cheH kuhn boozee mo-an!

That means, "I know how to grind spark plugs and chicken!" I thought I would come up with a random phrase to say in Cham to all the local Cambodians!
Well, we thought we should give a quick notice to people that we are going to Cambodia, Hong Kong and China for the next few weeks and won't be updating the blog or answering our phones. We will be thinking of you all as we walk around in our shorts & T-Shirts! :)
We will write the moment we get back to the States!

A Home & A Family

So, it was inevitable that we had to go to California and get all of my furniture and belongings that have been in storage for over a year. So, my mom, Eric and I woke up at 6 a.m. and headed off to get the U-haul (the largest they had to offer) and meet up with the movers...we were on the road by 1 o’clock and ready to conquer the roads…all was well until we reached Elko, Nevada (the fact that we were in Elko, Nevada was already painful in and of itself) and the blizzard hit us. There were times that we had to drive 19mph. (…and by “we” I mean Eric drove the ENTIRE TIME) and did not reach Kemmerer until 7:45 the next morning. We took a little nap and some people from our new ward (Thanks Roger, Eric and Wayne!!!) helped us move the entire truck full of stuff within a few hours. Unpacking all my boxes was like Christmas times a thousand!!! Finding little treasures that were long stored in the recesses of my memories was thrilling. Some treasures were more valuable in their monetary sense…some were valuable in their convenience (like my beloved Pink Kitchen aid, my bread machine and my nice knives)…and some were purely for the warm feelings of home that they brought me. I decided after seeing the multitude of clothes that I had, that I would donate any unnecessary items to the D.I….some that did not make the list that probably ought to have were my pajama pants I got in 7th grade that just remind my of so many nights lounging at home…a home that I did not have to pay the mortgage or light bill on…also, my Sorority sweatshirt that I never wore while I was actually in the sorority…or the purple tie-dyed shirt I made my first day in the dorms as part my first college activity. Some things are just not meant to let go of! Cheers to having a house and a husband and having it turn into a home and a family!

We will add pictures so you can see the transformation of our house since day one!

Finnan Haddie

So, Christmas was SO much fun this year...we woke up (were woken up) early and headed over to Geoff & Jody's (Eric's older brother and wife) house to watch their kids (Dylan, Brooke & Alex A.k.a Hanky) open presents...the glee of kids is truly infectious...it was so cute to hear their reactions to everything...we all knew that Dylan was getting a Wii for Christmas, so every time Dylan opened a game that was for the wii (instead of the X-box which he owned) everyone just kept saying, "Man, what is with Santa this year...doesn't he know you don't have a Wii?" Dylan fell for it, hook line and sinker!! Then we went back to Eric’s parents’ house (Jim & Julie) and opened presents! Giving is good…but so is getting. I got this amazing complete Nativity scene from Eric’s mom and my sister-in-law Jody. Eric got me a sewing machine and EVERYTHING I asked for (which was only two things…but still…he is amazing at making me feel spoiled!) We got Eric’s father an iPod complete with Western oldies and Julie a Diamond necklace with a diamond for each member in her immediate family. Then, after a lazy day in the matching P.J's we were all given, we had the traditional Christmas breakfast of poached eggs, Hollandaise sauce, English muffins, fruit and one of my new favorite things IN THE WORLD!!! (it’s not for all…but I love all seafood and smoked anything is pretty good in my eyes)....

Finnan Haddie!!

“The Scottish have been smoking fish for -- well, forever. One can hardly think of the Scottish lochs without the true Scottish national dish coming to mind (no, not haggis): Finnan Haddie. Finnan haddie is an ancient tradition; rich, cold-water haddock smoked with hardwoods until meltingly tender and exceedingly rich. Its origins are unknown. We can imagine pre-historic Man, having discovered the bounty of the ocean, having too much fish to eat all at once. Perhaps he leaves a fillet of haddock on a spear by his fire and awakes the next morning to discover that the fire has not only preserved the smoked fish, but transformed it into a buttery, rich delicacy. With no tea to drink, he enjoys his new-found treasure by itself, and history is made.”

Here’s the website if you really want to know ALL about Finnan Haddie

http://www.mackenzieltd.com/mackenzie/finnan_haddie.html

Twas the night before Christmas...

