Arizona Thanksgiving

I made this turkey and gravy. It fell right off the bones so I had to put it in the tray right away!

Kale above after having a little bit of turkey

Karen breaking the no white after September rule!

Food that we made and brought for dinner including other things that were waiting to be eaten!! Gobble, gobble!

Nathan grilling his famous Chili cheese and bacon poppers!

Nathans dad, Bob frying the turkey with his brother Ben to the left helping along!

Nathan and his mother, Dot.

Hi everyone...thought that I'd share a few photos of our Thanksgiving down here in Mesa.
I had to wear white so that I'd break the "no white after September rule"...I just did it be comfortable! Yep, my hair is flipped out and dang is it cute like that!

Enjoy...oh by the way, the turkey you see is the one that Karen, yes, oh Karen made for dinner just for Nathan and his parents that you see in the other pictures.

Love,
Karen & Nathan

Oh Boy

Nobody would have guessed this morning when I got up to go to work that Nathans Honda wouldn't work and that in the middle of going to work, it would stop right on the exit that I take to take the back streets to work.
Well, it happened. I take I-10 to I-17 and then I take the 16th St exit and then go to 24th St and then right up to the back side of the buildings because there is NO traffic that way. The worse part of the morning traffic is the exit off 59th Ave to 27th Ave, other than that, it is pretty clean.

I took the exit and then all of a sudden, the car turned off. I only made it off the exit because it rolled until about a car lengths away from the turning light so that I could turn right. Many people just drove by and left me until a gentleman in his truck asked me if I needed help and then he pushed me to the right and on to a side street. I called Nathan and we laughed at the whole thing because it happened to him some time back too while sitting at a light. We are fine, we made it home to and called Abe to have him suggest a car electrician because Nathan is now convinced that it is an electric issue, which I am starting to see that it is true. We have had everything else fixed and not anything electric, so now we are convinced that it is that.

Needless to say, I don't have a way to work today until we know that we can get another car to get me there without it falling apart. Nathan is still not feeling well so he is asleep and if a school calls him today, he'll need to get there :o)


This last week was exciting. I worked about 3-4 hrs of OT so that I could have some mailing money for 2 packages that need to go overseas. Steven is in Iraq and Elizabeth is in Germany and I want to get something off for Christmas for both of them. I'm hoping to continue to do well at work this winter because that will help me make my spring and summer flourish! My prayers are all about success as Nathan is trying to continue school and finish up. One more year to go exactly :o)

I don't have to work Thursday or Friday for Thanksgiving so I'm trying to figure out what I'd like to do on Saturday. Friday I am going to be home most of the day, hoping to take orders for Pampered Chef or I'm done with it. I can't sell something that nobody is interested in. It has been hard the past couple of month and I haven't had a party at all and people haven't been interested in doing a party. I know that the economy is not looking but, but even better to order stuff and cook at home. Restaurants are way over rated anyways and home cooked food is always better. Anyways, I have a all day online/email/phone show going on on Friday so I really don't want to go anywhere as I might miss an order.

Saturday I thought that it would be nice to go to the mountain so that I could touch snow and be done with it for the fall/winter. We'll see...I also think that it would be nice to go in December too. Ka'le liked it last winter when we were up in Show Low and Snowflake.

I hope Nathans sinus' get better before the Holidays because he'll be miserable while his family is here. We're just taking appetizers. Someone at work wants me to make pecan pies for her and she'll pay me to do it :o) She only wants 2 and that is doable so this afternoon I'll go get the pie crusts...I already have everything else to make them. That is an easy service project from me to her. Trish is the lady I work with that wants them and she is so sweet so she deserves them.

We're getting ready to take the car up to Abe, go to Costco and Fry's. They have turkeys on sell for less than $5. We're going to grab one and cook it up and and take it all apart and freeze it.

Have a great week everyone. The Holidays are officially upon us!

