The Good News

I had a cool missionary moment a couple of weeks ago that I've been meaning to post. A girl around 18 years-old, knocked on our door and asked us for a Book of Mormon. What? Yep, that's right! She said she saw the Elders a few blocks away and asked them for one but they didn't have any left so they directed her to our house. She walked about 4 blocks in the humid heat to our house to get one. She said that when she was about 12 years-old she was baptized after the missionaries had taught her and her mother. Since then, her mother left the church and she followed suit. She said that she regrets that choice to leave since that was the place she felt the Spirit. She lives in Louisville, KY and was just here for work so she gave us her information so that we could give it to the missionaries in that area. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she was so excited to have one! That doesn't happen very often--especially in the south when someone asks YOU for a Book of Mormon. Jared had a book in his car and we were more than happy to grant her request! She is supposed to write to us to let us know how she's doing! It really brings happiness to share the gospel--the good news with others! Have you had a recent missionary moment? Comment here on my blog or email me--I'd love to hear it!

Drive In

Jared and I used to go to the drive-in movie all the time when we lived in UT. We found a drive-in here that's about 30 minutes away from our house. Last night we went with the Ball's and the Neely's and saw "Kung Fu Panda" and "Get Smart". I'm sure the movies were great, but I can't confirm since I fell asleep for both of them. The best part was hanging out for an hour or so before the movie started and talking to Malinda and Krystin while Jared, Nathan, and John threw the football around and all of our kids played together.

Who Knew A Napkin. . .

We had the Elders and Sisters over for dinner last night. Sister Smith cried because she was laughing so hard when I showed her our wedding napkins (seen in the picture) that we still have left over from 11 years ago. Tears rolled down her face as she gasped for air (is it that funny?). Since it brought her so much er. . .joy?. .I gave it to her as a souvenir from us. She was very excited about that. Sister Thacker and I kept laughing because Sister Smith was laughing so hard. The Elders and Jared stared at us girls laughing about nothing. I think they were as confused as I was. Who knew a napkin would bring such hysteria?

Rootin-est, Tootin-est Bubbles

I guess Nash is finally rubbing off on Coco. She came sauntering in to me the other day wearing Scotty's cowboy boots! She was singing (sounded pretty twangy to me) and blowing spit bubbles (better than if she was spitting tobaccy). She's my little cowgirl! Yee-haw!

Bye, Bye Elder Niccoli

Elder Niccoli went home after serving 2 great years in Nashville! He was a legendary missionary and was loved by many! He was the missionary serving in Smyrna when we first moved to Nashville and then he was transferred later to Mt. Juliet when we lived there! We really grew to appreciate him! His mom and brother came to pick him up! We will miss you, Elder Niccoli!

You Have a Head

Daddy: Do you like Mommy's hair?
Coco: Yes! It coot!
Daddy: Do you like Bryn's hair?
Coco: yep!
Daddy: Do you like Scotlyn's hair?
Coco: it cooly!
Daddy: Do you like Daddy's hair?
Coco: You not have hair, you have head!
Mommy (belly laughing)

No Southern Accent Here All Ya'all

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The Inland North
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Go here to take your own test! What American accent do you have?

Sisters, Sisters, la, la, la. . .Sisters

Mount Juliet now has sister missionaries (we still have elders, too)! I am so EXCITED for my girls to have these great examples in their lives! Jared recently became ward mission leader so I'm sure we'll have them over quite often and I'm glad the girls will get the chance to talk with them and see that they, too, can serve a mission someday! Woo-Hoo!

Vacation From Reality

The last two days have been action packed for us! We spent time with the fun Frost family which I refer to as my "vacation" since I did little, stayed away from our house, and played! The first day we tried to go strawberry picking and the place was closed because the strawberries are gone, so we decided to take a picnic to Long Hunter State Park on Percy Priest Lake. There is a fun playground and a gorgeous trail around the lake. The next day we went to the free movie (at Providence they have free kids movies at the theatre during the summer), walked around the outdoor mall (Jill, unbeknownst to me, bought all the girls sunglasses from Children's Place) and then hung out with them at their house where my kids ate all their snacks and messed up their house (I'm trying to remedy that now). Bryn and Taylor tied ribbons on their flip-flops and we decorated letters for the girls' rooms. It has been a great vacation but after all the fighting and whining I'm ready for school to start again!

Alaska, I'm Coming Home

I wish! No, I'm coming home to it in a different way. . .through memories! I've recently been reacquainted with some friends from Alaska. I see their pictures, read there stories, and it makes me miss the motherland all the more. I don't think I've ever seen such beauty anywhere than in the majestic mountains, the calming rivers, the beautiful ocean, and the dancing Aurora Borealis (northern lights) than in Alaska! Someday, I'll make it home again. . .

