April 2017

Steve and I were just heading to Earthfare to pick up some groceries when we decided to stop at a car dealer and just look at what they had in their used car collection.  Steve was looking for a very specific type of vehicle in the right price range.  I was starting to think this vehicle did not exist because I felt like we had looked at everything out there.  It was either the wrong suspension type or the wrong price.  I was about to be pleasantly surprised.  We walked on to the lot and Steve spotted the Xterra immediately from 200 yards.  We took it for a drive and I liked it.  The next hurdle was the price.  The original monthly numbers were WAAAAAY out of our budget.  When I told the salesman what our monthly payment price point was (which was well under half of the original figure) he said he would do what he could, but he doubted he could get us that low.  When he came back with a look of total surprise on his face I knew we were probably driving this car home.  Long story short, we are now a three car family.

Welcome to the family LeeLu!

The best part about this whole thing is the texts we sent to Jeremy and his response.  Keep in mind that is it April 1st.

Me:  We have a new toy!  Be home in it.  

Jeremy: ...Are you implying what I think you are implying?...

Me:  Find a key ring for your Camry key.

Jeremy:  Well, I'm gonna wait until you get home to believe you because of the date.

Me:  Well played.  You got us.

Jeremy:  Hahah.  I was raised by you.  It's more in character for you to prank me than buy a car for dad.

Me.  Are we really that predictable?

Jeremy: No, I'm just that good (And to be honest you had me convinced for about 30 seconds.)

Imagine his surprise when I drove in without his dad in the truck with me.  He still didn't completely believe me until Steve came home with the Xterra.  The joke really was on him.  

That night the three boys (Steve, Jeremy and Nick) drove the  new toy to the Priesthood session of General Conference.  Naomi and I stayed home and ate pizza and hung out.  It was a good day. 

Sunday we had the Polera's and Sandra join us for dinner and the second session of conference.  We made a Cafe Rio dinner and Sandra made an amazing flan for dessert.  There were several really good conference talks.  It was fun to have guests for dinner and conference.  

Right after dinner Nick said he didn't feel well and excused himself to go upstairs for a bit.  About half way through conference I heard him throwing up upstairs and ran to help him.  He didn't stop throwing up  for 36 hours.  We traced it back to some feta cheese he had eaten with his snack earlier that day.  Food poisoning is no fun.  I watched him really closely because the last time he had food poisoning he ended up in the ER with colitis.  Luckily that didn't happen this time.  

April 5th Steve was home with food poisoning as well.  He had eaten some chicken tacos at work that had probably been out a little too long.  When I got home from school that day I went through everything in the fridge and threw out anything that was even remotely questionable.  This would end here and now.  

April 7th was a half day at school and it was a good thing.  I made it through the half day and spent the rest of the day in bed with body aches and slight nausea.  I was in bed for the next 48 hours except for Naomi's soccer game first thing on Saturday and church on Sunday.  It was weird, but I was back up and at it by Monday, the first day of  spring break.  

We spent spring break getting a bunch of things done that had been on our To Do lists for way to long.  Jeremy spent some good time with his friends and opened his own checking and savings account so he could have his paychecks direct deposited.  I finally got to painting the cabinets in the bonus room.  They would now match the new shelves Steve built me.  

The custom shelves Steve built for the bonus room.  They are finally painted.  

The work station on the opposite wall from the shelves.  It is about time I paint them.  I will post the after pictures once They are done.  

The new cabinets just as you walk in the door.  We needed these for the few things that had been on the storage shelves.  The goal is to make the room feel put together.  

On the 13th, Steve took the Xterra into our Nissan service just to have it checked out.  Everyone was amazed by how clean the car was inside and out.  Steve felt better knowing we had purchased a good car.  In fact, one of the service guys offered to buy it off of him.  No way!

Sunny called and invited us to visit for Easter.  We weren't planning on going anywhere for Easter so this was a fun surprise.  We all piled into the truck on Friday morning and took off for a fun weekend in Knoxville.  It is always fun to have cousin time.  We ate pizza, planted Tootsie Rolls and played with the neighbor's dog.  It was a fun first night.  

Planting Tootsie Rolls.  

Playing with Oscar, the neighbor's dachshund.  

