BUCKET LIST

My friend Kathy made a post about her bucket list and used this as a template of things that she would like to do. I have always loved the idea of a bucket list and maybe this will inspire me to sit down and write out some of the things that I still want to do. I like this list because it includes some really simple things, some that I have done and some I want to do. Maybe I will write a future post about my personal bucket list ... for now, here is this one.

Things you have done during your lifetime:

(X) Gone on a blind date (and it worked!!!!)

(X) Donated Blood (twice ... and that is a HUGE deal for me!)

(X) Skipped school

(X) Watched someone dying

(X) Been to Canada

(X) Been to Mexico

(X) Been to Florida (seriously want to go back!)

(X) Been to Hawaii

(X) Been on a plane

( ) Been on a helicopter

(X) Been lost

(X) Gone to Washington, DC (thanks for living there Heidi ;-)

( ) Hugged a homeless person

(X) Swam in the ocean

(X) Swam with Stingrays (this was THE single most coolest thing I have done in my life ... other than family stuff)

( ) Been sailing in the ocean (no, but I really want to)

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

(X) Played cops and robbers

(X) Recently colored with crayons (about an hour ago actually)

(X) Ran a 1/2 marathon (2 ... and hopefully I will run a full in May, that is DEFINITELY on my bucket list. I just need to fix my knee first!)

(X) Sang Karaoke

( ) Volunteered at a soup kitchen

(X) Paid for a meal with coins only

( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch

( ) Seen the Northern Lights (I REALLY want to see these)

( ) Been Parasailing

(X) Been on TV (not hard to do when you play with the BYU orchestra. I think I am on TV at least once a month.

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t

(X) Made prank phone calls

(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose (you know, I haven't even seen this happen to anyone else ... I think it's a myth!)

( ) Fed an elephant

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

(X) Fired a gun

(X) Danced in the rain

(X) Been to the Opera (I'll top that ... I have played in many opera's)

(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus

(X) Serenaded someone

(X) Seen a U.S.President in person (Pres. Bush came to Gainesville, and we really weren't even that far away.

(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe (I think only by my dad ... I don't know if that counts)

(X) Watched the sunrise with someone

( ) Driven a race car

(X) Been to a National Museum

( ) Been to a Wax Museum

(X) Eaten caviar

(X) Blown bubbles

(X) Gone ice-skating

(X) Gone to the movies

( ) Been deep sea fishing

(X) Driven across the United States (Not in one trip, but definitely done it. San Diego to Utah and Utah to Florida. Road trips are GREAT!)

( ) Been in a hot air balloon (I actually really want to do this ... despite my insane fear of heights)

( ) Been sky diving (NEVER!)

( ) Gone snowmobiling

(X) Lived in more than one country

(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets

(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish

(X) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser

( ) Seen the Grand Canyon

(X) Seen the Statue of Liberty

( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle

(X) Been on a cruise (Best vacation EVER)

(X) Travelled by train (Every summer for 4 years with Mandy, one year we drove and got lost in East LA ...scary)

(X) Travelled by motorcycle

(X) Been horseback riding (I am actually scared of riding horses)

( ) Ridden on a San Francisco cable car

(X) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World (Both! I went to disneyland about every year growing up and we had passes to Disney World when we lived there ... man I miss that!!!!!)

(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer

( ) Been in a rain forest

( ) Seen whales in the ocean (I have been whale watching sooo many times and have actually never seen a whale. Lots of dolphins and seals in my life, but no whale)

( ) Been to Niagra Falls

(X) Ridden on an elephant

( ) Swam with dolphins

(X) Been to the Olympics (the only good part about one of my former relationships)

( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China (I want to visit the wall someday, but I HAVE been to China ... so that is a start)

( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf (not yet, but hopefully when Justin takes me to Argentina)

( ) Been spinnaker flying

(X) Been water-skiing (I got up my first time! I LOVE water-skiing)

(X) Been snow-skiing

( ) Been to Westminster Abbey

( ) Been to the Louvre

( ) Swam in the Mediterranean

(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game (San Diego Padres!)

