Me and the famous Claire Marie.

Sisters and my other sis in law Misty(middle) with the youngest on my side of the family Payten. Sea World

This is my older brother and my sister in law Sarah and the three monsters. This is us getting ready for the Dolphin show at Sea World.

This is Bo my older brother's youngest and this is his ice cream face.

My nephew Parker in his "magic hat"...... that's what he called it anyway and his "magic mickey"

Me and my sisters! I miss em already

May 6, 2006

Although Devin and I are not that sentimental today is our Anniversary. I thought I would honor him by letting all who read our blog how much he means to me. Two years ago today we married in the Bountiful, Utah temple. I can still remember driving to bountiful with my parents so excited to see Devin and begin our journey together.My hair all done and my make up perfect(well perfect for me which is not saying much.) Devin has put up with alot from me. Even when his attentions first turned my way I had not intention of letting it go anywhere. He had to make this stubborn old maid miserable by leaving to go home for Christmas before I knew I loved him and that I needed him. Devin came into my life when it seemed so many things were wonderful and so many bad. The day after our first date I lost my grandfather which was very hard for me. My grandfather and I had a very special relationship and I was a mess. Not too long before that I was called to be the Relief Society President of our ward. Devin supported me and stood by and just let me mourn and let me cry tears of sorrow and of joy. Devin reminds me so much of my grandfather. So it makes sense to me that I could feel my grandfather's gentle pull towards this remarkable man I now call my husband. Devin is so willing to help anyone. He is such an example to me of what service is. He is willing to drop anything anytime to help someone. He is so good with children. Kids just love him. Even little Claire is upset that Aunt Crystal is coming to Disneyland without her Uncle Devin. I love him with all of my heart. He is the most amazing person I know and I am so blessed to have him. Devin I love you. Happy Anniversary.

New Calling

Well to our family and friends who don't already know I was sustained to a new calling today. Two weeks ago I was approached with the usual "the bishop would like to see you and your husband in his office after church". I knew it wasn't about Devin because he was just called as the the first counselor in the Young men's, but part of me, at first, was hoping that it was him. As I sat and thought I realized that no in fact the spirit had been preparing me for what was about to happen long before the fateful sentence was uttered. I was extended the call to be the Young women's President! That was two weeks ago. Since then I have been a wreck. Sometimes I am excited, then I am nervous, then I am scared, then I am back to happy and excited again. I was really nervous walking into sacrament, but soon felt calm as things began. I am truly excited now. The Lord has called an amazing Presidency for me. Some of which were in the preceding Presidency and are already on board with where I want to take things. I feel very blessed and humbled. These past few weeks have been stressful, but have been some of the most wonderful days I have had in long time.

BIG BABY....OR AM I?

One week from tomorrow I will be in sunny California with a good portion of my family. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I sometimes feel like the biggest baby because of how much I miss my family and home in general. Just when I think I am getting better I have a particular bad week. As you can see my emotions are quite high and I am on a roller coaster ride, but thinking about seeing my brothers and sisters and the munchkins makes me feel better. I guess I am just wondering if I am a big baby or if anyone else on this earth has had as hard a time as me? Give me some advice Simpson blog readers heaven knows I need it!!

Things I love

You know, I think I am pretty readable person. I think my blog reflects so much of who I am without talking about myself all the time. To keep myself grounded I try to pay tribute to the people that matter the most to me and let them know how much I love them, but in case I have fallen short these are things I love. I love my husband and all he puts up with. Devin is so perfect for me sometimes I just find myself in awe of how I found such an amazing man to spend eternity with. My family whom I have grown to love and appreciate in ways I never would have if I hadn't moved away. I love you guys so much. My heart has grown a very special place for the Simpson's. I could not have asked for a better family to marry into. You truly are an answer to so many prayers. I love my friends. I miss my Utah pack so much. I cry just thinking about you living life without me, but I know no power can keep bosom buddies apart just look at Anne and Diana. I love and miss you guys so much. I love my Oregon friends. I said so many times before leaving Utah, really to calm my weary heart, that someday I would be sad to leave Oregon. I can honestly say that if we left tomorrow it would be very difficult. You guys have filled a place in my heart I knew was there I was just afraid to explore. Thank you to my Oregon Family. I love the gospel. I know how much strength we need to live on this earth today and I am grateful to have a door to that kind of power. I love all of you who make me want to be a better person for whatever reason and I hope I can be. These are just a few of the things that I know keep me humble and that I love.