The next morning, while Bradden was mowing the lawn, he discovered that our Tootsie Rolls had actually grown.  The kids had a great time harvesting their Tootsie Pops.  It was fun to watch the looks on the kids faces.

It's a bumper crop.

So surprised!!

Best! Garden! Ever!

After harvesting our garden we went back in the house to decorate Easter eggs.  The kids really got into this and we ended up with a very colorful collection.

Hard at work coloring eggs.

We tried doing tie-died eggs with shaving cream and food coloring. 

In the early afternoon Sunny and I took the little kids, Naomi on down, to see Beauty and the Beast and then to the park to run off some energy.  The big boys went to see Kong.

Playing in the lake.

Feeding the geese.

That night we had a BBQ in the backyard and sat around talking.  The kids were in bed a lot earlier Saturday than Friday.  We tired them out.  To be honest, the adults were all tired as well.  

The next morning we all got up and went to church.  It was fun to see Bradden in his new role as the bishop and to hear/see the cousins sing with their primary friends.  The Easter service was really nice.  After church, we changed into our travel clothes and started on our way home so we would have time to get ready for school the next day.  I love that Bradden and Sunny are so close so we can go for weekend visits.  

April 22nd Nick started driver's ed.  He wasn't excited to spend 6 1/2 hours in school learning about driving, but he knows he has to do this in order to get his license.  He is excited about that part of the deal.  

That same day, Leslie and I had to coach the soccer game as our coach was on a spring break vacation with her family.  The girls really did all the work themselves.  We just cheered them on and helped assign positions.  They won their game and had a blast in the process. 

The week of 4/24 to 4/28 was Spirit Week at the middle school.  Each day had a theme leading up to the pep rally on Friday.  Below are two pictures of impersonation day. 

Naomi as Bob Ross.  She is convinced he has a magical unicorn living in his hair.  That is the only way he doesn't every get paint on his clothes while painting.  It makes sense.  

I dressed up as Georgia and Georgia was Gwen Stefani.  

I had to include this picture of our iris.  They are so beautiful this year.

Friday, April 28th was prom for LNC.  Jeremy took his good friend, Mary Grace.  They are both seniors and wanted to go to their last prom together just to hang out and have fun.  It was fun to see them both dressed up and ready for a fancy night on the town.  

Doing the flower exchange. 

WOW!  They both look so nice.  

They kept it serious as long as they could.  They are now back to their goofy selves.  This is what I am used to when they are together.  

They had a really good time at the dance just goofing off and spending time together and with friends.  Jeremy wasn't going to go, but Mary Grace talked him into it and he is glad she did.  

Bring on May!  We are ready for ya!

March 2017

March 1st I dropped Jeremy off at the school at 4:30 am.  He and the cast were off to Nationals in Lexington, Kentucky.  They had earned all the money they needed to send everyone to the competition.  The excitement level was high as they boarded the bus for their first time ever at Nationals.  

Later that morning I got to spend some time with Sandra packing up all her mother's clothing and getting everything ready for donation.  I always enjoy my time with Sandra.  She is a lot like her mother.  She shared a lot of memories while we worked.  It was a good thing for both of us.  

That night there was a HUGE thunderstorm.  Naomi and I were out driving in it as there was a choir practice for the regional conference.  Our ward had been chosen to provide the choir for Elder Cook's visit. Naomi and I were excited to be a part of it.  

March 4th Jeremy called that night to tell us that their play had won several individual awards, including best live music and outstanding cast members for Harry, Jace and Teddy.  The did not place 1st or 2nd but were just happy to be there.  

March 9th was New Beginnings for Young Women. Justice Stewart worked hard to make sure the night was a success.  Our new Beehives felt welcomed and the rest of the guests enjoyed themselves.  I'd say that is a success.  

Justice Stewart chose "How To Be A Foxy Lady".  She put a lot of her personality into the night.

Our new Beehives that will join us during the next 9 months. 

My current Beehives performing their skit.  This was definitely one of the highlights of the night.

Me and Jordan Polera, our Beehive teacher.

