The Goal Has Been Met!

So a couple of weeks ago Harrison and I went to my orthodontist to sign the last check I will ever have to write to them! YAHOO!!!! Through all of our hard work and dedication we met our goal of paying off all of our debt this summer! What a neat thing for us.

This is me explaining that this is our last payment!

Yippee Skippee! The last invoice letting us know that there is a $0 balance. I want to shout it from the rooftops that we are DONE!

Paying off our debt was no small feat. It was hard both emotionally and physically. I am proud that we reached our goal though. For anybody who wants to know where we got the courage and words of wisdom for this endeavor, click here to check out Dave Ramsey's website. It is great. It tells you all you need to know about getting to be debt free!

Happy Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Aubrey!

Aubrey turned 15 and we all went to celebrate with her on Saturday the 13th of September. Jordan looks so happy for his little sister! HA

Joy, Gabby, and Eli look like they are having a good time, too!

Bryson, Jordan, and Robyn

This was funny... Harrison and I walked out of the house and realized that we were both wearing yellow shirts. HA! Well, neither of us wanted to change, so we just left the house as twins the rest of the day! HA HA HA. We jut told everybody we were on the same crew for some service project in the area. Hee hee hee.

Happy Birthday Gabby! You are 1 today!

This is Nick showing Gabby the very first picture that was taken of her on the day she was born exactly one year ago (well a year ago on September 14th). I think this is such a sweet picture.

Scary! Eli and Harrison were blanket ghosts for most of the morning. HA!

I was given the job of decorating cupcakes. WhooHoo. Eli definitely wanted to help. I didn't blame him. Cupcakes are fun. He was such a good helper!

It's Party Time!

... Happy Birthday dear Gabby, Happy Birthday to you!

So cute! She tried to blow it out!

Time to eat cake!

Here is what was left of the cupcake when she was done.

Eli was pretty excited to eat his cupcakes too!



Present time!

She was just so overwhelmed with emotion as you can see!

We tried to have a photo shoot of sorts with the little Birthday Girl at the end of the day... she wasn't too interested in it at all. She had had all the fun she needed for one day.

I thought I could tickle her into laughing or smiling for the camera... no use!

And finally... she got tired of our making a monkey out of her and she just crawled away!

What fun we had with family and friends for the two birthday parties. It is so nice to have family close so we can spend time with them!

Through The Years

20 years ago: I was 4 years old. I lived at home with my family and I was pretty excited about starting Kindergarten I am sure. I had two younger brothers and my mom was pregnant with my sister... my first sister!

10 years ago: I was 14. It was my Freshman year of high school and the beginning of my rebellious teenage years. I had terrible friends (with the exception of a few) and I had mid-length blond hair. I wore too much make up and I was in love with about 30 boys.

5 years ago: I was 19. I was not yet out of my rebellious stage. I still had terrible friends. I worked at a preschool in Henderson as a teacher. I still did not have my drivers license. I had medium length red hair.

3 years ago: I was 21. I had finally grown up and become a contributing member of society. I was married (for about 4 months) and I lived in Grand Junction, Colorado. I worked at a preschool as a preschool teacher and I was loving my new life as a married woman.

1 year ago: I was 23. I had just received a promotion at Nu Skin in Provo, UT. I had just finished one of the most stressful weeks of my entire life. I worked long hours and I was the Young Women's President in my ward in Orem, Utah.

1 month ago: I worked two jobs to reach our goal of paying off all of our debt. I worked about 65 hours a week. I was celebrating having weekends to spend with Harrison.

1 week ago: We were in Salt Lake for our niece's 1st birthday party.

1 day ago: I did the grocery shopping and watched Wild Strawberries (a wonderful foreign film) on the couch with Harrison.

Playing Catch Up

Oh my goodness. There is so much to catch up on. It has been a busy week. There have been two birthday parties, debt pay off, and a Thankful Thursday that I need to post about. I have had the flu the last couple of days (it was bad too) so I didn't get around to posting anything about our adventures. I have a feeling I will have time later today... so get ready for lots of pictures!

Yearbook Yourself!

So I found a VERY entertaining website called Yearbook Yourself (click here for the link). It brought me about an hour of enjoyment. So, the first photo below is the photo I used to begin with and then I just slipped it into the template they had and WHALAH! I have a yearbook photo for the last 40 years! AMAZING! So anyway, I have included my favorites. Enjoy and go ahead and do them yourself. I think I may go on and do Harrison's photos next! Well, ENJOY!!!!

