HGVT - Sort of

We headed off to Logan to fix up one of Tyson's apartments. We spent 48 non-stop hours working on this place. I don't think I have ever worked so hard for so long. We painted, scrubed, washed, screwed in, peeled, scrapped, tore off ... but in the end, it felt great. Now all we need is our amazing buyer to come make our dreams come true. This is what I will say to them.

Dear Buyer,

Thank you so much for buying our place so soon and offering full price. Thank you so much for making this a quick transaction and helping my dreams of having my own house a dream come true. Thank you for helping Tyson and I be one step closer to being able to start a family. I owe you cookies.

I heart you.

Martha

Before Martha & Tyson







After Martha & Tyson

Look What I saved!!!

Grocery Smarts did it again! I shopped this week and was SOO proud of my savings. I usually do Albertson's but I went crazy and did Smiths. I just happen to hit an amazing Proctor & Gamble sale. I went there and had no idea they give you a bigger discount when you buy 4 things of certain items. I am now in full swing with my coupons books so I am doing online coupons, coupon inserts and doublers. It's an amazing thing. Debbie and my mom and my grandmas are even saving coupons for me!



So I bought:
3 Cascade dishwasher little pouches
3 Tampax 2o count boxes
3 Herbal Esseses Shamppos
3 Herbal Essenses styling mousee
3 Crest Toothpaste
2 Gallon's of milk
1 5 lb red potatoes
1 packet of slim fast for shakes
1 pouch of carrots
1 big onion

Retail Price: $70
I paid: $30!!!!

That is a 60% discount.I am hitting Albertson's today for some other good sales. The biggest thing that I liked is the fact that I am stocking up while things are super cheap. I got the toothpast for $.50 and all the mousses were free. I feel so good.

Summer of Fun ...

Man this summer has been busy and I have been awful at posting pictures - but no time like the present to get caught up. Below are pics from the 4th, the Gerber family reunion and tyson's apartment remodeled.






Gerber Family Reunion

Happy LATE Anniversary

My anniversary was yesterday and I did not get chance to post. I felt kind of bad, but then I realized that instead of posting I spent time talking to Tyson. It was late at night, Tyson finished his conference call and we decided to watch our wedding video. We laughed at all the corny things we said and how sad we were we did not have a video of our reception. We talked about how we have changed the last 24 months. The good and the bad. We talked about our future. Our goals. It was sweet.

My wedding day was so fun. It was not perfect but the memories were so great. I remember waking up and having such a relaxing morning. It was a warm July day. We had great breakfast at the Grand America and spent time with family. The temple was great. Sacred. The reception and ring ceremony were fantastic.

Looking back, I never would have guess I would be where we are right now. We have been so blessed. So many people have come into our lives that have truly changed us for the better. We are different people. Better people. I am tons more patient, better work ethic and more faith. I'm so grateful for my great parents and Tyson's parents. We are so extremely loved by them and we love them too.

I don't have amazing advice when people ask me what I have learned but I have formed principles to live by.

1. Live WAY under your means. Specially when you are starting out. No need for big homes, big cars and big stuff. Learn to be happy with little and prepare for big things to come. Money is the single thing that I see that rips families apart.

2. Bite your tongue. Marriage is about NOT saying things that you want to say. I have learned the patience will make a marriage

3. Work together. Tyson and I have callings together, business together, family together - we really rely on each others strengths.

4. Develop your own lives. Too many young couples do EVERYTHING with family, live with family, work for family ... but after all of that, do you still have a real relationship?

5. Attend temple. This is a no brainer.

6. Pay tithing. Even when it hurts.

7. Learn to say I'm sorry.

I'm grateful for the last two years -but so excited for the next two, 10, 30 and 50.

I love you Tyson. Thank you for believing in me. Loving me in spite of myself and seeing a vision greater than ourselves.

Te amo.

Released

Isn't funny how much a perception can change in just a matter of months. It was November 2008, that Tyson and I were pulled in little room during church and I was asked to serve in the Young Women program - the Mia Maids to be exact. I remember thing "what? No, you don't understand God, I don't have time. I have PFS, I work out, I have thinnnnggsss to do". Man I was brat, luckily Tyson is amazing and encouraged me to make the best of it.

So it started. Mutual every Wednesday, Girls Camp, meetings, firesides, lessons, service projects, feeling awkward, temple trips ... and the most amazing thing happened. My heart started to melt for these girls. No longer were they intimidating (and I can introduce you to some pretty sharp Mia Maids) believe it or not, I actually started to enjoy it. About four months into the calling I remember having this moment, the momemt that I just realized just how lucky I was to be in Young Womens. I remember feeling like Heavenly Father wanted me to learn something but was "too busy" to get it. I decided to stop trying to make this calling a chore -but be in the moment. Oddly enough, I was informed that we would all be released in 3months. Wow! Here I finally reached the right mindet and it was all coming to the end.

What did I do from then until my release yesterday? Enjoyed. I enjoyed the girls, the lesson's, the activities, the leaders, the food, the moment. When we were released I was AMAZED at how much a part of me Young Womens had became. My only wish is that I was able to leave the girls something, because they changed me. I am sad, but I'm glad that I never let my emotions

LA Summit

We got back from our Primerica LA Summits last week and wow, it was probably the best convention yet. There were 18 thousand screaming agents there so excited for a chance to change their lives - and we saw SOOO many people winning. I think everyone should attend a meeting of this kind in their lifetime - to feel the passion and just the coolness of it all.
Tyson and I were recognized three time but it's all thanks to our amazing team. Our hiarchy "Team Freedom" just cleaned the place out! It was incredible - just while shirts walking across stage!!
Before the Convention started on Friday we headed down to San Diego and went to Seaworld and had a fantastic time seeing Shamu. That whole place is so awesome. I made poor Tyson see the Shamu show twice and I cried at both! What a geek. We visited Ocean Side Beach and ate at the coolest restaurant at the very end of the Pier named Ruby's. I need to post pictures but we took most of the pictures with Debbie's camera and so I don't have them :( below are some from the convention.

Craving and headache

It's 10:35 pm. My head hurts. Started about 15 minutes ago and it won't go away. I got home from running - ate a yogurt and took a shower - then the pain began. I am sitting on my bed listening to talk radio and all I can hear is thump thump thump ...

To make things worse - I have the biggest craving for the cheese frie from the Training Table!!! I just can't get it off my head - which is pounding - which makes the thought of food make me gag - but I'm still craving it. huh?

Who blogs about this anyway?

me.

the end.

10:42 pm.

thump. thump. thump

Writing about others life ...

What do you write about when you have writers block? Anything!

First I want to shout out to some great friends that are having great moments in life.

1. Mellissa and Jeff: they finally, finally, finally sold their place and found a sweet new home. They have been so patient. We will mis you terribly in our ward - but so excited for them to step into a whole new world.
2. Brooke and Eric are on a fanstastic vacation in Cali.
3. Heather and Phil are visiting Yellowstone :)

Besides that, we are busy studying for the Series 26 test and getting ready for our big trip next week to Los Angeles. We spent a great Sunday with my family and Tyson won his first game of Monopoly and I had the most fantastic time at our Relief Society BBQ at the Hatches AMAZING AMAZING cabin. I have also been loving our warm weather. We are headed up to Bear Lake for our family reunion and if we are lucky we might get to see Transformers

BTW - I have saved $90 off my grocery budget this month.