Missing Missouri!

I realized a few years back I made a post about all the things I loved about Utah in the years that I lived there. Although, I terribly miss the wonderful things I miss and love about our past few years in Missouri, its been ONE FULL year since we left on this adventure we are on now.  I know our time there was important and essential to our growth.  I met some amazing eternal friends.  I learned lessons from friends and moms that will stay with me FOREVER and has changed the way I live now and has impacted my life for good.

Here is a small list of the things I LOVE and miss about Missouri and Branson.


* Watching my friends perform LIVE!!*
* A town full of my favorite fiddling bluegrass and country music*
* MOPS!*
* FREE Movie Tickets*
*Rec-Plex*
* Dr. Miller, my Chiropractor*
* The BEST girlfriends!*
*My Favorite Mommy Mentors*
* Silver Dollar City*

*The outlets*
*Cousins in a days drive*
* The Temple in a days drive*
*Snowy winters*
*Tarantulas!! I'm not sure why!*
Dare I say it: * Cricket Chirps*
*Skaggs health center with YOGA and ZUMBA*
*WalMart close by*
*Knowing all the back roads!*
* Driving for miles with only a few cars on the road*
* Fun Family attractions always available on hand*
*Andy's Frozen Custard*
*The Panda House*

My Mom & Dad

This pic has had a lot of attention from my family on Facebook in the last few days! This is my late Dad and my Mom. They must of been younger than I am because when I was little and my mom was like 24 my Dad got in a terrible drinking and driving accident which made him paralyzed. I don't have memories of him standing but to those who grew up with him this is what they remember. I love this picture because it reminds me how much my Daddy loved my Mom. (and visa versa) They had ugly times too but I still think this feeling is stronger than all the others! I love my forever family and so grateful for the gospel and the truth in Temple Sealing!

Robert Lynn was born on July 1, 1959. He would of been 51 this year. He died 13 years ago. I can't believe the small time I had with him has already doubled its self. How time flies. I think a lot about him when I get personal time with Q. Q has my nose, which is my daddy's nose. and Not to mention I his middle name is Robert after his Grandpa! Maybe his humor and artistic skills will follow!! I think he is using his left hand more which is also a Robert trait. I guess we will find out eventually!

I miss him.

What's in a Decade!? Here's To 2010.

2000

* Got My Braces Off *
* Dance Team *
* Finding New High School Friends *


2001

* First Job at Red Lobster *
* In the Musical Once Upon a Mattress *
* Learning how to drive *
* Learned what the Trade Center was *
* Varsity Cheerleading (what made me most happy) *


2002

* First Kiss *
* Mother Goose in Nutcracker *
* Drivers License *
* Sweet 16 *
* Parents got Divorced *
* First Boyfriend experience *


2003

* First Concert on my own Good Charlotte/New Found Glory *
* Moved to Pensacola, FL for 2 months *
* Graduated High School *
* Moved to Tampa, FL *
* Worked at Steak-n- Shake *
* Started College at University of South Florida *
* Joined Kappa Delta Sorority *


2004

* Became active in THE Church *
* Moved to Mountain View, CA for the summer *
* Worked for Recruiting Station (fav job) *
* Went to San Francisco *
* Moved to Orem, UT *
* Worked at Famous Footwear *


2005

* Attended College at Utah Valley State College *
* Worked at Ken Garff Nissan *
* Bought First Car *
* Went to Las Vegas *
* Obsessed with Institute & Institute dances *


2006

* Prep for Mission *
* Started Elementary Education Program *
* Moved to Provo, UT*
* Met A *
* Received Mission Call to Fresno, CA *
* Got Engaged ...oops! *


2007

* Mom moved back from Cuba *
* Got Married *
* Got Pregnant *


2008

* Student Taught 4th Grade *
* Had a Baby *
* Graduated College *
* Mom fought Cancer *
* Moved to Olive Branch, MS *


2009
* Moved to Branson, MO *
* A totaled car *
* Got Pregnant, Again *

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R 2010

Look-A- Like

My Daddy would have turned 50 years old this last summer. I can't believe I have already spent more of my life without him than I did with him. It is just going to get worse from here. Either way he is always in my heart and I just wonder what he is doing these days.
Anyways- I have been uploading a bunch of his pics and awards on to my ancestry.com account and I ran across this picture in my file. It is of my daddy as a chunky baby. I think he resembles Jo in many ways. My grandma and I were talking about it once, she hasn't seen J in person yet but she is kind of scared because she's afraid he will look so much like Bobby.

