What a morning!

Its been an interesting morning. It all started early when I was running. I was only about a mile from home and noticed a little fawn stuck between two iron railings in a fence. I almost didn't see her, it was still mostly dark. I went closer to see if I could help her. Poor little thing was so scared, and when I got closer she just flailed those little legs like crazy. Her mamma was on the other side of the fence, worried sick I'm sure. I didn't think I could get her out on my own so I quickly ran home to get Eric.

We went back, with a container of Crisco (it was the only idea I had!). Eric was very dubious as to the helpfulness of Crisco, but anyone who has ever gotten a part of themselves stuck in a dining room chair knows how great it is. Unfortunately, we realized that it wouldn't help our little friend. She was stuck even worse and on her sides she had been rubbed raw with her struggling so hard. It broke my heart to look at her. We had no idea how to get her out. I had to get Eric to work though, so we had to leave. I stopped by a vet on my way home to see if they could help. The nice lady let me in even though they weren't really open yet. She gave me a number to call, the San Antonio Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation.

When I got home, Eric's mom had already found that number online and called and left a message. After what seemed like forever, they called back, got the information,and said they would send a volunteer. We went and met the volunteer up there. Two other volunteers had already beat us there and got the little guy out. They told us that this actually happens a lot and what you have to do is grab the front and back legs, stretch the deer out long and thin, and then they will be able to slip right out. The poor little guy was apparantly so scared and disoriented that she ran in circles, confused,and then almost got stuck again in another fence before getting through and running up the hill.

I was so relieved that she was okay. While we were waiting for the Rescue place to call us back, I was sitting there trying to study and I couldn't stop thinking about her just lying there stuck- frightened, scared, and hurt. And we were just sitting comfortable at home. And she was there for almost three hours at least- from when I first saw her to when she got out. I just wish I could have known what to do to get her out so she didn't have to go through that. So simple too, you'd think I'd be able to logically think to stretch her out and pull her out. I felt so hopeless though. I wanted to help but didn't know how.

I am just so glad she is free. I hope she finds her mamma again.

Apartment? Check!

We did it, we paid the deposit today for our apartment in San Diego. It feels so good to have this taken care of. It has been quite the ordeal trying to do this long distance. Calling what felt like hundreds of landlords and leasing agencies, checking Craigslist for new listings every few hours, making charts, mapping everything, etc, etc... And of course, I got the fun job of doing it all since Eric was gone during the days. Wore me out. But we got it! And its the one I loved from the second I saw the picture. Cute Victorian-style blue house. It reminds me of this yellow house I always wanted to live in in Provo. Do you remember that one Heidi, did I ever show it to you? I would go home the long way just so I could drive by it. And though it is not yellow, I am finally getting my cute house! Well, almost. After getting all excited about it, my mother (who was so amazing to drive 2 hours to go look at some places for me!) informed me that I will not actually live in the 'cute house' but in the little building attached to the back. Talk about a let down. But, as Eric says, at least we will see the 'cute house' from outside our window. That's something, I suppose.

Our newest treasure

I thought I'd share my favorite yard sale treasure with you all. As nice as beds and dressers and tables and all those 'useful' things are, they are not what get me most excited. My favorite find so far (along with an awesome digital meat thermometer I got for 50 cents!) is this cute picnic basket:

I have been wanting a picnic basket for a while. It just seems that a picnic would be that much more fun if you took it all in a pretty basket. So I jumped at the chance to get this one. It even came with a tablecloth, napkins, plates, and glasses.

Eric and I already had a chance to use it. We went to a concert last Saturday that was part of the Cactus Pear Music Festival and went to a nearby park beforehand to have a picnic. So much fun! We had some deer, squirrels, and birds for company. Gotta love picnics!

Hitting the Sales with Dad

Need a dresser, a baby crib, an antique iron? Is there a certain book you are looking for? Or anything, for that matter? Eric's dad is the one to call. He is a master. Of yard sales and estate sales, that is. The last few weeks, after mentioning to him that we are hoping to find furniture and things to set up our apartment when we get to San Diego, he has been bringing us along with him on some of his trips.

He seems to know where all the sales are. We'll be driving down a street and suddenly he'll pull a sharp turn. "Didn't you see that sign? There's a yard sale over here!", he'd say. We look back, straining to see. And sure enough, a tiny piece of paper, in tiny writing will say: 'yard sale'. He also knows all the tricks-- when to get there, what to look for, and how to bargain (he'd probably get along just fine in China).

When he goes, it is a serious thing. Out the door before 7am, not home until after 12pm. And he just goes and goes. But, thanks to him, we have found some great stuff. We sure won't be sleeping on the floor like we were afraid we might be, thinking we wouldn't be able to afford a bed. Or eating dinner sitting on boxes. And its great, because he knows how to find nice things.

