Sunday, April 20, 2008

Sunday's Rock!

We have had such an enjoyable day today. We were blessed to be able to attend our friends' baby blessing. Brittni & Brayden Smith blessed their little guy Branson. James was invited to participate. I am so very grateful for the power of priesthood blessings. And I'm so much more grateful that James is worthy to to hold the priesthood and honors it. It was just so wonderful. The spirit was so strong and I know that this little boy will be blessed beyond our imaginations.

We had time as well to come home and take a short nap. Then Mom and Dad came over to hang out for a short bit just before the flood gates to the rest of the party opened. James and I just love to entertain! It's so much fun. Our guest list included mostly family: Mom & Dad Wilderness, Mom & Dad Tibbitts, Mari & Casey, Daren & Ashlee, Grandpa Tibbitts, The Bastos Family(Anne, Luiz, Makayla & Little Luiz), and last (but not least) Andy. We had a fantastic menu too! Luiz made some chicken. I cooked pasta and marinara sauce. We put it together with some cheese to make our own chicken parmesean. Ashlee & Daren brought a tasty chicken salad. Andy brought a lovely veggie tray. Mom & Dad Wilderness brought the french bread & garlic spread. Then Anne topped it off with some absolutely tounge tingling lemon bars. they were absolutely wonderful!

The family ate and watched Enchanted. Then all the guys helped me clean up in the kitchen. Thanks to Casey and his elbow grease! He cleaned the glass top stove and there was a lot of cooked on grease. What a guy that Casey!. Then we wrapped it up with a fun bit of Nintendo Wii.











It's just been an overall wonderful day. We are so grateful for friends and family. And to grateful that we have the opportunity to take part in their lives. Thank you!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Precious

Since we got new phones, I went through the pictures on my old phone and found this super adorable picture of my niece Jacquie. Isn't she precious?

Opinion NEEDED!!

Saturday. What an interesting day. It actually began Friday night.

Friday: It was a good day. James got home from work and finished fixing my parents' car. He decided that it would be a pleasant experience to take me to dinner and a movie. I am not one to say no, so we had an enjoyable evening. I didn't even have to take my purse! That sweet hubby of mine. It was all on him! When we got home we realized that we didn't have James' cell phone. Bummer! We left it at the theater!

Saturday: The original plan was to prepare for the upcoming events in our near future. Going to Ohio and Joshy coming home! (We leave for Ohio on Thursday! James is setting up a frog hopper at the Columbus Zoo!!! So I'm going too!!) We were going to get some lawn fertilizer and take care of raking up the lawn from the winter and give it some nice nourishment. Well, we ended up getting the fertilizer needed and running a few other errands. Groceries for the most part. Then realizing that the theater wouldn't be open until 11:30, we decided to waste some time. It was only 11. So we stopped by a local car dealership. We really like one of the cars. And just can't decide. Finally, at about 12:30 we get to run to the theater. No sign of the phone. Now we need to run to the verizon store to make sure we get the service stopped and people aren't making phone calls on it and running up our bill. Yeah! No activity! But we do qualify for our free phone upgrade. We are working on that and picking out our new phones when we hear screeching tires and crashing sounds! Go to the front of the store to find two vehicles having been involved in an accident! An elderly man in a minivan at the drive through of Burger King had blacked out and rammed the car in front of him up the curb and then drifted up the curb himself, taking out the Burger King sign and finally coming back to consciousness! Wow! Everyone involved was OK. We finally get out of the Verizon store having everything complete a little bit after 2:00. We decide that we don't want the car and call the dealer and tell him no thanks. We go home to get some lunch and the dealer calls back. With a better deal! Those sneaky dealers!

Being the smart girl that I was born to be, I came up with a temporary solution: Take the car for the rest of the weekend to make sure it's what we want. Now I really like this car. But it may be more a a want than a necessity. I am completely aware of that. Take a look and view my pros and cons. Please!!! Give me your opinion!!







2005 Chevrolet Equinox
52,000 miles
17 in-town mpg
26 highway mpg

PROS:
Pretty
Safe
Low Miles
Lower to the ground
Better gas mileage
Newer
It's an American revolution

CONS:
Twice as much expensive as what we have now
Doesn't have as many cool features
Longer Loan
Tires are as new
Not as comfortable
Not a Ford

We are just merely looking for opinions. We don't want to spend money just because we can. We want to be wise. Please be honest, but not too brutal. Thanks a million!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

I love you my Kanaboke!!

So, I'll be honest again. Kenny and Michele Buttars were hanging out at our place when I submitted my last post. They're so much fun! Anyway, I was going to go nuts. I was doing everything I could to figure out who it was! I started talking about it with Michele and thought, "Only one person calls me "my Susi". It's got to be "my Ardis!""

I just love you! And super props to Randa for helping me figure it out too! You all rock!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Calling Kanaboke!

I must honestly say. . . I'm quite embarrassed. Please accept my most humble apology! You leave such wonderful comments on my posts. I really appreciate it. I don't know if it's just me aging or something, but I can't for the life of me figure out the real name behind Kanaboke. I'm so sorry!! Please let me know who you are!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Many Things Wonderful!!

This month is such a wonderful month!! For more than one reason.