(X) Been to a National Football League game (I played in the San Diego Chargers game ... oh yeah, we beat the Raiders!)

( ) Swam with sharks

( ) Been White Water Rafting

( ) Written a book or screen play

Thats it for now ... can't wait to hear what some of you want to do.

Gratitude

All day I have had one major thing on my mind and that is how grateful I am for my life. I definitely have my own "issues", struggles, and challenges but I have been blessed. During a time where so many are losing jobs and even their homes I have the luxury of being able to begin decorating how I have wanted to the last 9 months. It may be insanely cold right now, but I have a husband who doesn't complain when I turn up the thermostat. I am a mother!!!!! Not only am I a mother, but I get to be Evan's mom!!!!!! And last I am Justin's wife, and that is just the neatest thing sometimes.

Sometimes I have a hard time getting out of my own head of negative thinking, but right now I am filled with Gratitude for what Heavenly Father has given me!!!

Elbow Falls

Today Evan was feeling a lot better and I was starting to improve. We decided to take advantage of Daddy being home today and had a little adventure. When we lived in Florida it was easy for me to get out and experience things because it is all the stuff that comes naturally to me and I know where to go. (Springs, Beach, Pool, Sink Hole, Gator Hunting, Disney World etc.) Here, on the other hand, it is cold and I know nothing about the mountains or anything around here.

I think Justin was beginning to realize that I needed to get out and "explore" the natural beauty that southern Alberta holds. We started out the adventure with swim therapy and then had a lovely lunch at the in-laws restaurant. From the restaurant we drove to Elbow Falls. It was cold, but it was beautiful! This is where Calgary gets all of our drinking water. The signs said that in the early spring when the snow is melting the falls could fill an Olympic size pool in 30 seconds. What you see right now could fill the same thing in 50 minutes. I totally want to go back in the spring!

Now when we tell Evan to "smile big" he does this crazy cheesy smile! Can you get any cuter???

SICK

We took Evan to the Doctor yesterday because for a day and a half he was really sick. Usually I am an extremely lucky girl and avoid catching the bugs that I am exposed to. Unfortunately that was NOT my luck this time around. Evan and I have spent the whole day looking and feeling like this together.

Yes it is insane!

I agree with all of you! Why on earth would anyone in their right mind go running in that??? It is amazing what the right clothing will do for you though.

This last Saturday I headed out with two of my friends and we went for a run in -13F' weather. Honestly, and I can't believe I am going to say this, it wasn't that bad! The last time we went out I noticed everyone had on windbreaker stuff and I thought to myself "that must be the key". So I headed out and got head to toe windbreaker. It totally worked! I wasn't cold ... again, I know it sounds strange, but would I lie?

The next thing was how to take Evan out. I had seen these covers a couple times, so I got one and bundled him up inside. He fell asleep so I am assuming it wasn't so bad inside the stroller. It was like his very own sun room :-)

Thanks Becka and Christie for making me go out!

Sweetheart Tag

I was tagged by Irene and I was really excited to write this sweetheart tag! I don't expect everyone to read this, but for those of you who do, enjoy!
p.s. I tag Natasha, Dad, and Amanda

1. Where did you first meet your hubby? I have always been a relationship girl and I had just gone through a nasty break up and decided that I wasn't going to settle down into any relationship. One of my best friends, Eric Portlock, decided to set me up with someone who had also just gone through a rough break up. All I knew was that I was going on a blind date with one of his room mates named Justin. Little did I know what I was getting into. Justin and his men all decided to plan a date centered around the guys. They planned an elaborate "Pirate Date" (more on that later). Anyway I briefly met Justin a couple of days before and totally blew him off! (remember I was done with guys). The first time I really met him was the night before when he dropped off the invitation to the date. The boys had burned the edges and made the invitations look like a map. We talked on the step outside my apartment for about 5 minutes, and that is when I started to get excited for the next day.

2. What do you remember most about him? I know this will surprise many of you, but what I remember most is how funny he was. He smiled all the time and was just very carefree! I also remember that he looked NOTHING like any of the other guys that I had dated before. He was blond ... and that was HUGE! I remember after the date I called my mom and she was shocked when I told her that he was blond.

