What will she look like?!

So the countdown has officially begun. With only 75 days (or 10.5 weeks) to go until our little girl joins us, I've started to let my mind wander about what exactly she'll look like! When I was pregnant with Isaac, I didn't really wonder much what he would look like because I seriously thought, what else can Jeff and I make, but a cookie-cutter replica of Garrett?! Boy were we wrong! We've always thought that Isaac has had his own unique look to him...and to this day many wonder where he comes from (I wonder that daily...but not because of his looks!). Then Jeff's mom sent us this picture of him when he was the age that Isaac is now, and the questions, for us at least, have stopped:Amazing.

Anyway, I was hoping to be induced with Lola a week early on the 4th of March, but that very weekend my sweet little niece, Sydney, is going to be baptized! Which means... my parents (lucky them) get to go to Dallas to see that amazing event. Which means...I won't have my mom home the very weekend I would be coming home from the hospital. Which means...I've decided to wait until my due date (never done that before), if I can make it, and be induced on March 11th. I'm not complaining...the middle of March is a great time to have a baby...I had Isaac on March 15th. It's not too cold, not too hot and better yet, March Madness usually hits the very week I'm in the hospital. Therefore, Jeff officially has an excuse to sit and watch ALL the NCAA basketball games while we are in the hospital. Go Gators!

Regardless of when she comes though, we couldn't be more excited to add a new little person to our family. And the thought of it being a girl is just too much! Now that my belly is officially pregnant, and the boys can feel Lola moving about, it's becoming much more real to them, as well. I'm a little nervous for how Isaac is going to adjust to not being the center of attention 100% of the time! But Garrett is going to be just as good as when Isaac came home, the only difference being that at least this time he can help out!

Until then, I've kept this picture in mind as a possibility of what my little girl will look like. If nothing else, at least I know her hair will follow the family 'do!And you wondered where the boys got their 'do!

Merry Christmas!

Love, The Barlows!

Thank you!

Wow! What a crazy couple of weeks it's been! And even though our days are currently packed full of "new resident" tasks...I can not go one more day without posting a formal "Thank You" to ALL those that helped assist us in our move.

So...after two weeks of packing, two days of loading up two VERY LARGE U-Haul trucks, two days of driving, and two days of unloading all our stuff into two separate storage units....WE ARE FINALLY HERE and (somewhat) settled! What a relief it's been for all of us. And we have so many people to thank for making this even happen!

First of all, thank you to my sweet friends who helped me pack: Kellie and Nikki...you owned my kitchen! I may not know where everything is now....but I know that it's all here (somewhere), safe and sound. And to Heather...who can always sense when she is needed...if even to share in a good laugh or an unforgettable story! Thanks you guys!

Thank you to the wonderful families who supplied us with a week's worth of dinners and more nutrition than we are used to: Pat Jones (the greatest Visiting Teacher a girl could ask for...love that woman!), the Franzen family (complete strangers until this week...and yet served us as though we were family!), the Laherty family (Lora was one of my Beehives...man, how I miss those girls!), and the Fleming family (again, we barely know them, but they didn't hesitate to serve where and when they could). Your service was VERY much appreciated by all of us...but especially by Jeff! It's been months since he's had a normal meal.

Thank you to my two, sweet sisters-in-law, Anne and Elaine, as well as to my wonderful friend and neighbor, Abby, who took my children at a moment's notice! Garrett and Isaac already miss their cousins and friends!

Thank you to all those from our ward who helped us load the U-Hauls...probably one of the hardest jobs of all! There is no way we could have gotten it all done if it weren't for all the buffed, strong men who helped us: Johnny Slavens (our wonderful Elder Quorum President) who was the man behind the plan, making sure that we were always staffed with packers, movers, and additional help on hand; Mike Fackrell (our Home Teacher) and his brother-in-law (not sure how Mike roped him into that "service"...not to mention our dining room chandelier almost took his head off...TWICE!); Kevin Billings (Jeff's Home Teaching companion); Ken Burningham (a great friend for many years); and Joe Atkin (I served with his wife who was our ward's Young Women President); Bishop Scott McClellan (who stopped by to help us pack for a couple hours before leaving on a date night with his wife) and his wife Tammy (who is the 2nd best Visiting Teacher a girl could ask for! Thanks for helping with the hardest part, the inevitable stuff that is always left til the last!). And last...but certainly not least, the "Tetris Man" himself...Jason Franzen. There is NO WAY we could have fit all our stuff into even the two trucks we had if it wasn't for his AMAZING packing skills and attention to detail. You would have seriously thought he was moving HIS own home. In fact, the Franzen family just finished moving their own life from Boise to Allen a few weeks previous! I can't imagine "paying that one forward" myself! Thanks to all! There is no way we could ever repay you!

