My Little Piece of Family History

My sister Susannah is our family's unofficial historian.  For several reasons, not the least of which is that she actually was a history major in college, but also because she loves keeping history, and she knows how to do it the right way.

She was scanning some old family photos from my dad's side of the family recently, and she found two matching little postcards stuck in them that my Grandma Helen had collected during her travels as an army nurse during WWII in Europe.  This was almost like finding gold.  Better than gold.

My grandmother died, before I was born, from complications of Multiple Sclerosis, and so I never got to meet her.  In this life anyway.  I think I knew her before I came, because she seems so familiar, but that's my own personal feeling, not anything solid. 

She was the one that was responsible for getting my dad's family to join the church.  When she was in Europe during the war she became friends with the general's wife that she served under, and they just happened to be LDS.  She learned about the church, but she came home, married my grandpa, and didn't ever talk  about it. 

However, she must kept what she learned in the back of her mind because one day, on the "spur of the moment", she arranged for them to stop in Nauvoo while on a family road trip vacation (my dad's family is from northern Illinois) and talk to the missionaries there.  And the rest is history. 

So I owe her, not only for the fantastic priesthood holder that my dad is, but also the life that I enjoy because of his membership in the church.  The fact that he met my mother at BYU, that I grew up with the gospel, that I met my husband in Provo, that my family enjoys the gospel, all goes back, in part, to her testimony, and being the impetus for their family to buck tradition and small-town opinion, and join "them weird Mormons."

For some silly reasons that aren't worth going into right now, our family has been largely left out of the history and keepsakes that have been passed around.  So when my sister found this postcard, she decided to snag them both and get them identically framed.  Archivally, of course.  And she sent me mine for my birthday.  AWESOME!!

So now we each have our own little piece of history hanging on the wall.  Something concrete that links us to our grandma, and her legacy, and to each other.

Happy Anniversary indeed!!!

Ok, ladies.  This is going to be one of those posts where you either think, "Awww, that is so great," or you think,"Awwww, why can't my husband do that kind of thing?"  But just don't get into any marital spats because of me, 'k?  Because I have got to seriously brag on my husband for a bit. 

In general, we don't have a fabulous track record with our anniversary.  And it's not Jeff's fault or anything, we just don't usually make it a big deal.  As a matter of fact, I have actually forgotten it before!  Although, to clarify, I knew that our anniversary was the 13th of August, but I didn't know that that particular Tuesday, or whatever, was our anniversary.  And since I forget what the date is on a regular basis anyway, that should come as a surprise to no one.

Anyway, I've been wanting to go somewhere overnight for our anniversary for a few years now, but it's never worked out, mostly because we don't have family in the area, so we don't have anyone to watch all of our kids at one time.  (Seriously, all you people with grandparents readily available really don't know how good you've got it.)  As a matter of fact, we haven't had a night away, just Jeff and me, since Jarom was a year old and we came out to North Carolina to go house hunting.

What I had really wanted to do was to go stay at the Renaissance hotel at North Hills, and go to dinner, and see a movie, etc., because it's all there, and we wouldn't be too far away.  Doesn't it sound fabulous?  But I had resigned myself to it not happening, because of the aforementioned "no family to watch the kids" wrinkle.

HOWEVER!!  Not only had Jeff been listening to me when I was wishing out loud that we could do this fun thing for our anniversary, but he actually took the whole thing in hand and arranged with our good friends who have 4 kids, just like us, all the same ages as our kids, to take our children, and he made the hotel reservation for us, as a surprise, all by himself!!!!

I know!!!! 

It really could not have been more fabulous!  We went to dinner at Firebirds, our favorite steakhouse, bar none, where we had a truly fantastic dinner (filet mignon, anyone?), and then we went to the last Harry Potter movie (yet another present from my sweetie), and after that, when the movie got out ofter midnight, we didn't have to make the long drive home, and then pay the babysitter, and then drive the babysitter home -  all we had to do was walk to the end of the "block" and go to our room!  It was awesome!!!