3. Who asked out who first? Ok, like Irene I don't really know how to answer this question. I guess technically Eric asked us out because it was a blind date. Then after the official "Pirate Date" Justin invited me to watch the football game at their house, he picked me up and took me home, but I sat with Eric most of the game. I guess when he dropped me off from the football game HE asked me out for another date. I was THRILLED!!!!! For some reason I was hooked immediately. I knew that there was something good and different about Justin and I couldn't wait to find out what that was.

4. What did you do on your first date? It was a "Pirate Date"!!!!!!!!!! Justin picked me up from my apartment and called me wench all day long. We made pirate hats, wore eye patches and gold earrings. We listened to pirate music on the drive to the Provo river. Once there we boarded our ships (canoes) and went in search of our pirates booty (our lunch), which was indeed buried under an X. There were 9 couples in total and somewhere in the middle we pulled over to have a naval battle. Right then 13 ninja's jumped out of the bushes and knocked over all of the canoes screaming "Ninja's hate Pirates!!!". Apparently there were only 3 people who knew about the ninja's and Justin was one of them. The coolest part is that all of this is on video that another room mate was recording through the trees.

After the pirate date was complete Justin dropped me off at my apartment, but it was still fairly early in the day. I was more than stoked when he asked if I wanted to watch the football game at his house with everyone. I cleaned myself up and headed over to his house.

I love having such a memorable first date and LOVE that we have it recorded!

5. What was your favorite thing to do together while you were dating? I really loved going for drives on his motorcycle. I thought that was just a blast. Justin would probably say his favorite thing was making out.

6. When was your first kiss with your sweetheart?

7. Who said "I love you" first?
8. When did you first realize you loved him?

I LOVE this memory! I have to combine these three questions though because they are all part of the story. After our second date I told Justin that I really liked him but I didn't want to date any one person. I told him that he should understand because he had just gone through a nasty break up as well. He heard "I like you" and asked if he could see me the next day. I had so much fun with him I quickly agreed and that cycle continued for the next month and a half. In my head I thought I was dating other people, but I saw Justin everyday and nobody else. (He totally tricked me!!!)

After I realized this I went out on ONE date with a hot guy in my ward and I could only think of Justin the whole time, I came home and told Justin that I could only think of him and I guess we were dating exclusively.

Soon after that we went to a General Conference session in Salt Lake. While we were waiting in line Justin took me to a fountain on temple square and told me that he loved me. I was so trying to protect myself from falling hard that I said "Thank you" and gave him a hug. (poor guy) He stayed for the Priesthood session and I headed back to Provo. The second I was in our apartment I just started crying. I told my room mates what he had said and my response. My room mate Heidi's reply was "but Kira, you DO love him!" After she said that I realized that I not only loved this man, I REALLY LOVED him!!! I called his cell phone and probably left a gazillion messages asking him to call me as soon as he got back to Provo.

When he got back I drove to his house and took him into their backyard by the swing set. We had seen each other every day for two solid months at that point. I told him my realization and apologized that I was too scared to admit how I felt about him earlier that day, but that I really loved him a lot.

He smiled and I remember every detail of his face when he asked if he could kiss me. There under the stars I received the sweetest kiss I have ever experienced. Literally I felt the world swirling around us as we kissed for the first time under the stars. I know it sounds cheesy, but that is exactly what happened, my own little movie moment!

9. How did he propose? He planned out activities for the entire day. He arrived at my apartment with a bouquet of roses and took me for a picnic lunch in a canoe on the Provo river (no ninja's this time). I totally thought he would propose then, but he didn't. He dropped me off at home to put on some nicer clothes. I room mates swarmed me all wondering if he had proposed. They were disappointed when there was no ring.

Justin then picked me up an hour later and we drove to Salt Lake. The whole drive up Justin kept rubbing my ring finger and I thought to myself "Ok, this is happening!" I knew how badly I wanted to go to a bridal fair and signed us up to go to one. I loved walking around looking at the exhibits with him.

