Time

It seems Father has proven to take my life in his hands once again. Just before the June 2011 Gibb family reunion I received an email (due to my phone not working) from a friend and Walmart co-worker, Eli Combs, from when I worked overnight shifts, asking if I would go on a date with him. Though slightly stunned at his request, because he'd recently been divorced and didn't think he'd taken much interest into me, I was rather interested as to what may come of it. So, in my dedication to finding a spiritually qualified spouse I sent this oh so forward response, "Two questions: Do you have a current temple recommend? Do you attend regularly? If your answer is yes to both of these, than so is mine." His was a yes, so now I'm stuck ;)

Our first date, June 23 2011, was full of adventure seeing as we were both trying all new things in one night. We ate at a place neither of us had been to before, we were going to a club in Salt Lake that we'd never been to, to hear his friend, Buzzy, play whom he's never heard before. It didn't help his nervousness finding out my kind of music was on the opposite spectrum of what we were going to be hearing that night, but I assured him I was up for the adventure. The food was good, the club was iffy, and all except Buzzy's band the music was pretty hard core and strange, but due to the nature of the people playing, entertaining at the same time. Thanks to Buzzy playing Eli's wing man the night wasn't so terribly awkward and we even managed to dance a little at the end. All in all, for being a first date and especially something he hadn't done in several years, it was a good first date that ended with a good hug.

Believe it or not, our second date came the next Monday (though we'd seen each other between then) when I invited him to mom's for homemade doughnuts. We had been getting to know each other via text (the worst way possible, I agree, but due to his working nights and my freaky day shift schedule, texting was the only thing that worked with what spare time was left in-between) asking random questions almost constantly with a few serious ones in-between. We really had become quite comfortable with each other in person, even though we had gotten to know one another that way. Anyway, he agreed to homemade doughnuts knowing full my siblings as well as 2 of dad's sisters would be there which would likely invite opportunity for interrogation. I, however, did not know grandma and grandpa would be there and so he got introduced to quite a bit of my family in one night. I quite enjoyed watching him figure the situation out, and well, be a bit nervous :D

He tried kissing me that night before he left for work, but I gave him my cheek instead. Understanding that I had left him a little confused, I pulled away and explained why I wouldn't let him kiss me. Simply, "I don't want this to become a lustful relationship." It was already moving very quickly and I wanted to make sure that we liked each other and created a relationship for who we were and not for the lustful desires that could be fulfilled.
Thursday, June 30 2011, he came swimming with me and 2 cousins from the Perrin side before I had to go to work, lol so he got a good piece of each family in one week. He also took me to a movie that night and enjoyed a midnight stroll through Walmart since he picked me up from work. He got to see my tired-hyper side. Fun stuff. Well, we kept texting after I got home and that night's texting brought on the last of our random questioning and instilled the front of hitting the wall of avoided questions. I suggested knock it down in person.
So Friday, July 1 2011, we meet at the American Fork Amphitheater and talk for a good 4-ish hours. And now... all things are out in the open. Oh, and guess what? Chelsea kisses Eli. Eli takes Chelsea out for lunch at Panda before she has to go to work (which was happening anyway before I kissed him. Just fyi :) ).

So, the 4th of July we become officially exclusive and my life has never been this stress free! Go figure right? He's 31, has a 17mo. old girl named Lily, and recently divorced after being married for 7 years. (Funny story, mom had to clear that elephant out of the room with dad before we showed up for doughnuts that Monday. His response resembled something like this, "Good. This could be good for Chelsea." So far, so true.) He has a great relationship with his Father in heaven, and continues to work on improving himself everyday. He loves who I am, how I am, and allows me to be myself completely and feel good about myself. There's also this balance in our characteristics that allows us to flow and move so well together. I mean, this relationship has progressed so quickly, but so smoothly and at the right pace for us. We've been dating for barely a month and yet it feels like several to us. It's wonderful how well things can work out when you put the Lord at the helm of your life. And we really do. Through His help, we have helped each other heal and grow and open ourselves to all things possible.

I'm sure more updates are soon to come :) This is truly the good stuff.

Truth Be Told

I am so grateful for my beautiful family. I love them dearly. I could talk up a storm but it is my own fault I haven't written for a year. I think I will resort to a bullet list of things we did and then add some pictures off to the side. If you click on the pictures, it will take you to our web album.

2010 in a List:

• Charlie was baptized on his birthday, Mar. 27th, 2010
• Charlie attended his first Cub Scout Pack Mtg. and later experienced defeat at the Rain Gutter Regatta.
• The annual Easter Egg Hunt was held at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Homemade ice cream as usual!
• The boys headed to Oregon to sell Pest Control so we had a big feast at the buffet before they banked it!
• May 2010 - Grandma and Charlie played a game of twister at Tyler's Olympic Baseball game. Nothing like a Grandma to play with!
• The first grandchild, Josh, tied the knot with Haley.
• We started the summer out with a hike to the PG falls with Grandpa and Grandma. On the way back down, we watched as a hang-glider landed in the thick shrubs ahead of us, breaking a leg and creating quite an emergency rescue.
• Grandma Green passed away and we drove to Oregon for the funeral. It was wonderful to get together with Dave and Shannon and see the old neighborhood as well as drive to the beach, a family favorite outing.
• Annual Beach trip - Pacific City and Lincoln City, OR
• Sydni and Ilah held a wild and crazy bridal shower for our youngest sis Audri!
• Had a fun Camper to use this year and we headed up the AF Canyon with Sam (Williams) for some good'ol KFC
• I had a hysterectomy and a little bit of a scare when I passed out due to loss of blood.
• First day of school!
• Sydni and Jason are back in Utah and Jay took'em for a ride on 4 wheelers to show them fun can be had in UTAH!
• We headed up to Utah State to see the BYU battle it out! Utah State won by a crazy land slide.
• I have always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore. This was the trip of the year. It turned out to be more than we ever expected. Who knew South Dakota had so much to offer?... believe it!
• Our Short Family Annual Halloween Party had the biggest turnout ever!
• Thanksgiving was always going to be at Lynelle's. It just took our family till the last minute to figure that out! Sometimes I have poor decision making skills. Thanks Lynelle for your hospitality.
• Christmas was peaceful and full of love. I was really grateful for that. I have wanted to see Tilly and Cricket in their Nutcracker performance and got away to do that this year.

