News

They say that no news is good news...this is not always the case. Well, for as much as I try to stay upbeat in my posts...it's time to be down-beat. Will's been out of work for 3+ weeks now, and the job we thought he had in the bag fell through. We're both sending out resume after resume. I'm ready to hit the streets next week, not at a corner, silly, filling out applications wherever is possible (except fast food). I think I'll hit up Costco and Bed, Bath, and Beyond; whatever will bring in some money. We've made it through this before, but this time it hit really hard as we are still paying to live in Nashville and here in SLO. Oh, the joys of this marvelous economy. Even if you get a job, it's not guaranteed you'll have a job 2 months later. We're all hanging in there, but could use some extra prayers from our super awesome friends and family!!

What's been happening in our neck of the woods...

So, we've had some flooding here recently. Luckily, our home was not damaged in any way. I have finally found something to be thankful for with our hill of a yard! I didn't even mind mowing it today with Kaleb.

So, last Saturday and Sunday (May 1-2) Nashville was hit with a 500 year flood. The Cumberland River got higher than there has ever been a record kept. Many homes and businesses were affected by the flood. The water finally started returning to a non-flood level the following Wednesday. Downtown was flooded for many days, along with many homes to the East of Nashville. We have all started the cleaning process. Our ward was out Monday, May 3rd to help a family get their home gutted and ready for a redo. This process has gone quickly for most everyone, but all the "trash" (someone's lifetime of memories and property) is still sitting at the side of the road. We have been told how to separate the trash to make the removal go quicker, but I have yet to see any debris be removed. That has got to be hard to see your belongings sitting for weeks waiting to be taken away to the dump.

The hardest thing about this flood is that nearly everyone was without flood insurance because they were told we are not on a flood plane. One man reported he had flood insurance, but it was only for his house, his belongings were not included. How wrong is that of the insurance company? An elderly couple whom Kaleb and I helped out this last Saturday asked for flood insurance and the insurance company talked them OUT of getting it. Someone on that end should be held accountable. My heart aches for all the families that have lost so much.

The last report I heard, there were 21 people who were killed by the storms that hit the mid-US. Every time we drive past or on Blue Hole Rd, at least one of the boys say, "This is the road where that one guy died, isn't it?" They had on TV a recording of a man who was hanging onto a power poll, became exhausted and ended up drowning. I'm grateful my children are in tune to those that were affected by this flood. Whenever we drive past an area that was hard hit Kaleb begs me to stop so we can help. We have helped a lot, but life must still continue on. Our day to help will come again soon...maybe tomorrow or Thursday.

The first 3 photos are ones I took on my way to the grocery store Saturday afternoon. I was going to go to Publix, but they were flooded (1st pic). The 2nd and 3rd pics are just down the road from us on Nolensville Rd. The 4th and 5th photos are from Sunday afternoon when we decided to be daring and drive around a bit to see how things were looking. A little crazy and surreal if you ask me! The last pics are of the aftermath of the flood. So many homes have had to be gutted with drywall removed half way up the walls. I worry about foundations on some of the homes, but the owners have no where else to go. :(










With all that said, I have learned something very valuable through this, as has most of Nashville. We are a strong community. We truly are the Volunteer State! So many have pitched in, looting has been VERY minimal, and recovery is going quickly. Downtown is getting put back together for the CMA Fest taking place June 10-13th. The Opry Mall, Grand Ole Opry, and Opry Hotel are going to take a while to get back up to par, but they did have a good amount of flood insurance to help with their recovery. I am proud to be a part of such a great city. We've loved living here for the last 2 years, and are now even more happy we can call ourselves Nashvillians! :) (Not Nashvillans)

The passing of a wonderful woman

I am sad to write that Will's mom passed away on August 2nd at 8:45pm EST. Two days after her 62nd birthday. She fought a long battle and decided it was time to go home. She held on 1 1/2 years after her initial surgery for the family, she was on loan for that time. The Lord really needed her up in Heaven. She will be utterly missed by all who knew her. We have a hole in our lives that we now need to find a place for without pain. We are so grateful for the time we knew her on Earth and know she is in a place of peace and joy. We cannot wait for our chance to see her again in the Eternal realm on High.


We love you mom...always, and all ways!!

You have got to visit this site. It is the sweetest song I've ever heard!!It will pull at your heartstrings! To some of you it will be very much what your heart is saying already. Merry Christmas!