Love everyone,

Karen

Karens Day-After-Thanksgiving Day SALE

Shop from your Seat, not your Feet! Call or E-mail your order to me on Friday, November 28, from 8AM-9PM for these incredible discounts:

From 8:00am to 10:00am - Save 20% off your product order!!!!

From 10:01am to 12pm - Save 15% off your product order!!!

From 12:01pm to 2:00pm - Save 10% off your product order!!!

From 2:01pm to 9:00 PM – Free Season's Best Cookbook

All orders will be direct-shipped to you via UPS GroundDiscount based on the time of the call or e-mail

Add an additional 10% off if you have a Past-Host Discount from your show over the last 12 months! Peruse our entire Catalog at www.pamperedchef.biz/wickekitchen, then email me or call on 11/26 to SAVE!! Gather orders from friends and SHARE the Savings!

Let our November & December Guest Specials make your Holiday Entertaining a Breeze!!

SPECIALS

November: All Classic (unglazed) stoneware is 20% OFF,

ALSO,

Book a December cooking OR catalog show and get a Free $10 gift toward your choice of any product! AND,

I invite YOU to BECOME a January Host! January will be EXTRA FREE Host benefits for an average cooking OR catalog show*!!!! This means MORE FREE PRODUCTS!!! The MORE FOR YOU!! Call me today for available dates!

Ask about our Power Cooking shows where we give you ideas for meals that feed for under $2/serving AND leave you with 2 meals in the freezer to pull out for a busy night at your house. A great show to help make use of our products, saving you money!
--
Karen Wicke Independent Pampered Chef Consultantwww.pamperedchef.biz/wickekitchen480-747-4950

General Womans Conference 09/2008

Can anyone guess who this was in September 2006?

Sick week

This week has been fun. Since last Sunday I have been very busy. I have taught 2 evenings this week of ELL to adults. I loved it and was substituting for Tracy Astle, our friend as she was gone for a trip with her grandmother.

Where is my grandma, I wish we'd go on a trip together! That would rock :o)

Anyways, Nathan has been sick since last Sunday. He only worked 1 day this week and that same day he went to class and it about killed him and so he has been trying to rid of the stupid flu/sinus infection that is killing him. This is kind of gross, but get this, you know the flem and crap that is in your throat and when you cough or sneeze and blow your nose it comes out (well, sometimes), get this...it was coming out of his eyes! Yep, it was coming out of the inner corner of his eyes. It was so nasty. All he does it take medicine and sleep, which I am grateful for. I get stuff done when he is in knocked out!

I have worked long hours this week, it seemed like. I am still #1 for the division. I really enjoy what I do. I go to work for my teachers and really enjoy working with them.

I also went to nursery today. Those poor kids. One little girl Madison makes herself physically sick if she doesn't have mom, dad or grandma there with her. She threw up all over me, all over the floor, all over her clothes and there was yeah, well, no change of clothes for herself. I kept telling her that if she throws up she'll have to stay in class with me because she wasn't going to go to mom, dad or grandma. I told her that if she didn't play and be nice and hang out with other kids, she wasn't going to be able to come to nursery anymore. She cried for a little bit and then started to hang out with the other kids. She smelled bad, but I don't care...she was away from her parents! She'll do better from this time forward.

There are new brothers, Seth and Jeffrey that are in the class who are 3 and 2. They fought and cried and threw themselves on the floor the entire time. I seriously wanted to laugh at the entire nursery the whole time I was there because I couldn't believe what they were doing. Seth even nailed me a few times with a fist and boy was he mad. I can understand that though, they are new and in a new class with new kids and teachers and parents are leaving them somewhere new. They just want dad most of the time. Kayden Ramirez is a complete crack up. He wants to be in charge of everything so he pushes other kids around to do it. After he pushes them, you have to tell him to not push or hit and so then he'll walk up to them and give them a kiss or hug. It is so funny because that other kid is like, what the heck you just nailed me and now you're given me loves...whatever and they walk away.