Original

1952

1956

1964

1966

1968

1982

1990

1992

1994

A Very Very Thankful Thursday

I came into work late today and my co-worker asked me why the flag was draped on the side of the building. It took me a split second to register myself why the flag was out today and then it occurred to me. Today is September 11th. A flood of thoughts came to my mind as I thought about the significance of this day. So, in honor of my country, this special day, and those who have fought in the past and the present for my freedom, this Thankful Thursday is dedicated to them.

Our Troops

I am so thankful to the men and women who fight (and have fought) for our freedom. My dad was in the Air Force when I was little and I knew from a young age what patriotism was. I hold those who wear the uniform of our country in high regard. It isn't easy to do what they do. I admire the decisions they make to CHOOSE to serve our country and to leave their families (for long stretches of time) to stand up for what they believe in. I am so so so thankful for them.

Freedom of Religion

I try to thank my Heavenly Father every night for this freedom. I am thankful that I can go to the place that I choose to worship when I want to worship. My faith is such a huge part of my life. I don't know how I would feel or what I would do if I had that liberty taken away from me. I am what I am because of my faith. I am so thankful for the freedom to have that faith.

The American Flag

The American flag is more to me than just a symbol of where I live. It is a symbol of what our Forefathers intended it to stand for. For the blood that is shed for our freedom and for the country that I live in today. It breaks my heart when I see others disrespect my country's flag. I have much reverence for the flag.

I am thankful to live in a country where I can be who I want, go where I want, and live the way I want to live. I am thankful to others who share my love of country. I may complain about the things that go on around me and in our government, but I know that the basics of how we function is right and just and true.

My thoughts and prayers go out this day to those who were effected by the tragedy of September 11, 2001 (and I truly think that was just about all of us in the US). Do any of you remember where you were when you heard the news? I am sure you do. I was on my way to Early Morning Seminary my Senior year of high school. I got to the building and everybody was talking about it. I watched the second plane hit the building on TV. Later that year, we had a woman who was right down the street from the Twin Towers during the attack speak to our seminary class. I am still get really emotional when I see footage of that day.

I am proud to be an American and live in this country! What a great Thankful Thursday this has been.

A Good Weekend With Friends!

We had our good friends Kristin and Karl over along with my best good friend of Grand Junction Kim (Kristin and Kim are sisters)! We had a blast. We ate yummy hot dogs and hamburgers prepared to perfection on the grill by Harrison.
I am so happy that Kim is here in Provo. We are such good friends. I told her that her being here makes Provo bearable. Yay for the best friends!
Kristin and Karl's little girl, Addy, screamed with terror when they came over. Harrison answered the door and his presence scared her half to death. She literally screamed and cried. It was quite funny. Maybe we should change his name from Harrison to Scarrison. After Addy got over the initial shock of Harrison, she was such a good helper. Harrison would scoop the ice cream for us and she would take it to everybody! What a great little helper!

Here we have the future Paris Hilton! See the sunglasses?
Mom and Dad would like to be part of the trend as well.


Sunday was such a fun day. We are so thankful to have good friends like Kristin, Karl, and Kim!

The Have and Have Not List

WOW! Who knew that Harrison and I have done so many things in our lifetime? Amazing! Now... I tag...

KIM K
HOLLI M
STACY C

simply reprint this list on your blog, and highlight in bold the things your have accomplished.

Have and Have nots!

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hotel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Known CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Rachel Ashwell Now Has a Blog... It's Kind of a Letdown!

Yes, it's true! My favorite interior decorator and designer has a blog! I was really excited to see it... but kinda disappointed when I read through it. It was kind of boring. Sad! The pictures and colors are of course awesome, but the content was kind of lame! Oh well, you can't win them all I guess.

CLICK HERE to see the blog.

Four Weeks To Go! Holy Cow!

I am proud to announce that Harrison and I have just about four weeks to go on our debt pay off plan! We have about $700 left to pay off on my beautiful braces... and whalah! The debt will be paid off and we will be debt free. I am so excited. This summer has been a long and hard one. We have worked two jobs a piece since about March. Harrison went back to only one job because school started today... Yippee! He is thankful for a bit of a break. I will work at BYU through the end of the month and then... I too will go back to one job. What a great thing for us. We set the goal to pay off our debt and we are very close in reaching it. Thanks to the encouraging words of wisdom from Dave Ramsey we have been able to get this taken care of. I encourage all of you... every single person who reads this to hop on board and get their debt paid off. All it takes is some dedication, budgeting, and a plan! If we can do it... anybody can! When the debt is paid off we will call into Dave's talk radio show and scream "WE"RE DEBT FREE" on debt free Friday.

So fun! I will let you know when the last check is written!