The Random Corner

I ordered this book shelf a year ago before we moved to Oregon and when we were home Devin's sister Amy mentioned she was curious about how it looked. Here ya go Amy. There are two more glass shelves I don't use because my dolls wouldn't fit.

Latest Polymer clay I did a few weeks ago.

He's not finished, but he is close. Just got bored one day.

All the Simpson girls made these when I was home. Dad Simpson cuts these out for us and then we create. I didn't finish mine when we were there so Simpson girls here is my finished BOO!

None of your Buisness

What other people think of you is

none of your buisness!!!

Dear Friend

Dear friend,
I talked to you last night for a little while
What I heard through the phone sounded to me like a smile
but I know the hard truth that you soon must face
and the wish of your heart to not be in this place
I am grateful that you have found peace from above
and that you know of our father's love
for you dear friend he knows who you are
and freind............ your dearest mother will never be far.

I LOVE YOU

My Cup Runneth Over !

Our trip home was so much needed I am feeling very humbled and blessed. I feel like I have lost touch of myself living away from the people who know me best. They call me on my crap or tell me everything is going to be OK. I love laughing with brothers and sisters over inside jokes. The Searle family has movie lines we can quote and get the others laughing instantly. Sitting in church with James (our nickname for baby sister Jami) was enough to have me in stitches. Man she can make me laugh. Hearing Parker sing "keep bleeding I keep keep bleeding" with his three year old voice puts a smile on my face. Hanging out with the Simpson's with mom Simpson cooking on the table also put's a smile on my face. Having my grandma Searle who is in a nursing home dieing of Alzheimer's recognize me and remind me it had been a whole year since I have seen her( which it has) and it was about time I got there to see her brought tears to my eyes. Our trip was wonderful and my cup is now full. I hope I can draw upon it when days get rough.

Devin Rob and Devin in "little Sahari Utah"Ivie, Claire, Parker and BoPayten Mae

Long anticipated play time with Uncle DevinMe and JamiMy grandma SearleIvie

Quinn and McKenna playing on the table.

Us letting them cause it was so dang cute.Taryn, Connor and Kymora hanging out

at Grandma and Grandpa's Simpsons

Bo had to stay in Grandma's room cause he wasn't feeling so good.

29 hours before we leave and 12 hours to drive to go YIPEE

I am going home. I miss my Utah in more ways then one. Oregon is beautiful, but I can't wait to see my Utah. I am sure my eyes will get a little wet when we pull in. I am so excited I can hardly sleep.

Your friend forever

Conversation between Emily and I the other morning.

Phone rings.

Me: Hey what's up?

Em: I was eating some Reese's pieces and I thought of you. So I thought I would call.

Me (confused): Why did you think of me when you ate Reese's pieces?

Em: Cause we always used to get them and eat them ....(Pause in the phone)

Me(Still confused): We Did?

I have had a hard time being away from home this is no secret to my blog readers. I was prepared to miss everything and everyone, but what I didn't prepare myself for was the pain of missing my friends. I have known Emily for almost ten years. In those ten years we have endured alot together. Infertility(hers) lack of husband prospects(mine) school, moving and jobs to name a few. I was with her when she gave birth to her two oldest children. I remember watching her labor with Josh and I cried because I hated so much to see her in pain, but I was grateful to watch her bring that little man into the world after all she had been through. Tears streaming down my face as she held her son those memories of negative pregnancy test and crying were a distant memory. Emily is a solider and one of the elite spirits I know that to be true and I grateful to call her my friend. I don't remember Reese pieces my dear friend, but I do remember taking you to a movie just the girls before Josh came. I think it was 13 going on 30. Anyways on the way home these girls in the car next to us got upset for some reason and flipped us off and yelled at us and you started crying. "Why would they do that it's so mean". I was like "whoa pregnancy hormones!" It's funny what memories you remember of people that they don''t remember and vice versa. Em I know you remember the car incident. Too Funny. We have had some laughs together and cried together(more to come I am sure) but these are the memories I hold dear to my heart. Thanks for always forgiving me and loving me.

