Line dancing, raking, anniversary...oh my!

What a week but yahoo I was off today for my personal spring break! I'd hoped to spend the day doing something fun with Addison but you know teenagers, I didn't book an appointment with her quick enough and she had a lunch date with Chase at Moe's @ Sandhills. My neighbors were off today, too, so Michelle, Becky, and I put on our swimsuits and sat out by the pool catching some rays for a couple hours. Wow, what a life! It was magnificent outside today! There was just enough breeze to keep you cool and the sun was hot enough to tan and just felt heavenly! It was probably the most relaxed I've been in a while - and we all got alot of sun. Addison eventually joined us along with Carley and Kayla and Addison announced she'd been asked to the prom by Wesley, a good friend of hers. Yay, more shopping and getting ready for prom time!
This week has been a funny kind of week. Addison spent two nights in Lexington with some friends and I picked her up Tuesday night after getting lost a couple times missing my turn and having a meltdown in the Kangaroo station restroom. Tears and all...but all is well and 125 miles later (roundtrip) we were home safe and sound. You'd a thought I'd never been to this area - our friends only live in Addison's daddy's neighborhood - I really am grateful for my eye appointment next week - I seriously cannot see at night or something!!!







So, my mom started this post on my laptop but it died so I figured that I might would post it for her.

-Addison

Happy Easter!

From our family to yours - Happy Easter!

We had wonderful day from beginning to end. When we woke up the Easter Bunny had visited and left goodies for the kids (never too old for an Easter basket!) and then got ready for church. The talks in Sacrament Meeting by Reid and Foye were wonderful -- I love Easter and the reflections especially on this day of the Savior and what he has and continues to do for us, his children. Then Ethan and I attended another church at 11 because several of my co-workers sing in the choir and since I missed their Easter concert last week we went to hear them sing "How Great Thou Art" today. It was truly the most beautiful I've ever heard that song performed -- just incredible. My boss, Paula, and another dear friend of mine, Glenn, from work are in the choir and wow, it was so good. The sermon there called "He is Risen" was also a great sermon. I do believe my testimony of Jesus Christ and what he went through before his death and resurrection was really strengthened this day and I hope to do a much better job showing my love for Him and being a better example and servant of Thee.

Following the church services we went to Mom's for the most delicious Easter dinner with family, friends, and loved ones. It was SO FUN! We ate, hid and found eggs, talked and visited outside in the beautiful spring weather and just had a fabulous day. We talked to Erika and Jack in Idaho and they were having a good day and both had to work this evening. We miss them but will be so thrilled to have them closer this summer!!! (Wilmington's only a couple hours away!!!) I got to visit with Joey's family after leaving Mom's then to Lexington to take Addison to spend the night and first day of spring break with her dear friends, The Gilbert's. They are an incredible family and they took Ivy (Erika, Ethan, and Addi's 4 year old half sister at their dad's) to church today at the Lexington Ward! Ethan and I had a nice visit on the way home tonight from Lexington and he's just left to head back to Florence. It's been a great Easter day. The following are photos from today's events:

Abby and Alex enjoying lunch.

Ginger - I love your outfit! She always looks good in any pink!

Daddy and Ethan talking and enjoying lunch together!

Yummy! "Lana's Cafe" is the greatest!

Oh how wonderful it felt outside today! Beautiful South Carolina Springtime!

Enjoying time with my sweetheart...

Brandon had a "mishap" with the ball and Jenny was after him! It was so funny and Tiawanna got it on video of her chasing Brandon - even Spencer got in on the excitement. Sorry you scratched your leg on the shrub in the process, Jenny. You and Brandon are so fun!

Sister Oakley - isn't she beautiful?!

The boys so enjoyed finding eggs -- and loved when a surprise was inside!

Looks like Ethan enjoyed a nice nap after a big Sunday dinner at Grandmother's!

Maddie and Will - Will's hiding under the chair!

