Interim thoughts....Edited

I'm sitting here listening to some red-haired chick sing on American Idol. I'll never understand why people do things to themselves that clearly don't make them look good. I really wish the Olympics would come back from commercial.

I have my feet up on our coffee table, the dishes done from making Rusty roast and potatoes, and my sick baby is finally sleeping though I'm not sure how long. It only lasted for 45 minutes at a time last night.

I'm listening to the wind whip, and traffic go by the balcony of our cozy two bedroom apartment. The wind a tell-tale sign of the wintry snow coming our way. Too bad since the five feet of snow from the last pounding they received out here on the east coast is just now melting.

And I just realized I'm happy.

Being the independent woman I am (or at least that I think I am), six months ago the thought of packing up and driving to Washington D.C to plant our flag was totally thrilling. I would literally get butterflies of excitement when I thought about it. However, on the day we did it, that was not the emotion I had. But...I have chosen to put that all aside and throw myself into this new life we are creating. I am choosing everyday to find things I absolutely love about not only Washington D.C, but about the people here.

See the people here are quite....rude. I never realized how once you cross the Eastern Time Zone, people are polar opposites. So, Rusty and I had quite fun making people be nice at Wal-Mart.

As a way of telling my husband how much I love and have missed him, I can say that families are supposed to be together. By that I literally mean the proximity to each other should be much closer than farther apart. It's amazing to watch Brylee open up and grow with Rusty around. Somehow, in all that time away from her, there was only one time that Brylee wasn't sure about seeing Rusty again. Every other time, she embraced him with open arms and somehow something was lit-up inside her every time. Somewhere along the Arkansas and Tennessee border she decided she REALLY needed to crawl. Ever since then she is our little tag along.

Rusty and Brylee are my everything and somehow, even though I have been a consistent grouch, he is always there to remind me that I am his everything as well. Even though I think he would rather kick me out on the stoop. Thank you babe!

I may or may not try to catch up with published posts. I haven't decided if I want to burden you with that, but I will post some pics of our latest happenings.

It's good to be back!

**** So this morning I woke up to read this post and it was as I feared...I sound bitter, grouchy, and ungrateful huh? So I thought I would shine some light on it. As I mentioned I try each day to find something I love, and today I did. Bry decided to get up really early so I left her with her Daddy for some "whoopins" (I'll explain later), and I headed to the grocery store. The big store out here is called Giant. Giant sucks. Like really, it sucks. It's expensive and I couldn't find any of the foods we normally eat. By expensive I mean people spend $3.76 a gallon for milk! But....this morning I found a Safeway and alas......the Wilkins family is SAVED!!!

First off let me tell you that everyone eats out here so if you walk around with more than 10 items in your cart you are a freak. That's why I appreciated the other woman who was busily filling her cart like me. She must approach shopping for food like I do. Get in...buy cheap....get out. I don't mess around.

Then it happened. It was AMAZING! I walked into the spanish food isle expecting to be disappointed again but instead I found this....


....and I knew we would be ok. They also had refried beans and diced green chilis! I'm in heaven! So, today I am grateful for you Safeway...for making my spanish food better, and making my day a little brighter. I think we will be just fine here in Maryland.

We have arrived!

The Wilkins' have made it to D.C! We are really happy to be out of the car and into our new little apartment. Pictures, stories, plus a lot of journaling will be coming soon, but for now...we are just glad to be here!

NOT AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.....

...but I had to write at least something. Let's just say that after 5 months of no husband, I am looking for homes in and around our NATIONS capital to rent (Washington D.C for those who may have graduated from RV)!!! Like I said....nothing official. I wonder how the wakeboarding is in the Chesapeake Bay?

Road Tasted

We walked in on broken sidewalks, a door that's windows were hazy from time and humidity, and sat down in chairs from the 70's. I could see the leather on the booths were torn, there was wood paneling on the walls, and the menu was on the old white board that the letters snapped in. On the walls were old photo's in old frames of family of the restaurateurs. The building was worn and not in a good neighborhood. I was sitting in this old restaurant with my husband and daughter, with some of the best food I had ever eaten. I don't normally crave BBQ, I actually don't like to eat it much. But.....this was beyond words. I truly understand now that there is a difference in BBQ. I am a hands in the air, singing Hallelujah, fan of Memphis-Style BBQ!

Pat and Gina Neely have their own show on the Food Network. They started their family restaurant in downtown Memphis in the 90's and now have three in the state of Tennessee and ship their BBQ creations all over the U.S. I have always wondered if their food would be as good as it looked. I think I wonder that about any food network star. I have tried recipes that have allowed me to know food items I really hate. For one, I hate capers. Hate them. I also know that I like sun-dried tomatoes but sparingly. However, I liked EVERYTHING about their BBQ. I learned through my stay in Memphis that with BBQ in the south, you order it "dry" and add the sauce on the side. It is sweet and tender unlike Texas BBQ that is tender but spicy and tangy. I also hate cole-slaw...except for the Neely's. It was AMAZING. More of a mustard base, it was so good. So, anyone wondering if they really know how to cook, Rusty and I can attest that they do!

