Cruise

well I am just about to head out to drive to Salt Lake City to catch my flight to San Antonio. I am so excited to be going on a cruise as long as Ike is nice to us and ler us get on the ship in Galveston. I will not be a happy person if we cannot go:( No one will want to be around me that day. So I know I have been praying a ton for fair weather and I hope everyone else will pray for fair weather also. Thank you.

Wonderful!

I went back to the gym and feel great!!!

Help!

I've gotten out of the habit of going to the gym and I'm having a terrible time trying to get back!! I haven't been for a little more than a week...this is not good, and I know it!! any words of encouragement out there?

Long Time

So I guess it has been a really long time since I took a minute to update this thing. I am getting really excited for my cruise, I leave in 19 days. Work is going to be really crazy starting on Monday, the kids go back to work and so my schedule is going to be really messed up for a while. This even my parents are coming to visit me. My Dad is staying till Sunday morning and my mom is staying well... till she gets tired of me, so I guess that means that she will be moving i because we all know that she will never get tired of me:) Well that is all for now.

Olympic Fever!

Yes... it's sad but true...I have Olympic fever. I've been going without sleep to watch the U.S play in just about every sport. I'm soooo glad I have only one channel that shows it and I watch it only during the "Prime Time".

The Olympics are amazing.. the people who participate amaze me with the determination they all have to reach their dreams!!

Thanks

Thanks tons for the motivational quotes!!!

I LOVE IT

Where did you find the "I'm a Child of God"?

New layout

So I made a mistake and went to the cutest blog on the block website and found the cute layouts that the rest of my family has and well, I think I am addicted. I think that I will be changing my background more often now:) Hope you all like it.

little ranting

So I know that my posting is rather Few and Far between, BUt really I feel like there is nothing going on that is exciting in my life right now. I had a great 4th of July I went water skiing with Tyler and we went and watched the big fire works Show that Melaleuca does ever year here, I recommend it to all of you! I have been working and am glad that it is summer time because all of the kids are out of school so I get off of work earlier in the day. I am getting really excited for my cruise coming up in 50 something days. My mom told me yesterday to go ahead and get a few thing that I would like because in September the summer racks will be pretty picked over so that is exciting news for a girl that loves to shop. I am also eagerly waiting for the fourth and final book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer due out in August. I love these books and recommend them to all of you who have not read them yet. Yes they are a little girly but I got Tyler to read them and I actually think that he likes them more than he is letting on because he is anticipating me getting finished with the book really soon so he can have it to read, but you tell me? That is all I have to rant about for now:) Later!

New Phone

I got a new phone and ohone munber yesterday. This is what my phone looks like.

Fine

Hi Hello, I am fine and enjoying life. I got my car back this week I missed it so much, it was like Christmas getting it back. I am headed home on the 20th to see family and to go play paint ball, hardcore? Well maybe, earlier this year I bought a new gun and have only had the chance to use it once and so I need to get out and play some more. This lack of playing is due to the fact that is hasn't felt like summer her in a while, it has felt more like mid fall. That in and of itself is so sad because how am I supposed to start working on my tan for my cruise if it is rainy and cold??

Are you home?

Hey...post something...maybe a "Hi" or a "hello" I'm fine and loving life....

Falling Rock

In my studies of the Native Americans and being part Native myself, I was tought that Falling Rock was a Legend of an Indian and not an actual rock that falls.


Sorry to hear about your car...

Dumb rock

While Jennifer's car had a run in with a tree Mine had a run in with a "falling rock". I have often seen these road signs that tell me to watch for fallen rock. Well I have always looked and never actually seen one fall till yesterday. Tyler and I were driving home from Jackson Hole Wyoming, which by the way we had a good time even though it rained. Anyway, I see the sign and look over and see a rock about the size of a football rolling to the street. There was no way to miss it (didn't even see it go onto the street itself) It got caught up under my car and bounced around and hit some stuff and came out. Tyler got out and looked but couldn't see any damage and we couldnt tell if anything was leaking because it was raining and everything was dripping with water. I drove the rest of the way home and a few hours later went out to my car and there was a puddle running to the drain of gasoline, the stupid rock punctured a small hole in the gas tank. It is one of the saddest sights in the world, seeing gas that is almost 4 dollars a gallon to up in the car drip out one drop at a time, it is like throwing money down that drain that I park next to. I took it in this morning and they have to replace the gas tank and they looked and saw exactly where the rock hit, the fuel line they think is fine but there is a dent or two that is just in the right spot that the tank no longer is sitting right. Right now I am car less while the dealership tries to get me a loaner, hopefully I get one by tomorrow so I can actually go to work. I have bawled my eyes out all morning. The guy at the shop reminds me of Loren and he helped me a lot. I was telling him and another guy that it is scary dealing with this while I have no family around. They were really good at helping me and with telling me how to deal with the insurance company. They also said it was not the smartest thing to be driving my car as far as I did like that. Life really does have a way of throwing curve balls at you.