My Dad


My Baby

How Can I Live Without You?

I get anxiety pretty easily. It keeps me up at night the day before anything BIG is going to happen. I always have to wait for Adam to come home from work before I can feel comfortable going to sleep. If he is running late I begin to freak out. I start worrying about which hospital I have to go to because of his horrible car accident. Then that leads to how I will survive without him? Where will we burry him, where will I live afterwards? How will I be a single mother and will I ever get remarried?

Any time we are apart I have these horrible feelings. We've been married two years since yesterday MARCH 16th! When does this go away!? I think I could do it. I believe I have a great privilege of knowing and understanding death. Sure, it would feel sad and alone but I received my education and I could provide for my family.

When I was in Utah I met a woman who had been married for a couple of years and had just had her second baby when her husband got into a horrible accident and died. The family had money and she was able to stay with her children while they were young and then taught school afterwards. At 50 something she still never re-married. I know that it is not good to be alone, but I think I could wait for my sweetheart. Earth time isn't really that long. ( Adam says he'll get remarried). Adam makes me a better person, I don't know how I could live without him.

I am hoping these feelings are normal. However, these attacks need to calm down a little bit in case he has a career which takes him away for a long period of time. I need to find comfort knowing he will not leave me. How grateful we are to live in a time with the technology we have to stay connected!

Yesterday was our SECOND anniversary. Although it felt like a LOT of things have happened it wasn't that long ago when I was sealed to my loving husband for time and all eternity! I truly belong in his family. We belong together.. Whenever I question or get mad at him, my soul reminds me that she NEEDS his soul. Our spirits are much more connected then any part of us. How grateful I am to have met the one who my soul loves the most. Kisses to Adam for being a great husband even with ALL the grief I give him day in and day out! Thanks for sticking to your deal and loving me more than anyone actually needs to be loved. I came with quite the challenge.. keep up the good work! I love you!!

Here is to the first two years of our AMAZING journey ahead!

My Senior Year

IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL DID YOU...

1. Did you date someone from your school? No

2. Did you marry someone from your high school? No

3. Did you car pool to school? Sometimes I picked people up.

4. What kind of car did you have? 1997 Saturn ( just like my husband had, but mine was burgundy)

5. What kind of car do you have now? I don't have one. :(

6 Its Friday night...where are you now? At home-

7. It is Friday night...where were you then? Any where but home- ( I didn't live with my mom, if I did I would have never been not home).

8. What kind of job did you have in high school? Restaurant Seater

9. What kind of job do you do now? Substitute

10. Were you a party animal? Kind of, but I got busted and was grounded for a LARGE part of my Senior Year.

11. Were you considered a flirt? Yea, I did all right! lol.

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? No.

13. Were you a nerd? Not At All.

14. Did you get suspended or expelled? Yes, in NOV (before I had to go live with my mom in Pensacola for a month) I had my cellphone *beeped* in class once. DUMB HUH?

15. Can you sing the fight song? I was a Cheerleader, we didn't really have a "fight song" but I did every other chant known to the school.

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? Probably Mrs. Laverty my dance teacher- I guess thats the only one I remember well enough to like, I skipped too much to form special bonds with teachers. Senior Year was a wreck for me!

17. Where did you sit during lunch? Usually Wendy's

18. What was your school's full name? Woodside High School

19. When did you graduate? 2003

20. What was your school mascot? Wolverine (which happened to be my college mascot all the way in Utah)

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Yes I loved high school, but I'd hope I was smarter and make better choices.

22. Did you have fun at Prom? Eh, It was ok. I was rude to my date, and I got in trouble for not coming home... but I looked HOT!

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to prom with? Not really, we are facebook friends but we don't talk, that year him and is twin became good friends of mine but not great friends. When I left to go to FL, I lost track of LOST of people.

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? I'd like it, but I doubt it.

25. Do you still talk to people from school? Sometimes on facebook.

26. What celebrities came from your high school? no one... YET!! (Go Julie! lol)

Tags: Everyone who actually reads this.

