Kelly Cup Champions!!!

Congratulations Idaho Steelheads on winning the Kelly Cup!!

One Win Away!!

Scoran scores in double overtime to give the Steelheads a chance to win their second Kelly Cup title on Thursday. Now the question is will they throw Thursday nights game to win in Boise?

Why I wont have collegen or plastic surgery anytime soon

Jessica Simpson was so pretty before.


What happened?

Ten things every Steelhead fan should know.

Here are 10 things every fan should know as the finals begin:

1. The Steelheads are in elite company. There are 12 pro hockey franchises still alive this time of year.

2. This is the 11th year of the Kelly Cup Finals. South Carolina is the only team to have won the Kelly Cup twice. Idaho would be the second with a win this year.

3. Steelheads hockey hasn't been played in June before.

4. There are three Idaho Steelheads who are trying to get their second Kelly Cup ring while in an Idaho uniform. Veterans Scott Burt, Lance Galbraith and Darrell Hay were with Idaho in 2004.

5. The most exciting moment for Idaho in the playoffs — so far — came against Las Vegas. Game 6 of the National Conference Finals was a scoreless tie through 58 minutes and 57 seconds of play. But then Greg Rallo's game-winner turned Qwest Arena into heaven on earth for 2,864 Steelheads fans.

6. Money's not their motivation, but it doesn't hurt. Burt said it's not the reason he wants to win. "We want to be known as champions," Burt said. "We want that ring."

7. Both teams are battle tested in the playoffs. Idaho (90 points) has home-ice advantage in the finals because it finished with a better regular-season record than Dayton (83 points).

8. Dayton has been in the ECHL longer than every other team except for Johnstown (Pa.). This is the first trip to the playoffs for Dayton (Ohio) in five years.

9. Steelheads forward Derek Nesbitt played in the Kelly Cup Finals last season when he was with Gwinnett, but he didn't get a ring. Alaska won the series in five games. His roommate on the road when he was with Gwinnett? Adam Berkhoel, who now plays for Dayton and was named the ECHL goaltender of the year and MVP of the ECHL All-Star Game played at Qwest Arena in January.

10. Don't expect to see the Kelly Cup any time soon. It is in the ECHL office in Princeton, N.J., and typically doesn't show up at the arenas until a team can clinch the series.

Happy Birthday Ella!!

Ella turned one on Saturday. Happy Birthday Ella Belle!!













Kresimir loved playing outside at the party. Love the mohawk Kresh!!
















I bought Ella a swimming pool for her birthday.















Looks like it was a hit.

Go Steelheads!!

"The Idaho Steelheads won a trophy Tuesday night at Qwest Arena, but the hockey team wanted nothing to do with it after the game. They're hoping to drink from the Kelly Cup instead.
The Steelheads aced their latest test with a 3-2 win over the Alaska Aces. Idaho clinched the National Conference final series 4-1 and became the first team to secure a spot in the ECHL's Kelly Cup Finals."

Kylene and I have been able to sit together with front row seats on the ice every playoff game. We wear our team jerseys, bang on the glass when we don't like a call or to celebrate a score. I have a feeling that our cheering helped clinch the win on Tuesday night. (Galibrath did wink and nod at us.)

It has been so much fun. We are planning on being there for all the home games as the Steelheads go for the Kelly Cup.

Go Steelheads!!!

Last Sunday I got to see William, Ella and Kresimir! They all have such different personalities and it was fun to see them interact with each other.
















Ella showing William and Kesh how to eat Sunday Dinner.





















Kresh loved sitting with Aunt Caitlin.















Ella loved Kola.

Happy Birthday!!

For my birthday we went to watch the Steelheads play one of their playoff games. We ended up with a group of about fifteen friends and family. It was so much fun.















The Steelheads won!! 6-1 They advance to the next series of playoffs. Kelly cup here we come.

My first business investment

I have made my first business investment in the amount of $25.00. I had heard about the organization Kiva and wanted to get involved after doing some research.

Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

I am sponsoring Najaf Mamedov a blacksmith from Azerbaijan. Najaf is the resident of Beylagan. He owns a small blacksmith workshop where he makes iron gates, doors etc.