Next he took me on a horse carriage ride around Salt Lake. Our first stop was at the capitol building where we went to our first dance. The sun was starting to set while we stood on the steps holding each other. I totally thought here it is, he is going to do it, but it didn't happen.

Then the carriage driver takes us through old town Salt Lake and tells us that he has had so many people get engaged while he drives through that section of town because of the magic it holds. I thought, "I am going to turn around and he is going to be holding the ring". When he didn't I was a little disappointed and doubted my intuition.

When the carriage ride ended and the driver pulled away I was positive that I was wrong and Justin must have just wanted to treat me to a really special day. Then he said ... "Let's go for a walk" He walked me to the fountain where he had told me that he loved me. He sat me down and got on one knee! I was soooo excited and my heart just kept pounding. The funniest part is that Justin was so embarrased he got down on his knee really fast and spit out his proposal even faster and was back up sitting next to me. I didn't even care ... I was just crying and couldn't believe it was happening to me. I eventually said yes and that was the beginning!

When I got home my room mate Jen was in the living room. She eagerly grabbed my right hand with excitement too see if there was a ring, but when she didn't see one got really disappointed. I told her that she got the wrong hand and to check the other finger. She started screaming and the rest of my room mates came running down! It was a party all night long!

10. What do you remember about your wedding day? Honestly??? Just how happy we were. I could feel how happy I was, but it was a really special experience to see how happy Justin was also. Walking into the sealing room with my love was amazing and the feelings I felt while we were being married are ones that I will never forget!

As much as he teases me I truly adore Justin!!! I am still excited to be his wife!!!! Thank you for loving me Justin ... Happy Valentines Day!

Persistence

Persistence ... my child has it!!!! When Justin left for work he accidentally woke Evan up an hour and ten minutes earlier than he is supposed to wake up. The rule in our house is that you can wake up earlier than 8:00AM, but you stay there until 8:00AM. Well my child yelled at the top of his lungs "NNNNAAAANNNNNIIIIIII" (mommy) for an hour and ten minutes straight!!! I really should have just turned off the monitor.

Give her a break

I just watched my recording of the Dateline interview with Nadya (mother of the California octuplets). Before watching the interview I had fairly negative views towards her choices, but I had never actually read her story before. After watching the interview I feel like she has unjustly been thrown under the bus.

She seems to be a very educated woman, who weighed the consequences to her choices. She knew the possible outcome of implanting 6 embryos, but why would she even think that all of them would take when based on her past pregnancies. Every other time she did the IVF procedure she implanted 6 and never carried more than 2.

Also there was so much criticism about her living off of student loans right now. I don't know of very many adults with children going to school that don't live off of their student loans. (Isn't that why they exist?) She is trying very hard to make ends meet on her own, and has a plan.

She seems like a truly devoted mother. Her children are healthy and thriving in society. I really don't agree with some of her choices, but she did not just jump into the life she had. She thought it through, and made plans. If this is the life she wants ... why do the rest of us care so much?

a quick update

This is a picture of Daddy at his first day of work. We surprised him at the office!!!

We are now the proud Foster family of one of the sweetest dogs I know. Karalee (Amanda's sister) had to give up her dog for the next 6 months or so. We are soooooo excited to have him with us right now. Snoopy is sweet, loving, playful, obedient, and he sleeps in! What else could you ask for??? Seriously though, we are just thrilled to have him in our lives right now and it warms my heart to see how much Evan loves him!!!! Isn't he cute??

I can't believe it took me this long to post these pictures ... man I am getting bad at this! February 4th some girls all went out to celebrate Kathy's birthday. It was really nice to go out to dinner again after such a long strike against "going out". I even bought guilt free salmon! Silvana brought her 4 week old baby Milo. I had to post a picture. I could not get over how CUTE he is!!!

I just thought this picture of Granny Lanny and Evan was beautiful. I had to share it!

I said that I would post a video of Evan using his stander. I opted for a video of one of the first times he was in it. Enjoy!

