Good Times

Lately I have been thinking about the people that have influenced me through out my life. I have thought about the good times that I have spent with good people and the lessons and memories they have shared with me.

I've had an idea stewing in my head for a while and today I decided I was ready to act on it. I'm going to share with you some of the lessons and memories I have with a few of my friends and family members. For a while I was worried about what I should share because I'd hate to hurt anybody's feelings. My solution is to start with the people that are on my blog list. I'll decide were to go after that, or even if it is necessary.

Jessica Zink, my sister in Kansas. She and I do fun things together that I would normally only do with my little sister, Gina. Go team CheZinkey. :) Infact, when my sister came to visit last May, she accused me of replacing her. Jessica is not a replacement thought because I love them both very much. Jessica is an inspiration to me becuase she is the only member in her family. She has been through tough times and is still strong. Right now she is preparing to go on a mission. The prep is not as easy as she wants it to be, but she is still striving. I am so excited for her and I know she will be an amazing missionary.

Ben and Liz Liz, favorite memory with you was when you came to the Funeral Home and we scrapbooked. I didn't really know you very well yet, but I knew you scrapbooked and I wanted someone I could get inspiration from. That day I learned about your mission, how you met Ben, we talked about our kids and college, the jobs we had once had and anything else we could think of. That evening when Ken and I went home, I told him all about you and that was the day I knew it would be okay to leave Larned and move to Great Bend. Ben, Sunday School each week would not be the same without you and your commentary. BTW, I do agree that your stix are truer than Kens.

Josh and Ashley, our newest friends in Kansas. My favorite memory with you guys was actually the first time you came over for FHE. I was nervous that you wouldn't want to do the craft becuase it was focused more for the kids. When you kicked your shoes off and started joking about it, I knew it was going to be great. Thank you for inviting us over to share your ham, for taking pictures of our family on that Sunday afternoon when it was 7 degrees outside and the wind was blowing like crazy. Josh, thanks for cracking Nicole's back and for letting Ken play video games and YOUR house. We love you guys!

Tina. I am so thankful for the example you are to Matthew. Thank you for teaching him in Primary and for loving him. Sundays after church while we are eating lunch, I ask the kids what they learned in Primary that day, and Matthew remembers the things you are teaching him. You are also an example to me. I've never heard you say a mean thing about anyone and you always have a smile. Thank you.

Rhonda. When I was 17, Rhonda joined our family. Before she married my brother. Ryan and I worked at the same hotel during that time. I worked from 3-11pm and he worked from 11-7am. So when I was getting off, he was coming on, and often Rhonda would drop him off and then take me home. Many nights before we went home, we would go to Red Robin. We would take turns buying dinner. As a teenager I spent alot of time with my friends, but some of my fondest times were spent with you, Rhonda at Red Robin after work. Also, I think it's my turn to buy!

Wendy Narvasa. Wendy and I met when we were put on a committee to decorate for the Ward Christmas Party. I had been in the ward 2 months. The day we met to decorate, was the beginning of a relationship that will last forever. We were only in the ward for 4 more months after that, but during that time we did everything together. Wendy, one of my favorite memories with you was when we went to the Bishop's Warehouse in Portland and did dry pack. We were the only ones from our ward, and we drove over together. We laughed the whole time, and then went out for Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshakes from Burgerville. We spent so much time together but often we had 6 kids hanging around, cramping our style. I loved that night because we weren't being bossed!! haha

Gina. Gina is my youngest sister, we are 8 years apart. We didn't get along most of the time that I lived home, but she is one of my closest friends now. Gina, one of my favorite memories with you was when you were living in Utah and we came down for Gemeral Conference to see you and Mom & Dad. Do you remember the 2nd hotel we stayed at in Provo, and our photo shoot?! That was my first professional photo shoot, with Dad and Ken as the photographers!! My addiction to camaras and my attitude of 'every moment is a kodak moment' was born that trip. I have loved all the times we have spent together, and I look forward to alot more in the future. I Love You! p.s. I'll see you in 11 days!