I am very blessed to have been born into such a privileged life full of so much love and opportunity. I believe everyone deserves a chance to build something of their own and I hope that my small involvement makes a difference in the life of one.

My Easter weekend

First we played a little Guitar Hero II





















A rock is born!
















Two of the people I love the most.





















So handsome Kresh!!
















Caitlin and Ella decorating Easter cookies.















Kresimir decorating his Easter cookie. Happy Easter!!

My afternoon with Ella

First we played at the park.
Then we looked at all the fish...


At the Nature Center.








What a great afternoon for a walk!

Life Lessons

Last night Amber had made us a fantastic dinner of roast, potatoes, and a fruit salad. I was so excited that I did not have to cook dinner after working a long day at work. I really appreciated all her hard work.

I sat down with my dinner and started watching American Idol and became distracted. There is a reason why all the nutritionists say to never eat in front of a TV. Why?? Because I started to eat my fruit salad and thought. Hmmm. This tastes a little strange. I took another bite and thought the bananas must be a little old but I was not about to complain after all of Ambers hard work. So I take another bite. Something was defiantly not right with the salad. I spit it out and told everyone. "Do not eat the salad!! The bananas are bad!!"

Amber thought I was being weird since the bananas were fine. She took a bite of her salad and said that it might be the whipped cream she used. She leaves and comes back with bowl of whipped cream. Laughing she asked me to smell it. It was so sour I about lost my dinner!! Didn't you smell it before you used it? I asked!! Apparently not everyone does this.

The lesson to learn for this is always smell dairy before you use it. And if you watch TV while you eat, you might end up eating several bites of sour whipped cream before you notice.

Top Ten

As some of you know my training has hit a snag. I have discovered that I have exercise induced asthma. This isn't new for me, I have just always equated not being able to breathe with being out of shape. The other day I decided to get out of the gym and run outside. Within minutes my lungs shut down and my body responded with shutting down as well. I ran only a 1/2 a mile and was so disappointed. At that moment I knew I wouldnt be able to race outside.

I have an appointment with my doctor in two weeks and I am very hopeful that with his help this will not interfer with training any longer. I will most likely be given an inhauler that I will use before I run.

The other thing that I discovered about myself, that is also not new but is a little annoying, is how low I became at the idea of another snag in my quest for completing a triathlon. Not only did I feel low for that day but that low feeling has hung around for awhile. I did some research and I have discovered that what you eat can significantly affect your mood.

So here are the top ten foods that promote a feeling of overall happiness:

1.Omega 3 fatty acids found in Tuna, salmon, walnuts, canola oil....
2. Zinc found in wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, whole grains, high protein foods....
3. Vitamin b-3 found in chicken/turkey, pork, dried beans, salmon/tuna, peanuts....
4.WATER
5.Vitamin E found in wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds, blueberries, papaya, olives....
6. Calcium
7.Folic Acid found in leafy greens, beans, peanuts, some orange juice
8. Stevia-this is a natural sweetner from a leafy plant. You should be using this instead of sugar
9. Vitamin C found in citrus fruits
10. Iron found in peas, beans, nuts....

I have made the commitment to add these foods to my diet and continue working towards my goals. No I am not going to become a vegan but I do believe in the word of wisdom and that the more organic the food is the better it will be for you. And if paying attention to what I eat can help with my over all well being then it is worth the sacrifice of my beloved twinkies.

Simple Mathematics

Last night Caitlin and I were talking about the events that led up to her meeting, falling in love and marrying Ryan. She had said that it wasn't at all how she pictured her life at the time, but how she can't imagine choosing anyone more perfect for her. I think it is amazing how two people are brought together.

So think about this...if two people create one. And four people create two, who create one. And eight people create four, who create two, who create one.

Think about it if you go back to the time of Abraham Lincoln 16,000 people came together to create you. If you go back to the time of Socrates it would take trillions of people coming together to create you. Because trillions of people have not lived on this earth it means one thing. We are all brothers and sisters. We are all connected. Simple mathematics. Amazing!!

