Five Hours

What takes five hours? Well lots of things but for me right now it takes five hours to for me to drive to Nashville and for Julee to drive to Auburn. The last couple of weeks I had the opportunity to visit Julee while Allen was at a conference and Julee came down here during the kiddos fall break. It is great to live close to family...at least relatively.

Here is Isaac wearing some awesome goggles after we went swimming.

The kiddos and Uncle Allen

The spaceship at Hickory Dickory Park.

Auburn Stadium

After our picnic on campus

Saying goodbye is hard to do.

And a live concert in Nashville. What else would we do in Nashville?

I love family. I love living so close to one of my sisters.

I choose teenagers

What words do you associate with the word teenager? By the reaction I get when I say that I teach junior high I have a feeling that a lot of negative words come to mind. When I say I teach/taught junior high these are common phrases...

"Oh bless your heart."

"Oh you are so brave."

"That is a hard age group."

And the list could go on and on. Yes it is true... it is a hard age group, but I love them and I chose them. It was the perfect fit for me. Yes, they are awkward, and sometimes cruel, but they are so impressionable and cute at the same time. Oh I just love them and miss them and they make me laugh. They also give me strength. One of my favorite, most memorable lessons I ever taught was a lesson about Sacajawea. I had the students get in a circle and we discussed the difficulties that Sacajawea had to deal with in her life. We then went around in a circle and one by one shared something that was difficult in their life. They shared, they were mature, they were so wise. Sometimes teenagers get a bad reputation, but they are good and they are strong. This evening I have been reading notes left by many of my students on facebook to our little one who passed away. They have such hope. They have courage and faith and love. Yes I chose teenagers and I choose teenagers.

OJHS I Love You

As a teacher I saw some of my students struggle with things that I wish they didn't have to struggle with. Some of them developed eating disorders, some of them have really awful lives at home, some of them have had parents and siblings pass away. Junior High life is difficult enough without these big struggles that adults have trouble dealing with. Yesterday a tragedy occurred that will affect all of the students at OJHS. A student was killed by another student driving a car. You can read and watch the news here. I didn't know the driver, but I coached Maddi in track and she was such a cutie. She was so happy and so helpful. She was one of those students that I loved to be around and hoped that our little one would be like. Oh those poor kids at OJHS that might not have an understanding of the Plan of Salvation. Oh those poor kids who know both the parties involved. Oh those poor kids who were at the bus stop and saw it happen. How do you teach them to love and miss Madi, but still forgive and have compassion on the driver? Oh the poor driver whose life is changed forever by one mistake. Sometimes I just wonder why these little ones have to have so much to bear?

I love all my students at OJHS. I miss them so much. I wish I could just be there with them right now so we could hold each other and cry together. I am so proud of them for rallying together. Today they are all wearing pink in honor of Maddi. They are so strong. I love them. I miss them. I mourn with them.

The Set Up

Well we found out that beside a bike getting stolen, we have also had a few packages stolen. Apparently UPS and FedEx just leave packages on doorsteps when you aren't home and down here in the deep south that means if there is a package at a door step someone else can take it. I try to joke about it, but I feel so violated. I feel so unsafe. I keep telling Allen that maybe we should move, but he reminds me that it will probably be the same anywhere we move... at least anywhere that has the same rent that we pay. So Allen thinks we should set the thief up. We should put a package out on our door step... a package that has a tracking device... and then install some cameras out side so we can have a video of the theft. What do you think... is it a good idea? I just don't understand why people steal. I think I am more upset about the packages then I am about the bike. When you move to a new place and you are all alone, a package from an old friend just makes you feel loved. Now I don't know what was in them, I don't get that feeling, and I wonder if I am really safe.

Trials and General Conference

Trials... I know that trials are necessary for us to return to God, but sometimes they seem so heavy to bear... A couple in our ward just lost their sweet 21 month old little girl. My best friend lost her husband in a car accident after only being married a year. My dear friend lost her sweet Grammy to the battle of breast cancer. We know numerous couples that want so badly to have children but struggle with infertility. Some friends of ours gave birth to premature twins only to lose them shortly after they were born. We have friends who struggle financially. There are so many trials that we face here on this earth. My heart aches for these dear friends. We pray for them each daily. Sometimes I want so badly to do more, but I don't know what to do... This weekend as I listened to general conference, I had a few thoughts. This past week Allen observed therapy of a couple that is having quite a few struggles. As he watched this couple talk about their difficulties he felt for each of them. It turns out the husband is in Allen's class that he TA's for and Allen later administered a test to the husband. The husband didn't know that Allen had observed his therapy session and he said if he hadn't seen the therapy and he would have just met the husband he would have thought that he had everything going for him. He would have never guessed that his marriage was on the rocks. I realized that so many of us have struggles and trials that are hidden. We may not know what is really happening with our neighbors or ward members. Even those with evident trials like our friends above, we may see them at church and they appear to be doing well and we let them be. As I listened to President Uchtdorf, I realized I cannot do this. He said, that we need to focus on those things that matter most and that includes relationships with our fellowmen. The only problem is I don't always know how to do this. I get self conscious and think, what can I do to help? Maybe they don't want me to help. But I think most of us need a friend no matter if we are struggling with a trial at the moment or not. That is one thing I walked away from conference is I want to be a better friend.

