Mr & Mrs Smith

I had a hard time falling asleep last night and I still woke up with this heavy heart and something more than a desire - a need - to share my testimony (I wrote this a week ago). Maybe it is because I'm leaving and I hate myself for leaving family, friends and a community where I didn't share what being Mormon truly means. The Bible belt we live in has long ago enlisted unwarranted anti-mormon propaganda that has made our way of life unaccepted and awkward to explain, even to close family. I have appreciated living in a God- fearing community with people who love Christ, but people talk when you aren't around and it isn't always easy to bring up the Plan of Salvation or dive into the Restoration, but now I ask myself how come? Nothing is more important to me than sharing what I know to be true with my family. So why have I failed them? I've heard the world say we are not Christians. Apparently being members of The Church of Jesus Christ means we worship a diffe...

#1 My passion, spirituality, love and creativity are spurred from my emotions. When I become negative, self-defeating or worse, pawn my negativity onto you, then you should help me dial back to my happy state. But simply feeling like something isn't right, when I'm unsure or shed a tear, just listen, hold me and tell me you'll be there. Most likely I just need a moment to think. But before that moment, I need to feel it. #2 This lesson I need to embrace. I need to give up those greener pastures and window shopping. I need to skip down the freaking sidewalk and be okay even when questions are unanswered. I don't need to feel pressured into answering questions. I have today to keep believing, loving and enduring happily. #3 Exactly. I try to share my story here. I try to share how completely average I am and how I'm okay with whatever comes my way, sometimes shining light onto the dark times. Even when things seem like trials or complacency, I...

I said the official goodbye to this little lady today. We had our farewell dinner last week since I had a quick trip to SC and they have a quick trip this weekend. It's really hard to say goodbye to her and what keeps me from going insane is knowing airplanes & social media exist. We just had so many plans I can't even explain, and it's just hard knowing we will both be forced into pin-pal land. Girls nights, date nights, random photoshoots and visiting teaching just won't be the same without you friend! And deep down I know good friendships like these don't come easy, so they don't say goodbye easy either. Best friends for life isn't just a coined term on friendship bracelets. It turns out, you can still have best friends even when you're old like us (of course she is older). It's a relief really, to know that. She might be the reason I don't hate Mr Smith for moving to Hickory. The world is a happier and more beautiful place with a face ...

We love Grandma. Happy memories on a cloudy, humid day.

Since September ended up being a surprise vacation, we have picked up our feet a bit. And have decided to enjoy this last month with our friends. Amy & I got our first picture together and Lexi experienced her first boat ride . . . it would have been a complete success except for the fact that it was a little too long so she got ornery on the way back. We love Asher & the Burkharts. Brooklyn and Lexi pretending to be friends for a few moments.   Dad also took down her bed this month. I did not like or support it, but alas, I lost the battle. She ended up on the floor many times until we created a barrier for her. The first week was pretty painful as she would come to our room at 5 AM to finish off her last two hours, but now she goes down easy and stays there until morning, often playing (because we keep her door shut) until she decides she is hungry and wakes us up. Mr Smith didn't have a valid reason, just an impulse to ma...

I know you heard we were moving... again .  It's really hard for me not to share when things happen, especially BIG things. This one was a little different though. You don't really want to scream it. Or can't. Any way, we're moving again. And I need to at least document that. Just know it was sudden but perhaps the push we needed and wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Our days in Hickory may be counted down, our 30 day notice is in. But it could be extended. There just isn't much incentive to extend; it becomes a money pit if we don't decide quickly. And Mr Smith definitely decided sooner than me that boxes were needed. We could make a life here for another 5 years, or just go where Mr Smith's heart has always been. I know I've had a love / hate relationship with this place. And honestly I feel awkward calling any city home. I wonder why we came here and at the same time couldn't imagine not knowing or seeing the people and pla...