Brin, a husky little girl is so funny. She is a pusher and bully too. She'll kick but when she gets older and then get her butt kicked if she doesn't learn to keep her hands and feet to herself too. She'll realize that there will be bigger kids than her and they'll kick her tail if she touches them...with time, she'll learn.

We played games and danced today in class, so other than the kicking and screaming, it was a great day.

Sacrament meeting was refreshing. The spirit was there as I had prayed for it this morning to help me decide whether or not I needed to take a few online classes to certify to teach middle school here in AZ. I'd like to. I know that the money will change, but that is OK. If I can get the DOE to take away student loans, I'll take the deduction in pay. That'll help! I did feel fine to do it so this week I'll look into taking Structured English Immersion, Arizona History and the US Constitution class along with Introduction to Middle School: Curriculum and Instruction. I know there will be other classes, but these are usually the main ones. I'll know about the others later. These classes I can have done by January if I schedule them right. The Clark Family spoke and they gave wonderful lessons of being selfless and even that even though we try, we can always try harder and then the Lord will bless us more and give us more for just trying.

Well, I need to get ready for bed. I've been going to bed late and I hate it so I need to be ready for bed no later than 9:30 PM.

Have a great day.

Conversion Story

Any how, I had to be ready and have money saved. My bishop, Bishop Thompson said that my parents were very faithful and mailed a check to the ward every month on the same day. He said that it arrived the same day every month. I was so blessed and so where my parents. I had 1/3 of my mission, my parents had another 1/3 and my grandma Nihipali claimed the other 1/3. School was put on hold and FA would be ready for me to return in January 1999.

Kenji came to UT for a few days prior to the MTC so he was already set apart as an Elder and that was awesome so we went to the temple in Logan. That was cool.

Here is a story that one would find awesome, I would think. I was whining to my stake president about not being able to participate in the whole UT pioneer day in July because of being in the MTC and he told me to just clam it or not go. So, as you know, I went. Little did I know again, that through a loving Heavenly Father he allowed ALL missionaries in the MTC sing at the pioneer sesquicentennial celebrationat Cougar Stadium at BYU in Provo. I'll never forget it, we sang Called to Serve. I'll never forget the spirit of faith, hope and love that was there. I'll never forget seeing those in attendance crying and waiving and watching all the missionaries pile in the stadium and sing. I'll never forget the feelings that I had of Love for my Heavenly Father for again hearing my pleads and answering my silly prayers about wanting to participate in the state pioneer day celebration. God, no matter how small or insignificant our wants are, always answers our prayers when he is ready and when we are in need and ready to receive the answers.

OK, this is probably more than what the stake president wanted but it all ties together.

I returned from my mission on a Monday night, Tuesday I moved back in to a rented basement with my friend Amiee, my stuff was brought to me that same afternoon. I had my old job back with Oshmans and school started that next Monday. We went to campus and registered for classes, walked across the street and registered for institute. Again? Yes, again. Why not, I had a testimony of the gospel and my savior and still had plenty of room for growth :o)

I graduated from Weber State in May 2000. I went to Mexico for 2 months and studied with other returned missionaries. I married a non member which was really dumb but I do have to say that again, I grew and new that the gospel meant more to me now then it did ever in my life. I was there for 4 years. I never faulted. I went to the temple, I attended enrichment night, I went to church, I held calligs, I participated in activities and then, the light got brighter that he was just a dud and not only could he not hold a job, he was falling farther into a black hole that I didn't want any part of. I had already been there, why would I go back? See ya, so I left and moved to Mesa, AZ in March 2005. I was seperated in September 2004 and the divorce was final in February 2005. I bought a condo there and 11 months later I sold it and bought a cute little house in Phoenix.