David Copperfield

Clay, Kylene and I went to see David Copperfield this week. It was really fun. He was very entertaining. We saw members of the audience disappear and reappear on the upper balcony. We saw him take a member of the audience to Hawaii along with a photo proving that the trick was not staged.

I am sure most of the people who came onto the stage were plants but it isn't the mechanics, it was the magic that made it so fun.

Surprise!!!

Apparently Aunt Brook can be very surprising.

The Shins

Saturday night Kylee, Mike and I went to see The Shins play at the Egyptian Theater. It was the highlight of my week.

Several months ago Kylee and I were talking about music and which bands we would love to see play live. She said that The Shins were one band she would travel and sleep out to get tickets for. When I read that they were coming to Boise I was so excited, more for her than seeing The Shins. I only knew a few songs from the Garden State soundtrack but I got a ticket with Kylee and Mike and then bought the Shins third album to learn as many new songs as possible before the concert.

Listening to their album constantly I grew to love their melodic style and realized why Kylee loved their music. As soon as the lights went out and the first notes started to play I knew it was going to be a really fun night. I love concerts. I love the crowd, the music, the excitement that builds before the band come out, and that moment when everyone is united, singing along to their favorite songs. The Shins did not disappoint. We had so much fun.

Some Things that I have learned over the past ten days while sick

There is something about that persistent ache that makes you want your Mom no matter how old you are.

I love my bed but somehow the couch has become my sanctuary. It is located in the most convenient spot in my apartment and is comfortable and cozy. All the requirements when you don’t feel quite like yourself.

Reading is a great distraction but not when you are sick.

I have come to appreciate daytime television but I find that most of it is junk and would much rather watch a movie or sleep.

I can sleep for eighteen hours straight and still want to go to bed at ten o’clock.

I miss working out and cancelling my swimming sessions was a little disappointing. Who knew?

Trying to pretend that you aren’t sick doesn’t work.

Trying to pretend that you aren’t sick and coming into work doesn’t work either. Although I have been told that I present myself as being healthy and look great from a distance, when you get close I apparently look awful. Nice.

I love visitors, especially my niece and nephew.

My apartment is not baby proof.

It is the little gestures from others that make the most difference. A prayer, a phone call, or stopping by after work.

I am so grateful for the time people give to help others, especially me.

I am not alone. Everyone I know is sick right along with me.

I am so grateful for the days when I feel healthy and will appreciate every healthy day in the future (and will start taking vitamins).

With that said I am going back home to bed.

Road Bikes and Trust

I was talking to my Mom yesterday about how the reality of how far the triathlon I am training for was starting to sink in.

The swimming portion I feel pretty confident about now that I have hired a swimming instructor. The running portion is going to take some time to work up to running six miles but it is something that I feel is very attainable.

Then comes the riding portion. I have discovered that I love spin class and I can ride for miles on a stationary bike in the gym. But a stationary bike is a lot different then riding outside. This is where I started to panic. Twenty five miles is a long way to ride and I don't own a bike!! I have tried to convince myself that I could borrow a mountain bike, but as I have studied about triathlons and what makes the difference between completing a triathlon or not, it comes down to your equipment. I need a road bike!! They are light, fast and a lot more comfortable for long distance rides. A mountain bike just isn't going to work.

My Mom told me to put faith in my training and faith in the idea that a way would be provided for me to get the exact road bike I want. She said to find the bike that I want, post pictures of it in my house and visualize myself riding on this bike. (She has obviously been reading The Secret) So I did some research and found the bike I want. It is still about $600.00 beyond anything that I can afford but I am going to think that a way will be provided for me to get this bike by the end of February so that I can start training outside.

I love the hope and self trust that training for this race is creating in me. It is so far from anything that I can even imagine affording or completeing but "by small and simple things great things come to pass" including a race.

Why cant broccoli taste like a twinkie?

Several months ago while I was training with Sam she would always tell me that becoming fit and healthy is 80% what you eat and 20% how you work out. I discovered this is true after hours of getting into the gym my body wasn't changing as it should. I knew it was simply due to what I ate. I was still showing results every week so I was happy. And to be honest I really didn't have any desire to change how I ate.

