I'm a little slow when it comes to sitting down and writing on
the computer, sorry it has taken me so long. Let's see what to
tell you about me. I'm a Army Brat, I was born at FT. Hood
Texas. My father decided to retire at Ft. Huachuca in 1973 and so
for the most part I grew up in the 1st ward. I met my husband in
1983 when I was vacationing in England. I was on a date with another
guy and when I met him, it was love at first sight. He wasn't a
member and so I gave him a Book of Mormon with my testimony and
started writing him. In 1985 I served a mission to Auckland New
Zealand which was for me a great blessing. I came home in 1987 and
started working and going to school. To make a long story short my
husband joined the church in July 1989 and we began a long distance
courtship via letters and phone calls with occasional long
weekends. He proposed in December on Christmas day and we were
married the following August in the Los Angeles temple. I have seven
years worth of wonderful letters.
My husband was Airforce and so I happily rejoined that way of
life. In 1993 we were blessed with our first son Samuel and the rest
of our children followed in quick succession, Amelia in 1995, Matthew
in 1997, Adam and Nicholas in 1999, and James and Simon in
2001. Having six sons is an adventure and could take on a blog all
of it's own. Gratefully the Lord gave my a daughter to keep me
grounded. In 2007 we retired from the Airforce and moved home which is here.
I have many hobbies and interests, I love to read, quilt, hike,
and am learning to sculpt. I love second hand stores and antiques and
old keys. I am new to gardening and am learning from my many
mistakes. I love to go new places and meet new people. My
favorite hobby is my children and I am content to have them occupy
most of my time until they leave home. I have lost many of my
memories of them when they were small because of the constant fatigue
and stress and am enjoying them while they are still with me and my
brain remembering. Life goes to quickly.
I have continued my 27 year courtship and find my marriage to
be one of the most satisfying parts of my life. I am an optimist and
look forward to the future. I believe that our greatest days are a
head of us.

SONIC at the park

2 pm today, 1/2 price drinks at Sonic....join us there or at Veterans Park to hang out and relax!

A little about me. . .

Hi girls! I'm excited to be a part of this wonderful group of sisters! I thought I'd add a little intro and share some things about me.

I'm originally from Alabama, mostly the Hoover area (interesting tidbit--Taylor Hicks, the American Idol winner, was in my high school graduating class, and our families are very old friends). I love to be outdoors more than anything, and some of my favorite activities include snow skiing, scuba diving, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and fishing. I also enjoy reading, floral design, and a good home remodeling project. My favorite (non-Medical) subject is probably poli-sci--I LOVE a good political debate, and if I had to describe my leanings, the most accurate way to put it would be Constitutional originalist :).

I went to BYU (1995-2002) and met my husband, Ian, right before my last semester. I studied English and secondary education, but took time off between semesters to work and travel. Some of my favorite experiences included studying at the Jerusalem Center (Winter 1998), spending a summer in Alaska as a chef, leading scuba trips in the Channel Islands (California), and working as a children's ski instructor at Alta for four winters.

After Ian and I married in the Salt Lake temple in November 2002, we went to China for a year and taught English in Shanghai. What an incredible experience that was! When we returned to the states I began to pursue my medical education in Birmingham, and Ian felt strongly about pursuing a career in the Army. We've had to live separately for the past five years, but through it all we've made it work! We have two beautiful daughters--Aliya is two and a half, and Regi is almost four months.

Let's see, something unique about me--I was adopted at birth but have been able to connect and spend time with some of my biological relatives. I have 17 half siblings--ranging in age from one year to 28--and the two sisters and one brother I grew up with for a total of 20 brothers and sisters!

Unfortunately, I will be leaving you all soon--I will be starting my residency in Family Medicine in Mobile, AL on July 1 but will be moving sometime in early June. It has been so wonderful to get to know you all and find such dear friends in so short a period. I hope to keep in touch with you and if you ever find yourself in the Heart of Dixie, give me a call and we'll go for some beach and bar-b-q :)!!

can you edit my post?

It doesnt have my name on it and I it says "I love making this with my" And it should say I love making things... And just after that there are 2 ands in a row. Thanks, Kellie

So much Fun!!- Kellie Wagner

     Ladies, I had such a great time last night at our "Girls Night Out". I really enjoyed getting to see everyone laughing and having a good time. I am terrible at keeping track of names But I am really trying. So if I ask a dozen times don't take it personally or think I don't remember you. I am still pretty new in the ward so I am really grateful for this opportunity to get to know sisters and develop some great friendships. Thanks to all those who helped set everything up and got all the Cookies together. I am looking forward to the next time we can see each other again.

     So I see that we are asked to share a little about ourselves so I will take a little more space on this cute blog and spill a little. I am a Mother of 3 super awesome kids, wife to a super amazing man and daughter to a super supportive Nana who lives with us. I love to travel and rarely plan anything. I like to have the freedom to do whatever pops into my head. This makes it interesting for my husband and his very structured routine. I love making this with my hands and and find a deep sense of satisfaction when I create something unique and beautiful. I am blessed to be able to use this passion for crafting and make it a business. My mom , aka Nana, and I have started out own business and having a great time as vendors at the PX. I love to read and am a big movie buff. I enjoy camping and hiking whenever we have a spare weekend. I love to share the Gospel and my testimony. I am both outgoing and shy, outrageous and mundane, confident and self conscious. But most of all I am a Daughter of God and your sister in the Gospel and that knowledge blesses my life everyday.  

Update......

Hello Ladies.......

It was so nice seeing everyone at Church today :) So, I have good news..... Our group now has 10 members!! This is so awesome!! I am so excited to start getting to know you all. This Wednesday, we will have our first group activity at 7pm..... PEDICURES!!!! This pretty much explains it all! I really hope that everyone can make it. Thank you Dana, for setting this up for us. If anyone else has any ideas for a get together, feel free to put it out there. Ok, I plan on calling everyone on Tuesday, to see who can and can't make it on Wednesday. We can figure out a car pooling plan then. Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the day!

-Heather-

All about Me-The Dana Version

Heather suggested that we all write a little something about ourselves here.  I guess that's a good way to get the ball rolling!

I'm Dana.  :D  (big smile)

I am married to Matt, an anti-social, but lovable guy.  He is 9 years older than me and we first stared hanging out when I gave him a black eye. (yup, there is a story there!)

Today is my son, Connor's birthday.   He is 9 and my daughter is 6.

Even through we are military, we have not moved very often.   We met at the Presidio and spent a while bouncing around separately, only to end up at Hood....for 12 years and 7 deployments, two kids and a lot of memories.

I am a small town girl at heart so I am enjoying Sierra Vista, but I would love to see a Hobby Lobby here!

As for my hobbies and talents, it's easier to list what I've never tried than list what I have.   I am a big fan of trying new things and learning how to do stuff.   Everything from practical, useful skills to the completely useless.....

But I've never learned to cut hair (other than a high and tight), do highlights, or knit.

I never plan on knitting.  I don't have that kind of patience.

Random fact?   I have a disorder that makes it hard to process things and put them in long term memory.   My short term memory tends to have HUGE holes in it....so I forget names, commitments, my wedding day....yeah.  I forget lots of stuff.  That's a big reason why I like taking pictures.   It helps me remember moments.   And I love the Army because everyone wears a name tag.   AWESOME.

I love to read, but never seem to have time.  I watch tv while I work on the computer.  I'm learning to build furniture and......I'm really excited about this project.

I'm hoping to actually have some more face to face contact this week too!