UPDATE

Hey Ash
Just wondering if you had any plans to UPDATE this thing!!!

What Ashley means

What Ashley Means

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

You will do what is right

I know that you will know what to do when you talk to him. I am sure that he will understand where you are coming from because he has to see that as far as you can see, things aren't progressing. YOu are a 'catch' and Dad says that you will find someone and be married in a year. He will bet on it even though he isn't a betting kind of guy. Do whatever you need to do and Heavenly Father will do the rest. We all love you very much. If you want me to come down there for a couple of days, I will. I will be going to Texas on the 8th, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't come there for a few days first. Let me know. You whole family loves you very much and we all pray for you daily.

It's Time....

Ashley
What you will do is very difficult (I'm sure). Heavenly Father is watching over you and the feelings that you've received must have come from him. Especially if you parayed about it.

Your family is here for you, remember that. Yes, there is more than one person for everyone out there... that doesn't mean you have to find your "second" one the day after you break up with Ty.

It's going to be hard... I've done it several times....ok, maybe I haven't.... :)

It's Time

Well I am sure that by now everybody that reads this is aware of the face that I have had some serious contemplating and praying to do to figure out what I am going to do. I had a dream a few nights ago that really affected me. I dream that I sat Ty down and I broke up with him. That was a hard dream to have. But I got to thinking, why would I have a dream where I said I felt like our relationship wasn't progressing unless there was somewhere inside me that actually felt that way. It was hard realization to have, I mean I have been with him for 4 years, that is not something that I wanted to think about. But I did and I prayed a lot and all these things kept coming into my head like it has been four years and we are no closer to getting married than we were a year ago. Maybe we aren't supposed to that is why we haven't. It is a scary thought to have because I have been with him for so long and it is comfortable. MAybe that is why I have stayed so long, because it is comfortable. I mean 4 years is a very long time. It is definitely not a matter of love, I love him and I know that he loves me, that is the hardest part of all of it, but I do believe that there isn't just one person in this world that we are able to love. I guess it is just time. I am definitely hesitant and fearful of what the future will bring to me and I am so sad that this will hurt him a lot, me too. I have never broken up with anyone before and I am not sure how to do it, but I know that I need. So I imagine for the next little while I am going to be a wreck. My friends and my mom have all said that "i am a catch and I will find someone soon" that is slightly comforting, but I don't really think that I will be in any sort of shape to really date someone for a while. Well now I feel like I am just ranting on so I will stop. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers:)

Go for it!!

Take Windy's advice and talk with Pop's... He know alot about this stuff and hey if you plan right you can earn enough to get a down payment and perhaps enough to bail you out of your contract.

Find out about contingent offers

Ash,
There are ways to tie up the house until you can get into it. Talk to dad how to offer a contingent offer... There are other programs for first time home-owners.. do some research!! OH, Yeah... I won a bike today!! a cool cruising around kind you know with the big seat, fenders, retro looking... I am so excited!!!!!! I am going to get a basket or two for it and use it when I need to run to the store to pick up items...

Houses

So recently I decided that I want to buy a house here in Idaho falls. I can't move in until November because that is when my contract here in my apartment is up. I have found one that I am hoping will stay on the market till then it is 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It has pergo flooring, new tile and new paint. The best part is that it is a stones throw from the temple. You can stand in the yard and see people coming out of the temple. Here is a picture of the outside.

Kasin!!!

Well, here is a picture of our newest nephew!!!

Kasin Michael Mergenthaler

That game sounds like a ton of fun, and these days it's nice to have digital!!
Hey, don't worry about turning down that job you do need to think about things like that (ie. Bills).
Sounds like Windy is going to have you really busy, that should be good. I know Morgan, and the dog, keep me busy around here!!! Right now I can her in the fridge. Yes, she's very independent. She just got a frozen burrito out of the freezer and wants it as a "snack" aaarrggghh!!!
The joys of parenthood!! :)
Love ya

I was sort of sad the other day when I turned down that job that I interviewed for. But I felt like I shouldn't take it because what happens at the end of the contract if they do not renew it and I haven't found another job. I have bills and such that I have to pay that I can't afford to be out of work for any extended period of time. Windy sent me a bunch of plaid flannel to start a twin size quilt for Andrew to display his scouting badges.
Tonight for Family Home Evening my branch has a photo scavenger hunt where we had a big list of things to find and we had to take pictures of them. It was a rally fun time. Me ground has a blast!!! I recommend this is anyone looking for a group activity. There was a point value to each thing you found. Out group did amazing, but like any activity you have those few people who are so competitive that they argue to win, so my group lost by just a few points but it was still a blast. You should try it some time.

