Darned pictures

Note to self: Don't wait a flipping 4 years to print out pictures.

I've been going through albums on our computer for hours on end the past few weeks picking which ones to print out. They go all the way back to March of 2006. Holy cow. After many hours, and a pretty penny... all 630 pictures have now been placed into 2 beautiful family photo albums (another steal at Costco).

I'm engaged, friends!

It was almost 3 years ago in Hawaii when I lost my wedding ring. Dustin and I were boogie boarding at a nice beach in Kaua'i when I looked down a few hours later and noticed that I was only wearing my wedding band. My engagement ring was totally gone. I was devestated. I've always felt so guilty about losing it. I had the feeling over and over and over to not bring my ring on the trip but I was obsessed with that darned ring, so I immediatly brushed the thought away. I brought it anyway, then lost it on some white sandy beach.

Dustin's always been nice about the whole situation. I would have thought he'd be mad, or atleast a tiny bit upset. I've told him over and over to not get me another one because I don't feel like I deserve it. There are better things we could spend the money on, and I atleast still had my little wedding band. I don't need a big diamond to know I'm married... plus, it's not like it's coming with me to heaven!

Well, apparently Dustin's been saving up for this for quite a while. I walked into our bedroom and found a note and a little black box on my pillow.

I love the 2 floating diamonds.
I love him so much. He spoils me. Here my husband is now selling plasma (again) to save up for some fancy-shmancy gun he's wanted forever, and instead of buying that with this money, he spends the money on another beautiful ring for me.
I cried. I love it.

The Wedding

Here's a picture of our family at my sister Tera's wedding. The wedding was in gorgeous Ashland, Oregon (about 10 miles from the California border on I5). It was in the 60's and was beautiful. Tera looked beautiful and happy. Jeff and her seem to be a great fit for each other.

We put 3,200 miles on our car in just 9 days. I love our car. Our 2000 Honda Accord now has 162k miles and is going strong. That car took us to Widby Island, Ashland, Oregon, and Yakima. We had the best time visiting with friends and family. We also ate at Burgerville and Chevy's, had gelato, went to the Portland Children's Museum, Jantzen Beach to ride the carousel, went bowling, got a lb of Sees, and did lots and lots and LOTS of shopping. Dustin's favorite part was probably going to Cabela's. He even treated himself to an orange hat as a souvenir. Lillie and Jack did pretty well. Aside from a few tantrums from Lillie (lack of naps), the trip went almost perfectly.

We're semi glad to be back here in Idaho. Well... let's be honest. I'm not that happy! I hated driving back and watching the terrain get yellower and browner, then colder and colder...
It was so nice wearing t-shirts and bermudas, sandals, and open-toed shoes. We brought our coats but never put them on even once. Even when it rained on Thursday it was still so in the 50's and beautiful! Washington and Oregon have tulips, pink cherry trees in full blossom, daffodils, green grass everywhere, and perfect spring temperatures. I went running and LOVED it. My lungs didn't burn and it felt good.

So... I'm ticked. Idaho has at least a month or two until Spring comes. Until then, I guess I'll put back all of our new bright spring and summer clothes and keep wearing my sweaters and boots.

Disclaimer: Idaho isn't that bad. We do love being close to our families, and the snow is fun. No offense devoted Idahoans.

On the road again

We're packing up our family and are heading off to good 'ol Vancouver, Washington for an undetermined amount of time. My sister's getting married in Ashland, OR on Feb. 28th (the main purpose of the adventure). We're also driving up to Seattle area to see Erika L. and Kaitlin, going to the Carter's outlet in Troutdale, meeting up with Jessie and Syd (after a long hiatus), and most importantly, eating at Burgerville.
Bring it on Highway 84.

Thank you Rexburg plasma center

Taken just a few days after our 1st date. February 2006

After our 184th date (assuming we go on a date once a week.. which we do) . February 2010

If it weren't for you, Rexburg Plasma Center, Dustin and wouldn't be together today.

It was an annoying, depressing, and cold, Valentines Day morning in 2006 when I decided to go sell some plasma before work and school. I sat down in my donating chair at 7:20AM or so, when the plasma center randomly decided to do a "Valentines Day Raffle." They put all the chair numbers in a hat to win a grand prize of dinner for 2 at Bajio and 2 movie tickets. Lucky me, they pulled out chair #38 (I still remember).

I must have seemed to be a bit of a crazy person because I coudn't find anyone to take me on a date that I was basically paying for.... at BYU-I (lame). Before resorting to taking a roommate with me that night, I called my sister who set me up with one of her co-workers' sons. Dustin picked me up at 6:30PM later that day, and the rest is history.

Happy 4 year (from our first date) Anniversary, Dear! To celebrate 4 V-Day's together, we wrote eachother poems. Please don't zoom-in to read them, they're pretty wierd and most of the time don't make sense.

"Jack-ie Boy!"

4 months goes by too fast, my friends.

Dustin's family hates squirrels. I don't know why, I've always thought they were so cute!

"Surprize, surprize, surprize, duh-duh-duh Happy Birthday!"

It's true, on Sunday (JAN 31) it was my 23rd Birthday. I had a great Birthday weekend. On Saturday night Dustin took me to TGIFridays to get some amazing ribs curtosy of their new Jack Daniels Grill. World's best ribs, my friends.
He also took me to a comedy stand-up with some hilarious LDS comedians. There were 3. One of the guys just did a stand up at The Laugh Factory with Tim Allen a few weeks prior, and one of the other guys was the guy who wrote "Singles Ward" and "Mormons and the Mafia." All 3 of them were so funny. After that Dustin took me to go get a Maple Butter Blondie from Applebees (amazing), and then we went on a long drive. We were gone for 6 1/2 hours. It was the best gift ever.

Tonight (Monday) Dustin threw me a shin-dig to celebrate with our families and friends. It was chaotic and so entertaining. We ate sandwiches, played BINGO, ate cake and ice cream (with some wonderful trick candles, thank you Dustin), and opened presents. It was fun to visit with everyone and so great for everyone to come. I have a great family (on both sides) and amazing friends.

Here are the pictures from the party:

And thanks again Tacie for my GLEEK shirt! I'm wearing it right now.