The Dyreng's

Can't Put It Down

2010-03-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

I bought a book last week. Not a big deal I do this every week when I finish the last one... This week though I bought this book.

Why is this book so different.. lets do the math ... 376 pages... 36 hours... I could not put it down. I would read when I ate, when I was vacuuming. This is a must read for anyone that is in need of an amazing book. And so this week I went out and bought another book, and it looks like this...

And I might have also pre-ordered this..

Nerd.. yes... but if you ever get the itching for a really good book at least you know where to find three of them... Well two until August 8.

Obsession

2010-02-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

I wrote a post awhile back about our obsession. Update passed off coins and all. Why did it take so long... Travis would get so emotionally attached that I would have to make him take a break. Sometimes I think that he really felt like he was being chased by lava and a huge turtle with spikes. He would get breathing so fast and shaking..... next obsession... not so emotionally intense!

Movin On

2010-02-26T09:24:00.001-08:00

Movin on, it kind of scares me to death. A week ago there were so many questions where are we going to live, work,play, and hang out with when we move to Cedar? Should we go to Cedar in the summer or the fall. Do I want to do online or in the class room? Then the Lord stepped in. He always knows what I need. A dear friend of ours called us and said that he and his wife are moving out of their house in Cedar and they think we should move in. It is a little farm house right across the street from the SUU farm. Travis will work there for 20 hours a week for free rent and utilities. It has three bedrooms and is a lot bigger then where we are now. The best part we can have animals, paint walls, plant flowers, we can pretty much do whatever we want. The house is so nice with hard wood floors, an neat old architecture. I wish I could share pictures, but I didn't think the current tenants would appreciate me plastering the photos of their house on the web. We have met with all the people that needed to be met with and we have the house! We can move in May and I will be painting my the end of May I am sure. It is amazing the things that you want to do when you can't like paint. I have just wanted to pick up a brush and put colors on the walls.
There is still a lot of unanswered questions that I lay awake thinking about, but at least we will have a house to lay awake in thinking about them in. I was also reminded when we made our little trip down there that we have people in Cedar that already care for us, like Jake and Natalie, Paul and April, Whitney and Blake. It will be okay and when I think it won't be I just have to remember that the lord will step in, and he always knows what I need.

Fallon's Fourteen

2010-02-09T16:38:00.001-08:00

I can not believe that Fallon is fourteen this year. I still remember the day that my mom and dad brought her home she was so precious, but she had quite the attitude. Now she is fourteen it is crazy. I am so proud of Fallon she is amazing at everything. She is a straight A student and has qualified for the Power Tumbling National Finals every year. She is so sweet and constantly concerned about others. I don't know what our family would do without her kindness. I love her so much and I hope that she had a great birthday. I know this picture is so old but this is her after placing at Tumbling Finals back East, she just looks so happy!

A True Role Model

2010-02-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

This Sunday was my sweet mother-in laws birthday. I remember the first time I met Diane, she was over at Debbie's for Enrichment Night and Allen called her over to meet me. She was so sweet and made me feel right at home in her beautiful house. Diane has continued to make me feel that way during these past three years. She is so willing to open her house, and her heart to everyone. She is such a great example of what a mother and a woman should be. I am so grateful that by marrying Travis I not only got a good man, but an amzing extension to my already wonderful family. I could go on and on about Diane and how creative, beautiful, fun, humble, and full of life she is, but mostly I just want her to know how much I love her, and that I am so grateful that she is in my life. Happy Birthday Diane, and I can't wait to spend this year with you.

Beauty and Love

2010-02-03T16:03:00.001-08:00

Here she is Miss America! Travis' sisiter Kristyn has moved back to Utah, and we are so glad that she did. This weekend she hosted a great party in honor of Miss America. We ate a ton of food,acted as the judges and, won prizes throughout the night for guessing the right girl. It was such a nice party and Kristyn really spent a log of time making sure that everything was just perfect for a night of beauty. Thanks Kristyn!

I just had to share this picture, because I am clearly not the only person that loves and adores Travis Dyreng. Our nephews and niece clung to Travis like this for a good ten minutes while he was trying to help with dinner. I love Travis he is so cute, and totally deserves to be adored by everyone like this. Just as an example. I have been having a rough couple of days this past week dealing with life in general and today I walked in from class ( since Wednesday is my least busy day I use it to clean the house.) I placed my bag down and got ready to tackle the mess.... only when I looked around there was no mess at all. The dishwasher was running and so was the washer, the house was dusted, the carpets moped, and the clutter had found its way home. I could have cried. I just leaned over the lazy boy that Travis was sitting in and planted a big kiss on the lips!

We Are Obsessed

2010-01-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

Every once and a while Travis and I will get a new obsession. Some times these obsessions are movies, or a certain sitcom show, sometimes we have to eat ice cream everynight before bed or drink hot chocolate. These obsession really range in type and length. We are currently overcome with a new obsession! Travis' Sister Kristyn introduced us to this game over Christmas break. We refrained as long as possible but a week ago we broke down and bought it. Our obsession did not hit its full peak until we had some of our good friends Gabe and Linda over to play. The four of us played until almost two in the morning. Now me and Travis can not help ourselves if we have twenty minutes between classes you will find us passing off levels (atleast trying to) or battling castles. Hopefully this to shall pass, but I have a feeling it won't be for a while.

He's Here

2010-01-19T07:50:00.001-08:00

Little Lee Darin Sorenson finally made his way into this life on Saturday the 16th around 10:00 am. Erin was induced Friday morning at 9:20 and from then on they were putting her on a pit, pulling her off of one and so forth. She was moving really fast on Friday night while she was on the pit, so they put in her epadural and then slowed the pit down while they waited for the doctor. After they turned the pit off it was like she went into a dead halt, and she finally got going again around 8:00 in the morning. The bad part for her about all of this was that her epidural had warn off, and no matter how much they were giving her she could still feel everything. Poor Erin. But after all of this came out the most perfect little boy that I have ever seen. Lee Darin 7.7 pounds and 20.5 inches long. We all love him so much and it already seems like I have known him forever. I got to take my mom over to spend the week with Erin, and while I was there all I could do was stare at him, and think just days ago he was with our Heavenly Father and now he is here to bless our family. We love you Lee and the rest of the Sorenson family.

Happy Birthday

2010-01-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

This year I am going to do birthday post and who do we start with!!!
That is right Kera! Her birthday was on Saturday the 16th. I love Kera and her family so much. They have welcomed me into the Dyreng family with open arms, and I feel like I have known them forever. Kera is especially sweet to me. She is always around when I need a friend, or a good game of sevens. I love that I can talk to her about anything and know that she is listening and will always tell me what she thinks. I look up to her so much as a mother and as a lady. She is amazing with her children I know that sometimes she would say otherwise, but I will disagree with her one hundred percent. She has a unique and strong relationship with both of her kids, and I don't think they could be turning out better. I also look up to her for the lady that she is. She is so creative and smart. You can tell how great her marriage is by just watching the way her and her husband Adam communicate and act with one another. Me and Travis look up to them so much.
I got to spend Kera's birthday with her and I am so glad that I did. Thank you Kera for all that you do for me and my little family. Travis and I love you so much!
And she was not the only Birthday that happened that day. My sister Erin had her beautiful baby that same morning. I will do a full on post for him when I get some pictures. Of course my camera had to die when I got there and you need to see his cute little face to full understand how much I love him. *And for those of you that don't know Kera is the blonde in the picture above. The other one is McKell who I also love but will write about later.