Love,

Your friend Crystal

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Today marks one year since I have been blogging. One year ago we were living in Wyoming anxiously awaiting our life in Oregon. I blogged about all the things we had done since living those short few weeks with Devin's parents. I was so scared to be away from my family, friends, home and all the things that were comfortable for me. Although it has almost been a year since we have lived here , I still feel the sting of missing home. It is few and far between now, but I still get homesick. Certain events or days can trigger it, but Oregon is my home for now and some day I will miss it as well. I think back to all the fears I had about moving here and Heavenly Father must have been smiling at me because all my worries and fears were in vain. Devin and I are surrounded with great friends who have become our security. I have said it before, but so many of us are away from our homes and families and we rely so much on one another that we become our families away from families so to speak. Devin and I have tried to be there when our friends have needed us and the favor is always returned. I really do love my new home and I am grateful for blogging and the outlet it has become in my life. Here is to my first year down and many more to go.

BUBBLES WITH THE WHISPERER

I went to a movie with some of the girls the other night and Heather the mother of the little blond Jackson in these pictures(who loves Devin)asked me if Devin had told me about playing bubbles earlier that day. This is why I love my husband so much. He pulls up from school and notices the neighbor kids out playing bubbles and he of coarse has to go join in. I can already see that my future house will be the neighborhood hangout, because of my "kid whisperer". That's what I call him anyway. Devin has a gift from heaven when it comes to children. I have seen it with our nieces and nephews, but he has displayed it even more since we have moved up to Oregon. When they see me I see there little curious wandering eyes searching for that guy I am always with. It's so cute. I have to blog about these moments so I can remember them. My friend and neighbor Marykaye sent me these pictures of the "kid whisperer" in action.

"Where's Aunt Crystal ?"

I got a phone call from my sister last night that made my day. As many of you know Devin and I are headed home to Utah and Wyoming in a few weeks. Also as many of you know I miss my nieces and nephews terribly. Well Kelli called last night to tell me when she saw my nephew Parker on Sunday the first thing he asked when he arrived at grandma and grandpa's house was "Where's Aunt Crystal?" OOOOHHHHH my heart melted to know he is anticipating my arrival. When I saw the munchkins in May they were all so excited to see me and ran to me and screamed " Aunt Crystal" and it brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait to see them and I am so glad they haven't forgotten about me!

This is my brother's spitting image.

My brothers and sis in laws sure know how to grow em cute!

OH CRAP!

You know every wife has those OH CRAP WHAT DID I SAY YES TOO? moments.Well I had one yesterday and it's still haunting me. About a week 1/2 ago Devin came downstairs fed up with our slow Internet that our apartment provides. Not only is it slow, but sometimes it works and most of the time it doesn't. So he asked me if we could get get high speed. He pitched it to me by saying you could do your blog stuff at home, email at home, down load your music etc. So I agreed. The very next day Devin had the Internet guy there hooking it up. Of coarse we had to buy a wireless router with it as well.(Which he got used from a friend) Well the realization of this mistake came to me yesterday. Yesterday I had a meeting at church. When I got home I found my husband reclined in his chair. Football game on and his lab top sitting right next to him following all the games that weren't on T.V. Now..... I think I am pretty supportive wife. I actually enjoy sitting down and watching some football with him, but I think I unleashed a monster with this Internet thing. Now when I have a question that can't wait I have to compete with two things instead of one! SHEEEEEESSSSHHHH

ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES FROM MY FAVORITE BOOK

"Miss Caroline went to her desk and opened her purse. "Here's a quarter,"she said to Walter. " Go and eat down town today. You can pay me back tomorrow." Walter shook his head. "Nome thank you ma'am, he drawled softly. Impatience crept into Miss Caroline's voice: "Here Walter come and get it." Walter shook his head again. When Walter shook his a head a third time someone whispered, "Go on and tell her Scout." I turned around and saw most of the town people and the entire bus delegation looking at me. Miss Caroline and I had conferred twice already, and they were looking at me in the innocent assurance that familiarity breeds understanding. I rose graciously on Walter's behalf: " Ah - Miss Caroline?" "What is it Jean Louise?" "Miss Caroline, he's a Cunningham." I sat back down."