I also loved President Monson's talk. There is so much to be grateful for. I am amazed and in awe of the friends mentioned above. Each of them have such faith and courage even amidst their difficult trials. My best friend once said, I could mope around and be depressed and I would totally be justified... but my husband doesn't want me to be sad and our Heavenly Father doesn't want us to be sad... "Men are that they might have joy." Each of these friends above are my example. I love each of them and am so grateful for them. They have something that is so precious taken away from them, but they still count their blessings. I want to have an attitude of gratitude like President Monson talked about.. an attitude that each of these friends emulate daily.

There are many more thoughts I have from conference, but this is the last I will share. I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the promise found in Matthew 11 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I know that amidst trials and at all times The Savior is holding our hand giving us strength to bear whatever it is we are asked to bear.

At the beautiful funeral of our little 21 month old friend, the song "I know that my Redeemer Lives" was sung. Some words from the song... (Not in order of the song)

I know that my Redeemer lives!

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives to comfort me when faint;

He lives to wipe away my tears;

He lives to calm my troubled heart;

He lives to bless me with his love;

He lives to plead for me above;

He lives, and I shall conquer death;

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend;

He lives and loves me to the end;

What joy this blest assurance gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives!

I know those words are true. I know that He lives and that because he was resurrected, we too will be resurrected. I know that our friends who have lost someone so dear will see them again. There is so much to be grateful for. I love general conference. I love the spiritual rejuvenation I feel from listening to the Lord's Prophet on the earth today. I know that each of us struggle, but the Savior is holding our hand.

http://www.olsenart.net/

Maybe I am too trusting...

I grew up in what I like to call small town Oregon. A place where you can go to the grocery store in your pjs and you usually run into someone you know. It was a small town where I felt safe in my home, safe out and about, safe running by myself. Growing up we never locked our house except for at night. We didn't lock our cars. I thought this was how everyday Americans lived. Then when I was in high school, and my parents decided that they better lock the doors, I was really put out. Why would we need to do such a thing. I thought of it more as a hassle then a safety precaution.

Then I moved to Happy Valley. Once again I felt safe and once again I didn't lock our car. I learned to lock the house, but not the car. Never did anything get stolen. Pretty good odds huh?

Then we moved to Alabama. Last week we bought a bike for me. $50 dollars... a pretty good deal. We only have one lock so Allen locked the bikes up together. They have been locked right outside our front window. Well today, Allen rode his bike to school and therefore took the lock. He asked me if I wanted the bike brought inside since it wouldn't have a lock. Who needs a lock. Isn't everybody like me? I have no desire to steal someone else's bike and property... why would anyone want to steal my bike and property. I told him I thought the bike would be just fine. Well, Allen got home tonight and asked if I did something with the bike. No I said I wasn't going to bring it inside. Well apparently some people aren't like me... some people do steal bikes. That is right. My bike that we bought last week was stolen. Allen said, "too bad they got a bike with a flat tire." I now realize I am no longer in small town Oregon. I am no longer in Happy Valley. I no longer feel that safe. I thought it was good to be trusting and hope for the good in people. Now I don't know what to think.

Weekend Trips

The Last couple o f weeks we have taken some weekend trips down to Florida. For Labor Day we went to the beach with our friends the Bertagnolli's. The waves weren't amazing, but it was still a white sand beach and warm water. It was fun to just play in the water most of the day. We did do a little reading since Allen hadn't finished Mocking Jay yet. We are finished with it now and we are still deciding if we liked the book. But as for the beach... we loved an oil spill free beach day down in the Gulf of Mexico!

And then yesterday we went down to Tallahassee for the BYU Florida State game. We lost, but I thought it was so much fun being with BYU fans at a live football game. We didn't play great, but the second quarter gave us something to cheer about. Since living down in the south people have asked me how I like the humidity. I have always said it isn't so bad but this is because I could be in AC most of the day. Well yesterday I decided that the humidity is hot and almost unbearable... especially when I am 7.5 months pregnant. Oh it was pretty uncomfortable. Luckily they let us take our camelback into the stadium and the consessions were nice enough to fill it up with ice again after I told them I was pregnant. I try not to use the pregnancy card, but yesterday I didn't feel bad about using it at all! We went to the game with our friends the Jensens who are also die hard BYU fans. Even if it is a rebuilding year, we still love our Cougars! We found that Florida fans were relatively kind and the concessions even gave their Mormon visitors a little gift....

Rise and Shout!

