"I Will Never..."

The last month I've really reflected on my life. Yes, it's going to be one of those updates. I can't really help it, sorry. I will start off with some exciting news that most of you probably already know about. Cameron recieved a job offer from SkyWest Airlines to start sometime this Spring. They have tossed around some tentative dates and he also has been put on a "short call" list. If someone drops out or what not they can call him and put him in the next available class date. They have never forloughed a pilot so they are very careful about only hiring the pilots they need. That's why no set date. Anyway, exciting to have been extended the offer. We will wait oh so not patiently for a phone call ;)

Like I was saying before, I've been reflecting. Have any of you ever said, "I will never do ___(fill in the blank)"? Well, I have. And if any of you know me well enough you will know how that has backfired most of the time.
The first time I can really remember was when I was a teenager. For some reason my Dad and I were talking about volkswagons. I had decided right then and there, for another odd reason, that "I would never drive a volkswagon". And I told my Dad as much. He even went as far as to have me write it down. I told him he would never be able to keep the paper.
Guess what my first car was. Yup, a volkswagon. AND he kept the letter. I believe he still has it tucked away in a drawer somewhere.
The next instance (that I can remember) is when I was getting ready to apply to colleges. I was looking into church schools and my best friend's mom was telling my mother about one in Idaho. Again, I uttered those dreaded words that pretty much mean I'm GOING to do it. "I will never go to school in Idaho." I dont have to tell you what college I graduated from.
You think I would have learned my lesson by now. But oh no, I hadn't.
Not too long after I joined the Latter-Day Saint Church, I was talking with friend about being a stay-at-home mom. It is suggested that mom's stay home to be with their children. The church understands that there is a need for some moms to work outside the home and these women are not shunned but it is suggested that a mom who stays home is best for our children. My thinking was that my mom was a working mom and I have always thought my sister and I turned out alright (no comments needed on this point, thank you). So came, "I will never be a stay-at-home mom..." I met my husband, matured and realized the importance of a stay-at-home mom. Thus, here I am today.
I met Cameron's family. He and the rest of his siblings are homeschooled. "I could never homeschool..." Time went on and talk of Cameron's dreams of being an airline pilot found us talking about the pro's of homeschooling. We'd be able to travel whenever and with his schedule he would be home for a week at a time, maybe two. We wouldn't be stuck to the kids public school schedules. I entertained the idea because it seemed so far in the future. Not as far as I thought.
Other ideas have come up. Ideas that I said "I could/would never...". sO I guess you all can be on the watch for those ;)
 I just think that's it interesting that my life is full of things that I never thought I could or would do. But if I had stuck to my words, for one, I probably never would have learned how to drive :) and two, I wouldn't have the life I have today. It isn't perfect, it isn't all roses. It's frustrating, and boring, and stressful, but it's wonderful.
 Wow, I just reread that and it sounds really cheesy. Sorry. I'm reading a book that has some dramatic word usage and it must be rubbing off.
Through all of this it is VERY obvious that the Lord has a sense of humor. I can just see it. He must laugh everytime I say that phrase and think, "Oh you won't? We'll see about that". I have learned mass amounts of information from each of these "nevers". About what is important in life, about me, about the Lord.
Even though it has been a good experience, and I'm sure it's not over, I'll be picking my words a little more carefully from here on out...and going through every converstation I've ever had in my life trying to figure out what "I will never" be doing next.
I guess what my hope is from this update is that we will keep an open mind about things. We never know what will make us into better people, what will teach us, what will help us understand, what Heavenly Father's will is for us.

A Child's Point of View

These pictures are from our recent trip to Utah. My old roommate, Sarah, got married in the Draper Temple on the 3rd. It was REALLY windy that day so I didn't get any pictures of them coming out of the temple :( but Breanne decided while we were visiting temple square in between the luncheon and the recpetion that she was going to be in charge of the picture taking. It was fine with me. I got to talk to people and she was occupied. Win-win. So enjoy these pictures from a child's eye.

