Fat Tuesday

Yesterday Sarah and I were decided what to eat for dinner. Cooking would be out of the question so we settled on Chick-Fil-A. When we got there the whole place was decorated for Mardi Gras. I totally forgot that that was today because, while we are from Louisiana, that's not the culture that we take from that state. While standing in line the lady asked us if we would like to help celebrate it with, as Mike Taylor calls them, the-show-em-all beads. Of course we would!!

We ordered our food and we sat at a table. Another lady came by and told us that when we were done eating we could go into the corner of the restaurant and have some King Cake, get our faces painted or make a mask. We did not make any masks because, like most of you know, I think masks are freaky! But I kept being shocked by how everyone there was so friendly and it didn't stop. We got samples of food and bags of candy too.

When I went to get my slice of the King Cake I was really hoping that I would end up with the "baby" or coin they put in it. I am usually lucky when it comes to stuff like that and she even gave me two slices because the first was pretty small but no such luck for me. Sarah believes that there wasn't one in there at all and that I was crazy but I just don't think Sarah knows about the tradition!

While eating I was curious about Mardi Gras and googled some stuff.

Purple represents Justice

Green represents Faith

And Gold represents Power 

Don't pick up the beads from the ground. Its bad luck! 

Masks are worn to help keep the King and Queen of Mardi Gras a secret until it's announced at the festivities.  

Bourbon Street may have had a huge party on Tuesday night but NO ONE had more fun than me and Sarah! And with all the food we ate we have a new idea of what "Fat Tuesday" means!

"Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler"

I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing. ~Socrates

Things I have learned while living in Utah.

- You will catch every red light. 

- Restaurants ask "to stay or to go" instead of "for here or to go". 

- At red lights stop before the cross walk. There are pedestrians here and lots of them.

- People say adult in a weird accent. I felt dumb for not understanding.

- There's not only a church building on every corner but a temple in every county.

- The sun shines in your eyes at all times of the day.

- Legend's is the greatest sports bar in the city.

- The trax isn't just for environmentalist and homeless.

- Not everyone is LDS. And I've met almost all of them.

- Going the wrong way on 600 could just about get you killed. 

- Hires hamburgers is a great "hangout".

- You can't bring large bags into the U's bookstore.

- To avoid homeless people cut through temple square.

- Lion house is good but not worth the money.

- The people at Sonic love you more than the ones do back home. 

Rose of My Heart

The beginning of February we traveled to Oklahoma, as Papa Al would say for the LAST TIME EVER!, for my Great-Great Grannie Rosie's funeral. I had known Grannie my whole life and while we were sitting in the church we had the chance to share our memories. I learned some things from the stories that were told and realized she was more apart of me than I had known.

Grannie loved to laugh. Most of the time she would get so tickled that it was hard to get anything done. She laughed and laughed so hard that at times she would pee herself. At least I know this runs in the family! One day Grannie was with her brother, Uncle Bud, his wife Thelma, their son Tommy and Dane. They were picking huckleberries when one of them had kicked a bumble bee nest. The bees started swarming all around them and Grannie had a front row view for the show. She was laughing so hard seeing them run and holler as the bee's began to sting them. Grannie could have avoided getting stung all together but because she couldn't stop laughing she didn't run and laughed so hard she pee'd her pants. All Grannie could do was pull the big yellow jackets from her head and arms and laugh.

Grannie was always on the go. She loved to go places. When she was a young girl she would go to the town dances and the boys would fight over who go to take her out on the floor. Grandpa Roy seemed to win that fight in a hurry beings that they got married when she was 18. For her last birthday a cousin had driven down a couple hundred miles to make it for the party. He pulled up on his motorcycle and saw everyone in the front yard and said "Who wants to go for a ride?!" Well, you guessed it. Grannie hopped on the back and they went around the block. Nothing was ever going to keep her from a good time!

