Projectile

Warning:  Not for the faint of heart

Last night, Travis and I were over at a friend's house.  I love her two little boys.  They are the most adorable little things ever.  One is 4 and the other is 2.  The two year old sat on my lap most of the night playing on my phone and talking to me.  After putting my phone away, he started to just cuddle with me.  Well, all of the sudden, he just started to throw up.  I just held him and tried to catch it in his blanket.  I was kind of shocked and Travis just laughed at the situation.  His mom immediately came over and tried to help out.  She was going to take him, but he was covered so I said I would take him up to the bath.  She was so embarrassed and felt horrible.  It was really no big deal.  I just felt bad for the little guy.  After I put him down, I surveyed the damaged done to me.  Somehow he got me all the way down to my toes.  The good news?  I saved the couch and floor from any damage.  I guess my migraines taught me how to handle throw up.

After that happened, another couple that was over there joked around saying that it was just a test to see if I would be ready to have kids.  Apparently he didn't realize that I have been around kids my whole life and have been in situations like this before.

Speaking of kids, I have had some fun experiences with the classes that I have substituted for lately.  Last week one of the kids threw a chair and pouted in the corner (1st grade).  Today I had a boy run out of the gym, across the stage, down the hall, around the corner and halfway down the other hall before I caught him (preschool).  It has been crazy. 

iPhone and Lessons Learned

On Black Friday, I finally joined the rest of the world and got a smartphone.  After much deliberating, I finally decided on the iPhone 4.  I loved it and instantly became reliant on it.  Just one week after purchasing it, my phone decided to commit suicide and jump into the toilet.  I don't even know how it happened, but it did.  I let out a yell/gasp while diving into the toilet to get it.  I have never used such fast reflexes before, or been so willing to stick my hand in the toilet.  I dried it off as quickly as I could.

 Then, not knowing that you are supposed to turn it off immediately, I decided to test it to see if it worked still.  The first button I pressed was the camera button.  Good news!  It worked.  Oh wait...now the touch screen won't work.  I am trying to get it off while Travis is fixing a bag of rice.  We decide to put it in the rice just turned on.  We have no other options.  Now is the hard part.  Time to wait.  I sit.  I say a little prayer (or ten). I hold the rice bag in my hand.  Finally it is time for bed.  Maybe it will be better in the morning.

The next morning came and it won't turn on.  I say another prayer.  I decide not to plug it in yet so that I don't fry the internal system.  We go out shopping and run some errands.  Finally that night I decide to plug it in.  It turns on, but the touch screen won't work.  There is no apparent water damage on the screen though.  I want to cry, but I still have hope.  I say another prayer and promise Heavenly Father that I will read my scriptures everyday if he fixes my touchscreen.

It is Sunday now.  I try my phone again and guess what?!  The touchscreen works!  Laugh if you want, but I have read my scriptures everyday.  A promise is a promise.  The only problem is that the phone won't stay on unless it is plugged in.  So, I have to take it to the Apple Store.  That is bad news because they don't cover water damage.  My hopes are still high.

We went to Apple yesterday and guess what?!  I GOT A NEW PHONE!!!  I wanted to hug the guy I was so happy!  He said there was water damage, but he said since it was only a week old they could make an exception.  His manager would override it.  I am so grateful he was nice to me and I do not take my phone for granted anymore.

Lessons Learned:
1.  Phones+Toilets=No Bueno  (I don't take it into my bathroom anymore)
2.  Heavenly Father answers prayers, even if they are materialistic
3.  Travis doesn't love me as much as my dad does-He said that if I had to buy a new phone, I would have to save up my money and buy it myself (we give ourselves a monthly allowance).  Dad would have given in.  :)
4.  I need to be more cautious with my things.
5.  You get blessings when you read your scriptures. 


 

Update

I realize that it has been waaay too long since I have posted.  I also don't have any pictures.  I apologize.

Nothing too exciting has happened.  We had a very relaxing Thanksgiving Break and now we are back into the swing of life.  I flew down to North Carolina on the Sunday before Thanksgiving to visit Granny and Papaw.  It was a looong day, but my family met me there to pick me up from the airport.  While we were there, Granny made us lots of good Southern food.  She was even brave and took me out shopping.  We haven't done that since I was a teenager. 

