Why would you subject yourself to this?

Oh wait, I remember. To completely and solely entertain me. If you know me well you know that I really get a kick out of people getting hurt. I know it's a little sick and twisted but I can't help it. It's just the way I was born. There have been a couple select falls by Darin that seriously, all I have to do is start thinking about it......hahahahaha see I'm already laughing. I try to at least get out a "are you ok?" before I start busting up. And don't get me wrong, I feel horrible that this person is hurting and all I can do is stand there and laugh but really that's all I can do most of the time. So I must say that the creators of ABC's new show "Wipeout" are complete geniuses. And it's great because I don't even have to feel bad for these people. They know before going on this show that they are going to make complete idiots out of themselves, and probably get really hurt. I seriously can't imagine all of the waivers they have to sign to come on this show. I watched it for the first time last night, and I seriously don't remember the last time I laughed that hard. Here's a video for any people that are as sick and twisted as I am. Enjoy!


Ok at point 3:36 during the video. Funniest comment ever. I promise if you're like me you need to watch all the way till the end. Isaac Alvarez is the best. The show is so politically incorrect which is so refreshing in this world of political correctness.
(I'm sorry if I've offended anyone)

I never thought I'd love a hole so much.

So when they said they were going to start digging our hole on Monday they weren't kidding. I was expecting to go there and just see a little bit of dirt moved around. But this is what we found.

It really is a HUGE hole. If you look in the back of the picture you can see the retaining wall. We're so happy we got one of these lots. The wall is cool because we can plant stuff on the first tier, we'll only have to buy two sides of fence, and we won't be looking into anybodys backyard. As far as backyards go, ours isn't too big, but I wouldn't want anything too time consuming. After all, we are just yardwork amateurs :)

May the construction begin!!!

So we just had our pre-construction meeting this morning with our builder. We went over all of our plans, made sure everything was the way it was supposed to be and checked out our staked out lot. They are going to start digging the hole on Monday, and it should be completed within 90 days from then. It's so exciting that we are finally starting the building process. It's actually starting to feel real now. I'll post pictures from time to time showing the progress.

True Love Never Dies

I had a friend email me this video about a month ago and now it's popping up all over the internet. I pretty much cry everytime I watch it. This is the story of Christian the lion. Hope ya like it!

Christian was separated from his parents at an early age and put up for sale in a London department store. Christian's parents were zoo lions, the father came from the Rotterdam zoo and the mother from Jerusalem, and they lived at the Ilfracombe zoo. When they had cubs, the zoo sold them, and two cubs went to the department store. Two men, Anthony Bourke and John Rendall, found him there and immediately fell in love with him and were determined to buy him. They scraped together the money and brought the little lion home when he was only a few weeks old. They named him Christian.Tony and John dedicated themselves to giving Christian the best life they could, and the bond that developed between them is a joy to behold. Christian was a remarkable lion, obviously very intelligent and loving, and gentle to everyone, both human and animal.As he grew, Christian began to need bigger facilities than Tony and John could provide, so after much heartache and tears the two men decided to release the lion into a wildlife sanctuary in Africa. They returned a year later after being told that there was no way the lion would remember them. This is the video of the reunitement. Truly touching...

Permits and my new blog

I know this just looks like a big pile of dirt with a lot of weeds in it......well I guess it is just a big pile of dirt with weeds in it, but it is our big pile of dirt and it was very expensive :) This is our lot. We just found out that they FINALLY have the construction permits back from the city so we are going to have our pre construction meeting on Monday and then they will dig our hole and get started on building the house. I'M SO EXCITED! You bet I'm going to be posting so many pictures of the house as it's being built. In related news to the house, I have been thinking a lot about interior design and how much I love it. So I've created a new blog that I will be posting to regularly with design ideas and such.

The site is http://vivabellabyjessie.blogspot.com I will also post an attachment on the side of this blog. There isn't much to it yet, BUT CHECK IT OUT!

