100 Calorie Pack - Favorite

I had to post about these. I am sitting here at my desk, basking in the enjoyment of eating these three delectable blueberry streusel muffins! I place one on my tongue and it takes me back to when I was 7 and my grandma would bake....

No, that was a joke, but imagine them taking you back to a childhood memory, okay! :) I haven't tried the banana or the cinnamon coffee cakes, but I really think you should try the blueberry ones! I think they are $2.50 for 6 packs of 3!

Weight Watcher points: 2
Calories: 100
Loving every bite: Priceless

Beautiful Emma!

This is my beautiful niece, Emma. She will be two this April - isn't she beautiful?? I had a pretty hard day on Wednesday, so I emailed my sister, Kira, and asked her to send me pictures of Em. They were exactly what I needed. These were my two favorites!

It is weird to think that two people can create such beautiful spirits - it is even more weird to think that I will have one of these soon!!

Its a GIRL!!!!!

Hello everyone!!! My appointment went so well today!! I had the nicest tech who did the ultrasound and after doing all her measurements (which all looked great!) she saw that it was a girl!!! How exciting is that?? I have to say there were many moments over the last few weeks where I thought I was going to have a little boy, so it was a shock - but a very good one!!! I can't wait to buy little dresses, and bows, and I hope she has curly hair!!! I'll post pictures as soon as I get my scanner up and running! :)

Thank you all for being so supportive! It's been such an exciting day!!!! And TL - thanks for the cinnamon bears!!! DELICIOUS!

Paint Update

I did it!! I have my paint picked out!! I didn't do it by myself, but with the help of my good friend Sonia!! She and I went to school together and she actually won first place in an interior design competition for the nation!! She came down on Saturday and helped me make some final decisions on my house!! I am thrilled with the outcome!

This faux-leather look will be used in the master bedroom (on about this shade of red...great sample picture!) and also on the bottom half of my dining room wall (which will be brown, with the look of leather). I think it will turn out great and accent my entertainment center quite well.

My guest bathroom and nursery is what I am most excited about - I won't spill the beans on that though...I'll wait till I have pictures! :) Stay tuned!!

Picking Perfect Paint

How hard is picking a paint color? I just need to turn my bright white house into a masterpiece to the eye - easy?? NO WAY!! I have a handful of friends that have been trying to help me find paint - and I must say that I have come a long way since we moved in, but still have to choose between two colors! I have gone to the store on several occasions to try to get samples, and they are always out of the "base" they need to mix the sample - argh!!! Plus, I have so many different ideas about my dining room - it is killing me!! (Thats a whole other story) All the interior design classes I took in college are blanking out of my mind - colors seem to all run together - and my husband is obsessed with a blue paint swatch from Lowes!! What is a girl to do???

My Valentine

My Wonderful Husband, Wow, 13 years have gone by since we became friends, but it still feels like we just met. I still get so excited when I see your number come up at work, and butterflies when I get to see you after not seeing you ALL day! - and when you (no matter WHAT) will hold my hand anywhere we go. All the little things still make me question what I did to ever deserve you!!

Thank you for being my friend, helping me through the toughest part of my life while you were thousands of miles away. Thank you for looking past my flaws and imperfections and seeing me as your "diamond". Thank you for giving me a chance and asking me to marry you. Thank you for taking care of me every single day - and supporting me in all I do. Thank you Mark, for making me more happy that I ever imagined possible......Thank you for loving me!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Girl or boy?

I went to my doctor's appointment yesterday! Everything is going perfect!! The baby kept moving when the doctor was trying to hear the heartbeat! It probably didn't help that I was giggling the whole time - but hey!

We also set the date for our big ultrasound!! It is Feb. 28th!!!!! Less than three weeks away!! We are so excited!

I'll post as soon as I find out!

Pregnancy Cravings- (The unhealthy ones!!!)

So call me crazy - but I wanted to post on two items that somehow manage to control part of my thoughts sometime during my week!

I remember over Christmas (I was only 9 weeks preggo at that time) my mom, my sister Kira, and I were making Christmas goodies - and we made chocolate covered cinnamon bears! Well, I ate some, and a few more, some dipped in chocolate, some not....and ended up taking the whole bag home with me because I couldn't get enough!! (My mom insisted because they were keeping me sane!) I don't usually LOVE cinnamon bears either, but no matter how yucky I was feeling, I could eat one of those and feel so happy for quite some time!! I still crave them now - but try not to buy them as often - because I really will eat all of them.....But I would keep Sprouts in business!!!


Which leads me my other....

