anne - tracey and adina both can give you the lowdown on CM but they really are the best. check out www.creativememories.com to look at stuff - and i would be happy to send you a catalog and my suggestions. probably in the $80 - $150 range to get started...i will waive shipping/handling if you want me to send you anything and can tuck in some extras! if you want to email me directly(cmalexis@aol.com) , feel free to:-) out there where you are - one thought might be to sign up as a consultant - for $195 and you would get over $400 worth of stuff to get going with your own books and decide if you want to pursue it as a business or not. no obligation and if you have nothing, you would get it all at a great cost! i can send you that info as well. just a thought. ok, off my business soapbox! love- lexi

I read Follow the River in high school and it was excellent. I second the recommendation. Adina, I started reading Professor and the Madman right before we moved here the first time and it was very good but I got sidetracked by the move and never finished it. We have it around here somewhere, unless that's the one Barb has/had. I just started Reading Lolita in Tehran. I'll have to let you all know.

Marnie, I'm glad you like your new job. I hope the apt. works out well. Buffy, are you not going to be up for the wedding? Did I miss that somewhere? I hope that's not the case, but I understand if it is. Barb, I have to agree with Buffy about the whole healthy lifestyle thing. I greatly admire you for making such healthy changes.

Okay, I just posted last night so I am done but I couldn't miss out on a book discussion. Buffy, I also look forward to the next Harry Potter book. I have a feeling I won't be doing too much reading during the next two months. We'll see.

Brooke

Lexi, Adina, Tracey, or whoever would know:

How much is stuff from Creative Memories? I really would like to get into scrapbooking but I need to know prices to know if I can at the moment. Thanks.

-Anne

love your blog guys - had to share on blog BIG THANKS to tom for making my dvds for my kids performances this spring - i need a techie lesson and a new camera i think! also, read devil and the white city as well - it IS pretty fascinating. also suggest - follow the river - mom just finished it. it is really great. so good to see what is going on with all of you guys - much love - lexi

There is a fantastic internet book club. It is called Zooba. Basically this is how it works: They have 95% of any book you would want to buy, even new ones. All the books, hardcover or not, cost $9.95 if you are a member. The only requirement is that you buy one book a month for which you fill up a queue like Netflix. They send you the 1st book in your queue the same time each month for the $9.95 charged to the credit card, with free shipping. If you ever want to buy any more books for $9.95 you can any time. They have children's books as well. Basically, if you only buy one book a month, it saves you money. And for the non-readers, maybe you could get started? URL is www.zooba.com. And they have Freakonomics Adina! Although, I don't know if they send to APOs.

Adina, I did read Guns, Germs, and Steel. I have to say it was a little dry if fascinating analysis. It isn't really the pinnacle of fun, summer reading. But, you will learn a lot. In other words, a bit better than a good textbook:)

Mike

A very rainy day here in Sasebo. Spent the day buying decorations for the last PTO cakewalk of the year (yeah!), preparing for my talk on Sunday (the last of many that I will give here - everyone speaks about every 3 months) and searching for a place for the kids to have swim lessons this summer...which brings me to a question for Kenn & Barb: What is the name of that indoor recreation center near you? I am interested in seeing if they do swim lessons. Through the internet, I have found Marshall Community Center - about 8 miles down I-5. Clark County YMCA also does swim lessons, but not sure how close they are. Anyway - if you could find out, that would be great!

Brooke - count on us to help with your move! It sounds like a good decision, regardless of what a pain it may be. And I likely will send a little something for Sadie, but I will try to choose something as lame as possible. :)

And Dave will kill me for sharing this, but I have to. He was at the gym today and a lady that we know was also there. We don't know her real well, but through another friend. Anyway - she comes up to Dave and says, "You are a hottie! Your wife is lucky to have you!" I guess I should wonder or worry, but all I can say is, "Amen to that!" I thought that was pretty funny.
Anyway - dinner to prepare! So good to read all of your blogs - makes us feel close!

Barb - enjoying "The Professor and the Madman". Thanks for leaving it for me to read. Planning to read, "Guns, Germs, and Steel" soon - Mike: did you say you had read that? Looks good. Saw an interview with the author of "Freakonomics" - am interested in reading the book, but haven't seen it at the Exchange as of yet.
Take care!