...and all through the plant, not a supervisor around, not one could be found...so, I have the lucky position of having to work the day before Christmas and the day after Christmas...but not just like any regular day...I get to come in to work at FIVE in the morning...and I will most likely be driving in from Evanston (much like I did today).
So, we had a little scare yesterday with Eric's father, Jim. He had a terrible migraine and was treated for everything BUT the migraine...I guess there are good and bad points to being a successful, well-known attorney. Ironic, the last procedure they did to rule anything out...they stated that the most common side effect was a pretty nasty headache that would last a few days... I think I am pretty mainstream and conservative...but sometimes, my tree-hugging, liberal, holistic, California side comes out and I just disagree with the way some things are handled...trying to rule out even the most obscure and improbable diagnosis all the while aggravating the original symptom...it just seems wrong...but alas, I never went to medical school and I'm sure if they were to have caught something, I would be grateful. None the less, it sure makes any squabbles or expectations of a perfect holiday seem obsolete in light of much more important things: family, friends & loved ones.
Eric and Bryan (Eric's sister's husband...who HAS gone through medical school) gave Jim a blessing last night at the hospital. I have to say that it touched me, so unexpectedly...I have seen many blessing administered...but to see my husband and brother-in-law be worthy, righteous priesthood holders who needn't hesitate for a moment to question their worthiness consecrate oil and give a blessing to my father-in-law with my mother-in-law in the room...however cheesy it may sound, I was overcome with emotions...that's what it's all about, families, ETERNAL families...being a part of a living gospel and seeing the miraculous effects it has on the lives of those who will accept His message.
I thank Heavenly Father for blessing me, however brief a moment it might have been, to really feel & comprehend the meaning of Christmas!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Saturday we drove to Salt Lake and went for a Hayride at the Wheeler Historic Farm through what could only be called a winter wonderland...I think what made it so special, was the excitement and glee from all the nieces and nephews, grandkids, cousins, etc.

Pictured are me and the three "Brutes." Zaney, Brock, Cole and I climbed into a tree house and pretended like we were prisoners in jail.

Eric and I love them SO much! We were lucky to get to spend some time with them on our honeymoon at Lagoon...man, we were sold for life...their happiness is truly infectious!
Later that night, we went to a church house and had bread bowls and soup! Yum Yum!!! And we got to visit with Eric's cousins and their respective spouses. Here is a picture of Eric's cousin Becky and his cousin Jason's wife Meradith and me.
If we only lived in Salt Lake, we would all be BFF's!!!!

After dinner we had a white elephant exchange and here is what Julie got!! It's a good look! :)

Things you put in a box!

So...we went to our friends (Holly and Kasey Nelson) house last night...They decorated it SO CUTE!!!! And by they I mean Holly. Pictures to come...we had the best ham, EVER!!! Then we played a game called, "Things you put in a box." Someone reads one of the cards (for instance one of the cards we chose last night was, "Things you would do if you were to change genders for a day.") and each player is to anonymously write an answer. A chosen person reads each answer out loud. Everyone then tries to match the answer with the person who wrote it…some answers given last night for the example question were, “Pee standing up,” “Ovulate,” and my personal favorite, “Become all emotional and cry for no reason,” (given by my wonderful spouse!!!).

Life has definitely been non-stop, as we are closing on our house on Friday and then driving to Evanston, going to Salt Lake for a family Christmas party on Saturday, driving back Sunday to give talks at Church and then planning the Ward Christmas Party on the following Thursday. As I reflect on the many tasks at hand, I am overcome with a distinct feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for the tremendous outpour of help from kind people like Nona Backman and her mother Sister Jackson, various families in the ward, grateful for the opportunity to serve others and grateful for so much family surrounding me. Perhaps that is one of the most overlooked blessings of marriage: a new family. I am so grateful for the new extended family I have in the Phillips…grateful for phone calls, for a warm inviting home away from home, for new people to love and be loved by and to care about & new people for your family to love and be loved by.

Life is hectic…but life is so wonderful, too!

Marriage Firsts

Well, seeing as how we have not been married for very long...we are constantly experiencing "firsts." For instance, our first Thanksgiving together. Our first vacation together, our first fight (well, we haven't had that yet... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!) Our first house together (which closes December 15th). The first time you told the other you loved them. The first date. The first kiss (which, in case anyone cares, was NOT the same as the first date). The first time I realized that I did not marry a neat man. First time he realized that I don't look the same when I wake up as I do during the day...or that I'm not as nice certain times of the month (I can admit it and yet still so not ok for him to EVER bring it up!...am I right?) The first time I realized that I just might be luckier to be married to him than he is to be married to me. The first time I realized he felt the same sentiment.
So, enough mushiness,...today we are embarking on a new first...our first full weekend in Kemmerer, Wyoming. So, what shall we do? If anyone has suggestions, we are open!! Rules being: cannot require us to leave lovely Kemmerer and cannot be illegal (second one is negotiable).