TAG

Once again I'm tagged, by COURTNIE, my beloved cousin, who apparently wants to know more about me, so here goes:


A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Here's all you never wanted to know:

10 years ago: Let's see, 1998, Tanner was 9 mos., Haylee was 2 1/2, we were watching "Bambi" every day, living in Holladay in a 2bdrm apt by wonderful neighbors who we still keep in touch with. We were building our home in Draper and were so excited! And of course I taught swimming that summer!

5 Things on my To-Do List today:

1. Clean grout (this has been an ongoing process since we have a LOT of Travertine that needs attention!)
2. Pick up kids from school
3. Laundry--wash and fold
4. Workout
5. Make Dinner
I know--I'm pretty exciting today, huh?

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. M&Ms--plain
2. apple slices
3. cottage cheese/yogurt combo
4. trail mix (with M&Ms, of course)
5. Cheeze-Its

What I would do if I was suddenly made a billionaire:
Pay off my house and any other debt, buy a Suburban, go see my sisters in Ohio and Orlando, then travel with the kids and Dave

3 Bad Habits:

1. Biting my nails
2. Leaving my shoes lying around the house
3. Running late

5 Places I've lived:

1. Jerusalem, Israel
2. Portland, Oregon
3. Denver, Colorado
4. Fresno, California
5. Draper and South Jordan, UT (I know that's 2, but they are both so significant!)

5 jobs I've had:

1. Gap, Inc. (would you like matching socks?)
2. Medical Transcription
3. Mortgage Loan Processor
4. Swim Coach
5. Domestic Engineer

5 Things people don't know about me:

1. My little brother called me "Philsy" when he was growing up. I'm not sure why, but I babysat him A LOT (I was 8 years old when he was born) and so I consider it a term of Endearment. Oddly enough, one of Dave's sisters still calls me that--go figure the crossover.
2. I have been studying Energy Therapy and have received some certifications in Emotional Release Therapy, Kinergetics, and R.E.S.E.T., a balance system of the TMJ. I haven't started to practice clinically much yet but have worked a lot on friends and family, and it is so cool!
3. When I was 5 my house caught on fire and I ran over a mile from home in my summer nighty in hopes to find help. My neighbors saw me and picked me up on their way home from church and brought me home, and when I arrived the fire was out. I couldn't be near fire until I was about 12 years old. I didn't even watch them light the candles on my b-day cake.
4. The summer I was 17 my friend and I went to 17 concerts! Everything from Def Leppard and AC/DC to Ziggy Marley and Jimmy Cliff to Janet Jackson. It was so fun!
5. I dated 6 different "Daves" before I met the right one! He was the seventh, but the one worth keeping. My friends in high school always told me I'd marry someone named "Dave." They were right!

I Tag: Lindsey Wynia, Janeen Halversen, Haylee, and Sarah Ames

The "Ultimate" Appearance

Here are the long-awaited pictures of me actually on a stage singing "Stop! In the Name of Love..." I have almost conquered my fear of singing in front of people. The dancing portion is going really well, and I'm smiling a lot to camoflauge my inflexibility and my mistakes! But singing a solo continues to scare me a little. Anyway, this is a fun chapter in my life and I'm planning to ride the wave as long as possible! Besides, in a group of mostly 21-27 year olds, mixing me in gives the group a dimension of...well...age. One of my favorite comments I received about it was from a clerk at Macy's when I went to pick up our costume tops who said, "That's so neat that you can do something like that AT YOUR AGE!!!" Hmmm. I smiled and agreed, hoping to have inspired her to believe that life doesn't end just because you're OLD!

FINALLY...THE VEGAS LADIES!!! Okay, I know this is not what you typically think of when you hear the term "Vegas Ladies," but it perfectly describes our little party group that went to Celine Dion in September! I finally am getting this picture posted to share with you all! If there's one thing I know how to do well, it's GAL TIME! From left, Shauna Kaiserman, me, Marilee Durrant, Janna Hassell, Kristi Larsen, and Sue Carbonell. It amazes me that women can join up from all different connections and bond and enjoy a weekend of fun together. None of us knew every person that came before we left, but we were all great friends when we got home. Maybe next time we'll invite Celine to come. Now that she's not committed to concerts every night, maybe she'll have time.

The passing of a Prophet

This week we mourn the passing of our dear beloved prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley. He has had a profound influence on all of our lives and we have felt the sadness and loss that accompany death, and yet celebrate his life, a life that was lived to the fullest. We will always remember his example of charity, kindness, tolerance and acceptance of all of God's children, and love for the members of the Church, as well as his amazing work ethic --working tirelessly through his 97 years! His unwavering devotion to the Savior was extraordinary, and his love for us inspirational. I love the fact that he was so highly revered by many local and world leaders who do not even share our faith. He taught me so many things, from the 7 "B's," to the Proclamation on the Family, to taking the gospel "down into my heart." He had the ability to speak at General Conference to the entire population of the church, yet make me feel like he was speaking only to me. I am a better person because of his example and will always be grateful to have known him. As the hymn says, I thank thee, O God, for a prophet. I have a testimony of his divine calling. He was a man of God, and I am certain the prophets of Old and of this dispensation welcomed him with open arms as he crossed through to the other side! I love you, President Hinckley, and thank you for your life!