Job in Helena

Ash,
I got this as an e-mail from the Seminary teacher I work with. He and a ton of other people from the Stake work here.... Just an FYI


"I was looking at your blog today and noticed that your sister had posted about applying for an HR assistant position with Qwest. If she is looking for an HR Assistant position she may want to talk with Brandon Stienagel. Enterprise is hiring for that exact position here locally in Helena."



Though you may want to know…

Bryce

Need more info... :)

Thanks for the info...
So, where are you staying? where are you stopping to eat and where will you fill up for gas??

Safety

Hey,
Be sure to let someone know your exact route to Oregon and don't diviate from it!
I know, you're a big girl but hey, just lookin' out for my lil sis.

Good Luck!

So the company is based out of Denver? Is that how I read it? You'd still be in Idaho right? Hope it goes well for you!

Are you getting excited to go to Oregon?

Job interview

So on wednesday I have a job interview with Qwest as a human resource assistant. Really what I am going to be doing is greeting applicants and administering a computer test to them and that sort of stuff. It is a contract for 6 months with a possible extension at the end of it. I will actually be a "consultant" for them. The company that found me is in Denver. Another "perk" is that I will also get a dollar fifty raise!! That is always exciting. In 90 days I can apply for benefits (the same as any job). I am really excited about it and will keep you posted.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Well it is St Patty's day, I hope you are wearing green. There isn't really anything going on in my life right now that is worth writing about. I am just working and playing:) Yesterday, just like every sunday I went down to blackfoot to be with Tylers family. We played some Rock Band, that is an awesome game, I am getting fairly good at the drums. I also had a lot of paperwork to do last night. I don't know why every week I procrastinate to the last minute finishing it before the dead line. It wont happen this week, I am going to do them every day so I can stay on top of it:) Then come the weekend I wont have to worry about it. There I wrote down my goal so it is actually a goal so I need to do it, right:) That is all that is going on right now, I did give you fair warning though that it is boring right now:)

Hey Chica!

Ash, I'm having withdrawls you haven't updated for like over a week!!! Get on it and put something up!! oh, my lovely hubby says "Burp" I really don't understand that humor, but ah well....

2 pictures

This is Mindee and Aunt Pearl.

This is a picture of Pam, Brett, Mary, Josh, Tammy and others at the breakfast table.

Cousins

Hey Babe! I love that new picture!! It's great. Sounds like you have a fun trip planned. You'll be missing the baby shower for Kayson. Hillary wants the shower on her birthday again this year so it'll be the 6th of April.

Hey, if you took your camera to Washington and have pics of the cousins post them so we can see. I haven't seen Sams kids...well... I haven't even met some of Sams kids. Bad Cousin, I know!!

It's official

I am going to take a trip to go see my cousins in Portland I am going to drive there on Thursday the third of April and leave on the 7th. While I am there we are going to the beach (which I know will be freezing), go to Multnomah Falls, we are going to this concert, it is like a circus that is all done with people. Josh says it is really cool to see, and we are going to go up to Seattle since I haven't been there yet either. I have it all worked out that I will only have to take 3 or 4 hours of vacation time. After I go then the only three places left on my list of must go to in the US is Hawaii, Washing DC and New York. I am really excited to go.

WA.

Yeah, I heard I missed out. I wish I had been able to go.

Hey, the Red Cross is hiring 40+ hours here in Helena. :)

Memorial

Well My sisters that didn't go to Washington (that is you Jennifer:)) for Grandmas memorial really missed out. It was so good to get to know what Grandma used to be like. And it was so fun redeveloping relationships with our extended family. I had such a blast. So much so that I am taking a trip to Portland in April so see my cousins (Sams kids). I always wanted to go to Portland and now I have a reason to go. On and when I got back I found out that I got a raise!!! That is really exciting.

Winnie

yeah, she is a cutie!! We went to Petco yesterday and some woman had her Standard Poodle, also black, with her and it was funny to see the size difference. Too bad no one was there with a toy poodle (smaller than my dog).
She went to the store with Mark and Morgan, she loves car rides, when she gets back I'm going to try and get some pictures of her.