After resetting my goal this year I decided that learning how to eat correctly, especially while training was something that I need to make a priority. So I have bought a few books and restocked my house with only healthy foods.

But I have one problem. I love the way I eat. I live off of fast food, twinkies, cupcakes, brownies, and Sonic drinks that have crushed ice. Yum!! I love these foods. They are cheap, taste good and convenient.

I was talking to Amber about my love for these foods and how little I wanted to change. She made a really good point. Most things in life that are not good for us are easy, cheap, fun and things that we really do love. And changing those habits can be really difficult even if we know how damaging those habits can be.

So even though I am secretly going to wish for a twinkie with each meal I am sticking to spinach salads, fruit, vegetables and water for now.

One Step closer to getting prepared for my race

I caved in and signed up for private swimming lessons. I begin my first session early Saturday morning. I am excited because after a lot of research I found an instructor who I feel is very qualified.

I have to admit I am getting nervous since I am not a great swimmer. (It is more like flailing across the pool in panic, in hopes of reaching the end of the pool as quickly as possible.)

We will see how it goes. I hope to be gliding through the water like a fish very soon.

Salute the Broncos

"By now everyone knows what kind of football players we have here in Boise, Idaho. The undefeated, Fiesta-bowl winning with masterfully smooth trick plays, home of the national coach of the year kind. "

Friday was salute the Boise State football team day at work. Here are a few of the girls who work on my team. (Our boss a die hard Vandals fan refused to be in the picture.) The photo was also featured in the financial report that is published company wide.

The celebration continues......

I am NOT cut out for adventure racing.....yet.

Several weeks ago I bought a DVD online in hopes of inspiration and motivation for my race in June. It was a documentary about this incredible 135 mile adventure race in Death Valley that forty crazy runners attempt to complete every year. I had decided that this would be a great weekend to stay at home, watch this documentary and get some things done around my apartment. I started watching the DVD and it was actually pretty interesting despite the obvious low budget for making this film.

I curled up on the couch and watched the determination and power of the human spirit as these runners ran this insane race. Towards the end of the film I sat up to get some water. (I think it was subconscious after watching people run in 120 degree heat) As I sat up I heard a snap in my neck. Instantly there is pain. But I am watching this film about how you can make it through anything, especially pain, so I think no big deal. I got my water, a heat pad and lay back down to watch the rest of the film. Bad idea. Laying down only puts pressure on my neck and the pain increases. Still, no big deal. I decide to take a bath in hope that the hot water will loosen the muscles in my neck and take away the increasing pain. Well this doesn’t work so I take some Advil and attempt to sleep and wake up pain free. Problem solved.

The Advil works and I fall asleep, but as soon as the medicine wears off I am instantly awake and literally crying in pain. I can’t turn my neck, sitting up hurts so much that it makes me nauseous and my left arm is completely numb. Not good.

These are the moments when I hate living alone and so I start to cry. I am crying out of frustration and the idea that I am ALONE and in pain and no one knows but me. (Well this idea doesn’t make any sense since I know that I am never truly alone and I have a ton of family near by if I could just make it to a phone to call someone. But my phone is in the other room so out of the question. And sometimes there are moments when you just want to cry, even if it doesn’t make a lot of sense.) I decide that I am already crying and in a lot of pain so I force myself to crawl across the room, just like you would see in a sitcom and take some more Advil. This does help and once again I fall asleep. This time on the floor.

I wake up the next morning and instantly call my chiropractor (who is the best in the world). I am always able to get in and this was no exception. I walked in and he instantly knew there was something very wrong. The prognosis. I had two slipped disks in my neck along with a rotated disk that was pinching on a nerve making my arm numb. He worked on my neck for a long time but within minutes I am able to move my neck again and the numbness goes away. I am still very sore and have to go in once a week for awhile until things get back where they need to be. But I am very grateful to live in an area where I have a good doctor available at any moment to help me when I am in pain. And if nothing else I learned that I should not be so easily influenced by documentaries and if I ever hear anything snap again I am not an adventure racer so call someone.