March 12th we woke up to snow.  It was also the day of the Regional Conference with Elder Cook. There were so many people expected to attend that the event was held at the Bojangles Coliseum.  The nice thing about the snow was that everyone else that would have been on the road stayed home that morning and the highways were almost bare.  We arrived early so we could run through the numbers with the organist and make sure everyone had a seat.  The conference was very inspiring and it was a privilege to be on the stand with Elder Cook.  Naomi was excited to get to see an apostle up close.  Each speaker added their own flavor to the day and we all walked away better for having been there.  

In the Green Room before the performance.  Naomi is getting her goofiness out before the performance.  

Timeline of the snow.  Winter at 9:30.  Back to early spring by 11:30.  Typical of North Carolina weather.

A quick practice before the meeting begins.

March 15th, Jeremy registered for college.  We still have not received the official letter of acceptance or any information about tuition, but he was excited to get to sign up for classes.  It is starting to feel real.  

March 16th was the traditional pre-prom dinner with Bishop Beckworth at Ciro's.  Jeremy and I went to pick up Elizabeth.  She is not allowed to single date until she is 18 so I had to be there in order to honor that rule. Jeremy was really nervous about the night.  Elizabeth was having an off day and had been texting Jeremy weird comments all day long.  When we got to her house she did not wait for him to come to the door.  She bust out the front door as soon as we pulled up and wouldn't let Jeremy get her door for her.  She seemed okay on the ride to the restaurant.   I dropped them off at the restaurant and then headed to the church to be with the  Beehives and run the activity.  Afterwards, Nick and I hurried back to the restaurant to pick up Jeremy and Elizabeth and drive her back home.  I asked about the dinner and Elizabeth was short and curt with her answers.  "It was okay, but I guess I was just not hungry.  It didn't taste very good."  Needless to say, it was an awkward ride back to her house.  When finally arrived at her house she almost didn't wait for the truck to stop before she jumped out and ran to the door.  Jeremy said the night was a nightmare.  She was moody and no fun to be around.  She was on her phone the whole time and would not engage in conversation.  He was nervous about spending the whole evening with her at prom if she was still in this mood.  I felt so bad for him.  I wanted to drive back to Elizabeth's house and give her a piece of my mind.

The Laurels and Priests (and their dates) with Bishop Beckworth before dinner. 

March 17th was the 5th and 6th grade dance at school.  I went back to the school at 5 to pick Naomi up and sat and laughed with Mrs. Osburn who was monitoring the bathrooms and making sure no one left without a parent.  The kids were cracking us up.  At one point a group of boys came running down the hall and yelled into the girls bathroom, "Hurry up!  They are playing our song."  At another point several kids came running out of the Cafetorium saying, "Yuck!  I just can't listen to another Jacob Sartorius song."  Such entertainment.  

When I got back home a very solemn Jeremy pulled me aside and said Elizabeth had called and told him he was boring and not fun enough and didn't want to go to prom with him anymore.  He told her he would honor her wishes but he did have her corsage if she wanted it.  She told him to return it and then hung up on him.   He was upset and relieved at the same time.  He had done everything he could have done to make her feel welcome with the group on Thursday at dinner but she didn't want to have anything to do with him or the group.  I asked him if he wanted to go to prom with the group and he said he didn't want to go at all.  He said he was personally relieved and that he felt bad that he felt relieved.  Such conflict.  In the end he decided to stay home and spend the night doing whatever came to mind.  

March 18th I met the Laurels and Priests at the front of Highland Creek for pictures.  Jeremy was off shopping for new church clothes with Steve (which was exactly what he wanted to be doing).  Everyone looked really nice and they were excited about the dance.  They didn't ask about Jeremy because they didn't know yet.  Jeremy was supposed to be going with Elizabeth's ward.  That would give Jeremy some buffer time to deal with the aftermath.  Once the youth, especially the boys, found out they really had Jeremy's back.  That made him feel better about the whole situation.

Such a handsome/gorgeous crew.  

March 19th Naomi woke up with a really sore throat and the rest of us were just drained emotionally and physically after the busy schedule we had been keeping up so we played hookie from church.  It turned out that we all really needed a day to enjoy some down time and recharge.  Nick spent the day creating a new remote controlled car using the old body but a new engine from a remote controlled helicopter.  It made the car go really fast.  It was awesome.  I love spending time with my family.  They are the best.  