Who just goes and buys Sixlets anymore? One afternoon when I was having a really rough day, that is all I wanted (no idea why it popped into my mine) - I was seriously craving them!! It was driving me crazy because they aren't like a Snickers bar - you can't just go anywhere and get these delectable little things!! But alas! I found them at a store right next to my gym!! :)

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starr

Most of you already know, but Mark and I are going to have a little Starrling!!!! We are so excited to start this new journey in our lives together. I am 13 weeks along, and have been a little cautious yelling it to the world because of a little scare we had a few weeks ago, but everything seems fine now - so we are happy to say WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!

I have my next appointment February 8th - at which time we'll hopefully be setting the date for the big gender-telling ultrasound!!! I honestly can't find words to describe how excited I am!!!

I'll post some ultrasound pictures soon!!

A New Favorite!

Thank you to my friend Joy for sharing this wonderful tip with me!!! These are co-op food baskets! If you buy a lot of fresh produce - YOU NEED TO TRY THIS!!! Basically it is a program designed to get fresh produce from farmers and such and deliver it through a volunteer co-op - allowing people to get weeks worth of groceries for a fraction of the price.

There are 15 locations across the East Valley (this is also available on the West Valley) that you can go to every other Saturday and pick up your two baskets of produce. One is fruits, and the other is vegetables. I went for the first time this past Saturday and was amazed at how much food I got. The other really cool thing is that every time you go, you get a little different variety - depending on what is in season. I had anything from pineapples to pomegranates, and from greens to fresh garlic!

The price you ask?? Only $15.00!! This is for a large laundry basket full of food!! It could have easily been $60-70 worth of food!! If you are interested, check out http://eastaz.bountifulbaskets.org/

Our Beloved Prophet

Mark and I were sitting relaxing tonight when my mom called and told us the news that our Prophet has passed away tonight surrounded by family and friends.

I just wanted to take a moment to remember some of the wonderful things that he did for our church!! I can't tell you how much of an example he was in my life, (as I am sure he has been to everyone!!!) But he and his presidency holds an extra special place in my heart. To put it briefly, there was a situation with my handicapped sisters that was taken all the way to the first presidency!! (I even remember talking to President Packer on the phone!)

1) He was the 15th president of our church.

2) He served as President of the Church from March 12, 1995 to January 27, 2008

3) Was sustained a general authority in 1958.

4) He holds the record for dedicating more than half of the temples that are on the earth!

5) He was married to the love of his life on April 29, 1937, and was married nearly 67 years at the time of her death in 2004.

6) I was a student at BYU-Idaho when we dedicated the Gordon B. Hinckley building on October 22, 2002

7) January 24, 2006 - under went surgery to remove cancerous growths from his large intestine.

8) On June 23, 2004 (Hinckley's 94th birthday), U.S. President George W. Bush awarded Hinckley the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House.

9) On March 31, 2007, Hinckley rededicated the Salt Lake Tabernacle after extensive renovation. Hinckley's last public appearance was on January 4, 2008, where he offered the prayer at the rededication of the Utah State Capitol.

10) On January 27, 2008, about 7 p.m. MST, Hinckley died of "causes incident to age" surrounded by family in his home in Salt Lake City at the age of ninety-seven. "wikipedia.org"

What are some of your favorite memories of our Prophet???

C-SPAN

So I really am not a huge watcher of C-SPAN, but the other night I was laying on the couch watching TV as Mark made dinner! (I love my life!) All of the sudden the channels start flipping like crazy and it stops on Channel 2 - C-SPAN! Mark thought he was so funny and is trying to hide his laugh while he continues to make dinner! Well, I try not to provoke his craziness - so I act like I am really into it! Then I got hooked. It was the anti-abortion walk in Washington DC - and funny enough, it was Trent Franks (who is a US house member from AZ) talking about how 1/3 of our generation is missing because of the 3,000 abortions that happen DAILY!!! Can you believe that? Then another speaker got up and was talking about how much this Nation would be blessed if we would stop aborting babies, and how it is all part of God's test. All I can say is that it really moved me - I think babies are so precious!!!!

A Wonderful Morning

I know it has been a while since i have put anything on my blog. I was quite sick for a little while, and had nothing new to post!! So...I thought I would just post something great that happened to me this morning! Mark brought me breakfast in bed!! He made homemade blueberry waffles and scrambled eggs!! One of my favorites!!! And considering how early I have to get up, it was a very special surprise!!! He is the greatest!!!!!

I cut my hair!!! and moved into our home!!!

I know this is random, but I cut 9 inches off!!! It is still to my shoulder and plenty long to pull up into a pony tail (a major requirement!) :) But it is SO curly now and a lot easier to take care of. I miss my long hair, but I like the change!! I'll get pictures up soon. Who even knows where my camera is?!?! My whole house is in boxes in the 2nd bedroom of our house!! We officially moved and slept in our new house for the first time last night! I'll post more on that later when I actually have pictures that don't consist of white walls and brown boxes.