Energy from Boise to Berlin?

Ok so I know that I have been writing a lot lately about this subject but I find it very interesting and feel the need to share. Last night I was reading about how our energy effects others.

There was a study done on how everyone is connected together through energy. 90% of the world functions their day to day lives living in low energy. The other 10% who live high energy lives balances out this 90%. This is because love, peace, patience and all god like qualities always overpowers lesser qualities like sadness, loneliness, ingratitude, rudeness.......

To get an idea of how much we can influence others. They said that if we made a conscience decision to live lives of patience and love. To just try to care about those around us. That our good energy would offset 90,000 people in the world who are struggling and putting out low energy.

As we live and truly love and take care of those around us, the number of people our energy offsets increases. (Someone like Mother Theresa who has mastered this would offset 10 million lives living in low energy. Jesus Christ's love would offset every living soul who has lived on the earth, is living on the earth and will live on the earth.)

What an interesting idea that our contenance alone and the energy we are putting out into the world has the potential to affect thousands and thousands of lives. I love that idea.

Energy

Lately I have been very interested in the theory of energy. I believe in the Golden Rule and Karma and so the idea of high and low levels of energy makes a lot of sense to me. So I am putting this theory to the test. These are the things that I am putting good energy out into the world and will hopefully receive back into my life.

1. Find someone to date who has the same beliefs as I do, is fun to be with and already understands how to be in a healthy relationship. It has been almost two years since I have had a serious boyfriend and it is time to move forward with that part of my life. I feel ready to make that move, now it is just attracting those types of guys.

2. Reconnect with old friends. Heal some friendships and renew others.

3. Find a job where I can be involved in the cancer community, especially camp. I know this is my passion in life. I just have no idea how to do it as a career and more importantly get paid for it.

4. Make a new friend every month. No one can have too many friends and how great would it be to have twelve new friends by next year.

I really feel that because our Heavenly Father has created all things, including me that if I stay close to the Lord and am aware of the opportunities that He is creating for me then anything is possible in this life.

I have noticed within the past few weeks that not only do I feel more connected to my spirit but I am also connecting to the spirits of those around me. In this week alone I was able to help an old roommate find some new living options in Boise and connect another friend who loves to play volleyball but can never find anyone who will play, to some games at the church. Neither of these things meant anything to me and typically I would have deleted those emails or dismissed them in conversations. But this time I passed it along and found out later it was an answer to a lot of prayers. I am excited to see how my prayers will be answered and how my energy test plays out.

I did it!!!

So I cut my hair!! I loved it at first but this morning was a bit of a shock. I am second guessing my decision but it is a little late at this point. It is only hair and I am sure in a day or two I will go back to loving it.

The Power of Intention

I started reading a new book called The Power of intentionally by Wayne W. Dyer. I wanted a new book to read and Amber recommended the author. I have only read the first few chapters but I find it a very fascinating concept and think that he might just be onto something.

He talks about how everything is created by God with a divine purpose and intent. Nature, animals, the weather, everything. For example an apple doesn't get confused and become an orange or a dog grows up to become a cat. We are a part of what was created by our Heavenly Father so this includes us. We also have a divine purpose and intent. But because the veil has been drawn and we tend to look towards ourselves for answers most people are not living their divine purpose. They are not fulfilling what God has intended them to do. Not because they don't want to but because they are living a "low energy life". The book is about finding the "high energy" connection to allows you to work hand in hand with Heavenly Father to fulfill your divine purpose.

I think that I like the book so much because it isn't a church book. It is simply a connection that one man found and wanted to share with others. He felt that this was his destiny. I think it is going to be a really great book.

Happy New Year

This New Years Eve celebration was pretty uneventful. I wasn't feeling very well and so here is how I spent my New Years Eve:

I went to the MPC Bowl with my Dad, Ryan and his brother. Dad and I only lasted until the first half. It was so cold!!! Ryan and his brother stayed the entire game to see Florida beat Denver 21-20.

