Memorial Day Service

I love Memorial Day- not only because I get the day off work or because there are some great BBQ’s and spring celebrations; but because it is a day to celebrate and remember the men and women who served and are serving our country for our freedom.
This Memorial Day weekend we had the opportunity to help a young man with his Eagle Scout Project at a local cemetery put up American flags at the graves of all the Veterans. Then we stood at the entrance and waited as loved ones came to the cemetery and if we missed a veteran we would walk with the loved one to the grave and put up a flag. During these times we got to hear the heroic stories of these soldiers from their loved ones about how they died and how they lived. It was such an inspirational thing to spend my time in service of those who gave their lives for our country!

Picky Eaters

I grew up with the idea that you eat everything in front of you- no matter what. Growing up I didn’t like fish! I remember, on multiple occasions, my entire family finishing dinner and me sitting alone and miserable at the dinner table in front of a plate of fish- not to leave the table till it was gone. I remember one instance when my Mom was making a wedding cake and there were tubs of delicious frosting surrounding my pitiful predicament. I thought, in my young mind, “Frosting makes EVERYTHING taste better!” So I stole a glob of freshly wiped white frosting and spread it over my fish, well… I was wrong but I had to eat it anyway!

Since those young years I have learned to try new foods and not to be a picky eater (although I do not prefer sea food). Then I married Ben, who was taught if he didn’t want to eat it he didn’t have to eat it. He has a list of things he ‘Doesn’t like’ merely because he hasn’t had to eat them in his life. This bugged me! And has continued to bother me as our marriage aged, common Ben be FOOD- ADVENTUROUS!! One day as I was hounding on him (a little) he said, “But Brea, you don’t eat sea food!” That stopped me in my tracks, he was right. Did I have any right to ridicule him when I myself had my small picky inkling? NO! That’s the answer- NO! So I made a goal to try it, gag less and be more open to the world of sea food. Maybe I wouldn’t order a meal at a restaurant. Maybe it would take me some time to cook it in my own home- but I would eat it!

This weekend this goal was put to the test! We went to visit some friends visiting from out of town (Danny and Amy Gibson). Their family had cooked some great ethnic food and invited us to stay and taste it. There was lamb curry, purple roots in coconut milk and raw fish. I was really nervous but I hunkered down and I tried everything and it was good. There were some unusual flavors, textures and colors but in the end- it was GOOD!! I ate raw fish and I liked it!!

It just proves that you can step out of your picky food zone and it works!!

I am OFFICIAL!

I walked in Graduation in December 2008 but I had some pending internships so I did not get my diploma. I have been unemployed since then, and everyone used to tell me that I would be able to get a job once I ‘officially’ graduated- like a blessing. Well, I got my job at Comfort Dental and then I got home my first day of work and… MY DIPLOMA WAS HERE!! I am so excited, I officially graduated!

I GOT A JOB!!

There is a man in our ward who is a Dentist at Comfort Dental and he referred me to a different office as a Front Office/Receptionist. I interviewed and was offered the job- YAY! I started last week and have been learning the ropes ever since. It is kind of hard to learn the Dentist lingo and to learn all the in and outs of the office but the other girls that work in the Front Office have been very helpful and have taught me a lot. The hours are kind of crazy- I either have 6 or 12 hour shifts and it gets exhausting, but I am learning and I am so grateful that I have a job!!

YM/ YW Photo Scavenger Hunt

We did a Youth Photo Scavenger Hunt last week that was really fun. We had 14 small pictures of obscure things found in a two block radius and the youth split up into groups, each with a leader and a camera, and had to find those things and take creative pictures with them. The day we did it, it was snow/slushing and so that added a different level of excitement. Everyone was good sports about the weather and had a fun time. When they got back to the church we downloaded the pictures immediately onto a laptop and watched a slideshow of everyone’s pictures. Here are just a few of the pictures we took:

The "Normal" Newson

Softball “Soccer Mom” Syndrome

Although I am not a parent I do think I have the “Soccer Mom” syndrome deeply ingrained when I watch a sport of anyone I know. This came bubbling to the surface on Tuesday when watching Aimee, our 11 year old neices’ Softball game. First of all, this was the first softball game of the season and she did great (as 3rd base). However as a “Softball Mom” I had some issues with the game; such as the teenaged umpire who was far more concerned with her low-crack showing pants and hair style then the game. She never swept the home plate, causing one poor girl to run to home and miss the plate…by a couple feet and have to search for it (don’t worry she was still safe). They also called the game at the top of an inning “because they don’t have a chance to catch up”- well just let the poor girls play the full game anyway (they did end up playing, because of ‘parent’ complaint)!