This storm was really cool.  The sunset was behind the approaching storm and it made the sky glow.  The picture doesn't do it justice so you will have to take my word for it.  

Nick came home from school on March 22nd really excited that his history teacher had recommended him for Honors history next year.  Nick has really enjoyed having Mr. Bates this year.  Way to go, Nick!

On March 29th Jeremy picked up his cap and gown.  It is starting to feel more real that he is really graduating from high school this year.

March 29th-31st Nick was at the Sound To Sea field trip with his fellow classmates.  It was a fun three days filled with adventures and learning.  The kids learned about the ecosystem on both the ocean and sound side of the island.  They also got to play in the water and have fun.  Nick had a blast. On the ride home the group had a great adventure when a tire on one of the buses blew.  They used the second bus to transport all the kids to a nearby elementary school so they weren't standing on the side of the highway. It took a bit, but eventually they were on their way home again.   They were a few hours later than expected but they all had a fun story to tell about their adventures.

The view from his window.  

Hanging on the beach with his friends.

Another of his favorite views.  We want to have a beach house some day.  

Inside the maritime forest.  

Coming out of the forest on to the beach.  

As if this month hadn't already dealt Jeremy a few bad hands, I FINALLY got a response from the financial department at SVU (after calling multiple times and sending even more emails).  We had filled out the FAFSA form back in November and had not heard anything yet.  The first payment was coming due and we did not know anything.  In fact, Jeremy's acceptance letter had still not arrived although they were emphatic that it was in the mail (for over a month now).  Something was not feeling right here.  In the end, the financial department sent us numbers that were $10,000 more than they quoted back at the open house in October.  Jeremy, Steve and I talked about it after Steve got home from work and decided that it would be better for Jeremy to stay at home and get his generals done at the community college, go on his mission and then transfer to a 4 year college at that point.  Going to SVU for his generals would cost him $30,000 a year (if tuition didn't go up again while he was on his mission).  At CPCC that same education would cost him $6,000 a year.  We called and talked to UNC Charlotte and they told us that transfer students from the CPCC system were their favorite because these students came in focused and ready to do well...and graduate!  He also realized that it would be less than 6 months from the time he started school to the time he turned 19 and would put in his mission papers.  That is a lot of money for 6 months.  The selling point for Jeremy was when I casually mentioned that he could live at home and we would get a third car so he could go back and forth to school and work without having to rely on us for a ride if we weren't paying $30,000 for tuition.  The deal was sealed and I could see the relief on his face when the decision was made.  He was still a little sad at not being able to go away to school, but he was relieved to be able to go on his mission with no school debt and do it more on his own time table.    Usually I have to hound him to send an email or make a phone call that is SVU-related.  This time he went right to his computer and sent the message to his counselor that plans had changed and he wouldn't be attending in the fall after all.  Jeremy has been much happier and more content since we made that decision.  This was definitely the answer to my fasting at the first of the month.  It is the right answer for him. 

I taught myself to knit in the round in order to make this Griffendor scarf for Haylie.  She wanted it a certain way and I delivered.  

March 31st Naomi went to Haylie's Harry Potter birthday party right after school.  She had a the best time playing quiddich and doing all things Harry Potter.  I picked her up and the two of us headed to the Polera's for the Beehive fondue and movie night.  The girls enjoyed dipping various treats in chocolate and then we all watched Moana.  We also had a chance to play some ping pong during the course of the night.  I love serving these girls with Jordan.  We make a good team.   

February 2017

February started off with Jeremy getting accepted to SVU.  This called for a celebration.  Jeremy wanted to give Razoos a try.  It was a fun night with everyone trying something new.  Their gumbo, alligator and fried pickles are amazing.  Afterwards, we headed down to the church to watch the Young Women play their basketball game in the semi-finals.  

February 4th we cleaned all day long just to catch up on things that should have been done but we were just too busy.  Steve finally had some time to start on the custom shelves around the window in the bonus room.  It was a productive day.  

Naomi showing off some of her art that is displayed in the hallway.  She gets better with every project she takes on.

