My Car Accident

Yesterday around 10:30am, I was driving to the soccer fields near our local elementary school. I had Ashlyn with me, and I was planning on running on the trail surrounding the fields. When I was almost there, I got behind a white Chevrolet truck that was going about 15 mph. I slowed down and followed it into a round-a-bout. Just into the round-a-bout, the truck came to a complete stop, so I came to a complete stop (we were about half a car length apart). Then, I saw the truck's back-up lights come on and it slowly started to move toward me. There was nowhere I could move the car (curb on either side), and I didn't feel I had time to back up, so I just started honking. It was useless, the truck backed right into me!

We both got out of the car and the driver was older and grabbed a walker out of the truck bed. He apologized and walked with me to the front of the car to survey the damage. He suggested that we pull forward (out of the way) and he would get me his insurance information. We pulled out of the way, and I made several phone calls before calling the police. I had to get out of my car to find an address, and as I was returning, the passenger of the truck stepped out with a paper with hand-written insurance information. I informed him that an officer was on the way, so he withheld the paper and said the officer would give me the information. Because of this action, I assume that the truck driver had no intention of calling the police.

10 minutes later the officer arrived. He went to the truck first and took their information. When he came to my car for my information, he also asked for my side of the story. After I had told him, he informed me that the other driver claimed that I ran into him when he was at a complete stop! What! I couldn't believe the man would lie! Unfortunately, there were no witnesses to the accident, so it is basically his word against mine. As far as I know, the officer did not issue any citations, and we were both given eachother's insurance information.

I called my insurance company immediately to file a claim, and my insurance representative was calling the truck's insurance to file a claim with them. I hope, hope, hope that they will pay for the damages to our car. I have no idea what it will cost, but based on previous experience, it probably won't be cheap.These are some pictures of our wounded car:






So, what do you think? Any suggestions for what I should do at this point besides wait?

President Hinckley

President Hinckley passed away today at the age of 97. He has served as prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 1995. I'm so thankful for his strong leadership, wonderful example, and inspired teachings. I know that he was called of God to lead His church here on earth and I am so grateful for his worthiness and humility. We love you President Hinckley and we will miss you.

The Aquarium

Thursday we went to the aquarium with Tiffany and Kyle. There were several tanks at the children's level and little steps up to the taller tanks. I thought the whole place was quite kid-friendly.

Ashlyn enjoyed sitting in the captain's seat of the motorboat. Unfortunately, I didn't catch a picture of her with her hands on the steering wheel.


They're staring at the clown fish.


This was one of my favorite tanks-the fish were big and bright and the coral was gorgeous too.

In the Drawer

Two Pounds of Love

Yesterday I celebrated my 25th Birthday, and it felt so significant. It is such an old birthday. It was a perfect day and I feel so blessed. Thank you everyone for your love!

Brad came home from work with this:

I can't think of a better way for someone to show me that they care then with two pounds of Twizzler love. He really does know me well. Thanks babe!

I wanted to go through some old stuff and get it organized (or thrown out or given away), so we spent some time last night doing that and I feel like I've lost 10 pounds. It was wonderful to get a little more organized and decluttered!

I didn't feel like eating at a sit-down restaurant (probably because I had Mimi's for breakfast), so we decided to check out this new fast-food place in Orem.

It was like In-N-Out Burger. It was good. I had chicken strips and he had a double cheeseburger and Ashlyn has like 2 million fries. We liked it and it hit the spot.

All the other little details of the day were just wonderful. I think 25 is a good age. Here's to at least 25 more!

My Crafty Sisters-in-Law

I have two really awesome sisters-in-law. They are both so talented, and lately I've really benefited from their talents.

For one thing, last night Heidi gave us this FHE chart. Of course, she'd made it herself. I couldn't get it on the wall fast enough - I even put it up without Brad's help!


Heidi also made this quiet book for Ashlyn for Christmas. It has pictures of all Ashlyn's extended family and she loves looking at it. Everyone who has seen it just thinks it is the greatest idea ever!



Then, there is Allison, who is quite crafty too. She made Ashlyn this quiet book with pictures of Christ. I love having it for her to look at during sacrament.



Allison is also into digital scrapbooking and has shared some of her adorable layouts. Check this one out. I'm pretty sure she took these adorable pictures too!

My goal is to eventually creat some cute, digital page layouts of my own, so maybe someday I'll be able to return the favor. But until then, I just want to say "Thank you!"

Oreo Girl

Ashlyn had just woken up from an nap and she was super fussy. Nothing calms a kid down quite like an Oreo!