Its Friday-of course I'm going to post. (Just what I have so far-it's very incomplete but a start and I have wifi at the hotel so I'll post and add later-my tucker boys are out ahead of me already this morning so I've gotta catch up) And of course I had to work on it throughout the week. Friday night Isaac headed out with the scouts for a bike riding merit badge (yes I had to unpack a box to dig out  his bike helmet that he's never worn) Any the boys and I headed to the Braves game.

Colt was scared of "Tommy Hawk" but as soon as he left he whined and whined to go see "Elmo" so we finally found him again and he cried. Oh well.

The boys got all wet in the drinking fountain (it was so hot and of course they had to go all dressed up) but then Cannon was freaking out cuz his shirt was wet. I had a spare for Colt who didn't seem to mind that his shirt was wet-Until he saw Cannon get a dry one-then he had a cow and had to have his off too so that's why we have the bare chested trashy fan look pic-he was obviously enjoying it! Finally I made him put Cannons jersey on, it was still wet but my little antagonist was ok with it knowing that Cannon didn't want him to wear it!
That night I stayed up until 1:00AM Finally sketching out somewhat of an outline for my talk in church. Yikes. I'm am not one of those "wing it" people and I've known we would "probably have to speak" since last month! That might be too much notice for me! When I finally had a rough draft I felt like I could finally relax-should have done it WAY sooner!

Saturday we celebrated Pioneer day with the ward at the Turners! It was awesome.

Sunday was a hard hard day. Our ward has totally been our family here-we love them! My boys piled on the bench right by Patrick and I sat alone on our normal bench. They were so good for him too. They played with his tie then sat pretty quietly-shoot I could've even been up in the speaker seats, he had it handled. I confess to tearing up several times as I sat there.  I wanted a picture of the boys and Patrick but I'd turned my phone off-then the meeting started. This little blurry one (later) is all I got.

We survived talks-yeah, I totally bawled. Whatever! In the middle of Isaac's talk the lights went out and it was totally black. Cannon turned Patrick's phone towards him and yelled "Its OK dad-we've got lights!" It was hilarious but then we were trying to keep him reverent. It was dark for a few minutes. Isaac pretty much just kept talking he said "We're alright! You can hear me right?" and on he went. I guess a breaker tripped.
Anyway. Lots of friends. Lots of memories. A really great experience! (Coming from someone who had no interest in ever going to mississippi ! I'm eating my crow! I look so forward to returning and visiting such great friends.)

Saturday night after finishing off my talk and reading though it an extra time or two, it was late-way late- and Isaac was snoring away so I logged on to Facebook for who knows why-but there I found a post that our dear friend Morris from across the street from the church had passed away. So sad. Its hard and it makes me so thankful for the understanding we have of the gospel. Isaac stopped by Sunday to see if there was anything we could do to help, of course Carol declined, but he found a little project from someone else and Monday Kim, Lori, the missionaries and I went to help clean up the house (Lori's kids tended mine at the church)  with them having so much company and stuff it was just a small way we could serve (I think we might really be the only ones that know them but we tell all the members how awesome they are and when we called ward friends to help they were awesome and so willing!! Happy to keep those covenants to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. I am proud to me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!) Morris sold the property the where the church is built to the church. He always had a good opinion of Mormon's but he liked to say "No church is going to take you to Heaven." Well, I agree, you have to take yourself-but he still needs this one :) we all do! Anyway I think it was a very positive and appreciated little project. We were a little white tornado-best way to tackle a project like that for sure. 

Monday our Mission got 30 new missionaries!!! And finally a St. George kid I know. -We overlapped in Mississippi for 3 days but that's better than nothing!-
The boys and I headed to the Airport to welcome Elder Kittrell.

We had a little goodie bag for him and took little packs of m&ms (MJMs) for all the new missionaries. It was really fun. That night we had a BBQ with our neighbors there at the apts.

