The Leopard Woman

This picture is from Christmas and I look awful (I am doing Blue Steel) but my mother-in-law, Julie, thought this would be hilarious…and it is!!! This leopard blanket that she owns is always the favorite (and so she got each of the kids one of their very own for Christmas) and I got a pair of pajamas that happened to match almost exactly. Eric’s father always refers to me as the “Leopard Woman” whenever I wear these pajamas…the things you do when you have a little time!

A to Z

A to Z Tag
So, my friend Holly Tagged me…so, here I go:
A- ATTACHED OR SINGLE: ATTACHED (9 months next week)
B- BEST FRIEND: Eric
C- CAKE OR PIE: Cake and Pie...Tres Leche Cake and Pumpkin or Banana Creme Pie...mmmm!
D- DAY OF CHOICE: Sunday...but really it's Saturday
E- ESSENTIAL ITEMS: Liquid Liner, Breyer’s Fat Free Ice Cream, Cell Phone, TV
F- FAVORITE COLOR: Baby Pink
G- GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: Gummy Bears…here and there and bouncing everywhere!
H- HOMETOWN: Piedmont, California
I- INDULGENCE: Peanut Butter Captain Crunch...and Popcorn...I'm finally a Phillips!
J- JANUARY OR JULY: JULY…January is always sad...the let down after all the holidays...
K- KIDS: always a kid at heart.
L- LIFE IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT: Family, Friends , TV reality shows and Popcorn!
M- MARRIAGE DATE: 08,08,07
N- NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 1 BROTHER, 4 SISTER-IN-LAWS, 3 BROTHER-IN-LAWS
O- ORANGES OR APPLES: Apples…Fuji Apples, Pink Ladies, Gala…mmmm!
P- PHOBIAS OR FEARS: This is a total Michael moment, but, when I was in kindergarten, I answered, “being alone.” Same answer applies years later.
Q- QUOTES: "Never think God’s delay’s are God’s denials. Hold on, hold fast, hold out. Patience is genius." (Holly gave me this one)
R- REASON TO SMILE: Hope in the blessings that are in store.
S- SEASON: SUMMER
T- TAGGED FRIENDS: Annie (I don’t deserve you to reply to this as I slacked and did not post the findings from the tag you gave me…but I actually did it & it prompted a much needed clean of my purse!) , Meradith, Kristee Christensen, Becky, Christina Hopper, Reichel Roque
U- UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME: I went on a few dates with a New Kid!
V- VERY FAVORITE STORE: Z Gallerie
W- WORST HABIT:I get on my soap box (picture: ranting and raving) a little too easily…
X- XRAY, ULTRASOUND, OR MAMMOGRAM: ULTRASOUND
Y- YOUR FAVORITE FOOD: Mangos & anything my mom makes!
Z- ZODIAC: Scorpio!!!

Phillips Family Pictures

I have been neglectful of my blog since my wonderful but sometimes forgetful husband forgot our camera charger in California (I could have had my mother send it to us months ago, but Eric could not stand to have her know that we forgot it at her house and live with the shame after he had already lost the first one we owned). Anyway, here are some Phillips family photos that we took last summer.

Brothers don't Shake Hands...Brothers gotta hug!!!

So, I am part of the Naughton Plant NEAT team (Naughton Emergency Alert Team). For the past few days I have been taking HazMat training. Chris Farley sang the immortal lyrcs, “Fat guy in a little coat…” much to everybody’s amusement. Well, here’s a little girl in a big suit…every time we had to have someone suit up…sure enough my name came up. So…for your laughing pleasure…here are some pics (which have already been distributed to all Naughton employees…lovely!!!).

I feel Him all around me

Throughout my whole life, I’ve always heard how people say that they are never closer to God than when tragedy or sadness befalls them…up until about three years ago I honestly could not relate to that. I always felt closest to Him during times of heightened happiness…it was those times that I felt part of the plan- the plan of HAPPINESS. I feel lucky that until that point in my life I had never felt the type of sadness that causes someone to feel despair to the point where they either self-destruct or look to God for truth, comfort, love and a sense of understanding for why things happen the way they do.
While sometimes it seems so much easier to have a life without that kind of sadness…I know that I chose long ago to accept all that I would experience in my life, believing that it would all culminate into a life filled with understanding, knowledge, happiness, sadness, pain, that I would grow from each experience to be more like the person He wants me to be and ultimately joy in knowing that I played my part faithfully.
I am thankful to have a Heavenly Father who in moments of unexpected sadness envelopes me with His love. I feel as though I see Him all around me.
I am grateful for all the blessings I have been given in my life, I am thankful for all of you.