Choosing

2010-01-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like your life is tearing you in two all the time. That is the way that I have been feeling lately. I feel like I tackle a choice, and then there is another one. The hard part about this is that both choices are sometimes good. Last semester I just felt like I was floating by all the time. I was doing my calling okay, my work okay, my marriage okay, classes okay, debate okay. There seems to be a pattern there. Well we went to the temple over the break and one line stuck out to me. I can in no way quote it but it was about giving all of your talents and abilities to the lord first to increase his church. It hit me almost like I had been plowed over by a truck that was my problem.
I feel like I need to please everybody, and strive to live up to expectations that everyone has for me. I was failing. After that day at the temple I felt the need to simplify. I knew I had to cut something our of my life and I knew the only thing that was disposable was speech. I cried for a long time after I made this choice. I love debating it is like a mini high, I guess you can uses arguing for something good. The team was just taking a lot of my time and energy, and I could see that the debating Meagan was not good for our marriage. I feel sad but relieved.
I am also going to stress less. When I told Travis this he said yeah right, but I am trying to find something everyday that relieves my stress. The biggest... A cute little boy named Travis. To be completely honest I used to get so annoyed when I was trying to do something and Travis wanted attention. The other day I said you know what I can put this down and spend time with my husband. I have been loving it. We are having a blast, and less stress. I also found a new love for cooking and reawakened my love for a good book.
It is a slow process for me and I am still trying to figure everything out but I am so much happier. Last night we were doing stats homework and we were both getting pretty upset with ourselves and each other. Travis stood up and said that's it picked me up and threw me on the couch handed me a Wii paddle and we played Mario Brothers for two hours. Usually me... annoyed and stressed. Last night I felt great as me and my husband defeated a whole level. So I guess my new years resolution destress, and put all my skills and talents toward the lord. Let me know if you have any ideas on how to keep this!

Christmas

2009-12-28T09:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas was amazing this year. We were too busy having fun to really even take pictures. We spent Christmas Eve with my family. We did the tradition party with the Peterson side. It was so fun to get together with all of them. Then we headed to my parents house were we were spoiled. My mom and dad gave us a recliner for Christmas which is something that Travis has been wanting for quite a while. They also gave us some clothes, and my mom got me a set of jewelry that I have had my eye on for a while. We exchanged sibling gifts, and had an amazing time just being with the Petersons family.
We spent Christmas night at our house which was really different for us, but it was nice to sleep in, snuggle with Travis and then open our gifts. This year we decided to break down and buy a new computer. Travis' laptop is really not that old, but after spending a year in Iraq it is pretty hammered so we bought ourselves a desktop. We really like it and we are using our flat screen as our monitor so it works out really nice. I also added to my coat collection with a plum coat this year, and Travis got his new pair of coveralls.
Then we headed down to Gunnison to hang out with the Dyrengs. We did not really celebrate Christmas until Sunday, but it was fun to play games and hang out for the day. Yesterday we finally got most of the family to Diane's we missed The Bore's terribly. We opened gifts after church and Diane and Allen spoiled us rotten. She gave us a new ipod, a wireless printer, fax machine, and copier. She also suprised the whole family with tickets to Disneyland. I love Disneyland and it is were me and Travis got engaged. I can not wait to go back. We opened some more sibling presents, and then we went to the extended Dyreng Family party. It was out of control that family knows how to play. We had a great week, and are so blessed to be with our family. Today we are back at work , but we are so grateful for that little break.

Super Date

2009-12-17T15:48:00.000-08:00

I am sorry that there won't be any pictures with this post, but we were having to much time to stop for photos. Travis and I went on another super date yesterday. Travis' boss asked him if he would be willing to pick up a tractor in Grand Junction Colorado. Travis said yes, and luckly I did not have to work. We left yesterday at two and arrived in Grand Junction at six. We both were not expecting a huge town we thought that we would get off the highway, and be in like Salina. Oh were we mistaken it is huge. Travis boss called and said did you make it. Travis told him about our suprise and Cameron said that is why it is "grand" junction Travis. I guess he was right.
Then one of the funnier lines of the evening happend. We went out to eat at Chilis, and when we were done with our little dinner, the waiter asked us if we would like a box. I said not, and then Travis quickly corrected me. While the waiter was gone I said your still hungry, and travis said. Meagan this little taco and these fries. They are like wonded soldiers in battle. You don't have to be friends with them when you get them home, BUT YOU TAKE THEM HOME!!! I laughed so hard I thought I was going to cry.
Then this morning we got our little tractor, which was really huge. Then we bought Travis some converalls which he has desprately been needing. Then headed our little selfs home. It was just a little trip, but it is always so fun to get away with Travis even if for just a little while.

Christmas Stockings

2009-12-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

I have been saying for awhile that I was going to make our Christmas socks. I told you in my last post that I have had a couple idea floating around in my head of what I want them to look like. As I was cleaning our house a couple of weeks ago to vacuum I had to move the line of boots that Travis has collected by our front door. I thought my gosh we have so many boots in this house. And then it dawned on me why don't we just add two more. I started on Friday and worked for about an hour, but yesterday I was in for the long haul and at about 12:30 we welcomed these two little boots to the line.

Finally

2009-12-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

The title for this post has many meanings. The first and probably happiest meaning is that we are "finally" done with finals. This semester has seemed like a really long one for both Travis and I. Yesterday at 3:30 we finished our last final together. Travis says to celebrate we are going to Tepanyakis that is another "finally".
Another "finally" is that it feels like Christmas. I am not sure why maybe it was the dread of finals over our heads, but our little Dyreng family has not really had a very Merry Christmas feeling around our house. Last night though when Travis turned on the tree I could just feel the spirit of Christmas. I can not believe it is already here. I love this time of the year, and last night it "finally" felt like it was upon us.
I also am "finally" going to start our Christmas socks today. I have been saying for about a year, that I wanted to make me and Travis' Christmas stockings and today I am going to start. They are a little different from your average sock they are going to be boots. My sister Emy drew the pattern for me and I think that they will be so cute. I will post pictures when they are "finally" finished. Oh ya and one more. I "finally" updated my blog. It has only been a month.

Veterans Day

2009-11-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we got to celebrate a little bit of our lives that we usually don't. Veterans day is both a scary and proud day for me. It always reminds me of how proud I am of Travis. That he took a year out of his life to serve and defend this great nation. Travis is an amazing solider, and a really handsome one too. The scary part of the day is that I realize we could have to do that all again. Travis has three years left in the guard, and really at any time he could get called up again to serve his country. I feel like there is a boulder sitting in the pit of my stomach just thinking about it.
Yesterday Travis got to do something really neat. Gunnison Middle School always holds a great Veterans Day program and yesterday Travis was asked to be a part of it. The whole thing was wonderful.The band played The Armed Forces Melody that song always carries with it a great patriotic feeling. Then President Wyatt of Snow College spoke. He did an amazing job. He talked about the pirates of Tripoli and how we were captured on Halloween day. He had every ones attention the entire time he spoke. Then came Travis' turn. I will admit that I did not even make it through his introduction before I was in tears. I am so proud of Travis he did a wonderful job. He had put together a slide show of his deployment from the time he got his orders to the last setting sun he say before he left Iraq. I know that I am biased but when I looked around that room everyone of those little kids was hooked on what my husband had to say. Travis told him that he was seventeen when he joined the military that is only three years older then most of those middle school kids.
I am so grateful for Travis and his willingness to serve this country. Even though that year in Iraq was the hardest thing ever for both of us, it was truly a blessing, and I don't think we would be married today if it wasn't for that year. I was talking to Kera, Travis sister, and we were both saying that we appreciate Veterans Day more now then we ever have before in our lives. So to all the Veterans and especially my own. Thank You!