Morris' funeral was Tuesday (right about nap time) we went but didn't last. Originally we'd had a play date planned that morning, thankfully it fell through the day ended up jam packed enough! We got one last little trip to the Rez with the Turners, they took us up river-it was cool. We played in the sand and played volleyball. We found a rope swing even I got on :) and it was fun enough I might even get in a higher on someday ;) Isaac skied coming back-and made it look easy enough that I tried-yeah, that was a no go!!! But we were hurrying to get back though so I'm not giving up long term-and he's still confident I can do it! Cannon got to drive the boat-that was awesome! That night one of Isaac's classmates had us over for dinner. It was really sweet of her and I'm pretty sure she had enough food there to feed an army! 

Wednesday, well first thing first our tuckered out kids slept until 10:00!!! Then I took them up to play with the Huff kids (whom they love!!) and I was busy busy busy-but I got a ton done! That afternoon Kim came over with a loot of travel goodies for the boys and we got to visit-that was fun. She said it's always better to be the one leaving cuz there are new adventures ahead and if your the one left behind it's just a big void hole. Pretty good advice, but still hard to leave! We went to dinner with our dear friends the Blalock's that night!

Then Thursday morning our sweet friends the Dewitt's brought over breakfast before we loaded up. That was so nice-and fun! 

I'd been sweating bullets about fitting everything into a 16 ft truck but Isaac text me that morning.

That was awesome. I guess everyone wanted 16ft trucks and the guy was having a hard time tracking them down, so Isaac said he'd take a bigger one and the guys was happy to do it :) Carl (Dewitt) came back and the missionaries came and they really did have everything loaded up in about 2 hours. Bob and Pat helped us finish off the cleaning of the apt and we were off

An added bonus of the big truck was dad could have 2 copilots! Sweet! They took off while I took the missionaries some lunch. And can you believe it, but out of the whole Jackson Mississippi Mission Elder Kittrell's first area is Pearl!! I was so happy because he's in our ward and he'll know our friends, and sad because we left! I thought I would catch my boys way faster than I did and about 2.5 hours in Isaac called and they had pulled off and I had passed them but I was only about 10 miles in front of them. So we made plans for me to grab some food and meet up but then Isaac called back about 5 minutes later-they had a flat on the car dolly. SOOO, I got the food then headed back-picked up the troops and the poor little copilots had to ride with boring old mom, and the car wasn't high enough to even see the Mississippi River when we crossed it :( but we made it smoothly to our stopping point half way! I took the boys swimming and Isaac caught up, it took and hour or so but I guess Budget just sent a tire guy to replace it.

Thursday night Cannon said family prayer "thankful we could stay in a hotel" one of his favorite things as long as there is a pool! and "please bless our friends that they can feel thy love while we are gone" it was really sweet! 

Friday afternoon we rolled into Kirksville! 

Here she is-our new home sweet home

The last post from Mississippi...

WHAT??? I think that post title is true-CRAZY! We should be in Missouri by next week-and I'd say I might not blog because we'll be in the middle of a move, but you know how I am about the blog, its kinda like breathing for me, I have to do it...So we'll see how it all plays out.
These pics pretty much sum up our days, we're either packing (and let me tell ya about how much help the boys are) ...or head to the pool :) which as of Wednesday finally doesn't look like swamp. YAY!

I should NOT be blogging right now-you should see my living room floor-it looks pretty much like a bomb went off-a toy and boxes bomb. Oh well. Somehow I think everything will get done...I hope. This time next week we will probably be on the road! CRAZY!! We did have our hearts jump a little bit at the thought of Isaac getting to defend his dissertation next Friday but it not going to work out so I trust that it is for the best and something will work out at some point--and Moving 10 hours north only to Drive 21 hours across the country 3 days later...maybe it didn't work out because those 5 days are crazy enough?...(Throw in there that Isaac wants to go to both the Nauvoo and British Pagents two of those nights too-pray for me HAHA) We'll see what happens!

