Cutest Baby Contest

My niece, Natalie, has made the top 10 cutest babies in Utah. I'd love it if you'd take a look & vote. The link is http://www.utahbabyguide.com/cutest_baby_contest.html if you'd like to look at all your options. Then, all you have to do is send a quick email to cutestbaby@utahbabyguide.com with the subject heading Entry #4. Quick, easy, painless.

Thanks!

Friend's Post

A friend of mine recently had this posted on her blog. I support this & like it so much I thought I'd post it on my blog as well. Love ya Camille!

"As you know in California recently voted on Proposition 8, an initiative to establish that marriage be recognized only between a man and a woman. I am obviously for equal rights of all people. Discrimination of homosexuals is unacceptable. Their right to equality does not, however, neccessitate nor justify the redefinition of marriage. Recent litigation siding with homosexual couples has infringed on religious rights resulting in the termination of Catholic adoption services in Massachussetts (because the Catholic church would not grand adoptions to homosexual couples), have challenged the tax exempt status of religous organizations, and sided against fertility doctors who referred homosexual patients to other doctors because their beliefs and conscience would not let them offer fertility services to homosexual couples. These rulings are significant and will only be the tip of the iceberg if judges go unchecked. These cases make it clear that in order to preserve the religious freedom that was paramount in the founding of the United States of America, there is a need to assert the definition of marriage as the union of one woman and one man. Other civil unions and rights may be granted homosexual couples, but marriage is not one of those rights.

Here are some links to great articles and commentaries on the subject. I encourage you to review these articles and take action as your own conscience demands.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91486191
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-blankenhorn19-2008sep19,0,2093869.story
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/homosexuality/ho0079.html
http://www.protectmarriage.org/ (click here to find ways to volunteer)

Please take the time to be informed regarding this manner and to take action."

Life's Logo

Here's my logo. Let me know what you think...

Cuteness!

Check out my sister's cute family. Her friend Tanelle took these pictures. She's starting her own photography business, looks like she'll be getting tons of clients soon!
http://ryanandtanelle.blogspot.com/
It probably doesn't hurt that Brad & Lori have ADORABLE kids though!

Uncle Larry's Funeral

I recently attended my Uncle Larry's funeral in Grand Junction, CO.

While funerals are a horrible reason to get together...it was nice to see all of my extended family, most of which I haven't seen in years. I was excited to introduce Chris to them. They are anxious to get Chris to the golf course.

There was a pretty embarassing incident. I was taking Chris to my cousins table, to show him off. He began pulling the chair out. I thought he was pulling it out for me. I thought, "Wow, that's sweet of him, he usually doesn't do this." Turns out, he was taking the chair for himself, so I could sit by my cousins. Boom! I landed flat on the floor! Everyone there laughed. I even got applause. I ended up with a couple of bruises. It was a serious fall. I'm at least glad everyone got a laugh out of it. I don't even think Chris feels bad about it, "I should've seen it coming." Haha!

My sister, JoAnn, and my cousin, Curtis, have been long time friends. It makes me laugh now, but when I was a kid, I had the BIGGEST crush on Curtis! I guess stuff like that only happens in Wyoming!?

I was sad JoAnn didn't get to bring her kids. They're busy with school, sports, and the school choir show or something. Doesn't it suck living so far away? I hate missing everything they're in.

My mom & dad recently visited as well. It's always nice to see them, though I usually take a backseat to the grandkids. It's understandable, I do have cute nieces & nephews! My mom & dad are getting old. I hate it. I remember my grandma playing a huge role in my life growing up, I worry my children won't get to have the same experiences, either because we don't live close to my parents, or because I'm waiting too long to have kids. Either way, it worries me. I love my parents! Aren't they just the cutest couple?

Private Practice

I'm doing it! I'm opening a private practice! It's a lot more work than I realized, but it will be worth it, I'm sure. My company's name is
Life's Solutions Counseling.
I have a web page & everything. But don't look yet, it's still being built. Also, more work than I realized. HA!

Chris is being very supportive. I've turned into the most boring wife. I'm always working on marketing, reading, or my financial business plan. I'm learning lots. Chris's grandfather has been teaching me the accounting, tax, legal aspect of setting up a business. Wow. He's an intelligent man! I'm lucky to get to pick apart his brain before he & his wife take off on a mission in 2 weeks.