To my amazing neighbor, friend, and realtor, Cindy Schipper, who stuck with us so loyally for over a year in helping us either sell or rent our house!...there aren't enough words to express how grateful we are for your thoughtfulness and sacrifice! We'd be honored to be your neighbor again one day.

To my wonderful brothers...Cameron and Craig, who helped with packing up the trucks (Cam) and unpacking the trucks (Craig). I'm not sure who had the worse job...but regardless, they were the muscle (Craig) and humor (Cameron) we needed at a VERY stressful time.

To my darling sister-in-law, Cassie, thank you for agreeing to be my co-pilot! She flew home to visit her family in Louisiana and was kind enough to allow me to pick her up on my way to Jacksonville to help me with the boys AND the driving. She ended up doing most the driving (she's a really good driver) and left me to "deal with the boys..." Thanks Cassie for the wonderful company and even better stories! PS: How MANY Dollar Generals do you think we really saw along the way?!

And especially to Mike, Jeff's brother, who at the very last minute agreed to drive the 2nd, unplanned truck, from Dallas to Jacksonville. Thank you so much for your sacrifice (and your family's) in spending two days on the road...all on our behalf!
Once we reached Jacksonville, there were even more people who helped. The missionaries from my parent's stake and a darling couple, Spencer and Jennifer Hill (who was 7 months pregnant), helped us unload the last of the trucks into the two storage units. Again, by this point there was no way we could have survived without their help.

Thank you to Jeff's parents, who kindly gave us a wonderful "moving gift." It came at a much needed time and we are so grateful for your thoughtfulness.

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to my parents, who have endured many long months of my daily (and hourly) phone calls...asking for advice and more importantly, needing a listening ear. I can't imagine where Jeff and I would be without your counsel and helping hand. We look forward to building a new life side-by-side with you!

This post won't mean much to anyone but Jeff and me...and hopefully to those that helped us, but I didn't want to ever forget the MANY wonderful people that stepped in and made our life, our move, and our adjustment to Florida, just a little bit easier.

IT'S A...

So the day finally came! I don't need to tell you how much I've been anticipating this day for quite some time now. And even though I'm only 16 weeks, I somehow (successfully) persuaded my doctor to allow his ultrasound tech (who is fabulous!) to do a little "peeksie" and see what she thought we were having. I was so nervous lying there! And it seemed to take forever...the little one is allowed to have it's privacy and all, but come on already! So knowing that my boys were "detected" seconds after we started our search, I knew we must be in for something different! And I was right!

So with that said, may I announce that the Barlow family has successfully turned the tide...and we are expecting a GIRL!!!!!! I had to write that in pink...just because I can!

We can't imagine how life shrouded in pink will change our lives. Up until this point, all we think about is boys, boys, and more boys (and it's not just counting my boys...on my family's side there are 14 grandsons and only 6 granddaughters)! But we are so excited to add a new dimension to our family...and I'm already planning out her dance lessons, prom dresses, and wedding reception! And did I mention the shopping we'll get to do?! Gracious Be!

I do have to say that this little girl is coming at a good time. With our move happening only four days from now, the thought of leaving everything I know will only be supplanted with the thought that I have something sooo exciting to look forward to.

Something new, something different, and yes, something PINK!

Saying Goodbye...