Anyway the week: Saturday morning started with that above pictured trip to the pool with the Seahawk which they turned into a mini pool filling it with water?? Who knows?? I went to the fitness center-the boys got to come in and see the treadmill, they were super impressed! That afternoon Laurie Turner called  to see if we wanted to go out on the Rez...Um YES we do! Its so cute, I never see Isaac to giddy and excited as when he is going to get to go out on the lake. I never thought of myself as a boat person but I think that is something we need to save up for and I'm pretty sure he's ALWAYS seen himself as a boat person. ;)

I wouldn't say Colt wanted to go out on the tube with me. But he did, so that was awesome. He did great when the boat was moving and I even got him to say "tube" it was cute and fun. Before it we got going and when we stopped...he didn't do so well. But he went! And we have proof! And Katie had a couple pics from a couple weeks ago on her phone. The little girl is her daughter Kylie.

 

I filmed Isaac skiing and was told to delete it "that was NOT good water" haha ok. Poor guy tweaked his  (not teenager anymore) back  doing a jump on the wake board. Whoops. He was pretty sore for a few days but I think he's ok. I got up on the wake board...for just about long enough to tip over...several times. (Better than last time I tried though.) Then Isaac's tells me to let go with one hand, whoops-wrong hand, so then I was spinning around. I have no balance. I finally got up long enough they took a little movie but I haven't got it uploaded. Maybe I sometime...

The one video I did upload took and HOUR! That's why none of the others got done. My old tired computer was so dang hot-I was afraid it was going to start smoking and die. But it survived. YaY because Cannon knows all 13 articles of faith!!!!!! I'm so proud of him! He's been working on it all year, but he finally got his Braves jersey (the reward) yesterday! (right before we move and the Braves probably fade but whatever)

I need to take a better video because he's crazy and he seems a little "Special" in this one but whatever here's what I have:

He has to have a few hints but that's ok and he's getting better and better at the last few, he's had more practice with the others. I'm hoping he'll share them in church this week because we have to speak-but I'm not going to hold my breath, and its fine if he doesn't. The tablet time bribe is still there though!

He's been wearing his "uniform" a ton this week, funny kid-and of course if he does Colt has to. This morning I caught him trying to practice sliding in the sandbox.

Hold on buddy, one more week and we'll have more space. But speaking of space, we're sure have a lot of junk-we've maximized this place!
The week has seemed so busy but I think its just knowing there is SO MUCH that needs to be done, I guess that's about it. And here's one more of Colt-just cuz he wasn't over photographed this week :)

Oh my, it's Friday already? This week has been crazy but I'll do my best! Saturday Isaac was still at Youth Conference so the boys and I went swimming with our good friend Patricia. She is moving back to Georgia (today) anyway I was a little nervous our pool might be swampish as has been the case this summer -so gross- so we went to her old apt (it involved jumping a fence-yikes-but it was just a short one and it all worked out). That afternoon we went out with the missionaries to visit a gal I used to visit teach who is inactive. It was great to see her again, then we had dinner with the missionaries and Isaac came home. YAY YAY YAY after the missionaries left I took off for a little relaxing shopping trip. I had a blast and was pretty proud of myself for scoring $1.54 pajamas for the boys. As I was leaving The Children's Place I reached for my phone to call my mom and report the thrill of the deal when I realized I didn't have my keys...CRUD. So I headed back in and the cute little workers and I looked everywhere. They asked "What section were you in?" I laughed and told them I'd been in there 45 minutes and I'd been everywhere but no luck. After plenty of searching and no luck it was almost closing time so I called Isaac to come rescue me. I left my number and was hopeful I would get a call Sunday. Nothing. Finally, I decided someone took them. There was a really awkward shopper in there, and the workers and I had turned that place up side down. It was one of the workers who said "It's Flowood-its gettting as bad as Jackson." (That is not even close to true BTW) but still  I'd never thought that AHHHH so after checked back on Monday and with neighboring store I finally decided they MUST have been taken. But I was looking for silver lining, like we did have a spare, it wasn't a big deal for Isaac to come get me, and others... But then better than silver lining, later Monday afternoon I got a call and they had my keys. They were hooked on a hanger and shopper had found them. Sorry about the false accusation Mr. Awkward shopper. I was very happy to have them back.
Sunday we had the Crowders over and they brought the beloved jet...AND...let Cannon have it! So nice. Confiscating the jet is currently the best behavior threat. The boys both LOVE it.

