Year End Update

This year we have had a lot of changes in our lives. We moved to Memphis, Tennessee in December of 2004. I have spent the better part of the year decoding this Southern Dialect and getting over some culture shock. I feel like I’m in a different country most of the time. I still have a hard time ordering food over the phone because I can’t understand people. It has been quite the growing experience living here and being the only Mormon that people know. It’s been interesting living near and working with people who all claim to be religious, but it only lasts for that one hour on Sunday. As we’re driving to church we see people crossing the street to go to church in their jeans, shorts, tank tops, etc. Then they all leave for dinner or to go shopping afterwards. They find my 3 hours at church quite daunting. One girl said they fired a pastor because he made them dress up for church!

We lived with Chad’s parents until March, 2005 when we rented a home. We became the proud owners of the home in May. We have loved our 3 bedroom home, but it has proved to be A LOT of work. We have stripped wall paper and painted the entire house, including all the trim. There’s still some touch up to do and doors to finish painting, but I’m to the point where I never want to see another paint brush again!



Chad built a fence in our backyard which led us to buying a puppy. We got a beagle and named him “Copper” after the dog in “The Fox and the Hound.” He’s a sweet little puppy and he is finally housetrained! What a blessing! He’s a little too smart because he can open closed cupboards and tries to jump to open door knobs. We have had to put baby locks on the garbage and cleaning closet cupboards because he can get into them. In fact, even with the locks on he still can reach just enough to pull on the garbage bag! What a determined puppy! He’s been a delight to have around, but a handful at times.



We decided to get Copper because I don’t like to be home alone and Chad was going to have to start working night shifts again. Copper has been good company, but I joke that he’s not a good watch dog. He loves people so much that he would get excited if a robber broke in because he would think he got to play with them! But, this morning some neighbors dogs dug into our backyard and Copper proved himself a better watchdog. I have never heard him howl and bark like he did! I feel even safer with him around now.



Chad has been working as a Bridge Engineer on the I-40 Hernando Desoto Bridge in downtown Memphis. He is an inspector on the project and loves it. They are working on the piers to stabilize the bridge in case of the big earthquake that has been predicted. Chad jokes that if the bridge doesn’t hold he’ll be the first out of town. He spends many cold days sitting 75 feet up in the air on top of a pier cap on the river. He loves it.



I have been working as a behavior specialist for a school district in Mississippi. I work with kids with special needs, mostly with autism spectrum disorders, who have severe behavioral issues. So, in other words, I get beat up a lot at school. My job is to set up a behavior plan so the child can function in the room and the teacher can deal with the problems when I leave. I’ve also been able to do more ABA, one on one work, with some of the preschoolers which has given me a break in the day from getting beat on by kids my size. I have enjoyed the job to some degree, but have had a lot of frustrations and many days have wanted to quit. That’s what I get for saying yes to a job before I knew all the details, like I would be considered self employed. Things have gotten better so I decided to stick it out for awhile.

Chad was called again to be the Elder’s Quorum President recently, so he has been really busy with church responsibilities. We just have one car besides the work truck Chad has, so I have to find rides to church and other activities more often now. I’m still teaching the Mia Maids which has been fun. It is a hard age to teach sometimes and I feel bad for my old teachers because I know I was no better. But, it has been a blessing to work in the Young Women’s Organization. They are great girls who are mostly one of a few members in their whole school. They bond really closely even though they don’t attend the same schools or have very much in common besides being members of the Church.

We have enjoyed living here and have enjoyed sharing the gospel with many people out here; hopefully they will finally open their hearts. Our biggest blessing of the year is below!



Coming this August, 2006!