The next day we got to sleep in as late as we wanted, and then we actually went in to all the fancy shops and boutiques at North Hills that I would never ever go into with my kids.  And then, after we were done window shopping (because there was no way in heck that I was going to actually buy anything at those fancy boutiques.  One place had sequined sweaters for $497!!!  I kid you not!  And the clearance racks were still all over $200!   I was blown away by the senseless materialism) we went to JC Penney where they were having a fantastic sale, and got Jeff some work shirts (all more than 50% off), and me a couple of necklaces (also all on major sale - nothing more than $10).  Now that's my idea of clearance.

To finish out the day we had linner at Bonefish Grill, which I had never been to before, but I will be going again.  They do really good seafood, and I had grilled shrimp and sea scallops with roasted asparagus, which was all incredible.  Just like the weekend!

So please, don't hate me because my husband is awesome.  :o)

And Another [Song] Bites the Dust

Have you ever really liked a song from your childhood, only to have it completely ruined by today's technology?  Let me explain.

So, when I was younger (like, elementary school "younger") I really enjoyed this one song that would come on the radio, and even though I didn't really understand any of the words, except for an occasional "Angel," and sometimes a "centerfold" (which made no sense to me at all), it had a great melody, and there was this awesome chorus of "Na Na Na Na's". 

Do you see where I'm going with this?

Anyway, I heard the song on the radio again recently, and really enjoyed bopping out to it as I was driving around.  Of course, I understood more this time around (at the very least, I know what a centerfold is) but I still couldn't understand most of the words, either because it was on a fuzzy radio channel, or because the lead singer didn't have very good diction.  Probably both.  But I sure enjoyed those "Na Na Na Na's".

I downloaded the song from itunes, and then, last night, while I was watering the lawn (because we paid a ridiculous amount of money to get our lawn aerated and seeded, and I didn't want to blow our investment, even though it kills me to think what our water bill is going to be next month) it came up on my ipod.  And, thanks to crystal clear digital technology delivering every nuance straight to my ear canal via my earbuds, I finally hear the song in its entirety.  Every. single. word.

So, now that I completely understand exactly what the song is saying, and why the words "Angel" and "centerfold" were so prominent, I must reject the appeal of the chorus of  "Na Na Na Na's".  Which just basically all means that I've erased the song from my itunes library.  But...Argggh!!!

The really frustrating thing?  Not only have I lost the $0.99 that I paid for the darn thing, not only do I have those stupid words and the images that they created in my mind, but now I can't even listen to it on the radio with the same innocent enjoyment of my 80's nostalgia.  Technology has ruined this song for me forever.

Even the Na Na Na Na's.

I'm almost an empty-nester

Yup, it's actually happened: Kelcey has started kindergarten.  She had her first "staggered entry" day last week, where only a few kids from each class attend so that the teacher can get to know them individually, and get all the assessments done (such as, do they know their letters, numbers, colors, etc.).  She knew all that stuff a long time ago, and we'd been reviewing the last few days, so I hope it went well.

Better than mine, at least.

My mother taught me how to read when I was two, which is less a comment on the fact that I was a gifted child, and more a reveal into how fantastically and incredibly AWESOME my mother is.  So, by the time I was in kindergarten, reading was normal.  It was just something that I did all the time.  I don't remember a time when I couldn't read.

Anyway, when I got to kindergarten for my assessment, according to my mom, I was so irritated that they were asking me what the letters and numbers were, stuff that I had known forever, that I just clammed up, and refused to answer any of their questions.

So, apparently they thought I was somewhat backwards, and put me into a remedial program until my mother figured out what was going on, explained the problem, and convinced me to read for my teacher.