2011. The economy has been hard on our family. But, we are pulling together and work is seeing better days right now. School is out! I can't ever remember any of my children being more happy for summer than Charlie. He loves to play. All year I would hear form him how he never has time to play. And, it is true. School was a full time job for him. But I am proud of all his efforts. He is also a little virtuoso on the piano. He can move those fingers and it is really fun to listen to him. I am lucky that he has a heart of gold, and even though he may not want to practice, he does and he usually enjoys once he is there. I have had a great school year. The class was amazing and parents were supportive. I love teaching. I really do. Zachary has lived with us and Curtis moved in as well. Chelsea and Tami have been on their own since the end of last summer. Curtis has moved forward with jaw surgery so he is in braces correcting his teeth position and then will have the surgery in the fall, if it all goes to plan. Tami has taken up long boarding and gave us a little scare when she fell pretty hard causing a concussion and black eye with cuts and scrapes. She needs everyone who reads this to tell her to get a helmet! Chelsea and Zachary (and I think Tami and Curt) are working towards school again, more to come on that decision. Just a lot of this and that right now. All is well in Shortville as we head off to the family reunion next week.


Birthday Wishes: Chelsea turned 24. She is nearing her 1/4 of a century birthday. Really? Can't I just enjoy her being 24 without going and thinking about next year? Chelsea, I sure love you. I love your cute little smirk when you know you said something cute. You have had many struggles in your life. I have watched as your trails have molded you into the young lady you are today. I listen as you try and make sense of your world and what is in store for you. I can only be so grateful that you rely closely on your Heavenly Father. The power of prayer is your constant in your life. You are truly a caring and kind person who wants to do what is right. I know that your struggles have given you humility and perspective. Thank you for our quiet times together, and for being open and very honest with me. I respect you. I love you. I cherish our friendship and your desire to be the best you can. Happy Birthday to You.


What are some of our 2011 year highlights so far? You'll find the pictures in the slide show to the right.

• Charlie enjoyed playing on his first Basket Ball team.
• Zachary made sure the yearly circus trip tradition continued on with painted faces, cotton candy and the works!
• Happy 9th Birthday Charlie!
• Easter came with cold weather! In fact, cold weather stuck around all through May as well!
• Despite the cold weather, The girls managed a trip up the canyon for a bike ride with Charlie.
• Tami took Charlie to ride his long board down Provo Canyon with a bunch of her friends. Gotta Say - He felt pretty special!
• Happy Birthday to Chelsea

No time is like the present. I let the blog go last year. No excuses. Just a lack of interest I guess. It has been a hard year for my extended family. I have to be honest. It is still not as I would like a family to behave towards each other. This has been weighing on my mind for quite some time. The good always comes with the bad and this year, the bad has seemed overwhelming to me. Maybe it is because I am a close second to the oldest and have always tried to keep things running smoothly. I don't know if I ever did, but I liked to think so. I would help others figure things out, make sense of the craziness, or have some kind of comforting words for them and that has always given me a sense (false or real - I'm not debating that) of security. Our family was going to make it because we were always trying. But this past year has brought trials that have seemed to stump even me. And frankly, it just hurts. And there really isn't anything to say or do. We just accept that it hurts, and sit with it. So, I have. I just sit and wait and wonder and every now and then, get frustrated and confused and then remind myself that this time, we just accept that it hurts.

Good Bye to 2009

It has been a wonderful year. Jay and I feel really blessed to have a growing business despite the economy and many other contractors in the area without work. I think we both feel the gratitude of our Heavenly Father who has watched over Curtis in Chicago serving a full time mission. We know he has blessed our family because of Curt's sacrifice. Chicago was not an easy place to serve. But I read letters, week after week, from a boy growing in stature as he got out of bed every morning and prepared himself to send the message of the gospel to any who would listen. I am so proud of his strength, determination and ability to push on, and sometimes dragging his companions out to do the work.

Chelsea, Zachary and Tami are busy working, or going to school or both to reach their goals. Our house is full of visitors and friends and music. The lives of our adult children keep Charlie active and listening in on a lot of conversations that most seven year old years don't hear. He has some serious wisdom for them at times though. I especially like it when he tells one of his siblings to, "Just do it because mom (or dad) said so and it is right!" Charlie has so much love for all of his brothers and sisters and loves each of them for their different personalities and time they spend with him. He keeps us all grounded and remembering the most important thing we can give each other is our time.

I have worked at John Hancock Charter School as the fifth grade teacher for 6 years now and love it. I have an absolutely great place to work and awesome people to work with. Our school is known throughout the state for its grades, innovative learning strategies and being on the top edge of new skills and ideas that create better learners. I love it. We are also known nationally as a Core Knowledge Visitation School. I like the atmoshpere and challenge!

I have been a little lazy this year keeping up on our family blog. And it is hard to write generalizations about the year, so I plan to do better and leaving my mark and quick thoughts here throughout the coming year. If anything, it is a great journal for me, and I like checking that off my to do list! Check in from time to time next year to see what I am thinking and what the family is doing. Good bye 2009!