It's happening

Riley came over this morning at nearly the same time as the moving van. He looked at me and said, "I guess you really are moving." We all feel the same...denial. It seems like I'm just running around, doing something on the list, crossing it off and moving to the next "to do" item. When asked about the move, I kept telling friends..."I'm just not thinking about it". Well now it's starting to sink in. With movers running in and out for the past three days and looking for things I just put down only to realize it's packed up somewhere, I'm starting to believe it's actually happening. We've talked for years about moving and opportunities always fell through, so it's only natural to think this won't happen either...only IT IS! Right now I'm frantically trying to put the last ducks in a row, printing off mapquest directions for Ken who is driving our third vehicle along with two cats and a hyper english springer spaniel, paying on-line bills and making final posts and emails...before they pack up my computer. After that, it'll be painting, cleaning and then the girls and I will be heading to Phoenix for a couple of days with my family before boarding the plane for Jackson MS on Monday. Wish us luck!!!

Joys of moving

Why is it that when it's time to move you start fixing up the house for someone else to enjoy instead of fixing it up to enjoy yourself? Well...that's what we've been doing for the past while. We had new tile installed and painted inside and out. The tile guys managed to leave about 2 inches of dust on everything so it looks like we'll be taking quite a bit of AZ dust with us to MS. The tile did turn out great but since I'm not used to walking on it...my feet are killing me! I've decided that I don't like tile. I'd rather have hard wood floors so I guess it's ok that I won't be staying to enjoy the new floors. We've also been dejunking for weeks and didn't even make a dent. Then, when the movers came, all the remaining junk seemed to have multiplied. We've given away tons of stuff, appliances etc and still the "main mover" said we're probably over the weight limit. Guess that's what you get when you have an "emotional attachment to everything that comes into the house." (my disorder) I boxed up my teaching files and books (which added greatly to our 'overweightness') and closed the door on my classroom for the last time yesterday. It was bitter sweet...I love what I do and who I work with...I'm just tired and really am anxious to just spend time moving into our new life and being with Ken and the girls without having to worry about grading homework.

Spur of the moment...

Have you ever done something out of character, spontaneous and spur of the moment? Well, I did earlier this week. With time running out here, knowing we were going to be half way across the country and nowhere close to Disneyland...I decided early Sunday morning that it was "do or die" time. So...after church, the girls and I, along with a very surprised friend who we invited, headed to Anaheim for two days at Disneyland!! We had been talking about going for over two years, even planned a couple trips that fell through and time was running out...so we just got in the car and went! Crazy! Ken was still in MS working when I called and told him we were going. He's never been a big fan of going so the first question he asked was "Do I have to go?" I told him "No, cause we're leaving in about 30 minutes!" Needless to say, he was pretty shocked! On the way, the girls kept saying it didn't feel like we were going to Disneyland cause they didn't get any "build-up" time. But once we pulled off the freeway at the "Disneyland" sign...it sunk in!! Unfortunately Monday happened to be the first day of Spring Break for most of CA and AZ so EVERYONE was there. We did get in early and rode all the big rides a couple of times before the crowd really hit. We loved the rollercoasters but I didn't enjoy getting soaked in Splash Mountain just before the Electric Light Parade...cold! Tower of Terror was awesome and California Screamin was the best!! The one thing we missed was getting pictures with the Princesses. It was always a minimum of a 2 1/2 hour wait...they don't walk around the park anymore. We must have walked a hundred miles and after the drive home I literally couldn't stand up! My hips were frozen in place (not as young as I was the last time we went...13 years ago!) We had a great time and now I can leave without the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" regret.

Elder Riley

Among the wonderful things that have happened in our family, I think the one that has been the most amazing has been Riley's conversion to the gospel. He took the hard road through his teen years and first adult years, then took a 180 degree turn! Nearly an Alma the Younger type experience. It has been awesome to witness. Well, for his birthday he asked for a suit because, he announced, "I'm being ordained an Elder!" We were thrilled!! He just glowed when he stood to be presented and those that had known of his struggles could see the change and were there to congratulate, support and love him. It has been a tough road, we've struggled as parents to understand how to help him...sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Ultimately, it was between Riley and the Lord. It is true, "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Some parents aren't privledged to see the "turn around" in a wayward child...I just happened to be so blessed. Riley is now enjoying the blessings of the gospel and the happiness it brings in living a life filled with the love of Christ.

Arizona Family

How wonderful it has been to be close to my Arizona family. Since moving back, I've been around for the births of three of my five nieces and one of my four nephews. Although I live a bit away from my family, it's always fun to be with them for holidays, birthdays and special events when I can. This past Thanksgiving I got a couple of the cutest pictures of the cutest girls ever...my neices. Bethany (made me an 'aunt') is 11, JonnaLee just turned 10 and the little ones, Lily (5), Alexandra (4 this month) and River (will be 4 in May)
The hardest part of this entire move is the fact that I won't be just a couple hours away from my family...at least a couple hours by car. I love being able to 'run up' to Phoenix and spend time with everyone there. I am grateful for the time I've had, for the memories made...for the haircuts, lunches and dinners out, the shopping trips, just talking times, and Black Fridays. I am especially thankful that we were all together for Christmas and had a group picture taken...who knows when that will happen again! Of all the things that I missed about leaving Utah, that doesn't compare to leaving my Arizona family. I will miss everyone terribly!!

Roses

When I left Utah and came to Tucson I missed nearly everything...grass, leafy trees, my basement, Apollo Burger, the Orem library...just tons of things. But I missed my roses more than I thought I would. It wasn't until my mother gave me a bare root rosebush for Christmas that I realized how much they meant to me. I cried over that rosebush! Later, when we had our backyard landscaped here in Tucson, my sweet husband had the landscaper dig 12 rosebush holes. He didn't want to give me just a dozen roses, but a dozen rosebushes to fill our house with the roses that I love. Boy am I gonna miss them!! They say you can grow beautiful roses in Mississippi. We'll see!