Someone once said that one of the hardest things to do in life is to say Goodbye. Someone once also said that "friends are more important than life itself" (an inside joke, of course)! But all joking aside, I have to say that I second both statments...whole-heartedly. Cuz with a group of friends like Jeff and I have made over the years in Dallas, they don't make leaving "home" and saying Goodbye very easy. Me and the Ladies (Nikki, Jenny, Shelley, Kellie, Amber S., Heather, me, Anne, Nicole, and Dawnelle). We missed having Sharalyn and Ben Edmunds, Haley and Nick Young, and Julie and Bill Sivley there, as well.

This past Friday, my sister-in-law, Anne, put together a goodbye party for Jeff and me. It was so thoughtful and well-organized and (almost) ALL of our friends were there, which meant the world to us. We had dinner "family-style" at the wonderful restaurant, Maggiano's, and ate to our heart (and stomach's) content! I don't think I've eaten that much in months! The food was divine, but the company and entertainment were even better. We left feeling loved and knew without a doubt that we had made our mark here in Dallas, and would surely be missed.

Shelley and Len TannerTy and Amber Wardell The best friends a girl can have...(Jenny, Anne, Kellie, and Heather)

Amber and Barry Shelton
The boys...Len Tanner, Cameron (my bro) and Brent Rottweiler

The ever-hilarious Steve Frederick, and Ty Wardell.Nikki Rottweiler and Nicole HoaldridgeNicole and BJ Hoaldridge
Thanks to ALL for a wonderful evening! And thanks, as well, for the darling goodbye notes and "travel gifts" each of you gave to our family. It will make the trip cross-country a little more bearable. Please know time and space will not take away how important you all are in the Barlow family's lives.

Goodbye Texas...Hello Florida!

So if any of you thought our last "big announcement" was shocking...wait until you get a load of this!

After a year of trying to either sell or rent our home, we have FINALLY found some renters to call this place their own.

Wow! Yippee! Hallelujah!

I can't even begin to tell you what a relief this is for Jeff and me. Needless to say, it's been one heckuva crazy, long year! It's not every day that someone is hit on one side by a failing housing market, and on the other side by a failing mortgage industry. But for the past year, the stress of those two factors combined, has been extremely draining.

So, with someone to take over the house for us for a year, Jeff accepting a new job (he'll be working from home as a loan officer) and a parents' unbelievable offer to house us as we get back on our feet...we are off to Jacksonville, Florida for the unforeseeable future (we are hoping to work in a Master's degree for Jeff within the next year or two).Now many of you must be saying...yeah, yeah, yeah, we've heard this all from the Barlows before when they told us they were moving to Utah. Be assured, we are really out of here this time. In fact, we'll barely have time to get the word out to everyone before the dust from our moving truck has settled...which, by the way, will be less than two weeks from now on Saturday, the 27th!!!

In the beginning, the thought of leaving here caused a small emotional breakdown on my part. I mean, how can I leave all my friends, my awesome doctor, Garrett's amazing school and teacher, and my ward and the calling I absolutely love!? But the more Jeff and I thought about it, the whole idea became nothing but a "no-brainer" for both of us. Jacksonville, where my parents live, is a wonderful place. My parents have been living there for the past 8 years, so it's become my home away from home. And, with my little brother Craig and his darling wife Cassie living in Gainesville going to dental school at the University of Florida, which is a little over an hour away, the thought of leaving Cameron and Anne and the kids becomes only somewhat bearable.

There is no telling what our future holds at this point. Jeff and I have mapped out what we call our 3-year plan, with the most important goal of Jeff becoming a true Gator and earning his Master's degree at UF. What a dream come true for him (becoming a true Gator, that is!). We tell ourselves that we'd give anything to be able to come back here once we have reached our goals, but we are also being realistic that that just may not happen. Tear, sigh.

So, with that said, let me take this time to tell all my friends and wonderful ward members how much I am going to miss you all. I've learned from your examples and friendship so much more than you'll ever be aware of. I truly feel as though I've become a better person by living here with you in "Zion."

Anne, Jenny, Kellie, Nikki, Heather, Sharalyn....it's been a wonderful ride for me. Each of you have been there for me when I really needed someone. I can't imagine my life without you all.

At this point, I have tears streaming down my face, so I'll leave it at this...Please don't forget about the Barlow family. If we are lucky, we'll be "home" soon.

