Intervention

I thought and thought about how to possibly include a picture in this one, because pictures make every post so much better. But I couldn't come up with a way. So I decided to just put in a random pretty picture. But it is a hint of things to come.

Isn't that pretty!

After meeting Jared I was so excited about being able to see him a couple times a month. Everyone in my family knew about my interest in Jared. I made sure they knew. When they would come for institute he would sit in the back and I spent most of the time thinking about him. Once his dad gave a lesson that involved music. Jared played several samples of many types of music. I wondered what his style was.

A couple times Ray and I got a chance to have some very good conversations while Jared and Kathi had meetings together. I hoped that what we had talked about would get back to Jared. It did and Ray put in a good word for me. I think Jared would have been more interested in me, but he was still adjusting to being home from his mission. He had only been home a couple months.

Our parents and families were becoming really good friends and still are to this day. Since we have been married there is no feeling between the families that each other are "the in-laws". It is just family. I mean, Rike is living with my family in Utah right now.

Anyway...I did have just one hesitation about Jared. I was not sure how truly "American" he was. I love the germans, but I didn't want to be married to one. Growing up in Utah I always wanted to raise my future family there. But I realized how unlikely that would probably be. So I revised my guidelines. Almost anywhere in America was fine with me. Another thing about me is that I am fiercely patriotic. When we were engaged and Jared met my Gma (the one who got me to Germany), she asked Jared if she realized how lucky he was. She said that I was one of the most patriotic people she knows. Well, another criteria I had for the person I would marry was that if he wasn't an American he had to be willing to live in America. Well, now I am married to an America, but am raising my family in Europe. I learned to never say never, because Heavenly Father will teach you differently.

One in December Jared, Ray and Beate were in our ward for ward conference. I saw them when we got into the chapel. The row right in front of them was empty so I steared the family there. I decided this was a perfect opportunity to flirt a little and make him notice me a bit more. I had never met his mother before, so after the introductions I set my plan into action. I teased him about not tying our hair together during the meeting or something innocent like that. I did wonder what his mother would think about me.

By this time, my sister Kathi had gone back to Utah to live. So Jared was looking for someone to replace her on the Student Council. I didn't know it at the time, but he wanted me to do it. That was one reason why he was there...to talk to the Bishop.

This is Mike Yanez. He was my best friend at the time...still a good friend.

During Sunday School that Sunday I was sitting by him and he asked me why I didn't go out with Jared. Well, I didn't want to admit that I had already thought of that and wanted to. So my response was that he was a German and I didn't know how much of his American heritage he was in touch with. Then later I had similar conversation with a wonderful woman in our ward, but with Jared being specifically mentioned.

Jared had noticed me with Mike and wondered if anything was going on between us. (I didn't find this out until we were married) So he decided to test it out. My family, Mike and I all walked out after church to say good-bye to the Dautels. When Jared came to say good-bye to me he gave me hug, to see how I would react. Of course, I loved it. He says that I reacted well. I think this was to first time he really started to take an interest in me.

I didn't see Jared again until about 3 weeks later for our first date. But I made sure that my family knew I wanted to go out with him. Our first date was on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005. Well, the Sunday before that the youth of the Stake had fireside at the Stake Center. I stayed home because I wasn't part of the youth, but my parents took Mandi and Melani. When they got home, the twins told me that Jared had been. I was so disappointed that I hadn't gone.

What I found out later was that after the fireside Jared had been playing the piano while his siblings and the twins stood around talking. Our parents though started talking. My dad told Ray that he had a daughter, me, who really wanted to go out with Jared. I guess I should have been embarassed by that when I heard, but I was just happy he had said something. Our parents decided that even if nothing happened between Jared and I, we could at least be really good for each other and good friends. So they came up with a plan.

My mom asked Jared to come to our home to help fix our internet (a 20 minute job that he ended up "needing" 2 days to do). And Ray told Jared he was going to arrange a date for him and I. So he called their friend, Rick Stafford. Shown here:Rick played for the Bamburg basketball team, one of Germany's basketball teams. Ray asked him if he could get some tickets to their game that Tuesday. So Rick has some set aside for us. Then Jared called, the day of the date, to see if I could go. I was at work, so he asked my mom if she thought I would go. My mom knew I would, so felt free to accept for me. Then she called me at work. I guess the phrase: "I came, I saw, I conquered" applies to me here.

