Exercise your freedom today and VOTE!!

When Robert and I got engaged, I remember holding out my left hand to admire my new diamond ring MANY times a day. In fact, I remember gazing at it so long once or twice while was driving that I almost got in an accident. Well, I have found that having a new car is kind of the same for me. I keep looking out my window to see if the car is still there and to admire how looks in the drive way- kind of silly I know but fun just the same!! Anyway, here it is!

After many months of debating we finally decided on a Honda Pilot! And I must admit for all the fussing we did over it- it is pretty cool!

When I picked up the car on Friday it had 8.9 miles on the odometer. Honestly, it is kind of scary to be driving a brand new car in NAPLES ITALY of all places. It certainly wasn't what we had planned but... I think it is going to work for us!

Oh there it is again- still in the drive way and still looking cool!

I believe the dog vs. child debate is finally over for us.
After seeing these two photos...

We've decided we can't live without either one!

I guess I am not a true blogaholic because there are days when I am just not feeling the blog power, when I simple can't find the words or the strength to write about my life. Today is one of those days. For weeks now I have been wanting to sit down and write but when I finally made the time to do it- there was nothing inside of me to share. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say there is so much inside of me I don't know where to start. I wish I could say more... but I can't! I am sorry. Since there are no words, how about a picture? This one is for you Mom!

So, I haven't been blogging much lately- it has been a rough couple of weeks for me. A definite valley in the landscape of my life. A time to think and pray. A time to make changes. A time to hold on to the truth I have been taught and to have faith in God's plan for me. Unfortunately it has also been a time to cry and complain and to spend vast amounts of time feeling sorry for myself (thus my absence from the blog. I mean who has time to blog when they are feeling sorry for themselves every waking moment? Certainly not me)!

I loved Mom's post a few days ago about Taming the Green Eyed Monster. The article she quoted mentioned how important it is for us to rejoice with our friends when they are doing well in life. I know that this is important and I am sorry I haven't been able to do it these last few weeks. I am sorry I wasn't able to cheer for you when you succeeded and celebrate with you reason to rejoice. I am sorry I missed birthdays (Chloe, Zach, Missy, Mandy) and other special days. I am sorry I missed experiencing your joys because I was so caught up in my own heartache. Thanks for sharing them with me anyway.

Anyway, I am back. I am still struggling but I am here.

I have been tagged by my sister Jen.
Here are a few facts you may not know about me!

1. I like BIG, MESSY hair. It doesn't fit my personality at all but I just love it anyway!

2. My secret dream is to record Children's books on tape.

3. I have arm issues. I just can't bring myself to wear short sleeve shirts- its weird I know but ... it's me!

4. I love dishes! I have a white dish collection that is seriously about to take over my house. Does that stop me from buying more? Of course not!

5. When I was 14 I auditioned to sing in a national high school choir (which happened to be performing in Hawaii that year)- and I was selected! I spent 7 days in Hawaii singing and beaching- it was fantastic!

6. If I could live anywhere in the world (besides next door to my sister, brother, and parents) I would choose Switzerland! I love the mountains and I have never seen any as beautiful as the Swiss alps in the spring!

7. I took a break from cleaning the garage to write this post. Presently I am surrounded by 4 sleeping bags; 3 pillows; various toys; a rake, edger and other garden supplies; 3 stuffed animals; 5 plastic dinosaurs; a puzzle; 3 pairs of shoes; 2 area rugs; and a pink plastic cup. And that is just what I can see from the computer! Yikes-I think I better go!

Tag, you're it: Mom, Sara, Rayna

Who was I kidding when I said I thought I was headed for a "few really crazy days" It has been an entire week of crazy days! Here is some of what I have been doing (in no particular order)

1. Hosted a surprise 30th birthday party for one of our good Italian friends
2. Planned, prepared and conducted our Branch Visiting Teaching Conference!
3. Visited 7 difference Sisters in need
4. Attended 5 exercise classes at the base gym
5. Taught 2 lessons in Relief Society
6. Sang 2 songs at Church
7. Re-landscaped our front yard
8. Ordered new Sunday clothes for the Boys on line (I mention it only because it took me the better part of two days to find and order everything I needed)
9. Refilled 25 dry mix jars
10. Taught a class on decorating
11. Got a manicure and pedicure
12. Held 2 Presidency Meetings
13. Reorganized my hall closet
14. Shopped for and mailed Piper, Julia and Chloe's birthday presents (I love shopping for girls!)
15. Volunteered at school

And... well you get the picture. It is no excuse, I know but now at least you know 15 reasons why I have been out of the blogging loop this week. I'm glad to be back... I have lost to share, so stay tuned.

Today is the beginning of a few really crazy days for our family- I hope to be able to blog over the weekend but if not... you know why!

There seems to be more "blog worthy" things happening each day than I can effectively write about so here are a few random things that have happened in the last few days that I wanted to share.

SUNDAY SNACKS- part two
Once again, despite my greatest efforts not to, I fell asleep yesterday afternoon (a habit I have GOT to break). When I woke up I was expecting to find all kinds of interesting things in the kitchen. Much to my surprise however, the kitchen had been untouched (I think they were still full from last week). After dinner and getting the boys in bed I sat down at the computer to take care of a few things and found a funny little note for me typed in a word document from the boys. It said,

Request For Dinner Monday Hebgers

I love these kids, they are SO funny!

WEIGHTS AND MEASUREMENTS
I finally gave up trying to find clothes here for the boys and just decided to order everything they need on- line. Because they are both kind of in between sizes right now, I thought I had better take their measurements before ordering to avoid buying the wrong things and having to return stuff. So, I did and this is what I found. Spencer is built like a Mattson- long legs (25" inseam) and short arms (17") and Ross is built EXACTLY like Robert! His legs and his arms are the same length (21")- it is the cutest thing! Even now it makes me smile to think Ross got Robert's fabulous build.

ME AND MUSIC
I love music and have always tried to stay pretty open minded about what I listen to. However, today I was driving home from dropping off Robert at work (my car is out of commission because one of the tires got a hole in it (a story worthy of its own post someday)) and thought I would listen to a little music. So I turned on the CD player not knowing what was in it and suddenly I was surrounded by loud, twangy country music. It was so offensive. I can really explain how it made me feel but it was just all wrong. All I know is that Italy is not the place for country music. Mississippi- yes with out question, but not Italy.

Spring is in the air here in Italy and I thought my blog needed to better represent the changing season and the enthusiasm that goes with it. Enjoy!