Makes you cough and try to get it out.. :)

I just needed to get my emotions out. *Warning this is a post regarding my feelings, if you are only interested in what's going on in our lives or Brad's crazy antics feel free to stop reading now* Well I may have lost my entire auience but I can't focus today and I think maybe jotting down what's racing through my mind will help. ok.. go

So I'm so grateful for facebook and the opportunities it gives me to keep in touch with old friends and see what they're up to. But lately the things that a few of my friends are up to aren't really all that great. It's hard growing up in Utah where almost all my friends were members.. actually the few that weren't just joined the church, how ironic. It's so hard to see good friends slip away from the church and delve into a life of sin.. It made me realize that in general it is sooo much easier to give into sin that deny our selves. I know I fall into that category most of the time. But I have the tendency to think too much and most of all care too much. When I realized how these people I cared about were living it made me want to cry. I often don't do what's right but I'm trying and I'm blessed to be able to come home to a safe place where the spirit resides and know that my family and friends and most importantly Brad love me. I'm really grateful for my parents and the leaders I had that helped me to gain a testimony while I was young. If it had been different I know myself well enough that I wouldn't have chosen to live the way I do now. And I'm so grateful that my parents gave me freedom to make my own choices it helped me to realize that the gospel is not restrictive but it protects us from the things that cause us misery and immense pain. I hope my friends learn that sooner than later. And I want to commit myself to doing better and being more grateful for the light that I do have.

love it

Weird but I just had to share. All of you who have been to my home know it's not quite as clean as I'd like it. I have been scrubbing the toliet for months now to get the toliet ring out but no amount of elbow grease prevailed. And then I bought this magic bottle.

This is what house wives dreams are made of!

Conference and Български (Bulgarian)

This is the second year Brad has been able to interpret for General Conference. I am soo proud of him. This has been a dream of his and I'm do proud of himfor achieving it! Since he's no longer working at the MTC and speaking the language every day he was a little nervous but he did a fabulous job. After the Sunday afternoon session we were invited to a Bulgarian dinner thanks to Ivan and his lovely momma! The food was delish. I was extra brave and when I got called on to pray I prayed in Bulgarian! ok more like 1/2 and 1/2 but Brad was really proud and everyone was pretty surprised. I've really enjoyed the little Bulgarian I've picked and as Justin can attest I just use the few words I know all the time but it's a start. I would love to be fluent but learning it isn't all that plausible when my guide to the language is states away. Pronunciation through the phone sure is fun though!

I love that Brad has been able to make to so many friends and so many cool opportunities beacause of his mission. And I'm so grateful that all the Bulgarians I have met have been so gracious and helped me to learn and use the few phrases I do know!

Here's a picture of the interpreting team. Notice the tiny room they're in, that's where all the magic happens!

Oh so bad at this..

Mmmkay let's just say I'm not so good at this blogging thing but Brad came home last weekend and we had a great time. Monday was our anniversary and brad picked me up from class and drove me to a secret location and suprised me with a couples massage! This is the first time I've had a real massage and it was awesome. Brad had been really sore from work as well so it was totally perfect. It was such a surprise. After we went to Cafe rio and got sweet pork burritos (we've grown to really appreciate them after a summer in Cali of bad tex-mex). It was awesome. I am so grateful for Brad and appreciate the massge even more because he spent a bunch of time calling around to find a place that was a total steal so we could be pampered AND stay in our budget. Two years have gone by so fast but I'm so grateful for Brad and his patience with me and his positive attitude. I've learned to lighten up and sweat less of the small stuff. (I'm still working on it :)) To know Brad is to love him and I'm grateful everyday that he chose me to be with him forever!

Lonely..

Well I've gone back to school and Brad's still working out of town until the spring... Hopefully our ugly debt will die earlier but with books and tuition it's not looking so good. I just wanted to ask the few of you that do look at our blog (even though we don't update it reguarly) what you do when you're bored or lonely. Have any great suggestions cause currently I'm thinking about moving into my bed with a carton of icecream permenantly.

California Benefits

The store we're currently working at is about an hour from the Plasters we stopped by for dinner and Ang sent us home with Monster cookies. Have I mentioned I love brad's family?! Then they were kind enough to drive and visit us here are some pictures from the pool fun, Denny's dinner and night jaunt (right before work) to a park where the boys checked out the frolf course and the ladies enjoyed the swings.

What an adorable Family.

How cute is Benson's smile?

BW really did have a good time :) We love Denny Dinners

This face made me laugh! What a goof ball.


Benson had a great time climbing on the booths, he is a true boy through and through. He even demonstrated his baseball skills when we visited their apartment.

Even Jaycie Grace had a good time at Denny's

What a cute mother daughter shot.

We loved hanging out! I'm so grateful I married into such a wonderful family. The Wagner women give me such a great example to follow and are great friends.

A little shout out

The end of June the Wagner family received a wonderful addition... Stephanie. Here is a token picture of the happy couple. I might sound sarcastic, but I LOVE this girl. (the sarcasm is coming from the current weird sleep schedule and transient nature of our living situation).

Sorry for the not so fabulous picture, but I can't seem to find all the pictures Brad took.
We ended up being able to stay in Spokane for a few weeks around the wedding and got to enjoy the great things that Spokane has to offer. Like Spokane discount (LOVE it!) with Pam, Ang, and Celeste and let's not forget to mention all the cute nieces and nephew who we drug along. A bunch of kids didn't distract US from all the great deals. Definitely made some great memories.





Brad suprised me with a trip to Riverfront park to ride the carousel. (I may or may not have stolen a ring..) Baden, Mary and Eliza were kind enough to join us and have us over for dinner. We were running late to a temple session and they graciously lent us some clothes. I owe a huge THANK YOU to Mary.Thanks for your generosity and letting us steal your clothes. I love the dress but didn't really mean to take it hostage for weeks, despite the many appearances it may have had :)

As you've seen from other posts this summer Brad has picked up frisbee golf. Marv reintroduced BW on our trip and many days were spent checking out various courses. On our way home from another wedding in Seattle we met Stephanie's family in Moses Lake for a picnic at a park with a course. Thank you Butterfield family, it was a picnic dreams are made of! Here are some of the Swweeet pics of the frolfin crew.
Oh Tyler...


Love it!