New DVD Player

Devin has had his eye on this new DVD player for some time now. Every time we go into the store he has to look at it.I finally talked him to just getting it last Saturday not knowing I was going to fall in love myself. We had a DVD player that I had before we got married, but it is not a HD DVD palyer and we have a HD TV so an upgrade was in order. It's got a hard drive on it so we can record and store it on the player. It also can keep more then one time and show in it's memory so we can have all our favorite shows recorded while we do other things and watch them in the little spare time we have. It can pause live TV kinda of like Tevo...Tivo (is that how you spell it?) Anyways it is really nice and we have both really enjoyed it.

Devin crawling through the shelves of our entertainment center to get behind the T.V. to hook everything up. Kinda clever!

A few of my favorite pics. They make me smile.

This is one of my favorites because looking at this picture is about the only time I get to see the wedding band I got for Devin.

This one is hard to see , but look at the feet of this little munchkin (who made the list more then once) and you will see Aunt Crystal's navy blue high heels. Just thought she would try them on. What can I say Claire Marie cracks me up!

I just really like this picture of our niece Taryn and our Nephew Connor. So Cute

This is Ty hugging a tree. As you can see this tree is masive. This is a tree that is in front of the White House in D.C. This picture just makes me smile.

I love this picture because it captures Devin really feeling Christmas. You know that excitement we all used to get when we knew Santa had come. This was him getting his Ridgid drill set from Santa. He was excited. Don't let the look on his face fool you. I know he was excited because we weren't done opening gifts yet and out they all came.

Who can say they have seen their sisters dressed as teenage mutant ninja turtles? I can. Kelli in the blue and Jami in the orange. The other two are friends who happen to be sister's as well.

So I am pretty sure the photographer wanted to capture the girls puckered up. I am just not sure what the little gangster in the front was doing with the "peace out". This is my sister and two neices. I love this picture because claire really looks like a "little G" in this picture. She is three.

These are the three oldest grandchildren on my side of the family. This tent was intended to house the wedding presents of Aunt Crystal and Uncle Devin, but they found a new use for it at our boring reception. I love this picture

Althought this picture is cute, Bo is my favorite because he is the only other April baby .

Trail Blazing Fun

We got to attend the Portland Trailblazers game last Saturday night. We got free tickets, but we had to go early and help with a community service project the boys got involved in (well sorta)at school. A girl they know needed a favor and we got free tickets to the game.

The service project was called "operation twinkle toes" and they were collecting baby stuff for needy babies in the community. Our job was to stand and collect these items from the fans as they filed in. Devin and I got assigned the VIP box and didn't get very many donations, but Devin got to hand out the rosters to everyone. One of the workers just grabbed him and said will you pass these out for me for a few minutes? Kind of random, but whatever.

We went with our neighbors and good friends Parker and Carly. This is Devin and Parker waiting for things to get under way. Parker is a student at WSCC and he and Devin are in the same quarter. It was 75 degrees at this moment. Beautiful day here in Portland.

A view of the court from our seats. As our sister Tiana said" although not good seats you can't beat free." They played the Dallas Mavericks and won by three. It was a good game. We all had a good time.

Just to share

I took these pictures last summer when we were living with Devin's parents in Wyoming. I am not a photographer, but I think I caught something really pretty early that morning. I found them so I thought I would share. The rainbow looked like it stretched right over the Devin's dad store(which is the white building). It was really beautiful.