 

 

And who knew 5 kids would fit in the sandbox-they made it work. The whole porch was covered by the end of the evening but I just swept it off and figure its less we'll have to worry about cleaning off before we go. 

Cannon has been begging for who knows how long to take the missionaries to the Ag Museum, so Monday I packed a little cooler with lunches and waters and we made it happen. Part of it is indoor but a lot if it is not. Can you think of a worse time/place to go to an outdoor museum then middle of July in Jackson Mississippi. UG! These guys were sports though, all dressed up to sweat to death on their P-day...yikes...I really didn't think it through or it might have been one of those things that I told Cannon we just ran out of time on and didn't get done...whoops. Sorry Elders! But hey, they did get to see the oldest working cotton gin in America (no consolation? Oh sorry) 

 

 

Cannon tugging on Elder Gray's hand and dragging him from place to place was pretty cute though-and he told him that he picked out his gray clothes just for him. Funny kid.  

Tuesday evening we got to go play tennis with the Shields, it was really fun! We will miss them, and it was like, wait? We should have been doing this all along. Oh well. Bishop is really good-Isaac and I both picked up a few pointers-sweet. 

 

Wednesday we missed playgroup because I scheduled visiting teaching, my bad, but the boys usually have fun VT'n. It cracks me up when we get loaded back up in the car and Cannon has just played his little guts out and he says "Now who are we going to visit teach mom?" Beside the big box of "awesome" toys Lori sets out for them this time they got to feed the fish, play with the ball/fan AND hunt worms with Micory (totally spelled his name wrong last time I mentioned him on the blog)  to go fishing with. They loved it. 

 

 

Thursday we did the story time at Miss Suzanne's bookstore-and truthfully its story time pretty much everyday around here.  We love stories! Last night we each took a kid and went out with the ward/missionaries doing splits. I got to go on a split split with a gal that was  just here on splits but was serving here last Christmas time. It was really fun to see her again-and besides a lot of driving around we were able to catch on of my young women home and visit with her and her mom so that was cool. (On the front porch so I have about 30 new mesqito bites to show for it-that part NOT COOL)

And today! Today was back to the Mississippi Air National Guard base, this time with the cub scouts and Colt and I got to go too (I take WAY more pictures!)

 

 

Colt was not digg'n looking out the top of it but at least he went with me, Cannon- Not a Chance! It was super hot and I didn't take any water, whoops!  Both boys were really hot sweaty tired and thirsty I felt bad! But it was really cool I know Cannon had fun, the guy giving the tour was darling with all of the kids too! Colt???? Maybe he didn't have as much fun...I don't think he liked the noise (one of the other planes had engines on and they are loud. Oh and right when we got there we got to see one take off it was on its way to California then Alaska then Japan by the next day-it was really cool. Back to Colt though he kept saying "Jet. Off. Jet. Off" I'd say "Are you ready to go?" and He'd say "uh Huh!" and nod. But we couldn't just leave we had to be escorted so he had to tough it out. It was absolutely fascinating all the stuff we learned though! The grown-ups were asking tones of questions ;)

Then tonight we had some new friends in the ward over for dinner. It was really fun, if we were going to be here I'm sure we'd be really good friends but as is we just enjoy them few weeks it lasts and we're grateful our paths crossed!
There might be more but I'll have to add later-IF I remember but I did take a picture of this...

 

Last week I mentioned this little twerp climbing out of his crib, well this week it was like something scared him in his crib. Who knows what but if I went to set him in there he was screaming bloody murder! So he slept on the floor for a few nights and naps but he's not stupid, it didn't take long for him to realized there was no barrier between him and the toys so it was a little ugly at first but we had to force him back into the crib. He's been fine with it the last few days. Thankfully. 

Oh and a Classic Cannon story-we were in the grocery store by the cheese and Cannon started excitedly yelling and pointing "Joseph Smith! Joseph Smith!" I was thinking "What the heck is he talking about?" when I realized what he was pointing at...the cheese is by the alcohol in our Kroger and Samuel Adams just has that pioneer look-no Buddy it's not Joseph Smith

Oh my goodness we had such a fun 4th of July weekend! We have really great friends here-that part of leaving sucks.

