Baby Bellys

I am due the first part in April with a little baby girl.

My sister, Lindsay, is due the end of April with a little baby boy!

Christmas in Arizona with Keith and Lindsay

I'll be honest, I love a 60 degree Christmas!!!

So....

We are having a.........

6 months preggy

I'm spending the Holidays in Arizona with my sister's famliy, Lindsay, Keith, and Hannah. 

Hannah can't stop staring at my growing belly in hopes for a little GIRL cousin...

or a little BOY cousin.

Who knows!

That appointment is on Thursday. 

STAY TUNED!

As of 5:00 today

IAN N. SERVICE

will be a

LAW SCHOOL GRADUATE!

Ring out wild bells!

Let us sing praises!

God Bless America!

Yippie-Ki-A!

Sweet Sassy Molassy!

Holy Crap!

HE DID IT!!

Same story. Different family.

http://nataliekidd.blogspot.com/

I have been completely entertained by the recent stories of this new generation of defunct Tooth Fairies. While blogstocking, I came across this one. I thought all you other "forgetful fairies" would appreciate it.

You deserve a raise!!

I love having a Personal Assistant!

All I have to do is tell her my likes and dislikes, and she finds exactly what I want! Seriously, I think I'm the new KIMORA, the new KARDASHIAN, the new KATHY GRIFFIN. Oh wait, she's not all that cool. Well, anyway - my P.A. set me up with this cool blog template because I'm totally retarded and can't do it myself!

THANKS P.A. B.J.!

Now, if she could just find me a job!

Summer Lovin'

It looks like there were more than just fireworks going off on the 4th of July!!

I wish someone would have warned me about

the dangerous side effect of a

FIBER ONE granola bar as a mid morning snack,

and TACO BELL for lunch!!

Consider yourselves warned!

Seriously, what's wrong with me?

Every time I brush my teeth,

I almost throw up!!!

Seriously, what's wrong with me?

Every time I brush my teeth,

I almost throw up!!!

So, before reaching our final destination of Boise, we stopped in Chubbuck to stay with my brother ADAM and his family. Adam and Jenny have three cute kids and a new cute house. We went to church with them on Sunday even though it's our family tradition to try to avoid such things while on vacation.

I ate a nice healthy breakfast that morning, put on my Sunday best, and made it through the first meeting. I volunteered to take care of Kimball, Adams newest, during Sunday School hour, and of course, it would be best to take care of him in the hallway. So, while sitting on the floral foyer couch with Kimball I suddenly became very hungry. I looked through Kimball's diaper bag hoping to happen upon some crackers or cheerios or something of the like. I found an empty ziplock bag just as my sudden hunger turned into ravaging hunger!!!! With wide eyes I looked up at Ian and said, "You gotta find me some snacks, NOW! I'm starving!"

Ian chuckled, thinking I was just being my normal bossy self.

With daggers in my eyes, I reiterated to Ian the urgency of my starvation! I strongly demanded he had better go rob the nursery of it's Nilla Waffers RIGHT NOW!! "Did you not hear me?!?!, NOW!!!"

Fearing for his life, Ian returned with 2 fruit snack bags, a box of raisins, and a cup full of animal crackers. And, in typical Ian style, he also grabbed equal portions for himself as well. MY HERO!!!

Before I could even get a THANK YOU out, I polished off the first bag of fruit snacks. I handed Kimball off to Ian to insure I didn't have to share one morsel with him. Moments later the entire meal provided by the nursery was devoured!

After feeling the relief of my nagging hunger, I layed my head on the arm of the floral foyer sofa. I cannot confirm or deny what happened for the next 30 minutes...BECAUSE I WAS ASLEEP!!!

Yes, I fell asleep on the couch at the church while the next ward was filing in to start their meeting. I'm not sure how many people saw me...sleeping...with my mouth gapping open...drooling...in a skirt...sitting like a Trucker...but I'm sure both Ian and Adam were so proud!

Let sleeping dogs...alone

PICTURES TO COME LATER.

(OR MAYBE NEVER)

At least one of the two will happen!

We successfully made it to Utah for Grandpa Services funeral after some wonderful friends helped us pack up our house that wasn't ready. YES, we ended up being "one of those people". We owe a HUGE THANK YOU to those who helped us...all day long...all sweaty day long...all gross and humiditily sweaty day long! That's right - THANK YOU!



It took three days to get to Utah - pulling our trailer. It felt like 30 days. In fact, on the third day of driving, Ian FIRED me as his co-pilot! I'll admit, I was complaining. I woke up from my 4th nap of the day in the passenger seat and said, in my famously whinny voice, "Why? Why is this taking so long?? How come we're not there yet?!?!?" He told me I was welcome to get out and walk but that he was going to keep on driving.



