Here you go Laura....

3 Joys

1) Hearing Preston's voice. Simple, but so amazingly calming. You know me...stubborn as they come, but that voice, (most of the time) calms everything in me.

2) When my boys actually enjoy each other's company, without me forcing it. I love when they actually LIKE each other. Nothing will bring me to tears faster than one of them sticking up for the other. Another thing that will have me giggling like a little girl is when Travis gets the giggles, EVERYONE gets the giggles....even you Pres. :)

3) I love being needed. Yes it gets overwhelming at times, but I thrive on it. I love that my second week in my ward I got a calling. I love that the boys KNOW that I KNOW where every single thing in this house is....and if they want it ....they better smile while they ask for it. :)

3 Fears


1) Something happening to Pres or the boys. Funny story about this.....when we were on the way home from Manti, and getting sealed....Ned and Ben asked if Derek could ride with them. I said I guess, but started dishing out my "mommy rules".....don't drive crazy, and fast, and don't listen to any bad music, and make sure he wears his seatbelt...blahblahblah....anyways Ned (my bro) looked at me and said with a big grin on his face....you are sealed now?! We are good! I love Ned's smile, his laugh, and his funnies.

2) Loosing the butterflies. I love that Pres still gives me butterflies in my stomach. His truck is really loud, and I most of the time know when he pulls into the driveway. It gives me butterflies everytime.

3) Missing an opportunity to share the gospel. I move all the time. I try to be a good example, and share what makes me happy...the gospel. It scares me to think that I might miss that opportunity to help someone...like the missionaries that changed my parents lives when they were only 20. My parents were not going to have children, and they ended up having 7. I can't imagine what it would be like dealing with my dad's death without having the gospel, and knowing without a shadow of doubt that I will see him again, and this life is NOT the end. It is one of my greatest fears that I will not recognize an opportunity I have to change someone else's life for the better.

3 Goals

1) Keeping in touch better. I miss chatting with my Aunt Patsy. I haven't written my Uncle Tom in months. I haven't answered emails in at least a month or more. I get really good at keeping in touch when Preston is gone. I am going to try to stop sending so many telepathic messages, and actually call and write. :)

2) Start writing in my journal again. I realized something last time Preston was gone...one of my goals was to start writing in my journal again....it was so therapeutic. I also had a lesson at church that said writing in your journal isn't always about who is going to read it after you are gone, and who it is going to help. Sometimes it is just about looking in the mirror and seeing who you are, and learning from your own mistakes, and reliving those "light bulb moments".

3) Controlling my temper. You guys always laugh and say, YOU.... A temper? But you who know me best have probably seen it. I boil in a few seconds flat. I think the worst is when I watched Jake get mad, and throw his bike helmet...just watching the anger on his face. Kids learn by example. And they are ALWAYS watching you.

3 Current Obsessions

1) Craigslist! Not hard to guess if you have been reading my blog. The craigslist is so good here. Excellent deals, amazing deals. Wild, and crazy I am afraid I am going to miss something.

2) As always...keeping the house clean. I admit I have gotten better, but I cannot relax unless the house is clean. I cannot go to bed unless the dishes are done. I have to make my bed before I get into it again that night. Even if that means five minutes before bed. To all who thought I was an insane vacuumer (is that a word?). Wait till you see me with the carpet shampoo machine. I adore it. I find things to clean. It is amazing!

3) Texting....you knew it was coming. The worst is when my brother in law gave someone my number, and told them to text me, not call...cause I don't answer, but if you text I answer immediately. Let me explain before you throw things at me. I don't hear very good...I have a crappy phone...it was once a good phone, but I have dropped it so many times...it just plain sucks, so I won't be able to hear you and you won't be able to hear me and that doesn't make for a great conversation, does it? So texting is good, although it does start to hurt my hands, and it isn't very good to text while you drive....I once followed a car off the freeway for 25 minutes, because I was texting only to realize I didn't want to get off the freeway, and I was lost in Oklahoma City!

3 random surprising facts

1) As independent as I think I am, when Pres leaves....I feel like someone yanked the rug out from under me. I know that it is going to happen...it is what we do....we are an army family, but for some reason it is still a shock to my system every time. I thought that eventually it would get easier, but for some reason it seems to be getting harder and harder every time. I guess that is good, but at the same time....wow does it knock the breath out of me....every single time....whether it is a year, or three weeks.....

2) This sounds strange, but Alaska is so beautiful that it is calming to me. Yes my severe ADHD, OCD body sometimes just sits on the back porch and stares at the amazing surroundings here. I can't get over it. All the wildlife, the trees, the greenery, the noises, all of it. Who knew that Alaska would be so good for me?

3) Hmm this is harder than I thought....this last one is just gross but funny. In high school my cousin Jenifer and I were inseparable...after school we would go to her house and make an entire bowl of icing, and eat it, then we would go on her tin roof and lather ourselves in crisco, and lay in the sun on a tin roof for hours. Sickening! We were sun goddesses, or wanted to be. hahaha Now you know why I hate icing now. :)