Our Story

I had just gotten out of a pretty serious relationship. I was dating a Baptist and we had discussed marriage despite our religious differences. We were in love, we thought we could make it work. But our relationship became more strained and when he gave me the ultimatum to leave the church or leave him, I picked my religion. The whole time we were dating I had immersed myself in scripture growing closer and closer to the Lord. When the relationship ended I relied completely on the guidance of the Holy Ghost and swore off guys for a while. I was going to enjoy being single!

I had noticed a guy at Institute (yes, Institute. It really can work.) and he was really cute. He was quiet and at the time I first noticed him I was involved so I didn't really think too much about it. After my breakup I was called to be the Singles Representative and make sure our Stake was involved in all the activities in our area. I got the chance to meet and become close with so many singles in our Stake. It was a fun calling. There was this one girl in particular that I tried to connect with. I could tell she was not in a good relationship and needed someone to reach out to. When she finally broke it off with her guy I was on the ball trying to play match maker with the guys from church.

"So, who do you think is cute?"

"I really think that guy Theo is kinda cute."

Crap.

He was my go to guy when I was done being happy with my single hiatus. Well, I had to ask and now she just called dibs.

"Okay...well how about we all carpool to the dance this weekend and you can sit in the back with him and you guys can get to know each other better."

The plan was set, and off we went. But there was something not connecting. At the dance I tried not to pay him any extra attention so my friend could have a fair shot. But I couldn't help notice that whenever I was around Theo shifted his body to face me. If I came to sit at the table for a break from my mad dance moves he would turn in his seat so we would be face to face. As we were getting in the car to go back home my friend told me she would like to sit up front on the way back.

I gave her a quizzical look and said, "Are you sure?"

She gave me a smile and said, "Yeah."

Okay, I thought. I guess that didn't work out. As we were sitting in the back we were going through the CD case and I noticed a scab on his right hand. Without thinking about it or even realizing my hand was moving towards his, I scooped up his hand in mine and asked him what happened. Instead of just holding his hand out straight while I examined it, he cupped his hand around mine. I started to blush and butterflies started fluttering in my stomach. "What was that?" I wondered.

It was really late when we drove home and it was a couple hours drive, so being exhausted from the evening I fell asleep with my head up against the back seat. I woke up a little when I felt a pressure on the top of my head. It was Theo, apparently I had slid on to his shoulder as I slept and now he was falling asleep with his head rested on mine. It was such a sweet moment, and we rode all the way home like that.

He called the next day, of course, and we had a first date on March 12, 1999. We were sealed in the Orlando Temple on July 17, 1999.

It has been a wonderful 10 years and I grow to love that man more and more every day. I thank my Heavenly Father constantly for preparing me to be worthy for the covenants that we were able to make in the temple. Now we have 4 beautiful children and blessings beyond comprehension.

I love you Theo and I am yours for all time and eternity.

Driver's Ed 101

I have a pet peeve that has the ability to turn me into the Hulk with rage. I don't know how many people out there are aware of this so let me just educate anyone who does not remember this section of the Driver's handbook.

On a two lane road the left lane is the "passing" lane. NOT the 'fast' lane. I have to stress that it isn't the 'fast' lane because some people are under the notion that if they are going 5 miles above the speed limit this qualifies them to occupy this lane. This is an irritating misconception, especially when I am trying to pass someone who is in the right hand lane only to be deterred by another slow driver in the left lane.

Do you see my frustration?

It's even worse if the driver in the left lane is going the same speed as the person in the right lane and I am stuck behind two slow drivers without any chance to pass. Talk about just wrong!

I don't consider myself to have road rage often, but when this happens I just start seeing green and the veins throughout my body pulsate as I feel myself transform into a huge green ape in purple pants.

Remember, Left lane = Passing Lane. NOT Fast Lane. You'll be quizzed on this later.

Hola!, Bonjour!, or Guten Tag!

I have had this strong desire to learn a different language. I think it all started when I almost failed French in High School. It stirred something inside me that I should try harder, and how wonderful it would be to speak another language. Now it's been a little over 10 years and I have only made feeble attempts to learn another language, (that is except for baby talk which I have actually find pride in translating my kids, especially when it is to my husband.). I have come to the conclusion that it's not the actual learning part that is hindering me from starting, it's deciding which language I really want to learn. I'm torn between Spanish, French and German. Since I can't commit it keeps me from buckling down and just doing it.

I think Spanish is beneficial for everyday use. The area we live has a Spanish Ward, and that would be awesome to be able to communicate with them. Also it is the second most dominate language in the U.S. I would love to go to Spain, and they speak Spanish. =) S0 all in all some pretty good points.

Then there is French. Like I said I attempted it in High School, but the outcome was grim. I find that now that I'm older, I understand the phrase, "You need to apply yourself.". All the time my Dad would say this and I really didn't know what it meant. You mean I can't learn while I'm jamming to my tunes on the radio, or watching my t.v. shows and doing my homework in between the commercial breaks? I get it now, so I think with this new found enlightenment I could really get into French. It's the language of love, it's also a European language as well as our neighbors to the north. It could be beneficial...right?

I feel a bit of attachment and loyalty to Germany since I was born there. I was born a U.S. citizen in Berlin, Germany while my Dad was working over there for the Army. I was there for the first 3 years of my life. My parents loved it, yet they didn't learn the language. I would love to go back and visit, so knowing the language would be a good thing to have. It's an awesome language, but other than the fact that I may go there one day, I can't think of any other reason to learn the language.

I thought I had committed myself several times to any of these three at one point or another. But then I feel guilt for neglecting the other two languages. Why can't I just pick one? If I was really ambitious I would just learn all three! But then which one would I learn first?

Since this question is just too hard for me to answer I am taking it to my friends, family and random readers. There is a poll to the right of my postings asking which language I should learn first. I really need your help, so I hope I get a lot of votes!

Gracias, Merci (or) Danka!

Blog Me

My little Emma has come a long way in improving her speech. She has a slight speech delay that has required the help of a Speech Therapist. I love hearing her speech becoming more clear especially since I can now hear the thoughts that are swimming around in her little 2 year old mind. My favorite right now is her sentence structure. Everything is "_____ me." For example, we were at a Hotel pool in San Antonio, TX and when it was time to go inside she obediently gets out and walks to where our things were laid and says, "Towel me". Whatever she wants or needs she says that one word followed by "me". The "Towel me." was my favorite, but here are some of her other requests:

"Juice Me."

"Diaper Me." (meaning change her diaper)

"Blanket Me."

"Read Me."

Ah, the cuteness of youth. I don't think Theo would find it as endearing if I started talking to him like that. I'll just leave it up to Emma since she does it so well.