Luckly, we had a great break in Colorado! We were able to spend the night in Longmont Colorado with our favorite family in the world - The Robinsons! It was awesome to visit with them even though it was for just one night! I can't believe Luke, Isaac and Audry are growing up without us! I've gotta find a way to move to Colorado!



Utah was fun. Lot's of family. Lot's of soda. Those Services are never without their fix of soda. Someone caught me drinking water and I swear I almost got kicked out of the family. We had a GREAT visited with Coby, Tiffany, Corbin and new baby Jackson. I'm sure more was happening in Utah for the two weeks we spent there, but once again...I was napping most of the time.

Finally on our way to Boise, we stopped in Pocatello so Ian and I could run a 1/2 marathon. Well, we both signed up for it, but only Ian ran it. I was busy napping! In fact, my nap was so long, I actually didn't show up to see him cross the finish line. Oops! However, Lance, Bettie, and Calista were there to cheer for him as he crossed the line! I think that kicks me out of the running for Supportive Wife of the Year for 2007. Oh well.

HOWDY

HOWDY

HOWDY

A Blessed Life!

We are so lucky! Ian and I have the best friends in the world! Before Ian and I even met, we both surrounded ourselves with AMAZING PEOPLE. Friends for life. And now our seven years together has brought another round of GREAT FRIENDS! Seriously, we are so lucky!

Good thing too...because we need help loading our moving truck!!!

By noon on Wednesday, we would be driving away from our little home in Lansing, Michigan.
Destination: Idaho, the Gem State.
State flower: the saringa. FYI

I've been preparing and packing for months now, only to find out it was all in my head. I was only "mentally" preparing and packing. As I look around, I wonder why all the things I've "packed up" are not all taped up in their "boxes" I put them in months ago? Seriously, where is the Fairy Godmother, or Samantha Stephens when I need them? I'll even take a Rumpelstiltskin of sorts at this point!

To be honest, we've had a rough go of it this past week. And that's one big reason we are so thankful for our friendships...and for our FAMILIES! Just as Ian was preparing for finals, his last final of his law school career, I decided I needed some attention and scheduled myself for some emergency surgery. My recovery time has lasted a bit longer than expected which has left Ian to take over my job of cleaning and packing up the entire house...and we all know how far I got on that!

In the last week, Ian has studied as much as he could for his final, sold a bunch of our belongs at an all-day yard sale, waited for me while I had surgery, took his 3 hour final, nursed his loving wife back to health, passed up a (few) game(s) of golf with his buddies, packed up the house, cleaned the house, found renters for the house, and by 4 o'clock today...found out his Grandpa Service passed away.

We cried. We are both so mentally and emotionally exhausted!

We were originally going to leave Lansing on Thursday, and take about 10 days to cross the country. However, we need to get to Utah by Friday night so we can attend a funeral service for Grandpa Service on Saturday. So let me tell you, our friends have already really come in handy!!! Kim, Craig, and Addy helped us pack up today, and tomorrow the gang will be here to load up our moving truck!! We are so lucky to have the friends and family we do. Honestly, there is no way we could accomplish this move without them. Lansing has provided us with some incredible friendships! All three years worth!!

But most especially, my life is so blessed because my sweet husband is both my family and my friend!

I had a proud wife moment

I would like to start out by saying that if ever there is a "discussion" amongst the both of us, I always have the better argument (mostly because I never allow him to present his side) but I want to make it clear that I always win. It's my roll as Wife in this family. With that being said...

I am proud to announce my sweet husband IAN is
one of the TOP 10 ADVOCATES in his Trail Skills class of 100 students and 3 different campuses! That means he's got some mad arguing skills! I was able to attend the semi-finals and watch him in action! He is good I tell ya. Real good! Still not good enough to win at home...
but good enough to be one of the TOP 10 !!
Congratulations Sweetie! I'm so proud of you!

Happy Birthday Stella

Diva! Princess! Comedian!
Stella is 3!

Moving Sale!!!

We sold our couch. I dont' even think we've had it for a full year. It's real cute and all...but...uncomfortable as heck! Seriously, I don't think anyone was ever caught Jana Pecking it! That's how bad it was! I'm happy to see it go. So...ADIODS COUCH!

Part-time Job on the Side

My Husband, Ian!
The Neighborhood Hero!While doing yard work last night, we noticed some kids trying to carry their broken scooter home. Ian went over to have a look and invited them over to our driveway for a quick fix. Soon, Ian had a line-up of neighborhood toys to repair!

Who wants to buy my house??

http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1141447

Good! I'm not the only one!

http://thebindrups.blogspot.com

"Hey Jeanetty, what are you going to do with that gas can and box of matches?" - - Marc

This might not be the same way Extreme Makeover: Home Edition demolishes an old house, but this is the way a few rednecks from Weiser do it! Dump the gas, throw the match, raw hide! Light'em up, burn'em down, raw hide!