Shaun and Carson (aka "Little Shaun" - he looks so much like his daddy!)

Chloe seems to like Easter pretty well, too. She loved all the attention from Spencer and the kids.

Easter was a very nice day for our family -

I hope to carry this feeling in my heart for a very long time.

HAPPY SPRING!

Happy Spring, everyone! What a gorgeous day it has been for the first day of spring! Looks like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend and then really cool again Monday - hey, it's South Carolina and our wonderful weather. I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful and safe Easter weekend spending time with friends and loved ones celebrating this Easter holiday. May we all remember as we see the beautiful blooms around us, the green grass sprouting up on lawns all around us, the signs of rebirth after a cold winter, the decorated eggs, and chocolate bunnies the reason for the very special occasion. It is because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The pain He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and His dying while nailed to a wooden cross is pain that we as mortals cannot even begin to imagine. He loves us so much that he not only gave his life but also paid the ultimate price for the sins of each one us so that we may be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life. I know that my heart aches when I think of Him and the suffering and pain He endured and that my sins contributed to that pain. How grateful also am I for the precious gift of repentance and the knowledge that if I so repent of my sins and obey the commandments of our Heavenly Father I will be able to return to live with Him again. He lives and loves us so much - each and every one who has ever and will ever live. I pray that I may live my life in a way that will lead me back into my Father's presence when I someday leave this life on earth. It's tough sometimes but He never told us it would be easy...but promised that it would be worth it! That to me is a joyous goal. Happy Easter!

Glimpses from last week til tonight...

I completed a new post with all the details of my week last week and something happened when I edited and I lost the whole thing! Bummer! Just so I don't forget here's a quick round-up of last week:

• Addison was sick with strep throat but began feeling much better Friday night after 2 days on antibiotics (miraculous how teenagers recover on Friday nights after an invite to Sandhills, huh?)
• We got a clothes dryer!! Yippee, soft towels again!!!
• Exercising at Curves with Jackie has been a blast! She's so fun and such a great friend!
• Ethan spent the week in Pigeon Forge with his college buddies for Spring Break and then surprised me at home early Friday evening and we had the evening all to ourselves - he's such a great son!
• Becky and I attended the memorial service for the husband of a dear friend of ours, Jean Long, nurse in the ER on Friday afternoon. Jean and her husband were truly lifelong soulmates and had spent a wonderful day together doing things they really enjoyed the day he left this life. It really made me think about appreciating the time we have with our loved ones and not taking time for granted. We love you, Jean, and my heart goes out to you.
• Joey surprised me with lunch at work and then had dinner cooked at my house when I got home from work and Curves before he left for work. He's so sweet and full of surprises!
• Carpooling with Addison was really neat this week - the curb side drop-off and pick-up really has me spoiled! Thanks, Addi! You're a great chauffeur!
• Erika and Jack enjoyed a trip down to Salt Lake City visiting friends visiting from South Carolina--movies, Chic Fil-A (there are none in Idaho and this is Erika's favorite!), and good friends -- what a formula for fun!
• Thank goodness we didn't have damage from the storm Saturday. It was really bad for a little bit and at one point Chloe and I stayed in the bathroom in the center of the house when the wind was blowing so hard. Yes, it made me think twice about emergency preparedness and where our family stands as far as supplies, food storage, our 72-hour kits and the like. I have alot of work to do.
• Saturday night after the storm I had a blast going to the Motorcross at the Colonial Center with Joey and his children, Alex and Abby. It was really cool. Addison stayed with Ginger to help prepare things for the Stake Relief Society Fireside. Thanks, Joseph, for such a fun evening! We all enjoyed it!
• Sunday was just a great day altogether. The talks in Sacrament Meeting I felt were just for me. All three given by Tony, Ruth, and Joe were so inspirational and each of them spoke about something I've either had on my mind this week or answered a question I've been pondering about certain situations. It's really incredible how that happens sometimes. The lesson in Relief Society was just as nice on "Repentance" and not procastinating our repentance. This is always an excellent topic. Channel is a great teacher and I enjoy her lessons. After church we enjoyed lunch at Mom's. It was delicious and she even prepared cabbage and corn beef for St. Patty's Day. It's always fun catching up with everyone at their house on Sundays and spending time with my family. Ginger and Shaun's boys are growing so fast and it's fun to be entertained by them. Joey, Abby, and Alex also joined us this week and made for a very special lunch at Grandmother's house! The Stake Fireside Sunday night was so uplifting from start to finish. We have such a special Stake Presidency and they are so in tune. Again, each one of them said something that touched me, and I am so thankful I was able to attend. I appreciate also President Giles's comments and reminding us of the Young Women's theme and that we as women should remember and apply this to our lives as well: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him. We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women's Values which are Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, and Integrity. We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred coventants, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation. " It was a great reminder and something I'd not thought about much since working with the Young Women several years ago. It was such a great meeting and the refreshments were fabulous! Great job, Ginger and your counselors! You're amazing!!!
• Today it was Monday and it surely felt like it - no denying Monday mornings! Ha! It was a good day, though, saw all my buddies at work and that's a good feeling. After work I took Addi to work and came home to get dinner together. We had the Swails' family, the missionaries, and Joey over for dinner and Family Home Evening and it was so fun. Pizza (Domino's), salad, and Hershey bar brownies were on the menu and then a great spiritual thought by Elder Jacobsen. It was very nice. Then Joey and Derek picked Addison up from work and then we had a great game of "Match" compliments of Michelle and Haley. Haley is such a brilliant little girl and is so full of expression! (She could take Hollywood or the Disney channel by storm!) First she won against me and Michelle while we waited for the guys, then she tied against Derek and Joey. Sorry, Addison, better luck next time! I forgot to take pictures, though, so I'm a little bummed about it. Next time...