Adina

Marnie...
I really do hope you get that great apartment! I miss La Jolla most since I worked there right next to the beach on Prospect at Ann Taylor. Those were some fun days and I'd sure like to visit when you move in. If you need help, let us know since you helped us when we first moved up to Valencia.
Buffy

Hey Everyone!

Just thought I would leave an update. I started my job yesterday, so far so good. I like it there. Everyone (only 6 people) is really nice and easy to get along with. I figured out today who the president reminds me of...Beppie Ann. She looks a lot like her and sounds EXACTLY like her. She is also really tall. So I always get caught off guard when she says something behind me or something. I am adjusting pretty well to the full time deal with waking up by 6:30am every morning and working all day. I have stuff to do all day so it goes pretty fast.

I still have to sign the lease for the apartment. There are some complications going on with the current tenant because she had to fly to Canada for a family emergency but hopefully everything will turn out fine.

Matt comes home from New York tomorrow night which is exciting for me and Mom and Dad come to San Diego on Friday. Then I get to spend the whole weekend with them and see STAR WARS!!!! I am almost more excited to see Star Wars than to graduate!! Ridiculous, I know.

Well I am glad to hear that you all are well. It is fun to read everything from everyone. Buffy I don't know how you do it with all your schooling but I have to say that I understand what you are going through better now because of living with my two athletic trainer roommates!

Can't wait to see everyone this August! Love you all!

Marnie

Mike,
I'm sure the cross country move will be a blast! Just kidding, but I will pray for a truck that lasts the whole trip and has AC!!! I am glad that the family is moving to Washington. We'll be there in fall 2006 I hope!
Brent has said that Sport Chalet is planning to invade WA and Portland in 2006 and they typically open new stores Nov. 1... so that could mean Brent could transfer with them and be up there by September. I of course will be looking for a job (job market is very ripe for PT right now in the northwest)and hopefully will have taken and passed my boards by then.
I have one more practical exam this week for neuro eval (stroke and traumatic brain injury patients) and then three finals next week. Don't feel bad for me though cuz I'm so used to this student thing that I'm not stressed out any more... I know what I have to do.
The book recommendations: Did we forget Harry Potter #6??? I preordered it months ago cuz I'm just that cool! I read the series 2 summers ago and can't wait.
Barb, I am so proud of you for your diligence in working out. It's nice to know so many in this family have such healthy active lifestyles so we can all stick around for a long time. I have not worked out for 2 weeks with being sick and it's killing me... especially since I still have to pay for the gym membership. Did anyone watch the recent Oprah episode that was all about healthy lifestyles and food advice? I thought it was great and very worthwhile info that they also have online. Or you can always ask our family dietician, Adina (hehe).
Anyway, thought I would blab for a while too and erase any guilt of not posting.
Oh, sorry Brooke, I do wish I could sit with you and watch the guys move boxes, but my schedule doesn't permit it (I'll probably be interning).
Take care everybody and Anne, I'm jealous of your late mornings!!
Buffy

What I meant was Bachelorette party! We'll just all sit and watch the sweaty guys in wife beaters...and buff Barb. Not a party to be missed. With much anticipation, Brooke

Thank you for breaking up the dry spell. We really do remarkably well, as Martha noted, but I still look eagerly many times a day (I won't commit to how many times as it might show the lack of other activities in my life!!!)

Mike, we are certainly thinking and praying for you this week on those tests. It is hard for me to imagine the pressure! Also, it will be interesting when we get the final, final news of where you will be heading. At least we know the household goods will end up in Washington! I think the move idea does make sense especially with all going in storage. During our many moves, we would have to open up almost every box to find everything that we need...the movers have even packed rotten potatoes!!! I'm sure we can all pitch in for an unloading day followed by nice soaks in the hot tub!!I'll even help since I'm getting STRONG!!! Not as strong as some of you but it does feel nice to be developing some muscle and not just flab. I am finding that my stamina is much higher!!

