Dustin's Plaque

Here are some pictures of Dustin's award from work. He was voted Employee of the Month for November, and he got a $250 bonus as well as the plaque. He works really hard at work, and it finally paid off. He was the last one to get Employee of the Month though, because the dealership is trying to save some money. I am really proud of Dustin, and I know he deserves this award. We hung it up in our living room so everyone can see it.
Here is the first picture I took. It was a little blurry, but you can read all of the wording.
















Here is another picture I took. The flash kind of blocks some of the wording, but you can see the plaque really well.

Oh Christmas Tree...

This is our first year since Dustin and I have been married where we don't have a huge Christmas tree. We had to cut a lot off to fit it inside our apartment. We have both been really busy, so it took a while to get everything set up, and we still don't have all of our decorations up. We also borrowed a nativity set from Donna, since we do not have one of our own. She got it from Deseret Book for free, and she didn't have it set up, so now it is set up at our place. Also, during Thanksgiving, when the family was up in Montana, all of the girls got together, and we worked on a craft project. It was a lot of fun, but I just barely finished putting mine together. It really turned out good, and now I have another decoration in our apartment. The nice thing about it is that it isn't just for Christmas, it is for all of winter. Yay!

It's a Wonderful Life

Last night was the closing night of the play. It was both sad and nice to have it over. I loved hanging out with the other cast members, but the play has been taking up a lot of my time lately, and now I can focus on finals. It will also be nice being home more, and with Christmas coming up, I need all the time I can get to finish preparations. I had a few people go to some shows. Saturday night my friends Sarah and Elida went to cheer me on, and boy did they do a good job. Closing night Dennis, Darin G., Danalynn, and Dustin went to support me. It was so nice seeing people I care about in the audience, and I am pretty sure those were my best performances. Thank you to Darin and Lynn for coming all the way up to Montana to see me perform. The weather was really crazy, and they still managed to get up here. It started snowing on Friday night, which made the play interesting. Not very many people were able to go, and a few of our cast members didn't show up for Saturday's performance. It has also been freezing in Dillon, which made changing costumes almost unbearable, because the rooms were so cold. Oh well, it was a really great experience, and I am glad I was able to experience it.

Dust

5 things he loves:
1. His family
2. Motorcycles
3. Anything with racing
4. Camping
5. Being outdoors

5 things on his to do list:
1. Pay off debt
2. Get a job with UPS
3. Drive in a Demo Derby
4. Ride in a race car
5. Relax

5 foods he enjoys:
1. Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
2. Tacos from Taco Johns
3. Hamburgers
4. Steak
5. Chicken Parmesan

5 things you might not know about him:
1. He called my dad on the phone to ask permission to marry me, and he was really nervous.
2. He chipped the growth plate in his ankle when he was in the second grade on the merry-go-round after someone pushed him off.
3. He falls asleep while watching movies.
4. He can be really competitive while playing games.
5. He twitches when he's falling asleep.

5 places he's lived:
1. Dillon, MT
2. Rexburg, ID
3. California--on his mission
4. Virginia--selling security systems

5 quirky things about him:
1. He sometimes snores in his sleep.
2. He hates shaving.
3. He loves ranch dressing on everything.
4. He likes watching chick flicks.
5. He gets lint in his belly button(doesn't everyone).

5 people I tag:
Anyone who wants to that hasn't already

December is Finally Here!

I have been waiting for the 1st of December since Halloween. This means there are 24 more days until Christmas, and there are 10 more days until the school play "It's a Wonderful Life". Not only that but there are also only 16 more days until Christmas break. I love this time of year, when we start decorating for Christmas. We have already taken care of all of the gifts, and now we can focus on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.

This time of the year is very hectic, and we can get caught up in the material things surrounding this time of year. We need to realize how lucky we are to be surrounded by loving friends and family, and we need to focus on helping others who don't have much. By helping others less fortunate than us, it will bring so much joy in our lives, and we will be full. I love the people in my life, and I am grateful for each one of them. Happy Holidays!