Some happy news

Well, I guess it's finally time to share our big news. This is not to say that most of you don't know it already, but I have to make it official sooner or later, and now that I'm officially out of the first trimester, I guess now is as good a time as any. So...with that said, Jeff and I are expecting our 3rd baby!
We don't know what it is just yet and I obviously have my suspicions, but I've been wrong both times before...so I'm resolved to not get my hopes up either way and be happy with whatever we get! I mean seriously, could I not be happy in getting another Garrett? Or Isaac? Ok, maybe the latter has it's reservations :) ...but there is just something about a baby boy that gets me every time. Then again, in theory, I would love to have a girl. I mean the shopping alone would be a dream! So like I said, as long as its healthy, right?

Speaking of healthy, I just went and saw my Dr. on Tuesday and got this ultrasound. They did some specific testing to make sure that everything is on the up and up (my doctor is so protective and proactive...love him!). So far, so good. But the picture doesn't do this little miracle justice. Seeing the little guy (sorry, it's all I know) move about and kick his legs is amazing. And the heart beat!? A miracle. I'm still in awe that I helped make Garrett and Isaac...so seeing this happen again is awe-inspiring. The spine, stomach, and brain all look perfect! And look at the length of those legs! A wonderful Barlow trait!

I'm actually feeling pretty good about 80% of the time now. And at least this time around I have an appetite...although I'm not so sure this will remain a positive in the end! Isaac's pregnancy was very different. I was sick until 19 weeks and even at that point the thought of food made me sick. So I'm grateful for the recent bout of energy and calmer hormone levels (and so is my laundry room!). And yet throughout it all, Jeff has been so amazing. He has stepped up so much the past 3 months...I so appreciate it. With all that we have on our plates right now....selling the house, showing the house, Jeff's job in dealing with a slow mortgage industry, Garrett starting school...I couldn't do any of this without him! So I hope he knows how much I love and cherish him. Ever the empathetic and doting "Love!"

I'll continue to keep you all posted just as soon as we know whether or not Copeland Davis or Lola Tate will be joining our family (note: we reserve the right to change the names...but if you know Jeff and me, that is not highly likely!) in early March 2009.

A memorable lunch date

Last night, as Garrett was going to bed, he broke down for the second time since school has started saying that he really misses ME while he's at school. As much as I love to hear that, it just breaks my heart. I know it's a long day at school and these little Kindergartners are just thrown into the system with no ramp up time. So to appease Garrett's tears, I asked him if me coming to eat with him during school lunch tomorrow would help break up the long day. He smiled and thought that it was a perfect idea. So did I!

In fact, I remember when I was in elementary school, parents could only come on certain days to eat with the students. Now, parents can literally go any day, every day! Those few times my mom or dad came and ate with me are wonderful memories. So I was hoping that Garrett would think the same.

And I think he did! Garrett, Isaac and I had a wonderful lunch today! It was so fun to see Garrett walk in so quietly and obediently to the lunchroom and then to see his face light up when he saw us. We dined on Garrett's favorite meal: chicken nuggets, fries, and apple slices. Isaac was a little crazy during the meal...but that's to be highly expected. I'm not sure how often we can make it over there to share in Garrett's day, but it will definitely be something we all look forward to whenever possible.

And then there were two...

Hilarious, sometimes...being a parent. It's days like these that really make ME smile. Last night as I was posting about Garrett's first day of school, he calmly walks in and gives me a big smile. I knew something looked different about his smile, but just assumed that it was because of the new vacancy in his mouth. But when I looked closer, I saw that there was not just one vacant spots...but two!
Seems as though Jeff and Garrett are getting REALLY good at this teeth pulling thing. But with Garrett's "domino" placement of missing teeth, he better stop losing them for awhile or he'll have nothing to chew with!

A day of many Firsts!

