happy halloween

I am just now finally getting around to putting up our pumpkin pictures. We had a lot of fun carving these over with Kris' family. Can you guess whose is whose?

attributes of a successful marriage

For my philosophy class, I was asked to come up with a list of attributes that will help to make any marriage successful. Here's what I came up with:

• Accountability
• Admiration
• Adoration
• Affection
• Awareness
• Balance
• Camaraderie
• Caring
• Charity
• Closeness
• Commitment
• Communication
• Companionship
• Compassion
• Consideration
• Cooperation
• Dependability
• Desire
• Determination
• Devotion
• Effort
• Empathy
• Esteem
• Familiarity
• Fidelity
• Forgiveness
• Friendship
• Honesty
• Honor
• Hope
• Improving
• Integrity
• Kindness
• Love
• Loyalty
• Nourishment
• Optimism
• Patience
• Prayer
• Purpose
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Reverence
• Sacrifice
• Selflessness
• Sharing
• Sincerity
• Strength
• Support
• Sustain
• Team
• Tolerance
• Trust
• Trying
• Unselfishness
• Warmth
• Will
• Work

I am so greatful to be married for time and all eternity to my wonderful husband Kris. I look forward to the many years that lie ahead of us!

sienna on paper

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of the classes that I am taking this semester is art. An entry-level watercolor class for my fine art requirement, to be exact. I have never had any interest, talent, or experience in that area...ever. However, I am actually enjoying this class. I have found that painting/drawing can be really relaxing and fun. I have done a handful of paintings so far, but I really haven't liked any of them. The most recent one though, actually turned out pretty well. I just finished it this evening. I was instructed to paint someone that I love and care about. I love and care about many people, but the one that I chose for the purpose of this assignment is my little niece, Sienna. She is about 1 1/2 years old. I haven't seen her since she was only a couple of weeks old because I have been here in Utah, and she is in California with her family. But nonetheless, I love her.

The inspiration:

My sketch:

The final product:

we did it!

The race was awesome! It was as much of a personal accomplishment for me, as it was a great reason to get involved in helping raise money for Nie Nie. I am told that we raised almost $5,000 for the Nie Recovery Fund! I actually ended up JOGGING most of the way...but Kris was an excellent jogging partner and he kept me motivated to finish. He could have actually run the entire time but decided to stick by me. (Thanks Kris!! I love you!!) We did end up walking for part of it, but I'd say we jogged at least 3/4. Wahooo!

Before the race:

running

I haven't run in a long time. I have had bad knees since my cross-country days in high school. But I've had a few surgeries, and I think I might be able to run again. I'm willing to give it a shot, anyhow.

There is a 5k run/walk this Saturday here in Provo (see my previous post below). The race will begin at Rotary Park in Provo (1460 N. 1500 W.) at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 18th. There is no entry fee, this is a fund-raiser, so the suggested donation is $10/person or $20/family. It's for a really good cause.

A woman named Stephanie Clark Nielson (Nie Nie) and her husband Christian were in a private plane crash on August 16, 2008, and are now trying to recover from very critical burns. This 5K run/walk is going to help raise money for their recovery. Please join me in this effort to help out a family in need. I'm really excited to bein this race and I'd love some running buddies! For other ways to donate, please visit www.nierecovery.com.

run for nie nie

http://5kfornie.blogspot.com/

If you are available next Saturday, Oct. 18th, please come out in support of Stephanie Nielson. For more information on Stephanie please see the following blogs:

www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com

www.cjanerun.blogspot.com

If you are unable to make the race, please see visit www.nierecovery.com for other ways to donate.

update

OK, it's already been a week since I posted anything. Nothing too new or exciting is happening around our place, but I just thought I'd update everyone on what's going on with us.

Since January, Kris has been working as the office manager over at 7 Brothers Moving Company in Spanish Fork. He works really well with people and is very good at his job. He also started back to school last semester and is attending UVU. He is working on generals right now, but is very interested in nursing and plans on applying to the program within the next few semesters.

I am working as a sales rep. for Backyard Adventures in Orem and Draper...I switch back and forth between the two locations about every other day. I have been there for almost 2 1/2 years now and I really enjoy it. I am also going to UVU and trying to figure out what I want to major in. I have some pretty good ideas, but I've already switched my major so many times, that I will just keep that information to myself for now ;)

Other than school and work, we really enjoy playing games with our friends (come over if you want to play any games with us b/c we are up for it almost any time!!). And our latest pastime has been reading the Harry Potter books, but we are taking a break from that to read the Inheritance books (Eragon, Eldest, & Brisingr) because the new one just came out (FINALLY!!). Kris is actually doing most of the reading while I listen. I really do try to stay awake, but no matter how interesting it is, his voice soothes me to sleep! So, I stay awake by doing some homework (which in this instance consists of painting or drawing for my watercolor class) so that I still get to listen. And it works out well.

I lied, one really exciting thing has actually happened! It has been really nice to see my sister, Jessica, more often. She moved up here with her husband, Andy, and their cute little Luke! I seriously have the most adorable nephew in the world!! And now I have more family nearby. YAY!

vote for a blender

So, I really want to get a new blender and I have heard good things about both Vita-Mix and Blendtec. Please vote (to the left) and let me know your opinion on the matter. Thanks!!

Vita-Mix:

Blendtec:

happy birthday kris!!

I know this is a week late...but HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRIS!! There are countless reasons of why I love and adore him, but here are 29 (in no particular order):

1. He loves God
2. He loves me
3. He is so caring and compassionate
4. He gives great advice
5. He is so laid back
6. He is the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on
7. He sings to me
8. He is so smart
9. He is not afraid to express his emotions
10. He makes me feel beautiful
11. He is such a good example to me
12. He makes me happy when skies are grey (and when they're not)
13. He is such a hard worker
14. He reads to me even though I fall asleep
15. He re-reads the same pages over and over to me because I fall asleep
16. He is patiently teaching me to rock-climb
17. He takes care of me when I'm sick (and when I'm not)
18. He eats what I cook even when he doesn't like it
19. He helps me decide which shoes look best with my outfit
20. He listens to my long stories without complaint
21. He is so strong
22. He reaches things from the tall cupboards, even though I have a step ladder
23. He takes me out on dates regularly
24. He puts up with my pranks
25. He always helps out around the house
26. He makes me feel special
27. He knows how to have fun
28. He is always there for me
29. He is my favorite

second anniversary

We had the most amazing second anniversary. I can't believe that we've already been married for 2 years!! It has just gone by way to fast. To celebrate, we took a 3-day trip down to Arches National Park. I've never been there before, and we've been dying to go camping for the past 2 years and hadn't done it yet. So when I was able to have 3 days of work off (which is rare) it was perfect timing.

wedding pictures

We were married on August 25, 2006. Below are some pictures of our special day. Note the one where I smash cake into Kris' face. SO FUNNY! I love him.

our story begins

After serving a mission, Kris came down to California to sell pest control door to door. No…he didn’t knock at my door trying to sell it to me. We actually met at a Single's Branch BBQ in April '05, and hit it off perfectly. After the selling season was over, Kris moved back to his home-town in Provo, but after four months of being apart, I packed my bags and moved up here to be with him. These are some of the "engagement photos" we took in November '05 (before we were officially engaged).