What A Weekend: Presented in Pictures

Parade, held July 3rd (coldest I can remember in YEARS!!): (Pre-parade show...classic cars, one broke down RIGHT by us....got towed off by a 4-wheeler.)

Walking through the Field of Flags, July 4th:

(When I took this picture, Jake was chanting, "'Merica! 'Merica!!")

What a wonderful weekend of remembering and honoring those who have suffered so that we might have what we enjoy.

My Favorite Holiday is Here, Yet Again

The older I get, the faster time flies, and the sooner it seems that I celebrate Independence Day.

The other day, we were driving around town, looking at the fireworks stands and the many reminders of the celebrations to come. Cameron asked me, "Mom, why is the 4th of July your favorite holiday?"

I took that precious teaching moment to let him know what it's really about. I simplified the history QUITE a bit, but I shared with him the story of our country's humble beginning as a colony of England and the need for freedom, the ensuing war and touching on the lives that have been given so that we can enjoy our freedoms.

Tears began running down my cheek...we owe SO much to those men who gave their lives so that we can enjoy ours. I am truly grateful, and will ALWAYS love this holiday and the things that it brings to my mind.

Happy Independence Day, one and all!

Two minus One Equals Bummer

Last week, I had some van issues. I noticed that it wasn't staying cool when I drove around in the heat, which usually means I'm running out of coolant (we have a leak in the reservoir, so we have to fill it often.) I told my mom that I should probably add more liquid, but then promptly forgot.

Friday, after driving it around a bit, I stopped and smoke and steam POURED out. I was at Walmart, luckily, and decided to get some coolant among some other things. After getting ALL of my shopping done, I went out to the van with the boys, set Cameron to work buckling Jake in, and I filled the van with the coolant.

The noises coming from the van were NOT normal, it sounded like a big ol' monster truck or something. As I got to the Learning Center, where Cameron does developmental therapy, the van died. I took Cam in, and spent the next hour trying to get the van started. (Thankfully, Jake fell asleep, and wasn't too bothered by my "mechanics.") Finally, I decided that I needed to let the van cool, and called Steve to save me.

Since then, I have tried to drive the van, but it's met with the same results: billowing smoke from the tail-pipe.

Steve looked under the hood today and noticed that the upper hose is trashed.

It looks like we're back to being a one-car-family again. Bummer. :(

I Need a Change

I've been stuck in a rut for a while. I've found myself getting more and more ornery and grumpy with my family and it's not fair to them. Saturday I had a complete break-down and lost my mind....and my poor children were there for it. Afterward, I felt HORRIBLE! I'd said things I didn't mean to say, and did things that I vowed I'd NEVER do (Cameron got the spanking of a lifetime....*blush*) I don't EVER want to lose it that bad, ever EVER again.

I need to do things that I don't normally do.

SO, I've made a few goals...

First off, I'm making the boys breakfast. I need to make sure that they're well-fed and happy in the mornings, that SHOULD help the day run smoother.

Secondly, I need to apologize to my boys for the upset that I've caused....it will be hard, but I HAVE to do it.

Third, I'm going to make up my mind to be happier and more calm with my rowdy boys. It's the least they deserve.

Wish me luck.

Jake's also been a bit under the weather lately, it's not fun, and he's just a miserable little poop. :( He fell asleep on Steve Saturday night, just burning up with a fever, but INSISTING on having his "bankie!"

Right now, he's up in my bed, cooling off with daddy....I should go and figure something out for the poor guy. Again, wish me luck!

Baldy-McBald-Face

He did it....when I was not at home (because he knew I'd keep trying to convince him to keep his hair...)

Up close...yup, it's really *THAT* white! Cute man, with or without hair! (Love you, honey!)

My Late Night Companion....

Yup...just me and the birthday balloon....

At least it's getting some exercise by moving around the living room. (My fan in the window is blowing it across the ceiling...it makes a soft scraping noise....it freaked me out before I figured out what it was...)

Wedding and House Sitting

Yup, my week was filled with a wedding (that actually was only 2 of the days, but it was a biggie...) and then I was house-sitting the rest of the time. Steve's brother, Andrew, FINALLY married his girlfriend last Saturday. They've been together for about 4 years now, and they have a 2 1/2 year old son. We were VERY happy for them and it was a beautiful wedding. The cutest thing was when they'd walked everyone down the aisle, their son laid at the top of the stairs on his belly watching. He had THE best seat! Steve's aunt Verna came from Bonners Ferry for the wedding and his Uncle Dick came from Boise. It was great to see both sides of the family represented.

Aunt Verna made Andrew and Camille a beautiful quilt, and had them wrap themselves up in it. So cute!

My boys were anxious to get things done, they were VERY hungry, and dinner wasn't served until after the wedding.

Then they wanted more family pictures...it got hard smiling for so long. Eventually we started making faces of our own.

It was a busy day, but one that we were glad to be able to be there for.

Then as soon as we got back in town from the wedding, we packed things up to spend the week at my mom's house, house-sitting. I was also supposed to help care for my handicapped uncle. The week went well. Steve and I had been asked to talk in Sacrament Meeting today, and we spent a LOT of time trying to find information for our talks. I'm glad to have it all over with. I loved my topic though...how Heavenly Father is our perfect example of being a parent. It helped me think of how I parent my own kids and what I need to improve on.

Late last night, my guys all decided that they wanted the same "hai' cut!" I took the clippers, and buzzed all three of them within an inch of their lives...okay, well, within 1/8th of an inch of their lives. Steve is threatening to shave it all off completely. I don't want him to, but he's determined. Stay tuned for THOSE pictures.

It was a busy week, but one that I didn't have a problem doing.

Congrats to Andrew and Camille! And YAY!! My parents are home, which means I am too! :)

You Haven't Missed Me, Have You?

Sorry to have been SO out of commission lately. I'm actually not even at home right now, but house-sitting for my mom and dad while they're on vacation.

When I get home, to my OWN lovely fast Internet, I will update on my last week or so. :)

Monsters?

Yesterday I took the boys out in the GORGEOUS weather to the park. They actually played NICELY. Cam would gently lift up Jake and set him in the toddler swing and gently push him. It was one of those times when I WISH that I'd had a camera...total Kodak moment! They even played on the slide, Cameron helping Jake when he was scared and teaching him that it's okay.

Today, we're yelling at each other, fighting over the same toy (Jake's birthday balloon which Cam REFUSES to give to Jake....he just loves tormenting him) and screaming and growling.

Why is it that late at night, around bedtime, my kids turn from sweethearts into monsters? WHY!? I want my kids, not these....creatures. This is NOT what I signed up for.

More Birthday Pictures

My lousy cake-decorating skills.Jake kept trying to blow out the candle before we were done singing.