As you can see I did find some pictures for you. Next time: The first date.

Jared Fills in the Gaps

For those of you who read the previous post before Jared gave into my pouting and pleading, he just inserted his part into it. I made it a different color for you.

Here Goes...

We Meet
This is for my cousin, Michelle. She challenged us to record the stories of when we met and dated our spouses. I loved the idea and wanted to do it, but this is the first chance I have had.

Jared and I's story is a long one, especially when you realize what a short space of time it covers. We met on November 3, 2004 and were married on March 12, 2005. And from the first date to his proposal it took a little over a week. So if you are not ready for a long story, just don't read. But my children, who are really writing this for, had better read it. We don't have many pictures of the whole process, because it was so short, but I will include what I have.

Jared was born and raised in Germany. I was born and raised in America. Jared's mom is German, but his Dad is American. Thus, Jared has dual citizenship. When my dad retired from the Utah National Guard he got a job for a company that sent them to Germany in January of 2004. I was in Orlando working for Disney at the time. I came home to Utah that Summer. That September my Grandma took me aside and talked to me about going to Germany to live with my parents until the following summer. I called my parents that night and they bought my plane ticket within 2 days. I arrived in Germany on September 17, 2004. This turned out the be the most carefree time of my life and I am so grateful for it. I was living with my family and I had friends who truly cared about me. Plus, I didn't really have anything to worry about or be stressed about.

During all this Jared was on his mission in the Germany Berlin Mission. He got home on October 14, 2004. He was immediately called to be the Student Council President of the Institute program in our stake. We were in different wards though.

On the day I arrived in Germany we went to a stake activity. It was the opening social for the institute and seminary programs for the stake. It was there I met Jared's family for the first time. As happens so often alot of the plans for the meeting and dance fell though. So naturally, his family stepped in and picked up the pieces. They translated, did musical numbers and so much more. I remember watching Ray translate for one of the speakers and my dad telling me that all of them were in the same family. I was so impressed. I remember thinking to myself, "I wish they had a son my age." Jared was still on his mission, so I had no idea he existed.

That evening during the dance Jared's brother, Richy, insisted that I dance with him. He is always looking out for those he can help and he noticed I hadn't danced yet. Well, that is not unusaul for me. I am not one that got asked to dance much and I was not bold enough to ask anyone else. This time I was wearing a skirt that didn't allow much flexibilty and Richy is a very active dancer. Somehow we managed and I had fun. He must have too, because he was rooting for me and Jared after that.

A little over a month later I heard that the Dautel's had a son who was just home from his mission. Well, I was determined to meet him and see if he was as great as the rest of his family. Then my parents told me that Jared and his dad were coming to our house one evening to talk to my sister, Kathi, and my dad. Now I was really excited. And I was determined to make a good impression. I was working on the local military base, in a little flower shop at the time. (I never got paid for the month I worked there. We could have used that money.)

Note: I honestly have no memory of certain events when we first met. Jared will have to record those for you.

The evening they were coming my dad picked me up from work. Here is where Jared will have to fill in for you.

(Jared) Well then, here is the little part that slipped Kristins mind:
My Dad and I were going up to the Jensen's Home to talk to Michael about helping us out with the institute in Wuerzburg. I also got a feeling to call Kathi into the student council. However, I had never met her before and wanted to get a feeling and meet her once before I asked for her to be called. When we got there, there was no-one home so we waited in front of the door. It only took about 10 Minutes, when Michael and Kristin drove up the street and parked the van. I was right at the downstairs door and my dad walked towards the van to greet Michael. Kristin shook my Dads hand and came towards the door. The door was not locked so I opened it for her. She didn't even say a word but just dashed right past me with a VERY determined look. Since I din't know her at all, I just thought to myself: "I hope this wasn't Kathi ...!" Well, Michael and my Dad got to the door and Michael just smiled, shook my hand and said: "Well, I guess she really needed to get somewhere!"

When we got upstairs to their apartment, I got introduced to Kristin by her dad and to be entirely honest, I was very relieved it wasn't Kathi. And after a couple minutes I was even happier to find out that Kristin was actually a very nice and happy person.