First Meet

2009-09-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend was one of a lot of stress and fun for me. I competed in my first Forensics Meet Ever. The meet was held at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. We left Thursday afternoon and drove the six hours. We all went to bed early because the next morning was full of last minute preparations and practices, at one we headed over to the college and the craziness began. I was entered into three events. IPDA which is a style of debate.Extemp where you are given a topic, thirty minutes to prepare, and then you must give a seven minute speech, and lastly a persuasive speech that I had prepared before hand on world hunger and what Americans can do to help.
I was really busy because I was double entered in Round A, so after Thursday night I went home with blisters on my feet, and a headache from debating the pros and or cons of the new heath care reform all day. Friday we headed straight over to the college and rounds started right at eight. I am really bad at the acting events so I sat those out and had a couple hours in the morning to prep for my huge rush in the afternoon.
Well here are the results. In my extemp I took second in two of my rounds and third in the other. Which is okay because I was going up against four year seasoned veterans. In IPDA I went undefeated in all of my five placing rounds. That means that I got a bye into the quarter finals with three other contestants. I lost my quarter finals match by one point. I was up against a boy that I had won earlier. Our resolution. Resolve, it is foolish to count the eggs before the hatching occurs. Take it for what you want it to mean. But I did get a little tiny trophey.
I had a blast last weekend. I love the Adrenalin rush that comes with debate. The whole team did awesome and I think that the new Snow College Forensic Team started off with a big bang. Here is a picture of the whole team, and I have to give a big thanks to Malyanda our coach without her we would have never made it this far!

Super Date

2009-09-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Travis and I finally found some time to celebrate our Anniversary and go on a Super Date. To fully appreciate the weekend you have to know some background. Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to spend my honeymoon night at the Little America in Salt Lake. We used to go there when I was a little girl and I thought that it was so magical. I shared this with Travis before our wedding and he called up there to get a reservation for the night of our wedding, and we were told we could not stay there because neither of us were 21 and that is the mandatory age for check in. My little girl dreams were broken. Travis remember how much I wanted to stay there so this year with him being 21 he reserved us a really nice room.
It was so nice to be able to get away from all the stress that school and other obligations bring and just be with Travis. We had an exciting event happen while we were there. For the first time in my 20 years on the earth I went underwater successfully with out plugging my nose. I have always had this fear of water up my nose, so I am a definite nose plugger. Travis just did not think that this would do so we spent a half hour on Friday night in the pool working on me going under with out plugging my nose and I made some major progress I must say. Then we just went back to the room and relaxed, ordered in some room service, and had some Travis and Meagan time. The next day we had breakfast with my sister Erin and her husband Whit who happened to be spending the night at the Little America as well. We did not know they were staying there until 7:00 on Friday night so that was a little treat.
Around one on Saturday we made our way over to the State Fair. It was a lot of fun. We were able to spend some time with friends that we don't get to see very often, we had homemade ice cream that had been churned by a tractor, watched our first ever truck pulling contest, went through little hands on the farm, and then the highlight of the day. We were able to ride the Big Yellow Slide. Travis and I went on it with my sister Emy and some of her state officer team. This is a picture of all of us lining up to go down the slide. The lady that was running the ride was a little worried about all of us going down at the same time. We finally got all ready at the top of the slide and pushed off. The reason that I am lagging so far behind is that I got scared when she said push and just sat there at the top for a minute until Travis yelled up to me that I better get my little potato sack moving. The slide is so fun and by the bottom you are going really fast and catching some major air.
The weekend and the super date where both great. Travis and I have both needed some stress free, together, and lounge around time.

HE'S BACK

2009-09-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

He's Back and I mean my pappa. That funny man that would start water fights with the kids on our block, the man who had the biggest super soaker at the ward water fights, the ballerina from the talent show performing in his water pants and a tied church shirt. That man made a stunning reappearance into the Peterson house on Friday afternoon. MY DAD HAD HIS SURGERY. He is doing amazing when we walked in on Friday that light was back in his eyes the one that I had told you was being hidden with pain. His feet are warm! That is a big thing for my dad. A few weeks ago we tried to describe what his feet felt like when you touched them the best example is baby powder in a rubber glove. They were cold and kind of chalky. Now they feel like feet and they are warm. He can't have his device on all the time until tomorrow, but he says that even a few minutes remove the pain for hours!
I learned a lesson this week one that I am a little embarrassed to admit because it took me so long. I learned that Heavenly Father is in control. That he has a plan and things will happen how he wants them to and on his time. We don't know why we had to wait, but now we realize that there was a reason and maybe only our Father in Heaven knows why. My testimony was also reinforced that our prayers really are listened to, and when we fast those special blessings our granted. I have never prayed for anything so hard in my life or fasted with more conviction. My faith has been tested and strengthened so much during this process, and their have been people all along the way helping with that. Travis has been a vocal and a silent rock. He is always there and I love him so much for just being the man and priesthood holder that he is.
My mom has been amazing. I don't know what I would have done if I was her. Even imagining seeing Travis like that makes me feel queezy, but she stayed strong for the whole family. There were also so many great people praying and fasting for us. We love you all so much and you really helped and made a huge difference.
Lastly there is my pappa. I don't know how you stayed so strong. You experienced something I can not even imagine and you remained so tough. Thank you for having so much faith and for using that faith to keep yourself and our family strong. You have been the best dad that anyone could have, you are always giving of yourself, and I am so glad that this time you could be given something that will make your life better and easier. Oh ya and Welcome Back!

A Little Glimmer of Hope

2009-08-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I wrote some posts about my dad. So much has happened since then and there is finally a glimmer of hope for my family and my sweet pappa. Most of you know that my dad has struggled with a nerve condition for well as long as I can actually remember. I knew when I was a little girl that my dad was different he was a special dad. Not only because he was always quoting movies, or starting water fights with the neighbor hood kids, but there was always something in his eyes hidden behind the permanent smile. I figured out as a teenager that the hidden stare was caused from pain, pain that my pappa kept silent from his children and friends. It was not until last year that I realized how bad the pain was.
For a year we have been waiting, praying, fasting, and just having faith that a solution to my dads pain would come. He has been scheduled for surgery many times, but the hospital always fell through. Things are changing in my pappa's life too. My dad is going to be a grandpa of a cute little boy Erin is expecting in January. When my dad found out he was estatic, but then he turned sober and said all I want is to be able to be a great grandpappa, to run and play with my grandkids.
I am happy to report that we are one step closer to my dads goal. Yesterday he found out that he has been scheduled for real this time. Next Friday September 4th second surgery of the day he will be wheeled in at 9:30. This may seem like a simple thing. A surgery people have them all the time. This is not a surgery though. This is a blessing one that means more to me than anything in the world. I have always been my daddy's little girls. Since I was two and tasted near beer and said that tastes good, my mom just handed me over to him and said you deal with her. I guess that always stuck. I love my dad more then words can express. I always tell Travis that my dad was my first true love and always will be.
I am so grateful that this is finally happening for my pappa. Not only am I so excited because he will get his wish, and that his body will no longer be putting a huge stop on the things he wants to do. But I am mostly happy that when I look in my pappa's eyes, that even through that permanent smile that they hold I won't be able to see that pain anymore. Just my pappa, his happiness, joy for life, and the love that he has for his family. This will not end everything, but it will make life so much better and I am so grateful for that.