Once the candle was out, he begged to blow the candle out again, and again....finally he was ready to eat the cake, and he just dug right in.

OH, he's such a fun boy!

Happy Birthday, Baby boy!

It's hard for me to believe that it's really been two years since Jake was born, but I have to say, those have been the most fulfilling years. I love that my sweet Cameron has a fun brother that loves him as much as I love him.

I love the laughs I've had thanks to Jake...he's such a little entertainer.

He has shown me what it's like to be the mom of a typical little boy, and I sometimes wonder if I'm really up for the challenge.

But, I know that he's such a joy in our lives and I'm so grateful for him!

For his birthday, he got some things early: a tricycle and a drum. So he opened up a boring present (clothes) and a fun one...two Superman/Batman capes that my friend made. He wanted to wear his cape to church.....he says "I FLYING!" when he wears it, and then he takes off.

Happy birthday, SuperJake....we love you SO much!

Ressurection Time? I Think So...Free For All Friday is back!

I've been pretty bad at blogging lately. I think the lure of Facebook and other things has kept me from updating my blog or telling my stories here. It's almost easier to type up a simple status update rather than the whole story on my blog. So I have a solution: Free for all Friday is back.
For those who don't know: If you want to ask me a question – and anything goes – here’s your chance. You can ask about whatever you wish, no holds barred. I’ll either answer honestly, or I’ll tell you that I won’t answer.

Ready....Set.......GO!!!

Answers

Jewelle said...
What is the funniest thing the boys have done this week?

Jewelle:

Jake's is easy to remember....I might have to come back when I think of Cam's.

On Tuesday night, we were at my parents' house. It was my mom's birthday, and I had bought her some obnoxious things: a funny card (she said it wasn't as funny as I thought though), a cake, and a balloon. The balloon was a hit....for Jake. He would NOT leave the thing alone.

After playing with it for a while, he found a water balloon, uninflated. He took it to my dad and asked him to blow it up. My dad began blowing it up.

Now, imagine if you can: Jake, standing next to my dad's recliner, watching intently while another balloon is inflated. My dad, turning a little purple in the face, because, well, water balloons aren't MEANT to be blown up. And finally, my dad's black Pomeranian, LuLu...innocently lying in his lap.

Suddenly, the balloon popped. LuLu took off, running. Jake jumped backward....and my dad started laughing. My younger brother began chasing the dog, trying to comfort her, and Jake was in AWE of the loud noise.

At this point, the rest of us are busting a gut because LuLu's reaction was SO funny. Soon, Jake begins throwing blankets around, swinging his head back and forth....HE'S LOOKING FOR THE BALLOON!! Oh, my gosh! We are laughing even HARDER now....

Oh, it was SO funny! Jake never DID find the balloon.

Camping Highlights?

Camping this last weekend was....well, adventurous? My parents went up first, and ended up getting stuck in their giant motor home. They called me (thank heaven for cell phones) and asked me to bring up my dad's (*HUH*) truck. They also asked me to bring up a tow chain, not a rope, a CHAIN! I immediately called my brother, who was at my parents' house, and asked him to see if he could find a tow rope and chain. After a while, he called me back to say the tow rope dad had was frayed and he could NOT find a chain.

I braved Walmart (the day before the big holiday weekend. Insane? I think so...) and found a few things in the "towing" section. I bought a new tow rope (towing up to 5,560 pounds) a tow chain (that tows up to 5,000 pounds) and a ratchet tow chain, thingy, (that tows up to 2 tons). I took all of my stuff, that I had carefully packed in my van, and threw it into the truck's extra crevices. I turned on a movie for the boys to watch, plugged in 6 of my favorite CDs and took off.

After arriving, I was shocked to find that they WERE stuck, but at least they were off the main road. We ended up staying put that night, and all of us slept in the RV.

The next day I was anxious to get my tent up (for me, it's not really "camping" unless I'm under a thin layer of nylon, hearing wildlife and rain (or snow) above me.

Within 10 minutes, we had the motor home pulled out of it's hole (not without problems though, the jack would NOT come up, but we found the manual and my dad fixed it). Then we were off to an alternate site. The place we ended up was not nearly as pretty as the spot where we'd been stuck, but it was nice. We quickly set things up and camped out. I did a LOT of relaxing, while my boys ended up playing with Grandpa (he's their hero...)

Saturday night we made a fire, with lots of wet wood, and roasted marshmallows. I have to admit, I haven't had a good toasted marshmallow in YEARS and these were heavenly. As soon as we had finished, within a minute or so, it stopped dribbling and began snowing. The flakes were quarter sized. I was going to have Jake sleep in his playpen, but since it was SO cold, I ended up letting him sleep with me...which makes a LOUSY night for me, but at least he was warm.

The next day wasn't too bad, especially considering the snow from the night before. We did our own version of church, because there weren't enough seats in the truck for everyone, and we relaxed. After church at home got out, Steve came up with my grandparents. They stayed for dinner and dessert (yummo, cobbler, my specialty) and we had fun. I haven't missed Steve like that in a long time.

The next day was beautiful! But it was also our last day. We packed up early in the afternoon and took off. On the way down the highway, my parents' motor home had a compartment open up, they began losing toys. I hurried past them and got them to pull over. I locked ALL the underneath compartments and we were off again.

Once home, I felt completely gross, and smelled of campfire, but it was a great weekend.

The funny part came after. My dad was talking to my mom about what a great weekend it was. He said that he thought the boys had fun, but that I had been a little grumpy. My mom mentioned that I had PMS. My dad stopped and said, "Oh, well, she was GOOD then!" (*giggle* No offense taken, it's true, I was grumpy, but not as bad as I have been known to be in the past when I have PMS...)

Overall, a great time and lots of fun!

I'm So Big...

...that I try to wash my hair on my own. Mom and dad won't mind, they're busy elsewhere. Cameron can't help me because he's sick. I will do it all on my own, they will be so surprised!

I hope Mom doesn't mind me using her bath soap as shampoo, it's the only soap I can get on my own. I'll smell good, anyway.

There, all done. Now I'm good to go!

While You're Here...

Would you mind reading this story from my friend? Holy ridiculous!! Health care in this country is SO insane!!

So Excited...but with NO Motivation...

This upcoming weekend is Memorial Day Weekend (I know, you already knew that, didn't you!?) and our family's annual camping trip. Since my parents bought a motor home a few years ago, we haven't been able to get to our usual site (too many high bumps and too deep dips). Last year we tried camping in an actual campsite, one you have to pay for...and the rules stated that we couldn't even let the tires of the 4-wheelers touch the ground inside the campground. It was very sad and quite boring.