After the game I went home, put on some warm clothes and snuggled up to watch a few episodes of One Tree Hill. I was in bed by Eight!! I did wake up to the sound of fireworks at midnight and I could hear everyone celebrating outside. That was fun. It wasnt exactly the way that I wanted to spend my New Years Eve but I am excited about the start of a new year. Happy New Year!!!

Christmas

Merry Christmas!!! I hope everyone had a great holiday. I spent part of the week watching my beautiful niece Ella while her Mom worked on Christmas projects. Ella loved helping me wrap my presents. She is so much fun!!

I spent most of the week working which hasn't made it feel much like a holiday break but Christmas was still wonderful. I love spending time with my family and having Clay, Ky and Kres here made it extra special. Plus any holiday with pumpkin pie is a great holiday!!

Miss America soap box

Not very often do I get fired up about a news story but this one got me going. Miss America was found partying at bars, (she wasn't 21 yet) drinking and doing drugs. She was reprimanded after being caught on camera and instead of losing her title she was sent to rehab. I think that as the representative of young women that is not the message I want girls to have. I know, I know, it is just a beauty pageant but while I was growing up I dreamed of being Miss America. I believe she should have lost her title. Miss America to me is about standards and respect. Obviously those things do not matter much in the world anymore. It makes me sad and a little scared to think about the world my future daughters, nieces and friends will grow up in. I hope that they will be true to who they are and have grace and dignity in their lives.

More pictures of my hair cut.

New hair

Here is how I am thinking about cutting my hair. What do you think?

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

My Dad, Kylee and her husband Michael and I went to listen to Aron Ralston speak.

(With no water and little hope of survival, Aspen mountaineer Aron Ralston, 27, used a pocketknife to amputate his own arm and free himself from a boulder weighing 800-1,000 pounds that fell and trapped him for five days in a remote desert canyon in eastern Utah.)

It was very inspiring and moving. The depth of the human spirit is remarkable. Here are some things he said about his experience.

"I was at the point where I knew I was going to die there in the canyon. In order to have any kind of a future, really what was indeed a desperate act was a rebirth and it gave me my life back," said Ralston.

"It gives me a confidence, an awareness of potential and an understanding of my own values that I didn't have before. Those are kind of the gifts of adversity - for me that's what came out of this and adversity can contribute to others. It may not be a boulder - it might be any number of a thousand other things that people deal with," said Ralston.

Looking back on that spring day in 2003, Ralston says the agonizing process that set him free has taught him the value of relationships. And life. Things he wants to share.

"It's not enough just to survive. There's a mandate to flourish with a gift that you're given - about making a choice. It could have been the worst thing that ever happened to me and yet I made it a choice to make it the best thing that ever happened to me," said Ralston.

He said that the decisions he made leading up to being trapped under the rock were decisions that he takes responsibility for. He was hiking alone, had little water, and NO ONE knew where he was. He talked about how when he was trapped that he had a turning point.

After the desperation and realization that he was trapped and would most likely die stuck in this situation he became depressed and thought a lot about ending his life early. Then came his choice to stay committed. To live his life to the end. To not give up no matter what that meant. He said that hope changed his outlook on the situation. It didnt free his hand but it freed his mind. When he talked about what it was like to be trapped for six days under the rock without water, the look on his face as he told his story you knew that it was a horrifying and incredible event that no one should ever go through.

His story impacted me. I felt that I go through times in my own life when I feel trapped. And that dispite the decisions I may have made to put me there it is up to me to let go of trying to control things that are out of my power, stay committed to being the person I know I am and to serve others.

Thought for today

"Your call has eternal consequences for others and for you. In the world to come, thousands may call your name blessed, even more than the people you serve here. They will be the ancestors and the descendants of those who chose eternal life because of something you said or did, or even what you were. . .You see, there are no small callings to represent the Lord."

The last few weeks I have had the opportunity to be working with some truly amazing people from Boise and Provo who have blessed my life. They are helping me to find and recognize the tools I need to live a successful life and I am helping them to understand how the mind, body and spirit all work together as one. We are equally amazed as we work together at how much the Lord leads our lives and at the potential we have within us.

