I've moved!

Yup I've decided to go to wordpress. Follow me here.


http://lifelawandthensome.wordpress.com/

Sittin' in a tree

I bought my house in May and I love being a homeowner! I have all sorts of projects that I have planned and some in the works. Currently I'm working on a chalkboard for my kitchen. I bought this awesome frame from DI. I'm also learning new things like paying the neighbor kid $10 bucks to mow my HUGE lawn is totally worth it! And I can trim my bushes without accidentally making them bald. I also learned that I suck at gardening. Case in point. 

Last Saturday I needed my trees trimmed because they were hitting the top of my neighbors house and my house. So Dad, Dave, Ben, Lollie, Kevin, Carson and Abby came over to help trim them. I unfortunately could only help for a few minutes because USCIS has decided to do Saturday citizenship interviews and I had two clients interviewing. But I got a few pictures before I left. 

And Carson wore this awesome coat. He was chasing Frankie (el gato) around the yard saying  "rawr!".

The cat would run away and Abby would chase after the cat telling him that Carson wasn't a real dinosaur. Frankie didn't believe her. 

I really appreciate my family always being willing to help me out. As much as I wish I could handle stuff on my own I really can't do it all. So thanks!! 

A Year

It’s been one year today since mom died. I was doing pretty well today until about noon. I don’t really know what to say about it. It’s not my favorite day for sure. I feel bad because one of my best friends has her birthday today. She is a good sport. She understands. The most I’ve thought about today is how I feel like it has been longer than a year. I was pretty disconnected with things for about 9 months. Those were my hardest and darkest months I think. The new year helped. I’m for sure grateful for friends and family. I feel as though I’m slowly starting to get back.

This wasn’t supposed to be a whiney post. Sorry.  Basically I decided that while today is a rough day and a hard day I would prefer to remember my mom for how great she was and how much I love her. I love her for her great example. Thanks mom! I love ya and miss you!

To wordpress or to not wordpress

So I'm exploring the possibilty of switching over to wordpress.com. I think I am going to post in both spots until I decide what to do. So here is that address if you are interested in checking it out. http://lifelawandthensome.wordpress.com/ If you have a vote one way or another let me know.

Housewarming!

I decided to finally show people the house. 

 To start off the Window Bros (my nephews have a window washing business) came and washed my windows for free! They look great! Thanks guys!

 We then all went to the children's parade for the Days of '47 celebrations. (if you wonder what that is go here) My nieces, Lollie and Morgan and my nephew Kyle were in the parade. It was fun to see them.

 This is Lollie. But you can't really see her. Sorry Lollie...

 Morgan!!

 Kyle!!

 Then in the afternoon I invited friends and family over to see the house. We had loads of food. I made BBQ pork and everyone brought desserts. Thanks everyone!

 I had the idea to have a swimming pool for the kids. I had a painting party a while ago and I turned on the sprinkler for the kids and needless to say Abby (my niece) was less than impressed. She kept telling me to go buy a pool. When I wouldn't do it she would go bug my SIL Eryn. So I bought one. However it got stormy today. So I decided to get paint and markers and let the kids draw or paint pictures that I could hang up on my blank walls.

 Morgan and Lollie get their art on!

 Thankfully the sun came out and the kids got to swim as well.

 My poor cat. My dad decided he needed "a bath" and chucked him in the pool. I found him soaked and muddy on my bed later. Then Dad decided Frankie (the cat) needed to paint a picture. Needless to say the cat had a rough day and is now covered in red paint. Thankfully its washable. The cat is spent. He is currently sprawled out on the couch. He is letting me pet him too...which he rarely allows.

 Clara and Hailey painting

 My awesome pictures to put up!

Overall I would say it was a success and we all had a great time. Thanks everyone for coming and thanks for bringing something. I survived my party...maybe I can do another one some time....maybe :)

What I learned while in Austin

This last week I was in Austin, Texas for an immigration conference for work. It was a very informative. So I thought I'd share my wisdom with you.

1. Everyone wants to be tipped, even the bellhop who picked up your dropped pen.
2. Its ok to have a 30 min 2 mile run when its 90 degrees and 50% humidity.
3. Yes you do look like a tool with a cowboy hat and a diamond earring.
4. Austin has more one way streets than common sense.
5. Going to what you think is a regular restaurant only to have it be a cantina and only ordering water is frowned upon. Order the hard stuff...a NON-diet Dr. Pepper.
6. Crossing the street to "look" at the clothes at Patagonia results in a "purchase" at Patagonia.
7. Realizing your Patagonia purchase was so comfortable you wear it twice in 3 days and again to church on Sunday.
8. Beasty girls should not be allowed to: marry, date, talk to, be in the general vicinity of really nice guys. Sorry sister you only get the tool with the earring. You yelling at your husband in the middle of the airport makes me want to poke you with your high heel. Hey guy when she eventually divorces you (since you are too nice to do it) I'm available.
9. Room service, while good and enables my bad habit of laziness, should not be used, it is expensive...unless the cute guy is working then order everything, every hour.
10. The homeless lady on the corner will call you a "white b@#$" about 13 times before the light changes.
11. No matter how often you run around the Texas Capitol building, Rick Perry will not come out and yell something crazy....he only does that on national TV.
12. Tina Fey is hilarious.
13. Just because Austin touts to be the live music capital of the world doesn't mean its good music.
14. Exploring an unknown city is fun....as long as you have google maps.
15. Seeing priests and nuns drink is weird to see.
16. Being at a Catholic conference telling people you are Mormon results in a funny face with a recovery "ohhh...that's nice."
17. You really can hold your tongue while sitting next to a staff member of a (shall remain nameless) Utah congressman. Good job. But we all know how you really feel.
18. Immigration law really is as hugged up as you thought.
19. Never practice in Chicago or Texas...their CIS offices are crazy!
20. Austin was great!! But sometimes its always nice to go home.
21. "Complimentary peanuts" results in a $5 room charge.
22. Its nice to see that Mormon's aren't the only ones who pray to start a conference and over meals.
23. Your new favorite saying, "lie to everyone but God and immigration." Said by a nice lady whose name I failed to learn helping victims of DV. Bless you.
24. I love what I do.
25. There are really great, humble people doing a lot of good for people that desperately need it.

Mi Casa es well mi casa...

I got a house! Finally! Remember this post? Well I didn't get this house:

I got this house!

It has been the longest huggin' ordeal! I am going to die in this house because I'm not sure I can go through that again. Plus my lender was HORRIBLE! I won't mention who it was even though everything I would say is true so it wouldn't be defamation. Buuuut we'll just be safe and not say anything. :) I'm glad its over. Technically I could move in now but I want to at least do the kitchen. AND a crime was committed in my house!! The crime being the old owners tore up, TORE UP the original hardwoods! Who does that?! Ridiculous. So I'm stuck with ugly purple carpet for a while! Dumb people. But for my kitchen I will give you a hint. It involves this:

Stay tuned!