I love my Heavenly Father. I love how he created opportunities for growth and opportunites for me to either learn to follow the Savior or fall off the fence in the other direction. I attended the Glendale Singles Ward in Glenda, AZ from July 2006 to August 2007. I met my dear sweet husband, Nathaniel Wicke there. We come from different ends of the spectrum but we need each other and lean on each other for support and love and to cry on each others shoulders and help lift each other up. We compliment each other and teach each other different things. Wow, do I learn a lot from him. It's amazing :o)

We are currently in the Tolleson Ward in the Phoenix Maricopa West Stake and have the best callings ever - - - Nursery. We love it. These kids are so cute and so sweet and want to be loved and give love. They sing, they laugh, they love, they teach and they are Gods children and I am able to, in Karens words, hang with them an we love it.

Well, this is my conversion story. I hope that it is helpful and that one learns a little bit about me. I am a smartalic and prideful and if I'm right, well, I can still learn something new and apply it to my life now. There is always room for growth.

I exhort everyone and anyone to read the Book of Mormon at least 1 time in their life, follow the invitation of Moroni and ask if the things that you've read are true and if they are...don't faulter and sige!

THE BOOK OF MORMON
ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST
Title Page
Introduction
The Testimony of Three Witnesses
The Testimony of Eight Witnesses
Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith
A Brief Explanation about The Book of Mormon
First Nephi (1 Ne.)
Second Nephi (2 Ne.)
Jacob (Jacob)
Enos (Enos)
Jarom (Jarom)
Omni (Omni)
Words of Mormon (W of M)
Mosiah (Mosiah)
Alma (Alma)
Helaman (Hel.)
Third Nephi (3 Ne.)
Fourth Nephi (4 Ne.)
Mormon (Morm.)
Ether (Ether)
Moroni (Moro.)


God knows EVERY one of his children. I know he knows and loves you. I know that he loves me for as imperfect as I am. I know that he allows the sun to shine on the good and the bad and that rain comes to those who need it and those who don't. I know that Jesus Christ decended to this earth life to experience it and to allow me to return to our father. I know that Jesus lives and that he was born of Mary, appeared to Joseph Smith,Jr and visited the Nephites in the American continent. I know that he knows who I am and that he loves me and wants me back with the father when he deems it necessary. I know that life has its ups and downs and what we do with them will determine what we obtain in life after earth life. I humbly share my life with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Oh, Some of my lifes experiences have been omitted because if the Lord has forgiven me, you don't need to know and I don't need to remember it myself. Don't forget, that the repentance process is a wonderful thing and when the Lord says that he remembers the sin no more, he is serious and doesn't remember it anymore and neither should the person, hense, there are some things that I don't mention here because frankly, I don't remember and don't care to share them :o)

www.lds.org

Conversion Story

We had stake conference a couple of weeks ago and our stake president asked all the adults at the Saturday night session to write their conversion story because not only will our testimonies be strengthened but so will someone elses and someone may gain one. He said to share with family, friends and aquantances. He told us that if we shared our story we'd be blessed and I am in despirate need of blessings and want to feel the spirit in my life so I'm going to do it.

So, here I go. It is a simple testimony. I don't know how else to share it or say it.

I was born in to the covenant to wonderful parents who did their best in 1973. They taught basic gospel principals and taught me right from wrong, however, as a teen ager and in my early 20's I decided that I wanted to do things on my own. Let me back up a little bit. I went to wards where there were very little youth. I skipped the later part of primary and went to young womens because it was just me. I never went to a full week of girls camp because I had other places that I was going to be or doing so I couldn't go the whole time. Could I have made adjustments? You better believe it, but I didn't. Did I enjoy seminary? No, I actually hated it and made it miserable for myself by acting like a complete idiot (that form of sickness is called PRIDE). I grauated from HS and didn't know what to do with my life, so I went to Hawaii (December 1991) and because again of pride, I didn't go to church and I hated it there so once again I made it miserable for myself. I tried to go to activities with the "Y" but at the time, I just didn't fit in so I wasn't invited to a lot of places or activities. Dang, I keep making things worse for myself and nothing was really bad, I just made it that way. What was I thinking? I wasn't really. Nobody was bad to me there, I just didn't do what I was supposed to do so I made it bad on myself.