This is all about that little part ... (End of Jared)

My memory of it begins as I was introduced to Jared and formally introduced to Ray. (My dad can tell you all, and I mean all, the details about when he first saw my mom. And they both can tell you their first thoughts about each other.) I remember shaking his hand (I still remember what he was wearing and where we were standing) and thinking, "Oh, he is cute. But he is going to go after Kathi". This was a perfectly natural thought for me, because I never had many dates (I actually had 2 years in college with no dates what so ever) and never really got much attention from guys. But I decided to take my chances and make an impression anyway. I joked and very mildly flirted. Mostly I just wanted him to notice that I was there and I was an eligible girl. He and his dad still tease me about that day.

In the end, he asked Kathi to serve on his student council and Ray (he was the institute director for the stake) asked my dad to teach institute in our ward. They were drive up a couple times a month and do it with us. I was excited about that.


I don't have any pictures of our first meeting, but luckily I made Jared recreate it for me later for pictures. This is exactly what he was wearing and where he was sitting during the time he was at our house.

Next: Jared's Fills in the Gaps.

Football, Friends and Doctors

We made a new friend a couple weeks ago. This is Karen Buckner. She will be in our ward frequently on business trips. She came over for Sunday dinner and we all just fell in love with her. She was so great with the girls and spent so much time with them. I wish I could make stories as interesting as she made this one for Anne and Alicia. Karen has a real gift with kids.

We had a week of colds and ear infections. I have spent so much time at the dr's office I never want to go back again.

We loved the Super Bowl. We watched it here, but my wonderful Uncle Mike and his wife, Nelwyn recorded it for us and mailed it, so we could see it how is was meant to be seen. Thank you so much.

Anne Birthday

We celebrated Anne's birthday a while ago.
She is showing us how old she is.

Jared had the camera for work at home, so I took and had lots of fun taking pictures of the decorations and the "cake".

I made cupcakes this time. They are so beautiful, easy and child-friendly. I think this is the way I will do it from now on.

Rike sent these tulips to her parents and Anne for Valentine's and Anne's birthday.

The theme I chose was...colorful. Easy, huh!

We had decorated everything while she was taking her nap. Then we wouldn't let her see it while we waited for the rest of the family to be ready. We wanted it to be a surprise for her.

She got puzzles from Gma and Bahnka and a cute letter from her great-gma in Utah. There were also cute Valentine's for the rest of the family included in the letter. Great-Gma even left a fun message on the answering machine. She sang "Happy Birthday" and some other songs for Anne.

She and Alicia weren't big fans of the frosting (I had to make up the recipe, because I couldn't find one. The adults like it though), I think it was just too rich for them. I won't complain about that though.

Jared and I's gift to Anne was a bike. One of the days after her b-day we took her to the store to find just the right one for her. We hadn't told her before hand what her gift was and she sure was excited when she found out. I loved watching her experience this new milestone in her life.

We first tried the bike with the training-wheels, but she is a bit young for the concept still. Plus it was so big. The store has this fun track you can ride on the test-drive the bikes. I love that idea.

In the end we got this one. It has a seat for her to sit on then she "walks" around with the bike. It is actually supposed to be a more effective teacher than training wheels. Of course, the bike has a bell.

Alicia fell in love with the bikes to and had to drive one around the whole time we were in the store. We realized how hard it would be for her to leave and not get one too. She just is too young to understand. We had planned on getting her one for her b-day anyway, Jared (he is such a softie) had to get her an early b-day gift.

I think they both had a lot of fun. And we did too.

Fasching/Mardi Gras/Carnival

Whatever you call it...we celebrated it this year. It is a huge thing here, so we had an innocent family version of it at home. It really was fun. I had to scrounge around for costumes, because the fairy and Snow White dresses were dirty. But here is what we came up with:

Sheriff Jared...my favorite!
Princess Alicia

Anne the Clown

Bahnka actually had the best costume, but he made me promise not to put any pictures up. And I couldn't find any good pictures of myself. I dressed up as the most comfortable on...pajamas and a bathrobe.

We had a the hot dog grab. I cheated. You can see Gma's costume in this one. She was a U of U fan.

The Candy Search.

And the Balloon Dance. I am not sure who won this one.

There was also lots of fun music and wonderful treats. Thanks Bahnka for doing it for us.

Touch of the Master's Hand

The is Jared's handiwork from Saturday. He is so proud of it. I was too, until I fell and slid down the hill (without any winter gear on), just to take this picture.