It's not me, it's really really you

It was not hard to leave Alabama. As I've been telling people, it's not in my top 50 states. I don't understand why anyone lives there. We have cars, buses, planes, feet... why doesn't everyone just leave?

I tried really hard to think of positive things about Alabama. So after weeks and weeks of pondering, here's the short list:

• The southern accents made everyone seem nice. And charming. And interesting. Even Mason picked up a bit of a drawl.
  

• I liked that religion was part of life. Though not my beliefs, it seemed that people were more open and vocal about theirs. I liked seeing all sorts of chapels everywhere. I like to see people having faith in God. Billboards and bumper stickers are not my style, but to each his own.

• The drivers were courteous. They are really nice about letting people in and leaving room in the intersections and in front of exits. Then again it wouldn't have mattered if the traffic wasn't so bad all the time...

• The humidity was really good for Mason's skin. He didn't have a single rash or patch of eczema until we were back in UT.

And that's it. So even though breaking up is hard to do... it's just not this time around.

Christmas Eve

Jason woke up on Friday with a big smile on his face. "Mason" he said, "It's Christmas Eve". Mason, who gets excited about anything/everything threw his hands in the air and hollered "WooHoo!".

Saturday was the last day for new sales and installs. Although we are still in AL for the rest of this week to wrap things up, having the office officially closed was certainly cause for celebration. Mason and I decorated our hotel room with signs and drawings and our celebratory dinner was Subway sandwiches and Oreos (yes, I feel like one of the box car children)

Wait, if work is over how come Jason is still gone until 3am counting inventory and boxing equipment? Well, he does have a lot of loose ends to take care of but I think UPS is coming today and then we're really almost done.

I love thinking that this time next week I'll be home. In my own place, sleeping in my own bed, and cooking real meals!

Working where???

I feel like we are in the middle of no where. We are a few hours inland and it feels like all small towns and country roads.

Overheard: "We have a few sales reps heading to Utah to work so we need to figure out what techs are going to go install for them."

Utah? You mean that place I've been pining after for several weeks? That Utah? I'll go!

No. It's spelled Eutaw. It's just another little town in Alabama. No one is going to Ut-ah, Utah.

Not yet...

new house...again...

We've moved out of our corporate housing and into...more corporate housing. We're in a hotel for the remainder of the summer. I'd complain about a few little things, but some of the people in our office have been in hotels the entire summer! It's actually a lot nicer than I had imagined. And the breakfast is like real breakfast. I've been wondering how in the world we are going to eat nutritiously for the next while, so this is a huge relief that at least one meal a day will be decent.

So today we...settled in. Woke up to wet sheets (no, no accidents, just a lot of humidity). Tried to convince Mason to stay in our room. went shopping for milk and grapes. Found out driving to the store is a bit unnecessary, as it's practically on the other side of the parking lot. We attacked the room with antibac wipes. Tried to teach Mason to keep his shoes on or put on socks. Father and son played golf in the hallway. Mace was reunited with the remainder of the techs- he ignored Uncle Joe and hugged Trent. Went on a date to Subway with my boy. He hugged and kissed me enough to make me blush.

I found out this place is around the corner:
It's a historic plantation house. In a previous life I would have made it a point to visit here. Probably not going to happen in my new MomOfAToddler life.

We have two queen beds in our room. Every time Mason even moves in his sleep I launch out of bed thinking he's falling off. He's fine.

The pool here is closed. That's what the sign says. Some clerk said otherwise. Mason thinks otherwise. We will find out for sure when we climb the fence tomorrow and see if we get kicked out or not.

Global Gospel

I like to travel. I had the chance to visit some really neat places when I was single. Jason doesn't like to travel. Fortunately for me, his job has given us the opportunity to continue to see new places. Since being married we've lived in California, South Carolina, Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, and Alabama. After each place we move home to Utah.

In Utah, the LDS religion is a big part of society. As a matter of fact we refer to it as "the church", as if there is no other. In all of my travels, and in each place we've lived, we've had the opportunity to find chapels to worship in and meet members of our church. Although the make up of the congregation changes, the good feeling amongst fellow members is always the same. We are always greeted and welcomed. There is something about being LDS that makes the world a little smaller. No matter where we are, there are always questions like "do you know so and so", "my daughter goes to BYU", and "my grandson served in that state". Ironically enough, we usually make at least one semi-close connection with someone.

In some wards we are quickly integrated and made to feel like long time members. In other places we are introduced like new visitors every week. Sometimes we are grouped as the "summer workers". In our current ward they actively try to recruit us. I've never in my life had so many people encourage us to move into a ward permanently. This is a small, older ward and they are eager to have more members, more strength. One lady brings our son a new book every Sunday and just melts my heart.

