Should He Stay or Should He Go??

Brian forwarded the following email to me with a request to fill one of the temporary positions...I of course said no, but do you all think I was a bit too hasty with my decision??

EMAIL in Question:

The Office of International Aviation is soliciting qualified candidates for technical positions in Afghanistan and Iraq to help rebuild the civil aviation systems in those countries. Chosen candidates will have the opportunity to enhance their careers with experience in a challenging and rewarding international environment while supporting top U.S. foreign policy objectives. Each position offers an attractive compensation and benefits package and return rights to the FAA at the completion of the foreign assignment. Below are the vacancy announcements for these positions:

Kabul, Afghanistan (Temporary, NTE 18 Months)

Baghdad, Iraq (Temporary, NTE 12 Months)

New York

My friend, Dyan, and I had a wonderful opportunity to go to New York City! We stayed in Times Square and toured through the city, did some shopping, went to the Broadway production "Wicked", participated in the studio audience of the Live with Regis and Kelly, had some laughable experiences trying to use the Subway, and witnessed the aggressive tango of pedestrians and drivers! All in all we had a great time!

One of the highlights of our trip was serving in the Manhatten, NY temple.

We enjoyed some amazing views in NY...From the top of the Rock...

View from our hotel window...yum, yum chocolate...

View of Lower Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry...

We took a tour on the first day of our trip, and we LOVED it! We were able to highlight all the NY treasures and learn some very interesting history. Here is a collage of some of my favorite places that we visited on our tour...

Anna's Classic Tea Party!

Anna turned 7 years old yesterday and we celebrated by having a Tea Party with some of her friends! Each girl had her picture taken with this darling backdrop! We served dainty sandwiches and delicious bite sized desserts! The girls played a classic game of musical chairs and made a bracelet to take home. It seemed like everyone had a good time, and I personally loved putting the whole thing together!

The Flower Pot Desserts turned out really cute, and the girls loved them!

This was my first attempt at making the delicious Cupcake Pops, that were created by Bakerella, and featured on the Martha Stewart show...

Goofy birthday girl blowing out the candle on the darling cupcake pops....

The Birthday Decorations! The bright pinks with the black and white was really fun! :)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!!

Our neighborhood made available group tickets to the Opening Day of the Tacoma Rainiers! So, we bought tickets, which included the game, hot dog dinner, Rainier hat, 50th anniversary mug, and a firework show! We really had a great time watching the game and hanging out with our neighbors! :)

Family Photo...Finally!

My wonderful family! I love this big group...we have so much fun! I'm grateful everyday that we were able to blend together without too many problems :) Thanks Angie!

My beautiful sisters and me....

Easter Sampling...

Each year our ward has an Easter Egg Hunt and breakfast. Anna and Zachary were the only ones who would let me take their picture. Megan didn't want her picture taken, and Amelia wouldn't hold still long enough for a photo! :)

"Spring" Break in the Snow

As a family we enjoyed a couple days in the mountains during spring break. The children loved the "pioneer type" conditions (no running water in the cabin, however we did have electricity and heat), but we didn't let on that we really had it pretty good. ;) We did lose power for a few hours due to the wind and mild storm, but all in all the weather was nice and we had a great time!

Our die hard sledders...they averaged a few hours a day in the snow!

Our small cabin at Camp Zarahemla...

Zachary's Birthday!!

Yesterday Zachary turned 9 years old! He didn't want to celebrate until he officially turned 9 at 12:03 p.m., so right at 12:03 during church he turned to me and told me he just turned 9 years old :) I was instantly reminded of the experience I had bringing him into this world, and became a bit emotional. Brian was in MN at the time and wasn't due home for another 3 weeks, so my dear mother and sweet sister, Honor were there to hold my hand and help during the delivery.

We were all surprised at how quick Zachary arrived, especially the nurse. I mentioned to the nurse about an hour before the birth that it would be nice if Zach would be delivered by noon. She assured me that it wouldn't be that soon, however I was off by 3 minutes! I was very grateful!! :) Zachary was such a content, quiet baby, and now he is full of energy, but so much fun and we love having him in our home :)

The Flu Bug Flood!

The flu has come,
It's here to stay.
We really hope
It goes away!

Each poor child
Has had a turn,
With coughing, aches,
And fever burn.

We are prisoners
In our own place,
Walking around,
Masks on our face.

We're trying not
To spread the crud,
And keep at bay
The Flu Bug Flood!

http://www.flufacts.com/know/default.aspx?zip=98075

CREATE...

I was talking to a friend today about how we are so much more drawn to doing things that allow us to create, as opposed to folding mounds of laundry and cleaning sinks (we didn't create those things...unless you say we "created the mess", but then that's not usually true because our children typically do that, which is probably why they do it so well, because it is the deepest desire of the human soul to create!! :)

I love this video presentation using one of my favorite General Conference talks given by Elder Dieter Uchtdorf in October 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k

Chocolate Brownie Explosion!

Last night Zachary's Cub Scout Pack had a cake auction to raise money for Cub Scout Camp. We made a Chocolate Brownie Explosion Volcano "Cake"! It turned out really cool! It is 5 layers of homemade fudge brownie with chocolate frosting, hard candy lava exploding out the top, and red vine licorice racing down the sides! The cake was purchased for $61.00!!! That was the second highest bid of the night! The top cake of the night was made by my friend Angie and someone bought it for $85.00!! The boys had a great time and it was a very successful evening :)

FINALLY!!! Our Hawaiian Vacation Photos...

This was our beautiful view from the condo we stayed in, courtesy of Brian's lovely Aunty Penny and Uncle Harry! We really enjoyed visiting with them and loved seeing the beautiful islands of Maui and Kauai! :)

We witnessed some beautiful panoramic views from the top of Haleakala on Maui!

Brian and I love the "Road to Hana" on Maui! We find it very relaxing and we think it is beautiful! It was incredibly windy, and this picture is Brian leaning over a cliff completely held up by the wind!!! DUMB!!! I was not happy at all, but I did get a great picture of his moment of possible death!

Black Sand Beach on Maui....

SCARY!! I really don't like high places, and this was completely out of my comfort zone!!

Our secret falls, that wasn't so secret this time :) There were many people visiting the beautiful location....last time we had this place all to ourselves!