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.

Our New House

For almost a month now my family has been going through a huge transition and have been forced to become nomads in the meantime. Theo, being in the Coast Guard, has been transferred to my hometown of Mobile, Alabama.

In our search for the perfect house we have been staying in an 11'X12' room in my parents house. It's a nice size room, for one person, but for a not-so-small family of six this arrangement can get a little hairy. As soon as we came into town the house hunting began.

Our realtor, Angela Locklier, (awesome!) showed us plenty of houses in the area that I wanted and the school district I wanted. But it was the same old story, too old, too small. We also have to keep in mind the resale value of the house since Theo's job could relocate us in 4 years.

Ironically on the way to church on Sunday I went down a road I have been done countless times in my youth, and there was this new subdivision of these really nice expensive looking houses. I have to admit I wondered why those new houses were being put in this area of all places. Out of curiosity, after church we decided to just take a peek. I told the contractor/realtor what we were looking for and what we could spend. And can you believe that he took us to see this beauty!?! I absolutely LOVE it! The brick, the detail, the space, the newness. Everything on our checklist was checked. It is still under construction, but it's just the finishing touches and will be ready by the time our paperwork is completed.

My parents are going out of town to volunteer in the Hill Cumorah Pageant which will free up the master bedroom for us and will be a relief as we wait another month to get into our house. I have a feeling it will be all worth it!
This is a view of the house as you walk in the front door.
My HUGE kitchen, one of my requirements, with granite countertops. BONUS!
The island that Theo started on for me for Mother's Day 3 years ago will go nicely in here. I just hope it doesn't take him another 3 years because I want to enjoy it now!

The dining room with 12 ft. tray ceilings.
Living room and fireplace that has yet to be painted. On the list of things to do to get in move in ready.
Master bedroom with trey ceilings.
Double sinks, the key to a succesful marriage. :)
Seperate shower and tub and a walk in closet that could be the nursery!

Also the funny thing about this location is that it is in walking distance of the elementary school that I went to growing up. Tobie thought that was so cool that he gets to go to the same school his Mommy went to when she was a little girl.

I'm so excited to get our lives started in our new house, and maybe if we really like it we will be given the opportunity to enjoy it for longer than just 4 years.

The Desert

(In front of the Lemon's house with a HUGE gorgeous cactus in front.)

After our stay at my friend's house we decided to look around this part of Arizona since I have never really been around cactus that much, or the desert for that matter. It was absolutely beautiful with all the hills and tall cactus peppered all over. I always feel when riding in a car the windows are t.v. screens and I don't really feel like I am there unless I roll down the windows so I can feel and smell the air around me. It was really hot and really dry! But there was this peaceful feeling from being in the desert. I told Theo this would be something nice to come to a spa or something of that nature out in the desert. I guess because of the dry dusty air I was constantly feeling dirty, so the idea of being at a spa so we could clean up in relaxation sounded really alluring to me.
I read some sign about the baby cactus and how these mammoth things start out the size of your thumb. I told Tobie about it and we went baby cactus hunting. Here he is sharing his knowledge while Daddy takes his picture.
You can kind of tell in the background how the clouds would cast these huge shadows on the hillside. I just thought that was the most beautiful thing.

No more mountains for us. Kind of sad really.

The all-knowing sign also told me that they don't start growing 'arms' until about 75 years of age. These guys must be pretty old!

The Lemon's

Facebook really is an amazing thing! On the second day of our trip I posted that our next stop was Tucson, AZ and my friend from over 10 years ago sent me a message telling me that they are in Tucson and we could crash with them for the night. I was thrilled! More than thrilled, I was anxious to get there and play catch up. We have never met each others husbands or each others kids. We have been keeping ourselves updated with each others lives through blogs and most recently FB. We arrived very late, almost midnight, but that didn't keep up from staying up WAY too late laughing and reminising of our past. It was so much fun and FREE! I wasn't sure I was going to be able to see my other friend, her sister, Alonna because we were just going to be passing through. We had a long day ahead of us, but she did come by in the morning and it was awesome to be able to visit with her as well before we had to hit the road. Thank you so much for helping us out! I loved your family and I hope there will be other opportunities for us to get together again!