Upliftment "08"

Shout out: I love Krissy!  And miss her so much! (just talked on the phone, so fresh in my mind)  

Tonight I had the pleasure of attending the General Relief Society Meeting at our Stake building.  I also had the privilege of helping out on the food committee for the dinner before the Meeting.  Thanks to everyone's efforts on the food committee it went amazingly well.  From my understanding, about 250 women were in attendance and we didn't run out of food!  It all tasted soooooooo good, and it was well worth the effort from yesterday and today.

Before we had the dinner the Stake Relief Society Presidency had put together a program engulfing the story of the 10 virgins.  There were beautiful musical numbers (some even from my ward), scripture readings, quotes, and thoughts about the main topics they had pulled from the story.  The spirit was strong and it was a beautiful way to start the evening.  After the program we ate the delicious food.  I'd have to say my favorite part of the dinner was the dessert.  It was beautiful white sour cream wedding cake.  Very pure...white frosting and a white rose on top.  That is what the majority of the time was spent working on...the amount of time it takes to frost 26 round cakes with frosting in the middle is amazing!  But it was well worth the time for the beauty of them all.  So elegant!

The piéce de résistance was the Conference.  Oh my, how it spoke to my heart.  Sister Beck spoke of the importance in reaching out to one another and uplifting one another, for seeking to become closer to God through prayer and reading the scriptures.  The one point that stands out in my mind was a story of when she was a young married woman.  Her mom was moving away, whom she had always lived near, and she was very downtrodden about this change.  In one conversation she asked her mother, "But who's going to be my mom?"  And her mother, after great contemplation, said that she would have to look to the sisters in her ward for help and comfort (not in those exact words, but that's the main idea).  That was the first time I cried during the meeting.  Oh, how I miss my mom and dad.  After living so close to them for the 2 1/2 years we were able to, and having to move away, I realize how much I adore them.  Mom is the essence of Christlike Love.  She is such a great example to me of how to treat people with kindness and to be selfless of her time.  She reminds me so much of my Gramma Moore, her mom, in how she makes everyone she comes in contact with feel like they are the most important person on the earth.  And my dad, well our ward conference was last Sunday.  That's when the tears started falling, too.  The Sunday School lesson was on Missionary Work, Dad's big topic is "Every Member a Missionary" as the Stake President.  So I really wished he could have been up there giving that lesson.  I'm so grateful we, my family, took every advantage we could at being with my mom and dad while we were in SLO.  I know I'll see them plenty, but I'm still adjusting to not being able to go over for Sunday dinner, or to always have a party with family when it's someone's birthday (we celebrated a lot of birthdays since we were able to include Brennan and Tracie and their kids (my brother and sister in law)).  I'd have to say my sorrow extends to many loved ones...you all know who you are (most of you are to the right of this post)!  Eventually the sadness will stop being so ever present...hopefully soon.  I have a great friend here, Julie, who keeps me busy and from dwelling on the sad parts of leaving a lot of the time.  And I know more friends and surrogate mom's will come eventually, I just have to be patient. 

The next speaker was Sister Allred.  She spoke of Temple service and worship.  I rarely hear in such plain wording the beautiful things that go on inside the temple.  I just kept thinking how every person who has not been to the temple, or is not a member of the church, would be able to understand more of what goes on in the temple and that there are great purposes for temples.  It kind of gave me a kick in the tush to get to me go to the temple this week (Julie, I may need your help with Logan).

Sister Thompson is such a cute lady.  She is a warm and fuzzy type of person.  I just felt happier watching her speak.  I have brain farted on what her topic was...I'm surprised I've remembered as much as I have so far. :)