It's Snowing Again

2009-08-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

Yes I did steal the title of this post from the back of a Snow College T-Shirt, but hey I am seeing alot of them this week. Travis and I officially went back to school on Wednesday. To be completely honest with you I am LOVING IT! We both are!
This summer was a great one. We were able to do a lot of fun things with family and friends, but to be honest during a normal work week Travis and I did not really see each other a whole lot. We would wake up, work, eat, clean the house, sleep. That was it. We are so glad to be back into a routine, and one that includes us seeing a lot more of each other. It has also been great to see some of our old friends from last year, and it is an added bonus to have sweet cousin McKell and her friend Marci only living a block away.
So yes our summer is over, and it is snowing again in our lives, but we are surely looking forward to this change in climate!

Living the Happily Ever After

2009-08-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

A true love story has unfolded over the years. People around got a small glimpse into the fairy tale, but many do not know the whole story of the cattle barons daughter and the sheepherders grand son (that is what my dad calls us). It started many many years ago with a girl the age of 15. She had traveled to the far away land of Gunnison to cheer for Juab's basketball team. While on her journey she had dropped a single cheer bag into the isle. During half time a very good looking 16 year old stood up and walked out of the gym. The girl watched the boy he had on a tan carhartt, a black cowboy hats, and those Wranglers! The girl thought little of the boy after he left, and continued talking with her friends. After the half time show had ended the girl stood back up to resume her duties as a "spirit leader". It was then that she noticed the boy was walking back in, and how good looking he really was. He quietly walked past her and gave her a smile that could make any girls knees weak. It was then that he tripped over that single cheer bag. The girl just stared at him. He then, while laying on the ground, tipped up that hat and said "Well sorry about that darlen" and smiled that weak in the knees smile again. The girl just giggled as the boy walked off. Who knew she had just met her prince charming.
It was a year latter when she met the next person that would help carry the story of this fairy tale. The girl was at a banquet, one that required a blue corduroy jacket, but a banquet all the same, when a very charming old man sat next to her. Throughout the course of their meal the girl learned that the man was a sheep owner from Mayfeild. Throughout the remainder of the meal they chatted politely but it was when dessert was served that the conversation shifted. The charming man said you know I have a grandson that does this whole FFA stuff. He is pretty good looking I bet I could get him to take out a cute little farmer girl like you. I think he is in to that kind of stuff. Again the girl just giggled and said Thank you Jack, if I ever need a date I will for sure give you a call.
Another year passed, and the girls sister visited Gunnison High School to teach a class. She walked into the senior boys Agriculture class and said you boys are going to help me with a little problem. The boys straightened up because they were all gentleman of course and said what do you need. The older sister spoke and said my sisters boyfriend is just a "joker" and i don't want him taking her to the ball (homecoming). So one of you boys are going to take her. The sheep herders grandson thought about it for a moment and said what the heck I'll do it. The boy did call the girl but they never made it to the ball that year, some things happened and the "joker" did take the girl.
This started the raise in our story though the girl and the boy started texting and they meet official for the first time in May of 2006. The boy got off his white horse (okay out of the white truck,) in all of his armor ( army uniform). The girl really did go weak in the knees this time good thing she was setting down. After this though the girl thought nothing of it. He had another maiden and her another joker.
It was six months later on a cold fall day when the girls phone rang again. She answered and there was the knight. He had just returned from basic training and would like to take her out on another date. They went out for real on October 22, 2007. A few weeks later on November 11 they had the best first kiss I think there ever has been. By December 22 the pair had fallen in love and the boy uttered the first I love you under the twinkling of the Christmas Tree.
The girl and the boy learned later that this knight had been called off to battle he boarded the the plane and left his family and the girl behind. The continued to write and love each other more. It was on March 22 that the knight asked the girl if she would be with him forever in front of a castle (at Disneyland).
On August 2, 2008 the knight took the girl through the castle she has always wanted to visit and she got to wear a gorgeous white gown. They made a special covenant before the King, Heavenly Father so that could start their own kingdom some day. The knight really made the cattle barons daughter feel like a princess for the day, and well has continued to for the past year. And that is the beginning of our happily ever after and the tale of a truly great love story.

So Much in So Little Time

2009-07-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in such a short amount of time for our little family. I thought I would just give you some of the brief highlights.

*Dyreng Family Camp Out.
*I turned 20!
*Spent a girls day with my mom.
*We were able to go to the temple to watch my dear friend Kait get sealed.
*24th of July with the Dyreng's up the mountain.
*25th with my family in Mona, where we watched the best fire works of the summer, and my mom won a pure bred papered beagle for five dollars in a drawing.
* Travis spoke twice at the prison (in one day).

Now for the biggest news that has happened to us. Travis got a calling. For some time I have just really felt that Travis was going to be getting a calling in our ward. Even though I had this feeling I was a little surpised though when we were called to meet with a member of the Stake Presidency. Travis has been called and set apart as Assistant Ward Clerk. We were both so excited, but Travis is a little nervous seeing how this will make him in charge of the finances. I know he will do amazing.

I am so proud of Travis. He is such a great husband and a truly amazing person. He always has the spirit with him. I love him so much and am grateful to have him in my life. Even though this new calling means a lot less time together on Sunday and Tuesdays I could not be happier. I know that we have been blessed with my calling and I am sure we will be blessed even more with Travis'. We have such a great ward, and I am so glad that we can serve the people in it.

I am also grateful for such an amazing family. Both of our parents were there for when Travis was set apart, and Kera came up with the kids afterward. They are always so supportive, and we know that we can turn to them for anything even to just share our good news. Thanks!

Boots, Birthdays and Boards

2009-07-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

This week has been amazing. To start off the week last Saturday I went on a road trip to Ferron, Utah. For all of you that are not acquainted with this little slice of heaven, it is three hours away from my house, right in the middle of no where, and the only eating establishment in 50 miles does not except checks or credit, so I hope that you have some cash. I got to make this wonderful trip with my best friends! My good friend Kait is getting married this weekend so we all went to her bridal shower. It was so fun to be with all the girls again. The last time we were ALL together at the SAME time was my wedding.
Next, we finally gave Allen his father's day present. I know that we are really late on this one. Travis and I were in charge of it, he was at A.T., and I could not get it to him by myself. This year we made Allen a road sign of were all of his kids live and the miles from his house to theirs. I think that it turned out really cute and Travis and I made it, with the help of my mom. Thanks Jo! We got the sign put up yesterday, and I think it turned out great! Happy Father's Day Allen.
Now, we move on to the next big event Travis is 21! He turned 21 on the 3rd of July, but since we were going to be at the Gunnison Celebration we decided to start the festivities a little early. So on the 2nd we headed up to Provo. I had a doctors appointment. (Side note : I got a second opinion last week on the blood thinner situation. After 8 viles of blood. One 1 1/2 hour ultrasound, 4 weeks of compression socks, and a lot of praying. I am happy to report that I am off of blood thinners! I now just take an asprin a day. I need to take a five minute walk every hour, and make sure my feet are up when I am laying or sitting. This is great news for Travis and I. My blood will need to be monitered closely and I will have to have ultra sounds every 3 months and then 6 months, but I am thrilled!) After my doctors appointment we went shopping and got Travis some new pants, and then we met up with our good friends our cousin McKell and her boyfriend Jake.
They went to Tepenyaki's with us and then to the movie The Propopsal. Jake also gave Travis and I the best birthday presents. Travis a while back thought that he had the swine flu (never tested, never diagnosed, but he swears he had it) he told Jake about it and said that he should make himself a shirt to let the world know that he survived it, and so Jake suprised both of us with shirts that said...
and since Travis' favorite word is classy that also made it on to the shirt. Thanks Jake!
The next day we went to the Gunnison Celebration it starts on the third this year with dinner, a motorcycle show, and Merril Osmound concert. We also made our way down to Burns Saddlery in Salina, and Travis got some new boots, and some shirts for his birthday. It was a really fun night and a great birthday for Travis. He always claims they start a day before just so the can honor his birthday.
The next day we went to the parade, the park, up the mountain on a great jeep ride. Then we met all of the Dyreng's up at Townes Reservoir for a BBQ. We had a great week!