I had actually never been to a yard sale or estate sale before just a couple of weeks ago. And I thought you can only find junk at them. (and at some, that is still true) But why would you ever buy the cheap $20 bookcase at Wal-Mart when, for the same price, you can get a really nice, heavy wooden one for the same price at one of these yard sales? Needless to say, we are fans.

But after 5 hours in one day, Eric and I are both about yard-saled out for now. Anyone else want to take a turn?

Called to Serve

Eric's sister Brittany received her mission call today! She will be serving an 18 months mission for the LDS Church. Everyone got together today, some people via Skype and telephone, to watch her open the letter.

And she will be going to...

Berlin Germany!!

We are so excited for her! She will be an amazing missionary. This brings back so many wonderful memories from my own mission. Oh, I felt almost jealous watching her. Those were some of the best months of my life. Everyday teaching people about Christ and his restored gospel. Can it get any better than that? I wish I was going with her.

But for now, I will just have to settle for dinner of brats and sauerkraut.

Baking cookies with Neil

Neil been my buddy the last week while his parents were gone. I think he is finally warmed up to me! Before his mom left he wouldn't even go for a walk with me. He sat on the grass and refused to go. Well, that is until we bribed him with fruit snacks... Food is definitely the way to Neil's heart. There is not a day that passes that he will not ask for ice cream before going to bed. Not that he will always get it, but you can bet that if you say it is time for bed he will look at you reproachfully and say, "Da da." (his word for ice cream). Well, Neil and I had a blast yesterday baking up a storm. We ground some wheat, and then made homemade bread and rolls and chocolate chip cookies with our fresh whole wheat flour.

I thought Neil looked adorable in his apron so I had to take some pictures!



I also wanted to share this amazing chocolate chip recipe. I got it from my sister Ruth, who got it from someone at her husband's work. Where ever it came from, these cookies are super good.


Behr Cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1 lb (4 sticks) butter -(not margarine- it makes a big difference!)
3 eggs
2 T vanilla
6 cups flour**
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 bags chocolate chips (I use less here too- about 1/2 a bag for a third of the recipe) but put in what you like!

Directions:
In large bowl mix together sugar, brown sugar, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla. In separate bowl mix together flour, salt, and baking soda. Slowly combine flour mixture and into large bowl and mix until smooth. Add in chocolate chips. Set oven to 325 degrees and put cookie mixture in fridge for at least 1/2 hour.
Take mixture out of fridge and spoon in balls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 9-11 minutes until barely starting to brown on top. We like a soft cookie but if you like them crunchier cook longer.

**For the flour I substituted 1/3 whole wheat, 1/3 regular flour, and 1/3 oats. And I threw some PB in just because!

Fourth of July

I know, it's been almost a week. What can I say, I've been busy.

But I wanted to write a little something because we really did have a great Fourth of July. I think a lot of it had to do with being back in America. Eric and I both absolutely loved living in China and we would do it again. But there is just something about America. It is home. And I am so grateful it is. This is an amazing country we live it. I know it's not perfect but we have so many freedoms and opportunities available to us that millions of people around the world just don't have.

I love America. It's good to be home.

Anderson Family Reunion 2010

It's been a busy week! What with trying to study and complete all my summer homework for my internship this Fall, helping to take care of Eric's little brother Neil while both his parents are away in Washington, and having an awesome Fourth of July, I haven't had much time to think about blogging. But I've had a few things that I wanted to get posted. Like our super fun family reunion a little while ago!


About couple weeks ago, the whole Anderson family came together for a reunion. With Brittany leaving on a mission pretty soon (her call should come any day now!) we were all wanting to get together one more time. So Blake and Lindsay came down from New York, Kimberly and David came up from Galveston, and Eric and I didn't have to go anywhere. Worked out great. :)

We had tons of fun together, went lots of fun places, played lots of games, took family pictures, had lots of yummy food, and even had a birthday to celebrate! Here are some pictures from our adventures!

We went to Morgan's Wonderland, a theme park for special needs kids. Though, I think 3 year old Garrett had more fun than Neil did!


Or maybe it was Eric who had the most fun...



SAS shoestore. "A shoestore?", you might ask. Yes, a shoestore, complete with tons of old cars, 15 cent popcorn and 10 cent sodas, yummy ice cream, and lots of fun stuff.




Enchanted Rock. A really fun, gigantic rock that you can climb. Which Eric and I did, twice. We also even got to fly our kite on top. (the one we bought in China with every intention of flying it every day but have only flown it twice. Enchanted Rock being the second time)



We made it to the top!


Flying the kite with Garrett

Garrett's birthday. He was going to be turning three a few days after the reunion so we had a little party for him. The cake had some trick candles which he absolutely loved. He could probably have sat there for hours blowing out those candles!

Family Pictures. A must if the family gets together, right? So we woke up early Saturday morning had took some fun pictures.






It was so great being able to see everyone, especially getting to meet our new neice and nephew, Lydia and Caleb. They were so adorable! Hopefully we get to see you all again soon!