What an exciting day in a little boy's life...the first day of Kindergarten! We've been looking forward to this day for quite some time now. Then again, now that it's upon us, it seems like it crept up WAY too fast! I do have to admit though, that I was really looking forward to it just as much as Garrett was. In fact, I was shocked that I wasn't dreading it more, or feeling more anxious than I was. I guess it was because I just knew he was going to love it so much. No separation anxiety with this little boy. He's confident and secure in meeting new friends and being in new places. This kid can make a friend anywhere!Mrs. Cline and Garrett

Anyway, last Thursday we were able to go to Garrett's new school and "Meet the Teacher!" Even before we went, we heard from our neighbors that his teacher, Mrs. Cline, was fabulous and highly sought after! Looks like the 7 hours I spent waiting in line just to "register" Garrett for KINDERGARTEN truly paid off!

What an amazing school Garrett attends. It's obvious now why my property taxes are so high! But after leaving Meet the Teacher the other night, both Jeff and I looked at each other and said, "I want to go back to Kindergarten!" I mean, schools have come along way since 1980! I can still remember my Kindergarten teacher and how much I loved to help her with snack time. I helped pass out a 1/2 of graham cracker and a small box of milk to all the kids. Oh yeah, and don't forget the napkin! Heavenly memories.

Another difference of Kindergarten then and now....is that Garrett's school is all day...every day. That means he starts at 7:55 AM and ends at 2:45 PM, five days a week! Again, some parents are a little leery about their 5/6 year-olds being gone that long, and sure I REALLY missed my little friend today, but just knowing that Garrett was loving the time at school made me grateful for the opportunity and time he gets to be on his own and begin to really learn about life.

So what did he learn about today? Well, for one, that you can buy ice cream from a truck that drives around. An actual truck! I mean, can you believe that?! This revelation reminded me that I've come up very short on teaching him the most important things in life. I guess after recess, Garrett's whole class went outside to get ice cream, from none other than the Ice Cream Man! Nice first day of school!

After school, Garrett came home and had to call both his Grandmas to tell them about his first day of school. Again, it made me smile thinking about the wonderful memories he had created, all on his own. And I have no doubt there will be many more days like these, where Garrett's life is a joy not only to me, but to him, as well.

The Tooth Fairy

For the past couple of weeks, Garrett's teeth seem to be loosening by the dozens! Ok, that's a little dramatic...he really only has two teeth loose. But when you only have 20 (or so), then losing two at the same time seems like a lot!

When we first found out that these two teeth were loose, I got really excited and told him that pretty soon all his teeth would start falling out and then the tooth fairy would come and take them while he was asleep!

Uh, his reaction? He started bawling, holding his mouth like he was being asked to give up his most prized possessions! I stepped back for a second and heard my "exciting explanation" through a 5 year-old's eyes and figured that I should have really worked on the delivery of that news. So we calmed him down until he understood that this "tooth loosening" thing was actually a wonderful rite of passage that all 5 year-old eventually go through.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and here we are! Garrett's first tooth is finally gone. He was actually VERY brave about losing it. In fact, he let Jeff simply pull it out! I told Jeff that I couldn't do it. Ugh, the thought of having to do so made me nauseous... But Jeff, usually being the one that shys away from any sight of blood, waltzed in there and did the job beautifully! No tears. No blood!
So under the pillow the tooth went tonight! And just in time for his first day of Kindergarten tomorrow! We are excited to see what the Tooth Fairy will bring in exchange for a boy's "most prized possession!"

A sad loss...

I am coming out of "Blog Retirement" and posting out of turn only because there is no way I couldn't at least comment on the death of a wonderful musician.
LOS ANGELES - LeRoi Moore, the versatile saxophonist whose signature staccato fused jazz and funk overtones onto the eclectic sound of the Dave Matthews Band, died Tuesday of complications from injuries he suffered in an all-terrain vehicle accident, the band said. He was 46.

*****

Oh my! I'm absolutely devastated! DMB is one of my favorite bands and now it will never be the same. The sad thing is, is that I too, have been in a very scary ATV accident when I was ten years old, up in Island Park, Idaho. I spent a week in the Rexburg hospital due to injuries received to my kidneys and pelvis which I sustained after being thrown from the ATV (I was riding passenger) and landing on a tree stump right on my lower back. I also received a concussion and had stitches in my head. I am painfully aware how easily I could have been injured worse.