Hope everyone has a great week and I'm so thankful we were all protected in the storm. Some of my friends were really close to the worst part of it and I'm grateful all is well. Lots of happenings lately for so many close to me and I pray for much safety, good health, and comfort to you all. Happy St. Patrick's Day and good night...

Weekend at a glance...

This past weekend was such a fun one! Except for worrying about Chloe Friday and my migraine Sunday evening the middle of it was really nice. On Friday night two sisters who served missions here in the 80's were here visiting and spent the night at our house. We stayed up until nearly 2 AM talking about our lives, our pasts, and just life in general. It was so fun catching up and learning all about them and their lives now. Annette lives in Utah and Shirley lives in Nevada. We knew them back then as Sister Lewis and Sister Gunter. Kelli Murphy came over to visit with them, too, and that was a neat reunion, too. I hadn't seen her in a while and she brought over her daughter and her grandson. Shirley and Annette brought over a dessert of lemon pound cake with chololate ice cream on top - yum! I'd never heard of it but it was great! It was a really fun night.


Saturday I picked up Chloe from the vet and came home and did chores, chores, chores. We've had a clothes dryer dilema and I had to go return one Joey purchased for me and now we have to find another one. Therefore, Saturday I had the "redneck clothesline" all over the front porch, the bannisters, and over drying racks on the sidewalk. It was such a windy day so they dried pretty quickly and I'm surprised my neighbors didn't stop and ask prices - it really looked like a yard sale! (However, today we went after work to Byron's lot and picked up a dryer! Yay- I can dry clothes - - it's been over a week since I had a dryer and that's a hard thing to do without when you're used to one!) After the dryer returning, cleaning, and errands I came home to get ready for "Girls' Night." I can't believe I didn't take any pictures but it was really fun. We watched "Why Did I Get Married?" and Tyler Perry's movies are just hilarious. However, Darla's impression of the movie is even more hilarious! She so needs to be on a stage or on Broadway!! She is so funny!! It was a great time and we laughed so hard! Thanks, too, to Tiawanna for those oh-so-yummy brownies! She makes the very best brownies - they are double chocolatey with layer of Hershey's and oh my goodness - chocolate heaven! Thanks for bringing those - they were the best!