She's going in on Tuesday to get groomed. I'm not about to tackle that myself. All I know is that when she comes back she better not have any of those pompom things on her!!! Her harness,leash and collar we got her are all pink. I think I'm going to have her nails done pink too. Ok, maybe that's too much...

Hey Chica!

Hey, I finally posted something!!!

Grandma

A few days ago when mom called me and told me that my grandma wasn't doing so well, I wasn't bothered, I told her to just let me know when she died. Well last night it happened. I am glad that she is no longer suffering. At first I was totally fine with it because after all I didn't know her very well other than the fact that she was an unhappy woman, but about 15 minutes after I got off the phone with my mom I was thinking about grandma and how I didn't know her and I started crying because of that fact. I don't know my grandma and I regret not taking more time to get to know her regardless of how unhappy or unkind she was, she was my grandma. I feel now that I have to take the time and go to the memorial service that they are going to have for her.

Nope

Well I still haven't heard from the state about the job, but right now, I am not really worrying about it too much. I only applied to see what happened, so I am not to concerned either way, but it has been a while since I turned in my application, so we will see.

JOB SEARCH

Hey Babe,
Have you heard anything from the State Job? Normally if your application isn't going to make it through they send you a letter, or post card telling you. For one of the job's I applied for that's what happened. If you haven't heard anything, I'd give them a call and ask if they have hired for that position yet. sometimes it takes them a hecka long time.

Happy late Valentines day!!
Love ya, Jen

Valentine's Day

No I am not dumb, I know that it isn't actually until tomorrow, but Tyler and I celebrated it tonight because he has to work tomorrow. He has been really sick the past few days and has been running a fever, but he still came up tonight to take me out:) He got me some perfume called very sexy from Victoria's Secret, it is only the best smelling stuff on the planet. I got him another xbox controller. Anyway we went to wingers for dinner, the went and saw the movie Fool's Gold, it was a cute movie. He is the best boyfriend in the whole world, I am so lucky. Anyway, I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!!!

I made it home!!

They finally opened up I-15 over Monida pass so I was able to make it through!! I wasnt sure about it because friday night I went up to Island Park for a branch sleepover and there was sooo much snow, it was up to the roof of the cabin. We had a blast. We got a steak dinner Friday night because we set and reached the goal of indexing enough names to make a stake. Indexing is done through the church website. Saturday we watched the funeral of President Hinckly then we went snowmobiling, it was a blast. Yesterday I went to Tylers house we had a superbowl party to go to, by the way the NEw York Giants won, then we went to Briggs first birthday party, he is so cute. Today on my way here to Montana I heard that President Thomas S Monson is the new prophet and elder Eyring and Ucdorf are his counselors, I am excited about that. We had a birthday party for Morgan, there were a ton of kids there, it seemed like Morgan had lots of fun. It is weird to think that she is already 4, she and my nephews are really growing up!

Busy Busy

well I will start with the exciting news, today is payday!! I got paid about 400 more than I was expecting which is wonderful because now I can finally start my savings account!!! Yay for that. I am still planning on going to Montana on monday however there is a chance that I wont make it. Last night they close Interstate 15 from about 40 miles before the border to the border. Yes there is snow and stuff on the road but the reason they closed it is because of the wind. It has been windy which is blowing the show making it hard to see however on monday it is not supposed to be nearly as windy so as long as it is open I am planning on going. Maybe I shouldnt have posted that because Mom is going to be worrying major about it now:) I also went to a data entry job interview thing. They told me that it starts out at 8 an hour and I told them that is about half of what I make now. I asked about part time she is going to look into it for me. I could bring home about 500 more a month, that would really help with me building my savings account. Tonight my branch is having a sleep over at the branch presidents cabin. We are having a great meal tonight and tomorrow after we watch President Hinckleys funeral we are going to do things like snowmobile. I am excited for that. Sunday, along with the super bowl is Tylers Nephews first birthday so we are having a dinner for that. We were going to go to the temple dedication, but because of President Hinckleys passing they postponed that for one week. Last night I finally sat down and finished Dads christmas present, a harley rag quilt. I am pretty pleased how it turned out. I hope he likes it and uses it. When I go home (if I can make it) I will wash it to finish it, my moms washer is a little bigger than mine. Well that is my life in a nut shell right now!

Hi Ash!!

Haven't heard from you in a while. Just wondering whats up. Now that you've finished those books have you gotten back into the swing of things???