Which just goes to show you...actually, what, I'm not exactly sure--that you shouldn't cross someone off your "people with potential" list, because they might have talents that they are keeping hidden?, that public school education is somewhat inadequate?, or that I shouldn't cause problems for myself just because I think that the people around me are acting like idiots?  Pick any of those as your favorite moral and run with it.  :o)

Oh, and I guess I should have said that I feel like an empty-nester.  Because I still have Ben at home with me, but without Kelcey it feels so quiet.   I've always maintained that having just one child is pretty much the same as being alone, and it's totally true. 

Maybe if Ben was older, it might be different, but I find myself forgetting about lunch time, because Kelcey isn't there telling me she's hungry.  And when Ben goes up to play in the playroom I don't hear any of the regular noises of two kids playing together, and occasionally fighting together.  It's just pretty quiet.

Ben misses her too.  Yesterday he would be playing or walking around, and, out of the blue, he'd say, "Kelcey gone?  Kelcey school?"  And I'd agree that she was at school, but remind him that all the kids were coming home soon (ish).  He actually might miss her more than I do, because they played together so much, and she was so good about doing things with him.

It's only been two days of school so far, and I know that I will get a routine again with Ben and me (part of the problem is that I've been housebound while Jeff's car is in the shop)  but right now I miss having someone at home that I could really have a conversation with.  Yeah, ok, maybe not a deep philosophical discussion, but a conversation nonetheless.  I admit that I'm wallowing in it, just a little bit, but, you guys, it's the end of an era!  (2 points to whomever knows that TV show quote)

I guess I should be glad that I only have one child at home, making shopping, etc., much easier, but right now I'm just sad.  I only cried once yesterday, and it's getting better, but today I'm sad. 

Ok, bright side: isn't it great that I have kids that I actually miss?

I Met Sabrina Soto!!!!!

I was coming home from Utah last week, walking through the RDU airport when I saw a woman talking on her cellphone. At first I thought she looked like someone I knew, but then the closer I looked, I realized that I didn't know her, but I knew who she was:  It was Sabrina Soto!

My feet slowed down of their own accord, and I couldn't help it, I was just staring.  Sabrina ( I feel like I can call her that, since I have met her) started to grin and said, speaking to the person on her phone, "Mom...can I call you back?" -- cause she knew where this was going.

I said (sounding like a total idiot, I'm sure), "Are you Sabrina Soto?", just to be absolutely positive it was her.  She kind of laughed, and said that she was, and then we actually had a conversation!  She told me that she was coming back from filming an episode of something (HGTV'd?  I'm honestly not sure because I was really kind of star struck) down in Fayetteville. 

I finally remembered to introduce myself, and she asked where we were coming from, and then I told her how much I love "Get it Sold", her old show, and how I was so sad that it wasn't on any more.  She told me that she's going to start another show soon called "High/Low", I think, and she said it was going to be even better than "Get it Sold."

Then I told her how great all her tips were, and that I used them all when we were selling our house.  I even printed out her checklist, and that because of all her staging helps we were able to sell our house in under a month.  (All true!)

She actually seemed touched, and said how happy she was to hear that.  The kids were getting antsy, and I didn't want to take up too much of her time, so I just told her how nice it was to meet her, and then said goodbye.

After we walked away I actually had a hard time getting my breathing back to normal, and I was seriously star struck, but you know, the overwhelming thing about it all was that she was so nice.  She didn't have to stop her conversation, she could have just ignored me, or she could have just said hi, gladhanding the fans, and then gotten back to whatever she was doing, but instead, she took the time to really talk with me. She always seemed so nice and funny on her shows, and it's wonderful to know that that's exactly how she is in regular life.

She was wearing this way cute green and navy diagonal stripe dress with ballet flats, with that gorgeous hair, so she even looked like you would think she should!  :o)

It's funny, if you had asked me before this happened who I would have wanted to meet from HGTV, which I watch all the time, I totally would have chosen Sabrina Soto.  She's been my hero for years, not only because I love her organization, and I love how she decorates, but I also love how she helps the people on her shows realize the kind of house that they could have.