Yes, I am guilty

Back at BYU I went fake baking with my room mate Becky, just to see what it was all about. I had never needed it before, so why not have a new experience? My friend Keith wrote me a get well card that night because it is not a healthy activity.

Justin and I moved to Florida and again, I had all the Vitamin D I could ask for (heaven on earth)!!! Now I am an Eskimo living in the great white north and even though the sky is blue my skin is covered up by too many layers of clothing to be healthy. Some people have beautiful skin when they are pale ... I AM NOT ONE OF THEM!!! My skin is like a rotten olive and blotchy. I really do look the best when I am tan and I cannot remember my skin EVER being this white! My vanity took over and I couldn't stand it any longer. The gym was offering a sale on their tanning so I bought a little bit of my own sun. They all say the first step to healing is admitting you have a problem ... right???

My name is Kira, I am tanorexic, and I don't really want to stop.

I am so proud of Justin! Yesterday was his first real day of work and I really don't think that the two of us could be more excited than we are. It is wonderful to have a husband who works normal hours. We went to the office to see him yesterday. What a relief for our family that it finally worked out and Justin is now a practicing dentist!

We haven't been able to go swimming for 2 days and even though we are going tomorrow I really felt that Evan needed at least a little something today. Our solution was to combine two events into one ... we went swimming in the bathtub. Not as exciting as the pool, but at least it has jets! :-)
Last week we took a trip to see the site of the Calgary temple. We are going to be really blessed by having a temple so close to our home. I cannot wait for it to be built. It is going to be wonderful. Evan would have been in the picture, but he fell asleep before we got there. Oh well!
Also last week I put something away upstairs while Evan was eating his lunch. I came back down and found him fast asleep at the table.

Reality TV: Happy Watching!!!!

So this season of reality TV has been soooo much fun for me!!! I always wondered what it would be like to know someone on TV and now I can tell you that it makes watching it WAY more FUN!!! Let's first start with:

THE BIGGEST LOSER

I am connected to Blaine (on the left) so many ways. He is 2 years older than me (I am the same age as his brother) and we grew up in the same ward. They used to live down the street from us, his mom watched us when my mom gave birth to Sarah. Then to make things even closer ... my brother married his sister last year!

It has been so fun to watch Blaine and his cousin on this season. I usually cry during the show, but I cry all the time now because I feel emotionally connected. Last weeks episode when they flew him out to surprise his wife Jenny, when she was giving birth to their 4th child was the worst. I was sobbing on the couch, and I already knew that it was going to happen.

I have been most impressed with Blaine's character. He was always a good guy growing up, but it is nice to see that he is still that good guy. I love watching him pump up the other contestants. Even this week when Joelle got voted off, Blaine was the only one who even acknowledged her presence in the room.

We have just had the best time watching you Blaine ... great job!!!!

AMERICAN IDOL

Now you should know that this is my favorite reality show on TV. Justin and I have been to 2 concert tours and had the time of our life while there.

The first contestant is Arianna Afsar. I do not personally know her, but the rest of my family does. She is friends with my brother and is in his graduating class this year. Alex said that after her audition aired they congratulated her over the loud speakers. How cool is that? Good Luck Arianna.

The next AI contestant is Adam Lambert. I have bragged to a lot of people about how lucky I was to be a part of the music program at Mt. Carmel High School. It is there that I got my start and I believe is where I really began to believe that I was an oboe player. The example that I always give to people is our musical productions. Within the musical productions I always give the example of "Secret Garden". And within "The Secret Garden" I always give the example of Adam Lambert singing "Lilly's eyes". Now I have known Adam for a long time. We were even math partners in 7th grade. He has always been amazing and I knew that he had succeeded in broadway productions. When I heard him sing on Idol I was blown away and so excited because he is totally going to win!!!! Great Job Adam and know that there is at least one house hold that is rooting for you!!!!!

I think it is just so cool that two people on Idol this year are from the same community. Not just San Diego, but Rancho Penasquitos!!!!

To see just how amazing he is look up: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lvwcJUhIa0U

Oh Yeah, He's going to win!!!!!