For a while I'll be seeing private clients at my office in Orem, and a select few private clients at home. After a few months, when I have more of a clientele, I'll open an office in the Orem area. I'm excited to be doing this. I hope I can set it up to be successful, profiting, and helpful to all those who come see me. I'm planning on specializing in grief & loss (cause of personal experience), marriage counseling (cause I LOVE it), and work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (cause I sign). If I need to add specialties, I can do that, but I've learned focus is power. Listen to me...I'm a small business owner! :)

New SUV

Chris & I found a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder in Colorado. Chris's dad was able to get it for us & Chris flew home to drive it back. It's great! I love this automobile. It's too bad I have to get in an accident to get a vehicle I like this much, but I guess I'll take it any way I can get it. I feel so spoiled. I can hardly wait to get something to pull behind it!

Accidents

I swear, I'm cursed. I was on my way home from work last night & the big pick-up truck in front of me had to slam on their brakes. I then had to slam on my brakes. But, you know it, I rear-ended them. Their truck received a scratch and maybe a slight adjustment of their rear bumper. My car, on the other hand, was BEAT UP! It doesn't look too bad in this picture at the towing facility, but it was worse before they moved it. Both airbags were deployed, the front of the car & hood smashed, the tires smoking, windshield broken, and something under the hood wouldn't stop smoking. The fireman had to cut the battery to prevent a fire. Why does this happen, just as I was celebrating the moderate amount still owed on my auto loan?


I was pretty shaken up by the accident. The smells freaked me out. I'm sure everyone at the scene thought I was a bit dramatic. Oh well, they don't understand. I'm grateful it wasn't any worse than it was and I only received scrapes, burns, & bruises. But, I HATE accidents!


It's the worst feeling having to call your husband to say "I've been in an accident." It's not fair to him. That's got to be the most terrifying thing to hear on the other end of the phone. Chris raced to be by my side and drive me home. I've got to be the most irritating wife on the planet!


No more accidents for me...I promise! I won't even use my cell phone unless I have my bluetooth headset. No mistakes for me. I have WAY to much to live for!

Vacation

Chris & I recently returned from a fun filled week with family. First we went to Victor, ID with Chris's family to camp, hike, relax, and of course...play golf. The weather was perfect and the camping spot was in a great location. Chris & I went 4-wheeling on amazing back country trails. We also played a long, competitive game of Hand & Foot with Chris's family. To tell you the truth, I'm surprised they still like me! The last day there, Chris, Danny, Kelsey, & I hiked to Inspiration Point in Jackson, WY. We obviously had fun with the fruit roll-up tongue tattoos!












We then drove to the San Luis Valley for a few days with my family. We hiked to my favorite waterfall with my sister, JoAnn, and 3 of her kids, Kyle, Chad, & Blair. It was beautiful! I got to teach my brother-in-law, Anthony, and Kyle how to play Settlers of Catan. I love that game! What am I saying, I love most games! Chris & I also enjoyed watching the Olympics with my mom and dad. Go Michael Phelps!!



After that, we went to the National Sand Dunes Park for my 10 year reunion. Can I really be that old!? There was a small turnout, but it was still fun to see a few old faces and catch up. Most of my classmates had cute little kids. Hard to believe they're all parents!
Chris & I also hiked to Zapata Falls. Talk about cold water! Our feet could only handle so much. It was fun to spend time with Chris. We seriously need to go on more vacations.

It was great missing that much work! Now back to reality...

Published

One of my widow friends asked me, and some of the girls I know that have been through similar experiences, if we wanted to submit an essay for a new book, "Alone But Not Lonely." Her friend was the editor for the book and there is a chapter on loss. She wanted us to share our experiences, advice, etc. I decided to submit an essay with my story and they accepted it. It was hard to write something so short when I could have written hundreds of pages about my experience. But I did it. Whew!

The book is only at Deseret Book, but I'm still excited to say I have something published! I don't have a copy yet but they should be mailing me one soon and a small check. If you are interested in checking it out, it's available at: http://deseretbook.com/store/product?sku=4959381

Holiday Month

Isn't July great? I love all the holidays & visits from family. The fireworks are my favorite part! The fireworks on Independence Day in Washington, DC were absolutely amazing. I don't know that the fireworks I'll see this year will compare, but at least I'll be with Chris. Fireworks are that much better when you're with the one that you love. How's that for corny!? It's true though, cuddling under a blanket with fireworks going off above your head is one of the highlights of the year for me.

Family visits are lots of fun as well. I'm looking forward to my 10 year reunion. I'll get to spend time with my sister, JoAnn, and her family, as well as my parents. It's been a long time since I spent time in my good 'ole hometown. It should be fun. The Mormon Pioneer Days are always a good time down there.

