The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways

I am a very strong willed personality. Once I’ve made up my mind on something it’s VERY hard to prove/persuade me otherwise. That said, the Lord was very clever in the way He brought Chris and I together for eternity.
Chris and I attended the same high school, hung out in the same circle of friends, and both had a secret interest in the other. Our 1st date was the summer after he graduated. We went to a comedy club. But just friends we remained. We’d talk on the phone and date once in a while, but he knew I wanted to serve a mission and claims he “backed off” because of that. When the time came for me to turn 21 I sent in my papers, received my call, and entered the MTC. I entered the mission field in early September. A few weeks went by just fine and then I met with my mission president for a regular “greenie” interview. During our discussion he told me that he felt I was needed elsewhere and when I arrived at our apartment that evening to pray about this. Of course I did, but I didn’t receive the answer I expected. I felt an undeniable need to go home. My mom was sick when I left, so I called my parents thinking something had happened. Everything was fine. This just confused me more. I KNEW I needed to go home, and I wasn’t just homesick. I called my mission president and my companion and I went to the mission home for 2 days. During this time I talked to my Bishop and parents--both were supportive, but neither understood. The evening before I was to fly home my mission president called me into his office. His eyes were damp and he told me how sad he was to be losing me as a missionary, but that he also KNEW that the Lord wanted me home, but didn’t know why.
It wasn’t but a few weeks later that Chris called my mom for my address & she casually asked if he’d like to talk to me because I was right there. I took the phone and Chris told me he’d be right over to talk about it. He arrived thinking that I was horribly sick and was sent home for medical reasons, but after a long and spiritual conversation he understood. He left and called soon after to ask me on a date. By December we knew we were getting married. The BIG DAY came on July 30th a year to the day I went into the MTC.
I will never doubt that Chris and I were meant to be together. The Lord just had to intervene when I set my mind to serving a mission. He sent me out, helped me to serve, but brought me home when the timing was right.
I always smile when people use the phrase “such a coincidence" because I think that everything is as it should be.

"happy list"

I am sooooo behind in my posting that in order to make it quick and painless for ME I've decided to narrow it all down in to my "HAPPY LIST."

#1

without this CD around to help me put everything into perspective--someone in our household would NOT have survived this past week :)

#2

good friends & FUN places! we went to KIDCITY with our friends and had a great time. It helped explain A LOT to find Savanna aboard a SPACESHIP...I knew she was from MARS!!

#3

going through all the pictures of our trip over Christmas & finding one like THIS--seriously, who's child is this???

#4

picking Savanna up from being watched by a friend only to find out that she was GREAT the whole time! Then to have her come out from playing and realize that she held still long enough for Kim to do THIS! Sooooo CUTE!

Pick your Battles

My lack of blogging has been due to a lack of sanity. Savanna's been "testing the waters" and it has really been testing my patience. I now understand the phrase "pick your battles" that my mom would use. I have been doing just that. I have learned that there are many things in everyday living that really can be optional--with exception to public places. For example: pants, shoes, and socks...optional; looking at the camera...optional; eating from your bowl or the floor...optional; joining mom in the shower fully clothed...optional (towel & cookie included); taking Tylenol--NOT an option, but spitting it all over mom, the couch, and self...optional. Amazingly, naps & bedtime never were a factor in this new concept of "choices" that Savanna has discovered, or rather, I've chosen to ignore. With all of her NEW attributes she's acquired, she's decided it's FUN to talk--well, use more words. My current favorite is "bye" said with a southern accent! It is best when used while exiting Sacrament meeting or mom's class mid-meeting for numerous reasons. She likes to say it to her Daddy multiple times while he's leaving for work or she'll say it to me with her "purse" in hand/on shoulder and proceed to walk to the other room.

**purse is used lightly because some items chosen resemble NOTHING of the sort.

Our little "tapper"

I have realized that plopping her in front of the TV has it's pros. Look at the GREAT entertainment we enjoy on a regular basis. For those not familiar with the dreadful Teletubbies, there is a little girl tap dancing on the "big screen" & although you cannot hear the music very well, the whole production deserves an oscar!

*I've been trying to catch this routine for weeks. She was onto me quick & so it took 3 tries, but I think you'll get the idea. We have the FULL production TWICE on our video camera, but technical difficulties are hindering the public performance.

Ta-Dah!

It may be a day after my deadline I had hoped for & still "under construction" BUT it's usable. Yeah! Check it out & let me know what you think...the good, the bad, & the honest truth. I am happy that so many of you are interested in our little "hobby business."

Our Name: Timeless Expressions

What we do: Decorative Vinyl & Home decor

Check us out! http://timeless-expressons.blogspot.com/

My VERY 1st customer!

Thanks MOM!

As many of you know & have heard me talk about Chris & his BIG ideas...well, one will becoming a reality very. very. shortly. I have given myself this weekend as a deadline & by SUNDAY night the website/blog should be up & running. But I was just too excited not to share our, okay my, 1st order. My mom is in the YW & wanted something to help solidify the theme for 2008. We STOLE the idea from a competitor :) (shhhhh! don't tell!)

Snow Day!

