The Ritch's

No, not RICHES, but the RITCH'S...Chris and Jocelyn Ritch that is... There is a new couple that moved into our ward about a month ago. We finally got to have them over. Friday night they came over to our apartment, we made them dinner and dessert, and watched a movie. They are a way fun couple! Nic gets along really well with Chris, and I get along great with Jocelyn. They have been married for 2 years and got married in the Seattle Temple. Chris goes to OIT for Computer Software and Jocelyn is a Massage Therapist. They are a way cute/fun couple. Can I just say that I'm so glad that there's a couple in our ward that's in the same situation Nic and I are in? No offense to those fun couples who have kids, but it is nice... Nic met them before on a previous Sunday, so they knew his name. So whenever Chris and Jocelyn came to church they always referred to us as "Nic and TBD." They informed me that they called me TBD - aka To Be Determined. Once they moved in, they noticed we were a young couple with no kids as well. Perfect! It was a fun night and I hope this is the beginning of a new couples friendship...

You are not welcome here

As you can see by watching the video, these "guests" are not welcome in my home! These guests will not find hospitality from me - no way. We have put some Liquid Any Bait and hopefully that will get them to die and leave me be. They are tiny, but I hate ants! Ew. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. Next step is to find out where they are coming from...

Marley & Me

This should have been with the previous post, but I forgot to add it in. Also on Saturday night to go along with our Wal-Mart pizza, Nic and I got a movie from Redbox: Marley & Me. I'll admit that I was skeptical about watching this movie. I didn't think it looked all that great, but my rents-in-law watched it and said they really enjoyed it...Watched it....cried at the end....credits rolling and I was still teary-eyed. I cried at the end, because it made me think one of the dogs my parents have: Moki. How stupid is that? I was crying over a movie because I thought of Moki. I felt ridiculous crying over it. Moki is an absolute sweetheart and we have had him for so many years. Apparently the thought of losing him made me cry. I love that dog. I know my family can attest that he is one of the greatest dogs that we have ever had. Plus! He's the dog we've had the longest! I don't know how much longer he'll live, because he has arthritis and a thyroid problem, but he is always there to greet with you a smile or his Elvis impersonation. Love that dog.

The Lord is My Light...& Sunshine

This weekend was absolutely WONDERFUL! I don't know how many readers of The Phairest Love blog know, but I am the YCL Leader for this year's Girl's Camp. I am so excited! I got the opportunity to go to camp last year and am looking forward to it again this year! Yay! I will admit that I am intimidated by this calling - I don't quite feel adequate to be a leader to these girls. I am loving it thus far and am looking forward to working with them more. Yay again! I bring this up because there was a YCL party...I mean meeting up at my parent's house. We were able to make tie dyed shirts, silver disk necklaces, disco dance, sing and eat! What more do you need?! It turned out really well - I was in charge of the meeting. haha I think all of the girls had a great time, because I know I did with them! While I was away, Nic finished our chairs. Good doobie Nic. :) Saturday, Nic was gone from 8:30 - 4 - Boo on that! He was gone to a lovely little class (I won't say anymore about that). haha In the early afternoon, I went to a Stake Women's Conference with Gordon H. Smith's (former senator for OR) wife, Sharon Smith. She's an absolute doll and I absolutely loved her talk. Here are some pointers from her talk:

• Be more faithful than the Lord expects you to be
• In a situation where you can choose to be right or kind, choose to be kind
• How we react to diversity is a determining factor in our success
• We have moutains in our lives - rain falls on the roofs of our lives. What are we doing to move our mountains? Go to the wise man who can give us the strength to move our mountains (lovely children's book title Minglo Moves a Mountain)
• Look for the good in life when all seems gloomy
• Consciously choose to be happy
• What we see depends on what we're looking for - if we're seeking happiness, we'll find it
• Stop wailing and look at the sustaining arm across your shoulder

It was a great talk by her and the spirit was oh so strong. We sang "The Lord is My Light" for the closing song, and I didn't sing one verse. I got to sit next to my mom and that's always a blessing to be with her. :) Love her. My dad introduced my mom and I to Sharon. She's an amazingly strong woman. There was a brunch and 3 mini classes that took place next. I only stayed for the brunch and wish I would've stayed for the classes, but unfortunately I had to study for a blasted test! Boo. haha Once Nic got home from his lovely class, he wanted to not sit and get out. It was BEAUTIFUL outside! We went to Wal-Mart and bought 3 loaves of bread ($.98/loaf). Bought a pizza for later that night - movie from RedBox to watch later. We headed to Moore Park and Veteran's Park to feed the duckies. Seagulls (aka Flying Rats) were rude to the ducks and all around. Boo. The ducks are so cute - I love feeding the ducks. It's a simple thing, but fun because we got to be outside. Bring on the sunshine!

Feeding the ducks at Moore Park

"Beautiful" lake - it really was pretty...scenery that is

Easter Time

Of course we do something for the Easter weekend and I bring my camera with me, but of course...no pictures! When will I learn? Dang it. On Friday(that's right - a week ago) we headed to Medford. We left on Sunday morning to get back in time for church. It was a relaxing time with the in-laws. We had a yummy dinner on Saturday with Craig and Michelle's families. It was good to see my rents-in-law. I always love spending time with Nic's family, and I hope they have as much fun spending time with me. Every year in Meddy, there's a 5k and a 10k Pear Blossom run. Some ran the 5k and others ran the 10k (crazy people). Nic and I want to run the 5k next year, so let the training begin...I don't know what got into me, but I just really want to run it. It sounds fun! haha Crazy me! Molly and I did a little bit of shopping (nothing too exciting). All in all it was a very relaxing weekend and we had fun spending time with Nic's fam. On Sunday, my little primary kids sang. They did a good job, seeing that I just found out the week before General Conference that they were singing. Little time to practice, but they did well. I was impressed. I love my little primary kids (ok they aren't mine) - I love when they sing - they always put a smile on my face. Sunday night we headed to my rentals house for some more yummy Easter dinner. We had the usual ham dinner and for dessert we had my mom's delicious Angel Food Cake with homemade whipping cream. I think I'm officially obsessed with that cake! I'm sure if I try and make it, it won't be as good as when my mom makes it. That's how it always works out...Sorry about the no pictures. Maybe next time I'll learn...

Project Chair

It's time for an update...on our chairs that is. Nic and I have said since we got married that we wanted to reupholster our dining room table chairs. We headed to JoAnn's on Saturday - picked out material - bought a staple gun (that ended up breaking) - headed to work. We only got 2 chairs done and Nic did most of the work. haha I tried helping him, but it was easier for him to do it by himself. haha

This is the chair before...

This is the cushion after Nic took it apart...

The material we picked out - browns, tans, and teals

Let's begin!

The finished project (the back that is)

Ta - da! They look so much better if I do say so myself.

I mentioned that our staple gun broke...that's not technically true. We can still use it - it still spits out staples, but there is a mechanism that doesn't quite work well. We are going to take it back and get our $30 back! You don't spend $30 on a staple gun - spit a few staples out and then have it break on you! Lame. PS don't ask me why part of this post is underlined - it just is. haha