It is an amazing thought to think that thousands of people may call us blessed because we fulfilled a calling or strengthened a friendship. That we all have that potential if we simply follow the spirit. What an honored responsibility.

BSU game!!! Go Broncos!!!

Errands I like

I got to pick up Kylene and Kres from the airport. It was so fun to get to see them. I love my nephew!!!!

Thought for the day

I think it is good to be reminded that even the smallest actions are important and meaningful in our lives. I know that for me some of the most faith building experiences have been because of something as insignificant as a phone call. I wonder how many times the simple things we do each day are building faith in those around us. I think we do a lot more good then we ever realize.

"You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. His work is to bless His Father's spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life. So, your calling is to bless lives. That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned and in moments when you might be doing something not apparently connected to your call. Just the way you smile or the way you offer to help someone can build their faith. And should you forget who you are, just the way you speak and the way you behave can destroy faith."

The Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Win Opener, 2-1, Over Long Beach

I cant wait for the new hockey season to begin. The first home game is next Friday against Utah Grizzlies. BOOOO!!!!!!!!!! It is going to be a good game!!!

Work Update

Well I put my name in this afternoon. AHHH!!! It does not mean that they have offically asked me to go yet but it does mean that I am now at least being considered. I figure that between now and then I can really think about it and pray to make sure it is the right move for me to be making.

New position at work?

At work they are creating a new team to go to Minneapolis and train on a new system. I was asked if I would want to be apart of the team. There will be some people who travel and some who don’t. The traveling group will spend 3 weeks a month in MN during March and April (of course they will come home on the weekends) and there will be some traveling (1 to 2 weeks) in May and June (or at least that is the plan right now). I am debating if I want to be part of this new team. It would be fun to learn something new but at the same time that is a lot of time away.

The reasons why my blog is so boring

1. I dont have my own computer. It would be so much easier to be able to come home each night and update my blog. So right now I am left with updating it when I can.

2. I dont have a digital camera. I love looking at the photos everyone posts. I think I am going to look into getting one, maybe for Christmas.

3. My life is really not that exciting. Being 28 and single is not as exciting as many of my married friends think. It is a lot less Sex and the City and a lot more like Ugly Betty. (Who goes to work at a job she likes, comes home to a family who she adores and has that weird guy who is in love with her)

Adventures in cooking

I had the bright idea that I wanted to learn to cook, especially more organic foods. So I made a plan to pick one thing to learn every week. This weekend I had decided to make homemade spaghetti sauce. So I picked fresh tomatoes, found an easy recipe and started baking for the first time in my apartment. It started out really great. I felt like a true chef and my house smelled so good. (Spaghetti sauce takes about an hour to cook and then you blend it to the consistency you like.) After all my hard work I took my first taste to see how it turned out. It was so gross!! It turned out bright orange with hardly any flavor at all. I was deceived by all the great smells but couldn’t bring myself to throw it away. I had worked so hard!! So the disgusting orange sauce sits in my fridge as a symbol of all my hard work.

I have come to the conclusion that a can of store bought spaghetti sauce is defiantly worth the $2.00 you spend. And despite the tragedy of the spaghetti sauce I had the best time making it. So I am sure more great adventures in the kitchen will be on the way.

Sad for me

Something very sad happened last night. My favorite pair of jeans ripped at the knee. I was so sad. I guess now I will have to go for the worn in look. So I understand how Samantha feels about her flip flops. It is very sad.

The Amazing Race

So after watching The Amazing Race last night I have made the decision that if I am ever put into a situation where I need to row a boat I am screwed. I would have been crying trying to climb up the mountain and then I would have been crying again trying to row the boat. I am sure it would make for some great TV though.

Thought for the day

I was reading last night and one of the things that struck me was the thought that our relationships here on earth are to help prepare us for eternity.

We have our earthy relationships that come and go from our lives and then we have those eternal relationships, family and those life long friendships that are rare but really special.

I think that it is an eternal quality to be able to shift through the all the crap that comes with life. To be able to let go of what is not important and hold onto the good. See the best in people and at the same time still be true to yourself.

I really do think that there is a purpose for everything in our lives.