The music world lost a very talented musician and performer that's for sure.

New Ward....New Calling

A couple weeks ago, our VERY LARGE ward was finally divided. We knew this day was coming, but when we all walked into Sacrament meeting on the 15th of June and saw the entire Stake Presidency sitting up on the stand...we all sat down with a lump in our throats...shocked and anxious that the inevitable was really about to happen. It was so sad to hear that our ward was about to be split up. We've been in this ward almost 3 years and whether we realized it or not, the Allen 1st Ward HAD become our family. And it was sad to see so many good families go.

With that said, we are now in the 6th Ward...the newest ward in Allen. Our first week last week was a little daunting. We felt like visitors in our own ward.

But it's amazing what even one week...and a new calling can do.

For so many years I've wanted to serve in the Young Women. Seeing them in church reminds me of the wonderful teenage years (yes Mom, I did just say that)...when so much of your life and dreams are still ahead of you. So I'm so excited that my new calling will be as the 2nd Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency! The President is darling, as are all the other counselors and advisers. I'm honored to have been called to work with these women, some of whom I just met and yet can already sense the beginnings of a wonderful bond. That is what is so awesome about the Church...serving others brings about an amazing sense of unity. I'll be specifically working with the Beehives, which are the Young Women ages 12-14. Darling girls.

I don't know if it was the excitement of my new calling, but my outlook today was totally different than it was last week. I belong in this ward and am needed...and that is a great feeling to have. But more so, I look forward to meeting more people in our new ward and have no doubt that before too long I will feel that same sense of family that was felt in our old ward.

Happy 4th of July!

Who doesn't love the 4th of July?! Growing up in Utah I remember having the funnest 4th of July's ever. My favorites being the couple of times I was able to dance in the annual Stadium of Fire extravaganza at BYU's Cougar Stadium in Provo, Utah. One year my dance group "The Salt Lake Stars" had us dancing around Night Rider's car, Kit (I don't think David Hasselhoff was there) and the other year we were backup dancers to THE JETS! Oh yeah, who doesn't remember "Crush on You!" Loved it. And can I add that last year the Stadium of Fire had Taylor Hicks from American Idol, and this year they had Hannah Montana! Say what!? Then again, some may say that the Stadium of Fire has come A LONG way to get Miley Cyrus, but how many people can say they danced with "The Hoff's" car?! I mean, honestly...

Anyway, this year had to take a distant third in my memory book...can't compete with Kit and The Jets, of course, but the annual Frisco Freedom Festival held it's own pretty well. After a wonderful BBQ at the Rottweilers, Garrett and I dropped off Jeff and Isaac at home (the little guy isn't invited to too many activities these days) and then we were off to Pizza Hut Park, home of Texas' major league soccer team, FC Dallas. The minute we entered the park, Garrett spotted his prize purchase....some glow-in-the-dark stick. $10 later, we were good to go. I have to admit I was happy I had made the purchase after I saw how much fun it added to Garrett's night. Garrett, and his friend Alex, had more fun dancing around the field with their "light savers". I mean back in the day, all we had was a glow-in-the-dark necklace (that lasted all of 20 minutes before losing it's juice...the stick is still glowing strong), so they've come a long way since then.

The fireworks were fabulous if you didn't care that half of the sky was covered by the stadium. Oops, didn't realize that we were sitting a little to far forward. But we didn't care, it's the 4th of July and they are fireworks!

The most fun part of the night for me was seeing how much fun Garrett was having. Life really is so much more fun with kids (unless you are grocery shopping!). This is the first year we have officially taken Garrett to see a real firework show (last year's consisted of sparklers at the condo in Orlando....) and you could totally tell. I also got emotional when I saw all his friends around, having just as good of time. These 3 friends of Garrett's he has basically known his entire life.

Garrett, Alex Barker, Scotty Frederick, and Jaxon Copeland (cousin)

We met Kellie and Ryan when Alex was no more than 5 months old and Garrett was just 3 months old. We met Steve and Jenny weeks before Scotty was born, and of course, we've known Jaxon his entire life...after all, he is my nephew (my brother Cameron, and Anne)!What an amazing friendship these little guys have already. To Garrett, they are all his "best friends!" And this fall will be especially exciting when the three older boys (Alex, Garrett, and Jaxon) will all be starting Kindergarten! I swear they were all just born...which made me think how quickly time will fly and we will be sending these 4 boys off on missions!

