Highlights.

My mother and brother, Sandy and Joseph Money came last week for their spring break. It was excellent. I love them so much. I've missed them so badly. We just hung out and were together. It was wonderful.

They had a very interesting start to the trip as their plane wing flaps malfunctioned and they had to make an emergency landing using the breaks only, FREAKY! haha, but they survived. THEN on the way home we got a flat tire! Sheesh! Collin and Joe put on the spare and once again, our trip continued.

 This was us in the Planetarium watching BLACK HOLES! It was pretty freaky and awesome to virtually go into space and through a black hole. Space is nuts, man. NUTS.

Our tour of the birth center. Loved it.

Probably the highlight of the week: visiting Mount Vernon:

George Washington's home.

We loved being there; it was so peaceful! We

loved learning about Washington and his family.

He had an incredible life and was such a humble man! 

It was pretty inspiring.

The tour of his mansion was AMAZING. 

We couldn't take pictures, and this was the only 

room I got to sneak a shot of. None of the walls 

were white. ALL color and all picked out by 

Washington himself. He would love our decorating! :)

But back to the tour...it was so intimate. 

We were right there in the rooms. They were just so cool. 

And even though it was pretty crowded, everyone

was really quiet & respectful, and I could feel an 

amazing spirit there. 

One of the greatest gifts that George Washington gave 

this country was to give up his power after after two terms,

establishing this from that point on so that no man would gain too 

much power. What a great man.

"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord, he

that liveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall

he live' and whosoever liveth and believeth in me

shall never die." -Inscription from St John above

George and Martha Washington's tombs.

So peaceful.

It was St. Patrick's day and we went to 

lunch in downtown Alexandria at an Irish pub.

Fish and chips there were AMAZING. The 4

of us shared one and were stuffed!

 Then some shopping, and shamrock shakes 

(tradition for Joseph and me)

and home after a great long day.

Love you, Mom and Joseph. Collin, Monte and I had the best time with you and we miss you.
See you in June!!!

BACK From Camp!

I had such nerve-racking feelings as I left my sweet husband for Camp Misty Mountain (about 45 minutes away, but still no cell-phone reception) with a bunch of girls ages 11-15 that I didn't know at all. Was this right? I'd loved camp those many years ago, but the years were 9, to be exact. I felt like a school girl all over again, shy and insecure, but this time not so insecure and forced myself to introduce myself to everyone. I remembered that I'm fun and funny. I have a lot of friends. People like me. It was scary being reminded of that world, long ago, when I didn't believe in any of this. Anyway, after the awkward beginnings, the girls warmed up to me, were so excepting, kind, inclusive. First year, Tiffany, told me I'm awesome. I told her that SHE is awesome. She said I HAD to say that. But I didn't. She really is one of the sweetest humans ever. Their smiles and testimonies made the week wonderful. (And somewhat bearable, away from Smith. We've been away before but it gets HARDER each time! I ached for him--the person who understands me, loves me, and accepts me unconditionally.)

Here is my set up. Tiny little cot. I am the type to yell when I see bugs--YELL for SMITH to get it out! (And lately, if it's on MY turf, to KILL it!) But all living creatures became no big deal. EVEN A WOLFE SPIDER that was the BIGGEST NASTIEST HAIRIEST thing I'd ever seen.

I taught them all my camp knowledge. Like the cup game. So fun.
Me with Trishi and Samantha.

These are my 2nd years (my primary responsibility) in charge of the flag ceremony. They did a great job. Claudia (pink shirt) sang Amazing Grace in front of the crowd. Her voice was timid, and had a great spirit! I love these ladies. Willing to do any good thing asked of them. :)

Did you know that teenage girls stay up ALL night talking to each other and playing MARRY, BEST FRIENDS, KILL??? I would wake up periodically and say, "No killing anyone," and then fall back asleep. Great leader, I was. Marisol gave me ear plugs for the next night. THANK YOUUU!

Lasagna dutch-oven dinner. This was DELICIOUS! All the burnt, deliciousness, cheesy, ground beef, everything, YUM!.

I Feel My Savior's Love in all the World Around Me.

His spirit warms my soul in everything I see.

He knows I will follow him, give all my life to him.

I feel my Savior's love, the love he freely gives me.

I made this gem. My hair is different colors everyday. It is so red right now.

Look at this beautiful Dr. Suessian plant! Whoville might be on there!

You + me = Us!
This was the moon after the most beautiful and inspiring testimony meeting. Every testimony was pure, short, honest, heart-felt, and true. I wrote so many pages of notes as I was touched by the spirit. These young women truly taught with love. They are strong and amazing people.

I French-braided SO many heads!! My FAVORITE THING EVER! And painted nails! I love being girly even though I don't seem so. I braided Claudia's BRAIDS. It was awesome.

I look insanely sweaty because I WAS insanely sweaty. It was SO sweaty and hot the whole time. I'd shower in the cold water and feel good for about 30 minutes, then back to sweaty. I LOVE AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!! I love the S'mores and the S'mores pictures.

Last late-night S'mores Thursday night. We all said we didn't really feel like 'em, but all ended up roasting and eating. YUM. I love the woods.

I thank my Heavenly Father for these wonderful experiences and for letting me come home to Collin Friday afternoon. BUT he wasn't home! He got a temp job from that day till the following (this) Friday, yay! He left me the sweetest note I've ever received on the door step. I cleaned up, put things away, and then SLEPT. And then woke up to LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Back on the hunt

So friends, just to let you know, Collin is back on the job hunt. He was let go because the small company he was working for could no longer fund his position.

But it really is a blessing. Overall, he wasn't happy there; it wasn't a good fit.

But let me tell ya, it was a shock for both of us, and humbling! He called while I was at work. He told me and my first thought was, "good thing we have our savings." Then I felt immediate calm and peace, knowledge that we'll be okay. Never once have I felt fear or anything negative--miracle in-of itself, right?

Honestly, I'm so grateful for the Prophet's guidance and the commandment to have a savings and food storage. :) But don't worry about us; we'll be juuuuust fine! He will be paid through the next few weeks, I still have my job, and he is already on with some temp agencies.

Collin and I have both learned so much from this experience...(& I'm positive there's quite a lot of learning left to go). He needs to be involved in something creative, and have ownership in his work. AND not have a 2.5 hour commute, thank GOODNESS that is over!!

Basically, we are happy; we know this is Heavenly Father's plan for us; we know there is something better out there for Collin, and we look at this as yet another ADVENTURE!

Collin, I love you my best friend, darling, husband, lover, hardest-worker, creative, interesting, wonderful, amazing man.

Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen. I don't really have heroes besides modern day and Book of Mormon prophets.
The one I do have, Jerome David Salinger, my favorite author, died yesterday. He was 91 years old and he died of natural causes in his home. He had been a recluse for about 50 years and lived there with his wife. He was a genius, in my opinion, and his few published writings have deeply changed my way of thinking and my life. I have detailed directions to his house and I'll make it there this summer.
See you on the other side, JD.

"You 'd have thought they 'd taken baths in the same bathtub or something when they were little kids. Old buddyroos."