Thanks for the book recommendations...I am reading a lot but always have about 5-10 books on the shelf waiting. The one by the Tipping Point author sounds very interesting...I liked Tipping Point a lot. The others sound like good page-turners. I'll have to check them out!!!

Also, to all who wonder...although everything is not necessarily commented on...we all read the blogs voraciously...and love it all. Sometimes we just forget when we get writing.

Well, I'd better go get ready for Enrichment tonight. I am always so relieved when I get it over each month. I think I will be ultra-relieved whenever I get released which I have a feeling may not be for a while. The RS President commented that the bishop had been great at "protecting" us from being taken for other callings. Oh, well!!! At least I've been able to get to know the sisters in our ward!!

Love you all,

Mom

Before you all become bitter and resentful because we are moving ourselves and counting on you for slave labor, let me explain. Yes, we will make more money than a regular move but the thought of moving ourselves in the middle of summer with three children makes me want to curl up and cry. Here are all the other reasons. First, the students in the class that is just before Mike's still don't have their orders and cannot set up their transportation yet. Their class graduates in 2 weeks. We wouldn't be able to guarantee that we would have movers and be all packed up in time to leave and make it up to the wedding. Secondly, when we moved across post I had the whole attic organized into sections and explained to the movers that is was important that it was boxed that way because...blah blah blah. Not only were things totally mixed up but I had 20 boxes in my new basement labeled "Attic Items." I will be putting alot of our stuff in storage but I will also need alot up at mom's and I will need to have a complete inventory of what is in each box. I think I would be doing so much of the packing before hand that it will work out better just to pack it ourselves. Plus, I know the movers would probably shove it all into the storage unit and this way I can organize it (color code or something). The idea of moving ourselves makes me nauseous. I vowed never again, but that is always a big mistake. So, as soon as school gets out and the kids can sleep in a bit I will be spending my mornings in the basement. Too fun, I know. So maybe for a bachelor party you can all put on some wife beaters and unload a U-haul. If it is any consolation I will be going through EVERYTHING and giving away or throwing away as much as possible. We are a bit worried that we won't fit in a U-Haul anymore. So picture, if you will, our cross country trip this summer. A U-haul and the Honda filled with three kids, a dog, and cat, and probably a stray squirrel from Ft. Benning. I know you are all soooo jealous.

Adina, I don't think you should worry about Sadie. Then this overpowering feeling of guilt I get with each of your darling presents won't impair my packing abilities. If you feel you care more for my child than for me and my guilt complex then she likes everything. She loves dress ups (which she has enough of, actually), coloring, sports, outside stuff, craft stuff, etc... The kid loves to play. We really do have enough books right now. For that matter, she's not really hurting in any area, a birthday card would do just fine.

Okay, I think I have rambled enough. I have to go bathe my brown, sleepy babies and then watch American Idol w/Mike. Anne and Peter, we cannot wait. Our number is 706-687-1708 if you want to call to work out details. Just let me know. Dave and Adina, I can't believe how soon you'll be done. Tracey, how are you feeling and how far along are you?
Peace out. Brooke

Well, I will post. We need to do a better job of responding, i.e. leaving comments. My deterrent to writing on the blog is I feel like they go unread, even though I know we all read the blog 10 times a day (or 15 if you are Anne:))

This is my big mid-term week, or at least the equivalent. I am not to happy with the plan I have to brief tomorrow. Luckily, it is the practice for the real thing on Friday. To put it simply, you get half an operations order the day prior for which you stay up all night creating graphics products and develop the enemy and terrain analysis part of the brief. Then the next day you get the real order for which you must develop the friendly plan in 3.5 hours. It is a bear...here are your 15 tanks, 20 vehicles and 150 personnel... and here are about a million things to accomplish...figure it out quick! and it had better be neat! So I am a little frustrated today because I am tired and am just not happy with what I produced during the 3.5 hours. (they lock all your briefing products up until 30 minutes before you brief, so "no" I cannot change anything now) I will do better Friday.

Anne, we are very excited to have you guys here. It is fun just to think you are enjoying the humidity this week with us. Now you see, other places really don't get very hot. At least AC is the standard. I think the northwest can be very miserable in the summer just because of the lack of AC. What is wrong with people up there? My house is a cool 68 right now.

