Down to every week!

Well, I cannot believe, I am down to once a week visits to the Doctor (35 weeks along). Yesterday, after our doctors appointment we did the tour of the hospital so we would know where to go depending on the time of day I go into labor and where everything is for when we are there. They showed us the nursery and there were only 3 babies in it. They were all adorable of course. It got me excited for the day that our little girl would be in there too! But I must admit, I was having a thought that, "what if they give me the wrong baby!" I know I know, dumb. But I couldn't help but think of the movie Big Buisness, if anyone remembers that movie.

But I am glad that we took the tour. They have a beautiful facility that is very homey. The rooms are beautiful and have wooden floors instead of nasty linoleum. Also everything happens just in that one room, labor, delivery and recovery so you don't have to move anywhere. Plus, they have jacuzzi rooms. Yea, I think I will be requesting one of those, talk about relaxation.

So we are getting down to the wire. My goodness I cannot believe it!

Layla Grayce Blanket Set GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Layla Grayce Blanket Set GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Look at these beautiful blankets!!

It's FIXED!!!

A couple of weeks ago I was getting ready for Church and my CHI flat iron died!!! For any of you who have had this experience know that you cannot survive with out it. First of all CHI's are expensive but so worth it. Secondly, I have had it for three years and it still looks brand new and worked like a champ. Third, there were no signs that it was on its last life; but that morning it

just stopped working. So for the past two weeks I have suffered trying to use my old big one and two other curling irons. With all that my hair was still looking horrible. Isn't that sad, three couldn't do what one can do.

Anyway, Colby new had sad and depressed I was. I had been looking on line for CHI's and actually found some really good deals. But, Colby took the liberty of being Mr fix-it and tried to fix it.

First he took it all apart, and we found the problem, a wire had become disabled.

That was it. So it could be fixed! So we bought a solder and gave it a go.

But after two attempts, my hope was dwindling.

Then Colby's friend Pat was in town this past weekend and new more about soldering than we did. With a little persistence................................. IT WORKED!!!!

Here is the happy recipient!! Cal me crazy, but all I wanted to do was to wash and blow dry my hair so I could use it. Oh, I am so glad to have it back.

Any Ideas???

HELP!!!!

SO I have been thinking about what to do to capture those precious moments. Should I do a scrapbook,

should I just keep an album with little descriptions.....

I just don't know. Does anyone have any ideas of what else to do to keep memories and photos. Scrapbooking can just get so expensive and I don't really like the digital scrapbooking look very much unless you know something I don't. So please help me! What are you ideas?

FINALLY!

Finally we have found out!! We are having a girl!!!

Everyone was sure it would be a boy because the Johnson's only produce boys. But we proved them wrong. To be honest I was kind of hoping for a girl because I couldn't find any cute boy stuff. It was all dumb little sayings and dinosaurs. So I thought I cursed myself and we were going to have a boy because I couldn't find anything cute boy things that were not super pricey. But I can use the cute girl stuff I found. Colby had a feeling about a month ago that it was a girl. HE is a little nervous because he doesn't want to get wrapped around her little finger. Ha ha little does he know. He is going to become a softy after all!

Now we just have to worry about naming her!

What the heck????

Dah!!!!!!!!!!!

What in the world is going on with my stomach?! All of the sudden I'm gaining weight in a really awkward way. I eat almost every 3 hours and it feels like bubbles are popping in there. Can anybody help me out here? I am getting a little worried.

Day of Remembrance

Not only should we remember this day in which lives were lost and hearts were broken, but let it be a day to reflect on all the little blessings that we have. We must live each day as if it is our last. Did you tell your family that you love them? Did you treat the other drivers with kindness and charity? Did you pray to your Heavenly Father? Are you too occupied trying to make every extra dollar that you can? When your work on the earth is done will you wish you would have spent more time at work or with the ones you love? Can you put your head to the pillow knowing that you helped someone today?