The concluding speaker was President Ucktdorf.  His humor is greater than I ever imagined.  He spoke about how women need to stop being so hard on ourselves, that we need to lose ourselves in service.  We need to be there for one another, and find someone in a worse situation than we may be in and help them...and we will find ourselves in a happier mood, too.  I felt this come to fruition when the boys and I took cookies I had made to four of our neighbors.  One was for the family that invited us over to dinner the day our belongings were moved into the house.  One was for the family on the other side of us who share their trampoline and were at the dinner at the other neighbor's house. The third was for the neighbors across the street just newer than us who are expecting their first baby together in a week.  I also let the soon to be momma know that I'll be bringing a meal over when their new baby, Blessing (will be her name), has arrived, and the look in her eyes was worth the offer.  
The last plate was going to go to another neighbor we'd already met, but they weren't home.  So we went to the newest neighbor right across the street and delivered the plate of goodies to them.  They are also expecting their first child, she's 5 months along, and it's going to be a boy.  It was so nice to talk with them for a while and get to know them a bit.  I look forward to getting to know them better, for sure.  The next morning I was taking mail to the mail box and there was an envelope in there already.  It was from the most recently moved in neighbor thanking us...never expected that.  It really does feel good to share and serve others.  I can't wait to have all our "new" neighbors and friends over for an open house (if I can ever get the house in order).  

All in all, this conference was much needed at this point and time in my life.  I feel ready to forget myself more.  I feel ready to turn to the Lord with my daily life more.  I feel more inspired to read my scriptures and to try to be a happier me.  I feel there may be a light at the end of the tunnel of my loneliness for "home".   I am so grateful for the gospel, for the upliftment it brings into my life.  I'm grateful that no matter where I end up living, the gospel will always be the same.  There will always be someone around I have a lot in common with merely for the fact that our beliefs are the same.  I'm grateful for modern day amenities like phones, email, blogs, video cams, and the means to have and use them.  I am mostly grateful for my brother, Jesus Christ, and for his empathy of the pain and sorrow I feel and experience in my life.  I know if I can turn my sorrows over to him and my Heavenly Father that I will become the best me I can be for my family, myself, and others around me I may be able to serve. 

Now we know why we moved here!

Well, we've made a very long treck and made it to Tennessee. If I never see another box I'll be the happiest woman in the world. Packing nearly killed me, or at least my back. It's so beautiful here and we're only 10 hours away from Will's family. We actually just got back last night from visiting them all in Maryland. Mom Whited is in the hospital trying to get better, but having a difficult time making it home. It sounds like our visit came just at the right time. She was supposed to go home on the 28th of August, but complications in her recovery caused a delay with no date set to go home at this point. She was feeling very down about the whole thing. I think it really helped when we surprised her the day before her birthday. She didn't know we were coming and we had the boys poke their heads into her hospital room. Her eyes grew as big as quarters. It was wonderful seeing her and all the rest of the family. I'm excited for our boys to finally get to know all their other cousins. This move came with a huge purpose...for us to be near Will's side of the family! As much as we miss my side of the family...it's worth the change.

In Memory

Well, I'm afraid I've come to the conclusion that our sweet cat, Angel, has joined the angels up above. I haven't seen her for at least 4 days now and I've stood at our back door calling for her more than I ever have before. My heart is so sad. We got her in October 2006 at the animal shelter. She was a feral kitten, but when Will picked her up she just laid in his arms, calm as could be. We knew she was the kitten for our family. It took her a long time to get the wild out of her, but she became the most loving and calm cat. I even loved her after she had lost control of her bladder (peed on me) on my head while I was sleeping at 5:30 in the morning. Now that's love!


This hurt brings other hurt up in my mind, too. This is the second cat we've lost out here at our house (coyotes). Chai, a strangely wild cat we took from our great friends, Krissy and John, also went missing after escaping out of the house. She had just started coming around to me, being more loving and calm. I may have been the only one in the family sad to see her go, but I was sad. Both these sweet cats went missing right after we spent a good amount of money taking them to the Vet for a sore (both of them had something wrong above or in their eye). I even said while at the Vet with Angel that she'd better not disappear after taking her there, after that had happened with Chai. At this point, I blame the Vet. Well not really, but it would be nice if there were someone to blame. Adding insult to injury, when we were selling our house in Utah, before moving here, we had to find homes for our 4 cats. One cat being the most wonderful cat you will ever come across, Muffin, who found a home with KC and Sarah (KC had once said that if it was possible to clone a cat, he'd clone Muffin and I totally agree with him on that one). I love cats so much, and I have a amazing connection with them. I feel that some day I'll be an old maid with tons of cats hanging around. Like I said, my heart is hurting for the most likely loss of Angel. I just want her to come home!

Get this...

