Then and Now Tag

Way Back When...

20 Years ago...

I don't have a scanner so you can't see how dang cute I was back then. I was 3 years old. My childhood best friend Heather Pack had just moved in next door. I played with her every waking minute. I had at least 5 baby dolls and 10 outfits for each of them. I loved them like they were real. I guess that I was born with a love for babies.

At some point during this year, my big brother Jeff pushed me down the stairs. The fall broke my collar bone, which is the only bone I have ever broken. Thanks Jeff!

What else can I say about being 3...

10 Years ago...

This was one of the best years of my school life. I was the 8th Grade Vice President at Bountiful Junior High-the best junior high ever. We were preparing to be in the Bountiful parade on the 23rd of July. We worked so hard getting a float ready and making sure we were going to be the best float of all the junior highs around. Then the day of the parade came and it poured... and I mean poured cats and dogs during the whole parade. We sat on the float soaking wet and freezing. We waved to the few who braved the storm. But I really don't think anyone remembered our cool float. Despite our bad luck in the parade, this schol year rocked! It was full of parties and games and friends and of course boys (which is important to any 13 year old teenage girl.) Little did I know that the next year I would be SBO President and have even more fun in school. I do have to say that Junior High was way more fun than high school. I think of it as the best years of my school career. But I don't think I would ever go back!

5 years ago...

On the 24th of July holiday was the first time Steve and I watched fireworks together. On the Fourth of July, I had watched them with a creepy guy named Jordan. I met him while I was walking around the Bountiful Temple on a Sunday evening. He asked for my number and since I just graduated high school and excited that an RM noticed me, I gave it to him. He asked me out for the Fourth. He was kinda cute, but I didn't know until our date how creepy he was. We played games on a blanket until the fireworks started. It was fun and then while we were watching the fireworks, he grabbed my hand. I tried to get it away but he didn't take the hint. We went and got ice cream afterwards and he continued to hold my hand and try to seduce me. He never got the hints. He took me to his house, which I would have never gone in if his dad wasn't at home. He showed me a clip from his favorite movies. I can't remember what they were called but they were weird. They had weird music playing and gothis people flying around and stuff. He thought they were so cool. I finally talked him into talking me home. He, of course, walked me to the doorstep and tried to kiss me. I made a fast one and turned my head. He kissed my cheek not my mouth. I was amazed at the pushyness of this RM. He asked my out for the next night. I told him to call tomorrow and see...I couldn't think of an excuse fast enough. I went inside and vowed to never date an RM for a long time!

The next day I played Ulitmate Frisbee with a bunch of people; Steve was one of them. He knew I went on a date with Jordan and even knew Jordan. So he asked how it went. I just looked at him and he knew it was bad. After playing, he asked if I wanted to talk about the date. I said yeah, but I need to get home to baby-sit my nephew. He asked if he could come along. I said yes. (I already had a crush on him). We spent the whole afternoon in my parents yard on a blanket with my baby nephew. We talked. I told him about the date and he gave me advice on how to let Jordan down nicely. He met my parents. Eventually he went home. Then Jordan called. I told him that I wasn't interested. About 2 minutes after getting off the phone with Jordan, Steve called to ask how it went. At the time I thought "Wow, he really cares. He was listening and really wanted to help me." Now I know it was to make sure I wasn't taken and he could ask me out. We talked for a while. I hung out with my friends that night. The next day Steve called and asked me to go on a walk with him (it was Sunday so it was the only thing we coudl do). Of course I said yes. We went on a walk. He held my hand...I let him. I started falling in love and the rest is history. I love you babe!

Three years ago...

Steve and I moved into our first house, which is the house we still live in. We bought it from my sister Jenny and her husband. Many people told us we were stupid for buying a house so young, but it is the best purchase we have ever made.

We were both still in school. I took the summer off and worked full time at Nutra Brands selling vitamins to stores all over the nation. Steve went to school and worked full time at A Insurance. We had some good times being young and married and kid-less.

One year ago...