This year, we decided that we needed to find a new spot, one where we could play like we want to, and one that's still pretty. So we took a scouting trip on Saturday. The drive was fun. Jake kept calling out when he'd see horses or cows. Then we got to the forest, and Cam began worrying about bears. The weather wasn't very good...it was snowing and blowing, but at least it wasn't sticking. We drove for a while, talking and laughing and then we turned off where my uncle suggested. We drove around a little and came across THE most beautiful campsites I've seen in YEARS. There aren't any outhouses, but that's okay. There's tons of trees, and a little fire pit. There's also a small creek that runs through.

I can't WAIT to go camping now. I was excited before, but now that I know where we're going, it's making the wait almost unbearable.

I have much packing to do (and with that little creek, MUCH laundry to do so I have extra clothes for the boys...) but my motivation to do all the packing has left me. I need to be inspired, but I just don't want to do much of ANYTHING.

Before Thursday, I need to help my mom pack up her motor home, take my camping gear to be stowed on the motor home (including the tent, sleeping bags, mattresses, and playpen...not including my clothing and extra fun stuff), I have lots of laundry that needs done so that the boys can play in the mud and I won't worry about them being cold, and my messy house needs to be in order, so that I can leave. The bummer part is that Steve won't be coming, he has to work, and the saddest part is that he'll be away from us, and working ON his birthday. I know, that's life, but I feel bad. That also means I need to get his birthday present before I leave.....

Oh, so much to do....where's my motivation?

Ouch!

Steve was in a minor car accident yesterday. No one was hurt in either car. (Thank heaven!) But the cars had some damage to them. Our new-ish car now has a big black streak and a cracked bumper.

I guess Steve was pulling out of his work's parking lot, and didn't see the other car coming and they side-swiped each other. (Steve OFTEN doesn't see other cars coming...his blind-spot in the car is HUGE, but he really REALLY needs to look TWICE! I have to tell him when I ride with him NOT to go because a car is coming...)

After calling everyone yesterday, we don't have to pay anything extra, our insurance is covering it all (well, except the damage to OUR car, but that's only the $100 deductible) and our premiums won't go up either. YAY for good insurance.

Here's the car....poor, poor car.

Like I said though, I'm glad no one was hurt, it could have been SO much worse!

Why Do I Always Get This Way?

Tonight at Family Home Evening, my aunt, who has brought her girls to our family's FHE for years and years, announced that all three of her daughters (ages 23, 21, and 19) are pregnant. None of them are married, but two DO plan on marrying the fathers of their babies soon.

I'm just bummed. I know that life isn't fair, I get it, I truly do, but why them? I am a faithful daughter of my loving Heavenly Father, I try my best to do what's right, I'm married in the temple....why not me?

(Yes, it's a pity party...)

After my aunt announced this, she turned to me and said it was my turn. I only WISH it was that easy. (To be truthful, we've been trying for another baby for a while now....I wasn't too concerned about it, but when I hear news that others are getting pregnant SO easily, or what seems to ME to be easily, I freak out a little.)

I'm going to be a booger for a while, don't mind my mood...it will pass, but for now, I'm a bit bitter and upset.

They Spoke to ME

Today was our broadcast Stake Conference. (In other words, it was stake conference, but it was broadcast to each stake center in the area from Salt Lake City.) I was surprised to see President Monson was there.

The messages were FANTASTIC! The whole feel of the meeting was wonderful, but once President Monson got up to speak, I was enthralled. He was speaking directly to ME! He spoke of saving those who are lost (our lost battalions of the old and lonely, the ones who have alienated themselves from family, and the inactive members.) The whole time I kept thinking about my brothers who have become inactive. I felt the power of the prophet's words about loving them, and encouraging them to return.

I love it when I truly feel the Spirit speak to my soul! It is so wonderful!

Remembering The Important Things

I just love it when the Conference issue of the Ensign comes out. I love looking through the pictures and re-reading the talks that I either missed the first time (aka, slept through) or ones that I didn't hear because I wasn't there for it (aka, Priesthood session or Young Women's session). I was excited to hear a few talks, because when Steve got home from the Priesthood session, he was fired up and excited about them.

Thursday, instead of taking a book with me to Cameron's therapy, I grabbed the newest issue of the Ensign. I was in heaven! I am constantly in awe of the things we're reminded of at Conference...usually they pertain directly to my life. I couldn't believe all of the talks in this last session that were directed at families and especially mothers.

In one of the talks, I felt especially touched when I was reminded to speak gently and kindly to my children. I have SUCH a hard time with this. I need to remember it.

I've even been reading this issue in place of my usual bedtime book. It's THAT good! Last night, I even continued reading, past the time I was ready to sleep because I was SO happy and enthralled with the messages. That is something I rarely do with my scriptures or Church magazines.

I'm truly grateful that we have living prophets to guide us. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father STILL speaks through His servants and that I can feel the Spirit guiding me to understand and learn from these chosen men.

No, We Don't Just Live in the Past, or ONLY Watch Videos...

My extended Love Story and the Mothers' Day Videos have kept me from updating you on my family. (Well, mostly, I did a FEW updates...)

The school year is winding down, and Cameron is anxious to go to his new school. Even though his current school does go from Kindergarten to sixth grade, the DACC (Developmentally Accurate Curriculum Classroom, aka Special Ed) only goes from Kindergarten to third grade. Next year he'll be at a different school, still in the DACC, but one that goes from fourth grade to sixth. We have a transition meeting on Friday, and I am also feeling the nerves. I hope that his new teacher is as motivated as his current teacher. I have to admit, the thing I absolutely LOVE about DAC is that the teacher is the same the whole way through. Instead of switching teachers yearly, Cam has had (until this current school year) only 2 teachers: his Kindergarten teacher, and then the DAC teacher. This year, he got a new teacher because his old teacher took a position teaching pre-school. I have LOVED that Cam is more obedient to this teacher, that this teacher believes in Cameron, and that he's a MAN. Honestly, I used to think all guy teachers were boring and jerks. (Coming from my OWN experience in high school.) I never knew any male teachers who taught elementary, so I was shocked when Cam's pre-school teacher was a man. I had pre-conceived notions, and his teacher, Mr. Lange, showed me that a man can be a GREAT teacher for little kids. When I heard that Cam was going to have another male teacher, I wasn't as trepidatious as I had been with pre-school. He has THRIVED under his teacher's care. He responds better to him, and has had less bad (reported) behavior. It's been great. I've been trying to petition Mr. W to follow Cameron to the new school, but he assures me that he is needed at the current school, and that the new teacher is wonderful too. We will be anticipating meeting her on Friday.