Birthday Month

2009-06-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

I know I put up the background a week early but we are celebrating birthday month at the Dyreng house for July. Travis is turning the 21 on July 3rd and I turn 20 on the 18th... We are so young, and we have almost been married for a year. Crazy! More post to come on the birthday's!

New News

2009-06-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last little post. So here it comes.

1. I have loved Snow Colleges Communications Department. They are great classes and really qualified professors. Snow College used to have a winning speech and debate team (by winning I mean that they would sweep nationals!) The program was discontinued however when the old coach retired. This year however there has been a lot of interest by students, hard work from professors and a ton of support from President Wyatt and his staff to see something start happening with this program again. This is in no way an ideal time to start a new team seeing as how the whole state of Utah is having cuts in higher education. Luckily though the Communications Department was given a small budget and permission to continue with the program.
Some how I got dragged into this whole thing. I did declare my major as communications and one of my professors had seen me speak in FFA and in church positions. She asked me to be a member of the team, and be the current events go to girl. I was really in shock I did not even do speech and debate in high school, there was the FFA speaking competitions, but that was about it. On Saturday I got bigger news though. I would not only be a member, but I would be the Speech and Debate President (with that comes a half tuition scholarship paid for by the Communications Department). I really don't know what I have gotten myself into, but I am really excited to be helping rebuild something that was once a great part of Snow.

2. I am an army wife again. Travis is gone for two whole weeks! I know I know what am I complaining about we have gone much longer then that, but this is by far the longest since we have been married. I have a confession to make. Last night I could not sleep until I lounging in his flannel pajama bottoms, had on one of his favorite t- shirts, laying on his pillow, and popped in Lonesome Dove. I guess since I could not have him with me I had to recreate what it would be like with him there. I love him so much and I really am proud of the sacrifices that he makes for our family, and this country. Even though I am so proud, I am still left extremely bored!

My Mothers Day

2009-05-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Even though I am not a mother. Travis got me something I have been wanting really bad! A new sewing machine. He called around and found the place with the best prices. He even had our mothers in on the search. We found out that Bernina was having a huge Memorial Day Weekend Sale. The best prices were for the early birds so... Yes you are right Travis and I were waiting when the doors opened at seven. It was quite the sight seeing as how we were by far the youngest people there, and Travis was the only man. I have such a good husband. It ended up being totally worth it, we saved a ton of money and I got the machine that I really wanted. Thanks Travis for being such a great husband, and Happy Quilting!

There Must Be A Reason

2009-05-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think that I am making it through my life solely on the saying "There must be a reason."
I went to the doctor on Friday. I was so excited I have been on blood thinners for a year, and usually after the one year mark they can take you off of them. I practically bounced into the office. When I sat down though I got the shock of the year. "Meagan, I am sorry to tell you that you are going to have to remain on blood thinners indefinitely." I was not expecting that it was like a sucker punch right to the stomach. What made the whole situation worse was that Travis was not with me, he was at guard. My doctor continued to tell me the changes that I would have to make in my life, and how this would effect decisions later on in life like having children. As you can understand it is not good to be on blood thinner while carrying a baby. Dr. Luenceford and I went over all the options though, and I will admit that after a mini break down in the doctors office, he reassured me that everything would be okay. When Travis and I did decide to have kids it would be very possible, it just might be a little harder.
Travis was so good about everything though, and so was my mom. They both said "Meagan, there is a reason why they could not remove the trap, and there is a reason why you will have to stay on the blood thinner." I love both of them so much for their support, and their faith. I don't know what I would do with out them, and their courage and testimonies.
The other thing that has had me repeating this phrase over and over is that my dads surgery has not been scheduled yet. This is so frustrating to me. I know that we have been so blessed up to this point, so there is no reason for me to feel like this. I just want my daddy to get better. They did switch his medication though, so he is more alert and more like himself. We have also had so many great people helping and supporting him.
I don't know why all this stuff is happening. I do know however that there are great people in my life, and a great gospel, and There Must Be A Reason.

Couples Tag

2009-05-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

What are your middle names? Travis Paul, and Meagan Jo

How long have you been together? Almost three years.

How long did you know each other before we started dating? Uh we meet a couple times, he tripped over my cheer bag, I had dinner with his Grandpa Jack, but the first time we hung out was in April 06 and we started dating in Oct 06

Who asked who out? Erin my sister asked me out for Travis.

How old are each of you? Travis is 20 and I am 19

Do you have any children together? NOPE!

Did you go to the same school? No Travis was a Gunnison Bulldog and I was a Juab Wasps

Are you from the same hometown?No they are 45 minutes apart

Who is the smartest? Uh it depends, Street Smart - hands down Travis. Book Smart- probably me.

Who is the most sensitive? Oh me I cry all the time. Travis is sensitive to things to but he is more logical.

Where do you eat out the most as a couple? Tepenyaki's We LOVE that place. If we go out to eat up North that is were we will be.

Where is the furthest you have traveled together as a couple? Mexico on our honeymoon.

Who has the craziest ex? Both of us have some pretty strange ones.

Who has the worst temper? I would have to say that it me most of the time.

Who does the cooking? Me, Travis usually does the meat.

Who is more social? Travis, he can make friends with anyone.

Who is the neat freak? I like to be more organized, I like things to have a place. Travis hates it though when the bed is not made and his truck is not perfect.

Who is more stubborn? Man we both are stubborn, probably me though.

Who hogs the bed? I do!

Who wakes up earlier? We wake up the same time on weekdays, Saturday him, Sunday me.

Where was your first date? Official one - With Erin and Whit at Los Amigos and then to the Prestige.

Who has the bigger family? My family has more kids, but his family has more total.

Do you get flowers often? Not really.

How do you spend the holidays? With our families!

Who is more jealous? We don't really get jealous, but if there is someone that is me.

How long did it take to get serious? About a month. Then we pretty much were inseparable.

Who does the laundry? We both do the laundry. I have a great husband.

Who's better with the computer? Travis

Who drives when your together? Travis drives. I would rather read in the passenger seat.

I tag.. Natalie, Kera, Jennie, Kristian, Diane, Megan, Stacey, Becky, Kelly,.... anyone.