Grannie loved everyone and most of all she took care of everyone. We would travel to Oklahoma for Christmas and because my family can never leave on time we would seem to show up in the middle of the night. When we got to the house she would always wake up and greet us no matter how quiet we seemed to be. I don't really think we know how to be quiet, but it helped that we would be in trouble if we didn't wake her up when we got in. When should would hug us she always made sure you felt squeezed tight. She would ask us if we were hungry, have our beds already pulled out and a pile of blankets set in the living room for us to get. The next morning we would wake up to a breakfast fit for kings. Biscuits and gravy, eggs and toast, sausage and bacon, pancakes and molasses and Ben's all time favorite chicken and dumplings. Ben always said no one made them better than Grannie.  

Grannie was such a comedian. She would tell the funniest jokes and never enjoyed just quiet. She loved to talk and tell stories. If there was a lull in conversation she would fix that by cracking a joke. Sometimes they were jokes we had already heard but the way Grannie would tell them would always make us laugh again. Mama told a story of her and Jonny finding a dead rat. Grannie went outside and buried it in the garden and told them not to bother it. Mama and Jonny shook their heads and went off to play. Grannie knew what they were up to and I am sure watched them out the kitchen window and laughed when she heard them screaming when they found the tail!

So while Grannie had given me my name she gave me more than that. She taught me to love and take care of the people in your life. She taught me that life was funny and to fill it with giggles. Grannie had such an amazing life and I am so thankful that she could spend so much of it together. I am so happy that she has moved on to a life where her family has waiting for her for so long. They had to wait a long time for her and I miss her already!

Andrew, Ricky and I were laughing at what Papa Al had said. That we would never come to Oklahoma again! This made us all laugh but it also makes me so thankful that no matter where my family is, and how much we hate where they might live, we are willing to make the sacrifices to be together. That there is a new meeting place for us and we will all be there for the next party.

My Daddy! My Hero!

Last week was my dad's 52nd birthday! (Which was debatable until a few years ago and now we just question what his actual name is) In nearly 25 years of my life he has taught me sooo much and helped shape me into the person I am today.

Here are some of his lessons he taught and the reasons I love him:

• The Church is true. If you mess up STOP. Never return to that place again. Heavenly Father loves you and will offer Christ's atonement and NEVER stop loving you. And neither will he.
• Chickens have gizzards.
• Working hard is a must. No matter what you're working at.
• Everyone has a fightin' side. Dad has a Texas Knuckle to prove it.
• Even fat boys can do pull ups. A ton at that!
• In a debate he will try and flip to your side to become right. Be on the watch!
• Texting isn't just for kids. He has mastered the lingo. He he he.
• Family are your friends FOREVER. I am so thankful that he taught me at a young age that no matter how much you think a friend is a friend it can't compare with a sibling's love.
• Never go too long without saying I love you.
• Don't be too proud to say I am sorry.
• After a dinner prayer it is perfectly acceptable to yell "CHOW DOWN".
• Make sure you have free mobile to mobile. When you talk on the phone 24/7 it comes in handy.
• Let your actions speak about your character. Boasting is unbecoming and doesn't mean as much.
• He is your biggest fan. If he thinks you're "out of gas" he will try and help!
• Coats will always be too long in the arms. I inherited his short arms... and well short legs.
• When you wear sunglasses your official name is changed to Hollywood.
• It's fun to play and more fun to win but potato sack races are dangerous. "Sacrifice your body!"
• Share your testimony. Share it over and over. Never hold your tongue about something so precious. 
• My brothers have beards because he never taught them to shave.
• Be creative. Example: His watchdog named "Watch" and his dalmatian named "Spot".
• He loves his kids and has to inform them at least once a day by text message at 6am.
• No matter how old I get I will always be the baby.

I love you, Daddy. Always have, always will.

                                                           ... he he he. 

SL,UT

I'M HERE!! I made it to Utah in one piece! I left Albuquerque around 6am and made the 10 hour drive with a new friend I had met named Clay. He was good company but I sure did miss making the journey with my friends as I had done numerous times before. By the time we reached my new home I was ready to be out of the car and into bed for a much needed nap. Anyone that knows me, knows that I didn't finish packing until late Monday night and left just a few hours after, Salt Lake bound.