I'll confess, there are times in this ward that I have to physically concentrate to keep my eyebrows from raising. Some comments are unusual. Pivotal words in a scripture are mispronounced thereby drastically changing the meaning. The meetings are conducted in a typical manner, but laced with casual southern hospitality. For example, in Relief Society, a teacher could be mid-lesson, even mid-sentence and will stop to greet a late comer sneaking in the back. The women share their strong opinions with out reservation and without waiting for a break in conversation. Back home the teachers are usually gifted with clear communication or extensive knowledge. That's not the case here. I'm not saying that to be judgmental, for I've learned so much from my time with these people. Their faith is simple. And their faith is strong. Every time I feel myself being critical, it is followed by an opportunity to have my testimony deepened. The experiences that are shared are close to miraculous. They believe in prayer. They trust in the priesthood power. It's been a wonderful experience to be surrounded by these faithful saints.

for the record

Although I write about most of our adventures on Mason's site I thought I would include a few pictures of our summer. Then I realized I'm the one who takes the pictures so I'm not going to be in many of them. I found these two, one of the Gator Farm and one at Pensacola Beach.

So, for the record, I was here.

Day to Day

I feel bad I haven't written more often lately. Living in Alabama is certainly a new kind of life. I have a couple of half finished essays in my head, but honestly there's just not a lot going on with me to write about. My life is either focused on one kid or the other, and I update their sites more faithfully. Mason is a delightful challenge; Lucky helps us focus on the exciting future. Jason works hard and I'm proud of him. Our lives are quiet. Our day to day activities don't change much. I still haven't even met some of the other wives out here. But that's fine.

I have everything I need.



It's really hot here. The heat index was between 110-115 last weekend. I'm a big sunscreen nazi, but even sunscreen won't help in heat like this so we stayed in. For the first time ever, Mason got a bit burnt on his shoulders. I felt like a huge failure. We were swimming in the rain that day.

We go to the library every week. I check out a quick mystery, parenting books, and a movie. Mason gets to choose whatever he wants. It feels good to read regularly again.

I've discovered how much I need to be outside- now that it's just too hot to be out. I really miss the mountains, of course. I also miss our yard and the parks. Some times I get bored, so I try to focus on the simple, sweet life of being a wife and mom. We're fortunate to have Jason around, even though he's working and can't always play with us.

And that's life. It's mostly thinking about the next meal I need to get ready and wishing Mason took regular naps. And trying not to look at the calendar too often...

Happy August!

The Shed

We ate here. On purpose.

announcing...

(Jason put it on Facebook so I guess we're official now)

Today we found out we are having a boy. Which means we are having a baby!

We kept it quiet for a while. As quiet as puking all the time can be kept. Most people found out by a call like this "Hey I have some news and I need some help". (Shout out to all the substitute "moms" Mason has had lately).

It's exciting to find he's a he, he's healthy, and that everyone is okay. I'll certainly say this year has already proven to be the most trying time of my life. It makes the joy all the sweeter. We've only known the gender for a few hours, but we've already made grand plans for "our boys".

Click here for Little Lucky's site.

home

What is home?

Is it our house? The place we list as our permanent address? Is that home? We know our neighbors. We like to work on the yard. I can walk around in the dark and not stub my toe. Our books sit on the shelves just-so. We paint the walls and dream about future remodeling. Our son's feet make a pitter pattering sound in the hallway. Is home the place you think you are for the few seconds before you fully wake in a new place?

Is it my childhood home? The place I always feel welcome? The place I feel so comfortable I act a little less than my adult self? It smells like home, but it's not a specific smell, but the essence of memories and time. The place where everything is so familiar.

Is it the place I spend my extra time? The location of most of my memories? The place on the mountain I feel I could drive to with my eyes closed? We go to work, to rest, to gather, to share our lives with each other. It's a spiritual location, similar to how you'd imagine God's home. I love it for it's trees, the view, the rain, the pond, the dusty roads and even for the mosquitoes- for that is what love is.

Is it the far off land? The place I knew nothing about and will probably never see again, but as soon as I was there it felt right? Felt like home. I felt such unjustified ownership, such illogical pride, for that part of the earth. I could picture myself happy there... even though it was so far away from everything I called "home".

Or is it where your heart is? Where you feel you have to go to continue to breath? Even though the physical location is one I never would have chosen, it's where I want to be. It's where we can be together, it's where we are a family. The actually dwelling is just a temporary place, but I feel like we have permanence as long as we're together. Perhaps as long as you have love, you have a home.

alabama

Wondered why they were putting the books in plastic bags at the library. Then out of no where the rain started. People were waiting outside to see if it was going to let up. The rain got heavier. I kicked off my flip flops and ran for it, splashing through the puddles that were more like small ponds. Got to the car in about 20 seconds. Got soaked to the bone it that same amount of time.

The sky was clear by the time I got home.
I think I am going to like it here.