To kill a Mocking Bird

The craziness of it all

So originally I was a little anti blogging. I thought it was a really impersonal way to keep in touch with people. I felt like people wanted me to get on line in order to see what was going on in their lives instead of a phone call or an email. Unless your my friend Joette who always has really insightful things to say. So when last summer we were in transition to move Devin suggested I start a blog I said "absolutely not", but as you can see I caved. I am glad I did. This last week I was able to get in touch with some of my old high school pals through blogging. One in particular was my very best friend from the time I was ten until we lost touch in our early twenties. It's just crazy for me to think about. So here is to blogging and to my husband who talked me into ours even though he never posts and could really care less what is on our blog.

Visitors

My parents came up to see us last week and we had such a good visit. I haven't seen them since Christmas. I took the week off and we had loads of fun. Dad schooled Devin and I in guitar hero. He is really good. Well he beat Devin on all the oldies, but Devin held is own with the new stuff. I took my mom to Craft warehouse. I love that store. It's one of my favorites here in Oregon. Thanks to my sis in law Amy who made sure I checked out when we arrived. Here are some pics of some of our activities.

Multnomah Falls

It was 103 degrees in Portland on this particular day. So we beat the heat by heading to Astoria and the coast. It was 65 degrees there.

Cannon Beach

Wakes and Devin

So last time Waklee played guitar Hero with Devin our camera was broke and they were sitting on the couch just as you see them now and I was so mad I didn't get a little snap. So she came bye with mom the other day and they re createded my missed photo opp without even knowing it. So cute. I keep telling myself I need to get Devin one of those. A child that is. Devin is so good with the kids and they just love him. He pushed the buttons for Wakes so all she had to do was strum. I love it. It's adorable

PBR

Last night we traveled to Mollala Oregon to see the PBR. For those of you who don't know what PBR stand for it's Professional Bull Riders. We had so much fun. It's been a while since Devin and I have been to a little country affair and it was long over due. We had a great time.

This is Flint Rasmussen. He is THE rodeo clown for the PBR. He is like the Michael Jordan of Rodeo clowns and he was hilarious. This is him acting out how his little girls do gymnastics.

This is what the cowboys call a 'Bucking Bull" Yee Haw

This is my Cowboy!

Wake Boarding

My friend and co-worker has invited us a couple times to go boating with her and her husband. We have so much fun. It's been so nice to live just ten minutes from the river to ski. Devin is so happy that I managed to make friends with someone who owned a boat. ( of course that is not the only reason I love Kristy) He teases me that all I need to do now is make friends with people who own quads so we can ride. Well at least for now since we don't get to go with Skye and Rob anymore. We will however someday be able to ride along side you guys instead of taking turns. Seriously We miss you guys! And we love ya too.

Well girls I think he's pretty cute!

TWILIGHT WITH THE GIRLS

So last night the crazy WSCC wives and I decided to get in touch with our inner child and go to the midnight release of the new Twilight book Breaking Dawn. We had so much fun. When I saw the vampire fangs I had to get some and create this photo opportunity. My book has been ordered for weeks and should arrive via mail any day now. Now it's the count down to the movie this December. GO TEAM EDWARD!