Attitude

This week I have been working on my attitude. I have realized that by having a positive attitude, the day goes by more smoothly, and I am happier. I was talking to Ruth Pilgrim about having a positive attitude, and she told me she had a paper about attitudes, and she made me a copy. I wanted to share it on my blog.

Attitude
By Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.

The remarkable thing is--we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.

We are in charge of our attitudes.


I hope this brings the same amount of joy for you as it does for me. I have it on my refrigerator so I can look at it every day.

New blog

I created a new blog all about the great things Dustin does, and I want everyone to check it out.

Honors Society Induction Ceremony

Last night was the Alpha Chi induction ceremony, and I was extremely nervous. I have been looking forward to this night for a long time now, and it is already over. I have been working really hard in school, and my hard work has paid off. I had five people at the ceremony to support me. After it was over Donna told me there were only 22 people in the crowd, and 5 of them were there for me. I am very grateful for such a supporting group of family and friends. Dennis, Donna, and Dustin were there, as well as my friends Elida and Brooke (who came at the last minute, and I am glad she was able to come).

During the ceremony, each one of the new inductees had to come up to the front, light their candle, repeat some words, which I have already forgot, and sign our names into the Alpha Chi book. We then had to shake hands with the presidency of the club, and sit down. After we were all sitting, we had to stand; that was when we were inducted into Alpha Chi. It was an awesome experience, and I am glad I was part of it. After the ceremony, we ate some food, and it was over. I received a certificate with my name on it, and a pin that I am supposed to wear this week when I am on campus. Overall it was a great night, other than my nervousness, and now I will be part of this society forever. What a great honor!

Cookies, Cookies, and More Cookies!

Today was a great day! I had the day off, and I decided to make some cookies. A lot of people have been coming through Safeway with baking ingredients, and they sounded really good. I went over to Brooke Leonardson's house so she could help me, and we had lunch. Her son Daniel helped too, and he was so adorable. It was a lot of fun. I made a triple batch of chocolate chip cookies, and a double batch of no-bake cookies. They were both so good after they were done. We took up the whole counter with all of the cookies we made. I plan on giving away most of the cookies, but I have to keep a few for myself. I can't wait until the holidays when I can make plates of goodies for everyone. This was just a warm-up just wait until the real deal.

Give Thanks!

I was looking for a new background the other day, since it is no longer really fall here in Dillon, MT. I couldn't find any winter themed backgrounds, so I went with a Thanksgiving theme. The background I chose truly fits my feelings right now. It is all about giving thanks. It made me realize I don't give thanks as often as I should so I decided to do that today.

I am thankful for my parents and my family for helping me become the person I am today. I give thanks to my in-laws for helping me feel like part of the family, and for making me laugh. I am grateful for my husband, who loves me, and helps me get through each day. I am thankful for my friends who are always there when I need someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on. I give thanks to Heavenly Father for surrounding me with loving people who help me realize what a good person I am, and I am grateful to Heavenly Father for never giving up on me.

It is so nice to be able to thank all of the people in my life, and it makes me feel truly blessed to have so much in my life.

Now that Halloween is over...

I am soo excited! Now that we are in November I can start listening to Christmas music. I love Christmas, and the season usually starts for me right after Halloween. Soon the snow will start falling, and it will really put me in the spirit. It is also fun being in a play that has the Christmas spirit. I can't wait! I already have a Christmas countdown, and there are only 53 more days until Christmas.

Happy Halloween!

Dustin and I decided to carve pumpkins this year to put on our front porch. Dustin ended up getting sick so I started working on both pumpkins during our ward halloween party, and I took them home to finish them. I stayed up until 2:30 am finishing them since I had to work on Halloween. They turned out pretty good, and no one stole them Halloween night. We didn't get as many trick or treaters as we thought we would, but that's okay because I will eat most of the candy. I went to a party later on Halloween night with some friends, while Dustin stayed home and rested. Maybe next year we will go trick or treating.

