The Unexpected Turns of Life

About six months ago, Brian and I began the process to purchase the home were we currently reside. After two failed attempts at mortgages (not because of credit scores or finances: "we would give you the money except...(insert some dumb excuse like it's not a "real" house or you already have an FHA loan"), Mom and I, on a whim, went and looked at a HUD (government owned foreclosure home) home close by. We were going to get an amazing deal on the home, but once more, the deal fell through. The house lacked a heat pump/air conditioning unit, so the mortgage company would, once more, not give us the loan and HUD would not fix it either.
So our life lately has been like the old daisy chant: "He love me, he loves me not.", except, we are moving, we are not! During all this, we have prayed and fasted. We have put our trust in the Lord. Even as everything keeps changing, we have felt the influence of the Lord in our lives, and that may be the biggest blessing of all. I don't know what is going to happen in the next few months, but no matter what happens, we are grateful for the gospel, our home, and our jobs.

"Each Life That Touches Ours For Good"

Last Friday night, Brian and I received news that an old and dear friend had died suddenly. We were both shocked and heartbroken. Jeff Morrow was a wonderful priesthood leader and example in our lives. Jeff was a great man. During the week, I sorrowed for his lose as Jeff had made such a difference in so many people's lives. His son, John, also remarked about that same thing at Jeff's funeral. John had been moved by the facebook comments, and outpouring of love to him and his family.
At the viewing, Brenda mentioned two things that have reminded me of the impact we may have on someones life and not even know it at the time. Brenda told my Mom that something she had said years ago in a lesson had helped her through a recent trial. Then, Brenda told a story about another mutual friend and how his response when Jeff became bishop of Athens I ward (although not a member, he had offered to help in any way he could) had really impacted them.
We never know the influence that we can have on those around us. I don't think that we should wait until someone dies to let them know that we love them and what a difference they have had in our lives.
So many people have touched my life for good, have helped me though those difficult times in my life. This may be a long list, and some of you may never see it, but here it is anyway.
All the wonderful men in Athens I ward during my parents divorce. I lost a large amount of trust in men, but not in the priesthood. Because of your examples, I realized there were good, strong, and faithful men. Thank you: Pres. Cazier, Br. Dick Embry (and his son, Dewayne Embry who continues to follow so faithfully in his father's footsteps), Br. Calhoun (deceased), Br. Doughtery, Jeff Morrow (now deceased), Kelly McCoy, Ted Christensen, and so many more.
Thank you Ann Clark. You believed in me and supported me, especially going on a mission. I will never forget the goodie packages you sent me in the MTC and while on my mission.
Thank you Rex and Teresa Facer for not only being friends and neighbors, but extended family as well. You both always showered me with such love!
Thank you Susette for making sure our friendship really did endure all these years!
Thank you Abbey Schlag, for just being there when I needed it (and for being the one person who could feel guilty about not having the trial of infertility!)
Both of my Stephanie's (Stempinski and West).
Thanks SS for all you taught me, trying to make a homemaker out of me, and your constant friendship (oh, and being willing to talk to me about Anything!! Do you remember those talkes while I was engaged to Brian?)
Thanks SW for the strength and determination you have that you share with me! (And for letting me babysit your girls all the time. I miss them! K always knew when I needed a good cuddle!)
Thank you to everyone who has touched my life for good!

Carl and the Bed

So I just found out that Carl has been sleeping on his floor beside his bed all week long. Carl has the T-style bunk beds in his room and he loves to curl up on the vent (under his window, between the wall and bottom bunk) with a blanket and his pillow to read. I have always thought that was so cute, but this is something completely different. Carl does use a blanket on top, but he is sleeping directly on the carpet with stuffed animals as pillows while his normal pillows are on his empty bed.
OK, so you may think I am a mean mom for forcing my child into his very own bed! When my mom moved in, I offered the queen size bed to Carl because he seemed so reluctant to sleep in his bunk bed. By the way, he never sleeps on the top bunk anyway. Carl actually cried because I wanted to take away his "special" bed! And yet, he continues to sleep on the floor.
Mom, Carl, and I spent a week in St. Louis with my brother and his family. Carl was suppose to sleep in his sleeping bag on Nathan's floor. Carl refused. I said he could sleep on the floor with Grandma and me, but he wound up sleeping with me in my niece's single bed all week long! And yes, he took up most of the bed. I had to keep reminding him that I was being nice and sharing my bed! (Auntie Lisa and Carl had similar "discussions" during Christmas break.)
I love my son and all his little quirks, even sleeping on his bedroom floor when there are two very good beds in his room!

Carl the reader!