Now, lets see what Extreme Makeover: Anderson Edition can do with this plot of land!!!

STAY TUNED!

This episode brought to you by Kings! (Not Sears. Kings!)

RIVERDOCK ROAD, WEISER IDAHO

LITTLE YELLOW HOUSE

THE PLACE WHERE MY PARENTS:
brought me home from the hospital. Where my parents planted a garden and raised their kids. Seven kids. The place where my parents disciplined me, taught me, and loved me.

THE PLACE WHERE I LEARNED TO:
say my prayers, say please and thank you, and how to fart with my armpit. Where I learned to do back flips on the tramp and kart wheels on the lawn. Where I learned to work hard...when Dad was looking. Where I learned you cant stand still for a long time around an ant pile. The place where I was supposed to learn to play the piano but was way too stubborn to practice.

THE PLACE I PLAYED:
kick the can, Wonder Twins, Freeze Tag. Where I played multiple ZQXF Update News Anchors. Where I played in cardboard boxes for hours! Where I played with blocks and barbies, and rode bikes on the boards in the onion shed.

THE PLACE IT TRIED TO:
dig to China, to get away with rolling my eyes at my mother, and tried to make mud pies out of real cow pies. The place where I tried to become an entrepreneur by inventing my own chocolate drink named "fordamill". Where I tried to tell my mom, "please, no! Not another perm!" and she gave me another one anyway.

Lindsay, Adam, Jeff, Miles, Me

My last visit to the Little Yellow House with my siblings.
August 2005

It's gone. The LITTLE YELLOW HOUSE is gone.

But that little house has given me many memories.
Memories I'll hold forever.

Actually, those memories will be gone with my encroaching old age and for the fact I'm going senile. It's inherited...but I'm not sure from which side!

Gone. Gone. Gone.

Lil' baby Maya Pousson

Me & Maya

Ian & Maya

Our good friends, Dan and Janee Pousson are the proud parents of little baby Maya. Back in May, we had a siese de mayo party in the park with our friends. Dan and Janee walked to the park from their house, which was just over 2 miles round trip. The next day Janee went to the hospital, and in the early early morning of May 8th, little MAYA was born. And two days later...Janee was right back to her little tiny hottie body! Seriously, I think she weights as much as my left leg...from the knee down. It's fun to watch Dan and Janee enjoy parenthood! They are both awesome parents! Maya is very lucky!

Under a bushel

Schroeder & Service
Custom Window Treatment Specialists

Who knew Brittni and I had such great
creativity, style, and talent?!?!
Ok, well, we all know Brittni already had it!
(Obviously, I am very proud of our final product)

GREAT NEWS!

I'm an AUNT...again!

(click on Steve and Sage on the right)

First Kimball

Then Hannah

and now MAYA!

Well, it's about time!!!

MILES and TOM updated!
Let us all rejoice!!!

Birthday Boy

Ian and his buddy Talon

...and since we're still on the subject of BIRTHDAYS...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO MY

SWEET HUSBAND

IAN

SPEAKING OF JUNE BIRTHDAYS...

Happy happy birthday Brittni dear.
Happy days will come to you all year.
If I had one wish than it would be...
a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU FROM ME!

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

There are lots of JUNE BIRTHDAYS in our family. Four of us Juners just happened to be together in JUNE in Columbus Ohio.
TOM, NATALIE, IAN, KEITHLindsay and Miles surprised us all with a very delectable icecream roll cake. Because they were the only two of the group left out, they decided it was appropriate to have the cake say,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILES AND LINDSAY"

And obviously,
THEY THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY FUNNY!
We did too!

For the few of you out there who have had the rare chance of experiencing this phenomenon, I'm sure you'd agree - really, there is nothing better than getting a few Andersons together and hearing them laugh...at themselves! Every Anderson is a comedian!

Thanks for the party, Miles and Lindsay!

ANDERSON OLYMPICS

for more information
please go to www.whitneydibble.blogspot.com
and look for the Happy Birthday post to TOM!

COME ON DOWN!!!!

Remember that one time I had the calling of Enrichment Leader? And remember how much I totally complained about it. And remember how they fired me about two months into that calling? Well...THANK GOODNESS! Because our new beautiful and talented Enrichment Leader, Jennifer Jackson, put together one of the best Enrichment Nights EVER!!!

THE PRICE IS RIGHT
PROVIDENT LIVING STYLE!
Complete with real games and actual Barkers Beauties!
Allyson Misseldine and Jennifer Jackson

Rod Roddy was the gorgeous Erica Hogge.

And who was BOB BARKER, you ask??

ME!!!
I even had a microphone with a cord, and $500 in my suit coat pocket for the contestant who bid exactly the actual yardsale price!