Okay, I took this one

Her first picture. The Christos in the Salt Lake Temple Visitior's Center

Salt Lake Temple

This is a "We are soooo cold. Hurry and take the picture!" picture.

This writing is on every temple. Very cool.

Angel Moroni

She liked taking pictures of pictures.

They had this cool model of the Salt Lake Temple. I don't know if this is how it's currently set up or when it was first built. I've never been inside to see, but I did hear one of the tour guides say that the Celestal Room looks pretty much the same as when it was built in 1893.

Obviously she didn't take this one either.

Conference Center. This is where the church holds General Conference twice a year.

Model of what Jerusalem looked like A.D. 33

Reception time with the Hansen's and the Sypher's. The little boy closest to the camera is Patrick. They haven't seen eachother since they were 3 or something but I think the betrothal is still on. Yes?

The reception center was georgeous!

Welcome to the kid's table

David and his Daddy, Chad. I think he looks like a mini me.



Breanne wanted so badly to get a picture of the bride. You don't even know how many blurry or bad shots we erased.



Finally she got Sarah's attention and she started posing for her.

Kate. Another roommate. People do the best poses for kids. Love this one.

All the old roomies, minus 2. Sandy and Anna you were missed.

Classic Chad.

Maggie and baby Jesse

Having hot chocolate at the reception was the best idea ever.

I look scary and kaity looks bored.

Vida and Daxton

Beautiful Bride, Sarah

Taking a break from our drive back home at the St. George Temple.

Another Christos in the St. George Visitor's Center

More pictures of pictures. These are from inside the temple.

The Celestal Room. Georgeous, yes?

The Garden Room

Baptismal Font

Joseph Smith. The Prophet of the Restoration.

Christ teaching in the temple as a boy.

Jerusalem

Great picture. I couldn't have taken a better one myself.

She wanted one of the roses. Too bad the garbage can was right there.

She was still at it after we got home. At this point I was almost ready to take it away.

Ginger was the most cooperative, I guess, because there are a billion and a half pictures of the dog.

The beautiful girl behind the camera.



We had a great trip and really appreciate the hospitality of the Hansen family. I'm glad we were able to spend time with you! And to the Mrs. Sarah Whitelock (hehe) I'm so very glad we made the trip up to see you and meet your husband. I wish you both the best!!! Hopefully, I'll live closer you all you Utards so we can see more of eachother then every 2-3 years.

The Last Month and a Half

First off we got to celebrate Miss Kaitlyn's 3rd birthday on the 18th of September. I hope you liked the mog pog of pictures. Happy Birthday to our little 3 year old monkey! My mom came just for the special occasion which totally made both of the girls weekend. And mine. And Cameron's ;) We got to play around in Vegas after we picked her up, go to the lake, and play and play and play. My mom has all the pictures and who knows when, if at all, we'll see those. Thank you, Mom for coming! Thanks for putting up with your nomad children.

We've started to homeschool. Yep, I said it. We're homeschooling. I know I posted about Breanne's first day of kindergarten and how much she likes school but it has nothing to do with the school or her education. It just seemed the best fit for our family for right now. It's actually going pretty well. The girls and I are having fun together. We're still figuring things out which has made this month really hectic but I think it's going to be good. I feel like it's giving the girls and I a better relationship because we're productive together instead of just trying to fill our days and not be bored. I feel like Breanne and I are learning to be more patient with one another and know eachother's strengths and weaknesses (yes, even I have weaknesses). It's been a really great decision for us. So that's why I haven't posted  in awhile because I'm still trying to figure out this homeschool schedule and still fit in my cleaning and grocery shopping, etc. That's probably the most difficult of it all!

The job front is also looking up right now. I'm not going to give details until we know for sure but a move could be in our future, within the next month I mean. A move seems to ALWAYS be in our future. If it really happens it will be a really good move. More on that in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully by the 4th of Oct? Oh the suspense!