Another Week Down

Today was my first day as Primary President. Well actually my title more appropriately should be Primary President, Primary Secretary, Teacher, Chorister, Pianist, and Nursery Leader. I finished working up my lesson, music time, and sharing time last night and said to Brayten, "This is a bit more work than the one lesson I used to prepare, every other week, for six four year olds." However, I am glad for the distraction. It gives me a goal, a motivation, something to work on and improve. So I enjoyed it today, it was pretty good. Although, I did like Sacrament Meeting even better. The Branch President finished up the meeting with a short talk. A few of the words he used were, "Dag Gummit," oh yeah and in reference to paying tithing, "Sometimes we just need to pull up your boot straps and keep truckin." AWESOME!

Actually a lot of the people here make me smile, everyday, as I listen to them speak. The other day at Walmart (which is soon becoming my favorite store here in Guymon...oh wait, it's the only store here in Guymon) I was purchasing a frozen pizza for a pizza and movie night with the kids. The checker said to me, "Ya'll like them there pizzas?"

I said, "Yeah we do, they are pretty good."

She said, "Well I bin watchin their mercials on TV and I been fixin to try em. I reckon I bitter git one today."

I smiled and thought in my head, "Well I reckon you bitter get em specially if you bin fixin to try em for so long."

Despite the way they talk...the people here are genuinely nice people.

Well this week has been pretty good. The theme I would have to say has been SPIDERS, SPIDERS, SPIDERS. I know, I know, I probably have whined about this already but the spiders here are more like small rodents. When you squash them it is like squashing a toddler mouse with bones crunching and all.

Tommy has become my little spider patrol. And if you'll recall Tommy is quite expressive when he is excited. Ever since he learned sign as a baby he often adds a little "flair" with his hands as he speaks. If he sees a big, nasty spider he comes running, with a facial expression of pure malice and creepy, crawly hands, and says, "Mom there's a huge spider, right there!!! Get the spray!" Yeah, that's right, they make them so big out here that unless I have some big, steal toed boots on to squash them I have to kill them with the spider spray. We purchased a 1.33 gallon Home Defense Max spider spray...it's half gone.

Two days ago the kids came in from playing outside. Maddie tripped as she came in and I saw for the briefest of moments something fall from her hands and go skittering across the floor. She quickly snatched it back up. With absolute horror and dread I ran to her, pried her sweet, little, pink hand open, and shook the nasty, almost giant spider from her hand. Then squashed it with my shoe. Ugh, that's all I have to say about that. But heaven be thanked, she did not get bit, because out here the spiders don't just bite they pull up a table and chair, grab their carving knife, and gobble you up for dinner.

This whole time I have been telling Brayten about all of these spiders I have been fiercely battling. He has graciously acted concerned but often with doubt shining in his eyes. "They can't be that big," he's thinking, I'm sure. So this morning I got up first so I could get all ready for church without taking care of the kids at the same time. I went to go and shower, opened the bathroom door, and HELLO THERE GIANT NASTY SPIDER. I swear this spider was almost the size of Texas...literally. So I went and pulled Brayten out of bed to have him witness the horror.

"Holy crap," he said. Right there, your witness, these spiders are B-I-G and in the words of Oklahomans, "Nuf said."

I asked him if he wanted the spray and just as any brave man would say, "Nah, I'll just use some toilet paper."

"Bad idea," I thought.

He crouched toward the bohemoth and with the stealth of a cobra squashed it. As the bones began to crunch hundreds of little, evil, baby spiders evacuated from their mama. Skittering their little specks all over the bathroom floor. We both refrained from screaming...but just barely. Subsequently I have now emptied another quarter of spider spray around the house but concentrating mainly in the bathroom.

Well so far so good, another week down. We've survived spiders, severe wind warnings, and the hot Oklahoma sun. We love you and miss you!!! All of you! Even you Greg...I know, I know, no more mushy stuff but I do!

Here are a few pix for your viewing pleasure...until next time...Love to all!

Guymon, Oklahoma

Well here we are...Guymon, Oklahoma with one week under our belts. So far, so good. I have had a few impressions over the last week. First, leaving home (and yes home will always and forever be Utah, no matter how bad the winter is and that it seems a never ending torture come April...oh wait...no May and it is still snowing) sucks. Saying good bye to every person that I love was terrible. Terrible in a way that I haven't known terrible before. Saying good bye is a good way to help you realize how much you love someone.