Christmas Morning

Kira, Aaron, and baby Emma. On Monday, Kira, my mom, and I spent a good part of the day making holiday goodies! We also, as tradition, have a really nice dinner on Christmas eve. Emma has started this new thing where she will just scowl out of no where. She'll be laughing one second, then just scowl the next! It is hilarious!!

Joey opening the gift that Mark bought him.

Joey trying on his new clothes!

Christmas at the Starr's House

Sunday night we celebrated Christmas at Mark's parents' home. All of the kids and their families came, and it was great to be around everyone. This picture is of Heather's kids. (Mark's older sister). From left to right (Paige, Mitchell, Nate, and Maddison)

Grandma Meyers!!!

Opening gifts!!

Johny B. Goods - Pocatello, Idaho

Saturday the whole family went to Johny B. Goods to grab lunch and milkshakes (they have the BEST milkshakes!) We had a really great time. Joey sat right next to me and was a hoot to watch. He took the cherry off of my milkshake and thought it was a sucker. He was using the stem as the bottom of the sucker and would just lick the cherry. It took him a really long time to figure out you could just bite it!!

Kait LOVES burgers!!!!!!!!!

Off to Idaho

Mark and I are leaving at 6:00 AM tomorrow to fly home to Idaho. We are so excited to see out family!! I don't have any pictures of Mark's family here at work with me, so I will have to make another one later, but here are a few pictures of my family!! Kaitlin's head got cut off on the top picuture, but hey! It is attached on the bottom picture! :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!! I know we are looking forward to it!!! I can't wait to hear everyone's stories!

Pulte Homes Holiday Party

Last Friday Mark and I drove up to Scottsdale for my work Holiday party! It was a lot of fun. I was finally able to introduce Mark to several of my co-workers, so that was exciting!!!

We bought a new home!!

We finally did it! We bought a house!! We're quite excited about it, although we are surely going to miss our ward and our neighbors. But, there is always good that comes from change!!! The house closes December 27th - so it is going to be crazy trying to pack and get everything ready before our trip to Idaho!!

Thanksgiving.....a little late!

So on Thanksgiving day we were invited to go over to our friends, the Baxter's, for a wonderful feast! (Jenn is a great cook!) while we were over there, we made sugar cookies! I haven't make sugar cookies in years! I can say that I have never succeeded at making any that were edible, so I was a little nervous, but I found a new recipe so we tried it! :)

Mike and Jenn

Andy decorating!

I've Been Tagged!! (By Kimberly!!)

I've been tagged to write six things that most people don't know about me and that I haven't blogged about before. Here we go:

1. My dad is from Lebanon (most people already know that..) But!! Once, when I was pretty young) he was given a can of chick peas (the label was in Arabic) and told my sister Kira and I that they were goat eyes, and that everyone in Lebanon eats them....well, he "forgot" to tell us he was kidding, and we took that can everywhere to show how cool a can of goat eyes looked!! Ya, we even took it for show-and-tell. It wasn't until about 2 or 3 years ago when Kira and I were reminiscing about that can, that my dad was like, "You believed me? I thought you knew I was kidding!!"

2. I have para-sailed in the Bahamas.

3. I was in competitive drumlines since 8th grade! And was drum line captain my junior and senior years.

4. I lived in Japan for a little while as part of a sister-city/exchange program.

5. I had a pet flying squirrel, ROXY, all during high school. She was nocturnal, so sometimes I would even take her to school with me. She would just sleep in the front pocket of my back pack. However, they do make a barking sound - and the only time she ever made a peep was during my calc final my senior year and she was "barking" like crazy...how do you explain that!?!?!?

6. I can only wink with my left eye!!!!!! **wink, wink**


Now I tag six people: Heather B, Dez, Drea, Adria, and Hillary W., Kayla W.

1. The player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves - try to find 6 you haven't already posted about.2. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, and then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog for the rules.

Thanksgiving

Things I am THANKFUL for: I could go on, and on, but here are a few:

1) Religion - everything I am, believe, and want to become all stems from that beautiful knowledge.

2) My wonderful husband. He is a constant reminder to me of how great my life truly is. He takes such good care of me, and is the best example to me. We're going on 14 years of being friends, a little over 2 years being married, and I look forward to the future we have together!!

3) My family. I can't even say enough. I have the best families. I married into a great one, and can't be torn apart from my own! They are so fun. There is never a dull moment in the Rushdi household! That is for sure!

4) My Job. As you know, the housing market isn't doing as well as it has been. I am SO thankful that I have a wonderful job, and wonderful co-workers.

5) Our cute little apartment. Okay, not the greatest place to live, but it has brought us so many blessings. We are in a ward that is 2nd to NONE! We've met great people, the location is great, and it is very close to Mark's job and school. (Which I am sure he is very greatful for also!)