Here's to you

I hope nobody misinterprets this post as arrogant or braggy, I was just so touched by this experience that I had to share. Yesterday I was running some errands in Draper and while doing so I saw a man crossing the street. He was pushing a bike that had one of those baby joggers attached to it. But the closer I got to him I could see that there weren't kids inside, there were pillows and blankets. And he wasn't just any man, he was homeless. This really struck me for some reason because he wasn't even riding the bike, he was pushing it, meaning he was probably so tired and hot from the day that he just couldn't bear to ride it anymore. Plus, he wasn't trying to solicit for money or food, he was just minding his own business. So I went into a store and promised myself that if I could still see him when I came out that I was going to buy him dinner. Well after about 15 minutes in the store I came out and he was sitting in the shade under a tree, so I went to Carl's Jr and picked him up a meal. The drive-thru took so long that I was afraid I was going to lose him, but I saw him walking a little farther down the street. So I pulled up next to him and said, "Sir, I know this isn't much but I just wanted to give this to you." and he looked at me and said "Like Hell it ain't, this means the world to me. Thank you, thank you so much." He grabbed the food, ran into the shade, and started chowing down. I pulled away and just cried and cried the rest of the way home. It made me think about how grateful I am in my life for all the things I have. A home (well kind of a home, but one that's being built) something to fill my belly every day, and the most important, a family. A family who loves and cares about me. I said a prayer in my head that if this man did not have a single possession in his life that he at least had somebody to love him. That he wouldn't have to die alone. I'm sure the prayer was in vane but hoped that it wasn't. Of course when I told Darin all he could really say was how dangerous it was, and how I shouldn't do that, but if it be by doing something kind for someone that I die, well I'll take it. This poor man probably hadn't eaten in days, and forgot what it felt like to have somebody care, even if it was for only one day or hour or five minutes. The only thing I wish I would have changed was what I gave him to eat. I should have got soup or something because the poor guy didn't have a single tooth left in his head. :) Here's to you, blue shirted homeless guy.

I've been trying to think....

of ways to get my name out there as a loan officer. I've been in the business for a little while now, but it's tough to get, and keep, your name out there. When people think of purchasing or refinancing a home I want them to think of me FIRST. So I've decided to do a blogging deal of the month. Each month I will provide a different type of deal if you use me when purchasing a new home, or refinancing a current home. And NO, I won't be tacking on a hidden fee somewhere else during the process. That's why I love my company so much is because we are very honest and open about what we do. I just want to advertise a little and get my name out there, so people will think of me for their mortgage needs. So without further ado let's move to this months FREEBIE!

As everyone knows gas prices are still soaring. I try not to even look at the prices when I'm filling up. I thought it appropriate to have this months freebie be......(drum roll please)

Chevron Gift Card worth $150 in free fuel!!!

Please let me know if I can do anything for you. And feel free to refer me to friends and family!!

New Addition

Ok, here's a recap. This is my best friend ever, Heidi. We have been BFF's since 8th grade when she moved into my neighborhood. So we've done it all; dressing up goofy and running through the mall, sleepovers on school nights, hanging out with all different groups of friends, going to dances together (literally, we went to a dance together once because her date ditched out on her), you name it, we've probably done it together. There were many times we would get mistaken for sisters and even twins. And once, when Heidi died her hair brown, she went home and her mom thought that it was me. We were pretty much inseperable before real life began. So when I joined the ranks of marriage I think she was a little sad. But last December she tied the knot with a beautiful winter wedding. They are in Colorado right now for a summer job but will soon move back to Logan to continue with school. I'm sad because I don't get to see her as much as I used to. But back to the main story. Both of them come from large families and I always knew Heidi would probably get started on the kids early because she wants a large family too. But I was a little shocked when I got a phone call from her about a month ago. We're talking, catching up on everything that's been going on. She tells me that she's coming into town in July and she wants to go to lunch with me (which isn't unusual) but then she just kind of sits there for a minute and says "Well I can't wait that long" and I then I knew "YOU'RE PREGNANT" So I scream and laugh and pretty much cry. And then I ask how far along she is thinking that she's just a few weeks in. "Ummmm about half way. I'm having a girl." More screaming and laughing from me and yelling because I'm mad she waited so long to tell me. I can't complain though because they hadn't told either sets of parents at this point either. It wasn't planned but one of those that's so close to the wedding date you have to count back on your fingers. :) I finally got to see her little belly this weekend when she came in town. I'm so happy and excited for her. I can't wait to meet the new addition! Love you Heidi!

Wednesday July 9

It's true, I have joined the ranks of the Bunco playing women. My friend Hannah invited me into her Bunco group and we played for the first time on Wednesday. It was so much fun. Kylene, a friend from high school, also ended up being in the same group. It was nice to have a few familiar faces but fun to meet some new people. And most of all great to get out of the house and have a GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

Kylene won the grand prize. Super cute bracelet.

This isn't the best picture. We're cracking up because Taylors dog is pretty much attacking Kylene's face (with kisses of course). Thanks for hosting Taylor. See everyone next month!!