Savanna was SOOOO excited to see the "new" snow that we received courtesy of the GREAT "Nor' Easter". I really thought that she would jump right in with both feet & want to help me build our first snowman. Not so much! She was excited to go outside & point at EVERYTHING that was covered with snow. She would walk down the newly shoveled paths and touch the snow, but without her gloves on she wasn't a fan. She was quick to realize that Mom wasn't stupid in forcing them on her hands. Our first family snow day was more of a snow moment. I think it lasted all of 15 minutes.

Although, yesterday we had some friends over & they ALL got into the snow. But we moms weren't feeling like frolicking with them, so we kept them within view from the warm & toasty kitchen--our back deck was still covered in snow & has a locking gate. I think when the snow on the deck melts I will be transporting the bucketful from the yard :) It's just too convenient!

Because THEY are so awesome

This week has begun with a *BANG*! Today we lost our Bishop & Primary President because they are embarking on a new adventure in San Diego. I personally think that the work relocation assignment is all a hoax. They just wanted to move to a much warmer & sunny atmosphere :) I personally DO NOT blame them. Around our house we're scavenging for food & warmth as we settle in for a local "nor' Easter." (secretly I'm hoping the inclement weather keeps our friends around just a tad bit longer)

Because I love my friend & will miss her, I thought I'd post a few reasons I am going to miss the 3 Boys & a Bird family:

• I just won't feel as "safe" at church without knowing that the Lord & the FBI were looking after the congregation every Sunday. I guess my faith will be tested :) I must admit that the knowledge of knowing your Bishop is "packin" a weapon is quite comical in one's wandering mind.
• I will miss the sweet SHOUTING of "ma ma" coming from a little boy excited to show off his skills of turning an ordinary Sacrament cup into a hat or telescope.
• I will miss having a shy, but reverent, little boy pretending he doesn't know the words to the songs we are singing until it comes to his favorite(s) and he sings the LOUDEST!
• I will miss most of all serving in Primary with my friend. She proved to me that caring for your sick child, conducting primary, and being pregnant & starving CAN be done. She made being the Primary President look simple. I will miss the late night, last minute phone calls about church that turned into "girl talk." I will miss her example and spirit, but thankfully she will always have a blog. :)

You will be greatly missed by ALL who knew you, although, some of us will be more jealous of your West coast home in the surf, sun, & sand...talk about movin' UP!

Teaching an "old dog" NEW tricks..

or rather, a toddler NEW ways to spend her time. It didn't take long for the Savmiester to quickly revert to her old habits. Although the days can get long and my patience short, I still find it amusing to see what she'll come up with next...

When the night finally comes and it's Daddy's turn for "night, night" duty; I relish the quiet moment. But we've recently discovered that our daughter has some stealth-like escape artist moves of her own. I was downstairs sifting through the mountain of mail we received while out of town, when I heard footsteps--not Daddy's. Then I heard a little voice whispering little babbles, so I went to investigate. Savanna was sitting behind the couch playing & where was daddy? Asleep in HER bed!

Grateful for LITTLE blessings

I just wanted to note, for the record, that I am SOOOO grateful for all my little blessings.
Those who know, or have heard about my husband will not be surprised to hear that "buying a snow shovel" was not high on his priority list this season. Why? Well, he's been busy attending training AWAY from home, myself & his little girl were not around, and well....procrastination is sometimes a problem. So when we arrived home from our Christmas Vacation(s) E A R L Y this morning--Chris sick, Savanna cranky, & I just wanted a bed--the snow in our driveway & filling our walks was NOT even noticed.....UNTIL this morning.
With my husband out of commission (until further notice) and a toddler to feed. I braved the elements in my sneakers, capri pajama pants, and coat to retrieve ALL of our essentials from the FROZEN vehicle across the white abyss. Thanks to Elmo & some "new" found Christmas gifts--Savanna's fit throwing was stopped and my mission completed. A quick change of clothes and inventory of food; Savanna & I were off to Wal*Mart. My cute little girl was all chit-chat & songs on the way, but the best part of all was her constant "WEEE!" that followed every twist and turn.
We arrived home and I trudged through the snow, carrying my sleeping beauty and praying she'll sleep by her dad. Again I left to "hunt" for a SNOW-shovel, but to no avail--it is New Years Day and Wal*Mart was SOLD OUT! So, I through in the towel & started the drive home, but as I pulled up to my house--the snow was ALL Gone! My dear neighbor, bless his heart, brought his tractor over & plowed us out!! :)

*I did run over to thank him & offer to pay, but when his wife opened the door I just started to cry. I did tell her thank you & we chatted for a bit, but I don't think he'll truly know just how much his little gesture meant.

Happy Freakin' New Years!

How did you celebrate? We rang in the New Year aboard the AirTrain @ JFK airport. Chris was trying to hold on to the cart with all the bags & I held Savanna while covered in "fluid." But at that moment I just had to chuckle--it could ALWAYS be worse! I was with my little family; traveling home from 3-4 weeks of F.U.N.; our bags were PACKED with presents & our home wasn't too far. (Chris might disagree--he struggled NOT to hurl the WHOLE way back & I will admit that the flight & drive seemed L-O-N-G-E-R than normal)