Ok, so it's been a little while since my weekend away and I'm still feeling calm inside. I really think it changed me for the long run, it was life altering. Today someone cut me off when she changed lanes, and I had no internal reaction or external reaction. It wasn't an awful cut off, but enough to make me slow down a bit. I just told myself that she must have not seen me or didn't realize how close I really was. It felt great...a huge breakthrough for me! I'm usually steaming inside and make some kind of rude remark (knowing the whole while she can't hear me and it doesn't affect her at all). My self talk is getting much better.

I've also started the "token system" than my friend Vanessa does with her kids. I've read about it before, having studied psychology, watched plenty of "Super Nanny", and read so many parenting books, but never been able to truly put it into practice. I've done it, I've implemented it and the boys love it...as long as they are earning points and not losing points. Some days are better than others...I've got to keep their interest and remind them a lot about earning a point or losing a point and what they can get for their points. I've got my posters up with what to do to get a point, or 2, and the rules and what happens when they break the rules, and how they can spend their points. I think I'll review it with them again today and remind them what it's all about and the fun things they can get for their points. I've noticed a change in myself in regards to warnings and reminders. I don't fly off the handle as easily (but there are good days and bad), and help them see how their attitude effects the points the get or lose. It's a great teaching tool. All I can say is, thank you,Vanessa, for helping me see that it really does make a difference.

The latest news in the family is that Will's mom is in the hospital. She went in for a scheduled surgery and things looked good at first...but then her kidney's shut down. That caused a lot of issues, very serious issues. Her bowels expanded like a balloon from all the excess fluid and ended up with pin hole leaks (not good at all). The doctors went in and fixed the hole they knew about, cut out some of the damaged muscles to get rid of the infection, left her open for the night and kept and eye on any more leaks. The next day they found two more leaks and took out the damaged part of her bowels (at least that's what I've gathered from it all). The doctors were surprised that she was able to make it through. The day we found out about the complications, Will got a ticket to fly out there...so he's there now (in Maryland) and says she's doing good. The whole family is there (except the boys and me). The last time that happened was before we were married and she had a stroke. Can I just tell you that I have the best Mother-in-law ever!!! She loves everyone she comes in contact with. You can't help but feel special around her. Her children are so devoted to her and love her so much they have a hard time being away from her for any amount of time. I count myself lucky to be a part of her life. I've felt loved and accepted by her from the very first day I met her (the day before our wedding). She is a very special woman and I'm glad to call her Mom!

A Few Things

I have joined the ranks of the seeing! Tuesday I went through Laser Eye Surgery...a little scary, a lot of pressure (on the eye), and amazing vision! It's so weird to take a shower, wake up, see what time it is in the middle of the night when one of the kids come into bed with us; all being able to see just fine. My eyes are very dry and I have a lot of glare still, but that will go away soon. I went to my post-op appointment yesterday and my vision was 20/20 in my right eye and 25/20 in my left...this from starting at worse than 2500/20 (they can't tell how bad it is after you can't see the big "E" on the chart at all) in both eyes. I am ecstatic about it! I woke up yesterday when Tyler came in and I exclaimed, "I can see you!!!" I can't wait until my sight is 100% and I can wear make-up again, but I am soooooooooo happy with what I have right now! I think I am getting a headache because my vision is so much clearer than I am used to. I'm not complaining, I think it's awesome!

A subject I'd like to broach is Autism. I have a few friends that are currently learning about autism because their daughters have it. If I remember right 10 years ago it was normally boys who had autism...not so much the case anymore. One of my friends, Corinne, has known for a while about her oldest daughter having ASD, and is now concerned about her third daughter exhibiting the same signs. She has some great information on her web site about vaccinations and diet, with more information to come. You can visit http://www.ckcclan.blogspot.com/ to see what she has posted about her sweet little girls and what she has been able to find out.

Another friend some of you may know is Ashleigh Bayard. She has found out her children have very severe asthma and is learning a lot about how to help their environment become safer, not only for children with asthma but for all families with children. She's learned a lot about lead and what may contain lead, what toy companies are staying lead free, and other great information. If anyone would like to receive emails from her about her research post a comment with your email address and I'll pass it on to her. Or you could email me to let me know.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. The sun sure is helping me to feel more energized and enthusiastic. May you all find sunshine in your day!

Thankful for my Blessings!

This really touched my heart. It helps me know I can face my difficulties with a better attitude and just be thankful for my life. It's a reminder as to why you don't let a friend, or even yourself, drive after having just a few drinks.