Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Will You Go to Church with Me?

It all started 2 Sundays ago when Justin told me I looked like a sister missionary on our way out the door to church.

I was wearing a navy top, white skirt, and these shoes. I don't know what exactly it was about it that made me look missionary-ish but I felt it and knew he was right. But it was too late to change!

He had fun calling me Sister Hollobaugh the drive there and as we were walking in the church-house. He was sure one of the sister missionaries was going to ask me where I got my outfit.

In Relief Society, Sister Alvey (one of the sister missionaries) asked me where I got my shoes.
Target.
Recently?
At least a year ago.

Oh man I could not stop laughing.

Then we had the Elders over for dinner. I was telling Elder Post from Utah how cool I thought it was that Gina, who gave our Relief Society lesson that day, told us she hands out pass-along cards everywhere she goes. She just got baptized 6 months ago and is so excited about the Gospel she wants to share it. She said she gets lots of funny looks but if it even makes 1 person out of every 10 smile it's worth it.

So then Elder Post from Utah challenged ME to hand out some pass along cards. I told him to start me out with a couple. He gave me nine. Nine is not a couple.

This is an example of a pass along card:
Front Back

Did you know the Church has e-pass along cards?

Saturday we had a cute Primary activity where all the kids were shown the video clip from The Rescuers... at the beginning when the little girl throws her message in the bottle out into the ocean. The bottle stayed afloat trough all different waters, whether they were calm or stormy. It was related to our testimonies and how they help us stay afloat during the calm and stormy waters of our lives. The kids were given their own little bottles with clever removeable bottoms (and also plastic). So cute.

Sunday Justin & I gave our "farewell" talks in Sacrament Meeting about personal testimonies. I got to use that analogy.

Sunday Elder Post asked me how the pass along cards are coming along. I hadn't given out one.

I have fears:
Rejection.
That someone might think I'm only their friend cause I want them to come to church with me (I wouldn't do that).
That someone might think I'd stop being their friend if they don't want to come to church with me (I wouldn't do that either).
And funny looks.

Sunday in Relief Society I asked Sister Alvey what size shoe she wears and if she'd like my size 7 1/2 shoes she admired the week before. Apparently she has boats for feet so she couldn't accept them. BUT her companion could! I'm supporting the ward missionary effort in my own way.

Monday we went to the beach for family night. We put a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World in a bottle, along with A PASS ALONG CARD (#1). We each wrote one statement about our testimony.
Justin: I know that my Redeemer lives.
Shauna: I know that my family will be together forever.
Owen: Heavenly Father hears my prayers (he was halfway asleep on the drive out there so I may have put those words in his mouth).
Drew: Follow the Prophet (he was singing the chorus of that song).

The bottle is a Yoohoo chocolate milk bottle we bought on the way since Owen didn't want to part with his cool one from the Primary activity. We rinsed it out and air dried it. I hope the smell doesn't scare off whoever opens it.

Justin threw it off the end of the Pier and we watched it drift toward the shore for a little bit. But not too long cause it was real windy and cold.

I'm going to laugh if:
A) It is found today (we wrote the date on the paper so whoever finds it knows how long it's been floating).
B) Someone we know finds it.
C) Whoever opens it is scared off by the Yoohoo smell.
D) When it's found nobody opens it because they think it's litter.

We did say a prayer that whoever finds it be interested in finding out more about our church, and if not that it makes them smile.

I can't wait to find out what happens with our bottle some day.

Monday, April 28, 2008

I'll Miss: NC Church Billboards

What does this mean?

Is having your picture on God's fridge
like being on Santa's nice list?

My all-time favorite church billboard:
Today's forecast: Jesus reigns!

Honorable mention:
Need a lifeguard? Ours walks on water.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

You Don't Ever Want to Fly with Me



This is what we flew... the V-22 Osprey
The propellors come down so it can also be flown as an airplane.
A helicopter and airplane in one. Pretty cool.

Taken with no flash so you can see the scenery I'm flying over.

Looking out the window, that's the scenery with flash.
Our co-pilot and flight instructor was Captain Peterson, the first (and only that we know of) Mormon Osprey pilot in the WORLD. He's the one that got us into the simulator. It was so cool and felt so real we had motion sickness afterwards.

We did the simulator and dinner Friday night to celebrate our birthdays.
Justin chose Chili's so he could get his favorite chocolate molten lava cake.
One of the guys at the table behind us is giving us some love.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

The Buzz

Yesterday was haircut day.

Did we jump the gun on the newborn buzz?