On Wednesday morning, Mom and Brian left to go work at the Bishop's storehouse in Atlanta. I slept in until 9 am (boy am I going to have to change my schedule in three weeks!). Carl did not come and wake me up. By 9:30, I was concerned because Carl had still not come out of his room, so I hobbled across the house to his room. I knocked and then opened the door, and Carl was sitting on his bed reading "Percy Jackson: the Titan's Curse". He was almost finished with the book that he had just started the day before. Carl finished the book in TWO days. I have found only one problem: Carl wants to tell me all about the book while he is reading it and I am reading them after him. Part of helping Carl to be a better reader is discuss the books with him. I think we have read the books in the wrong order. I should have read the books first!
I love that Carl is such a good reader. I love to talk about books with him and to read with him as well. We try to have reading time every night. We found a collection of books where they take classic books, such as Dickens's "Great Expectations" and "Mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty" and simplify them into books for children. Carl and I have really enjoyed reading them together!

Our newest adventure

Another title might be: the most expensive Sprite ever! Mom, Carl, and I went to the free children's movie at Mall of Georgia with my sister, Victoria, her two daughters, and friends. Afterwards, Mom, Carl, and I went to the gas station to fill my sister's van with gas. The QT station had fountain drinks for $.49. I took Carl in and we got drinks for the three of us. As I was walking out with Carl and two drinks in my hand, I was paying more attention to the people and vehicles as it was very busy. I kicked the sign at the door way (to advertise food inside). I was wearing "Crocs" as well, and a hook in the sign hooked in one of the holes of my shoe. I did not realize this, I just knew my foot was stuck. When I yanked it to free it, my left foot came down hard again the cement. My foot really hurt, but I was able to drive home. I put ice on my big toe. When Brian came home, he decided it was broken and we needed to go to the doctor. Brian took me to the local First Care and they took X-rays. Sure enough, I fractured my left big toe. So, after two doctor's visits, Brian declared the Sprite costing $300.49.
I am now back in my "boot" for at least three weeks while my fracture heals. I broke the exact same bone in the same toe three years ago on my younger sister's leg while playing on the beach. That time I wound up having surgery to remove a bit that broke off and did not heal back.
This time around, everything should heal just fine!

May 14th: Blast Off

Brian and I have always wanted to see a shuttle launch. When I checked the NASA launch schedule during the winter, there was a launch in July. As we began to plan our summer, I checked the schedule again and the July launch had moved to September. I then realized that Atlantis was launching on May 14th. We decided to go as it was a furlough day for us. We found a camp site in Orlando, drove down Thursday night, and then spent the day on Coco Beach.

The experience was incredible. Atlantis was set to launch at 2:20pm. Around 2pm everyone began to get out of the water and by 2:15, the beach was quite in anticipation. Brian was on the phone with his father (who was watching on TV). Mom and I heard the rumble of the engines, and then all of a sudden, this is what we saw:

I was not expecting to feel emotional over seeing the shuttle launch, but I had tears of joy. Carl liked it, and we hope that he will remember this special experience. Brian and I already want to go back to the launch in September.

We also spent Saturday in Orlando, not at Disney World. We went and saw the LDS Orlando Temple and then went to Bok Botanical Gardens.

So, if anyone has ever wanted to see a shuttle launch, we say: Go for it, we will see you in September!

Why I read Young Adult Fiction.

I am stuck on YA (young adult) fiction. I love it. I really enjoy Newberry Award books. Yes, I know the irony of that considering I have a college degree in English. Although I don't have extra time to "read" books anymore, I have discovered the joy of free downloadable audio books from the Internet through my library (Georgia's new system is great!). I still pick YA books. Right now, I am in the middle of listening to "The City of Ember" series. But, I digress. My mom and sister really wanted me to read a book they had both read. They were confused by the ending and they know my talent/expertise to figure out the end. The book was just made into a major motion picture, so it should be good story and well written. It is a interesting story and the author did a good job on the first fourth I read of the book. Frankly, I personally found it was crude and vulgar. I am not quite sure how my mom put up with it so long as to finish the book. (Now, for those who know me well, it takes a lot for me not to finish a book. I have an obsession with needed to finish a story).
So, back to my original idea: Why do I read YA fiction? Because it is clean. Most YA fiction authors limit the use of language and don't include explicit sexual passages. The books are fun and simple. Just as I choose not to watch certain types of movies (rated R and some PG-13) for the violence, foul language, and/or sex, I choose not to read or listen to books containing the same type of material. I know that YA will be safe. Besides, cheesy can be really fun. As a good friend put it once, I look for "brain candy" when I want to read books. I am not looking for deep philosophy when I read, I just want something fun and simple.