I had just graduated from Weber State! That was one of the best feelings in the world. But what was even better than that was the fact that now I got to be a MOM. I know Zack was born in December, but I still had to go to school. I left him at my sister Jenny's house for basically the first 4 months of his life. So after I graduated I could be a mom and only a mom. I love it!

Steve was commuting to Ultradent in South Jordan. He was working hard and moving up in the company pretty fast. The problem was the commute. He was happy to do it since it meant I could stay home. What a great guy!

So far this year...

I love my life. I always think I am so lucky and that I have the life that anyone would want. But others remind me they wouldn't want it. So I guess I just have the life that I have always wanted. I have a wonderful husband, a cute little boy, another baby on the way, a house, and the gospel. I get to stay home and play with Zack all day long. This summer we go to Cherry Hill a lot. He loves it and I love playing with him. I also get to clean and cook and do the laundry. I try my hardest, even though my house isn't as clean as Brenda's, most of the time it is good enough.

Steve got a new job at Hill Air Force Base. It is much closer than his last job and has more benifits...like pension. We actually see him. Zack loves his dad and always wants to play with him. He asks me all day long where Dad is. I know a lot of it is because Steve doesn't come home tired from driving for at least an hour and is home 2 hours more a day. We are glad he is closer and likes his job.

We have been working hard in our backyard. I really think by September it will be presentable. We are going to have a huge party if it is.

Yesterday...

I got up early and ran a lot of errands before 9:00 AM. I went to my sister's to exercise. After we did that, I ended up running her errands too. I got home at 2:30. We cleaned up the house, yes Zack is starting to help. Then Steve came home and we went to Cherry Hill. At one point we were the only ones in Pirate's Cove. It was dead. We also went on the mat slides a lot. Great Family Home Evening!!

In the next year...

We will get a new baby brother. I am hoping that he comes out faster than Zack, but is still a healthy baby. We still have a lot to do before he gets here. He is sharing a room with Zack. So we don't have a nursery to worry about. But there is still plenty to be done.

Zack will continue to grow up. Hopefully he will get potty trained. Most of all I hope he continues to be silly. I hope that he still feels loved after the baby gets here.

Steve and I will be the same. Hopefully I can get back into my clothes after baby #2. If not, I have Turbo Jam. We might go and leave at another base for a couple of months. We are trying to go to the Hawaii base, but it is hard to get in there. Other than that we will continue home improvements and stuff like that.

Now I tag: Lena, Kim, Jami, Joan, Michelle, Amy, and Sasha. Have fun!!

Washington DC

Steve had to go to Washington DC for work training. So I decided to go with him. We left Zack home with my sister. We arrived in DC on Monday July 7th. I got home on Friday and Steve came home on Saturday. While he was at meetings all day, I went on guided tours. He would then find me and I would show him the cool things he missed. We also went on a Washigton After Dark tour the first night we were there. The whole vacation was amazing. It even inspired me to find a history book and read it...yes that means it must have been something special...I usually hate history.

The Washington Monument is my new horn!

Sorry about the long blog...I hate them too. But there was no other way to do it...there is just so much to post. But hey at least it isn't about Zack. :)

The U.S. Capital Building

I was able to tour the inside of the Capital building. It was really neat inside. They didn't let us take many pictures, but here is what I could take.

The rotunda is made out of cast iron. This picutre is at the top. It has George Washington in a throne with Greek Gods and Goddesses surrounding him. They all symbolized something, but I can't remember them. The guide spoke really fast.
There was a mural around the bottom of the rotunda. It followed history. This is the beginning where Christopher Columbus is arriving at the New World.

The White House

The house of the President. On one of my tours, we passed by the Federal Executive Building. This building was kiddie corner to the White House. We went to turn down the street the tour always goes one, but the road was blocked off and there were guards all around. Then the driver went to drive us passed the White House (which by the way, the street in front of the White House is closed to vehicle also thanks to 9-11). Along the streets for tow blocks were men in uniform. These men held a big black bag in one hand and the other hand was in the bag. The driver said "oh yeah, you know exactly what is in those bags!" He guessed the President or Vice President was going to or returning from the Federal Executive Building. It was pretty cool to see the security they really get. I don't think a President is going to get assassinated anytime soon.