Anyway, it was a wonderful day spent with great family and wonderful friends. And what a fabulous treat to be a mom to this sweet little boy!

Roto Rooter

About 6 months ago, we realized that our guest bathroom's tub faucet was not working. It would turn on, but only cold water would run. If you turned the faucet to hot, the water would stop running. So I called the manufacturer (Moen) and they proceeded to tell me, that basically...."if you don't use it...you lose it." I guess for some reason these faucets have a reputation of not working if not constantly used. So I asked them to send me a replacement valve, which I've now had sitting in my toolbox for the last 6 months.

At one point, while my dad was visiting, he tried to replace the valve...however, unfortunately, to no avail. Then, with our recent tornado adventure, I made friends with the contractor who fixed our roof and asked him to explain how I could switch out the valve. "It's easy!" he said. "Anyone can do it. Just remember, the most important thing is to first, turn off your main water supply using your church key."

"Ok," I said, "how do I do that and what the heck is a church key?"

I had no idea what he was talking about! But after a short tutorial on how to turn off our main water supply using this infamous key (which...come on, EVERYONE that owns/rents/or even lives in a house SHOULD know how to do), as well as a detailed explanation on how to switch out the valve in the bathtub, I felt like I was ready to go.

So after a long visit to Home Depot with Garrett and Isaac (my version of HELL!) to purchase the mandatory home-owning church key and wrench, Jeff and I were finally set to fix this faucet. (A couple of side notes: First, if this key/wrench is so mandatory....why don't they give you one when you purchase your brand new home?! I mean, come on! They gave me a plunger! And second, if this valve is so prone to freeze up if not used sufficiently, why doesn't the faucet come with a big sticker warning you of the outcome!)

Ok, so enter D-Day: While Jeff was outside this evening doing a few home-improvement tasks (patching up a hole in our mortar, hanging some new plants out on the front porch), I figured I would tackle the tub faucet. "It's easy...anyone can do it!"

I had a tutorial, right!? I can do this!

So I get my church key and wrench, go out front and successfully turn off the main water supply. Step one...check. I'm on a roll. Then I proceed upstairs and begin to take apart the faucet, following exactly the tutorial I was given only days ago. I making good progress and quickly get to the part that I was told would be the hardest, which was to pull out the old valve. My contractor told me that I would have to pull as hard as I could...even to the point that it would feel like I was going to pull the entire faucet out of the wall. Step two....um, no check. I couldn't get the "D" valve out! So I call up the hubby (Bob Villa....not) and ask him to use all his manly strength to pull out the valve. I kept telling him, "it's supposed to be really hard to pull out, so just go for it!"

Which he did...oh yes, which he did. And with all that strength came a loud "CRACK!" Jeff must have channeled Iron Man or something and literally broke off the large metal screw sticking out of the old valve. I was immediately a little worried...but quickly rationalized this little mishap with the fact that it would ALL have to come out sooner or later. So, unsuccessfully, Jeff and I both walked out of the the bathroom...defeated, and thinking....why do we even care about the "D" tub anyway?! It's not like we EVER use it! I mean, come on! That's the reason it doesn't work IN THE FIRST PLACE! UGH!

Anyway, so I tell Jeff, "Just forget about it. We'll figure out a way to fix it later. I'll just go outside and turn the main water supply back on."

Which I did.

And then I remembered...I better go clean up all the loose parts laying around the bathtub. I had stopped up the drain while I was doing my handy work, so I wasn't worried about any of the small screws falling down the drain, but I didn't want anyone going in there (a little ironic at this point) and walking off with the anything.

Um....yeah.... so you know what's coming next. A vision of our success!
Two words: Uh oh.