It was so fun to watch the game but I have to admit I will have to think LONG and HARD before signing my kids up for sports- because I am very vocal and opinionated. Maybe they can do fly fishing…that’s not really a “Soccer Mom” sport.

Lazy and Lovin' It in Layton

It was so much fun to go to Jer and Heidi’s house and spend time with the family.

We got to play softball in the backyard with the kids!

Make lots of delicious food. Aimee and I made some homemade Apple Pies...yum!

We played card games at night and had lots of fun!

We can't wait to see you guys again!! Thanks for everything!

Sealed for Time and All Eternity

While we were in Utah we had the opportunity to go to the Provo Temple and participate in the live sealing of Ron to his brothers. It as an amazing opportunity to see this family get sealed for time and all eternity in the House of the Lord. It was such a wonderfully spiritual experience and one that I will never forget. I am so grateful that I was there and was able to be a part of that amazing experience.

Burgers and Donuts…

As we were driving down the street in Orem, UT Ron and Ben both simultaneously almost had heart attacks as they saw the red and yellow sign of… IN-N-OUT BURGER. This is one of their favorites and is usually only found in CA and recently in NV. Well, with such a rare treasure you know we had to stop. It was, as always… impeccable!

























Another rare and coveted UT treat is KRISPY KREMES. This is not as rare as the burger above but they are so numerous in UT and the red light is on so often that it is a glutinous treat we partake in only in that region. So needless to say… our jeans are fitting a little more snug after this trip!

Visiting the Horse House

Ben’s cousin, Russell, lives on a farm with horses, dogs and a pigmi goat (named George). One of the horses just gave birth to a baby fillie so we went to see them all. The baby was so cute and much bigger (taller) then we expected. I love horses and being around them. We jumped right in with them, brushed them and fed them. It was wonderful being outside in the country with the animals.

What a ride!

While in Utah, we had the chance to ‘play’ on Uncle Terry’s portable scooter. We thought it was very cool and really fun to ride around the front yard (at 5 mph). We also saw Ben’s Cousin Daniel and his cherry red Chevelle that he has been restoring. Comparing the two, I think I would take the…?

Original Newson Clan

Ben and I had the opportunity to go with his parents to see his Dad’s siblings. Ben hadn’t seen his aunts and uncles all together for over 15 years, so it was a really exciting chance to see everyone together. Ron is the oldest of four; his siblings Larry, Glenn and Linda were all able to get together to talk, reminisce and tease.

Lions and Tigers and VOLCANOES... Oh My!

A volcano erupted this past week! I know you all know of this catastrophic event, yet because this blog is like an online journal of my life I thought this an important thing to note. There have been many natural disasters terrorizing the world this year, mostly the earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, China and Mexico. These things were shocking, yet with the help of humanitarian aid seemed manageable. However on April 17th a volcano (Eyjafjallajokull volcano- serious) erupted in Iceland.

Maybe I am simple and naïve but I still image volcanoes as existing in the ‘Land Before Time’ with dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures. I knew there were dormant volcanoes but thought the likelihood of a real volcano blowing was about the same likelihood as aliens landing or Elvis still being alive! I never dreamed; so I am scared, mortified of what this means. I feel helpless to send aid and relief to the people of Iceland who are stuck in a ‘prehistoric’ nightmare. I am anxious for the millions who live near other dormant volcanoes, thinking they were safe. It is a very scary thing and I pray for those people in Iceland and Europe.

Here are some pictures my dad send me:

What's been going on...

Sorry for the long absence, our camera is broken and a post without a picture is just… words (because I don’t have any cool alligator wrestling, baby gurgling or miracle happening stories) but I will let you know what’s been going on in our lives anyway!

Ron, Nedra and Rachel are down in Florida visiting the Marcos Family (lucky) and so we have had the house to ourselves for TWO WEEKS. It has been fun to ‘play house’ and feel grown up in our own house- cooking our own meals, cleaning and being able to run around in our underwear (just joking… we do that anyway!) We even had some friends over for a “Build your own Pizza” Party- which turned out fun.

Ben just recently lost his job as his employer lost a client and had to let a couple people go to stay afloat. He is doing okay and working hard to find something new. This economy is teaching us both to have tough skin and just persevere. But in the mean time he gets to stay home with ME! We have been working in the yard a lot- clearing out the old and preparing for the new growth. Ben built a burm in the back and trimmed some big trees.

Just a couple days ago we went on a hike up at Chautauqua Park- we hiked up to the flat irons and looked over Boulder. It was a windy day but it was beautiful and a great way to start out our spring/summer.

So…that is what’s been going on in our lives. We will try to keep you picture posted once we get our camera fixed! Hope all is well!