Blog Brag

2009-04-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

I need to have a little blog brag about two of my sweet sisters. First we will start out with Morgan. Mt. Nebo FFA had their annual banquet tonight. At this banquet they announce the new officer team for the upcoming year. If you were wondering who is now stationed beneath the rising sun, or aka the Presiedent, Morgan is the one. She is only going to be a junior, but she has worked so hard and is just the smartest,cutest, and funniest girl. Everyone says that we look just alike now only if I could be as cool as her! I am so proud of her and she really derserves this. I just want her to know how much I love her.
Now for Fallon. Two weeks ago Fallon competed at the State Gymanstic Meet. She placed 1st in two of her events and 5th in the other. In the words of my pappa, she had a really good pass going until she ate it and her face hit the mat... It was AWESOME! Well that is my father for you. I am so proud of Fallon she goes to tumbling for six hours a week, and practices at home. She is so sweet, the most caring person that you will ever meet, and loves everyone.
I love both of my sisters so much and want them to know how proud them I am. Even though I am their older sister I look up to all of my sisters so much. They are such great examples to me.
Morgan is the one on the left, and Fallon is on the right.

Called to Serve

2009-04-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to Relief Society." If you were to attend the Snow College Married Ward on a Sunday when the 2nd counselor was conducting the voice that you would hear would be mine. I was recently called to the Relief Society Presidency.
I have felt that there was going to be some change in our lives, more directly to mine, but I had no idea what it might be. Saturday afternoon I got a call from our Ward Secretary asking if I could meet with the Bishop the next morning before the block.
When I arrived in the Bishops office he said "Meagan why do you think that you are here." I said " I am going to get a calling to be in the Relief Society Presidency." I don't know how I knew.I have been a little on the edge these past couple of weeks with everything that is going on, so I think that our Heavenly Father let me in on the secret of the calling so I could prepare myself.
We were sustained and set apart later that afternoon. I love all of the ladies that I will be serving with. They are all such special spirits and I can not wait to get to know them more. It was so spiritually filling to hear them all be set apart, and to have all of our husbands there supporting us. I love Travis so much he has just been so good about supporting me in everything and especially this.
This means that I am will be the main person in charge of enrichment night, so if any of you sisters have some good ideas I would love to hear them.

Our Crazy Past Couple of Weeks

2009-04-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was amazing. It was the State FFA Convention in Logan. It was so amazing to get to see the girls again. I have never had closer friends, they were more like sisters to me and I love all of them dearly. I do not get to see them very often and so it was wonderful to get to spend three whole days with these lovely ladies. Even though it was so great to see my gals again. It does not even compare to the other event of the weekend.
And the 2009-2010 STATE FFA REPORTER IS EMY PETERSON.

I am so proud of Emy. She has worked so hard for so many years to reach this goal. She did so good with her on stage question and worked so hard to make her individual presention perfect.
She was the second person called in the Saturday session when they announced the new officers. I was sitting next to my mother and all of my sisters. They had just announced and the new state reporter from the Mt. Ne and by then we were on our feet screaming and crying. Emy deserves this so much. She is the sweetest girl and has had a really tough year. It was so good to see her smiling. I want her to know how much I love her. She will be the best officer ever, and have the most amazing year.

EASTER
Travis and I were also able to celebrate Easter together this year. We started out the festivities with Easter eggs, which I totally think capture our personalities. Mine was sparkling pink and Travis of course had a John Deere egg.

I also thought that we should celebrate with our own little Easter baskets Travis thought that it was a little cheesy, and that you should only do baskets if you have kids, but I held strong and....
Now for the saddest thing that has happened to our little family in a long time. Travis does the cutest little things all the time. For Easter he decided that he was going to get me something that he was sure I would love. That is how little Tedd and Izzie became apart of the Dyreng Family. I loved my two little ducks, I built them a little habitat and named them, they lived in our kitchen. We took them to my parents and let my sisters and brother play with them. The next day we were going to babysit Kera's little kids Hallee and Hunter. I thought that it would be a great idea to take the little ducks down so that they could play with them. It was so cute. Hunter would pet them and then laugh and Hallee would tell the ducks that she loved them and then feed them and just giggle. It was adorable. I sat out there with them for about forty five minutes and then ran into see Kera's fireplace. I thought that it would be okay to leave them out there with the ducks for just a couple of minutes. I guess that those couple of minutes were just a couple to many, because soon Hunter came running in and said Aunt Meagan your ducks... they are dead. I thought I must not have heard right and went running to the door. Travis beat me out into the garage. It was true Little Izzie and Tedd had perished. Hallee had thought that since the ducks had wings they must fly. She tossed them down the stairs to see if she was right. Other things must have happened, but I did not stay out there to check. Travis gave our little duckies a very nice burial in Kera's new backyard. I will admit that I cried later over the loss of my little duckies.
It was really sad to see Hallee though she did not understand that she could no longer play with her little yellow friends. We will miss you Tedd and Izzie Rest In Peace!

Home Update.

2009-04-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that it has almost been a week since all of this happened, and I really should have written about it sooner, but I think like everyone else that was involved we just needed so time to get our emotions under control.
My last post was about my parents moving out of their house this is the amazing follow up story for all of you that may have not heard it. Last Friday was a great day. Travis had a really long drill weekend.(Not So Great I Really Missed Him!). So instead of being home by myself I decided that I would head over to Nephi and help my mom pack up some stuff. Friday night was pretty relaxing we rented a movie, bought a ton of treats and just hung out as a family. It was a really nice way to spend what we didn't know at the time would be the last night in that house. I went to bed pretty early and woke up the next morning to a phone call from my mom. She was frantic asking if I could load the dishes do anything. There were people coming to our house right now. I immediately went into panic mode. I was whirling around the kitchen trying to pick things up. My mom walked in a few minutes later and told me the incredible news.
My dads cousin Pat (I love him) had called their house that morning. Pat stated that he had this great idea during the night. He had a subdivision in the lower part of Mona. There was an empty house in the subdivision and Pat asked our family to move into it while my dad had the operation and recovery period. What a blessing. At my grandparents all four of the remaining siblings would of had to have slept in one bedroom, and everyone would of had to share a bathroom. In the house that Pat offered everyone has their own room, and there are plenty of bathrooms.
I can not tell Pat and my Heavenly Father how grateful I am for this blessing that they have given my family. The story only gets better. We had so many loved ones come and help us move that we had my parents house completely moved out to Mona by 6:00. So many people came and just saw what needed to be done and just started. Sweet Aunt Jill was the first one on the scene, and the last one to leave . She packed up the entire kitchen. We really do love you so much. Family and Friends all took time out of their Saturday to help my family.
I can not even express how blessed I am for the in laws and beautiful sister in laws that I have. Diane, Allen, and Natalie all came to help us. It was so sweet of them and they will never know how much it meant to me. Diane and Allen just cleaned out my moms pantry loaded it up and then set it up in the new house. Natalie played match maker, and both sides of the family are really hoping that works out :).
I would just like to thank everyone that came and helped. I would like to thank you all personally but there is just to many to mention and I fear I would leave someone out. Just know that I love all of you and I am so grateful for the love and support that you show my family. Pat I will never be able to express the gratitude that me and my family have for you. You have given us a blessing that nobody else could. Thank you.
I thought that my testimony was strengthened before but I will never be able to express the gratitude and the spirit that was felt that day. Even though everything should have been a mess, and emotions should have been high. There was a strange peacefulness about the day, and I know that Heavenly Father did that.
The flood gates have really been opened to my family and blessings poured down. I love them so much and I am so grateful that these things could happen to them. My mom got her dream of returning back to Mona, and my dad soon gets his surgery. Oh ya and to add to the blessing list the doctor has donated his cost and the company that makes the nerve blocker has also donated the machine. I don't know how we became so blessed, but thank you Heavenly Father.
Thank you mom and dad for being the people that you are. You deserve this more than anyone. Thank you Pat. Thank you everyone that helped. You were like my families little angels that day.

