BIG Life Changes

We have recently come across a very exciting opportunity. As soon as Austin graduates in April, I am quitting my job and we are moving to Ghana for two months. Austin has been in contact with a startup company who is developing a business coaching program to help entrepreneurs in developing countries. We have all heard stories of amazing individuals who run very small businesses out of complete necessity. Take Mrs. Sanchez for example, some of you may know her as the tamale lady in Provo. There are millions of people all over the world just like Mrs. Sanchez.

These people are dedicated to working hard and earning a living, but they do not have the luxury of going to school or even learning the simple business practices that we do. We are going to Africa to conduct research and figure how we can help these people. We want to bring simple business training to the people in Ghana. Humanitarian aid and service projects are great, but even better is teaching them to be self-reliant.

We are VERY excited about this opportunity!! In order to make this happen we need your help. 

Click here to join us in this effort. 

Thank you so much for your consideration. 

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to provide you with a detailed report of our budget and agenda for the summer.

Police, Tickets, & Double Standards

I would really like to write this post ambiguously, but obviously I'm writing inspired by recent events so that just isn't going to happen. 

Utah Drivers. 

Everyone in Utah has an opinion about us. 

Whether you are originally from out of state like me, or a born and raised Utahn. 

Compared to Oregon the speed limit is much faster here. 

People drive more aggressively here. 

Cops are more lenient on pulling people over for speeding here.

Or are they?

Flash back to this last week when I was pulled over for speeding. Yes, I was going over the 65 mph speed limit, but who wasn't? 

Raise your hand if you always, without fail, drive 65 mph or below on the freeway. 

**Insert silence here** 

So where do police draw the line? Apparently it's a zig zag mess in Utah. The "standard" (I kid you not) is 75mph. That is ten over the speed limit. I have seen cops, who are ACTIVELY using their radar, just let cars going 75 mph fly by. 

Mind you, the cop that pulled me over was not using radar, to my knowledge. He was driving way in front of me. Somehow he clocked me going an exact speed. 

How is that possible?

 It doesn't matter though. I got a ticket and it's over. I could go to court and fight it but it's always going to be his word against mine. Guess who wins that battle?

 I'll give you a hint... not me. 

Some would say, "Just don't speed and you won't have a problem." 

 I am not writing this post to say speeding and essentially breaking the law is okay. 

Because it isn't. 

All I am trying to say is that there has to be a reason for police to pull people over/not pull people over at different times for committing the same crime. 

Whether the reason is filling monthly quotas, profiling, etc. I don't know. 

But there HAS to be a real standard though. Is this a letter of the law or spirit of the law type thing? 

Yes. But it cant be.

If the standard is 65mph like a court judge would tell you, then ENFORCE THAT all the time. Pull people over for going 72 mph all the time or don't do it at all. 

For whatever reason, police do not do that in Utah. 

So back to us as Utah drivers. Is this our fault for always driving 5-10 over the speed limit? Probably. In Oregon you will get pulled over for that every time. No questions asked. 

So why do we all speed here? Is it because we don't know any better? 

No.

It's because the speed limit isn't enforced as a standard. 

We shouldn't need to be treated like children who get their hands slapped when we drive over the speed limit. But give us an inch and we will take a mile. 

Not all of us. But most of us. So when are we going to get punished for this inch or mile that we take?? We never know. It could be at 67 one day and 75 another. 

And that is my issue.

2.14

In our cozy apartment we have very limited counter space. We have a small roll out island that we put in the middle of the kitchen that has a wood surface.  I use this as my main counter space in the kitchen. I always put hot pots and pans straight from the oven or stove directly on it. My husband always warns me that I am going to burn the countertop or even worse, our house down.

To solve this problem we made Valentines theme trivets! We found them in packs of three at IKEA- here- for like 3 bucks. We thought it would be cute to do conversation hearts. 

1) Cut out contact paper to use as your stencil. We are lucky enough to have a friend in our craft group that did this for us with her craft machine. 

2) Stick the stencil on the trivet and then use Mod Podge to seal the edges.

3) Once dry, paint over the stencil and wait for it to completely dry. (The middle one was supposed to say "Hot Stuff" but I was impatient and didn't wait long enough for it to dry. I peeled it off and will just keep it as my year round trivet.)

4) Peel off the stencil and finish with a paint sealant.

The finished product:

Keep in mind these are 7" trivets.  Much bigger than a drink coaster. 

Home for Christmas

12 Reasons Why I Will Always Want to Go Home For Christmas:

1) After a snowy 15 hour road trip we walk into this....

2) We win the most coveted prices at the white elephant exchange...

 3) We get to go to killer sporting events...

 4) Even though BYU lost... Go Cougs!

 5) Every Blazer game is on TV....

 6) My mom has Spidey senses for gifting I swear...Are these not beautiful??

 7) I get to watch my husband do what he loves...

 8) And celebrate his Birthday with all the people we love...

 9) And sing to him because we know he LOVES the attention... ha

 10) Spend time with strong, caring, protective, role models like these....

11) Take pictures like this that make we want to cry...

12) Yep. 

 Christmas is about our Savior, Family, and Love. I love going home for Christmas because those 3 things are always the center. 

Early Bird

I honestly used to hate it when people started celebrating Christmas early. Then one day I realized that Christmas makes me happy- the decorations, music, food, love, and just the whole spirit! Why can't I start celebrating it now?? Is that a crime??

Here is a little craft I made to kick of the celebration of the season. Don't hate me for bringing the spirit of Christmas early :)

But really... let's remember what it is truly about. 

An excerpt from our loving Prophet, Thomas S. Monson's address "Because He Came."

"There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.

Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.

Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him, in bonds of brotherhood and love."

There is a reason why this season is special. Let us not forget that.

The Big 24

THANKS FOR ALL OF THE BIRTHDAY WISHES EVERYONE!! If you are ever feeling down just change your birthday on Facebook to tomorrow. You will be feeling great by the end of that next day.

I am so blessed to have amazing family and friends in my life! My brother and his friends brought me ballons, candy, and cake. I got to go out to Sushi with my wonderful husband and then he took me to "The Saratov Approach." AWESOME movie. Then we got sonic for dessert! It was truly an excellent day :)

Thanks for all the love and support everyone. Here's to 24!

Yes, the blue and pink balloons say "It's a boy!" & "It's a girl!" NO. We are not pregnant. Marcus just has an nice sense of humor. 

Fall Photos

First off,  BIG thanks to Danielle Cluff and Terie Young for taking these pictures. These two are "up and coming" photographers and they are AMAZING. If anyone is in need of a recommendation these two are top of my list.

These may or may not look like engagements. We don't mind though. Take a look at the colors people! Utah is Beautiful! Enjoy :)