I returned back to WA and a friend, Genne begged me to go to Ricks (AKA, BYU-Idaho) so I did (January 1993). Again, because I was swaying from one life to another, I didn't like it because I was still trying to find myself. What does that mean anyways? Who knows. Everyone has their own definition. Anyways, I went there for the Winter term and first sport Spring term and went home because frankly, I didn't like it nor did they like me. My grades were terrible and I couldn't do what I wanted (don't worry, nothing bad) or feel or find what I needed. I did go to church there but felt out of place, I felt like a fish out of water as Joseph Smith, Jr said he felt like if he wasn't being persecuted during the early days of the church. Anyways, as you can tell I didn't find myself ;o)

I went back to WA still, not being active (June 1993). I guess I was looking for peace but because I saw the negitive in everything I just couldn't go to church, I tried to be a visiting teacher but what good did that do when I wasn't doing what the messages where saying anyways? What good was my visit when I was so miserable? I did try to go to activities. I did try to have friends, I did try to do good but kept getting swept under the rug and then I'd stay there instead of pleading in humble prayer for help out.

I attended a community college a couple of times in WA but just hated it, I went to the singles ward there and again, I didn't fit in.

One day I asked my mom if she had heard of Weber State University and she thought that she had and I told her that I was going to apply. That was sometime in January (1994). She said that she might have thought that it was in Utah, so we looked at each other and together, thought, nah, you (I) won't go there. Theres no way, you (I) don't even go to church and Utah mormons are well, just so, so, so different. Well I sent the letter asking for information and about a week later I received a huge packet in the mail (this was before internet so don't laugh).

I filled it out and sent it off. To my surprise, I was accepted for the Fall 1994 school year and some of my classes that I'd taken at the community college and at Ricks transfered, not all of course but a good chunk of them :o) I about died because I needed to be there. Little did I know that this was going to be the turning point of my life. Little did I know that the Lord had his hand in ALL of this. So, I guess I can honestly say that this was the beginning of my new life.

I struggled still with going to church and knew that it was the biggest thing with what was happening with my life yet still I CHOSE to not go and if I did it was to go through the motions. I knew that I was missing the peace and the fulfillment of the atonement in my life but didn't know it exactly (I seriously know it now).

I fought with when should I go down there, leave with the family in June and attend the family reunion or wait for until the Fall. It wasn't a hard choice for very long, it took oh, seriously, 8 minutes and 3 phone calls later and I was leaving for Ogden, UT in June. Again, little did I know that the Lord had his hand in this too.

I had a place to stay and was going to find a job after I got there. The job thing didn't turn out but I don't care, FA was in place and school was starting so I just went to school and institute. Ut oh? Did I say institute? Actually, yes. The home that I stayed in didn't allow anyone to stay there if they didn't take an institute class. So, I thought what the heck, why not. I need to make changes in my life anyways so I took a class, then the next day I registered for 3 more. So, I had a full class load across the street at school and 4 institute classes. I lived at the institute building and at campus.

This was my turnin point, in other words, my conversion. I learned here that God was real and that he loved me and that my family as good as I thought they were there were things that I needed to learn and do elsewhere and learn by others. I lived with Lou and Pamela Johnson and their daughter Samantha and their son Steven who had already served a mission and was a social butterfly and who was so awesome. When I first met him I thought, wow, if I could find a husband like him, I'll be a queen and happy all my days. I remember thanking my lucky stars for meeting him because he was just awesome. He was friendly, everyone enjoyed him, he had friends, he worked, he studied hard and he was funny. I remember telling Pam how wonderful it was to have an older brother! All of the Johnson kids were good looking. They had beautiful features and wonderful personalities.