This is the closest they let visitors get-thanks to 9-11.

Washington Monument

The famous monument! What you don't see is that it is circled by 50 US flags. It also has a line about one-fourth to one-third of the way up. This happened because they started building it and ran out odf money. The building stopped for a number of years (if I remember right 12) and then when they started the stones didn't match after 12 years of sun and rain.

Us at the base of the monument.
One night we were walking around and heard a helicopter. We looked up to see Marine 1, the President's helicopter flying around. We knew that the President was coming home that evening, so if you ask us, he is in that helicopter.

Abraham Lincoln Monument

Lincoln's statue stands 19 feet high-there is only one other statue taller than him in DC (the Peace statue on the capital). If you look at his hands you can see that they form an A and an L in sign language. These stand for Abraham Lincoln. They designed it like that because one of his sons was death and mute. This is also the place where Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech. His two famous speeches are engraven upon the walls.

This is the outside. Lincoln sits in the middle of that building, looking straight at the Capital Building.

Thomas Jefferson Monument

This monument was awesome! On the inside of the walls, many of Jefferson's quotes were engraved. After reading these quotes, it was plain to see that this nation was founded under God. I knew once again that this nation was founded so that Jesus Christ's church could be restored to the Earth. It also made me happy that all of the Founding Father's temple work is done. After reading Jefferson's quotes, I am pretty sure he accepted the gospel. What a great man!

FDR Memorial

This memorail was really cool. It had 4 different "rooms" that symbolized each term FDR was in office. Each room had a waterfall and each waterfall got bigger and bigger in each room.

These stones were in the room that symbolized Pearl Harbor.

Steve and I at the last waterfall.

One of the falls at night. This memorial was gorgeous at night.

FDR as the country knew him

I am in line for welfare. The only side view you will ever get of me 6 1/2 months pregnant.

Steve trying to get some money too.

Arlington National Cemetery

The whole cemetery ws lined with tomb stones. Many of them are soldiers that gave their lives for our country. They are lined up to symbolize soldiers standing at attention and ready to battle.

This is the eternal flame of John F. Kennedy. He was buried at this spot because 11 days before he was assassinated, he was visiting the cemetery. He stood at this spot and said "This is so beautiful. I could stay here forever."

His wife is buried next to him.
This is the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers." It holds many bodies and remains of soldiers from all the wars since WWII. A gaurd watches the tomb 24 hours a day. He paces back and forth with a gun protecting the remains. Every half and hour they change the gaurd in a very offical ceremony. We both saw the ceremony. It was really neat.

War Memorials

Korean War Memorial

Faces were engraved on the wall

US Marine Corps Memorial

Steve at the base of the memorial

The famous memorial. This looked really neat at night, but we couldn't get a picture to turn out.

More War Memorials

Vietnam Memorial Wall

It lists the names of all who passed.

Look close and you can find Steve's reflection in the wall
The Washinton Momument reflected in the wall

World War II Memorial

Mt. Vernon

This is the home George Washington lived in after he resigned as President. THey wouldn't allow us to take pictures of the inside, but it was very large. It 5 guest bedrooms. The colors were also very interesting-bright blues and greens. It was tradition that the male decorated the rooms.

This is the look out from the back of the house. Yeah...I wouldn't mind having that view after I retired.

This is George Washington's Tomb.

Summer Fun

This summer we bought season passes to Cherry Hill Water Park. We basically live there. We go 3-4 times a week and then go back when Steve gets home in the evening. At first Zack wasn't sure what to think, but now he loves it. His favorite attraction is the big water slides. He giggles the whole way down and doesn't mind getting dunked at the bottom. He is getting use to Pirate's Cove and loves to chill on Mom in the Lazy River. The water really cools us off on all the hot days we have had lately. We love summer!!!

I asked Zack if he wanted to go home. This was his reaction.

Playing in Pirates' Cove

He is trying to grab the water, without getting a face full.

At the end of the slides with mom.

At the bottom of the slide with Dad. He is preparing to go under.