Cameron has also had a mohawk for a while. The terms when I gave it to him were that he must be obedient, and show good behavior. This morning, the bad behavior ran amok. Cam woke up SEVERAL times in the middle of the night (once before Steve went to work at 4:00 am, when I woke up for my potty break at 5:30 am, and then again at 6:00 am....) and was a BEAR to wake up this morning. Once he finally DID get ready, he was still defiant (which, actually is a typical morning behavior for him, before his medication and all...) and got three warnings. After the third warning, I told him what was going to happen, and pulled out my hair clippers. The crying ensued, and I stuck to my guns, when he was warned he KNEW he could stop and would be able to keep his mohawk, but he continued being defiant and bratty. Good-bye mohawk. Happily though, he was much better behaved after the loss of his mohawk....yay!

Jacob has become QUITE independent. I put a bowl of fruit on the kitchen table, and in the last 10 minutes he's brought me two bananas. He can help himself to most things, which isn't always a good thing. He does dole out "I love you" often (even to someone at church yesterday....it was very cute!) And he blows kisses and makes the noisy *mwah* noise afterward. He talks a LOT, understands, A LOT, and has a great personality. He's lots of fun, most of the time.

He's also picked up a bad habit of screaming loudly in enclosed spaces and at a very high pitch. He thinks it's funny, and will do it, JUST for our reaction.

He's quite the entertainer, and even likes to show off for people he doesn't know very well. (Although he does play bashful first...) His favorite place to be is outside, and will often grab our hands and say, "Ousside!!! PWEEASE!!!!" When we agree that he can go out, he erupts with, "YAY!!" and then claps his hands.

I'm having a hard time believing that he'll be 2 next month.

Steve has finished his choir concert, which was very nice. He was even on the local news when they played part of the concert on the news. He noticed that he looks QUITE somber when he sings, I told him that he just needs to smile....we'll see. He is also getting ready to try-out for another musical. I know that I've mentioned that I HATE it when he is in plays, but I want him to participate with groups that are family-friendly, and this choir, has proved itself to be otherwise.

At his last big performance, I took Jacob and Cameron, by myself, to hear him sing at a church I'd never been in. I felt uncomfortable, and should have just left, but I stayed to support my husband. This concert was late at night, after a long day at church, and Jake was very unhappy. He didn't want to sit still and be quiet any more. So he cried and screamed. I took him out of the sanctuary and tried to calm him down, but I knew I couldn't leave poor Cameron all by himself for too long, so I went back, but this made Jake upset, and I had to leave with him again. This cycle repeated itself about 4 times. I was so humiliated and frustrated by the end of it. When it was over, Steve was carrying Jake out, and a lady, who we KNOW well, and actually invited Steve to the choir, shook her head at Steve, giving Jake the stink-eye. Steve asked her what was wrong, and she said, "He shouldn't have been given a second chance to come back."

Are you KIDDING me!?

Then she didn't stop, she kept going, "There is a reason MOST concerts have an age limit. He shouldn't have come back because they were recording this concert...." blah blah blah.

I felt about an inch high, and was SO thoroughly embarrassed that I just grabbed both boys and left. When I got to the van, I was in TEARS. How DARE she act that way? Kids are kids, and it's not like I could just take Jake and leave Cameron sitting by himself. He has anxiety issues, you don't just abandon a kid with anxiety issues.

I kept trying to calm down by telling myself that she didn't know any better, and that I was a good mommy, and it was just her being an ornery old lady.

The next concert, the next night, Jake went again, and was MUCH better behaved. The guy in front of us at this concert commented on how well behaved he'd been, and that we should have heard the loud child from the night before. I was embarrassed, AGAIN, and vowed to not take him anymore. I didn't want to even go myself.

So this time, I went with JUST Cameron to the second performance, and we enjoyed it. But there were noisy kids at this concert. I let the noise go, because, heck, I'd just been reamed for having a noisy kid at the last concert, I wasn't going to be a brat. Once the concert was over, that lady, the one who'd chewed ME out for taking a noisy child, under 8....to a concert, hugged on these kids. THEY WERE HER GRANDKIDS! I was so mad! SO mad! I just ignored her and left.

I know that the organization that he's going to try-out for is child-oriented, and I feel better knowing that if I bring a noisy child to a performance with this group, I won't be shunned, humiliated, or made to feel bad.

And me? Oh, I'm just plugging along. I was spoiled with my Mother's Day stuff yesterday. I got two sprouts that Cam planted at school, a marigold from Jake and nursery, and two bamboo plants from Steve. I am LOVING the color in my life.

I also got some cute cards, a book light, and TWO corsages. It was a very fun day. I even got to talk to my missionary brother in the Philippines. He'd called my mom VERY late at night to tell her to set up Skype. She was so loopy, and didn't know who he was (he didn't identify himself...) But she got my other brother working on it, and he set up my parents' big screen TV as our Skype. We talked with him for an hour, and got to see his SEVERE tan line, and his teeth. (LOL, apparently, in the Philippines instead of fixing teeth, dentists just PULL them out, so we asked him if he still had all of his teeth...) It was so much fun to SEE him, and talk with him. It was great. We now have a countdown date for his homecoming, and my boys got to talk to him a bit too. Jake kind of ate the microphone, and ran around, but Cameron LOVED talking to him. When it was over, he begged to do it again. We told Cam that he could talk to Braiden when he comes home in 3 months. He got very excited and did a little bit of a happy dance.

I also participated in Bountiful Baskets. A food co-op, where you pay $15 or more, if you want organic, and you get equal parts fruits and vegetables. This last week was my first time, and I quite enjoyed it. We ended up with TONS of yummy food. This last week's basket had lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, spinach, brocoflower (or as my brother prefers to call it, "cauliflocceri"), corn, watermelon, apples, bananas, mangoes, and tangelos. It was SO yummy. I still have a ton of stuff left. I may have to do this every once in a while...it's just too fun.

Saturday I also went to my cousin's wedding. It was lovely, and a big adventure. Things got a little mixed up when we went to the reception, but we figured things out. She was gorgeous, and I enjoyed talking with her parents. I don't see my aunts and uncles nearly as often as I used to.

Overall, things are going well. We're happy, healthy, and surviving. :)

Just One More

Happy Mothers' Day!

A funny and a serious looks at being a mom. I hope you enjoy it.

Love Story, Part 17: Epilogue

It's been 11 years since our story started, and since then:
We've had many ups and downs,
We've been blessed with 2 wonderful boys,
We're more in love with one another now than we were when we first fell in love.
Steve, I love you, and I appreciate you putting up with me and loving me for all my faults.