But there was next to nothing on top (just a few stringies) and a lot in the back (see figure A).
Figure A

And now it's all better. Hopefully we don't have to do it again when she rubs away a bald spot back there.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

My Cake and Eat it Too

It's birthday week at our house... mine is Friday.


My cake: Move to Monterey (check)
Eat it too: All my friends and family also move there (I haaaaaaate saying good-bye and our last few weeks here are going way too fast). And if someone could heat the Pacific Ocean I'd appreciate it (got spoiled with this warm Atlantic one).

My cake: A baby girl (check)
Eat it too: That sleeps through the night

My cake: That one up there
Eat it too: Obviously

Monday, April 21, 2008

Over the Hill

Justin is now in his THIRTIES!

Couldn't wait 10 more years for the black balloons.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Father & Sons

Our Stake Father & Sons campout was this weekend... apparently at a nudist colony?

I love that Justin loves camping with his boys.

I love that he knows I love pictures and takes lots.





They loved riding bikes (Owen), eating chipsies (again Owen), playing in the water, fishing (didn't catch any), and whatever else they did that they're not telling me!

I loved shopping with Sally.


Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Journal-y

Most nights during my nightly prayer I start out with, "Thank Thee for this day..." and list all the things I'm thankful for.

But every now and then I say, "Thank Thee that this day is over."

And I'm not trying to be funny, just truly thankful that the day is over.

I had a couple of those days last week. Last Monday was Justin's first FULL day back to work since Sally was born. I was spoiled... he got 10 free days of paternity leave. Then when those days were over he was working 2-5 hour days cause a bunch of guys were still getting back from their Iraq leave and nothing was going on.

I thought I had 3 kids under control until he was gone all day and I wasn't getting showers or sleep.

By Friday I was almost back in control...

Then Monday got crazy again when Justin left bright and early for 3 days in AZ for Mema's funeral. He's about to get home in a few hours and tonight I will be truly thankful for that. It was too soon for him to leave again after being home from Iraq even though it was only a couple days. We missed him! But I'm glad he got to be there for the funeral and to see his family. Some he hadn't seen in years. And he met Payten (niece) and Blaken (nephew) for the first time.

I'm also thankful for these things that have recently made life better:

1. NAPS - Make the hugest difference. Normally I can't sleep during the day but I've been able to since Justin's been away. If I get a nap the whole house is a lot more happy.

2. We finally got a double stroller and I LOVE it. No more Sally in Bjorn, Drew in stroller, Owen on training-wheel-less bike. Actually, I never had to do that cause the weather was gross. But that was the plan on a nice day.

3. A dang good smoothie which I drink every day. And I would appreciate any of your dang good smoothie recipes.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Blend together:
8 strawberries, hulled
1 frozen banana, halfed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 ice cubes

Monday, April 07, 2008

There's a Resemblance


My favorite was when Sis Newbold said it looked like Justin gave birth to her himself. They look a LOT alike.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

A Gold Medal


If I'm going to post a certificate I got for breastfeeding then I am definitely posting this one Justin earned for his service in Iraq. Just look at all those big fancy words! It says it was presented in January but he just got it yesterday.



Gooooooooooooo Juussssssssssstttttttttiin!

Friday, April 04, 2008

Acronyms & Unrelated Pictures

O(wen) - One

O(wen), D(rew) - Over Dose or Oh Dear

(Now that Owen's pink-eye is gone he loves to hold Sally, get her out of her carseat, carry her around the house, etc.)


(Trying to make her smile by tickling)

O(wen), D(rew), S(ally) - Okie Dokie Smokie, Operation Desert Storm, or Online Dating Service

Thursday, April 03, 2008

We Love Mema

Mema & Baby Owen

Mema & Drew at Bear Lake in Utah last summer.

Justin's grandma passed away early Sunday morning. We will miss her so much. It won't be the same next time we're in AZ and she's not there.

Not just anyone has a grandma that lip synchs to Britney Spears (at almost 80 at the time... using Erica's new karaoke machine she got for Christmas).

And I love how she would get pretend mad if anyone hugged and kissed newborn Owen (or any baby) for too long, saying they were stealing his sugar and they better save some for her!

We love our Mema!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Running Out of Material

I just wanted to see if Angelina would comment again like she did last year.
She'll probably show up on my blog again next April Fool's, too.
And I'm not even an Angelina fan.

Good night!

New Neighbors

Look who we saw at the beach today!

I guess if you want to go unnoticed... this is the place to be. Not a papparazzo in sight. Just me. They're used to it, right?