Monday, November 16, 2009

Tag, you're it!

Okay, my daughter, Melissa, knew I had a goal to update our blog this week and tagged me to complete the following "survey." I guess it's okay because the Sunday School lesson we taught last Sunday was all about family history and this blog has family history written all over it. Thanks, Melissa.......you little sneak! (Hope you are feeling better.)

What are your middle names? Brad William (like his dad's first name) and Deborah Jeanne (like my mom's middle name except her name is spelled Jean.)

How long have you been together? We have been married 30 years, 6 months, and 4 days..........but we were engaged for 6 1/2 months before that. I know, 6 1/2 months is a long time.

How long did you know each other before you started dating? Well, Brad moved into The Elms Apartments in April 1978 and our first date was on June 3. He claims he introduced himself to me 5 times before I remembered who he was...but I don't remember that. I would say we knew each other for about 5 weeks...........but we didn't start dating "exclusively" until school started in September. (I was having a fun summer!)

Whose siblings do you see the most? I would say mine....for one thing, I only have three brothers compared to his eight sisters. My brother lives with my mom so I see him alot and my other brother isn't far away, but I think we see most of his sisters 3 or 4 times a year, too.

Do you have any children together? Yes, we have 5 terrific kids who are all basically adults now.........they have attracted 4 amazing spouses and have produced 2 beautiful granddaughters.

What about pets? Not at the moment. (At least until Jen breaks us down - unless you count doggy-sitting Sarge.)

Did you go to the same school? Yes, we both went to BYU and bleed blue!

Where do you eat out most as a couple? Hard to say, but probably Brick Oven or The Olive Garden.

Where is the farthest you have ever traveled as a couple? We were able to go to Jerusalem in May 1998 which was an amazing experience--with stops in Spain and Italy other times. To the west, it would be Hawaii.

Who does the cooking? I would have to say, Me.....but when we are having breakfast food, Brad is the expert (especially bacon - I always burn it). But he always does the dishes! How lucky is that!

Who is more social? Once again, Me. After all, who has the blog and a facebook account?

Who is the neat freak? We both enjoy a clean house, but I'm a pile person and have a hard time throwing anything away which tends to make a mess.

Who is the most stubborn? I don't really like the word "stubborn" but I tend to be the one who gives in. I just don't like to make anybody mad. (Brad gave in to that answer.)

Who wakes up earlier? That's easy, Brad...he's up every morning at 5:30 am. My alarm clock does not have a "5" on it.

Where was your first date? We went to the Fox Theater (where McDonald's is now) and saw Capricorn One. Then we went to his apartment and played $20,000 Pyramid with his roommate and his date.

Do you get flowers very often? No, but I wouldn't want them very often. I think it's a waste of money for something that doesn't last very long. I would rather spend money on other things that we need or things that I want - you can never have too many scarves or purses.

Who sings better? Definitely, Brad. He has a beautiful tenor voice and I love to hear him sing. When I first sat by him at church I was laughing and he wondered why....I said it was because he had such a nice voice (which was true) but I don't think he believed me.


Who does the laundry? I do. Best thing we ever did though was start taking Brad's shirts to the laundry....it probably saved our marriage. (haha)

Who is better with the computer? That might be a tie....Brad is much more savy with technical things and worksheets, etc. but I spend alot more time emailing and doing little things on it that he might not know. Is that fair?

Who drives when you are together? Brad does. He's a very careful driver. In Spain I drove alot more though because he was always on the telephone. (It is against the law to talk on the telephone when you're driving. Isn't that a great idea?)

Who picks where you go to dinner? We usually agree on where to go. I just like to go out a lot more than he does because he usually eats at the Cougareat for lunch every day.

Who is the first one to admit when they are wrong? I think we are both very sensitive to each other and our choices. We are both always willing to learn.

Who wears the pants in this relationship? Brad is a wonderful husband, father, and priesthood leader and I totally support him.

Who eats more sweets? I'm sure I do. I tend to be a snacker and Brad is more disciplined. But we both like that little dish of sherbet and Brad loves the hot chocolate to fill in the cracks.

Who cries more? I can cry fairly easily over little things. Brad can control himself better, except when he's teaching the Gospel but we both cry when we watch our mission slide show.

What's your best day together? I think every day of the mission was the best. It was like a 3-year-long date. We realized how much we love our children and how good they are....how much we love the missionaries and how good they are... and why we fell in love in the first place. But it really is TODAY....the days just keep getting better.