My first few days here have been fabulous. The night I arrived the Taylor's took me out to a welcome dinner to Ruby River. Bad food but good times. They have been so great to Sarah and that has already transfered to me as well. We are so lucky we have them in our lives. A little family we can have here while we are away from ours for the time being.

The next night I had made a dinner date with a friend I had met back in ABQ. He served his mission and came home in early November. He and his cousins met us for a pasta dinner at Stoneground. What a fun place! Food, billiards and friends. What more can you ask for?! We enjoyed our night and made a plan for sushi in the next week. He was here for training so it worked out perfect for us to me up.

Sarah and I have been in a movie marathon mood. One of the movies was an older one that I hadn't ever seen but the Taylor's insisted that we watch. Sleepless in Seattle. One of the lines in that movie really got me emotional! (Like I haven't been anyway but that's beside the point) The boy is talking to his dad about how his mother had passed a couple years prior and "He already felt like he was forgetting her". Wow, this is exactly what I had been feeling. I know that moving was the best decision I could make but I don't want to be left in the dust and forgotten back home. I also don't want myself to grow apart from the people I love. Rocky told Beckett today that "Auntie has a sock leg." Haha, translation: Auntie is in Salt Lake. Boy, I love that little guy. Most of all I don't want him to forget about me!

Love Never Fails.

The greatest gift I ever received was being in the family I am in. Could I have picked a better family?! I couldn't imagine. Sarah drove down from Utah with Naomi on Wednesday. We of course had plenty of work for her to do once she got into town. She is so Utah chic now! We went shopping and found some good Pre-Black Friday deals. Ben arrived at 2am! Thursday morning. Mama and I had been staying up for the past few nights until about 3 watching Netflix and "cleaning the house" that it didn't seem too out of the ordinary for us to pick him up. Mama also remembered that we needed to drop some library books off for donation so we made that part of our errands in the middle of the night. Once we got Benny we didn't go to bed. We stayed up until about 4 talking and laughing, catching up since the last time we had been together. Jonny thought for a moment these people are crazy! But then again, this is how we have always been and thought maybe he was the odd one out!

Thanksgiving came too quickly. Grandam Cleta and Papa Al brought Gran down and stayed until Sunday. We invited some family friends to dinner and Sami and Beckett came too. I had invited the missionaries over and I am sure they left with funny stories to tell home about this wild bunch from New Mexico. Elder Gomez and Elder Faughton, of course prepared a lesson for us. After about 5 minutes of trying to get us all to hush up so they could teach us Elder Gomez started talking about the blessings we receive are from Heavenly Father and around this time we reflect on how to give thanks to Him and to our family and friends around us. While he as speaking and everyone was quiet Gran had to ask a question as she always does with perfect timing. She said, "That's an Indian boy idanit?" After ALL of us busted out in laughter, including Elder Gomez, Grandma Cleta raised her voice to say "No, he is Hawaiian!" Elder Gomez was sure to say he was thankful for us and that comment!

The next day we went Black Friday Shopping but of course we didn't leave the house until 10. We got some good stuff but the best thing I got was the next day. Aunt Lisa had come down because Nathan had gone through the temple and we had a little party at our house afterwards. She brought me into my room and said she had a gift for us girls. I got the prettiest rose gold necklace with a rose pendant on it. Wow! Am I the favorite or what!? I loved it and I LOVE Aunt Lisa. How did I get so lucky??

The saddest part of the weekend came on Sunday. Sarah and Ben made their way back home and we were separated again. We didn't even get a picture together! Now that in 2 weeks Nathan will make his way off to being a missionary and in 30 days I will be headed to Utah our family will be apart for a few years and maybe, hopefully, some added members will be at the airport as well to greet him after his service!

When I think about that I think about us all living in different towns and our kids not being as close to their cousins as we are it makes me sad but then I remember that we never lived close to our cousins. That we decided a long time ago that we loved each other and distance wouldn't force us to not know each other. A friend once asked me why I spend so much time with my family when, to her, we could just be together one day in Heaven. I responded that I knew some members wouldn't make it so I was going to have Heaven on Earth with the people I loved the most. She didn't quite understand but that thought truly does break my heart. I wish we all would make better decisions and grow toward the goal of being together in an Eternal Family and with our Father in Heaven. I know everyone has to make this choice on their own but I wish that they would realize the blessings they have are really extraordinary.