I also learned the role of Jesus Christ. I learned of his role in my life and what I needed to do to have the holy ghost be my constant companion. Remember when I mentioned that I knew that I was missing something in my life and that I needed light in my soul? Well, this is what it was. The knowledge and growing testimony of Jesus Christ and that he loved me no matter what I had gone through in my life he would always be there as long as I lived worthy enough to have him by my side. I have ready my P. blessing many, many times since this new beginning and I have often thought, "duh, Karen, what were you thinking when you were a ki? Why didn't you let the spirit guide you when you needed it most?" Those are questions that only I can answer, or not. So far, not.

I not only attended institute classes but I graduated from institute 3 different times. I took 3-5 classes every term that I took classes across the street at WSU. I worked full time for Oshmans's SuperSports as well. In March 2006, I flew back to WA and, yippy, I took out my endowments in the Seattle Temple! Yep, I changed my life around. I was active at church, I had read the Book of Mormon at least twice already from cover to cover and I had callings in my singles ward and a role with the institute student counsel.

Then in January 1997 I had a terrible feeling one day while sitting in a class, which said, go check on FA. I thought, my gosh, it has been fine up to this point, what could surely be wrong. So, instead of ignoring the feelig, I went and checked, and something had gone wrong. There was some missing paperwork for the winter term. I thought well, instead of playing around with this, I'm going on a mission! Hah, did I just say that. Did I just mention mission. My sister had just left in November 1996 for a mission to Germany and my brother Kenji was getting ready to go in March 1997. What was I going to do and how was I going to pay for it? I had no idea, but, as normal, the Lord was creating a way and making the path as bright as he could. I dropped my classes at WSU and then took 6 institute classes including choir, student counsel and working full time. I went to work and told them what I was doing and that I needed to work as much as I could every day but Sunday and any time and it happened. To make my life story short, I got my papers, I had them turned in with a month of receiving them. I planned along with student counsel and the institute to have President Hinkley speak for a devotional, I sang at General Conference at the April Saturday afternoon session and met many people during that time while in Utah and being a part of the growing church there.

I need to through this in here too...my new awesome sweetheart was serving his mission in the Ogden, UT mission from 1993 to 1995 so ironically, he was there while I was there too. We walked the same streets and went to the same places. It is awesome.

Anyways, the Wednesday after general conference, I received my mission call to Arcadia, California Spanish Speaking. HA, can you believe it? I was to be in the MTC on 09-July 1997. I had 4 months to get everything I needed in line including clothes, shoes, everything. I had to find a place to store all of my stuff for 18 months. A friend of mine said that he had a place for it and that it would be safe there (which it was, some things were missing when I came back but thats ok, I obviously didn't need them).

Lost blog

I know that I blogged the other day and now I look at my site and dang it, its gone.

Oh well, I guess it forces me to do it again and this time make it more meaningful and enlightening (I hope).

If I can remember right, I think that I wrote that Nathan wasn't feeling well but getting better and that he didn't get a chance to go to church because he didn't sleep and that he can't breathe or see as his head is stuffy...no I'm not adding cotton to any part of his face...ears, eyes, nose and mouth. He's my heart now and I don't really know what I'd do without him.

Ironic that I'd say that because this past week, he had a very dear friend pass away and he was only 34 so we have thought a lot about what our lives mean and what we do for each other and what we can still improve on to benefit one another. At least, that is what I have thought a lot about this past week. He asked me last Friday, "what would you say at my funeral? What words would you use to describe me?" I can't remember exactly the word but now that I think of it, I have to say that it probably wasn't the best of choices of words. His vocabulary is so high that I have to now say that I wish I would have used eclectic, which means selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles and/or composed of elements drawn from various sources. His source is his Savior, his redeemer and his Father in Heaven. I love that. I love that this is his true strength. I love the fact that when he speaks of any one of the 12 and their lives and their talks, he can quote them and give the reference to when they spoke and how it helped him and remember it.

I love his facial expressions when he is mad, when he is frustrated, when he wants to bust up laughing and when he does laugh. I love the fact that he makes fun of my lost puppies name, Sweet Pea. Yes, her name was Sweet Pea and when he says it, he just cracks up (Her picture is at the top of the blog).

