Where Are We Going?

I started to do a post last time, and somehow instead of saving what I had written thus far, it posted just the title - kinda funny.

Anyway! Our family is onto it's next great adventure! We've been living with my mom for a few weeks while Steven has been looking for a job. It was discouraging at first. He had had a couple interviews, but they were with the government and they told him it would take awhile to process his application. Well, it didn't take as long as we thought - Steven got a call a couple weeks ago from the VA Hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan saying they want him! I almost started crying. So we leave Tuesday to start the next chapter of our lives! We feel so very blessed for this opportunity - it will be a great start to Steven's career. Living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan will definitely be an adjustment. Besides getting used to extreme cold (call me crazy, but I'm actually excited we're going to have a white Christmas) we'll also be living in a small town; we'll be in a small branch (35 active members); and we'll be far from family. Steven and I have been in touch with the Branch President and the Relief Society President. They're both very excited we're coming and have already gone out of their way to help us out. They say even though their numbers are small, they are strong. I think it will be neat to experience the family-like unity of a little branch. Like being in the mission field again! Another interesting thing about us living in the Upper Peninsula is we're very close to where Steven's ancestors settled after immigrating from Finland. He still has some not-too distant relatives living in Houghton (I believe). Maybe we'll be able to meet them!

I have seen the Lord's hand in helping us find the right path for us to go at this time in our lives. When Steven first saw this job posting back in March, he asked if I wanted to live in a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where it is very cold. "No, thank you!" I told him. Well, he applied anyway, because he felted impressed to. I'm so glad I have a husband who listens to the Spirit instead of his wife :) A couple of months later I was visiting teaching and my companion asked where Steven had applied for jobs. I mentioned the UP and she told me she served part of her mission up there and LOVED it. She said we would enjoy it, too. That totally changed my thinking about Iron Mountain and I was not only open to going there, but excited about it, too. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who helps prepare me for the changes in my life. We just feel so blessed; we can't thank Him enough.

Where Are We?

Desert Museum

It rained Wednesday, so Thursday morning we went to the Sonora Desert Museum. My friend Michelle gave us some free passes. It was a lot of fun and Eden like watching all of the animals, especially the frogs and toads.


On Sundays Eden like to help make the rolls. We have frozen bread dough and she pulls them out of the bag and into the muffin pan. She even knows which side has to be up and that's amazing because we've never told her.

Eden loves her blankets! She has them wherever she is and next to her with whatever she is doing. She even likes them when she has to eat her green beans.

David has a lot of facial expressions and below are a bunch of them that he makes when he's playing.

Grand Re-Opening

Per some requests and because I really enjoy doing it, I've decided to re-open Baby Blossom Boutique. It's been about a year since it was last opened. I've learned how to make a lot more since then. Pretty much everything is new. Hope you all enjoy! Oh, and my new model is none other than...David. I think he looks too much like a boy, so I crop the photos so you can't tell :) Hopefully he won't be too embarrassed about it later! Something we'll all laugh about I'm sure.

A Memorable Day

After 21 long months (but now that it's over they seem short) Steven graduated with his Master's in Public Health from the University of Arizona. His graduate degree was a lot more demanding than I expected it to be, so we both felt very stretched these last 2 years in all of our responsibilities. I'm so proud of him for not only making it, but for doing such a good job (3.75 GPA) and especially for always trying to make time to help me and to play with our children. When they were giving out some awards to students who had accomplished some great things, I thought in my head that Steven should receive the greatest award of all: being a wonderful husband and father while trying to get his Masters degree. I love you Steven!

Waiting for the ceremony to start.


Steven being hooded. A moment we've been waiting for for a long time!

Steven's very proud, happy family. The children both did very well during the 1.5 hour ceremony. Eden loved looking over the balcony (we sat on one of the upper rows) and then playing with her cousin's magna doodle. David played and then slept a little. They won't remember this day, but their mommy sure will!

Steven's very happy parents! We're so glad they could come, along with Steven's sisters, Jen, Sarah and Kathryn. Also Jen's 2 daughters: Jessica and Julie came!

My dad also came. So glad he could make it!

Our happy little boy. Maybe he knows what's going on :)

After the ceremony we were able to visit a little before my dad, Steven's parents and sister, Sarah had to go home. Steven's sisters, Jen and Kathryn, and his nieces, Jessica and Julie all got to spend the night! We had so much fun. Saturday morning we went to the Reid Park Zoo. The children had a lot of fun, but the highlight was playing in this little water park area they have in the center of the zoo. It was nice to get wet on a hot day. On the way home we stopped off at Eegee's to get an Eegees (it's like a thick slushee). Then we came home and made flower hair clips and bows while the babies slept. Eden cried when her aunts and cousins left to go home. She's very shy, but she sure warmed up to them, and was sad to see them go. It was a wonderful weekend!

At the zoo!

Eden's cousin Julie. She really enjoyed playing with her this weekend, but especially wearing her flip flops!

Steven and his sister Kathryn.

Our Thousandth Day of Marriage!