Love Story, Part 16: The Wedding

October 1999:
Steve called me the night before our wedding, "Do you think you could bring me some board games?" He was living in our soon-to-be new apartment and had an old mission companion and my cousin keeping him company. I recall rolling my eyes and saying that I was going to bed, and he should do the same.
I slept fitfully that night. When I woke up, I hurried to get myself ready. My mom went with me to my friend to get my hair and make-up done. I had wanted freeze curls, and she was able to make me beautiful. She also asked me if she could wax my eyebrows. I declined, not thinking that I wanted bright pink eyelids for all the pictures that were to be taken that day.
My mom and I went home. Things were basically in place for the luncheon and the reception. When we walked in the door, my dad was in the entry, HANGING doors. "DAD!! I have to be at the temple in 20 minutes!" His face went from calm to shock.
"Oh, I'll go get ready then."
He took a SHOWER!! UGH!! I was sitting in the living room waiting for my dad to be ready so we could go. I watched the time get closer and closer to the time I HAD to be there. I knew that Steve would be freaking out. (It turns out he was...)
We finally left, and got to the temple RIGHT before I was supposed to be there. My mom kept assuring me on the way there that they wouldn't start without me. (Duh, mom! Thanks, but I WOULD like to be there on time...)
When we were filling out our papers, I got to meet my future father-in-law for the first time. (Yes, THE first time....we kept trying to meet up, but never could.) He was so much the opposite of Steve that I was taken back. He was very sweet, and said, "Nice to meet you..." then shook my hand.
Eventually I was taken back to the bridal room to get dressed. There were a few other brides, and I was nervous. My mom helped me into my dress and then I was ready to go. The matrons working in the temple told me to sit down and wait. They told me that on my wedding day I needed to make HIM wait.
When it was time to meet up with Steve, he looked so nervous, but SO handsome! The men who worked in the temple had told him that the next bride to come out would be the one he had to marry, so he kept chanting, "Let it be her....let it be her...."
We were able to sit together in the Celestial room for a while before going to our sealing room. Those few minutes were possibly the closest to heaven on earth that I've ever experienced.
As we walked into the sealing room, I looked at my grandpa. There was an empty seat next to him, and I felt in my heart that my grandma was sitting next to him. I could just FEEL her, it was a very tender and sweet experience.
The sealing was wonderful, the sealer gave us lots of great advice and talked about the many children that we would have. He actually told us, "You will have MANY children." I still take comfort in those words. For a few minutes before the actual sealing, the sealer told us, "Go ahead and look into one another's eyes for a minute, because once I start the sealing, I want you both looking at me." That minute was an out of body experience. I felt like I saw into Steve's soul. It was fabulous.
The kiss across the alter was pure and sweet, just like our first had been.
Then came the time to be congratulated by friends and family. My aunt gave me a big hug and said, "There ARE holes in the floor of Heaven, Grandma was here." The tears started all over again. (Did I forget to mention that I was leaking all through the ceremony?)
We quickly went to change for our wedding pictures. The day was a beautiful CLEAR autumn day, but it was VERY windy. My veil was flying everywhere. Steve had to hold it down, a LOT that day.
After the pictures, we went back to my parents' house for the luncheon. To our surprise, Steve's grandparents, aunts, uncles and many of his cousins from his dad's side of the family came. There were lots of hugs all around and I felt instantly attached to these wonderful people.
After the luncheon, Steve and I went with a few other people to go and get the last minute things for the reception (goldfish for the centerpieces). After getting back, we put things together, and then it was time to get dressed again for the reception. I asked my mom to come help me zip up my dress, and she said, "You're married now, have your husband help you."
Oh, yeah! We could do that now, couldn't we?
The reception was wonderful. I was completely comfortable, because I insisted that instead of fancy shoes, I wanted to wear my piggy slippers. The same slippers that I had worn the night Steve proposed to me. My bridesmaids also wore their slippers, it was one of the coolest parts of my reception.
When the reception was over, we stayed at my parents' house and opened up our gifts. It was lots of fun, and I made plenty of jokes about how the new pie pans would be handy, Steve would be able to make me a nice pie... My poor grandma didn't know whether I was joking or being serious. She'd look at my mom and say, "She's not going to make him pies?"
The only downside of the night was my gall bladder started acting up because I hadn't eaten in so long. My mom was wonderful and made me some Ramen Noodles.
When all was done, my mom and dad let us borrow the car to go home. Neither of us had a car, and my parents CERTAINLY didn't want to drive us home that night. We didn't want them to either....
Overall that day was wonderful, and a great beginning to one of the biggest learning experiences of my life.

Love Story, Part 15

Wedding plans went along well. My dad was working hard to finish up some parts of our new house. I wanted to have my wedding reception in the house, and he wasn't close to being done. There were doors to hang, ceilings to finish, and just a lot of work left to do.
My mom was making my wedding dress, and when she was finished, she showed me. I LOVED it. Then my mom showed her mom the dress. My grandma was a sewer. She sewed things for me all the time, and she wasn't pleased with my choices in this dress. She took me to a craft store, asked my opinion on a few things and then took my dress to "fix" it. She added embellishments to the neckline and then pronounced it "done." I never told her, but I was fine without the extra embellishments, and didn't really *like* what she'd done to it.
About a month before my wedding was my cousin's wedding. I went to her luncheon and reception and instantly started to get really excited. I was going to be doing all the same fun things in the next little while. THIS WOULD BE ME!
The night before our wedding, I took out my endowments and felt such a sweet spirit in the temple. I was most excited for the next day though. Glimpsing Steve across the room was the highlight of the session. The hug in the celestial room wasn't too bad either.

Love Story, Part 14

(Don't worry, there isn't too much more to our story...)
At the end of July, my grandma was not doing well, and I decided that I needed to change my wedding date. I sat down with Steve to pick a new date. We had picked October originally, so that would work, right? We picked the 9th and then called the Temple to change dates.
My mom and grandma would work together on making my wedding flowers. My grandma had a talent for flower arranging, and I love the fact that she helped with my flowers. My grandma would lay on my parents' couch and wrap the flowers in floral tape and tell us how SHE would do the flowers if she could. I can still picture her in my mind in her frail physical body, but her strong, quick mind telling us what to do.
When the original wedding date came and went, I thought to myself that I could have been married and living with Steve, but I knew that I wanted my grandma to attend, and I also knew that couldn't happen in her current state.
August 24-25, 1999:
My grandma was dying, and we all knew it. She'd been in a coma for a while, and my dad had gotten a call to go help assist my grandpa in giving her a blessing of release. I wanted to go with my parents and Steve came along as well. My grandpa, dad and Steve gave my grandma a very sweet blessing, and then we sat around with all of my aunts and uncles laughing and telling stories about their growing up years. I sat close to Steve, grateful that I had someone to help support me at this sad time.
Around midnight, we all said our good byes (I kissed my grandma and squeezed her hand telling her I loved her) and then we went home. A few hours later we got the call that she had died. I went back with my parents, alone this time. We made plans for the funeral, and I remember my grandpa asking me if my "sweetheart" would be willing to be a pallbearer. I felt safe in saying that he would.
Then came the next week.
It was a blur, but I wasn't as sad as I could have been, I was being supported by my knowledge that I would be with my grandma again, and I had my rock with me. Steve.
My only sadness was that my grandma wouldn't physically be there for my wedding....