February 5th was Superbowl VI.  It was also a fast Sunday.  I spent the day fasting for a way to pay for college now that we had been accepted.  Most of the finances were in place, but I needed some guidance with the last little bit.  The Superbowl was a really good one.  The Falcons were ahead 28-3 in the third quarter but the Patriots pushed back in the fourth and sent the game into overtime.  The Patriots won the toss and the game 35-28.  WOW!!

February 9th I got a call at 6 am from Sandra to tell me that her mother was in the ICU and not doing well.  Would I please arrange for a blessing as soon as possible?  I got Steve out of bed and called the bishop.  They got up to the hospital at 8:00.  I couldn't go because I was subbing all day and it was eating at me.  Steve called after the blessing and told me that Sister Ford was not doing well and in the blessing Bishop had told her it wouldn't be long.  I was just hoping I would be able to make it in time to see her one last time.  I got the call from Sandra at 1:00 that her mother had passed.  The kids in my class were really cool and understanding and gave me a few minutes to get over the shock.  I love these kids.  When they need to be understanding and sympathetic they rise to the challenge.  My only consolation at not getting to see her one more time came when I called Steve after school.  He told me that I would always remember her the way she was during my last visit a few days before.  I was an amazing day and we had a great conversation.  Sister Ford was full of stories and mischief, as usual.  He told me that would be a much preferred memory to the tubes and oxygen mask of her last moments.  I will miss her.  

That night was the big fundraiser performance for the theater department.  They were hoping to earn enough money to pay for everyone to go to the national competition in Kentucky the first week in March.  The Young Men and Young Women came to support Jeremy.  It was a lot of fun and the cast did an amazing job.  It was their best performance yet.  

February 10th (a day early as the weekend was full of stuff and Jeremy would not be around on the 11th) we celebrated Nick's 15th  birthday with Papa Murphy's pizza and presents.  I don't know why I don't have pictures of the cake and opening of presents.  Nick is always doing something creative with his straws so I was really excited when I found this funky straw kit with bends and turns.  He loved it.  

Happy 15th birthday silly man!

February 11th I drove Sandra to the airport.  Sister Ford wanted to be buried next to her husband in Las Vegas and so Sandra was helping honor that wish.  The whole ride down we shared stories and laughs and a few tears.  Sister Ford was an amazing person who will always occupy a piece of my heart.  Heaven is a happier place now that she is there.  I can just imagine the party and her getting to SEE everyone again.

After I got home from the airport, we took Nick to the mall and went shoe shopping.  He was one happy boy.  Shoes are what make him smile.

February 17th we all went to see the Batman Lego movie.  It was hilarious and we all enjoyed every moment of the movie.

February 18th we piled into the car and drove to South Charlotte to see Alexis and her new twins, Harrison and Holden.  They are more adorable in person than in their photos.  Harper, their 3-year-old sister showed us around the house and even gave us a tour of her new swing set in the back yard.  Naomi and I got to sit and hold the boys.  We loved it.



February 19th Jeremy turned 18!!  We went to church and came home to eat a Chinese dinner.  I had to leave shortly after dinner to pick Sandra up at the airport.  She had a lot of stories to tell of how wonderful the service was for her mother.  She seemed more relaxed but tired.  It would be good for her to have some down time.  I took her some dinner so she would have something to eat that night.  The Relief Society had arranged for several more meals to come in during the week.

Back at home we had banana creme pie and opened presents.  I still can't believe my baby is 18 and will be going off to college and a mission in the next year!!!!

February 20th was President's Day and there was no school.  Jeremy and I went clothes shopping.  He has grown and needed a few new pairs of pants and shoes.  We enjoyed the time with just the two of us.

February 22nd I went to the eye doctor in the morning and was planning on spending the day getting stuff done.  Liz was taking the afternoon carpool so I didn't have to worry about that.  I was just finishing lunch when Tabitha called and asked for some help.  Paige had split her pants at school and needed a new pair but Tabitha couldn't leave the house as her other two little ones were home with the stomach bug.  I was so grateful I had the time to help her out.  I took the pants in and got a pass to pick up Haylie and Paige after school so Tabitha wouldn't have to leave the house with sick kids.  Tabitha does so much for everyone it felt good to be available to help her when she needed it.

February 25 Jeremy asked Elizabeth to church prom.  She was really excited and said yes.  They are both excited and in planning mode for the night.