The Cougars are out along their trail to fame and glory! We love BYU. We are really happy that we have some friends out here that are true blue fans too. But as much as we think BYU is amazing and cougar fans are the best... they have nothing on Auburn's pre show tailgating party. Starting Thursday and Friday afternoon, people started setting up tents all over campus for their tailgating parties. The crowds were crazy. Cars were parked all over campus including on the grass (BYU would never let that happen.) We learned that the kids in the elementary schools are taught the Auburn Fight Song. This apparently is football country.

We heard that this was a small turn out. These are the tents by the stadium, but there were tents all over campus.

Most of the tents were Auburn Tents. You have to have Auburn gear to live here.

Well... even though the ward criticized our shirt choice we were more excited about the BYU game than the Auburn Game so we wore our BYU shirts to the Aburn tailgate. We were able to watch the exciting game with some other BYU die hards. This was one of the first BYU home games that I missed in 8 years. I guess I better get used to missing home games but I loved seeing the stadium and the mountains on TV.

Other news... Sabey Baby is growing. Here I am 29 weeks. We just have the football season left and our little one will be here.

Toto, we're not in Provo any more

That is how I felt Saturday Night. We had Stake Conference in Georgia (which is a different time zone. So we have to leave two hours early, but when we leave GA at 10, we really get into Alabama at 9:45. It is kind of strange). Anyway, we decided to go with some friends to dinner afterwards which was in downtown Columbus GA. Well, that is when I realized we weren't in Provo. Bars and clubs were every other door. Cops were everywhere. We smelt cigarette Smoke and saw everyone drinking as we walked to the Restaurant. Living in Small Town Oregon I had never seen anything like this in real life. Allen said down town Tucson is a little like that, but he never went there. Well, I guess we are getting a taste of the world outside the bubble.

We also know we aren't in Provo by the shorts. Men and women alike in Alabama love short shorts. The men where short khaki shorts with no shame.

The women wear these silly running shorts everywhere. Don't get me wrong, I would wear these if I was going running but these girls are not going running. They all love the Nike shorts, and they have to have some kind of trim. If you don't like standing out then Auburn is the place to be. I would say that 90% of the girls in Auburn where these shorts and a t-shirt everyday. A group of girls will be a the store and they all will be wearing the exact same thing... Nike Running Shorts and a t-shirt.

Besides the Short shorts and the new life style... We are loving it here in Alabama. We have a great ward and we have already made some great friends. We are all settled in... Allen has started classes... and I am working on projects, applications, and enjoying this time at home before the real work begins. We will be posting Pictures of our Sabey Baby soon.

Our New Place!

Here is the long awaited (for some at least) video and picture tour of our new apartment in Auburn, Alabama!

Our Living Room:

Our Office, which is connected to both the living room and the dining room:

The Dining Room, which is connected to the office and the kitchen:

The Bathroom, obviously:

The Kitchen:
And finally, our bedroom (that's right, all because two people fell in love):

And Cameo didn't want pictures of the second bedroom which is "a mess" due to our lack of baby furniture. However, I'm positive Cameo will be anxious to post pictures of the baby's room when everything is ready for Sabey Baby.

So, after the few minor initial set-backs of two cockroaches, a broken washing machine, a broken water pipe, a leaky toilet, and no mail key, we finally feel settled in and somewhat at home.

The Move...

Well we packed up our little life in Wymount and got the truck all packed on the 23rd of July. We weren't leaving till the 27th, so we lived in our living room on an air mattress and camping chairs for a while. Home sweet home.
Our last weekend in Provo we ran the Pioneer Day run. Allen got first place in his age division. I got my slowest time in a 5k ever, but I think I might have gotten first place in the pregnant division.

The Provo Temple was basically closed the entire month of June and July, but it opened the day before we left. We already miss having a temple so close.

On the 27th, we said good-bye to our first home. I will miss the people, I will miss the memories, but I do not miss the cinder blocks.

And we were off on our four day journey to our new home. Allen is ready and excited

First stop... Cameo Colorado.

Day 2 we drove through Kansas. This sign almost enticed us to stop.

Day 2 was a lot of this... flat flat and flat

We also celebrated our 3rd Anniversary while driving through Kansas.

Happy Anniversary!

We celebrated our anniversary with our dear dear friends the Last who recently moved to Kansas. It was so fun seeing them.

This is what we saw on Day 3. Not bad!

We stayed the night in Tennessee with the Phillips (my sister) and I don't know why we didn't take any pictures with them. But I am pretty excited that we are only five hours away.

And then on Day 4 we made it. Sweet home Alabama!

We love it here already. We have had a warm welcome from the ward. We have met a lot of people. The humidity is pretty humid, but we are getting used to it... at least I am. I don't know if Allen will ever get used to it. I have see two huge cockroaches. While they gave me nightmares, I am told that I am lucky having only seen two. We are just about moved in. It is looking pretty nice and there are no cinder blocks. Not bad. We are lucky to be here. We even went to my first and Allen's second professional baseball game. It wasn't the Yankees, but at least it is MLB.