Friday night we went over to the Marchants-we had a great time! I cut the fun off before dark and before fireworks in the name of bedtime (such a mean mom, but really we've seen fireworks at the braves games twice and we need SOME structure) but still-a great time was had by all! Some of the adults were laughing guessing which adult would be in the pool first, not Isaac-he just counts as the biggest kid. They really got a good chuckle when I told them he and the boys were all in their swim trunks waiting for me to get home so we could go :) 

He is the biggest kid-and I love him!

Saturday we were spoiled by the Turners again and made another trip out on the reservoir :) :) :) so so fun. I was hesitant but I even got on the tube -WITH ISAAC-now that's brave! But it was so fun, I would have had someone take a picture but I'd tucked my camera away didn't want to miss out on enjoying the moment because I was trying to document the enjoyable moment (I'm terrible about that.) I also really wished I had a picture of both our kids on Katie's lap while we were in the tube-she's darling with them and if course they started bawling when we got in (probably mostly because they thought they were going to have to go-such chickens, -but it won't last, I'm sure they'll be dare devils before I'm ready- But anyway Isaac had said "I'll just take Colt it'll be fine." Colt started freaking out screaming "no" and Isaac said "Oh, I guess he understands more than I thought." ...classic. When they were confident they didn't have to get in they were all smile on the boat!

Anyway Isaac got his ski run in, we had some fun, then we got rained on, but it didn't last long, and then we went a little ways up the reservoir and found some pretty sweet Lilly pads and flowers.

  

 

AND -drumroll please...A ROPE SWING! I'm telling you Isaac was in H E A V E N!!! And no lie-we all had a good time watching him! After his first Tarzan jump then we requested a flip!

We got caught in a little more rain and rough water as we headed back, Kylie and a Cannon hid in a cubbie hole on the boat but when water sprayed over the edge of the boat and got us wet Colt cracked up and asked for more! It was just a really great time and Isaac is even more convinced we need to live on a lake in Missouri because we won't be there forever and in Utah its not really possible as the lakes are all public lands, state parks, or whatever. Time will tell on that one. 

After all our fun we rushed home for naps  before heading to the fish fry which I didn't document nearly as well :( but we had a good time. The missionaries had challenged us to invite someone to it. We all did but only Isaac's invite (Dr. Porterfield-that he gives a ride into school everyday) came. It was awesome that she came but I also felt a little pressure to make sure she didn't get abandoned. She said she enjoyed it and took a few pass along cards so that was cool. They had fried fish, hush puppies, fried pickles and okra and all kinds of artery clogging stuff but I think it was a success and the kids had a little water fight to top it off.

Once again we passed on fireworks! Such a lame mom-I'm over it.
Sunday last minute Isaac invited the missionaries over (that was fine they are not picky) but I did tell him later in the week that if he invites anyone else to dinner he's dead meat (then I thought of a family we really should probably have over--of course, poetic justice) Its always fun when they are here but its just a high stress thing for me and life is high stress enough, I really really want to move ~differently~ than we have in the past. As in-organized! Its overwhelming. My wishes are mine alone but I am determined! And there is no such thing has having this place look presentable with the move pending, I  have cardboard boxes stacked in every spare corner. Oh well. Anyway, after dinner Sunday I even went out tracting with the missionaries-its been a while but we met one really nice gal that let us in so that was cool.

Monday it was back to the Rez for FHE and the washer broke! Which then led to the mirror on the bifold doors broke as Isaac was shoving the washer back in. Sigh. Oh well. Tuesday we met up with the Crowders and went swimming, they're a cute family. Isaac said "They'd be great people to come visit us in Missouri." I said "Yeah and we'd love to have them but remember it is a 10 hour drive." We'll see I made sure they knew they were welcome when we were swimming Tuesday. That night we had friends over for dinner and it was really SO FUN I feel bad for ever complaining, I would do it again in heartbeat. They are so nice and fun.  He is doing a pediatric dentistry residency here, it was good to visit with them about moving here-its kind of hard-it kind of refreshed our memories a bit.  They moved from Ohio but he is originally from St. Louis and his dad was just recently called as an area authority up there and Kirksville is in his area-pretty cool. Maybe this big ole world is kind of small.
Wednesday I got up early threw the boys in the car and headed south to Biloxi to meet up with Jenna and her kids one last time before they head to Canada for a few weeks and then we move. It was a blast. So fun, such good friends.
Little Mr. Donut face-this a common little smirk I get...