The girls are all out playing in the backyard right now, moving from the kiddie pool to the sandbox 2 doors down, then to the tree house next door, then....you get the picture; it is a fun neighborhood. It is a great feeling seeing your kids wear themselves out having fun.

I am reading a another great book again. Did anyone read my recommendation of Freakonomics? Anyway, this book is called The Devil in the White City. Basically it is about the architect of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair and a serial killer during the fair. Very fascinating read that I think anyone would enjoy. Brooke really liked both books as well. I just had Blink recommended to me, so I think I will read that next (author of Tipping Point).

Dave finally got his computer fixed so he asked me what were the PC games to play. I thought about it a lot because you all know I am obsessed with those things. So I thought I would make a list even if no one cares but Dave. Here are the games to get, all others are not worth getting until you play these:

Action: Half Life 2

Strategy: Darwinia, Soldiers:Heroes of WW2, Rise of Nations, Act of War

Pure Fun: Trackmania Sunrise

Racing with a wheel (only me I think): FIA:GTR, Richard Burns Rally

Tactical (Rainbow 6 type): SWAT 4

Simulation: Silent Hunter 3, Lock-on: Modern Air Combat

Adventure: Psychonauts, Beyond Good and Evil

RPG: World of Warcraft, Guild Wars

Ok, since anyone of those will steal 20-100 hours of your life, I think that list will keep interested folks busy. I didn't even mention the XBOX list. Too much good stuff, no wonder I did not finish Halo 2 yet. I love the XBOX but PC gaming is still superior because of, like Dave said, sharpness of the graphics. I also thing the PC controls are just more responsive. The new XBOX360 and PS3 should change all that with HD support. I think PC games will be out the window in a few years because the consoles will be faster than the fastest PCs for a lot less. But, PC games are incredibly low cost compared to XBOX. Most those games above can be had for 20 bucks or less.

We are still waiting to hear the final word about Korea or Fort Lewis. Like I said, I don't feel like intervening anymore. So, it is wait and see at this point.

We have decided we are going to move ourselves to Washington. The distance will pay too much to pass up and let someone else do it. So all start lifting now in preparation for the piano!

My leg is finally recovering. I actually passed my PT test with a decent score. Ran a slow 16:16 2-mile, however (13:30 is my usual time) But, it is progress. What is not is that I weigh 230 now because of the lack of running. So misery lies ahead for me in losing the chubby hubbiness.

The A's stink this year and so does my Fantasy Baseball team. The Braves are a lot more fun to watch this year with Hudson at the helm. So while I still proudly wear the green and yellow, I am anxiously following Atlanta. The AL east is sure an interesting battle this year.

Well, that should give you all plenty to read. Marnie, I am very envious of your new pad. It sounds like you are having a great time in life. Good luck with the new job.

Love you all,

Mike

I've probably looked at the blog 15 times today, and I finally decided that I would blog just to have something new on here.

Well, I love sleeping in. It is wonderful to be able to wake up and have it be almost 10am. I know for some that is not that late of sleeping in, but it is very late for me considering I am up and at school by at least 7:30am every day when school is in session. It has been a nice relaxation from the hectic volleyball and school (it is very nice not having to work either).

Mike and Brooke and the Girls: Let me tell you, I am so excited to come and spend a week with you guys. It will be so exciting to finally see Ellyn for the first time and to see all of the girls in action. I am having kid withdrawels. I was staring at one of the babies at church last week thinking how much I just want to interact with kids(especially my wonderful nieces and nephews) let alone have my own.

Tracey hope everything is going well with the pregnancy. Are you guys going to find out the sex of the baby and if you are... When do you find out?

I love you all and can't wait to hear more from you all. I also would like to see some pictures. I miss seeing the kids in action.

