relay 4 life

Both Bryce and I have been effected by Cancer. We have each had family members suffer with this awful disease and die from it. Each year we get together with his family and relay 4 life. If you have never been to one of these events they are pretty amazing. At the relay each team is trying to raise money to help find a cure for cancer and throughout the night team members take a turn to walk. My team divided it hourly, so that there is someone walking all day and night for 24 hours. It represents the everyday constant struggle cancer victims go through everyday. At night there is a ceremony with talks and music given from people who have been effected by cancer, and at the end of the ceremony everyone walks, and there are bags with the names of cancer survivors and cancer victims. It is always amazing to me how many people are effect with cancer. It hit Bryce pretty hard this year too. At is work he was helping a guy who came to the hospital for something that seemed pretty minor, but in the end was told that he had cancer and would only have 4 more months to live. Bryce deals with death everyday, but it shook him up pretty bad to see this young father diagnosed with cancer. I think it is because both he and I know first hand what it is like to see people you know and love suffer through this terrible disease.

These are the people that we relay for:
The lives we have lost

• MarShell- She is Bryce's cousin, and the type of person that you love immediately. She was always happy even throughout her fight with cancer. She could always make you smile and laugh about everything. MarShell has always been the life of the party, it was always a good time if MarShell was there.
• Grandpa Bryce- I have never met him before, but from the stories that I have heard it doesn't take a genius to know that he was a pretty awesome man. Everyone loved him because he made everyone feel like they were special. He was honest and kind to everyone, and everyone loved and respected him.
• My Dad- it's hard to write about my dad because to me he was just dad, but to others he was a man of strength. He was a green Beret in the Vietnam war and he ran 14 Marathons. He had us all convince that we was going to make it up until his last week with us, but even then he wouldn't let any of us think any differently. I miss him everyday.

The fight lives on

• Stihl- His name fits him perfectly because this little man is made of Steel. He is Bryce's 10-year old nephew and he has overcome Cancer twice already. Although stihl may be small he is one of the greatest little athletes. He plays baseball, football, and basketball every year and he does amazing in each sport he is the toughest and sweetest little guy you would ever meet.
• Grandma Erickson- We just celebrated her 90th birthday, although you probably wouldn't believe it if you saw her. She is quite independent, and she doesn't smell like old lady. If there was one word in the dictionary for the saying "sugar and spice and everything nice" she would be it. She is the cutest little old lady, just don't call her that.
• Grandma Miller- She is one of the most stubborn people that you would ever meet, but that isn't the word that I would use that describes my grandma the most. She is very optimistic and very loving. However she refuses to take any kind of pills, and I don't think that she will. One of her quotes is, "I believe what I believe, now don't try to foul me up!"
• Jeanne- She is my mom's cousin. She is really sweet. I feel bad for her though ever since she was diagnosed cancer her and her mom have been going through some rough family patches. When family should have been for them the most they turned their back and Jeanne, you wouldn't have known it from her though she has stayed pretty optimistic about everything.

At one of the booths they were selling marshmellow gunsNo one was safe... not even woman or children
But the all the grown men seemed to be having a good timeBryce and I wanted to see which one of us could blow the hardest, but I cheated and Bryce ended up choking. I probably should have felt bad for him, but I was laughing so hard I was crying.

We love you guys you are all such great examples of strength and courage. You are an inspiration to people everywhere!

Recipes

Being married, you learn something new everyday. This month I learned two new recipes. Are they healthy? Definitely not!!! Nor are they vegan friendly for my animal lovers out there, but for those of you who are on a budget, and confined to minimal cooking appliances, you might enjoy this as much as I did, Bryce on the other hand who knows what he likes. Both of these recipes where done in a crock-pot and with 5 ingredients or less. I am not much of a cooker so I don’t know the exact proportions on the ingredients, but if I can learn to do, you can learn to do it! (Inspiring words from Anastasia)

Beef Stroganoff- I didn’t really follow a specific recipe I took ideas from several different recipes that I had.

Stewed beef- I loved that you could buy it already cut up because cutting meat freaks me out!
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Milk- none of the recipes called for milk, but I added a little bit, because it was really thick and I was afraid that it might burn
Sour cream- or for a richer taste Cream Cheese
Dry onion Soup mix

*Serve over egg noodles, with a side of sautéed asparagus

Coke Pork

Boneless pork ribs
16 oz of coke
1 cup of ketchup
Dry onion soup mix

*Serve over rice, with a side of peas or string beans

Russian Chicken

Chicken breasts
Russian Dressing
Orange, Peach, or Apricot Jam
Dry onion soup mix

*Serve with a baked potato and your favorite veggies

I am no Martha Stewart and I haven’t mastered the crock-pot yet, so if anyone knows any good recipes that are cheap and easy (just the way I like it), please do share!!!

Father's Day

I'm not going to lie ever since my dad died I have had a really hard time with fathers day. For me it was a day only to remind me that I didn't have a father on this earth, but the truth is I couldn't have been more wrong. President Ezra Taft Benson gave a talk called "Life Eternal" in it he states,

"The spirit world is not far away. Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have passed on are not far from us.