Heather. Heather is my older sister. She is #3 and I am #4. We shared a room from the time I can remember until the night before she got married, minus a year and a half in the first Bremerton house. I idolized her my whole life growing up and she wasn't very receptive to it, but that is okay. Heather, some of my favorite memories with you come from the days we sold all the parades down the I-5 corridor. We would leave Bremerton early in the morning, 1 of the times our first stop was at the Victorian Country Christmas in Puyallup. (Pew-al-up) From there we would drive down to Centralia. (Sen-Trail-yuh) At that parade, we were often made fun of by the spectators. It was a self esteem boost for sure. After that parade we had 4 or 5 hours until the next one in Longview, so we would go shopping. Once or twice we drove down to Troutdale to see your old stomping ground, that later became my old stomping ground too. When the last parade was over, we would stop by Walmart in Centralia again to return anything we decided we didn't want, and then buy things we forgot or decided we needed. When we weren't shopping or selling, I loved the conversations we had and the ideas we came up with. Heather I love and I wouldn't trade those times for anything.

Melissa. Melissa and I met when we were Beehives in the Silverdale 3rd ward, and she was one of my best friends through Junior High . When I was a freshman, the boundaries of our ward split and we weren't in the same ward or the same school through high school. Melissa, one of my favorite memories with you was when we dressed up in our 'special' outfits for the last day of school at Ridgetop. I came across an old picture not long ago, and I will spare the world that image, but it brought back all the memories. Do remember the notes we wrote back and forth? 'visions' Thank you for being such a good example to me in school. Thank you also for cutting all my hair off when we lived in Utah. You were the first person besides me Mom to ever cut my hair and the first person ever to color it. You are amazing!

Amy. Amy and I served in the Young Women's Presidency together in Bremerton 2nd ward. She introduced me to rubberstamps and I learned to try new recipes from her. Amy, one of my favorite memories with you was the day we had to make all those little sugar cookies for Young Women's in Excellence. Do you remember when we were right in the middle of a batch and all our kids were in the living room crying REALLY LOUD? I just remember looking up and seeing all the kids in there, not very happy and wondering what had gone wrong. One of the kids was sitting in a box, a couple on the couch, and Matthew laying on the floor. He was the youngest at just a few months old. We took a break, situated them, and in no time things were back to normal. Thank goodness for Blue's Clue's and pacifiers!! Amy you are my first friend that I have kept contact with after we didn't live close to each other anymore. I Love You.

Kirstin and I met in Troutdale. We were both serving in Primary. Kirstin, one of my favorite memories with you was when we watched Pride and Prejudice togehter, the A&E Version. I was having a bad night, and Ken had just called and told me he wouldn't be home until the next morning. Just as I was trying to decide what to fix my kids for dinner, you called and invited the kids and I over for Pizza and a movie. Another memory was when I came to your house right after Christmas one year and taught you how to make pajama pants. The year before we made them for your Mom. You introduced me to color on the walls and tribute videos. Thank you for helping me with mine, right beofre we moved to Kansas. I Love You and miss you.

Jen and I met in Troutdale too. We never served together in an auxilary so I don't really remember when it was we became friends, but I'm so glad we did. Jen you introduced me to High/Low at dinner time. We still do it today. I loved it when we were gym buddies. It was a perfect setup. When you wanted to go, I didn't but I went. When I wanted to go, you didn't, but you went too. Because of you, I tortured myself on the stair stepper. I saw one the other day at SEars, and thought of you--good thoughts. Thank you for caring and for being there when I needed someone to talk to. I Love You and miss you.

Bonnie and I also met in Troutdale. I remember when I first met her I thought she was so nice. I later found out she was the Bishop's wife and I was sad because I wanted to be her firend, but I didn't want her to think I was trying to be friends jut because she was the Bishop's wife. I know, that is silly. Bonnie, my favorite memories with you come from the back of the primary room. I loved the short visits we had when sharing time was happening. From those short conversations I was strengthened. Thank you for taking us to the River with your family, and thank you for letting me help you with your scout quilt. You are very talented.