Flu shot

I got my flu shot on Wednesday since my boss told me it would be a good idea. I am always sick, and the union insurance at Safeway would take care of the cost. Little did I know that due to the flu shot, my immune system would weaken. I ended up getting a really bad cold. Because of my cold I went home an hour early on Saturday, and I called in sick from work today. Rehearsals are this week, and I told them I can't rehearse today. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Husband Tag!

1. Where did you meet? My friend Paul's apartment, Paul and Dustin were roommates

2. How long did you date before you got married? 5 1/2 months

3. How long have you been married? 2 years and 8 1/2 months

4. What does he do that surprises you? Everything, it seems that once I have figured him out, he surprises me.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His touch, I always feel safe and comfortable when he hugs me or comforts me.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? He is such a hard worker, and he is always there when others need a hand.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Cutie, sweetheart

8. What is his favorite color? Blue

9. What is his favorite food? Dustin loves all foods, unless they have sour cream in it

10. What is his favorite sport? motor cycle racing

11. When and where was your first kiss? In the gardens at BYU-Idaho, and it was after he got back from Montana on Labor Day weekend.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love just hanging out with each other.

13. Do you have any children? No children yet

14. Does he have a hidden talent? He makes children fall in love with him. I have only seen one child not like Dustin.

15. How old is he? 26

16. Who said "I love you" first? He did, after our first kiss.

17. What is his favorite type of music? He loves all kinds of music, just take a look in our CD case.

18. What do you admire most about him? Dustin is amazing. He is so kind, and patient. He makes everyone fall in love with him, and he is always there to give a helping hand. He is there for people.

19. Do you think he will read this? Doubtful, but I hope so that way I can figure out how well I know him.

It's a Wonderful Life!

I just found out this morning that I got a part in the school play. We will be performing "It's a Wonderful Life". I love this movie, and I can't wait to be a part of the school play. I am excited to meet new people, and it will give me a chance to do something. I have been going to auditions the past two nights, and I will be playing Mrs. Thompson. It's not a big role, but I don't care. If I do well in this play maybe I will audition for next semester's play. I hope I will be able to take some pictures so I can post them on the blog. The play will be performed between December 11th through the 14th. I can't wait! Tonight is our read-through. I am so excited.

Thank goodness!

This week was mid-terms, and it was a nightmare. First I found out on Wednesday that my geography mid-term was due by 11pm on Thursday. Not only that but Safeway scheduled me to work 31 hours, and 7.5 of those were on Thursday. I ended up not showing up to work so I could get a C on my geography mid-term. No one in my class did well on the mid-term, and I have been pushing the teacher to give us a curve. No response yet from him. I just finished my psychology mid-term, and I feel pretty good about it. We will see this week what I got for a grade. Thank goodness I am done until finals as far as tests go. It is a lot harder studying for different mid-terms, but I am doing pretty well so far.

Good News!

I got a letter from the school yesterday informing me that I have been recommended to join Montana Gamma, Montana Western's chapter of Alpha Chi. It is an honor society for all majors, and in order to be recommended I had to have been in the top 10% of my class. I am way excited because by joining this elite group I will be awarded scholarships and have doors open for me. It is a very prestigious honor to be asked to join this honor society. You probably think this is some kind of sorority, but it is not.

Here is the letter. I will be inducted on November 18th at 6 pm.

Dustin's New Ride

This is Dustin's new bike. We just bought it today. It is a Yamaha WR450. Yesterday he asked me to go check it out to see how much it would cost, and it was only $3500, which is a really good deal for this bike. High book for the bike is $4300 and low book is $3200. We looked at a few of these motorbikes on Ebay and they were more expensive even for older models. Dustin was unsure whether or not we were going to get it, but Stacie was insistant since he hasn't owned a bike for over 2 years, and he works extremely hard. Not only that, but it will save us money on gas.

Here he is with his new toy!

Getting ready to cruise!

The best part about the bike is it is street legal. So we can license it once we get the title.