My Jobs

Recently, I have been job crazy and I have felt like I need to help more somehow while Adam is finishing school. I have been trying to sub more and I have even resorted to wanting to work in a restaurant again somewhere. Adam told me to join him at Chick-fil-a. I think it's hilarious! Am I willing to jump into a uniform again, and learn new thing even when I am WAY over qualified with a degree that I can't use right now. Anyways- Here we are to 8502 Memory Ln. July 5th 2001, I was 15 and I walked to Red Lobster which was at the main street near my neighborhood. It took about 20 minutes. I was dressed super cute and I applied for my first job. It is fun remembering the jobs I have had, but I can't believe I wore some horrible outfits! I have to say, I loved my jobs!! I was good employee! I would have to say my favorite job was at the Nissan dealership right next to my short experience at the Navy recruiting station in Cali. I was good at it, I liked to dress up, and I loved my own personal space.
My Resumee:
Red Lobster, seater- 6 months

Tuscany Italian Restaurant, seater- 2 months
Steak-n-Shake, server- 6 months

USF Bookstore, temp. cashier- 6 weeks
Navy Recruiting Station San Francisco, administration personnel- 3 months (most paid)
Famous Footwear, sales associate- 1 year
Ken Garff Nissan, cashier- 2 years
UVSC, the WORSE teachers aid ever!!- 5 months
Kelly Educational Services, substitute- 17 months+

Question: Where was your worse uniform? and Where was your favorite job?

Best Friends

MERRILL
Adam's Best Friend is getting married next month and I wanted to make a post on our best friends!
I don't know as much about Adam n Merrill as I know about my best friend so I don't have much to say. I guess he met Merrill when he was in 10th grade. They were stuck at the hip. From stories I've heard they had their adventures! Plus, they are creepily funny! We love you Merrill and we are so glad your getting married so you don't feel like the third wheel because I took your spot! Hooray for Adam and Merrill.
Dance Photo: The youngest I had of them together:

Time Capsule retrieval after their missions:

Even after the wedding I couldn't separate them! lol.

LINDSAY
"G-n-Z" Lindsay and I met in 7th grade and became super friends in 8th grade. We both bloomed from braces and glasses to two hot chicas. We have done many things together and we will always be each others #1 girlfriends! In high school we went to two different schools but that didn't stop us. She was friends with the Woodside crew and I was in with the Denbigh kids. It was the best of both worlds. She would come visit me after school during practices (too see boys duh!) and I snuck into her school one day to steal her away and take her to the beach! I don't think we were ever in school during our Senior year. She doesn't understand all my life styles but she loves me anyways!! and I love her even with all her crazy tat's and all the other crazy things she chooses. I have the best kid memories with her! And I had too many pic's to choose from!
P.S. Yes, she has always been that skinny ( Kind of the opposite of adam and merrill.. i just wish what happen to merrill can happen to me! lol) We would always joke about trading fat and skinniness.. we'd have the perfect bodies if that were possible!
At the 8th grade dance, our older pic together:

At a wedding looking super cute:

Our competition team we joined at the bowling alley:

Visiting me during cheer practice so she could spy on the wrestlers:

One of my visits back "home" while away at college:

Missing Utah

I NEVER thought I would say this but I am SOOOO missing Utah. We will probably never live there again but such an important part of my life was spent there and I didn't know I would love it the way I do. At first I HATED half the things I miss so much now! Here are just a few things I miss about Utah Valley..

* The Mountains with their snowy tops and picture painted skies.*
* Seeing the Temple on any normal drive *
* Christmas Music right after Halloween*
* Sabbath Day Music on Sundays *
(its a good thing I get KOSY on the internet) *
* Dessert Book & Distribution Center *
* Faithful Friends and Neighbors, having something in common *
* Safe Church Buildings *
* Cafe Rio :( and no I'm not kidding *
* Dollar Movies, and I hate movies! *
* Sunday Night games and stories with my family in Ogden *
* Malls *
* Brisk Clean Air *
* Stores right around the corner *
* My Car :( *
* Cooking and Walking with Kim *
* Non- Smoking Restaurants & Walk ways *
* Snow showers *
* More modest clothes in stores *
* Clean Cut Kids, everywhere! lol *
* Kneaders *
* Jamba Juice *
* Driving to Salem to visit Rachel and Barry's ( I can see food has a lot to do with this, but that was expected! I am now saving a lot more money because I have no temptations.lol *
* A Chapel on every corner, I loved that!! *
* Play-dates with Alivia and Noah which never happened*

There are others I am sure of it, but I am getting sad reminiscing. So, I should stop.

Family Tree Project

My new favorite past time is ancestry.com's free family tree. I love transporting all the information I have about my ancestors. It isn't a lot but I hope to find more information once I can get into more historical files. The most difficult thing for me is to know if their temple work has been done. Sometimes, the IGI is all mixed up. Anyways, I have heard some stories recently from my grandma about the past. I love hearing these stories. I also love having my blog to record some of our stories. Stories for and about our children and their children.