Home

2009-03-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

My testimony and my love for my family have really grown over these past few weeks. The Peterson house has been very busy recently.
For a long time I have known that my dad has been in terrible pain because of his feet. Late last year he had a temporary nerve blocker put into his back to see how a permanent one would help him. I have never seen my dad so peaceful. You could tell just by looking at his eyes that a lot of his pain was gone. When they went to place the permanent one in the insurance company decided that they were not going to cover the cost leaving my parents with the difference. Needless to say my family like most can not pull a huge lump sum like that out of the air, we did not know what to do.
We fasted and prayed for an answer and I know that is what Heavenly Father gave my mom. My family is selling their house and using most of the money to pay for my dad's operation. I could not be happier!
My dad is the most respectable, honest, loving, funny man that I have ever met. I could not even begin to think of someone that deserves this more then he does. I never really knew the level of pain that my dad was experiencing until I was able to read an article that the Salt Lake Tribune wrote on my fathers health issues. My dad has kept a lot of his pain to himself. I know though that one of his dreams has always been the day that he would be able to play with his grand kids, pain free. I am so happy to see this day happen,(now he is going to be pressuring us even harder for grand babies, but he will have to wait)and maybe we could get him out of those smiley face and rolling stone pajama pants :).
I just wanted to tell my dad how much I love him, and I am so glad that he can have this. I want my mom to know that I love her and I am so glad that she is so in tune to the spirit that she could have this revelation. We know that they have been so blessed to have sold the house so quickly, and have all of the details fall into place.
I also learned another very important lesson these last couple of weeks.I was a little sad when the news first hit. I worried that I wouldn't really fill like I was going home, but through the spirit and my wonderful husband I learned that home is not where you grew up, or lived as a teenager. Home will always be where my family is.

Super Date

2009-03-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend is Spring Break for Snow College. Travis and I will both spend this week working though. On Saturday night though about seven thirty Travis and I decided that we wanted a little bit of a break though so on the spur of the moment we packed up our bags and headed to St. George. By the time we got out of Ephraim it was eight and we arrived in St. George at eleven. We found a hotel room on the way down. It was actually really nice and we got a great deal because they were trying to fill the rooms. It was so great to sleep in past six!

Then we headed to one of our favorite eating spots Cafe Rio. We were the only ones in the restaurant it was great. We did not feel rushed at all and of course the food was great!
After lunch Travis was such a cutie and took me to the strip malls and walked around with me. The weather was great and it felt amazing to walk around outside in the warm weather. We also hit some sales too so that was a definite bonus. After that we hit the road, we did not make it very far though. We could not find any pants for Travis so we stopped at the Cal Ranch in Cedar.

We finally found Travis some pants, and I found some really cute shirts. Travis was so proud that I bought clothes at Cal Ranch. Then, we finally made it on our way back home, and were in town in time to make it to work by eight Monday morning.
The reason for the title of this post was because that is what Travis has decided to call these little adventures. SUPER DATES! We know we won't be able to do these all the time, but we do want to when ever we can. It was the best weekend that I have had since we got married. Thanks Travis! I love you.

Hair

2009-02-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

It had defiantly been a while since we had seen our beautician Natalie.These are the before and after pictures of Travis. Thanks Nat for taking care of us, and I don't have a picture but she did my hair and nails too. We would be a scary pair if we didn't have Natalie to spruce us up.

Wii Wars

2009-02-23T14:52:00.000-08:00

Natalie was the one that inspired me to really write this post. This weekend was a drill weekend and that means that I get to spend a lot of time with the girls, and Travis gets his manly men time. While me and Natalie were doing nails this weekend I foolishly made a comment about the game Tanks. Travis and Jake had been playing this game for almost two hours. I leaned over my chair and said "Now wouldn't it be fun if they only gave you thirty bullets to pass off a level." That was the wrong thing to say. Travis was shocked and made me and Natalie sit down in front of the Wii and play tanks while he and Jake counted our shoots. Needless to say that me and Natalie did not even get off thirty bullets before the opposing tanks creamed us. So I would just like to publicly apologise to the pair of them that I even suggested they make tanks harder.
The real story that Natalie wanted me to share had to do with Wii Sports though. About a month after we had gotten our Wii Travis was up late bowling. Later that night I was woken up by my head being thrown forward. I opened my eyes and waited wondering what had just happened. Then again Travis grabbed the top of my head and threw it forward. This happened about two more times before I shoved a pillow in between us and rolled over to sleep. In the morning Travis woke up and looked at me a little groggy eyed and said. " I was having the weirdest dream about bowling last night......." I just looked up and said "I never would have guessed."

SICKIES

2009-02-04T15:23:00.000-08:00

For a long time I have been sure that I have the cutest husband that ever lived. After this week I am sure of it. Travis and I have both been really sick this last week with respiratory infections. When one of us started getting better the other one got worse and the cycle continues. I think we are going to be sick forever. Travis has been a really good sport about all of it though, and has kept his sense of humor about it. Yesterday he went on a field trip to BYU to look at dirt in a microscope. I text him when I had a break and asked how he was feeling, because I was outside in the freezing cold helping with the ground breaking of the new Snow Library and was not feeling good or very happy. These were the texts that I received back.

Me: Hey how are you, and how is it going?

Travis: My vision is fading in and out.

Travis: I am starting to notice things like wind and smells.

Travis: I am starting to appreciate things like the song of a morning dove.

Travis: MEAGAN I think that I am DYING.

Me: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Travis: Awe the sweet sound of laughter.

Just a funny story that I though that I would share. I love my husband and he keeps our house fun and filled with laughter all the time. But both of us are on stronger antibiotic now and feeling a little better. Hopefully Travis can get over this and not die quite so soon.

QUILTS

2009-02-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

This year I decided that if I was going to be a Dyreng/Madsen then I better learn to quilt. So that is what I am doing I signed up to take quilt making 1010. The first day of class I was a little nervous about taking on this huge task. I have discovered that I really like it. I actually find quilt making relaxing. I have made six blocks, and I am in the process of working on the seventh.
I had a really neat experience happen to me the first day of actually sewing. I forgot to move my needle over so my seam allowance on my first couple of strips was off. I started unpicking the few rows when Sue Dalley walked in.

Sue: What ya doing Meagan why are you unpicking?

Me: Oh I messed up on my seam allowance, I am a little nervous about this whole quilting thing Sue I have no I idea what I am doing.

Sue: Well there are a lot of people to help you out of Travis' family. You will do great I know it.

Tracie (my teacher): Oh who is Travis' family?

Sue: Oh You know Mary Louis Madsen and Delma Dyreng.

Tracie (with huge eyes): You are related to Mary Louis she is the best quilter that I have ever seen. Do you have one of her quilts? What pattern is it... and so on.

Needless to say that she was pretty impressed that this little girl who could not even sew a straight line not only had seen a quilt of Mary Louis Madsen's but actually owns one. I am pretty proud that I am the owner of one too. Travis and I love our quilts and our amazing quilting grandma's.

These are the blocks that I have made. We are making sampler quilts when we are finished there will be sixteen blocks in all.