I met Sabrina Soto!!!  AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!   :o)

Funny Kid Quote of the Day

We just got back from a wonderful 2 weeks in Utah, and I will post lots of pictures soon, never fear, but until then I thought I would post something cute to tide you over.  Since I am sure that you are hanging on to my every word.  Right? 

Anyway, so we were watching a movie with the kids Monday night (Despicable Me--I can recommend it with ClearPlay, otherwise, not so much), that they had seen before, but a while ago, and, as the teaser starts, Jarom intones in a voice just meant for a dramatic movie trailer:

"Oh, yeah. 
The beginning. . .This is where it all starts."

Jeff and I just started to bust up, and the kids all got the giggles.  It was one of those fun family moments that you hope you can always remember.  My kids are the best!  :o)

Nothing Monumental

I don't have anything earth-shattering to report, but I realized that I haven't posted in a little while, so I thought I would at least put up an update for ya'll.

At the beginning of the month we celebrated Jarom's birthday by going to a baseball game.  Unfortunately it was also the night we had a really big summer storm in our area.  I could have just kicked myself, because we couldn't have done it worse if we had actually sat down and planned it.

The minor league team that we love to go to is the Carolina Mudcats (I believe they are a farm team for the Cincinnati Reds, but don't quote me on that.  Jeff would know for sure.)  Anyway, they have a nice park, the games are a lot of fun, and the seats are cheap ($6 for general admission, $10 for front box seats).  Plus, on Fridays (like the one we went to) they always have fireworks at the end of the game.  It's one of our family's favorite fun things to do.

The game started at 7:15, but since our kids don't have the attention span to sit through an entire game, we decided to go a little late so that they would still have enough energy to stay for the fireworks.  We went to McDonalds (Jarom's special birthday dinner request) and got to the park about 8:15.  The skies had been getting darker, but there was only 30% chance of rain, and it was supposed to rain all week, but it never had, so we figured, same thing this time, right?  Oh, so wrong!!!

We parked (and paid $5 for it too, which really irritates me) and walked to the entrance---all the while the wind is starting to pick up, and we're feeling little sprinkles, but we keep telling the kids (and ourselves) that it's not going to rain hard, and that we'll still have a fun time even if it does rain.  Well, then the thunder started, with flashes of lighting in the distance. 

I took Kelcey to the bathroom, while Jeff headed up to our seats.  In the 3 1/2 minutes that it took us to be out of the bathroom, the storm just exploded, with rain and wind so strong that it was horizontal, with lightning and thunder that were practically on top of each other.  Jeff said that they were only able to watch 2 pitches before it started raining, and then it was all over.  Everyone in the stands rushed down, and with the rain blowing all over the place we all just huddled in the back by the concession stands, trying to stay as dry as possible.  Unsuccessfully, I might add.

It was a little scary for everyone, but Kelcey is really, really, really scared of thunderstorms anyways, even in the house, so she was seriously freaking out.  She finally just buried her head into Jeff's chest, put her arms around his neck, and held on for dear life.  She didn't make a peep, or even move for the rest of the time we were there, waiting out the storm.  We kind of thought she was asleep, but she never was.  Actually, it was almost like she was in a self-induced coma---if she pretended that she wasn't there, then maybe it wasn't so bad.

Finally, after about an hour, the storm lightened up enough so that we could make a run for it.  We made it to the car, and decided to take everyone for ice cream to make up for what Jarom kept wailing was his "worst birthday ever!"  I tried to get him to realize that it would be an exciting memory, but I guess it's just too hard to have a long term perspective when you're barely nine.

The next night we had cake and presents, and that went better.  (It could hardly have been worse.) 

Jarom got his first actual Sunday suit,

and then we had a treasure hunt for his big present: a mountain bike!! 

I'm kind of lame (no big surprise!), so I don't have any pictures of him actually riding it, but I'll get to that and post a couple soon.