Thursday, May 1, 2008


I can't believe it. This will practically be in our backyard before we know it. Who would have ever thought that we would be getting our own little temple right here in Gilbert, AZ! I was so excited when President Riggs announced this that I started crying. Jeff & I both can't wait until this temple is dedicated & we are able to enjoy the blessings of it. Hopefully it will be finished before we have children adopted so that we can be sealed to them in it so close to home. What a true blessing!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

My first Phoenix Suns Game in Shaq Style!

I was so excited on Monday when Jeff called me from work at lunch time to ask me if I would like to go to a Suns game. What? Are You Kiddin me? Are you talking Shaq here? His answer was YES & so was mine. I have been begging to go to a game since Shaq moved here but Jeff hadn't had the time or I was either working. I was even more excited when he told me the tickets are from his work, which meant only the best! BOX SEATS, FREE Buffet, Free Sodas, Private Bathroom! Not only was I going to my first ever professional basketball game, but I was going in the best possible circumstances. No need to worry about getting there early for a parking spot either. He had a parking pass that put us so close to the suite that I had to only walk 25 feet from the car to the suites seating. I was in pure heaven all night long. The game was very close all the way to the end! What pure joy to be at my first game & the Suns won in the last few minutes of the game. What suspense! Steve Nash played so awesome as well as my new friend Shaq!

I love my husband's job b/c he has the greatest perks. Nursing doesn't even compare. Jeff always gets tickets to the top games as well as the professional golf that comes to town (sorry Tiger can't remember at 3:00 am what it is called). Anyway, a big thanks to Hunt Construction (& Maryanne) for taking such good care of my wonderful husband (& me). You are the BEST!!! Hunt knows how to treat their valuable employees.

Go Phoenix Suns!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Our bike ride with Harley

Jeff got off of work early for Good Friday so when he got home just after lunch time we decided to take a bike ride. It was such a beautiful day so we decided to make good use of it. Harley decided she wanted to go along for the ride as well.

She loves to ride in that basket! We put a blanket in there b/c last time she lost some of her toenail b/c it got stuck in one of the basket holes. It only trimmed it off, she never lost a nail or anything!

We decided to take pictures b/c I love my bike. I got it from Jeff for my birthday & have only gotten to ride a few times together with him. We rode all around the walking trails in the neighborhood. Boy did we get lots of oohs and aahs b/c of Harley being her cute self. She faces the front b/c the wind blows in her face & her ears stick out & it is just so adorable! There were a lot of people out by the lake & pool so you can't beat the great weather here.

Early Easter Bike Ride!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Anniversary Party

First of all, I have to thank all of you who came to our St Patrick's Anniversary Party on Saturday night! Jeff & I had a blast. This was a big party for us to host so we have to have more in order to be better hosts. Jeff & I just love St. Patrick's Day & the color green. We are thinking of making it a yearly event at the Joiners' house. What do ya think?

For those of you not in attendance we had lots of food & decorations but at the last minute couldn't seem to find our plastic eating utensils!!! How embarrassing. Thanks to Cindy M. for running home & bringing some to the rescue!!! Everyone was then able to eat all of their green food that we made. For those who had to leave early sorry for not getting the camera out sooner but we did at the end remember to take pictures.

Feel free to comment on how the party went & what could have been a little better. There is room for improvement in everything we all do. So some positive criticism would be helpful in order for me to have another party of some sorts. Jeff & I love parties so help us out, as friends would do, criticize! We are begging.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

It's been a while!

OK, so I am a little behind on journaling! When I first started the blog I had just finished our paperwork with LDS Family Services & was about to begin my second surgery for Endometrosis, when the surgery put me to bed & with the holidays the time just flew by!!!

So for a little catching up. Jeff & I went on a cruise in Feb. for an early 10 year Anniversary Vacation. We flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico & stayed a few days before setting sail to The US Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Dominica Republic, Barbados, & a few others (all were Southern Caribbean Islands) We had a wonderful time. We took our first cruise 8 years ago to the Western Caribbean when we were married. We hope to cruise again after we adopt a baby & it is old enough to go.

Jeff & I are doing well. We are working & staying busy until we are chosen by some wonderful birth parents. We are celebrating our 10 year Anniversary this Saturday the 15Th by throwing a big bash for our friends. Our Anniversary is the 17Th but we figured no one wanted to come party on a Monday night! I will post pictures of the party afterwards. I am a little slow at posting. I do well with everything except the changing of the background. The background is done by a dear friend who is very sick & pregnant, A Big Shout Out to Bea Robinson, for the help with that!!! Hang in there Bea.

Keep checking back maybe I will be able to post cruise pics before the party pics.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

About & What's Up With Us

Hey you all! Greetings from Sunny Arizona. I have finally come up with a way to keep in touch with everyone back east in Kentucky & North Carolina, as well as our Arizona friends. Yea, I know what ya'll are thinking, we are way behind with technology! Everyone is blogging now days but we just never thought about it until now. Now that we are adopting.

Yes to those of you who didn't know, we (I) have been diagnosed four months ago with severe endometriosis & will never be able to have my own children. We are working with a Reproductive Endocrinologist to do a second surgery in hopes to repair more of the damage to my female parts. Who knows if it will help but we are trying to avoid a complete Hysterectomy that other doctors have recommended. So past the boring part!

We have completed our paperwork, had a home inspection, & paid our fees for the adoption. Now we just are waiting for "the baby" to be born. It sometimes takes a while since the birth mother chooses who she gives her baby to. Things have really changed since "days of old." We are attending the mandatory adoption classes, which by the way are great!!! Jeff & I both cried (sobbed) during Wednesday nights class. We met two birth mothers who came to share their side of the adoption process. All I can say is Kudos to the birthmothers who, even as they put it, have so much love for their babies that they are able to give that baby to a temple worthy couple. Those of you who may not know (Jeff & I live rightously by our church's standards, that we do as Heavenly Father has asked of us on this earth, & therefore we become temple worthy. (long story short).

Jeff & I came back to AZ after he found a great job with no traveling or should I rephrase that to moving around anymore. We love the southwest. The weather is always sunny & we are currently in the 13th year of a drought here in the desert! That's probably why its called a desert. (Not to mention the Super Bowl will be here in 2008, woo-hoo!) The pool in our neighborhood is heated all year around, so ya know white legs will be out there then. We love the weather, we just stay inside as much as possible when it is summer time. Jeff loves the fishing pond in our neighborhood, he just hates that it happens to be a catch & release pond. Ha, Ha no bragging for him to do! So he has taken up Quail hunting with his friends about once a month or so. Sorry, no luck there yet either. He's an excellent shooter b/c he had a perfect score at his weapons qualification this past weekend at Guard Drill, just aren't seeing much Quail.