Short Bread Cookies

Ok…we have not updated the blog in awhile…while we certainly don’t contest the fact that we are slackers…we do have a method to our madness, as our camera is fully loaded with tons of fun blog worthy pictures (honestly…we took pictures in Cambodia with the blog in mind…DON'T JUDGE US…you know you all do it, too!) but, sadly, our charger is in California. We will just have to make a trip to California and pick it up. Well, let’s see, what has gone on in our lives? We just finished with the slew of Phillips’ birthdays and I am happy that the best was saved for last as Eric’s birthday topped it all off on Feb 22. We had a fun time at Geoff & Jody’s eating Bar-B-Q ribs, potatoes, corn and pies (Eric’s favorites Chocolate and Pumpkin).
I got him (joint with his parents) a home gym system, some UFC stuff and a pair of waders (top of the line says Jim Phillips). My parents surprised us and knowing that Eric broke his watch while we were moving, bought him a ROLEX!!! Pretty cool, huh? We haven’t gotten it sized yet…but pictures to come.
Oh, yes, and there is a matter in which I need to discuss publicly…George and Joan’s shortbread cookies. They kindly sent Jim & Julie and Annie & Bryan some of these decadent cookies this past Christmas. Eric and I said nothing (though they are my favorite cookies, EVER!)…no complaints, nothing…somehow we got a package misplaced in our car labeled to Jim Phillips…the whereabouts of this package was disclosed MANY times to the party who was to receive it…anyways, last week we opened the package and it was the missing cookies for the rest of the family. We just want it publicly known that we were the only family that actually ate the cookies after they were found (... months after they were made and still delicious)…we also were thoughtful in Cambodia and bought a special gift with Joan & George in mind…so, moral of the story…we ought to hold a place of favor once more and this whole cookie debauchery should be put in the past. That is all. I said goodbye!

Lazy Trash!

So, Eric and I haven't had a chance to download all of our pictures as we have come down with colds, are still adjusting to the time change and working...geez, you don't realize how quickly you become lazy trash!

Anyway, my friend Holly Nelson Love Bird Tagged me...so, here I go:

1. Where did you and your husband meet?
We met in Laramie, Wyoming after being set up by my institute choir director and Eric's brother Adam...we went to a restaurant called Altitude, which was a good thing, as all of my employees had already broken down all of the eating options in Laramie and what each respective choice said about Eric...HAHAHA! Those funny guys I used to work with...Altitude was what they unanimously voted as the only respectable choice. Check plus for Eric!

2. First thing you said to each other?
This will be a big surprise...Eric called me (almost ten minutes after he was supposed to be at my apartment) saying, "Umm...this is kind of embarrassing...but, I'm lost." Little did I know how indicative that was of who Eric is and his personality. A little flawed, but eternally accepting of that and very open and up front about it...all in all, though, still a pretty darn perfect package!

3. What was your first date?
Like I wrote earlier, we went to dinner and then went to rent a video at Hasting. Eric kept asking me to grab certain videos...I couldn't understand why, until I realized he only asked me to get the DVD's which were on the TOP shelf...that jerk!!! We rented the Grudge 2 (lame!!!) and watched it at his brother (Adam) and sis-in-law's (Camille) apartment...that's when Camille claims we were, "FULL ON CUDDLING!" Which we were not!! :) Honestly! Then he took me to my place and we sat and talked for about four hours. It was a perfect first date!

4. Where was our first kiss?
In my apartment in Salt Lake. We were in my room watching a movie...and he's going to kill me for telling this part...he looked at me...we both knew it was coming...it's the moment, you know...you just know...well, apparently Eric wasn't sure because he had to ask, "Can I kiss you?" How does a girl, any self respecting girl answer that question? Yes, please. No, thank you. Perhaps, later, when the mood is restored? I just laughed and he went in for the infamous first kiss.

5. Long or short courtship/engagement?
It was pretty short...there's no real way around that answer. Actually...we knew pretty early...but Eric had this stigma of not wanting to have the shortest engagement out of his brothers...so, we waited...we met in Feb...were engaged in May and married in August. What can I say, when it's right, it's right.

6. Where did you get engaged?
At my work...it was my first day at First Bank in Evanston (this was before we knew where we would be living for sure) and I was working with the other Commercial Loan officer when the president of the bank came in and said he needed to speak with me. The loan officer replied that we would just be another moment. "Actually, I need to talk to you NOW." A little shocked I followed him out the room where he told me that there was an inconsistency with my resume. "Oh, did you find out about my jail time?" I kidded. No smile, no laugh, "I'm not sure, we'll need to go to the board and see what the Corporate Office says." Gosh...I was kidding, no jail time, no conviction...just bad timing for humor. Anyway, he opened the door and I saw little legs running...Brooke? Dylan? Hanky? What were Eric's nieces and nephew's doing there? And Eric's brother Geoff (with a video camera) and sis-in-law Jody (with a camera). I had just gotten lasik surgery so I wasn't exactly sure I was seeing things correctly. Then I looked to my right and Eric was on one knee with roses and a ring. And the rest is history!

7. Where were you married?
At the Salt Lake Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Aug. 8, 2007

8. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We knew my parents were sending us to China & Taiwan for our honeymoon in a few weeks, so Eric planned a super fun Mini-honeymoon all over Utah and Wyoming. We went to the Zoo...to Lagoon (which I LOVED!) Horseback riding...it was all so much fun!

O.k.,... I Tag Annie Palmer, Meradith Christensen, Kristina Hopper, Camille Phillips, Reichel used-to-be-Roque and Julie Phillips