Spotlight of the Week: Becky

This weeks' spotlight is my sister-in-law, Becky. She's seriously super-woman. She has four kids of her own and does in-home day care for a zillion kids (maybe not quite that many, but there's a lot)! I don't think I've ever met anyone a sweet as Becky. Even if we're playing games, she wants everyone to win. She's so patient and always has nice things to say about everything and everyone. She's a great mom, an amazing sister-in-law, and an awesome friend.

Part of the family at Ben's baptism last July

What nicknames do you have?
1. Becky
2. Beckster
3. Beckaroo

What are your three favorite things to do?
1. Play with kids
2. Date my husband
3. Work out

What are you scared of?
1. Having no food for 'my kids'
2. My husband or kids getting seriously hurt/taken
3. My kids growing up not learning the basics when I could have taught them that and more

How would other people describe you?
1. Brave
2. Hard working
3. Sensitive

What are your favorite TV shows?
1. House
2. Chuck
3. Smallville

What are your life goals?
1. To be a good mom
2. To be a good wife
3. To be a nice person and to care a little more

If you could travel across the country in a car with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
Layne—hopefully alive

Guess where we'll be...

...for Matt's third and fourth year?

DES MOINES!
We applied for an exception from the rotation sites lottery and were approved. We're so excited! It's time to celebrate and paint our apartment! ;)

Friends

At Max Dummar's wedding reception in Heber on Saturday night.Some High School Friends: Josh Sulser, Jon McNaughtan, Keli Thurman, Matt and Kim Bradshaw, me and Matt, and Ian and BriAnna Davis. Brittany Berg and Linzee Bonner left before we got this picture.

Kim and Karlee with their favorite friend! ;) I love these guys!

Me, Kim, and Karlee with our Matts.

Zombies are real...

...and other funny truths. Which is your favorite?

I teach the six and seven year olds in Primary. Last week our lesson was on the Second Coming, and we talked about how exciting it'll be when Jesus comes again. On the way home from church, one of the boys I teach said this to his family:

"I have no idea what Latter-day Saint means, but I did learn today that zombies are real. I cannot believe that people are going to be climbing out of their graves. Sheesh!"

I get the giggles just thinking about him saying this. Too funny!
I had this conversation with another smart boy that same week:

I was talking about all the cool things that will happen during the Second Coming, like animals being friends with each other, that all our physical problems will be fixed, and we won't have to lock our doors because everyone will be good. (I got these exact examples out of the manual, by the way.)

Him: "How do you know this stuff?"
Me: "We learn it in the scriptures."
(I could see the wheels turning in his head as he wondered if I was making this all up.)
Him: "Where's that big book you used to teach out of? We should have lessons out of that."

Me: "The big black binder? I print off the lessons from the Internet and just bring a couple pages now."

Him: (Still doubting) "Mmm."

Emma, Megan, Creed, Caleb, Me, and Logan

(Not pictured: Braedan and Gloria Mae)

I'm going through withdrawals because I won't be their teacher anymore. :(

On another note...
The other day Matt got this in the mail. The return address was a PO Box number in Houston.

• Before opening it, he thought it was a Christmas card from Mark and Kyra.
• Then he thought that maybe the Ellis' had sent it since they're from Texas.
• When he saw the phone number was an Iowa number he thought some of our friends must be playing a joke.
• (This one's my favorite.) He wondered if the auctioneer at Elijah's fundraiser (where I so innocently volunteered to host a Pure Romance Party) had gotten our address and was tricking him into buying something.

Even though it had no post mark, was written in my handwriting, and had my work number on it, it took him about five minutes to realize that it was from... yours truly, MUAH.

And one last funny truth...
A few weeks ago Matt and I were eating dinner:

Me: "Matt, I'm sorry I'm not a good cook..."
Matt: "It's okay, I wouldn't want you to be a good cook..." (Then he realized what he was saying and tried to cover up his blunder.) "I mean, you're a great cook! I love this stuff!"