Love Story, Part 13

Keeping our engagement a secret didn't last very long. I ended up telling my parents the next Monday. Mom was shocked, and asked if I had prayed about it, I assured her I had. My dad just grinned and acted pretty happy.
That Tuesday, I met up with Steve and we picked out a ring. I was pleased with it, but it wasn't the ring I was in love with. I have to admit, I'm glad I got the ring I did, it's pretty, and I always remember that time with Steve at the ring store.
That next weekend we went camping with my parents. It was rainy and cold. Steve didn't think ahead and ended up bringing only sandals. (He had a soggy feet that weekend.) That weekend our kissing REALLY started getting better, and we kissed as often as possible. My sister didn't enjoy the love-fest, and ended up throwing a blanket over our heads. (All the more to kiss under, my dear...)
After that weekend, we began our plans for the wedding. Initially I thought October was a good month to get married, and then I talked to my best friend growing up. Imagine my surprise when I found out that SHE was engaged as well. They were going to be married in August, and after talking with her I thought August was a good month to get married, then we could both attend the other's wedding. HOW FUN!
Plans kept moving along, Steve and I figured that he needed to move closer to where we were going to live after we got married, so he moved into my parents' basement. I lived upstairs, but NOTHING ever EVER happened. My siblings were always around, and even when they weren't we were good. I didn't want to jeopardize marriage in the temple for a moment of pleasure. Steve felt the same, and I have to say, there were many nights when we'd have to say, "Okay, that's enough....good night." And then leave the room.
During this time, things got rough. Wedding plans were coming along, but my grandma, who'd been diagnosed with cancer the year before was going downhill quickly. AND Steve's mom, who when I first met her never said much TO me, but mostly talked about herself and the kind of life SHE'D lived, was accusing us of being inappropriate. According to her, I was pregnant and we were lying to our bishop. She'd talked to a bishop friend of hers (not HER bishop or OUR bishop, but a bishop she knew) and told him our situation (according to her.) She told us that this bishop told her flat out that he would NOT give us a temple recommend because we were unworthy.
Anytime Steve would call his mom he would end up pacing the floor in frustration. Then once he got off the phone with her, I'd break down in tears. It just felt like this woman did not like me and was trying to do everything in her power to break us apart. It hurt. How could the mother of the man I love ACT that way?
We continued to go along, until the end of July....then I realized, the wedding date would NOT work, and I absolutely HAD to change it. Grandma would NOT make it to the temple for my wedding, and I was devastated.

He's Getting it....

Tonight, my dad was talking on the phone with his step-mother. We call her Grandma Sue, to differentiate between her and other grandma's. While my dad was talking, Jake asked me, "Mom, 'pampa talk to?"
I told him that it was Grandma Sue and he said ,"Oh, G'ama Sue? And 'Pampa Sue?"

At least he makes the connection! It's just cute.

It reminds me of when Cameron was starting to understand that he had different grandparents. My one set of grandparents we called, "Grandma and Grandpa Frei (pronounced like "free"). One day Cam asked, "Mom, when are we going to see grandma's Four and Five?"

Oh, the silly things our kids say....

Love Story, Part 12

End of May 1999:
The weekend before Memorial Day, Steve had come for a visit. I was finished with school, and was missing him terribly. My parents had decided to take the day to go scouting around for a new campsite for our annual camping trip. They invited Steve to go camping with us, and he agreed to go. We drove ALL over the place, and couldn't find a place that we really loved. All through the drive, Steve and I sat in the back seat of my parents' suburban, him with his arm around me, and me snuggling up to him.
After getting back to my parents' house after our drive, Steve and I watched a movie. It ended late, and I was going to take him home, but my mom said that she would feel more comfortable if I took him home the next day. He was okay with that, and I felt the same. My sister had her friend over, and it was time for her friend to go home and my mom asked me to drive her home and then fill the suburban with gas. I threw on my piggy slippers, and grabbed Steve and we were off. On the way to dropping off this girl, Steve asked me if after we'd dropped her off if we could take a detour. I knew what he meant. He wanted me to take him to the temple. I didn't think it was too bad of an idea, but I did think, in the VERY back of my mind, "He's gonna propose."
"No, you're just being paranoid, stop thinking things like that, because when they don't happen, you're going to be upset."
"But, he's gonna propose."
"NO! Stop it!"
After arguing with myself, I dropped off my sister's friend and we were off. Once we pulled into the parking lot, I found a close-ish parking spot, and listened to the radio play, "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You." I turned to Steve and said, "Well, I would get out and walk with you, but I'm wearing my slippers. Don't worry, I'll wait here."
He smiled and took my hand. It was nice.
Then he asked, "Can I ask you a question?"
Bells were going off in my mind, "He's DEFINITELY going to propose!" But then the other part of my mind pushed those *crazy* thoughts aside. I told him to go ahead.
"Dawnyel, I love you, would you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?"
I would say shock was there, but you already know what I was thinking. I did pause for a split second to decide if this was what I really wanted, and then my pounding heart answered for me. We kissed (again, sweet, innocent kisses...) and then we drove away. As we got to the first stop light, I began laughing. He asked me why I was laughing and I told him, "I'm wearing my piggy slippers." We joked about that for a minute, and he said, "It will be a good story to tell our kids." (THAT statement shocked me a little, I mean, I was only BARELY engaged! Kids??) As I turned the corner, I was in such a blissful fog that I thought the road was a one way, and I drove on the wrong side of the road. I corrected my mistake, and then continued on. We filled the vehicle with gas, and then we went back to my house. I told him that I'd like to keep our engagement just between the two of us for a while, but that I would like to get married that fall....maybe October.
He was fine with it, and so was I. I was going to MARRY him!

Love Story, Part 11: The Doubts

May 1999:
To be completely true to my love story with Steve, I must admit that after a month and a half, I began doubting what I had been feeling. Chalk it up to hormones, PMS, whatever, but I was finding myself irritated at EVERY little thing he was doing. I thought, perhaps, I wasn't really in love with the man, but rather the idea of being in a relationship.
I took some time away from Steve and spent my time pondering and praying about whether what I was doing was correct. I wondered if that thought I'd had the first time I saw him was correct, or if I had made the whole thing up.
During this time, my eyes wandered, and I found myself thinking more and more about another guy in the Institute choir. (And yes, I still remember his name, but I don't want to mention it, because really, he wasn't THAT important of a character in this story.) One rainy day, he offered me a ride to my dorm room. I found that I was comfortable with this other guy, being around him gave me butterflies in my stomach and I quite enjoyed his company as well. The only difference? My thoughts were NOT on the conversation, I was thinking about Steve. After this guy dropped me off, I again began thinking about my situation, and I prayed again. The answer was pretty clear, not a lightning bolt or something that shocked me....I knew that my path with Steve was the correct one. I also knew that if he ever asked me to marry him, I would tell him yes, even though I HAD been planning on going on a mission, I would chose him over everything else.