Just a Man, A Hero to Me

My dad died when I was 11 years-old of colon cancer. When I was growing up my dad taught me many things but the thing I learned the most was how to enjoy fishing. First, he made lists of things he needed for the fishing trip and had maps of where he was going. Second, he taught me how to hold the fishing rod correctly. Third, how to cast the line into the water. Finally, how to reel in the big ones. Although he taught me these things while he was living, the importance of this activity I learned after he died:

1. YOU GOTTA HAVE A PLAN (that ones for you, Jim). Setting goals of what to do with my life and the direction that I wanted my life to go seemed easy enough. . .but life doesn't always work out the way you had planned. Which was the thing I learned the most.
2. Hold on tight! Although he wouldn't necessarily be considered a religious person, my dad showed spirtitual strength in his love for nature and his family. This strengthened my desire to hold to the iron rod (the Word of God) and choose that pathway.
3. Give it everything you've got! Dad taught me that by casting my whole heart into something and having fun doing it, I can expect the best of outcomes.
4. Here comes the big one! Whether it's blessings or trials, a big fish, or a dirty shoe, I know I can handle and reel in anything that is hooked onto me!

Dad taught me how to gut the fish, too, which I enjoy doing, but I couldn't tell you how that's helped me in my reel life. So, I'll just end by saying my dad was just a guy who loved John Denver, nature, and fishing. He had a Ph.D. and was a succesful psychologist. My brother once said that even though he was just a man that everyone knew and loved, he was a hero to me.

Sprinting Spunk

Jared thought of a great idea. In order to stay close to Bryn, teach her a skill for life, and get some bonding time in, he's teaching her to run. He bought her a cute little running outfit and started teaching her the basics. They ran about a mile and a half the first night (even in humid heat). Bryn was very excited about it and came home and talked non-stop about it. I think he may be on to something. . .

Our 3 Gifts

Jill rocks the house! She watched our girls for us while we celebrated our anniversary today. She did their hair (put lipgloss on Cokie) took pictures of them, printed it, put it in a mounted 11x 14 frame and had a big bow on it and a card from the girls by the time we picked them up (only about 3 hours). Did I mention she has 3 little girls herself and her hubby wasn't there? She's amazing! Jill, you are elected SuperFriend (another hero of mine)!

My Superman

Eleven years ago today I got to marry my sweetheart. According to this, the anniversary gift for the eleventh year is something made of steel. Lucky for me, Jared (being My Superman) is already made of steel. In fact, he has superstrength when he holds the weight of the world at work and then flys home with superspeed to play with the girls. His x-ray vision (some may called "over-protectiveness") helps his family to remain safe (and see right through any fibs from the girls). Although it can sometimes be a problem for the rest of us, his photographic memory recalls everything we have said or done in the past. I know there are many fans of My Superman, but not the least of which is his girl and his girls. I love you, Jared! Happy Anniversary!

Grateful

So, I got about 2 hours of sleep last night. I kept replaying yesterday's events in my mind. I saw Coco's look on her face as she looked up at me through the water, then I would have a flashback freak out session, then calm down, and the cycle continued all night until about 4:30 a.m. Tired as I am today, I am determined to have a happy memory of yesterday and when I looked back through my pictures I found some of these precious moments. I am truly blessed and grateful.

Coco and Scotlyn annoyed by my picture taking, wouldn't look at the camera.

Bryn excited to finally be at the lake with friends.

Surfer girl, Scotty!

Coco making a new friend that "quacked her up"!

A Second Chance

 

Today, just hours after I posted the entries below, we got a second chance with our little Coco. I took the girls to Old Hickory Lake and took a few pictures (this one is just minutes before) of them playing. Coco seemed to be pleased as punch standing in the sand just near the water. I thought she would feel the same way about water as she did last year when I took her to the lake--indifferent. So, I went over to plop myself down in the shade. Just as I was sitting down, I had the feeling to look up and take notice. I looked and I couldn't see Cokie anywhere. I kept scanning and I finally saw a pair of tiny hands just above the surface of the water. Adrenaline pumping, I ran and jumped in the water fully clothed and snatched her up. What if I hadn't listened to that still, small voice? What if? I feel terrible and sick about what could have been. I've been beating myself up all day. Yet, I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me another chance. I get to keep dancing with my Coco-rella.

There Once Was a Girl

. . .who had a curl right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good. But, when she was bad, she was horribly cute. This little girl has been quite the character the last few days. I think she really thinks she's "fo-teen".

Pitter Patter

It has been said before that Coco has a loud footstep and every morning I reminded of this fact. She's our little alarm clock when we hear the pitter-pat, pitter-pat of her little feet on the hardwood as soon as she steps foot off the stairs and hurries to our room on the main floor. It puts a smile on my face hearing those little feet. (This picture was taken in Atlanta on our memorable visit).