Mom and Dad I love you, I love you, I love you! Take care of each other...take care of yourselves...take a break on occassion. Oh and make sure you take some computer lessons so we can Skype, everyday, if need be.

The Jones Crew...Scotty, I love that I am reminded of you every time my kids watch the Incredibles (which has been more times than I would like to admit this week). I love that I can't hardly remember much of my life without you in it! Take care of my sister, she needs you! Oh yeah and next time you go to Magic Mountain I'm coming too!!

Shannon, my little sis, I love you so much. I love the way you talk and talk and talk...it makes me happy, really! Make sure you add my new number to your fave five so I can keep listening and listening and listening. Thanks for all you do for me (even mopping my floors until midnight). You're awesome, keep your chin up, and I love you!

Logan stop growing...right now...I'm serious. If I come home and you have turned even more into a man I'm going to have a heart attack! Tommy said to me the other day, "Mom, when I'm Logan's age I'm going to be a man huh?" I said, "That's true buddy." And unfortunately it is! So stop it, now! Remember if ever you need to chat about zits, or braces, or even chicks you can always give me a call. I love you buddy!

Cole...Cole...Cole! How is my handsome man? I'm going to miss you dude! Keep working hard in school. Try to stay out of your Mom's hair. Work hard on the guitar because I fully expect you to play me a sweet serenade when I see you again (i.e. Oregon...July...get working on it). I love you!

Brin! My girl! I'm so sorry I will miss your baptism! I can't even believe it! But you better believe that I will be thinking about you here in dusty Oklahoma. I can't believe you are turning into a little lady! Be smart, be good, and make your Mom paint your nails at least once a month. I love you sister!

Saige, I love you little one. Make sure you keep your siblings in line, oh and Oreo too. Make Daddy get Skype going so you can talk to Maddie. Lots of love!

The Wilding Crew, Greg, even though your my brother and even though our family is so into non-emotional interactions, I want you to know that I love you. I have always appreciated the example you have been to me and the help you have given to me over the years. Make sure you practice up on your ping pong so next time we play you can actually win.

Juneal, I love you! I can't believe I won't be around as you face another round of raising a baby. Get lots of rest, take it easy, don't stress, and enjoy that little girl (she is going to change too fast). I am going to miss you Juneal! I am going to miss just showing up at your house unexpectedly...you apologizing for the mess (although there isn't one)...but inviting us in anyway and almost always feeding us dinner too. I love you.

Kaden and Karson, my dynamic duo. I'm still laughing about going to church with you two and having Grandma's Bishop say, "They look like twins." And then being dumbfounded when I say, "They are, literally." I love that you two are so different! Just know that I can't even look at a Just Dance 2 without crying right now. I'll miss you two, incredibly. Take care of each other and don't fight!

Rachel, I love you little girl! Make sure Daddy and Mommy send me lots and lots of pix! Stay safe, stay healthy, and I will hold you in July.

Wilding Crew 2, BJ, thanks for everything. You have been the stalwart big brother throughout this change for me and my family. You have helped me be brave and stride forward into the unknown. I love that I can always come to you with spiritual questions, frustrations, and concerns. I love you tons and tons and tons.

Angie, sit down, right now, because I'm sure you are running around busy, busy, busy. Stop right now, kick your feet up for at least 5 seconds, and take a deep breath. Take care of yourself especially right now. I love you Angie thanks for always being a friend.

Brittany, Hannah, and Sarah, hey girls! I hope life in Boise is treating you three good! I want all of you to keep getting smarter and smarter. Work hard in school. Read lots of books. Make sure you practice the piano, a lot (because if you ever move to Guymon, Oklahoma you just might be the only one at church who knows how to play). Brit-keep running, faster and faster. Hannah, keep kicking booty at soccer and pretty soon I'll be trying to play as good as you! Sarah, sweet Sarah, I love you little girl. Be good to your mom you three! I love you!

Wilding Crew 3, Tom, hey there my biggest brother.Thanks for helping me so much at my house. I appreciate it. Thanks for being a good ear when I needed it. Keep enjoying those Saturday classes...don't worry they will eventually end. I love you!