Love Story, Part 10: The Kiss

Officially, Steve and I had only KNOWN each other for about a month, but we were so deliriously happy. We spent a lot of time together, and I'm absolutely sure I made my good college friends SICK of my constant Steve-talk. Usually the talk would turn from me retelling our exploits to my girlfriends asking, "So, has he kissed you yet?"
I would bashfully tell them, "No, not yet..."
Now, we both were happy, but why WOULDN'T he kiss me?
I tried not to dwell on this too much, but it was constantly on my mind.
The day before my birthday, my 20th birthday, Steve, Candace and I went to my home for a birthday visit. (My birthday that year was on a Sunday, and I was going to stay at school for my birthday, but my mom wanted me to come home for my birthday AND to attend a wedding with her.) That morning, I went shopping for my annual birthday clothes, and found some cute things, and I fell in love with a green dress, I planned on wearing it to the wedding that day.
At the wedding, Steve and I watched as the couple married, and he leaned over to whisper in my ear, "When I marry, I want it to be forever, none of this 'until death do we part' stuff." I squeezed his hand in response.
After the wedding, Candace wanted to go hang out downtown, and I agreed. My brother, Shad and cousin, Jerid tagged along. Candace had told me that she thought Jerid was cute, and Shad just thought Candace was my gift to HIM. The three of them took off once we got to our destination, and Steve and I were left alone to walk and talk.
I asked him about work and he confided that his co-workers were asking him when he was going to kiss me. I asked him why he wouldn't and he told me that the time wasn't quite right. I think I told him that I wouldn't mind being kissed and then I let it go. Then we went in search of Candace and the boys. We found them and went back to my house.
That same day we'd gone grocery shopping with my mom. While at the store, we saw one of those toy machines that dispenses a capsule with a toy in it. This particular machine had little silver rings in them. We looked at one another with mischief in our eyes. Why not stage a mock-engagement for my friends at school? He'd buy me the cheap 25 cent ring, and I'd wear it back to school, showing it off to my friends so that they'd think that he'd proposed. It was PERFECT!! We got the ring, and he gently adjusted it, and then he slid it on my finger. It was going to be hilarious.
That night, my mom and brother took us back to school. I was driving, and Steve was in the passenger seat. As we were getting out of the car at his apartment he whispered to me, "Stay behind for a bit..."
I KNEW what that meant...he was going to kiss me.
Now, remember, I'd never had a real relationship with ANY guy, Cody was the closest I'd come to a relationship, and that dork couldn't even hold my hand....this was all new to me.
My mom and brother took a quick tour of Steve's apartment, and then they left. I hung back.
The butterflies were fluttering in my stomach. I was SO nervous. Nervous, but secretly thrilled.
He gave me a hug, and then slowly we closed our eyes and kissed.
It was a sweet, innocent kiss that made my lips tingle. I smiled at him when it was over and said good bye.
I practically floated back to the car. No one really asked what happened, and I was glad.
I don't remember the drive home (which is quite scary, because I was driving...) but I remember when I got to my room I closed the door and sighed. My roommate saw the ring, my face and said, "HE KISSED YOU!"
I guess I couldn't hide it very well.

A Recipe I Love

If you wonder what kinds of things I make, don't wonder too much. ALL I make are easy and fast things. If it's not simple, I do NOT do it. Period. I think life is all about happiness, and a long complicated recipe that keeps me in the kitchen for hours and hours is NOT happiness for me.
One such recipe, which has been a HUGE hit every time I make it, is Can't Leave 'Em Alone bars.

Can't Leave 'Em Alone Bars
1 box white cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
Mix together, and press 3/4 of mixture in greased 9x13" pan.
Melt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cube butter
Pour melted mixture over crust, then crumble remaining 1/4 of mixture over the top.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
Wait until it cools before cutting and eating. (Serious, molten chocolate BURNS!)

Love Story, Part 9

During this time, we went to almost every Institute dance we could. It was just our standard Friday night plans.
One Friday night, we went out to the dance, joined by my friends (yet again) and one of my high school friends.
At the dance, we pretty much danced EVERY slow song (except one, he danced with my friend who was visiting, he's such a nice guy...) During one of the dances, my friend Candace, came up to us and asked us if we knew that another girl, Jeanie (or something like that, I honestly cannot remember her name...for the sake of story telling though, I'll call her "Jeanie.") was very upset. Apparently, unbeknownst to us, she had decided that SHE was going to marry Steve, and us dancing and walking around the Institute gym hand in hand was NOT what she'd wanted to see. So she asked Candace if we were boyfriend and girlfriend. Candace, who didn't know what to say, but knew that I wouldn't appreciate Jeanie butting in, told her that we were, then immediately came to tell us what she'd done.
We thanked her for her intervention on our behalf, and then she left us alone. We got quiet for a minute, and then we looked at one another and I asked him, "So, ARE we boyfriend and girlfriend?" (You would have THOUGHT we'd have known...) And he said, "I'd like that." I ageed and from then on yes, we were.
That same night, a friend drove us home from the dance. Once he got to the dorm, we were talking about how we might look weird when we're older, and Steve squeezed my hand and said, "I'll always love Dawnyel, no matter HOW old and wrinkly she gets." *fairy dust....fairy dust*
I was a bit stunned, but in a good way. I not only knew now that he liked me, but he "loved" me. I felt bad that I didn't say the same thing back, but it would have been awkward given the conversation.
I was just glad that now I KNEW how he felt toward me, and that I was feeling the same way toward him.

Love Story, Part 8

Shortly after the belching contest, Steve became a frequent visitor. He would come and see me in my dorm room, and would stay and watch TV with me. Often, he would call just to talk to me.
One night we ended up watching "A Goofy Movie" and both of us commented on how our idea of a perfect honeymoon would be a good camp-out. I never felt uncomfortable when Steve was around, everything was just relaxing and just felt like I was home.
A few weeks after the end of the performance, Steve and I had planned on going to an Institute dance together. Of course, we would be joined by my friends, but it was going to be just another night with us.
Steve was preparing to go to Salt Lake for General Conference, and I was going home. We sat on the stairs in the Institute building and talked for a while. He invited me to go with him and his friends to Utah, and I politely declined, telling him that after the dance I was driving home. He got a worried look on his face, and said, "Please be careful. I don't want to have to find a ride to see you in the hospital. I'd have to tell my friend, 'I need to go to the hospital to see a girl I like.'"
I was in shock, it was the first time he mentioned that he liked me back. It felt nice.
I drove him home that night, and as he got out of the car, I noticed he practically skipped to the front door. I just grinned....I knew how he felt.