I love how he reminds me to PLEASE clean off the kitchen counters after I make a mess because frankly it does get pretty disgusting and dirty and if I don't do it, we can get sick, and well, Nathan has the flu...but that doesn't mean that I didn't clean off the counters. I am getting better at it.

I have to admit that I am a better mens shirt ironer!!! I was terrible at the beginning, I'll admit it and am getting better at it.

My Nathan brings a different spirit to our home than I could have ever brought by myself. I have noticed that from the very beginning. Even if either one of us thinks that we are having a bad day...it is still an awesome place to come home to!

I'm still working and producing at work. I've been in the top 5 for the past 3 years and think that I'll be there for a little while longer...at least another year. I've been #1 for the past 8 months and that is kind of getting a little old. I'm doing some new hire training and that is fun. I enjoy that probably the most.

I am substituting a friends English as a Second Language class that is at a chapel up on 48th Ave & Orangewood. That has been a blast. We laugh and talk a lot and share experiences. We go through the book too but not that quickly because the whole idea is to me is to speak and talk and figure out vocally what the heck to say when they need to say it and converse with others. Thats' fun!

I'll take some pictures and post them on the next blog as I will be working with them through the end of this week. Tracy is on a trip and will be back this next weekend.

Well, I need to get some work done...dang it, I'm at work and doing this...slap my hand...NOT...I can be productive and be #1 and do this too...leave me alone!

My brother Steven is in Kuwait and will be there for some time, I guess. Please pray for him and his buddies that he'll be safe and that he knows that he's loved.

Another great week...

Hello world!
This has been an emotional and exciting week. Nathan found out that a wonderful friend passed away up in Alaska from a major heart attack and he was only 34 years old! Can you imagine being so young.
I learned from my bishop today that the Savior embraced him when he crossed through the vail so he is home and happy and still working hard. I didn't even get to meet him but one day when I cross over to the other side, I'll thank him for being a great friend to Nathan and his family.

I worked this week and it was voting week and also taught another week of English as a Second Language! Everything was a blast. I also was able to attend and be a part of a Holiday Bazaar. It was really fun and I'd do it again.

Let me just say this about voting. I don't know much about politics and I frankly rather leave it that way. I do know that I voted (early mail in ballot) and that I did my civic duty. Nathan went and worked the polls and swears that he'll never do it again...it just through his schedule around and he didn't like that. I'll also say that for those who voted, good for you and for those of you who didn't shut your pie hole and deal with it ;o)

I received the first place award from work for my division for being #1 for the past 8 months running. I have worked hard and I have to give all of that recognition to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to work, have the health and strength and courage to do it. There were times during this past year that I just wanted to throw in the towel and give up. I also need to give Nathan my definite better half kudos for putting up with me and allowing me to vent, stress out, work long hours and give in every once in a while. He has been supportive and has been very patient through this year. I'm getting ready to head up another busy year. Right now its slow at work because teachers are teaching and not thinking about their licenses but for some reason, I seem to be keeping busy which is a good thing, don't get me wrong!

I've been able to listen to general conference since about the week after conference ended back in October and I love it. It allows me to feel the spirit and to enjoy God sent words and necessary things for me so that I am happier throughout the days and weeks. I take it to the gym and also to work and where I am throughout the day. Its great...I don't have to engage in worthless worldly conversations! Technology is wonderful.

I also received an awesome email from my brother, Steven who is currently serving in the armed forces, in Kawait...I've posted a part of it below because this is what drives me to do well and to be a good "big sister".

Karen, I don't usually check my email, Nell does. I contact her and I get my info through her. I was just on tonight reading though and saw this email, I don't know what it is about what you type or how you say it, but I definitely need more of it. I'm grateful to have a sister thats been there and is so strong. There are things that only you will know, and know how to deal, I know I can count on my big sis to look after me n my family, as I'm gone. I know you love and support the military whether its right or wrong, I know you support me and my family in anything you can, and I love you for that. I guess... I just needed to put that out there, I don't say it enough, I miss you and I love you for being there for my family and I. Again, I love you and thank you for being there for me and my family- Steven

This really made my week. I think that I read it Saturday afternoon when I needed it the most.