The prophet Brigham Young asked, “Where is the spirit world?” and then answered his own question: “It is right here".

I think that the days that I have missed my dad the most are the days that I have felt him the closest. One day in particular was my wedding day. From the time that I got engaged I prayed everyday that my father would be there in the temple when I was sealed to Bryce. Our sealer, Elder Rex Pinegar (do you think it was a coincidence that they have the same name?) told us that our family that had passed on before us where in that room, and that they were so proud of us, and that the sealing power would bind us together forever. Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "Because of the sacred ordinances we receive in holy temples, our departure from this brief mortality cannot long separate relationships that have been fastened together with cords made of eternal ties." I can't think of a greater blessing than that.

In that same talk that I mentioned before President Benson also said, "Sadness comes to all of us in the loss of loved ones. But there is gratitude also—gratitude for the assurance we have that life is eternal; gratitude for the great gospel plan given freely to all of us; gratitude for the life, teachings, and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ." So on this father's day instead of feeling sorry for myself. I think that I should be grateful. I want to thank all the special men in my life starting with our Heavenly Father for loving us so much that he would sent his only begotten son to heal us from not only our sins, but our sorrows as well.When President Hinckley spoke of the terrible loneliness that comes to those who lose the ones they love, he also promised that in the quiet of the night a still, unheard voice whispers peace to our soul: “All is well.” Because of Him death is not the end, we can live forever,

On that day we will know the love of our Heavenly Father. On that day we will rejoice that the Messiah overcame all that we could live forever. -Joseph B. Wirthlin

There is the ever-present expectancy of death, but in reality there is no death—no permanent parting. The resurrection is a reality. - President Benson

It is my solemn testimony that death is not the end of existence. Because of the risen Christ, “death is swallowed up in victory.”-Joseph B. Wirthlin

I am thankful for our prophets. For their words of inspiration and truth. I am thankful for a wonderful father-in-law, he is such an awesome guy and he has been there for my family more than I could ever ask of him. He is an amazing example of love and service. I am thankful for my dad and for the time that I was able to spend with him. He was such a great example to me. He taught me to look for the best in people. He taught me hard work and dedication, and he taught me to always go to church and to do my best in what ever calling I was called to do. My dad was my greatest supporter, in school, in church, and in sports. I miss that support. Anything that I was involved he was too. I am thankful for my brothers, I look up to them more than they know. Last but not least I am thankful for Bryce, He is such a spiritual giant. I love him so much and I couldn't ask for a greater man to be the future father of my children.

Happy Father's Day to all of you wonderful men!

If you want to read the articles the first one is Life Eternal by President Benson http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=e6e3b850e318b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

The other one is called Sunday will come by Elder Wirthlin
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-646-11,00.html

The New Stephanie Myers

So last night I had a dream that I had just gotten home from a vaca in the AZ visiting my favorite peeps and I was so sad about leaving them that I had to blog about it and I was trying to decided what the title of my post should say. Then Bryce woke me up. It is too bad becuase if I could have seen have what my blog was about in my dream, then wrote about it when I was awake, I could be the new Stephanie Myers, because she got her inspiration from a dream. Speaking of her I am pretty excited to see the 3rd movie, although for the life of me I can't remember what the 3rd book is about. It was my least favorite of the 4 books and it took me the longest read, but my oppinon of the books and the movies are totally different. I loved the first book, but I hated the first movie. I thought the second book was eh, but I loved the second movie. So who knows how I will feel about the 3rd movie. In the book I am pro edward, but in movie I am pro jacob probably because he is hotter and edward is such a weinnie in the movie.

Lost Dog

When...if we get a house one thing that is on my list is to have a fenced in backyard. Everytime we let Lucy out we have to go outside and watch her to make sure she doesn't escaspe. One day we were all out in the backyard and before we knew it Lucy was gone, so we went out searching for her, but she was no where to be found. So we came back home wondering what to do next and then I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

It turns out she was here the whole time. I guess she just wanted to play hide n' go seek. Silly puppy.

After that Bryce got lazy one day and let her out without watching her, and then he fell asleep. A couple of hours later Lucy was barking at the front door. Since then we just let her out and hope that she comes back. She hasn't got lost yet.

If You Give Candice a Cookie...

Beware this isn't a children's story, it is a horror story!!!

If you give Candice a cookie the chances are it will be so yummy that she will probably want another one, then she will get thirsty and need a glass of milk, but the cravings won't stop there she will want something salty afterwards to balance out the sweet, and since she has been so naughty she probably won't want to work out, so she'll probably just sit in her room a little depressed, and then she will eat another cookie

At least the mouse was a little more proactive when he got a cookie.

So I guess the moral of this story is if you give me a cookie, then you might create a monster

So far, so... eh

In one of my previous blogs I told you guys that my job was changing locations, well until we open our new location in Draper, I have been at our Sandy office scanning my little heart out. These are the pros and cons

Pros:

• There is a lot more social interaction in our Sandy office. It is our corporate clinic, and everyone who works there is really nice.
• Saves on gas. The Sandy location is a little closer to where I live right now and it is so much nicer to get on the free way with rush hour traffic at 9000 S. then on the I15 and I215 interchange
• I was worried about the kind of hours I would be getting, but I have been actually getting more hours then usual, and there is a lot to do there that keeps me busy, so the day goes by pretty fast, and I make up my own hours. I come into work when I want and I leave when I want.