Just Playing! So much sand, so much room to run, so much fun! And yes that water is just as nasty as it looks-muddy Mississippi! So gross but OH SO FUN! Two hours further east there are beautiful beaches...not worth the extra driving. And we loved having the place to ourselves!

 

The kids were beyond thrilled to learn that the gulls like goldfish crackers too, Cannon was leading the way with squeals of delight and chasing them.  The pictures don't do it justice but I'm sure you can imagine the swarms of beach scavenging birds.

 

I have seen the Lord's had his hand in our lives in finding such great friends, and I trust that His hand will let our paths cross again. (Right now though its hard to be able to see when-you know me, I like a plan-Guess I'll just have to learn to trust His) Cannon however was ready to go back down the next day! Jenna said "I knew I should have talked you into just staying over." But it was a good thing we came back because Isaac took our car yesterday when he took off with the Youth to Youth Conference. (He's swears he has Little Green running better but still!) Isaac won't get back until tomorrow evening UGG! Its not like we're never away from him but usually when we are we're in Utah and the kids have plenty to do. We've been hitting up the apt pool mixed in with doing laundry at the apt laundry mat but that's about it as far as getting out and about. Sooo....we're ready to have our dad back but there ya have it!

In other excitement: Colt has figured out how to climb out if his crib~great~he gasps for air between squeals of delight as he comes running into our room so proud of himself. Its so cute, I have to force the smile off my face and tell him its not ok as I pile him back into bed. We've been holding out until the move for a big boy bed, but I think its about time... I also can't ask Colt if he wants a snack unless I have and am willing to give him fruit snacks! If its anything else I have to say "Do you want ______."  Because "Snack" means one thing to little Mr. Determined and he loves those things! He'll request (or demand)  "nack nack nack" when he wants fruit snacks. Sometimes I have to lie and say I don't have any. On a happy note: they fix pretty much anything that's wrong in his world. That's nice. And one more quirky Colt thing, he loves silkies on his feet! I can't tell you how many times I've picked him up out of his crib and he's had a silky clenched between his toes. I just barely (I'm kinda slow) realized its totally on purpose. So Cannon loves silkies in his mouth and Colton loves them on his feet. So weird. Crazy boys.
Cannon's been watching the leap frog learning videos when he gets tablet time. (JD has a little toy computer he was playing with down in Biloxi, I think that might be what started it) but anyway he calls them the "Letter Dogs" Its so cute. We were driving home yesterday though and he counted to 100 mostly by himself! Maybe the letter dogs are pretty cool. And he's getting SO CLOSE on his Articles of Faith. We are going to speak in church the last week we are here and I asked him if he would do the Articles of Faith but he wasn't going for it...hmmm I might have to think of a bribe! Here he is writing his name. Once the N didn't look good he just kept going to try to fix it, then moved on down but whatever-he's getting pretty good.

 

This day Cannon got himself dressed and didn't match...So I got Colt dressed in matching miss matched close. haha I'm a dork! They love to play buck'n bronc...

 

And the above pic...UG they LOVE to get down from the table before they are done eating. It drives me CRAZY.  But sometimes I don't fight it, tonight I just told them they have to come get bites. So this is how they were coming over to the table crawling and rubbing their heads along the floor, well Cannon was and then its monkey see monkey do of course. So I might be the worst mom-or wife- ever but I told them to "Stop it, that's why Dad doesn't have very much hair on top!"  Of course it backfired because then Cannon did it more asking if his hair was gone like dad's yet. HAHA these boys! This crazy life!

I wish I had a picture of them sitting watching Pres Packers funeral, it was so cute. They didn't last but still.  

Its been a crazy, busy, fun week!