2011 Christmas Photo Shoot

Many new changes and some pictures!

So we have experienced many changes as we prepare for new baby girl's arrival. I realized I was expecting in July and I resigned from my wonderful job in the beginning on August. I miss my work friends, my school and my students but I'm thrilled with this slightly late chance to mother another child. We couldn't believe it when we learned the baby is a girl. That will be a real change around here! We are still working on names but I will share some fun new family pictures. Our amazingly talented niece took them for us and I think she did a great job.

Extended Warranties

And now, on a totally unrelated topic, I want to talk about extended warranties. You may or may not know that we have a surprise bundle of joy coming in February. One thing that I have needed for awhile is a new washer and dryer. Mine are on their last legs and this seemed like a good time to take care of that transaction. So, we recently bought a new washer and dryer. You think it would be a rather uncomplicated process? NO! We carefully selected the brand, model, store and price that we wanted. We went to Sears Outlet and completed the purchase. It was a lot of work but we had no idea what was in store for us. The amazing high pressure techniques that have been used to get us to purchase an extended warrenty have shocked me.

I judge no one that buys extended warranties, but for me, I generally don't. I feel that I save money by not buying them and then once in awhile if I have to call a repairman, then I think it's less than the cost of all the warranties that I might have bought and never used. Clark Howard recommends against them:

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/shopping-retail/skip-extended-warranties-appliances-these-tips/nFJyK/

And I won't lie, it irks me that they ask me to buy a policy against the brand new product they are selling me. The warranty covers the period of time when the item is new, and it's highly unlikely that you will need service in the first 2-3 years of a product's life. OK, so I am tipping my hand that I think that extended warranties are a scam. However, I digress.

If I was on the fence as to extended warranties, this extreme approach to trying to sell me one would totally push me off the fence. We were asked in the store if we'd like to buy it for $300. We said no thanks. We politely gave our reason. OK, a few minutes later the salesman offered us the same extended warranty with free delivery. We considered it and still said no thanks. I went out to the car while Ken completed the work and he was asked 2 more times that day. Am I crazy or is that excessive?? Then the dryer didn't work so Ken had to go back to the store to work on changing the dryers out and guess what was brought up again.

Today I was called on the phone to be asked if I wanted the same warranty at a reduced price. I was polite but I told they guy why I don't agree with warranties and why asking me repeately is becoming tedious. He seemed confused and I suspect that what I said didn't come up on his script. He actually, then, asked me if he could call back when I had a chance to discuss it with my husband. I couldn't help it, I laughed.

Then I went to Sears.com and made a complaint. I feel as if I am on the streets of New York City and some shady guy in a trench coat is following me with imitation designer watchers lining the inside of his coat. "Hey Lady, ya wanna buy an extended warranty for $300, how about $225....OK, OK how about $175...Lady, Lady........"

OK rant over! Now I will upload some cute new family pictures!
Becky

Time Flies when you are having fun...

Well, we are at the end of another school year.  Brian has completed this year and is now on summer vacation.  He did well in his classes and has a busy schedule next year.  The downside is that he is unable to take band next year so he can take his desired AP classes as well as his Building Trades and Engineering Academy classes.  He plans to return for his senior year.  Kevin has done well this year, too.  He has a few more weeks of elementary school and then he promotes to middle school which is 7th grade here.  He has great friends and they will be joining him in middle school.  I think he's looking forward to the change.  I'm not sure how they have become so grown up!

Ken and I continue to work on the house.  We are working on our lower floor bathroom.  It's about halfway finished.  I'll post pictures when it's complete. 

I am working on completing my mormon.org profile.  When it's complete, I will post a URL and you can view it.

While we visited Michigan, we decided to go and visit Kirtland, OHIO.  For those of you who are not LDS this is a significant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints site to visit.  I suspect many of my ancestors lived and worked in this community.   It was so fun to see the old buildings and hear their history.  We were able to tour the Kirtland Temple.  It is such a testimony to the faithfulness and hard work of the people who lived there.  Here we are just beneath a replica of the saw mill.  It took 3 vans to get us all down there.  We had a great time!