President Hinckley

So Sunday night was was just in my room reading and I got a call from my mom telling me that the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley had died. St first I was stunned, I didn't believe it. I was in fourth grade when he was ordained as the Prophet and he has been pretty much the only prophet that I knew in my growing up years. Then I felt peace, how happy he must be to be reunited with his beloved wife. I am going to miss him. I recently heard a quote by him that I would like to put into vinyl lettering, he said "A nation can only rise as strong as it's families." I love that. If you want to see a great tribute to him by a television personnel go to the website youtube.com and search for Gordon b Hinckley Glen Beck, I found it very appropriate.

Windy

I got the CD and vinyl you sent.  Thanks they look great on my canisters:)

I am not sure who she is but she's an actress

Twilight

I just finished Twilight. I have the last one but Target was out of the second one so I will have to go and "hunt" it down. (Get it?) haha. Anyway, is she now a vampire? Don't tell me. I can't wait to read them all so that I can get on with my life also.

Just looked at the website

I assume that WIndy is talking about the stephenie meyer website.  I love it.  I cant wait for both the last book and the movie.  Oh by the way a friend of mine was driving a volvo the exact car that Staphenie Meyer picked out for Edward, anyway that is totally my dream car and has been for a while.  So as soon as I have an extra $40 thousand I will have one:)

Twlight Website

Have you gone out to the website to read all about the movie, author, next book..etc?

Finally done

Well now that I have read all three of the Twilight books in one week, I think that I can get back to my life, you know keep my room clean, do my laundry things that I put off when I get engrossed in a really good book.  So for those of you who have not finished it WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!! finish it so I dont spoil anything:)

More books??

I would read for pleasure, but alas, I'm the busy one of the family. NOT!! Perhaps I should induldge. Maybe I'll check one out at the library or something.

I told you so!!

My friend read all of them in 3 days!! I am on book two! LOVE IT!!! I didn't expect it to go in this direction!! Jen-Get them and read them!! in fact maybe mom would buy them and you could read hers... They are awesome!!

Twilight???

I can't believe you got ringed into reading those books!!! :) J/K, I too hear they are good. I have a seminary student who brings them to class and reads instead of playing the Scripture Mastery games. Oh, wait, maybe I'm a boring teacher!! :)

Twilight

So Windy has been telling me to read the book called Twilight.  I wasnt sure about it because I had seen it but hadnt heard any other people recommending it.  My Friend was talking about it the other day and told me that I have to read it. She had the 2 sequels to it and told me to just buy the book so I did yesterday.  I cannot put it down I was up till 3 this morning reading it.  I hate when I find a good book because I am worthless until I have it read.  THANKS WINDY I LOVE IT!!!

Nothing much

Well, It's been a few days and I havent updated my blog, actually none of my family has and it's driving me crazy.  I went through the Rexburg Temple Open House again last night, I loved it, it is so beautiful!  

Sorry Windy

I tried a few time to put my slideshow from photobucket on but it wouldn't work for some reason. Oh well.  Not much has been up here in my neck of the woods, just job hunting.  I mailed off my application today for the state job in montana so we will see how that goes.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Is your life so busy??

Are you to busy to put something new on this thing??? -love you!

Going Home

I put in a request for time off from February 4-8 so I can go home for a while and to be there for Morgan's birthday. As long as it is approved I will be going home on the 4th.

I'm A Dork!

That was meant to be put on my blog... who knows what I did!

Girls Cruise

wmode="transparent" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" >

Parenthood

Funny Pics at pYzam.com

New Tennet

His name is Rod Johnson. I don't know if you Kim Johnson in the 2nd ward but it's her soon to be EX.

How are you doing?

You've been tagged

read my blog to see what you have to do!

Hey

Yeah, it's hard to make such as decision as the one you have to make. What I often do is make my decision and then go to the Lord with it to see if it's the right one. You'll make the right choice. We love you!

AHHH

So I have found some jobs in and around Helena (thanks to the help of Jennifer and her friends).  I am planning on applying for them but I am hesitant abut leaving Idaho.  My main hesitation comes from not having received an answer to my prayers yet.  I figure I will go ahead and apply and if it turns out that I get an interview then I will start to figure out the logistics and hopefully will have received my answer by then.  Oh it is so stressful.  I never realized how many job openings there re out of this state that accept just a bachelors in Psychology.  All i can do around here with it is PSR.

Home

I am trying to decide if I am going to take a whole week or part of a week off to go home. It will hopefully be the week after Jennifer moves into her new place.  Who knows though. I still need to turn in my request for time off.

Pictures

That picture you put is by far my favorite!! I can't wait to get the others!! When are you coming home again?

The start of out cruise!!!

I tried to add more but it was too slow sorry and I tried to email them but it was again too slow.  I will put them on disc and bring them home when I come.