Marian and met at Thanksgiving Dinner in Larned. We've spent the last 2 thanksgivings together at the Connie Carlton's home (her Mother in law) My favorite memory so far was last Thanksgiving. Wegot to visit the whole day, we were guitar heros together, and we planned a trip to see them in March when we go to St. Louis. I can't wait!

Andrea and Garen are my little brother and his wife. We haven't spent alot of time with them since they've been married. I guess that is what happens when a family moves to Alaska on orders. One of the memories I have of spending times with Garen and Andrea was when they spent the night at our house in Oregon when they were moving from California to Alaska. We played games and I got to know Hayden for the first time. It was a really nice visit, and I'm sorry they can't take place more often.

Courtney and I served in Primary Presidency together here in Great Bend. Courtney, my favorite memories with you are when You, Holly and I would go shopping in Salina after our Stake Meetings. It was fun finding good buys and having good conversation. I also enjoyed the day that you babysat me after my surgery. Thank you for being my friend, and for being a good example of patience towards your kids. We miss your family alot.

Jacque and I met in Bremerton 2nd ward. She had just gotten married and I was engaged to be married shortly. Jacque, one of my favorite memories with you and Aaron was right after we got married and you came over for dinner. Do you remember when I made 'fried chicken'? It was GROSS!! I remember you trying to help me fix what I had just ruined and I remember your poor husband eating it--barely. Let him know I can make it really good now. You guys introduced us to Rumicube. Do you remember that we started playing that after our ONE game of Monopoly when Ken about commited a murder!! Thank you for the good memories.

Sarah was my first visiting teaching companion away from my home ward in Washington. We were neighbors in Orem, Utah. We got 100% every month, while we were comps. Sarah'a family and mine spent many evening together playing the farming game. We also spent our first Thanksgiving away from home with them. When I went into the hospital to have our 3rd baby, she watched my kids and cleaned my house. Shortly after that we moved away and didn't see tham again until this last July. Sarah, my favorite memory with you is the night of my slumber party, shortly before we moved back to Washington. Ken and the kids went to your house, you and Martha along with Heidi came over to my house. After the other girls left, we stayed up till almost 4 in the morning talking like we were in High School. I loved that.

Trishelle. Trishelle and I were in the Primary Presidency together in the Columbia Ward in Troutdale Oregon. Often times, it was not an easy friendship for either of us, but I wouldn't trade anyting we've gone through for an easier route. Trishelle, one of my favorite memories with you, was when we had a presidency meeting at your home and we were making sugar cookies, drinking hot chocolate and stamping thank-you's for the teachers. We were all discussing the books we had read, our favorite movies and you introduced me to spoilers. I still love spoilers. We had been laughing alot that night, and during a quiet time in the conversation, I took a drink of my hot chocolate, but at the very moment, I started laughing again for no good readon, and actually spit my hot chocolate out. That just go us all laughing again. Also, because of you, I love nail polish and toe rings. I have a great appreciation for things that sparkle and that smell good.

Jessica Darrington. I met Jessie on my first date with Ken. Her husband, Randy, and Ken have been friends since 2 or 3rd grade. He was the best man at our wedding, and we stayed with them on our first trip to Utah as a married couple. Jessie, do you remember Ken and I's wedding day, when you were 8 months pregnant and we lost the alternator in our car, an hour and a half away from home? We all piled into my Mom and Dad's car. There was 8 of us in an old Chrysler that had 5 seatbelts. It was in the middle of August and HOT. We didn't have air in the car. Mom and Dad had Kyle in the front seat between them. You and Randy, Ken and I, and Gina were piled into the pack. If I remember right, you had to sit on Randy's lap--kindof. It was the longest ride home from the Seattle Temple I'd ever experienced, and your attitude was GREAT. I was annoyed, and the guys didn't care either way. Thank you for coming all the way to Washington for our wedding, and for being my friend through the good and bad times. I Love You!

I am thankful for each and every one of you. There have been tears and laughter, annoyances and anger, love and service. Throught out the times that I have spent with each of you, I have become a better person. Thank you for the Good Times. ttfn Dedra