.................Those Birds are Psychotic....................

So one of mine and Darin's favorite movies is Just Married with Brittany Murphy and Ashton Kutcher. We are often seen quoting this movie because we have practically all of the lines memorized. One of the best parts is when Ashton kills Brittanys dog by throwing the ball out the window causing the dog to chase it and leap to it's death. Then he proceeds to blame it on the "psychotic birds". So of course I thought of that movie when I decided to post about birds.

Which brings me to my confession.

I hate birds.*

Don't get me wrong, nothing is better than those first few spring mornings when the birds are chirping for the first time. And there are really some cool birds like macaws and those types that I like. I'm talking your normal, average everyday bird. They totally creep me out. Darin thinks I'm crazy. But I swear at least once a week I have some psychotic bird that darts out in front of my car while I'm driving 60 and nearly gives me a heart attack every time. Seriously I freaked out so bad once that Darin thought we were about to hit into a jack-knifed semi and blow up. I can't decide if they are devising an evil plan to peck my eyes out, or if they're really just that stupid that they think they can dart out in front of a moving vehicle. All I can say is

"Those birds are psychotic!!"

*Does anyone else get as creeped out by birds as me?

And the Rockets Red Glare....

All I can say is "WAY TO GO Mr. Larry Miller!" For the past 2 years we have gone to a Bees game for either the 4th or the 24th of July because they have great fireworks, but this year honestly topped them all. I have NEVER seen a firework show as good as the one we saw on the 5th of July. It was short but oh so sweet and even though I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, it brought me to tears at one point. (it was only one tear, I swear) I didn't even know some of these fireworks existed. Here are a few pictures but they seriously don't give the show justice at all!

Some other things we did

We did a lot of other fun things over the long weekend. Darin's dad works for Murray Parks and Rec and organizes the 4th of July Murray Parade. So every year we go to that. This was my favorite picture from it. This guy was super funny and pretty talented on 6 feet long legs.

Riverton City Parade

It seems like throughout the year it's really easy to overlook and take for granted our freedom. I am so very grateful that I live in this great country where I have so many opportunities. Each time a flag passed me by this weekend I was not ashamed to stand with my hand over my heart. In fact I felt such a swelling sense of pride.I can say what I want, be what I want, and do what I want, and I am so thankful for that. I hope throughout this next year that I might not overlook these things. I hope everyone had a great 4th!

......Take me back......

So I was finally able to dig my camera out of the mess that we have. Here's a rundown of our trip.

We drove and that in and of itself was just a lot to handle, but I promise you the car ride was something straight out of Griswold Family Vacation. I guess the vacation wouldn't be complete without a little car trouble (car trouble that ended up costing $500 dollars to repair the fuel pump....ouch.)



Our condo was so close to the beach it was wonderful. It only took five minutes to walk there. The pier in Oceanside is really neat. You could see starfish stuck to the side of the poles and we even saw a guy that had caught a leopard shark. I was going to take a picture of it but he had cut it's head off and it was kind of gross.

Our first adventure was to Seaworld. (My Favorite) It's so much fun there. I was so jealous of the trainers. I want to swim with the dolphins and whales SO BAD. This is the dolphin show...

I want to surf on a whale..

All of US (I know I look like I'm pregnant in the first picture but I'm really not expecting)

Everytime I was in the Ocean I was scared that I would look down and something like one of these would be coming after me. Pretty sure I FREAKED OUT everytime a piece of seawood would touch me. (I know the round fish looks sweet but it's a piranha)

Some of my other fav seaworld pics

San Diego Zoo

I know I posted a lot of pictures of Seaworld. I'll try not to go as overboard on the zoo ones.

The bottom right picture above was the funniest thing. I know it's kind of hard to make out but this monkey was standing spread eagle, arms and legs both spread, and his little friend to the left (darker monkey) was just pickin away at his behind. It was great. They kind of looked at us like "What..?Don't you stupid humans do this too?"

THE BEACH

Oh, how I love the Beach.

Sometimes I wonder why I live in Utah because I'm such a water girl.

I swear I could stay out there all day. I got some major rashes on my stomach from boogie boarding for so long. I got some really cool shots with a water camera that I still need to get devoloped but here's a few pics from the beach.

I know it's kind of dorky but my sister-in-laws and I bought matching swimsuits before we left. It was kind of a joke and we thought it was so funny so of course we had to get a pic.

I already can't wait to go back to the beach again.