On Tuesday we left to make the drive back to Georgia.  Travis met us in Georgia on Wednesday.  I was so excited to see him!  This was the first time that we have been apart since we got married.  I think it was good for us.  He realized how much I do around the house and being apart made me more affectionate.

Thursday was really laid back.  I prepped the turkey and dad fried it.  Mom did basically everything else.  Dad's boss and his wife came over.  The rest of the night was spent playing Qwirkle.  (I won, in case you were wondering)

Nathan and Travis went and braved Wal-Mart at 10pm and Dad braved Target at 1am.  I decided sleep was more important and went shopping later with Travis.  I ended up getting everything I wanted with half the crowd.   

Travis and I left after church on Sunday and now we are back to work here in Dayton.  We will head back to Georgia in a couple weeks for Christmas.  It seems so soon because I am not used to going home for Thanksgiving. 

I just remembered, we put up our tree.  I will get pictures soon!

Marshmallow Guns

From the beginning, I feel like my little brother has liked Travis.  Travis and Andrew are VERY different, so I couldn't figure out how they instantly connected...until the other day. 

I was talking to Andrew on the phone and asked if he was excited that Travis and I were coming home for Thanksgiving.  His response?  "Oh yeah, that reminds me, I need to get more marshmallows."

The same day, Travis and I were talking about Christmas gifts and he said, "I know!  We should get Andrew a double-barrel marshmallow shooter.  And then I will get myself an even bigger one.  (insert evil laugh)."  I reminded him that we already have Andrew's presents, but he looked some up anyways.

That is when it hit me.  Last year, Travis spent Christmas at my house and Santa brought all of us Marshmallow guns.  The boys had a blast, but Andrew and Travis in particular.  I think Andrew had an instant bond with Travis because he can act like a child.  Andrew had someone to play with and Travis got away with being childish.  It all worked out. 

Here is some proof of their joy:

Just look at that smile

 Andrew hates pictures, so this is the only one I could find.  He never put the gun down. 

New Friends

This is from a group date.  (Thanks Kera!)

Today I am grateful for new friends!  I don't know what has caused me to be so emotional lately, but I have really appreciated the small things in my life and it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.

Anyways...moving to Ohio was a traumatic experience for me.  Everything in my life suddenly changed.  I left the most amazing job in the world, with the best co-workers and parent support to come to...no job.  I left all of my best friends for the past 7 years to come to...no friends.  I went from being completely free and independent to being married and making compromises (not that it is a bad thing, just required adjustments).  I went from Utah, a place that I grew to love, to...Ohio.  Basically there was a lot of change and uncertainty. 

At first I hated it and I was miserable.  The first few weeks here, we were gone on the weekends and didn't get to go to our new ward, so I still knew no one.  Although I was a bit nervous about going to a family ward for the first time in 7 years, I couldn't wait to meet some people.  Our first Sunday came and I was soooo impressed by the ward.  I can't even count how many people came up to us and said hi, or introduced themselves, or asked if we were new.  I finally felt a little more hope about my new situation.

I remember meeting Leisy in Relief Society.  She talked to me and made me feel welcome.  She invited me to a book club.  Then I met Cindy.  She asked if she could come over and get to know me better.  Then I met Kristen.  Travis and I sat next to her mother on the airplane on the way back from our reception.  As we were leaving, Kera stopped and talked to me like I had known her forever.  I kept meeting more and more people.  Everyone was so open and friendly.

Although I don't have a "best friend" here, I am blessed with so many friends in our ward.  They all have children, so it makes getting together a little more difficult, but I love seeing everyone at activities or on Sunday.  We have crafts groups, or group dates, or just go over for dinner.  I don't even have to worry about Holidays because they include me in their holiday plans.

I am grateful for the wonderful, caring, thoughtful people of Ohio who think of me, who include me, who are kind to me.  I am learning so much from their kindness and actions.  I hope that as others move into the ward, I can help them feel as welcomed as I did.    