Jessica and I have now been married for 1000 days! So much has happened since that wonderful day. Here is a list of accomplishments in no particular order:

1. Jessica was certified as a Speech Technician
2. Jessica's cooking skills have gone from just a simple mayonnaise casserole maker to master chef (Who knew she was a natural and all she needed to do was try new things!)
3. Jessica improved her sewing skills and with the help of her Aunt's new sewing machine created amazing pillows, bed sheets, pajamas, dresses, crib bumpers, and even a baby bag.
   
4. Jessica took a jewelery making class and is pretty good at it
5. Jessica has saved us tons of money these last few years by coupon shopping (thanks Sarah for your help and hints)
6. Jessica started a hobby of making hair bows for little girls and loves to have friends come over to make them just for fun
7. Jessica survived the delivery of two precious babies
   
8. Jessica taught Sunday school to the 12 & 13 year olds and spent many hours in preparation
9. Jessica has made each day special for Steven
10. Jessica lived on a budget where she was only given $25/month for personal items (clothes, shoes, crafts, etc.) and stuck to it (most of the time :)
    
11. Jessica learned how to invest $25 into bow making supplies and made tons more money for her to spend
    
12. For our companionship study we have finished the New Testament, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and many Conference Talks
13. We lived in Thatcher, AZ and experienced the life of a small town
14. We became parents and learned how to better share all of the responsibilities
    
15. We were bear scout den leaders for the local cub scouts and survived!
16. We've traveled to San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas,Washington State, Sedona, and Sierra Vista
    
17. Were able to attend the San Diego, Las Vegas, and Mesa Temple
    
18. We've read some classics such as Treasure Island and Where the Red Fern Grows
    
19. Jessica and I have both taken Eden alone onto an airplane to one of the above locations and had her diaper leak on us before we could get her to the airplane's toilet room
20. All of the children are healthy and happy - thanks to Jessica
    
21. We sold Jessica's car and bought a used minivan which fits all of us much better
    
22. First attempt at gardening was a success and learned to plant more cucumbers and less zucchini
23. Collected several place settings of Spode Christmas china (thanks to Rosemary and her bargain shopping)
    
24. Made several gingerbread houses together during our first Christmas season together
25. We lived in some pretty nice rentals in safe areas of the Phoenix and Tucson valleys. Best of all they fit inside our tight budget
    
26. Steven had two amazing jobs that gave him experience he needs to have an edge in today's job market
    
27. Steven taught Jessica how to cut his hair and she does a perfect job each month
    
28. Steven served as an assistant scoutmaster
29. Steven hasn't played video games for over 1000 days
30. Steven hasn't worn non-pajama wear to bed for 1000 days straight (Before we were married he would fall asleep in his normal clothes all the time)
31. Steven survived all of those late night/early morning assignments, reports, presentation preparation, and baby feedings
32. Steven made it through graduate school without doing homework on Sunday
    
33. Steven replaced the front wheel brake pads on both sides of his car in less than 40 minutes in the dark
    
34. Steven has excelled at his skills as a puppeteer
    
35. Steven finished graduate school on the thousandth day (Today!)
    

Although we have not mentioned all of our accomplishments for the last 1000 days we can only wonder what will happen in the next 1000 days. Steven will start his career and become a certified Industrial Hygienist. Maybe we will buy a house or visit Jessica's missionary areas in London. Eden and David will have learned so much and will be the best of friends. One thing is for sure, Steven will not have homework every night and every weekend.

Our next phase in life begins and what adventures awaits us!

What is a fruit/vegetable?

How do you classify a fruit and a vegetable? Here is the official way to decide if something is a fruit or a vegetable.
Vegetables are actual parts of the plant.
Fruits are anything that is produced by the plant, and usually is accompanied with a flower.

Vegetables would include:
Celery (plant stalk)
carrots (root)
lettuce & cabbage (plant leafs)
onions
radishes
etc.

Fruits are everything else such as:
Watermelon
pumpkin
squash
tomatoes
apples
oranges
pineapple
cherries

Broccoli is tricky because the tips of the broccoli are fruiting bodies, but the rest of the broccoli is a vegetable.

FYI - Since no one can really agree on what is what, grocery stores just label everything as produce.

Fretilizer Information

I provided the following information to my sister today and thought I should share it with the rest of the world.

If you decide to buy some fertilizer your selection should be based upon what you want your plant to do. Every fertilizer pack comes with three numbers written on the package. These numbers represent the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer (Otherwise known as the N-P-K values, always written in that order). Here is what each of these elements will do to your plant:

Nitrogen - Makes the plant grow fast and look green
Phosphorus - Makes the plant flower/ produce fruit
Potassium - Improves the overall health of the plant

Using a fertilizer with too much nitrogen when the plant is sprouting will 'burn' the sprout and it will die. You only want to use a high nitrogen content fertilizer once the plant has grown a bit or just don't use as much. Only using a nitrogen ferilizer (#-0-0) will make a great looking green plant but will not produce any fruit (you've told it to grow and to do nothing else). If you have flowers and want them to bloom, you should use a fertilizer that contains Phosphorus. You can use a combination fertilizer to get mixed results, growth and fruit, which can be good so you don't have a billion zucchini ready to be picked all at one time.

What numbers are good? Depends on what plant you have and what you want it to do. Just remember that the greater the number the more of the result you are going to get. If you don't want to have to trim your plant as often, don't use a fertilizer with a large nitrogen content. It's not always about getting the biggest bang for your buck.