Let us remember how precious life is and to live it!!!

Moving day

Yahoo!!! We are finally making the final journey on our move to St Louis!!! We have been staying with my family for a little less than a month and are so excited to move back into our own place. Don't worry mom, dad, and Ryanne we still love you!!! We leave tuesday morning!! Wish us luck! The last 6 hours with the beast pulling the Grinches sleigh.

Sorry my comment feature disappeared for a few days. But now it is back. Comment away!!!

We made it out of Rexburg. It was easier than I thought, of course because I didn't let myself think about it. My dad even called and said, "I half expected you to be crying right now." He knows me too well. As we pulled out of Rexburg we looked back on this wonderful place and the beautiful temple on the hill. I spent eight years of my life in Rexburg and there are so many memories. But to see the temple on the hill as we drove off was a beautiful sight to see.

We took the old highway through Ririe. We were pulling a trailer and want the least elevated road as far as hills and passes are concerned. It wasn't bad at all. In fact it was gorgeous! The palisades were beautiful! I know that I will not be seeing country like this for a long time.

After we made it through the beautiful back country of Idaho and Wyoming, we ended up in the yucky dessert of Wyoming and hit a few storms on the way.

Oh but lets not forget the beautiful scenery in Wyoming. Has everyone seen the tree in the rock?

Then we made a turn south from Cheyenne and headed down to Denver.

We made it to Colby's parents safe and sound and the weather is kind of blah. Colby is out atving with his brother and I am hanging around the house. But we made it and all our stuff is still with us. The tarp had some issues and it did tear in several places and we may have to switch it ou. But we shall see. Wish us luck!

Countdown

Only 5 more days until the big move. I cannot believe that I am leaving Rexburg. It has been such a huge part of my life. I have so many mixed emotions. Sunday was the first time that I shed a tear about moving. I will really miss it all and all the incredible friends and memories i have made. I wish I could list everyone but you know who you are. I am going to keep this as non-sentimental as I can so I don't shed any more tears.

We still have no idea where are going to live yet, but we have a month and a half. We are hoping to find a house and we know that it takes time so we are planning on staying at an extended stay hotel until everything goes through. Wish us luck!

If you are not busy saturday morning at 9 o'clock, we would love the extra help to load the trailer and clean up. Or if you do not have time to help just stop by to say Bon Voyage! We would love to see you!

I'm done!!!!!!!!!! My time spent at:

has come to an end. I cannot believe how fast the year has gone by. There are definitely things that I would do different, but it was my first year and you live and you learn. I am really going to miss the students, sure there are a few that drove me to insanity but it would not have been the same with out them; Adam, cammy, Ray, Cassandra, brittnie, rogelio, michael, serenity, kulicke, rafe, ross, just to name a few. I will always remember them though. Below are just a couple pictures of some of my students.

Hannah, Brittnie, and I. Hannah, I don't know where to start. I just love her. Brittnie, when she isn't talking or in a crabby mood was one of my best TA's.
Karen, my rodeo girl, so easy to tease. Karen you know I love you!
Serenity, how could I forget her. One of the most talkative people I know, yet somehow always pulled off straight A's. She was one of my best TA's
Miranda, one of the sweetest, hard working person I've ever met. She is so strong and always willing and wanting to help others.

There are so many others that I could go on and on about. However, I don't have enought time or any other pics. I wish I had one of each of them. There were so many amazing kids and I hope that they realize how much they have taught me. I didn't think that leaving was going to be that hard. As I grabbed my bag and turned out the lights I stopped and looked back at the empty desks. A flash of memories went through my mind. Tears began to start but I held them back and said goodbye to a time in my life I will never forget. However, as I said goodbye to one of the teachers I fell apart. She told me just walk away. She said just go get in your car and drive away. So I did, but the tears kept coming and sometimes when i think about it they come back. Blackfoot High School will always have a special place in my heart as well as the students. You all mean so much to me. I hope that you were all able to learn something from me as I did from all of you. Know that I love you will miss you all.