6) My Friends!!! I am sitting here trying to think of something profound to say, but I can't! I am speechless. I have the greatest friends that anyone could ask for!! Thank you for all that you do for me and keeping in touch! You guys are the best!

Phoenix Zoo Lights

Mark and I went to the Phoenix Zoo lights last Saturday for a Phi Theda Kappa event. We had never been, and we had a great time! I think my favorite part of the whole night is when we just sad at one of the tables by the carousel and just sat and talked. It seems like we have little together time these

days. We had kettle corn and ice cream and watched all the families anxiously await to get on the ride! We had a great time!!!

P.S. PTK had a raffle while we were at the zoo. There were portable DVD players, hunting equipment, and several wrapped objects - and Mark won a candle!!!!!!! Yeah for me! It was cinnimon!!!

If I only had a brain!!!

This is a picture of the cards I made for Thanksgiving. I don't know if you've ever seen those clear plastic envelopes that you can mail cards in, but they are my new favorite thing! I placed all of my Thanksgiving cards into these see-through sleeves and stuck them in my card box. (I made them a few weeks ago). Well, earlier this week I realized that I needed to send them out soon in order for them to make it to our family in Idaho. I got them all out, addressed them, and placed them on the table. I was so proud of myself that I had them made early, and would be mailing them with just enough time for them to receive them the day before Thanksgiving.

I am driving down the highway today thinking about my Thanksgiving plans (or lack of) and it hit me with a ton of bricks!! I mailed all of my cards....BLANK! I didn't write a single flipping thing in them. 10 beautiful, handmade, pieces of work - with not a word inside!! I was so worried about getting them mailed that I didn't write in them!! I honestly laughed (out loud) for about 5 minutes while I am driving down the freeway! What on earth do I do now? Do I call and tell them? Or wait for them to call me asking why I sent them a blank card?? If I only had a brain!!!!

Weekend Trip To Vegas!

Mark and I had the oppurtunity to go to Vegas this weekend to visit some of our closest friends who just recently moved there! Shannon and I were "the girls" in the Construction Management Major at BYUI and actually lived together for a little while right before she got married. Then after I got married we lived in the same 4-plex for a few months while I finished my last semester of school in 2005 so we hadn't seen each other for about 2 years!! They showed us their adorable home, the sites that they work at, (Brian's company is doing all the landscaping for the Wynn!)some great places in Vegas, and you can't go to Vegas without seeing the water shows at the Ballagio! It was a great weekend!!!!

New Jeans - My 20 pound prize!

Close your eyes and imagine this:

You are walking down the street - it is a beautiful day, birds are chirping, there is a slight breeze, you smell freshly baked cookies coming from the bakery across the street....and you just can't help but think that it is a perfect day! You look around and see beautiful trees, kids playing, fast cars, and then....out of the corner of your eye you see it!! Boy Howdy!! It is the nastiest pair of pants you've ever seen! Drooping butt, baggy thighs, gaping denim?? Oh, who is that poor soul wearing those disgusting things?? She turns around (she smells the wonderful cookies, but decides she is too good for them and heads to the gym!) You think to yourself, "Oh! But of course! It is Kristen Starr."

I have seriously felt like that! No joke! I have lost over 20 pounds now, but had decided I wasn't buying new clothes until I had hit 20-25 pounds. (enough to make a noticeable difference) I really was supposed to buy khakis for work, but I found these jeans at Layne Bryant and couldn't pass them up. I used to call LB the "Chub" store (Now with that said - "Chub" was just my joke name for it and has no negative connotation - LB has been my favorite clothing store since I knew it existed!)- but I think it has now earned the title of " Where-have-you-been-all-my-life, sexy, wonderful, jeans of my dream" store!! :) They have a new line called "Right Fit" jeans made for different body shapes - and they hit it right on for me! I love them!

I know this is really dumb - but I was so excited that they had to go on my blog!! Only 20 more pounds and I get another pair!!

My Little Emma Grace

This is my niece Emma. Isn't she just so adorable?? ( I think she kind of looks like Boo from Monsters, Inc.) We have been away from our families for so long! I feel like I am missing out on all the little ones growing up! But I am going home for Christmas!! I can't wait!!

(You can click on it to make it bigger!)

Mark's Induction into Phi Theta Kappa

On Friday night, Mark and I attended his induction into the Phi Theta Kappa! (International Honors Society) It was such a great program - I could tell that the officers really put a lot of time into it!


When we first got there they were serving dinner. We didn't know
anyone there, so we sat next to another young couple, Heather and Tyler. Come to find out he is the nephew of one of my college professors!!! Small world.

Heather and I sat by each other as
Mark and Tyler were being inducted.

They were given a rose to symbolize "purity" and a candle for "unity".


I am so proud of Mark. He is really excelling in school and really has a passion for what he is studying.
He is going to be a great doctor some day!!!