Waiting on a Woman

Warning:  This post is lovey-dovey.

I have always been a fan of Brad Paisley because his songs seem so easy to relate to.  It was no different when he came out with "Waiting on a Woman."  As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to show it to Travis because it rang true for us.  From that point on, Travis referred to it as the theme of our relationship.  He joked around about always waiting on me.

It wasn't until yesterday as I was driving to mutual and I heard the song that it hit me, he has been "waiting on a woman."  He says it whenever I am taking too long getting ready or looking at one last thing at the store.  But he waits on me in more ways than one.  He waited until I was ready before he proposed to me.  He waited on me to finish the school year so I could move out to Ohio.  He patiently waits until I am comfortable with a new place/idea/activity/whatever before we go on with it. 

This whole past week I have been really sick...like sleep all day sick.  Now he literally waits on me.  He gets up, goes to work, and when he gets home he takes care of me.  He has not once complained about going to work, or about making me dinner, or about rubbing my neck, or going to the store to get me medicine, or that I haven't been working.  It amazes me at the love and compassion he has as he waits on me.

So, even though I have hated being sick, I am glad I have been able to learn this lesson.  I have been able to see how much Travis really does love me.  He also taught me how I should be more compassionate and loving to those that are in need.  He is a good man and I am so lucky to be married to him.

The Windy City

Last weekend, Travis had a review session in Chicago.  Since I get to choose my work schedule, I scheduled the days off and went with him.  My original plan was to explore the city on my own while Travis was at his review during the day, but I chickened out with how worried Travis seemed with the idea of me going out by myself.

The first day we were there, I headed up to the Chicago Temple to meet up with the Castletons, a senior couple from my mission.  They are now serving as the temple President and Matron.  I chatted with them for a while and then did a session.  Sister Castleton showed me the bride's room and sealing room.  It was a small but beautiful temple.  Unfortunately I did not get a picture with them.   

 

After the temple, I was supposed to meet Travis downtown for dinner.  Some of the ladies at the distribution center helped me figure out what "metra" to take.  They were impressed with how daring I was to take public transportation.  I told them that the metros in Montreal broke me of my fear.  

After meeting Travis, we walked over to Giordano's to eat a true Chicago style pizza.  It was delicious and VERY filling.  

 After dinner, we headed downtown to the Magnificent Mile to do some window shopping and to explore the city.  I did not prepare well enough and needed to buy a jacket while we were there.  

We stopped at Millennium Park:

We found this cool color-changing wall:  

 

The Famous Bean:

 The Chicago Sign:

 The next day I worked on a project at the hotel while Travis was at his review.  His review wasn't as long that day.  I met up with him after and we headed over to Navy Pier.  The weather was perfect that weekend.  Apparently it had been cold and rainy the whole week before we got there.  It didn't rain at all while we were there.  At Navy Pier, we walked around, saw a stained glass art exhibit, went on the ferris wheel, and watched fireworks.  It was so fun just to spend stress-free time with Travis.
Chicago in the background:

 

At the top of the Ferris Wheel:

 Before we left, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry.  This was probably my favorite part of the entire trip!  I love interactive museums like this.  This one was HUGE!!  We probably went to about half of the exhibits in it.  The one that I was most excited for was a temporary exhibit:  The Life of Dr. Seuss.  Go ahead and make fun of me.  I am like a little kid.  I loved it!!  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the exhibit, but this was just outside the doors.  One of my favorite sections was a table where you could make your own Dr. Seuss characters out of these things called "zoo loo go gos."  I can't find them anywhere.  It was very fascinating!

Travis' favorite part was the "science" section.  They had all kinds of experiments that you could try and interact with.  I enjoyed it a lot too.  It reminded me of a science camp I went to when I was in Middle School.

 

It was a really fun trip.  I am hoping to go back.  Maybe next time Travis won't have to be at class all day and can show me around the city more.  I would also like to meet up with some of my friends from BYU that are living there now.  They were preparing to move while we were there, so it didn't work out this time.  We are only 5 hours away, so I am sure there will be another trip sometime soon.