Mommy & Daddy Fell in Love

In the summer of 2006 I decided to pack my things up in Orem & moved out to Provo. I wanted to serve a mission, & I knew I should get some preparing and chose to move into a shared bedroom. I found a great deal and took over the contract of some gir. Parris was my new roommate! That first night in my new place I smiled so much my cheeks hurt. My new roommates told me all about the boys in apartment 2. Adam was the guy who was so funny & they all told me I had to meet him when he came back into town (He was in St. Louis). Although Adam was "so funny" & "great to be around". However, he had a girl friend, the girl that I bought the contract from. Finally, Adam came back into town. You know when someone talks up a movie so much and once you go it's just O.K. That's how meeting Adan went. He was cool enough. Through the next month all the girls would hang out with all the guys. Adam broke up with his girlfriend and got really bored. I oved the people scene and would always go to the institute dances. Adam was my wingman and I was his. I'd always ditch him, because I was afraid other guys wouldn't approach me if I was next to him. Sadly, we never had a slow dance together. The truth, he wasn't that into me either.
One day after work, I saw a Red Robin billboard. I was craving a burger. Once I got home I ran over to apartment 2 to see if someone was home. Adam was on the phone & I interrupted to ask him to go to Red Robin with me. Later, I found out he was calling another girl to go out with that night. It was my favorite date ever. If you can cal it a date, I did pay for myself. Adam made me laugh the entire time. From that day on we were great friends. He was determined to help me go on my mission. He taught me the ten commandments with my hands. We really loved being friends.
It was confrence Sunday, October 1st. We drove up into the canyon with some roommates to gawk and the changing leaves. The whole way up I was memorizing ALL his brother's and sisters names. I was determined to get it right. Once we got home something strange happened. Maybe it was the avacado sandwich he was eatting but we ended up cuddling on the couch and I went into kiss him. Stupid Move. Doesn't everyone know once you kiss you start to like them even more.
That next Tuesday I went to the Stake President for my mission interview. He felt like I was suppose to go on a mission. Even after talking about my "new" crush. I was suppose to serve a mission.
That night I went to play games at his house. He wasn't there. He was out on a date with some blond girl he met at a dance. He even brought her over. I was completely jealous. Furious beyond belief. Needless to say, we started dating anyways, with the thought that I was going on a mission. IN October, the day the Cardinals won the world series, I got my mission call to Fresno, California spanish speaking. I was very excited but I had falling too deep with Adam. I cried way too much the month. A couple of weeks later I decided if I was going on a mission I didn't want any strings attached. I was going to serve the Lord with only Him in mind, and I needed to break up with Adam. But I didn't want to. It was a horrible game of flip flop. I just wanted him to make me not go, like he couldn't live without me but he knew how much a mission meant to me. He texted me one day when I was having one of these internal fights, which said: " I would love to say don't make me wait and we are meant for each other and there's no other place for you to be but it means more if you figure it out on your own".
Of coarse I had figured it out, I just didn't want to give up either one. The rest of the week I cried and prayed a lot. Then I made my decision. I wanted to stay with him.

Hand for Eternity

Thursday, November 30th 2006, my 21st bitrthday. I woke up and got dressed up. I then went to work. Then Adam took me to lunch and dropped me off at school at 3:00. I got out of class at 7:00 and we were gonna celebrate my birthday! Side note: he received a speeding ticket on his way over. He then took me to Red Robin. What a perfect place to celebrate. After dinner we got into the car and Adam blindfolded me. He turned on our favorite VoiceMale CD and drove me to the temple. A place we often went to discuss everything. He gave me a frame with petals from the roses I got this morning pressed in glass, along with a poem.

Our Ocean Churning

Like the waves of the ocean
The sands of the sea
Constant and flowing
Strong... and steady.

Our love,...it moves,
Yet it stands so firm.
Unexpectedly it changes
And like a fire it burns.

Through storm and current
And every sea-tossed wake,
There's a peaceful calm,
Like the ripples of a lake.

It travels the earth,
And never stops progressing.
Ever-steadily flowing,
But never a love digressing.

With all my heart,
This promise I'll make.

That like the ocean
Which never stops churning,
Our love is a flame,
Which never stops burning.