Music takes me home

I was driving into work this morning and a song was playing on the radio that brought a flood of memories to my mind. I thought of my child hood and the music that played throughout our home. It wasn't classical or even the Mo Tab. It was classical in another sense. I grew up listening to Fleetwood Mac, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Lynard Skynard, Men at work, The Beattles and a whole other variety of music at our house. Over the years my music selection has varied, but each song has a different memory or brings up different feelings. It's interesting how that happens. Not all memories are good, but most are. I cannot hear "I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor without thinking of my girl friends in our early dating years and all those broken hearts we had to mend. The song I heard this morning was "Piano man" by Billy Joel. I loved this song when I was a little girl. I am not sure why. I didn't understand most of the words in the song at the time, but I loved it. It gives me a sense of home and comfort I think. It calms the storms in my life when I think of my dad tapping his foot in the kitchen while he was fixing what he referred to as "Supper". I love music and I love the feelings it arouses in my heart and mind! Thanks dad for giving that gift to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I had the most wonderful birthday thanks to so many of you. Cards and presents started arriving last week, which really was a suprise. This shirt was one of my packages that came. Thanks Skye and Rob. Love you guys!!Devin gave me money to go shopping with and a book by Glenn Beck ( whom I love) . Thanks to all my favorite people who called me, emailed me or text messaged me even if it was at 6:30 a.m. (Tyrell). My co-workers were amazing. I had a Tiara sitting on my desk when I got there, because I was "queen for the day". It didn't get me out of dipping urine samples all day. I did have to work late on my birthday, but it was worth it when at the end of our meeting one of the Doctors brought me a cake with candles and the whole office sang Happy Birthday to me. I got a amazing cook book from my friend Jeri at work. I call Jeri my Oregon mom. She works with me and I love her. This book is a recipe book just for the crock pot. Jeri also brought to work a Key lime cheesecake that I shared with everyone at work at lunch. I got a birthday song sung to me over the phone from my nieces and my sis in law which made me cry. I miss them like crazy. I felt so blessed as I left work and reflected that I really have found a home away from home. My first birthday away from my family and home and it was a wonderful day. Thank you everyone I love you lot's.

Disneyland

In just a little over a month I get to go to Disneyland. I am going to do something I hate to do, which is travel alone, and I am meeting my family in California. I am so excited to spend a week with all my nieces and nephews and most of my siblings in Disneyland. Devin is not going so I am braving the journey and meeting my family there. Disneyland can be fun as an adult, but nothing beats the look on my niece's face when she sees Cinderella or Belle. I just love it! Most of all it's the family traditions we have started when we go. Like my big brother running to the Indiana Jones ride full sprint to get in line as soon as the gate opens. I just can't wait.

Sigh...............

So many things to be grateful for today. First of all Devin is done with finals!!!!!! We actually went through two six packs of Pepsi and he even has some left over for March Madness. Second he has done really well so far with the grade's he has gotten back. Third our dear friends little girl is getting better. For our friends in Portland you know what I am talking about. For our family and friends back home here is a short story. With all the stress that seems to settle in here like a cloud and hang for a while. We had some friends who had there baby girl in the ICU for several days with a severe case of pneumonia. We have all been very humbled by thier experiences and we all look at family a little differently. I have told Penny a few times how grateful I have been for her sharing her thoughts and feelings through the computer about what she has been going through as a mother, but I am eternally grateful for a knowledge of a Loving father in Heaven and our family relationships. We are so blessed to not only have our families, but dear friends in the gospel to share experiences and blessings with us as we face a trial. I am thankful to Penny and Eric for letting us all be a part of it! Heavenly Father has really blessed us all with a further knowledge of his divine role in our lives. May we remember it always! Fourth on less serious note.... I am doing really well so far on my March Madness picks. Yes I am grateful for March madness. It's fun. I didn't used to get into it, but with Devin's encouragement I have done a bracket the past few years and I love it. Happy Easter everyone. We love you all so much!