Where did you honeymoon? After our reception, we left in look-alike clothes and drove to Marriott's Great America. They didn't have a room for us (the previous guest refused to leave) and sent us down the road to stay at the Ramada Inn in a studio room where the bed pulls down from out of the wall. Marriott felt so bad they gave us a free weekend...funny thing is that we didn't use it until a few years later when we brought 2 children along.

Favorite date night? In Madrid, we loved going to Frankie and Benny's, our favorite Spanish New York Italian restaurant. But now it's going to the Temple on Friday afternoon but we always love to go watch our kids in some sort of athletic event.

Favorite TV show to watch together? M.A.S.H. would definitely be at the top of the list. I bet Brad could recite almost every dialog of Seasons 2 and 3. Lately, we also enjoy CSI or Law and Order or a new show called Criminal Minds.

I tag: Aunt Nancy...........because we all want to know more about her wonderful life!


Well, I knew I needed to start this blog again somehow. Thanks for the push, Melissa!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Spring into Spain or Spain into Spring?

It was a wonderful four days with Elder and Sister Bednar and Elder Robert C. Oaks and his wife visiting the Spain Madrid Mission and staying in the mission home. They were delightful to have around. The entire mission benefitted from the talks that we heard and the spirit that we felt. I know the missionaries will consider the "revelatory experience" we had with Elder Bednar a highlight of their entire lives. Who knew you could spend 3 hours discussing D & C 44:1-2? The Spirit was an amazing teacher. As Elder Bednar said, "It's not ME!"
The month of April brought a few opportunities and changes. We had 16 amazing missionaries leave for their homes. We miss them incredibly. But, that same day we had 10 more missionaries full of faith and enthusiasm take their places. (In reality, no one can take their place, but these 10 are doing their best and making their own place!)

Then came a wonderful zone leaders' meeting with 12 of the most wonderful missionaries serving as our zone leaders - with 2 amazing assistants, Elder Jacobs and Elder Jackson.

(L to R: E. Nicoll, E. Haynie, E. McBride, E. Smith, E. Miller, E. Meline, E. Jacobs, Hna., Pte., E. Jackson, E. Finlay, E. Zollinger, E. Coley, E. Goodrich, E. Vause, E. Blood) We expect great things this transfer!!
We also had time for a little fun. The Templo Zone came to the mission home for a preparation day and we all hiked up to the Summit....It was a beautiful day!!! Then we had a BBQ with chili dogs and chips. We had so much fun.

But, it's all about the people. This is a wonderful little family baptized in April. David, Carina, Sebastian and Dean Gordillo are from Ecuador. We were able to go to a lesson with the missionaries and teach them. They are sooooooo happy. Needless to say, so are we - as well as Elder Scoville and Elder Sewell!

The family is doing amazingly......at least from what we can tell. Jen is busy going to school and working at BYU. She is living at home with David and Crissi who are expecting our No. 2 granddaughter in May. David finished BYU this month and is working at the UCCU. Becca and Ryan are in school at BYU and enjoying the spring/summer activities. Melissa and Ryan are enjoying the sun in Arizona where Ryan is pursuing a summer internship and Melissa is working about 7 part-time jobs. Ryan and Shanna are in LA working and enjoying our beautiful little Kenna. Look at her latest trick! It's almost more fun listening to her mom and dad!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgq0njPzUcY

So, Spring is trying to come to Spain. My next quest is a photo of all the red poppies. They are beauuuuuuutiful!! Stay tuned...............

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Preparation Day!

What PREPARATION DAY would be complete without a visit to the legendary windmills of Consuegra?!

We spent the day with the elders and hermanas of Barrio 2 getting to know all about castles and windmills and each other. (L - R: Hermana Cortez, Hermana Wall, Elder Jackson, Elder Jensen, Presidente, Hermana Farnsworth, Elder Rodriguez, Elder Boyce) We are so glad we are prepared and educated in Windmills 101; you never know when Don Quixote might need help in fighting those giants!

On the way back to Madrid we spent a few minutes listening to Elder Bednar's last two general conference talks on Prayer. We are preparing ourselves for Elder Bednar's visit to the Spain Madrid Mission next week. We are all so excited to listen and learn at the feet of an apostle. We feel so blessed to be able to have this opportunity.

We also prepared the mission home for the week with a little cleaning up and laundry. Rosi (the housekeeper) has been sick so we are on our own in some of those little domestic duties. I think a batch of cookies is part of the cooking responsibilities for this evening.

We have a stake conference this weekend so we took some time to prepare our minds and thoughts in case we are asked to speak. I have really learned the great necessity of always being prepared with a scripture or something to say - just in case.

I wasn't a boy scout but I was a girl scout...........and I hope I can always BE PREPARED.

"Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh." D & C 1:12.