaurant but it is really long. So if you do want to hear it you can find it on You Tube. I picked The City of New Orleans. Arlo did not write this song, but it a good one and one he is very famous for performing.

*apology, you will have to pause the music at the bottom in order to hear the video*

I'm Alive....and well

Anyone who knows me knows that I love music. I love all music, there is a song I love in just about every genre. I recently purchased the new Kenny Chesney CD and finally received it in the mail yesterday. I put the CD in my CD player at work first thing this morning. The music started playing and the first song really struck me. And ironically, it featured another artist I love, Dave Matthews, but never pictured singing with Kenny Chesney. We all go through things that alter our lives, but we get through them. I know you have heard this a million times, but Dennis is an absolutely amazing person. He has gone through a lot of things in his life and I know he didn't use to feel this way. But he always tells me that things could be a lot worse. This is so true! There is beauty to be found all around us. Whether it be the hills in San Francisco, the beaches in Florida, the lights in New York City, or the Mountains in Utah. There are people around us that love us unconditionally. We are alive and free to do as we please (within the law of course.) There is so much in life to be thankful for. I am going to stop adding up the pain and start living.

"So damn easy to say that life's so hard. Everbody's got their share of battle scars. As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars. That I'm alive and well."

*apology, you will have to pause the music at the bottom in order to hear the video*

Bowling with Tasha

We went to Cedar City a few weeks ago for our monthly visit with Tasha. It is always so great to see her. Yet, we find ourselves running into the same problem. What do you do in Cedar City? In the summertime there are festivals every weekend and various other fun things. But in the winter there is nothing. So we decided to go bowling. I have always loved bowling but have not been in years and cannot begin to tell you how horrible I am. We had a greasy hamburger and then bought two games. We had a lot of fun. Dennis was so upset the first game because he was not "warmed up". I have proof as to who won the first game.



Honestly, it does not matter what we do. Getting to spend time with Tasha is the best part.

The Beauty that is Turbo Kickbox

As some of you know I have started working out at the gym. I was very hesitant to start. I was perfectly happy sitting home watching tv. Then I realized that even though I lost all of this weight I did not look the way I wanted to. And the only way to fix that was to exercise. I can only hope to look and be as strong in the core as my mom and Lisa. So I thought about how I was going to do it and did not like the thought of getting up at 5 am and walking on the treadmill. So I remembered my sister saying...try the classes. She said she was a "class girl". She liked working out in that setting. I thought I was so not a "class girl". And dreaded the thought of working out after work. Isn't that the perfect time to go home and veg out? Well, a girlfriend from work and I decided one day...Let's do it! So we got the schedules and planned to go. When it came time to go I tried to get out of it and she told me I had to go. So I went and although I am sure I looked like a fool, so did 50% of the class! So the next day I was so sore I thought I would die, but we went back. And here we are weeks into it and loving every minute of it. Even when my girlfriend cannot make it, I still go. And let me just say that working out after work is perfect! You are dragging after work and you force yourself to the gym. After the workout you feel amazing and it gives you about 2 hours of energy to finish out the evening and accomplish all you set out to. Then you crash hard and sleep like a baby. So, back to the title...the beauty that is turbo kickbox. This class was recommended by none other than Ms. Schader. It is so hard, fast, intense...amazing! I love this class! It challenges me every single time. There are always new people so you are never the "new kid" after the first time. The instructors really drive you. It makes me feel so great! The other class I enjoy is Power Pump. This is primarily weight and strength training. I feel so strong after that class. And let me tell you before I started I had no bicep....none. Now I have a teeny tiny muscle growing. Why did I not start working out years ago??? And for the record I am now a "class girl".