Love, Anne

Simple enough title for a little blog.
As I said to Marnie, anything that is going well for you is due to Parkers prayers that bless everyone in the world. You have him to thank, if you are part of this world.
Not much excitement here, just preparing to prepare to leave this place. Trying to fit in all the baseball and softball games and practices (5 of the 6 in our family playing on 4 different teams....we love playing baseball), arranging last minute trips to places we haven't been yet, arranging going away parties with a few different groups, and being torn over what to pack to have with us on the trip, in 6 weeks, and possibly in 6 months. Hard to forecast exactly what we'll need. But, it makes it exciting. Only 38 days left until we leave. It isn't so much the excitement of leaving, it is the chance to see everyone, be back in the US (nicer than you know), and getting on to the next phase of our life that we have been preparing for for that last 11 years.
I am doing ok and have just surrendered to the fact that I have OMS. It is just the way it is going to have to be. Actually the shoulder doing much better, but the knee a consistent problem. Been biking to stay in shape instead of running. Intend to bike until it gets better, then continue running. Dang football...
We finally got our computer back from HP repair in the states and it continued to crash, so I traded it in for a brand new one after 3 months of headache. So far so good (fingers crossed).
Well, good to see everyone is doing well....all of you take care and keep on truckin'!
Dave

Brooke - enjoyed reading your post. Like you, I have become so aware of how much I love where we are. I try to really appreciate the beauty here. Unlike you, I don't know when we will be back. We look forward to hearing about your final moving plans. Although, I know "nothing is ever final in the military". But - we are anxious to hear nonetheless. We hope you get what you want, but know that you will do great either way. I admire your faith and optimism.
As for the question - what is Sadie "into"? She's turning 3, right? Just looking for some ideas. Can't wait to see those girls this summer! Let me know when you can.
Anyway - more later - love to everyone!
Adina

Greetings from Cleveland. Things are going pretty well. One more week before Tom is officially a “Third Year!” I’m very excited that one more year is done! His finger is still hurting him quite a bit but he doesn’t complain. Hopefully tomorrow he can get things set more permanently. Kenn, I had never heard that story before, it is truly inspiring and I can’t wait to read it in the book. I hope you have that in your personal history somewhere for us to remember as well. Congrats on the apartment Marnie! Tom and I are so jealous of your awesome location! You should definitely come out here to visit Cedar Point and maybe we’ll get lucky enough to come visit you and to see the awesome beach there! Good luck at your new job tomorrow. Buffy, glad you got that z-pack, those things are awesome; I hope it works for you. There are always so many exciting things going on with Stinchfield’s around the globe, keep the reports coming! I wish Georgia was just a little closer so we could get down there to visit and swim with you too!
We went to the Indian’s Game yesterday but after waiting an hour into the second rain delay we decided to call it a day and we headed home. They resumed the game after nearly 2 hours and the Indians won, we watched it from home. Actually, I fell asleep and Tom told me to good news later!
Last night we were driving in the car and Hayden just kept being negative. Here’s how the dialogue went between Tom and Hayden:
“Hayden, do you love baseball?”
“No”
“Do you love food?”
“No”
“Do you love the Indians?”
“No”
“Do you love mommy?”
“No”
“Do you love daddy?”
“No”
“Do you love x-box?”
“Nnn….yeah, I love x-box!”

I don’t even know what to say to that… it must be in the genes. Well I’m off to bed, I’ll write more later!
Tracey

The story I submitted via LDSLiving.com is a true story about my last year of high school in West Sacramento (James Marshall High School, now River City HS). I was closing in on the end of my senior year and was pulled aside by my Biology teacher, Mr Jeters. He was the most superior of the teachers at James Marshall and taught like a college professor. Our school was mostly white, hispanic and japanese. Mr Jeters was the only black at the school. He pulled me aside one day and asked where I was going to go to college. I told him I thought American River JC out near Winding Way in Carmichael. He asked me if I was a Mormon. I told him I was and apparently he already knew that from the people I hung out with at school. When he heard I was settling for the JC, he said, "No, you are going to BYU". He informed me that he wanted me to bring in the application papers and he would sit down and help me fill them out. We did that and applied late in my senior year..probably very close to the deadline. I was accepted and found my way to BYU. Of note is that I was inactive my junior and senior year and was dating girls outside of the church. I had considered BYU but wasn't sure I could even get in. So, I settled for the JC life. Mr Jeters changed all that, and by doing so got me back on track with the church....and of course I met you mother who led me up the right path back into activity. He literally was the person who changed my life by stopping me from making a poor choice, got me in the right direction and allowed me to take part in that life-changing event. So, when you see the story in the book, to be released in Sept this year, you can compare the text and see if I remembered what I wrote to the authors of the book. My thanks to Mr. Jeters. I tried to contact him recently but he is deceased. I did speak to him about 15 years ago. He was living in Alabama.