Thank heavens for PEPSI!

If there is anything that I am learning and learning fast is that finals week sucks. Devin has finals next week along with everyone else in the school. I know he is stressed when he says" Crystal can you pick me up a twelve pack of Pepsi from the store"?It's the week before and he is already asking for Pepsi. The mood around here changes as well. I don't see any of the other wives. Some even leave town to ensure no distractions. Anyways I think I learn to admire Devin even more when I see the sacrifices he makes to study. GOOD LUCK HONEY! I LOVE YOU!

Just for fun

This is my latest polymer clay project. I made this for one of my co-workers for her birthday. She is Irish and loves St. Patricks Day and she was born in March. So I thought a leprechaun would be the picture gift. The sign says "Parking for Leprechauns only."

This is Grace our little neighbor. She watched a movie with her cute little elephant head phones while all the older girls including mom had our book group. I hosted this month and couldn't help but post this funny picture.

DERBY, DERBY, DOOOOOOOOOOO

So our Elders Quorum had a Pine wood Derby contest last Friday night. It was really fun. This year they let the wives build one as well. I must say that the women did very well. I didn't build one. I had a pretty busy week, but It was still fun. Here are some pics from our Pine wood derby event.

The track that Darnell built. Yeah some people were claiming Devin had an advantage because his brother built the track. Boy were they wrong!

The car that Devin built. He decided to go with sponsors like Jr. himself. Instead of National Guard he did Farmer's Feed, Tiana Simpson Photography, Horizon signs, Prader View chiropractic and Simpson Services. A little shout out for all the family businesses.

The Competition.

My favorite entitled. "My daddy didn't help me"! A special thanks to Brock Kunz car that made me laugh, however I did learn this was the idea of his older brother's family. Thanks Kunz family for making me laugh. Ironically this car did pretty well.

Our youngest driver and one of my Favorites in the Ward. Yep that's right folks little Reese Kunz had a her own car that beat most of the older boys. (it was her dad's from last year)She is so cute. You should see her with her pink tutu on. Thanks Penny for letting me show off your kids since I don't have any of my own. Here's to pine wood Derby 2008. We salute you!

Devin's New Calling

For those of you who are not in our ward or family we haven't told yet, Devin was called to a new calling. He was set apart and sustained yesterday as the First counselor in the Young Men's Pres in our ward. He will be great. He was given a beautiful blessing that brought me to tears. I am so thankful for him and his example to me. The boys already love him. Every Sunday as we leave church I hear a chorus of "BYE BROTHER SIMPSON." It makes me laugh.

REAL WOMEN

One sport I can honestly say that I am a true fan of is Baseball. I love everything about it. The smell of wet dirt and grass as they spray the field down before a game. I hate hotdogs, but I can eat one when I am at the ball park . The crack of the bat. Singing hey batter, batter,batter, batter,batter,batter ssssswwwwiiiinnnnngggggg batter! I love baseball. This is my new shirt that I will wear with pride. I love it because it's true. Sorry friends I hate the Yankees I married me a Boston Red Sox man.

THOUGHTFULNESS

Yesterday on my lunch break I ran to the store to do some quick shopping. In front of me in line was this young man who had a dozen balloons. The cashier was trying to untangle them and scan them. While she was doing this he notice some roses and asked me to help him pick out some good ones. The cashier proceeded to say" wow there is a lucky girl out there." He responded 'They are for my mom." I thought like many of you "wow that is really sweet". How thoughtful of him to remember his mom on such a day and not a cute girl he might have his eye on. He finished paying and turned and handed me a rose and said"This is for you thank you for your help." I was blown away again at his thoughfulness. As I left the store I pondered on the many oppurtunites we have to help other people in the slightest ways. I have had many opportunities that I missed because of whatever reason. On the other hand I think of the people who have helped me . Whether it be big or small and how it makes me feel. I hope that I can remember what this young man showed me and look for the mom with her arms full of kids and groceries or an elderly person who may need help grabing something off a shelf. Thoughtfulness is the first step to giving and we all know how we feel after we help or give a few seconds to someone. It feels really good.