Jen, hey pretty lady! I love you sister. Make sure you take care of yourself and your kids, oh and take care of my brother too...I know he's a handful but I think you can manage him. One of these days we will have to have another botox party (I am slightly depressed now that my forehead muscles are working again). Love you.

Bailey, Layla, and Gavin, hey kiddos! I love you guys! Be good! Be good in school! Be good to each other! Be good to your Mom and Dad! Oh and be happy too. Lots of hugs to each of you! I love you!

Wilding Crew 4, Russ, I hope you're not still mad at me. I love you Russell...You know I do. Keep dancing and some day you will be as good as me (actually you probably won't but I don't want to dash any chance of happiness you may have toward dancing right now). I will see you, your Wii, and Just Dance 2 in July.

Megan, thanks for everything! You were so much help at my house, thank you, thank you, thank you. Thanks for being a life long friend, literally. Take care of yourself, be patient through potty training, and be happy every single day. I love you!

Pret, I love you buddy...The next time I see you I am going to tickle, tickle, tickle you... all day long.

So here is the deal, all of you, my siblings, take care of Mom and Dad for me. Visit more often! Call and just show up to say hi. They won't ask for much help so you need to find out if they need it and then give it all the time. I know that you all live a little ways away but I need you to take care of them. I don't think we will ever say to ourselves, "Gosh you know I should have spent more time working in my yard or cleaning my house." But I am sure we might eventually say, "Gosh I'm an idiot, why didn't I hang out with Mom and Dad just a little bit more."

I love all of you and am already looking forward to Oregon...So be there...okay?

I will miss all of our good friends, all of Tommy's little friends, and of course the Barton Creek Ward. We'll be back though...I'm sure of that!


Well, now, back to Oklahoma...Give me a moment, I need to quit blubbering like a baby so I can see the computer screen. I was initially talking about impressions...the first one took me a while to express. Here is the second, Oklahoma is a flat and quite barren. It is slightly or maybe moderately sacrilige to say, especially on a Sunday, but I think maybe God was a bit lazy, or maybe just tired by the time he came to the midwest. "Hmmm," He said, "Let's just flatten this part out and be done with it."


So here it is, beautiful, lush Oklahoma. As we crossed the state line to our new home. We said to Tommy, "Here is Oklahoma!" He thought about it for a minute and said, "Where are all the people?"

Really though the few people that we have met have been genuinely kind. I think most of the people here in Guymon are religious they just don't go the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they attend one of the other hundred churches in this tiny town.

Tommy and Maddie have been troopers! They did great on the drive (I don't know how parents survived road trips prior to portable DVD players, it would have been a miserable torture without Tangled, Mega Mind, The Incredibles, Despicable Me, Tangled Again, The Letter Factory, Mulan II, Tangled Again, Shark Tale, and oh yeah, Tangled yet again). They have both done well with the transition. Tommy has even made a new friend but for the most part they just play (or torment) each other.

Brayten is doing well. He seems to be enjoying his new job and the challenges that go with it. He works long days but we get to hang out on the weekends and enjoy one another's company. Much to my dismay he still thinks about hunting. He has already been planning pig and white tail hunting...Fun huh?

I am hanging in there (by the way I had been crying for half of the day in the above picture, hence I look like I've been crying for half of the day, I hope you don't mind). The first few days were slightly, or incredibly rough. Between nasty toilets, huge spiders (seriously huge spiders, including a black widow), fear of rattlesnakes, unpacking two times over by myself, not really having our own place to stay, I have had a hard time. But, and that is a big BUT, I'm doing better. I am finding my own nitch in this tiny town. I'm even starting to memorize the one big store in town, Walmart... I have been to Walmart more in the last week than I have been in my life. I am confident that things will work out for the best. We even attended church this morning. We sat through Sacrament meeting and then I was called into the Branch President's office... A new calling already... Primary President (I suppose it is slim pickings out here...but I will do my best). So I should have plenty to do here in Guymon.






Tommy is happy as long as he has bugs to catch...and there are plenty of them. Maddie is happy as long as she has naughty things to try and eat, naughty things to try and climb, and general mischief to make everyday. So we're okay here in OK. Oh, and Dad, I saw a BSA bumper sticker here in town, so Oklahoma can't be too bad right?

I love all of you and can't wait to see you soon!!! Wish us luck! XOXOXO