Stewart Family Reunion in Lake Tahoe

Luc and Brian above beautiful Lake Tahoe

Ken, Grandma Stewart and Kevin also above Lake Tahoe

We had a fun week at Lake Tahoe! We celebrated Grandma Stewart's 70th birthday. She doesn't even look or seem close to 70!! We went around Lake Tahoe and stopped at most scenic places, Vikingsholm, the beach, and heavenly ski lift. It was fun to be with everyone and we're thinking of going again!

Becky's Fall Get-a-way, Part 3

Amy and Sarah-cuties!

Once back in Detroit, our days passed quickly as we prepared to go to our scrapbooking retreat. I would have liked to see some more friends but truthfully I didn't want to expose them to whatever was going on with me. I did get to have lunch with Diana and Danielle. Next time I want to see all of you!! It was fun being with Mom and Dad, Tina, Maddie, Bailey and Marah!

On Friday we departed for Cepac, MI. We stayed at a bed and breakfast that is set up for scrapbooking called Croppinthecountry or something like that. We each had our own 6 foot table and light. Linda provided our meals - YUM! Everything tastes good when you don't have to cook it! I didn't take many pictures b/c I was too busy scrappin', sleepin' or chattin'. I completed 32 pages! I'm almost done with 2005. I haven't been scrappin much in the last 2 years but I really want to get back on track. Anyone want to get together to scrap on a monthly basis - let me know!

Crop Host - Linda Drake and her friend Jane

In the words of Dr. Laura - Linda IS her scrapper's MOM. She took great care of us!

Becky's Fall Get-a-way, Part 2

During the night, after our car trip, I realized that I may be getting worse. I called Kaiser and was told to go to an ER. I went Sunday am. The doc said I had an impaction in my throat, gave me two shots, some prescriptions and sent me on my way. By afternoon, my throat felt better.

The baptism was such a spiritual highlight for me. I gave a short talk on baptism then Jacob was baptized. It was so beautiful to see this wonderful little boy make this important step. While Jacob was changing, we sang hymns. Tina was the chorister. She announced that they would sing a hymn that all the kids are working on in primary this year. There was an audible "oooh." When the music started, my ears were filled with the sounds of many pure young voices singing their testimonies with full voices. It brings tears to my eyes to think of it!

Then My Dad gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I love to hear my Dad talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is such an example to me. Dad did a wonderful job as he shared with Jacob the joys of having the gift of the Holy Ghost and having that extra help in discerning what is right and what thing he should do in his life. Then Jacob was confirmed a member of the church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Just after that, Margret Allyson Jones was given her blessing by her father. It contained beautiful promises for her future. I look forward to seeing this lovely baby grow up!

What a great experience! I'm so thankful to Ken and my boys for making some sacrifices so I could go to this wonderful family event.

We stayed an extra day to rest and visit. On Tuesday we made the journey back to Detroit.

Becky's Fall Get-a-way

My annual scrapbooking retreat coincided beautifully with Jacob Jones' baptism and Maggie Jones' blessing and me having lots of vacation hours saved up. It was clear that I had to attend. So, one Friday afternoon, I flew to Michigan. My wonderful trip was slightly complicated by having strep throat and flu but I went to the doc, took my meds and was assured that it would pass quickly and I would not pose any risk to my family. So off I went.

I arrived late Friday night. Saturday Morning, 7 of us piled into Tina's rented van for the trip to Huntsville Alabama. Our party included, Marah Golding, Maddie Golding, Bailey Golding (also recovering from strep), me, my Mom and Dad (Linda and Dave Hansen) and our fearless driver, Tina Golding. With Bailey and I aboard, it was kind of like the plague van! We had a great drive, with lots of great scenery and conversation.

Marah was so sweet and would not allow me to change places with her in the back to give her a break. She's a great big sister but I think the little ones were a bit trying for her in such close quarters! My throat was hurting a little worse than before but I thought I was just tired. Just before we arrived and Mickey and Mary's house, we stopped and picked up some of our favorite BBQ at Whitts and then enjoyed a family meal with the Jones's.

Kevin is Double Digits!!

Our wonderful Kevin turned 10! He earned his Bear Rank and will now join the Webelos troop. He is such a delightful son. We love him a lot!