For the past long time my little brother, Josh, has been incarcerated. I don't necessarily care to go into the details, but will honestly say I miss him. I believe he has learned a lot during this trial. I can't say that he's perfect or will never make another mistake in his life. But I believe he has learned a lesson. During his time there, he's read the scriptures and for two years James & I have sent him the Ensign. I don't know if he's read them, but I hope they were a positive influence for him. I'm so very excited though!! He is being released on April 26, 2008! HOLY COW!!!!! MY LITTLE BRO IS COMING HOME!! TO MY HOME!!! YEAH!!!

Also during the time of his trial, many things have happened. One of the biggest happenings is that my parents pulled up their roots in Cheyenne, WY and planted them in no other place but here in Logan, UT! They've had a rough battle of their own, but that's for a different day. So they moved to Logan and started working at a call center called Convergys. They've done quite well at making new friends. Josh has of course been quite lonely in jail and just wanted contact from the outside world. So many of my parents and my friends have written to him. Long story short. Josh has connected with one of the girls my parents used to work with. She is a very sweet girl. She has a good head on her shoulders and seems to be able to keep Josh in the right mind at all times. She's so very patient. Well they are in love and getting married on June 6th! I'm just so very happy that my brother is coming home and that he is going to live with us before his wedding.

I had a friend comment on this situation the other day. It really made me feel good. She said something to the effect of, "you'll be such a good influence on him and be able to show him what a happy marriage consists of." How sweet is that!! I love James so dearly and he loves me the same. He treats me like a queen and it's so very full of consideration, care and love. I'm just so excited for Josh and James to get to know each other and for Josh to be able to learn from James the appropriate way to treat his lady.
(it's a picture of a picture. sorry. it's all I had)


So, I'm putting a countdown for his release date and time! Yeah. I love my little brother!



AND. . . . . . .

Roxy is coming home soon too! She is honestly like a sister to me. It has been really hard while she's been gone. She is dating my brother-in-law, Tom. He is on a mission. And she up and went to Belgium. Anyway, it was hard when Tom left. But for Roxy to leave too has been really hard on me. Thank goodness for internet! Thank goodness for cell phones that I can text message with. And thank goodness for the USPS so I may send packages to Roxy and Tom. It's been a delight, but I'm so absolutely excited for her to come home. And the countdown for her landing in Salt Lake City!

(we rock. what more can I say!)

Very much excitement! And so many things to be happy for. I count my many blessings and am so grateful to be a part of these wonderful people's lives.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Sleepy Again

Wow! After a very long week at work I find myself exhausted again. James and I have been working very hard today to clean the house. I'm proud to say that we've got most of it done. And the laundry is clean, folded and put away!! It's quite amazing. But I feel good about it. Sometimes the simple things are what really matters. To me, having a clean home helps me to feel better. I also think that it helps me to feel the spirit more. It adds to the atmosphere of a welcome place to be. So come on over!!! Anyway, I don't have any pictures to add today. I don't feel like anything interesting has happened this week. We both just worked a very hard, long week and are looking forward to being rejuvenated at church tomorrow. Love you all! James & Sus

Friday, April 4, 2008

All the fun in one. . .

Clerk's Conference is over!! What a relief! After approximately 20 hours of sitting in a beautiful hotel, I'm exhausted! The sessions are gruelling and sometimes difficult to stay awake in. I made it! I didn't even fall asleep. And now I'm home with my sweet Sophie puppy who is showing off her talents in attacking her rawhide bone. She's so cute. And my sweet James will be here shortly.

Midway is a really neat place. There was a cool meteor crater that has a hot spring inside it. It is about 55 feet deep and you can even scuba dive in it. We didn't do it, but took some pictures.

Here's a look at the crater from the street.


Here's a look from the inside looking toward the sky.


The girls inside the crater.


Ryan in the tunnel to the inside of the crater.


After our mini crater tour, we took ourselves on a little tour of the Zermatt. Here are some fun pictures.














The best part of it was the bakery. It was supposed to resemble a traditional bakery in Switzerland. It was very beautiful and the samples were great! Check us out:







We had a lot of fun. They allowed us to try some samples before purchasing. I tried some raspberry gelato, tapioca, cheesecake and part of a pear tart. It was all yummy. I decided to purchase some kind of mouse with a blackberry on top. Then I couldn't stand it and brought home a chocolate raspberry cake and a coconut creme pie. Sweet tooth much? Who knows. Ironically, it helped me feel like I was doing something cool like Roxy is. I was placed into a mini Switzerland and indulged in their sweets. We were going to get some cool pedicures too, but the spa was booked up. Oh Well! Roxy, enjoy Italy!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Clerk's Conference!!!

In order to maintain my employment as a justice court clerk I must attend a two day clerk's conference. A few of my fellow clerks, Lisa and Dezie along with our boss, Ryan and his family have come for the festivities. The conference is at the Zermatt Resort and Spa in Midway, UT. It's really a beautiful place. James was supposed to come with me, but his work did not permit it. So I'm stuck here in this beautifulness without him. So sad.

All must be well though. I've got a hecka sweet room! Check it out:


This is the view from the hallway. I have to go through the double doors.


Once I get through the double doors I have a little hallway that's got some pretty art.


Once into my room is the grand scene of a four-poster king size bed with a matching TV armoir:




Then there's the bathroom. Just look need I say more?

Yeah, it's jetted! And long enough and deep enough for me! Woot! Woot!


Sweet Vanity


Very Pleasing Shower!

And last but not least. . . . .

My Very Own Pair Of Mary Jane Crocs!!! That Actually Fit!!!


This makes a happy Susi! ;-)

Peace out and more to come from Midway....