First Christmas

2008-12-30T08:04:00.001-08:00

This was the first Christmas that Travis and I really got to spend TOGETHER, not just married, but in the same state. It was a wonderful holiday. We spent Christmas Eve at my parents. My mother gave me the best gift ever. A teeth whitening kit. For all of you Colgate kids this is nothing to be thrilled about but for the rest of us we understand the happiness that this can bring. Travis also helped me make a personal gift for my dad. We bought a wooden farm set and hand painted all of the cows, barns, and fences that went with it brands and all. Travis was so funny to watch paint his little dairy cow it had to be just right.
We spent Christmas Day at the Dyreng's. It was a blast to get to see all my new nieces and nephews run up the stairs to see what Santa had brought. Then Travis and I opened up our presents. I was almost positive that I knew everything that I was getting for Christmas because well I had been there when he had bought them, and I was the one that did the wrapping. Sneaky Travis had another idea though. Christmas morning I found quite a few boxes that I did not know what might be in them. One was a new brown coat. Which helps me with my coat fetish. The other was something I have wanted for a long time a Wii.

I will admit that I am a Nintendo junky, but with the Wii your arms actually hurt when you are done playing, so I don't feel as bad. Diane and Allen gave us the Wii fit. Travis had given up his personal present so that we could get it as a family. Thanks Babe. Maybe now I will be more motivated to start getting in shape.
With all of the parties that followed and the laughter we got from watching the kids battle with their swords, bows and arrows, and guns we had a great time. We had a very Merry First Christmas this year.

Tagged

2008-12-16T09:13:00.001-08:00

I already have a list of all my favorites on my blog so I thought that I would do a Christmas Tag.

Favorite Christmas Song: All I Want For Christmas Is You
I listened to this song so many times last year while Travis was gone I guess it just stuck.

Favorite Christmas Movie: Emmitt Otters Jug Band Christmas
Travis hates this movie but it is a classic at the Peterson House. My second favorite would have to be Elf.

Favorite Part of Christmas: Chirstmas Eve
In my family this is the night that we read the story of Christs birth and we focus more on the spiritual side of Christmas. I always loved this night.

How is My Tree Decorated: Like a cowboy would decorate it with little saddles,belts, and John Deere trucker hats. (Inspired by Travis Dyreng)

Favorite Christmas Story: The Forgotten Carols
I got to go and see that a couple of years ago and it was amazing.

Favorite Christmas Gift: Christmas Eve PJ's
Thanks Mom!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

Since yesterday was Thanksgiving I thought I would add what I am really thankful for in my life. At the cabin Diane had us write in a little journal the things that we were thankful for. I have been pretty selfish lately because it was not until I wrote my entry that I realized I have so much to be thankful for.

1. Travis coming home for Iraq safely. Sometimes it really feels like he never left and then other times it feels like it was only yesterday. I am so grateful that he made it home safely, and that we were able to get married. I really have the best husband that I could ever ask for, and I don't know what I would do with out him in my life. I am grateful that we were able to be sealed in the temple, and have A LOT of our family there to share that special day with us.

2. I am so grateful for my family. I have a new family now to and I am also so blessed to have them in my life. I am grateful for my mom and dad. I love my dad, and the leader that he was for our family. He taught me so much about honesty and hard work. I am blessed to have the mother that I do. She is such a great example, and honestly the best friend that I have. She is such an amazing woman. I am grateful for my siblings and the friends that they have been.

3. I am so grateful for the church and the many wonderful and precious blessings that it brings to my life every day. Since the day that we got married Travis and I have prayed together every night. Even when he goes to drill he will call me and when he hangs up the phone we both kneel down to pray. This little thing has brought us so close in our marriage. We have the church and it's teachings to thank for the wonderful life that we have.

I am grateful for so much more then this. These are just a few things. I truly am blessed to have such an amazing life.

Halloween Party

2008-10-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

This year we did something totally new and we had a Halloween Party for Family Home Evening. It was really fun we had the whole Family Home Evening Crew there and the rest of our family. It was so fun. Travis thought that we should go as characters off our favorite TV show The Office. He went as Dwight and I was Angela. Travis made a really good Dwight and walked around the whole night calling me Monkey. We ate dinner, played games, and the had a pumpkin carving contest. Travis designed ours and it won my dads vote so I guess that counts for something.

National FFA Convention

2008-10-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

This past week was amazing for me. Travis took me back to Indianapolis Indiana so that I could receive my American FFA Degree. This was really important to me because I have been working for six years to be eligible. We flew out early Tuesday morning and got there late that night. On Wednesday we had a really busy day making sure that my cousin made it to the contest that she was competing in. Samantha did an awesome job on her speech.

Later Wednesday night we went to the Taylor Swift concert. It was really fun. James Otto opened the show and I really love his new single so that was cool, but between him and Taylor Swift we had to wait a whole hour for her to come out it was ridiculous. She was so amazing in concert though! Thursday we walked through the career show and the FFA mall. Some of the highlights were getting our picture taken by the Oscar Mayer Truck, an American Flag painted Tractor, and a rodeo clown.

We also went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this is the place were the Indie Five Hundred is ran. It was really cool to go there, but it was a rainy day and so that was a little bit of a bummer. We could not go out onto the track. We did get to see the museum and all of the old cars. There was also a little section that was dedicated to all the cars that had raced across the Salt Flats in Utah. My favorite of all the race cars was the pink racer. Travis called me a girly girl.... what can I say.

The Deer

2008-10-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Travis had one more day left that he could hunt before we headed off for National FFA Convention. We went to church and immediately after Sacrament Meeting. We scurried down to Gunnison so that he could head up the mountain with Adam to get his deer. I waited at Diane's house all day waiting for Travis to call and tell my that he had gotten one. Well the day went on and it started getting darker and darker outside. By this point I thought I would just see Travis pull up and tell me that he had not seen it, and this has just not been his year. Right as I was thinking this Kera called to say that my hunter had be successful. She also told me that if I did not hurry with the truck Travis and Adam were going to strap the deer to the top of my car to bring it home. I rushed up to see the prize deer. When I got there was really nothing left of Travis' deer. When he had shot, it had blown off the back end of the deer, which made the rest of the deer fall down a cliff turning Travis' four point into a two point. I only later found out that Travis scaled down the cliff to get his deer. Help Me! What am I going to do with my little hunter.

This was a new experience for me because the men in my family do not hunt. For the sake of being a supportive wife I took a picture with the deer, yes I even touched it. It was gross and both of us stunk like game the rest of the way home!

Mom's Birthday

2008-10-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

This year my mom turned forty and she was not happy about it. She wanted no one to know that she was having a birthday, and really did not want people to know what her new age was going to be. With all of this hush hush happening me,my sister Erin,and my moms best friends Shanna thought that we would keep a secret from my mom. We planned a huge surprise party with all of my moms friends and our family. We all wore black to commemorate my moms new age and had interesting facts like forty things younger then JoEllen. Did you know that Sesame Street has not even been around for forty years, or plastic bottles. It was a great night and to top it off we ate black cupcakes. as you can see from my little brothers face that was not a very bright idea on my part.

Perfect Summer

2008-09-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

Travis and I had an amazing summer together. This was the first Sunday that we were able to spend together after the deployment. I finally was able to convince him to shave the mustache too.

The Army

2008-09-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

The Army has played such a huge part in me and Travis' relationship. This was a special weekend though this is the first time that we got to attend an army activity together. We went up to Snow Bird and stayed in an incredible nice hotel and just played with Jake, Natalie, Kevin and Stef. It was an amazing weekend. We went to The Rocker staring Dwight off of the office, Natalie chopped off all of the hair that I had grown out for the wedding, and we went to Tepenkayki me and Travis' favorite restaurant. We also discovered something new that weekend as well RED MANGO. We love it. We actually found it while we were lost looking for a Cold Stone, but I have to admit I think Red Mango is better.