Love Story, Part 7

After that "date" Steve and I became better friends. He talked to me quite often, and that Sunday, he came to church to find me. I was pleasantly surprised to see him, and blushed that I had just been caught talking about him to my friends.
After our final performance, we had our choir party. Funny enough, though all the boys were asked to bring drinks, they all brought the SAME kind of drink: root beer. One of my more rowdy friends challenged me and another friend to a belching contest. I was up for the challenge.
The contest was very much a blur....I do remember downing 10 small Dixie cups of root beer within 2 minutes time. I don't remember whether I won the contest or not, but by the time the whole thing was over, Steve was helping me climb up the hill to my dorm. The dorm was up a VERY steep hill from the Institute building, and in the best of health it was a challenge, but rolling around full of root beer was NOT easy. I felt like I was being rolled up the hill.
Once I was safely in my room, Steve said good bye, and left.
Little did I know that my participating in that contest would win Steve's heart. I've often asked him when it was he fell in love with me and he attributes it to that night. He'd never before, in his life, heard a GIRL belch the way I did. He was beyond impressed, he was twitter-pated.

Love Story, Part 6

That night, I was talking with my friend. I told her how I thought this new guy was cute. She shrugged her shoulders and started talking about something else. I did notice that after choir practice was over, the new guy went over to my friend Tricia and talked with her. My friend Tricia, was JUST getting ready to sent off her missionary, and I knew that she wasn't interested in this new guy, but I couldn't help but feel possessive of the new guy, even though I knew I had no claim to him at all.
For the next few weeks we would practice our songs and I would silently drool over the new guy, who I learned was named Steve or "Stephen" as he had it put in the program. I talked with Steve and learned that he really liked my friend and he would often come to me for advice.
Tricia came to me and told me flat out that she was NOT interested in Steve and that she knew how interested I was. We plotted and planned and schemed. We were GOING to change this guy's view of me.
As we got closer to the performance, I became better friends with Steve. He would confide in me about his plans for Trish, and I would slowly, slightly lead him another way. He asked me, in all seriousness, "Do you think I'm moving too quickly with Tricia?" UM, YES!! I honestly told him that he was. I don't know exactly if that was the turning point, but it was a major event in our beginning.
I continued to flirt with him while struggling to be his friend. The time came for our performance in "Greater Than Us All," it went wonderfully. We decided that once the performances were over, we'd have a party, the guys would bring drinks and the girls would bring the treats.
After our first performance, Steve asked Tricia to go out with him on a date. She agreed, but BEGGED me to come with her. Not being one to argue, and finding that I really wanted to spend time with Steve, I agreed and invited 8 more friends. We were going to go to the campus theater to watch "You've Got Mail," then going to the institute dance afterward.
When 10 girls showed up on Steve's "date" with Trish, he was a little shocked, but took it well. In the theater, it was arranged that Tricia would sit with the large group of girls on one side of Steve, and I (by myself) would sit on his other side. He even shared his large box of popcorn with all 10 girls.
At the dance, we all clumped together, like most girls at a church dance do, and Steve danced 2 dances with Tricia. Suddenly, my favorite song came over the speakers, "Don't Take the Girl" by Tim McGraw. I KNOW that I over-reacted, but I instantly began jumping up and down calling out, "This is my FAVORITE song!!" Tricia pushed Steve my direction and told him to dance with me, and he did.
While dancing he talked with me and serenaded me, singing the song better than I could, and with such a beautiful singing voice. We talked a little bit about his mission, which he'd only been home from for a month and a half, and soon the song was over. More giggling girls and talk ensued, and then the last song came on, and again, Tricia pushed Steve my way. It was "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing," by Aerosmith. Again, he serenaded me and we were happy. I believe THIS was his final turning point. He realized that he was being manipulated and he quite liked the reason WHY.

*Time Out* Steve's Version

I had just come home from my mission. And in the back of my mind the words of Sister "T" from my mission were going through my head, "You will be married within 10 months of getting home."
I came home and I was cornered by the Institute Choir director to come back into the choir that I was in before my mission, so I said, "Okay, I'll do it."
Then someone told me that I should come and sing with the other choir for the "Greater Than Us All" performance. I told them that I didn't have time, but Brother Homer, the choir director, told all the men that they NEEDED to be in the performance, so I went along with it.
I only had 2 weeks to learn the songs for the performance, so I started going to the night rehearsals. When we finally started putting the performance together that's when I noticed this girl. I thought to myself, "Wow! Cute girl."
With Sister "T's" words in mind, I began pursuing that girl. Then I remember a couple of nights before we performed, we were talking about horoscopes and it said something about how you should go out on a date with a girl, so I asked the girl to go out on a date. She half-heartedly agreed. (She was just being polite.) She had mentioned earlier that her boyfriend was going on a mission, so that was my cue to put on the heat. We would watch a movie and then go to the institute dance.
We set the time to meet at the theater. I arrived before she did, and I sat waiting. And to my surprise walking through the glass doors, MANY girls arrived. I don't know the number, but it wasn't JUST her. I thought, "I only asked ONE. Who are these OTHER people?" One guy with a whole passel of girls, what the heck..."
I wondered, "Do I need to dance with all of them?"
We watched the movie, with my date on one side, and the rest of the gang on the other side. They ate my popcorn....the one I bought just for me and my date. My date kept her arms folded the entire movie.
After the movie, which was a good movie, we went to the dance. I only danced with my date twice. And then one of her friends started jumping up and down saying, "I love this song! I love this song!" And before I knew it, we were dancing to it, because she liked it....a LOT. I never saw my date for the rest of the night.
After our final performance we had our "cast party." The men were required to bring the soda and the girls brought the snacks. At our party, off in the corner there were 3 girls chugging root beer. And I heard something that I'd never heard come out of a girl's mouth ever, the biggest, LOUDEST belch. I turned and said to myself, "WOW! I NEED to date that girl."
The girl who had been drinking the root beer, I mean, it was 2 liters between the three of them, needed help walking to her apartment, which was at the top of the hill. This was also the girl who over-reacted to the song at the dance.
Because of that belch, I fell for that girl. And thus began a new and fulfilling relationship. One that would last, FOREVER.
Moral of the story:
What you want isn't always the way you should go.