Cons:

• I don't have any time to stalk my blogger peeps. I've missed you guys!
• I don't really have a space of my own at work, and I am always feeling like I am stepping on other peoples toes (figuratively speaking)

And so in conclusion a change will do you...eh

UPS YOURS

So the other day I was driving out my mom's neighborhood minding my own biz when all of a sudden a UPS driver comes out of no where, drives into my lane of traffic and nicks the front end of my new car. I might have said a few choice words that day. All I could think was Bryce is going to kill me! However the golden rod took that beating like a champ, the damage on the car actually wasn't that bad and no one got hurt so I thought that I wouldn't have to go through a lot of hassle. I know I know I'm a little naive. So I decided that I would try to work with their insurance so I wouldn't have to worry about paying a deductible, but when Bryce called them to see what was taking them so long to get things taken care of. They said, "oh was it your wife who hit our UPS driver?" (Good thing Bryce was talking to them. He has a better mean voice than I do.) He said,"um no your UPS driver hit my wife. It says it right there in the police report." WTH??? Is it too much to ask for people to be honest why lie when there is a report that clearly states that you are in the wrong...CLEARLY the UPS peeps are a bunch of... beeps. So plan B is to pay the deductible and sue their sorry butts. UPS YOURS!!!!

Memorial Weekend

As always we went to Vernal and stayed in hotel Erickson, and as always we had a good time. We got up there Friday afternoon, but no one was in sight so we went bowling. We thought it was closed at first because there was no one there either, but I guess that is just a typical Friday afternoon in Vernal. Bryce's grandpa use to own the bowling ally. Bryce said that it pretty much looked exactly the same from when his grandpa use to run the place. I don't know if was the dents in the bowling lanes or what, but I had some pretty good bowls. I averaged about 130 and I kicked Bryces butt! Later that night we were up pretty late playing 31. Basically the person who is farthest away from the number 31 has to put a dollar in the bucket. I totally thought I was going to win. I came close. Final three, but Megan ended up taking the cake on that one. Saturday we went to grandma pinky's house and cleaned then we saw the movie Shrek 4. Then we went to Nicki's house to see her baby. He is so freaking cute! We ended up rocking out on her rock band. There were pants ripping kids jumping off couches. It was pretty serious. That night we saw the rest of the fam at aunt Anita's and then went bowling again. Bryce needed a rematch plus on Saturday nights they do something called pot bowling. No Penney it's not smoking pot while you bowl. You put tickets in a pot and then they call one out and give you a scenario. Leif got his ticket called out and he had to knock down at least eight pins in eight different lanes. He made it to lane six. They also randomly put you in teams and the 4 highest scores get money. I got put with Jeff, Heidi's husband, one of the times and we both won two bucks. If your score is the lowest then you win a free drink. I loved it!!!! Bryce and I both agreed that they needed to do that in SLC. Sunday we went to church and had a big dinner. Late that night we played Ninja. The kids and the adults on ambien were hilarious, but the game soonly ended when Bryce got ninjaed in the nuts. Monday morning we went to the graves. First we visited grandpa Erickson. I wish I could have known the guy. He sounds like he was a pretty great man. Bryce said that when he was young. He would watch his grandpa shave his chin with an electric shaver and then he then he could shave Bryce's little chin. Next we had to visit MarShell. I feel really lucky that I got to meet her. She had this aura about her. You knew if she was around then it was going to be a good time. I remember one time we were playing American Idol. Nobody wanted to be the first to get up and sing, but MarShell didn't care she sang the song Alone by Heart, and when she busted out the last Alone everyone stopped what they were doing and just watched her. MarShell had a way to make everything look fun! We left Vernal around noon. I always need a vacation day after a vacation so we wanted to get home early and rest from our fun filled weekend, but first we had to visit someone. My dad. He has been gone for 5 years now, but sometimes it feels like he has always been gone. I am not sure what I miss most about him. I miss when he would try to make a funny joke, and his face would turn red from holding in his own laughter because he didn't want to be the first one to laugh at his own joke. I miss playing cards with him on Sunday afternoons and kicking his butt, but mostly I just missed being daddy's little girl. I could always turn to him for anything and he was always there to support me. My dad always made a BBQ for us on Memorial Day so Bryce and I decided instead of grilling a hamburger we would buy one. Bryce took me to in and out. I have never been there before I have only seen the t-shirts, so I was way excited, and to top it off we rented the movie avatar. I have heard mixed reviews about it so Bryce and I had to check it out for ourselves, and I liked it! It kept me entertained even though we did have to have an intermission. I thought it was the perfect way to end a great holiday weekend, making memories with people we love and remembering the memories of the ones we have lost. I heard this poem and I thought it fit.

I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. I think of you in silence, and I often speak your name; All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part. God has you in His arms right now; I have you in my heart!