I have a Job!!

So yesterday I happened to run into Mitchell Brady, a fellow nursing student, and he suggested that I turn in a resume to Dr. Hopkin's office here in Rexburg. He said he wasn't sure if they were hiring but he knew they were accepting resumes. I almost didn't take it in because everywhere is accepting resumes but that doesn't mean they are hiring. I took it in though and they asked if I could wait a minute. I did and was interviewed and offered a job right on the spot! I start Monday. Thanks Mitchell!!

A Good Ol'Southern Pig Pick'in!

So this weekend we celebrated the marriage of my brother Charlie and his new life with his sweet wife Lisa. They were married about a month ago and we all gathered this weekend to show them our support and love. My little brother Jason was in charge of the pig. Keep in mind that my family is from the amazing southern state of North Carolina and when we say we're cook'n a pig we aren't kidding. The Brown's love the fat and skin and all that greasy goodness despite the odd looks of new comers. For dinner we had BBQ'd pig (of course), hush puppies (deep fried corn bread), cole slaw, and pork and beans along with all sorts of sugary sweet things for dessert. We all had a great time visiting and eating and just enjoying each others company.
This is my mom slaving away over a hot dutch oven of oil frying up hush puppies. See that red bowl of mixture? Well each hush puppy is about a tablespoon or so of batter and she made two of those full. There were only about 10 left over! They really are that good.
This is Jason supervising the pig. He built this cooker himself and hauls it all over cooking for people. He is quite awesome at it and has become skilled at southern BBQ sauce. This is different then the regular sauce you can buy at the store. It is mostly vinegar and can be very spicy. The boys all like to drown their pig in it but I prefer just a little. My personal favorite is a well cooked piece of skin with a good layer of crispy fat on the back of it; Good stuff!
Dancing with Barry was one of the best parts of the evening. As you might imagine we don't get out real often for time with just the two of us and this was especially sweet for me. He really is a wonderful husband.
Charlie spent some time twirling Cameron around the dance floor. I think most of the parents spent more time dancing with their children then they did with their spouse but it was still good times just being together. In case you are wondering that is indeed the head of a pig being BBQ'd!

This is Charlie and Lisa dancing the night away in their garage. They are so cute together!
I was trying to dance with my own husband but kept getting interrupted by my jealous little Kerri so I spent a few songs swaying with her so she would consent to letting Barry have "his turn".

This is my dad keeping an eye on all that was going on and of course giving us all a bit of advice. Where would we be without wonderful parents?

I have such a great family! All of us were there this time except Jim and Brenda who live in Arkansas. We missed you guys! We don't get together as much as we should, I guess we are all just busy but it is great when we do take the time to gather as a family and just hang out. Love you guys!

Parenthood

So I have wanted to be a parent for as long as I can remember. I can remember being 5 or 6 years old and wanting to hold the babies at church. I pretended to be a mom and played with dolls long after most girls my age had given them up. I imagined what it would be like to be a mother and hold my very own baby. After spending a year in New York as a nanny to three sweet little boys I was sure I knew what being a mom was all about. Boy was I wrong! Don't get me wrong I love being a mother, it is in fact a great joy in my life (right under being a wife!) The thing is being a parent is much different then I imagined it being. Better in many ways but still different. It seems like each day something happens that in all my imagination I could not have thought of. Little things like my 4 year old telling me she would like another "dump" of cereal. "I already had 2 dumps", she said, "can I have 3?" I am sure you can imagine what I thought she was referring to, luckily I realized before too long that she was simply asking me to pour her some more cereal from the bag. Kids do say the darndest things. My sisters 4 year old asked her the other day if she could go to her friends house for "a couple of laters". These moments are some of the great parts of parenting, in any given ordinary day you get to remember to laugh, which is a great help in life. Another thing I never imagined about parenting is anything much beyond babyhood. My children are growing and changing and certainly have minds of their own and guess what - I can't control what they think or do! Believe me if you are not a parent yet this will come as a surprise several times in your future. Sometimes they act crazy in public, do things that were not learned by example, and even embarrass you. This week Ammon (9 years old) decided at the dentists office that he was not going to cooperate. For whatever reason he discovered in his mind it would not be worth it for him to lie still and open his mouth. He only needed a few cavities fixed to have his teeth cleaned but he absouloutly refused to listen. Because of this he will be going to the surgery center this morning and having his dental work done under general anesthesia. I have several thoughts on this. First I am a nurse so I am aware that anesthesia carries some risks I am also aware that it is quite safe. Second I was embarassed by my sons behavior and wanted to force him to behave. There are third and fourth thoughts but sufficite to say I am not thrilled by the events of today. Hopefully all will go well and he will realize that all in all it would be worth it to just cooperate with the dentist next time. Instead of an hour or so of uncomfortableness at the dentist office he gets: fasting since last night (not his favorite thing), an IV today (even less of a good idea in his mind), several hours at the surgery center, and last but not least he knows I am less then thrilled with his behavior. What does all this mean? Simply that once again I feel at a loss as a parent, what is the best thing for me to do? How are you supposed to react to your children? It's a good thing that you love them! Anyone have any suggestions?

Conference Weekend

Once again we had the amazing experience of meeting with Elder Scott during Bryce's mission reunion. This time was particularly special because we had the opportunity to help celebrate Elder Scott's 80th birthday with him. We have never taken the camera with us but decided we would this time. He is such a great guy. He takes the time to meet with each and every person at the meeting. Even though it is obvious that he is tired from having been in meetings all day and from traveling, he never acts like it. He smiles and greets and visits with all of us. In the Book of Mormon when Christ visits the Americas it talks about him taking the time to visit with each person who is at the temple that day. This is what the great Apostle of Christ reminded me of. I think this is the 5th time that Barry and I have had this opportunity, it has been a tradition for us since we started dating, and I hope we get to go as many times as possible. It truly is a testitmony stregthening experience to be in the presence of this great man. He gave us a little preview of what he would be speaking about in the priesthood session of conference and I can't wait for the Ensign to come out so I can read what he had to say. The things he said to us at this meeting made me want to be a better person, a better wife to my husband, and more worthy of the love that my sweet spouse offers me every day. I know that Elder Scott truly is an special witness of our Savior and that he testifies truthfulness. I love this gospel and all that it offers our families. What an amazing gift it is in all of our lives.
Elder Scott and his wife.

Barry and the boys and I with Elder Scott.
Elder Scott has a special place in his heart for Romina- and it's not just because of the 465 empanadas that she made for this birthday celebration!

Brian, Romina, Elder Scott, Justin, Stetson, Me, Barry.