The best part of all, I just got off the phone with the plumber who can't come until the morning...so if we have to shower or use the toilet, our routine goes something like this: one of us runs outside (i.e. ME), turns on the water, runs back in, does our thing (the whole time knowing that we are wasting gallons of water as the faucet upstairs just Niagra-Falls-it!) and then hurries back outside, turns our coveted wrench, and successfully puts us back in the dark ages...or should I say dry ages, with no running water.

I guess if there is one positive thing about this whole home improvement debacle...it's that I have a much bigger appreciation of water now...especially running water!

PS: Why are they called "Roto Rooter" anyway?

Happy Mother's Day!

I love Mother's Day! And this year was no exception. Church was wonderful (although Garrett would NOT go up on stage and sing...saying that it was only for the "big kids." Hmmmm, funny that the Sunbeams were up there!) and afterwards we had dinner at my favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse (the once-a-year exception to the no-eating-out-on-Sunday-rule!). I was also able to take the day to truly reflect how blessed I am to be the mother of two amazing little boys. They really are my world! And I wouldn't change a thing.
I also want to take this moment to let a few more mothers know how special they are to me.

Starting with my own mom, Laura Copeland, I want her to know how much I love, appreciate, respect, and admire her. She really is one of those mothers that can truly DO IT ALL. She's a great cook, can sew just about anything (have you seen my drapes?!), teach anyone, lead and inspire the masses, play the piano beautifully...and yet is as humble and unselfish as they come. But aside from all of that, she is one of my very best friends. I call her almost every day....whether it's to chat, share my happy, sad and hard days, ask questions, or seek advice, she is always there for me. I value our relationship more than she'll ever know. I'm also so appreciative of her love for the Gospel. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of the scriptures are awe-inspiring. She has always taught me to love the Lord and to be honest in all that I do. She encourgaes me to be a better wife and mother, and yet she gives me a sense of self worth only a mother can give. I admire the way she has lived her life; strong and unyielding through adversity, and selfless through times of prosperity. My mom may not be perfect to some, but she's pretty dang close to perfect to me. I love you, Mom!
Another mother that I have grown to love and appreciate is my mother-in-law, Joan Barlow. Over the eight years that Jeff and I have been married, Joan has become such a good friend to me. I love that we are building and strengthening a wonderful relationship, one that is built on respect, service, and love. I have no doubt she would do anything for my boys, as well as for all of her 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren! Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. She's not afraid to speak her mind. She loves to have a good time and can make the best out of any situation. She laughs constantly and makes everyone around her feel like an all-star. Most of all, she has been a wonderful mother to her 7 children...and since I am married to one of them, I am truly grateful. Love you, Joanie! To my older sister, Alison....oh, where do I begin? I often say that I would never want to have just one girl, as I can't imagine her life spent without a sister...just as I could never my own. I think that's why we both only have boys! If only everyone could meet Alison and have her apart of their life. She is one of those women that truly makes your life better....and a HELL of a lot more entertaining! We are as different as two sisters can be, but have some of life's greatest (and most hilarious) memories of times spent together. Growing up, she was always my idol and I tried to be like her in every way (except when she chose the pattern for the bridesmaid dress she wore to my brother and sister-in-law's wedding....a picture says a thousand words....and so does the Sunday paper which was shoved into the sleeves as shoulder pads!) ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Alison and her family have been living abroad for the past 5 years (3 in Paris, France and 2 in Shanghai, China) so our summers spent together are cherished and memorable. As a young 12 year old, I wrote a poem for her that pretty much sums up how I feel:

Sisters are more important than life itself...

I've gotten A LOT of flack over the years for that poem, but deep down Al knows it's true. Love ya!

Growing up with 5 brothers yields one amazing thing....lots of awesome sisters-in-law! Angie, Kim, Nattie, Anne, and Cassie...Love you all! My brothers did well and I thank them for bringing you all into my life. Happy Mother's Day! Anne (Cameron), Nattie (Kent), Me, Cassie (Craig), Kim (Kyle), Alison, Angie (Kevin)

To the Barlow gals: Janna, Kelley, Elaine, Jenn, Amy, and Di....hugs and kisses to you all!

And last, but not least, to all my wonderful friends, Happy Mother's Day! And thank you for being such wondeful examples to me. My life would not be complete without you.