We just went for a walk and it was beautiful. It smelled wonderful as well. I can't believe how much I'm going to miss this place. Chances are good that we'll be back.

Marnie, I am very excited for you. How fun to have your own place. You are officially a grown up now. I'm so happy that everything has gone so smoothly for you.

Anne and Peter, that plan sounds fabulous. You'll get to be here for Sadie's birthday on the 28th. Anne, plan on alot of pool time and hanging out in the back yard. That's what we do around here.

We are feeling more comfortable with the Korea plan. As I'm sure some of you have heard, Mike's old chain of command now know about his assignment and seem pretty peeved. It contradicts everything he was promised and it sounds like phone calls are going to be made. Mike and I aren't going to fight it. We'll see what happens. We have been praying to go to Lewis if it was Heavenly Father's plan for us. Maybe Mike is suupposed to go to Korea. We don't want to manipulate the plan too much. We did our part to get up there and now it is in the Lord's hands.

Well I have to go. Time for scriptures and prayers and Jane to bed. I am so ready for school to be out. We are all ready for a more relaxed schedule. Soccer ended yesterday so at least our Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday mornings are free again. We love you all. Love, Brooke

So, I guess I will fill in on the apartment story fully. So I got this job is Solana Beach which is somewhat far from where I live right now. So I wanted to get an apartment as close to Solana Beach as I could without being too far from San Diego where are of my friends and Matt live. For those of you that know San Diego geography you know that the farther north and west you go the more expensive it is. I was still set on living by myself because I don't know anyone that I wanted to live with and it isn't much cheaper than living on your own. So I was looking for a studio or one bedroom place as north as possible and for a rent that I could afford with my new job. So I continued searching. I looked on craigslist.org, the San Diego reader, the San Diego Union Tribune...I was on top of it. So on Wednesday when I was sitting at my internship on my last day with nothing to do I kept looking and refreshing the page every few minutes. When suddenly on one refreshing up popped a studio in La Jolla for only $790! I know, wow, that is really a lot for a studio but not really when it is in San Diego, much less La Jolla! Most studios in La Jolla are upwards of $1000/month. So this was an amazing find. And since I was aiming for La Jolla (without much hope of finding anything I could afford) this was perfect. So I called the lady (current tenant) and let her know that I was interesting and I wanted to see it. I went by that night and checked it out. It is really nice. It is tucked behind that house in the picture in a building with 2 other units. There is a small well landscaped yard in between the house and the building which is cute and perfect for a little boston terrier!! just kidding right now they won't let me have pets, but I want one! Then the main room is pretty good sized. The current tenant is living there with her two about 7-year old daughters so 2 beds and a large Mom&Dad-sized chair with ottoman and still not too crowded. Then in a separate room a full sized bathroom that is about twice the size of the bathroom that I have now. Then there is a full kitchen in separate room with full refrigerator, stove, oven, sink, and cute little cabinets. Then when you walk out the back door there is a deck with a bbq and patio furniture that she says she will leave for me and a storage shed. So I talked to her a bit and said that I wanted it. She actually, small world, works just across the street from the place I am starting at and she was going to interview for the job that I got! Small world, super crazy! So she said she would tell the other people that were coming by to see that place that it was rented and she would tell the management place that she found a renter! Score! So I filled out everything, turned it in, and I was approved! So I think I will be going to fill out paperwork on Monday night and I will be moving in on June 1st. One less thing to worry about! So tomorrow I start my job, scary!! And this weekend Mom and Dad come and I graduate! Then I can deal with packing, ugh! Things are great, life is good and I am glad I am moving pretty smoothly into this change. Sorry you had to read all of this but I thought you would like to know.

--
Marnie