Memory Lane

Leave us a memory you have about Devin or I! It could be about anything! ! Funny, embarrassing, happy, sad...whatever you remember about us!Here is how you play:
1. As a comment on our blog, leave one memory that we had together. It doesn't matter if you know us a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about us, we'll assume you're playing the game and we'll come to your blog and leave one about you

The Searle Six

Alot of random thoughts have brought me to this post so I hope my blog readers will bare with me on this. The other day I was talking to a friend about her brother who has alot of problems. Mostly with addiction. It's her only sibling and my heart ached for her. I was thinking about her Little boy who doesn't know his uncle because drugs are more important. I immediately thought of the Searle Six. I am so grateful for my brothers and sisters. I remember hating that there were so many of us fighting for mom and dads attention when we were younger, but now each of them plays a very important and specific role in my life and I know that myself and my kids( future kids) can count on them for anything. Travis is our leader and obviously the oldest. He is our toughest critic, but our best supporter. He taught me to be the very best I can be, because he always was. Ryan is our laughter. He is the funniest out of all of us. He can always break the silence, or make us laugh when we really want to cry. Danny is the baby boy. Danny I admire because he has always done his own thing. When lack of interest didn't let him follow in his big brothers shoes he did his own thing and he is an amazing musician and artist in his own right. Kelli is the sister that I prayed would come and come she did. She is probably the smartest of the Searle six and I am very proud of her and all she is doing to further her education. Jami is the baby of us all and she is the fighter. Having six mothers I am sure was not always easy, but she took in stride and even punched Travis in the face when she was 8 right before he left on his mission to tell him she had had enough of his teasing. I was sitting at the work the other day after I had had this conversation with my friend and this picture from my wedding popped up on my computer screen saver and I felt very humbled. I miss em and I love them so very much. I hope that where ever life takes us we always remain close. I love you guys!
L to R: Danny, Jami, Ryan, Me, Travis, Kelli

ROCK CLIMBING

Devin took his teachers rock climbing over his break. I got to go because you have to have someone who is CPR certified with you for emergencies. So there goes wife. I had a good time though. It was fun. Here are just a few pictures I took while they were climbing.

Sione wanted to give up a few times, but we wouldn't let him.

He felt so good when he reached the top he was glad he didn't .

The fearless leaders climbing while the boys watch how it's done.

Don't let the pink shirts fool you. They were tough boys that day. (the shirts were supposed to be red.This is someone at the t-shirt shops version of red go figure.)

Camping at Disappointment

We took off this past week to enjoy a little much needed R and R time. Our good friends the Kunz family invited Devin and I to go camping in Washington State right by the beach this week. We only went up for one night, but it was well worth it and we had a great time. Of course we had to get some essentials that we have been putting off purchasing for a while now. We finally bought a tent and a camp chief. Devin was so excited to use both

There is so much history in this part of the states. I loved driving through all the old fishing towns that have been around for 200 years or so. We drove through Astoria and not only is it a beautiful fishing town it's where "Goonies" was filmed. You know the "HEEEEYYY YOOOUUUU GUUUUUYYYYS" movie. I loved that movie growing up. What am I talking about I still do. While we were there we drove to see the local lighthouses. This lighthouse was built in 1898 and is still in use today. It along with the Cape Disappointment light house guides the mariners into the mouth of the Columbia.

This is an old carriage house which is now the gift shop for the lighthouse. The lighthouse keepers and there families lived days away from towns and supplies so they had to be self sufficient and keep gardens and animals.

Waklee and Reese had so much fun playing in the sand and swinging in their Dad's hammock.
Eric and Devin thought it would be fun to build a sandcastle and then watch the tide destroy it as it came in.

It was so beautiful at night we took a photo opportunity and posed for this picture. I had Devin's big coat on because it was freezing. Turned out pretty good huh. We had such a great time. Thanks Penny and Eric for inviting us.

SUMMERTIME

I love summer. I am so thankful the sun has finally decided to come out and let it's rays shine down on us Portlanders. Some of my most favorite memories growing up were in the summer. I am so excited I decided to put a couple of my favortie memories and picutres of last summer on my blog.

Yellowstone, Wy

Jami and Parker 4th of July


Devin and I Washington D.C.


Tiana, Ty, Devin and I Gettysburg, PA


Red Sox Game Baltimore, MA