I'll be missing you......Always

Devin is busy with school again and I am busy trying to juggle working full time, church responsibilities and the whole wife thing. I still enjoy my job. I know I keep saying that, but it truly has been blessing to us. I love that I look forward to work every morning. I get to triage a lot more which has educated me much faster and more then school ever did. We are enjoying the Oregon beauty. Even when it's raining everything is so beautiful. Devin and I had friends over to watch the Super Bowl and we had a great time. Everyone was screaming at the t.v for those lovely Giants. I love that we are amongst kindred spirits here. Many of them are away from their families as well going to school and it's nice to have a family away from family. It takes the sting out of certain events (like the super Bowl) that leave me aching for home. My co-workers have been amazing as well. They are so welcoming and I already feel like I have been here for a while. They are very kind and quickly becoming good friends to me. Devin has been able to pick up some odd jobs which helps with our attempt to save some money as we keep up with the increased cost of living in Oregon. So it seems for now that we are doing well. We miss you our family and friends in Utah and Wyoming. Love always Crystal

Friends in Low places.

I have had an interesting week so far. I have let the holidays slip by without talking to some key people in my life. I felt prompted to call a friend on Monday so I did. Little did I know that she was "Having a Day". I know that many of us have these experiences, but her circumstances were all to familiar when my mom called me right after I got of the phone with my friend and told me she was having a similar trial right now in her life. It's interesting how the Lord calls upon us to calm the storm in other peoples' lives. I did not ask nor did I expect, but he knew what I needed. To my friend (you know who you are).. I love you so much and I am sorry you have to walk this road. You are more my strength then I could ever be yours. The Lord truly blessed you into my life to my be my angel. Mom I also love you. I am again sorry that you are losing a Friend. Create memories with the little time you have left and know that whatever you are called upon to do (singing at the funeral) you can do! The lord will give you the strength to comfort those who mourn through your beautiful voice. The reason I decided to put this on my blog is to let everyone know that we have little time on this earth to do the things that matter to us. Stay close to the Lord and listen to his still small voice to help him carry those who need to be carried. It will strengthen you far more then It will help those whom you are called upon to help. Crystal

Christmas

Well we made it home safely and we had a wonderful time visiting Utah and Wyoming. We heard that Portland got snow Christmas day and everyone here was excited and still talking about their white Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas and made off with some great gifts. I got some polymer clay tools and books from my wonderful husband who knew just what to get me. I got Devin the Ridgid tool set he drools over every time we walk into Home Depot. He has no problem finding things to fix around the house on his time off from school. Devin's grades were waiting for us when we got home and he got all A's and B's. I was really proud off him. It was so wonderful to see so many of you, but I must say there is no place like home. I missed my bed! I missed it so much I had a little visit with my Chiropractor at the school yesterday. My body is also fighting a cold currently and I have not been feeling so great on top of my aches. I am grateful that I felt well enough to travel and that whatever is bothering me now waited until I was home to keep me in bed most of the day. I am looking forward to the New Year. I have never been a huge New Year fan and the whole resolution thing, but I love the sense of newness and starting over. Devin and I hope you all have a Happy New Year and again we love you and miss you all.

Merry Christmas

It's Wednesday and we are one final away from not being first termers, but rather second termers. For those of you who don't understand what that means just know it's not important!!! However, I am so proud of Devin and his dedication. I am not sure I could do it. We have been really busy these past few weeks as I am sure many of you have been also. Devin has been studying, sleeping and eating and that is about it. I have been trying to get our shopping done not to mention all the other errands that need to be ran this time of year. Work is going really well. I am enjoying it a lot. We are getting ready to head south for a week and I am so anxious to see home. I haven't completely lost the sting yet, but Oregon continues to grow on me. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and know that we love you dearly.