Meet High School Erin

May 2003: Junior year after the seniors' graduation
October 31, 2000: Erin and BriAnna Ostmann before going to a Halloween party at Keli Thurman's houseDecember 2000: My girlfriends and I got together with some of our guy friends. Somehow we convinced the guys to let us do their makeup and dress them up in our clothes. Then they did the same for us. (Left to right) Carlia Whiting, BriAnna Ostmann, Erin Zane, Terra Luke, Keli Thurman, and Heather MossSeptember 2000: Erin clogging in Midway at Swiss DaysFall 2001: Erin racing in a cross-country meetAugust 2003: Erin's senior pictureMay 2004: Erin in San Fransicso with Jessianna Rose and Rachel LeddyDecember 2002?: Erin and Kim Belcher torturing Kacey Mahoney (Deep down we know he liked it.)May 2004: Erin and friends after graduation practiceJanuary 2004: Heidi Winterton, Erin Zane, Nikki Mogenson, Heather Moss, Natalie Johnson, Kim Belcher, Lauren Hansen, and Melissa Holm in Cedar City at the State Basketball TournamentApril 2003: The girls at Junior PromMay 2004: Erin at graduationDecember 2004: After we'd been to college for a semester. Don't we look so much more mature? ;)

• Name: Erin Marie Zane
• Age: 15-18
• Favorite Subject: Student council and seminary
• Favorite Food: Fruit snacks
• Favorite Restaurant and Hangout: Hogi-Hogi and Dairy Keen
  
• Best Friends: Kim Belcher, Heidi Winterton, Melissa Holm, Merryn Kennard, Heather Moss, Carlia Whiting, Keli Thurman, Brittany Berg, Jessianna Rose, Rachel Leddy, Peter Rose, Max Dummar, Tyler Willis, Josh Sulser, Kacey Mahoney, Spencer Jacobson, Sam Gardner, Kyle Hendrickson, and I know I'm forgetting someone…
• Hobbies: Cross-country, clogging, hanging out with friends
  
• Favorite TV Show: ?
• Boyfriend: Kind of Ken Lowe for a while during sophomore year
• Prom Dates: Jason Coombs (Soph.), Peter Rose (Jr.)
• Homecoming Dates: Cody Sweat (Jr.), Reece Hopkins (Sr.)
• Biggest Problem: All the boys I had crushes on considered me "like a sister".
• Favorite Clothing Store: American Eagle
• Favorite Music: Rascal Flatts
• Biggest Worry: Not being good enough
• High School Crush: There were too many to name them all.
• Favorite Activity: Doorbell ditching, power boxing, going to Melissa's cabin or to Kim's property in Timberlakes, hiking Timp, playing lazer tag and seeing movies in Provo, going to the nutty-putty caves, water or snowball fights, having "Silly Time" with Kyle, outdoor sleepovers in December, playing games with friends, walks with Peter or Tyler, giving out Greatest Guy of the Week Awards with the "Committee", and presiding in the AGA (Anti-Guy Association--We really did like boys, I promise!). Oh yeah, and playing pranks on guys...like putting worms in their beds. (And we wondered why they didn't like us.)
• I Was Voted: Most Friendly; Woman of the Year
• I Was Involved In: Student council, cross-country, track, journalism, TV broadcasting, Improv Troupe, choir, RYLA
• I Thought I Would: Get a master's degree, attend all the BYUs, teach English in China, serve a mission, and finally marry at 27 years old.
• High School Was: Awesome! I loved it.

Your turn. I'd like to meet your high school self.

P.S. "Umm, excuse me." (That one's for you, Kimo.)

Murder Mystery Dinner #2

There can never be too many opportunities to dress crazy, right? Eric and Kristelle had us over for a Murder Mystery Dinner a few weeks ago. It was a blast getting to hang out with them, Kristelle's sister and brother-in-law, and Margaret and Tyler.

Grading Thanksgiving

Our run down of Thanksgiving week

Last Tuesday...
- Matt took his last test! D-…just kidding…A+
- We took a long lunch together. A

Wednesday...
- Was our three year anniversary. A+
- We saw Twilight. B
- Erin's sister, brother-in-law, and their son came up for Thanksgiving. A+

Thursday…
- Happy Thanksgiving! B
(Thanksgiving food's never been Erin's favorite.)
- Master Chef Matt took care of the turkey. A+

Friday…
- On Black Friday with $32, random gift cards, and coupons we got:

• Bathroom cabinet
• Smokin' hot jeans (Matt says)
• Dress shoes
• Dress shirt A+

- For our anniversary
Matt got Erin a R-I-N-G. A+++++++
(Seriously, I was teary at the store.)
- Erin biffed it running— a funny slow motion fall. C

Saturday…
- We got lettuce wraps at PF Changs to celebrate our anniversary. A+

Sunday…
- Erin's nephew, Porter was born. A+

Overall Grade: A+