Addison had to work some over the weekend and enjoyed some time after work with her friends at Kristen's house. She'd spent Friday night with her also so she had a really fun weekend with friends. Ethan came home Saturday night, went to church with us, then headed off to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with a bunch of his friends from college for Spring Break. I hope he has a great time and sets a good example...Erika enjoyed time with some friends who are visiting Idaho from South Carolina - Jessica, Rachel, and Laura. They had a great time hanging out and having fun catching up Saturday night.


Sunday was nice for the most part. Church was nice and I always enjoy Donna's lessons also in Relief Society. She has such a fun sense of humor and is an excellent teacher. After church we took naps after lunch and just hung around home because I had a headache which turned into a vicous migraine. I got so sick...that's the third migraine I've had in my life and I really hope I never have to experience the fourth one. It is a very sick sick for me...I was so very grateful at 2:30 this morning when I woke up for about the 100th time and realized I felt a little better! What a great feeling and such an answer to prayer.


Thanks to Addison for taking such sweet care of me last night while I was sick. She is an exceptional little nurse already. She's gotten lots of practice between my surgery in December and last night when I was hurting too bad to move. Thanks again, Addi, I love you. And, Joey, thank you for being so kind and sweet to me, too, for the cool washcloth you put on my face and the coke you gave me to drink and the sweet kindnesses you showed me. You are so special to me and you take such good care of me. I love you.


I have much to be thankful for - a great family, a sweet boyfriend, and the best friends you can imagine. Those are the things money can't by and fame can't reward. I love the quote I have high on my wall between my kitchen and dining room which says,
At times I get discouraged when things aren't going as I'd like them to be going or maybe I set my expectations way too high and get disappointed but just like this says, I'm going to learn to more fully enjoy and appreciate the simpler things - the smaller things, because really they are the ones that really count! I saw that over and over this weekend when I reflected back. It is in these small things no matter how small that our biggest blessings usually come from. I'm looking forward to a great week!

Chloe recovers from her ovariohysterectomy...

Okay, I have a confession and maybe a general apology...Here goes...to all my animal lover friends and acquaintances...I really did not know it was so possible to get so attached to a puppy and to love it so much until we adopted our baby, Chloe. I used to almost think it a little odd when others talked about their dogs or cats in a way that sounded too much like little people. Well, I have crossed over to this side and yes, we think of Chloe as another member of our family and we love her to pieces. She is and has been such a sweet blessing to Addison and me since Christmas. I have to admit that even though she was "supposed" to be Addi's Christmas puppy she's sorta turned into my gift.

Friday, we had an appointment with Dr. Tetterton for Chloe's last puppy shots and to have her spayed. She knew all too well where she was when we arrived at the vet's office and held on to me for dear life when we tried to leave her. It just tore my heart in half and I almost didn't go through with it. However, knowing it was the best thing for her Addison and I left her there and went on to work and school. The staff called to let me know she did fine after the procedure and I was so relieved and counting down the time until I could pick her up Saturday morning. When I got there she was as glad to see me as I was to see her!

After my surgery in December Chloe was such a comfort to me on the early days following my surgery. She'd just sit by me with her head on my lap so sweetly just like she knew I was under the weather and needing to just rest. What a blessing she was those first few days after I came home from the hospital. They really have a keen sense about them and know when something's not quite right. She is a doll and Addison and I love her so much. We wish for her a speedy recovery and in the mean time we'll spoil and pamper her while she recuperates. We love you, Chloe.

"Girls' Night In"

"Girls' Night In"

Where: My House

When: Saturday (3/8) at 7:30 PM

a hilarious movie + popcorn and sodas + much laughter = LOTS OF FUN!

Call me tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday to RSVP

Hope everyone has a great Friday and

hope to see you all Saturday night!