Lets go Arizona Cardinals...they aren't doing to bad and the Suns, well they are doing extremely well too...they could do better...I'm actually talking about losing to Chicago...that was a sad game, other than that...they're great. I am a Seattle Seahawks fan too but dang it, when your team is in last place and not favored to do anything but be a punching bag for the other teams...well, I'll go for the team that is "sort of winning"....not anything like the Tennessee Titans are though. If they go to the superbowl, I'll cheer for them :o)

This next week will be busy too. I have never been so busy in my life until I got married...we are always on the go and always doing something.

Oh, just a little FYI...I made pumpkin cheesecake that was just oh, so yummy and also pumpkin muffins that were just oh so scrumptious! I was so proud of myself that I was able to do it and not kill anyone and have it be eaten all of it.

I am busy at work this week as I am doing new hire training on 3 different days and have my own work that I need to do...I'll be networking too and that makes me excited because I get to meet knew people and obtain referrals from them and give back to them as I am able.

Nathan isn't feeling well as he has a terrible sore throat and a head that feels like someone is beating it with a bat, so I'm keeping on the down low with him this week too...hopefully we don't have to go to the Dr office...he isn't insured yet until January ;oP.

He is enjoying school though, he enjoys his instructors and classmates, he has awesome stories that he tells from what his classmates go through as teaches every day. He is also enjoying his substitute teaching too. He learns something new every day and its awesome to listen to his stories.

I'm tired and just want to relax before I go to bed to get ready for a very busy week.

November

I love November! I love the feeling of Autumn, I love the change in the color of the leaves, trees and shrubs. I love that the sun goes down sooner & that it is a little darker earlier and that the wind is cooler. Well, dang it...I am living in the wrong state. Arizona had Halloween on Friday and it was a whopping 92 degrees. Only 50 kids came by which was disgusting because the year before, there had to have been at least 300 and the year before that, at least 200. I think that it is the economy for 1 and for 2, the freaking' weather. Who wants melted chocolate? Not me...I bought pretzels anyways so my chocolate wasn't melting.We had stake conference this weekend, however we didn't attend ours because it was televised statewide and so we packed up the dog and some clothes and spent the night out at Thomas & Laurels' home to attend conference with them, Ben, Darwin and Collette. It was a blast. We played games afterwards, the majority of them took naps. I read a few books and played with Ka'le. The house is big enough that he could get lost which was a blast because I could hide and he would run around trying to find me...that was fun. Conference was on unity, change and hope. Elder Packard spoke and he wowed me with the spirit and his awesome stories of being a fighter pilot.We were also admonished to write a book about our conversion and what it has done for our lives and what it will do, hopefully for the future. So, for everyone...that is what you're going to get for Christmas, according to mom, we aren't drawing names because nobody has the $$ to do it, which is fine, but everyone knows how to type something and mail it out.I took a couple of pictures and will post them later. My battery died so I couldn't take more! That was sad :o(We have a very busy November! Nathan is working the polls for voting on Tuesday and I am going to work my butt off this week at work so that I can rack up some OT to pay for Christmas (which I am going to try to keep a secret for Nathan...he needs a pair of shoes so I need to make a few extra dollars).I am very tired...I need to get to bed. I have been going to bed pretty late lately and its killing me productively at work! I love the mornings and Nathan is a night person so as mentioned, the nights are killing me...this isn't working out well...but it will.Have a great November.
Oh, b4 I forget please make sure that you vote this week and do it after sincere prayer and heartfelt thought. I don't care about who you vote for, you'll just want to make sure that you make a choice between King Noah or King Benjamin from the Book of Mormon.