CONTESTANTS ROW
Bob - "What's our first item up for bid, Rod?"
Rod Roddy - "First item up for bid Bob, is a 12 sting guitar purchased at a yard sale."
Bob Barker - "Lets start the bidding with you."
First contestant - "Twelve Dollars, Bob"
Second contestant - "Fifteen Dollars, Bob"
Third contestant - "What was the first bib, Bob?"
Bob - "$12!"
Third contestant - "I'll say Nine Dollars, Bob!"
BUZZ BUZZ
Bob - "I'm sorry! You've all OVERBID - please go lower than $9."
"six dollars bob" "three dollars bob" "ONE DOLLAR Bob"
Bob - "And the actual yard sale price of the 12 string guitar is...$7!!Amberly was one of our lucky contestants who made it up on stage out of contestants row. She played the "Whats the bigger bargain" game. Other games included "Range Finder" "What's in the bag?" "Pick a Pair" and that one where you have 60 seconds to label the 4 prizes with their proper dollar amount then run back in pull the handle to see how many you have right...then run back and try to fix the ones you might have wrong. I can't remember the name right now. BUT ALL THE GAMES WERE SO MUCH FUN!!!

All of our items were purchased at YARD SALES, or were purchased brand new from stores at a DISCOUNTED PRICE. Our commercial breaks were quick tips from selected sisters who spoke on "free activities around town", "home remedies", "internet shopping, like ebay, craigslist, and freecycle" , and "food storage stuff". A few weeks ago, when announcing the activity, the sisters were asked to bring an item they had purchased at a yardsale or had found and exceptional deal on at a retail store. The handouts were "Price is Right" tickets. So...our SHOWCASE SHOWDOWN featured items the sisters brought with them that night. The Barkers Beauties hand selected which items would be part of which showcase, then the contestant had to determine the total amount that was paid for the items.

Our showcases, which included some great stuff, totaled $19.50, and $12.00 respectively.

EVERYONE SEEMED TO HAVE A GREAT TIME! Thank goodness for Jennifer Jackson and her committee! Thank goodness it is her calling and not mine! THIS ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Seriously! When do people with children find time to update their blogs? Cute stories. Cute pictures. Cute blog layouts! I'm jealous! When do you find the time? I only have a husband and a hemorrhoid that flares up everyone once in a while and I can't keep up! (Picture not included. You're welcome!)

SO MUCH has happened in my life in the last two weeks that there is no way I can catch up. And because I hate BULK BLOGGING almost more than I hate forwarded emails, I will attempt to update one story at a time, more frequently*.

*Don't hold your breath

The good ol' BSA has an annual
GOLF OUTING FOR SCOUTING.
Although Ian would much rather
be a participant in the event,
I MADE him be a volunteer. We were assigned Hole 4,
par 3, slight up hill, 187 yard, over the lake, pin placement in center of the green,
a sporadically gusty breeze to the right, forest lining the right, sand trap to the left.
There was a 40 foot circle drawn around the pin.
For only $5, a golfer could double his money if he hit the ball into the circle.
I was the attractive carnival caller/money collector at the tee box.
Ian was the handsome circle monitor on the green.

Ian also was a self-appointed caddy to any golfer who wasn't looking for caddy advise. He had plenty of time in between teams to read the greens with the balls he found in the trees, which were many. So, there I am all day, thinking I'm so cute, asking all these men to hand over their money to participate in the "HIT IT IN THE CIRCLE" game! It required a bit of coaxing/flirting to get the money, batting my eyelashes, flashing my mother of pearly whites, and exposing my witt and charm. Three hours, and about 140 participants later, another volunteer shows up to relieve me for a 5 min break. With wide eyes and a pointed finger at my face, he yells,

"WHOA!!! You have a HUGE mosquito bite on your chin!! It's so big! WOW, I've never seen anything so huge before! Doesn't that hurt? Oh my gosh, it's GIGANTIC!"
I reach up to check the validity of his proclamation to the world and, sure enough, my chin was nearly numb by the sheer pressure of the swelling! IT WAS HUGE!
First thought: How long has that been there and how many people saw it!?!?
Second thought: I'm not cute at all!! Who was I kidding!
Third thought: Were the golfers giving me money to play the game OR did they think they were donating to my future plastic surgery to remove the growing tumor from my chin!!?!?!?

To the Club House STAT!

With the Michigan breeze thrashing through my hair, I furiously sped off in my golf cart reaching speeds of nearly 3 miles per hour! After driving through a few sand traps, I drove right into the camouflaged swamplands near the 17th faraway. I prayed, "please little golf cart, please don't get stuck. Not here. Not now." I started to bounce up and down on my seat, hoping to free myself from the swallowing mud hole. Mud was flinging in all directions, including up my back, from the spinning tires. At last, I reach the Club House to assess the damage!
GOSH! I'm already board of my own story! This is taking forever to tell!
See! I hate to blog!
I quit!
Blah, blah, blah, we had a great day.
The end.