Colby's Birthday

Sorry, I know this is a little late but better late than never.  Colby had his 25^th birthday on March 8^th.  He said that he wanted a Turtle Cheesecake.  Funny thing is he didn’t even know what a turtle cheesecake was, he just thought it sounded good.  So like any good wife, I made it for him and added my own little flare to it.

I made chocolate butterflies!

Then I put them in a cupcake pan to curve the wings a little bit.  Then stuck them in the first to get firm.

Ta da!!! But I added the topping before it was completely cooled.  Boy was it yummy!!!

                                   Look!  I got him in the act of blowing out the candles!!

Probably his favorite gift was his mom made of book for him of his mission.

Oh, I snuck a birthday kiss!

I love youbabe!

                                                                                                                                                     

Cake Decorating

II am a high school teacher and right now I am teaching a Nutrition and Foods II class.  They just finished their unit on cake decorating and didn’t do such a bad job.  I was actually quite impressed with some of the work they did.  Here they are….   (oh, I am missing one. L)

   

St Louis!!!

By now everyone knows that we are moving to St Louis Mo!  Whooptie Whoop!!

Colby will be attending Chiropractic school in Chesterfield MO.  I am so excited!!!!!!!!!! I have been here in Rexburg long enough and it is time to move on.  Idaho will always hold a special place in my heart as it has been a big part of my life.  However, I am ready for change.  

Below is a picture of the campus.  We have been told that it is rated in the top ten of the most beautiful campuses.  It really is beautiful so is the area.  But we can't live too close to the school because it is a really ritzy area and there is no way we could afford it.

So Colby and I are actually looking into buying a condo.  We have punched the numbers and discovered that it would be more advantageous to put money towards establishing equity than throwing $30,000-40,000 away to rent.  We just hate the idea of renting and leasing.  In addition to that it is a buyers market and there are some really good deals going on right now.  Plus I would love to paint and make it our own home.

 

We are also looking into buying a trailer too.  So many of our friends that have moved have forked over anywhere from $1700-$3300 for a moving truck.  Ahh! Again, throwing money away!  So we are going to buy a trailer and then sell it when we get there.  I must admit, at first I did not like the idea but I am really warming up to it.   We don’t have many big things to move considering we sold our couches, dresser and maybe our washer and dryer.   Colby and I are frugal bugs and try not to buy little doo dads that are just not necessary or can wait.  We have learned some really great helpful hints and tidbits to saving.

 

I am so excited and cannot wait.  The magical day is not until the end of July but I will be done with school on June 5^th and then I will just be doing some late spring cleaning and getting ready for the big move.

Looking back Part 1

Just taking a look back at all the happenings in 2008

.  The major event in the beginning of the year was in April when I graduated from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Family & Consumer Science Education

 Composition.  I know what a mouthfull.  I started school way back when it was Ricks College in the summer of 2001.  Took a little break to serve a mission on Temple Square.  Then I returned and have finally finished!!!

My family was able to come out for it and it was such a memorable experience.  I did it!!!

Then, in May, as a graduation present, Colby's family treated us to 3 days in Disneyland!! 

 

I had never been there before.  We had a lot of fun, but I think that three days might have been

 a little much.  But it was a good time and we loved it.

The next major even of the year was my father and I ran in the Teton Dam Marathon.  Now I know many of you are thinking, "Tara you are not a runner and isn't your day a pretty big man"

Well, no, i'm not, and yes, he is.  But bring it on because we did it.  But it was only a half marathon.  

Granted we had to walk a little, but by the tenth mile it was a cinch.  It was so exhilirating to run across that finish line with everyone cheering for us.  I had shirts made for us.  On the front they said, "We Are Marshall"  on the back they said, FATHER and DAUGHTER, usually where you have a last name.  Everyone commented on them and loved it.