My nieces & nephews sure love visits from Grandma & Grandpa, as you can see from the picture of Kaylynn, Grandpa, & Ryan. Blake sure loves the fireworks as well. It's amazing how quickly they grow. Sometimes I wish it could stay this time forever. But, every year I get a little older, and so do they. In fact, my niece, Nicole, visited for a week. She's going to be a senior. I can hardly believe it. She's beautiful, intelligent, and talented. I'm proud of her.

Kids are amazing. Every once & a while Chris & I talk about when we'll have kids & what we'll name them. You can only imagine the discussions (AKA arguments) that begin. I love the names Rylee, Jaycee, Jackson, and Carter. Chris once mentioned the name Dash, for a boy. I think we have a LONG way to go before we have kids, if those are the names he's thinking about using! :)

Actually, I recently learned that my LPC license is a little further off than I thought. I have more supervised hours than I realized, as well as Utah requires LPC's to take 2 tests, in addition to the NCE that I just passed. I'm looking at a lot more studying and a lot more $. Blah. Maybe I should've pursued my LCSW, or maybe I should use my 2nd degree instead? No, I love the work I do. I guess I just have to settle with VERY little money and working forever to get credit for the work I do. HA!

House warming

Chris & I recently painted 6 different rooms in our house! It was quite a project. We've almost finished the edging in the last room. It will be great to have it all finished. We also painted our front door, as it was an ugly gray color. Now it blends nicely! Our house is starting to feel like "our home". You can see Chris does an amazing job on the yard.


A couple of months ago, Chris & I took a trip to Las Vegas, NV. We played golf, stopped by Shark Reef, visited In&Out Burger, and went by the Ferrari show. We also attended a temple session while we were there. We were lucky and got to participate as the witness couple. I doubt we get to do that again. It was quite an experience. It was a fun trip. It was supposed to be a free trip through Wyndham, but everything they gave us sucked. Our room, for instance, after a $150 upgrade had a beautiful view over the enclosed laundry facilities. It was lovely hearing all the trucks throughout the night. They've offered us another free trip, but we politely declined.

1st Year Down, On to #2

Chris & I recently celebrated our 1 year anniversary. We went camping in Hyrum, UT on the 2nd and then stayed at the Anniversary Inn in Logan, UT the following night. We had a blast. The weather was perfect. Shortly after camping the rain started coming down. We're lucky we picked the night we did!

On the 1st of June my sister & her husband, Lisa & Matt, blessed their baby, Natalie. She also won a local city's 0-3 month old girl photo contest. I got to escort her through the parade. It was fun! I hope my babies are as cute.

Shortly after our anniversary we returned home to find my scores on the National Counselor's Exam (NCE), I took on April 12, 2008. I was terrified to open it, as the test & all the study materials had cost me a small fortune, in addition to the fact that the test just SUCKS! But, I am happy to announce I passed it. In fact, I did better than passing, I kicked this tests trash! I'm on my way to getting my Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure! This test qualifies me to be a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) to add to my Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) license. A lot of stupid letters if you ask me, but hopefully they each come with pay raises.

Chris continues to do well in his work with Novell. He covers the state of Illinois. He flew out to Chicago for a week last month. He received very positive feedback from companies he visited while there. He's quite persuasive, intelligent, & competent in his field. I'm proud of him. He's also loving taking care of our lawn and garden. We have one of the best yards in the neighborhood. Our aspens are taking root and the landscaping looks very nice. He's also enjoying riding the bike he bought last year now that the weather has improved. He also gets out golfing whenever he can. He loves to head to Victor, Idaho with his brother and dad for a friendly game or two of golf.

I'm currently working for an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) called Blomquist Hale Consulting Group, Inc. For those of you that don't know what an EAP is (the vast majority, I'm sure) we provide short-term counseling services to the employees of companies that contract with us. I get to see kids, teens, adults, couples, etc. I love it. It is exhausting though. I work 4 10-hour days, seeing 7-8 clients per day. I'm hoping to get my LPC soon, enabling me to open a private practice. That way I can hopefully see some Deaf clients, work less grueling hours, and possibly even make more $. We'll see...

I graduated from Gallaudet University in May 2007. Chris & his parents went out to DC with me. It was great to see everyone & FINALLY be done with school! The DC sites were beautiful as ever. I sure wish Utah vegetation grew like it does out there!

Chris & I have each gotten running shoes and are starting to run together. Chris bought me a pair for my birthday in April. I'd like to start doing a few 5Ks. Hopefully we'll get a couple in together this summer. If only they weren't always at 7:00 in the morning! I'd prefer something around 9:00 or, even 10:00.

I'm sure that's about enough for my very 1st post on this our new Francom Fam Blog.