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

                                                                                                                     - Moulin Rouge

Papa Al

On Sunday Papa Al turned 66! Him and Grandma Cleta were in town for the occasion so after church we went to eat a late lunch. We had such a great time together laughing and reminiscing about fun times from long ago. These are some memories I will always remember about my Papa. 

No matter what new pair of shoes we got or how many times we tried we could never out run him. Even to this day I think he could still sprint faster than any of us kids. He knew how fast he was and he always instigated the race. What a little snot! Setting us up to lose! ;)

He didn't beat us in just a running race. Papa was one of the people that taught me how to drive. (I blame him for my accidents, tickets and mishaps!) One day I was at a stop light with a friend in the passenger seat. In the car next to us was a man revving his engine and spinning out the tires. He had a huge grin on his face and acted as if he wanted to burn me off the line. My friend looked at me and said are you gonna race that crazy man? In a split second I said Yeah! Why wouldn't I?! And mashed the pedal. I didn't win and my friend said "Wow, I wasn't expecting you to really race that guy!" "Why wouldn't I?!" I yelled. That's my Papa. I knew he would win but still put the pedal to the metal! 

When we were little we would spend almost every Friday night at Grandma and Papa's house. Some nights in the summer we would convince him to let us sleep outside under the stars. Papa would always agree and drag out the queen size mattress for all of us to sleep on. We loved nights like these and would talk and laugh all night long. The morning was the best part. The sun would shine right on us almost melting us it was so hot. Right before we were at our breaking point and go inside the sprinklers would turn on. We would jump and holler, running inside before our blankets and pillows were soaked.

Papa always loved old cars. He got a few old Jeeps that he said was to help us learn to drive on. I never bought that line. I knew he loved zipping those Jeeps all over the backyard and along the ditch. I especially remember when it rained heavily the day before the backyard would be filled with mud puddles. We would pile in the Jeep and he would drive what seemed to be 100 miles an hour in circles and straight lines. We held on for dear life to the roll bar and a few times I thought I was a goner. We were flying for sure but never flew out!

Papa loves being Santa Claus. When other little kids would see him around town they would sit and stare at him until he said "Do you know who I am?". They would nod at the big secret and Papa would respond well then be good this year so I can visit you on Christmas. Growing up kids would say that Santa didn't exist but we had our very own Santa all to ourselves!

When Sarah, Sami and I were in Girl Scouts every year we would have a Daddy/Daughter Dance. There were 3 of us and we only had one dad, of course, so Papa was my date and Jonny was Sami's. I remember Papa always loved to dance. Every song that played we were on the dance floor. Now that I am older and attend Church Dances I am so proud that Papa taught me how to dance. Now when I dance the two-step and country swing I can't help but smile and wish my partner was him. He was always so light on his feet!

When Grandma was out of town we would go over in the evenings to keep Papa company. We always found him eating crackers with cheese and meat (maybe he invented the lunchable!?) and finishing it off with butter-pecan ice cream. Eating ice cream and watch old John Wayne movies became a tradition when Grandma was away. 

Papa always said there were two kinds of music. Country and Western. The very first song I learned was taught to me by him. It was Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. I still remember the lines and sitting on the orange stools while Grandma recorded us singing on her video camera. He was always so proud of us. I just wish he would have taught us to sing in key!

Papa's truck was different than my Daddy's. He had a cab-over that was black with red strips. I remember the most going with him to Rocky Mountain Stone to load or deliver. In the sleeper of the truck was an old (probably new at the time) Polaroid camera. I am sure I used every sheet of film in that camera each time I went with him!

There wasn't one thing I can think of that Papa didn't support us in. He came to our softball and soccer games and when we spoke in church or had our Primary Program he would always come and tell us how wonderful we did. He always said that no kid was better than us and he really made us believe that.