-Your Adam
Shortly after reading it to me he gave me a folder. The folder held the where-abouts of an acre of the ocean floor off the shore of Hawaii, which now belonged to me. He then asked me to blindfold myself again. Once we stopped the car he told me to sit still because my last gift was in the trunk, ( lies all lies). He then opens and closes the trunk. Then he opens my door and reachs for my hands. It was very scary walking when I couldn't see where I was going. I soon was walking on snow. It crunched beneath my feet. When we stopped Adam held me close and whispered words of forever. He then became quiet. He asked me if I could hear the ocean. I heard water flowing and became very scared, I didn't know where I was and I didn't want to fall in. He hugged me tight. He asked me to take off my blondfold. The next moment he was on his knee. The diamond ring he held up caught all the light in the darkness of the night. The candles on the bridge twinkled and the snow was so bright. He then asked me to spend eternity with him. I said "uh-huh!" It was so special. Finally, our friends came out from underneath the bridge.



We were sealed in the St. Louis Temple on March 16, 2008.

What a Glorious Gift

Tonight Adam and I went to a baptism. I love being out here because there is a new member every couple of weeks. J was so fixed on watching the boy in the water.
The baptism talk really reminded me of something. She began to tell her son how important baptism is. She turned to 3rd Nephi and said, "When Jesus came to the America's he didn't mess around. The very first thing he did was preach baptism among the people." If I truly am trying to be like Jesus I cannot be afraid to invite people to repentance and baptism. Also, I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot and will not even try to imagine how my life would be without it. I love that Heavenly Father can guide me so easily through the Holy Ghost. I can feel when something is right and I can feel when I've done something wrong. My life would be completely messed up with out this powerful gift. Even in my darkest hours I was able to feel the spirit testify, it all depended on if I would follow. How grateful I am for the Gift of the Holy Ghost!! It rescues me all the time!!

I was baptized January 14, 1994
I WILL FOLLOW!!

She's My Mom!

My mom turns 45 next month on July 8th. Rose Marie was born in Bronx, NY and lived there throughout her childhood. At 19 she joined the Navy. While in the Navy she married my dad, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had 3 children, recieved her bachelors and masters degree, tranfeered over to officer status and traveled the world on the Abe Lincoln and the Ike air craft carriers. She worked in the field of weapons and had many leadership postitions in the military. Although this 5'1 125lb woman seems small and fragile she is "hard core" and you didn't want to get on her bad side. She was put in a situation where she had to work and provide for her family and she never let down her responsibilites. She retired last February after 23 years of active duty service.

Momma always wants the best for her family. She has high standards for them and has given all she can to make them happy and to provide them with things to succeed in thier lives. Although she has always worked hard she has ALWAYS remained a lady. She loves looking beautiful, latin dancing, word find puzzles and shopping. She has a weakness for nice shoes and purses. She sees what she likes and she gets it. She has worked hard for all the beautiful things she has, including her children. Among many things she taught me to always get my eyebrows waxed, to give my unused things to Salvation Army, and to always feed the missionaries or any one who comes over.

When I was a young adult I became unactive in the church and it was her who constantly put my name on the prayer list and pushed me to join institute. Without her constant push and sometimes annoyance she is the reason I have gained the testimony I have. She is the reason I am a strong member today and the reason I was able to come to a realization of my purpose on earth. Although at times I thought she was making me the most miserable person, she is the one who introduced me to the way of true happiness.


To me, my mom has been superwoman. She has always done it all and never slowed down. Unfortunatly, last month she had a breast tumor removed. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and all my thoughts about her are changing. After her surgery I couldn't stay long to see her because I didn't want her to think I was sad. I left the room sick inside almost in tears. For the first time I saw my mother as a little girl, hurting and sick from the side effects of surgery.

She has to go through 16 weeks of chemotherapy in hopes that her cancer will go away. They say it is a cureable type but they are not sure where the cancer is coming from. Next week is her second treatment. Adam has been so nice to sacrifiice his education at BYU to travel with me to my mom's so I can give to her what she gave to me, constant care and love. A little chance for me to return my appriciation. My mother is Heavenly Father's little girl and every day I notice that more and more. She is not superwoman and she will not be able to do it all. I just hope I can be there to support her, to help her, and that with her kids there and  her grand-baby, she will feel her purpose in this trail.

I ask that you will have a prayer in your heart for my sweet mother. That she will be able to fight the dis- ease that has attacked her body. I will be sure to post her progress throughout the next 6 months. Heavenly Father has provided us both with comfort and confiedence. I love my momma and I really hope that she doesn't mind that I posted this.

Like this months Relief Society message stated: " [We] were taught and prepared for the circumstances [we] would personally encounter in mortality.." What a relief that we are truely able to handle all that is asked of us!!