Then....I'm walking in Memphis

Then I'm walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel

Saw the ghost of Elvis
On Union Avenue
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Then I watched him walk right through
Now security they did not see him
They just hovered 'round his tomb
But there's a pretty little thing
Waiting for the King
Down in the Jungle Room


So, I have seen the jungle room. I have been in it actually. Did you know it really is a room? I've also been on Beale street. Yep, it's a real street.

Memphis is an amazing city. I was told when I got here, "There are places you don't want to be found at night, then there are places you don't even want to be in the day!"

I have seen the places you don't want to be...and I loved it! I love every part of this city. Now, I don't want to live there or spend a great amount of time there, but I love seeing everything there is to see. The culture really is what you would imagine. I'm not sure it's the same as it was in the 70's during Elvis' reign, or in the 30's and 40's with the great blue's and rock and roll jammers, but it does have an energy....an incredible energy. I have never met people like in Memphis. They almost sit down and eat with you, they consider themselves Grandparents to your kids, and a man came up and hugged me at church for a good ten minutes.

The church is true here too, not that you were worried, but the Stake Conference we went to was one of the best I have ever attended. Plus, we sat two rows behind Justin Phelps and his family. The double take was priceless! It was great to see some familiar faces. It's so true that everywhere you go, you find someone from the White Mountains.

Graceland (you know you are all thinking...Seriously? But just wait!)
There is an energy in there too. Driving up to the front of the house you might think it's just a nice home in Memphis. In all honesty, it's kinda small compared to other homes I have seen. Other than the huge grounds, its quite normal looking. But the minute you walk into the home you can feel it. It's not like it's his ghost walking around, but you feel an energy. I was amazingly surprised at how much I liked it. I am not a celeb watcher, or get wrapped up in celebrity stuff, but it was awesome to know that I was standing in the home of the greatest music icon in the world. I like knowing that people are just people. His pool table had a tear in it from where one of his friends tore it. His back patio furniture in torn along with some of the furniture in the home. In the Jungle room, you can see where the fur seats are worn from wear.

It was a home that was used. In the tour, Lisa Marie talks about the love that was in the home all the time. I will post a slide show of the pics but there were a few places that stood out to me. These are the stairs as you first walk in the home. No one is allowed upstairs.


They say it is for the privacy of Elvis and his family but even special guests to his home he never took up there. Can't help but wonder what's up there!


Off the back of the house, Elvis built a racquetball court with a lounge. Today, the courts walls are lined with fabric to hold up his records and his many famous suits adorned with rhinestones are encased there.

But this was the best room of them all.
The room just off of the court is where Elvis sat and played "Unchained Melody" for some close friends and family the morning he died. That was an interesting feeling. Both Rusty and I thought so. To be in the place where he last was happy on this earth was enlightening. Same as when I stood there by his grave and the eternal flame. Just a humbling feeling. He really was larger than life.

Baby's 1st Halloween

Brylee's first Halloween was a little....different. Rusty wasn't here, and with all the moving back and forth I have done, I wasn't on top of getting her costume. I am a big believer in getting stuff taken care of ahead of time, but it worked out great that I waited since I got her outfit for half the cost. It was originally like $20 but I got it for $8. My little bumblebee didn't react quite like I thought she would, but she was really funny! She didn't cry, didn't laugh, she was stone cold sober. She just stared at Becky and I as we took pictures which gave us quite a laugh! I have to say, after all the costumes I looked at, I liked this one the best! Next year will be home-made, and hopefully her daddy will be there with us, but under the circumstances, we had a great Halloween!

After she trick-or-treating (only at Becky's), she decided she wanted to kick it with Skye and watch some T.V. Skye was only to happy to let her. Then we finished off the night with playing with the puppies. She LOVES dogs. She squeals, laughs, and grabs at them. I can't get the video to upload, but as soon as I do, I will post it. Hope everyone had a Happy one too!

5 Month Photo Shoot

As a surprise to/for Rusty, I headed over to this great place called Portrait Innovations for Brylee's first pics. I was going to wait until she turned 6 months so I could really do them every 6 months, but I just couldn't stop myself. We were flying out to visit Rusty in Memphis in a few days, and I knew he was moving into his semi-permanent place, so I wanted him to have a house warming gift. I also knew that she would be going down to only night time use with her brace, so I had them take a few special ones of her feet. I loved how these turned out. She performed so well and loved Lyle, the crazy-fun guy. I love how happy and smiley she is. I get comments all the time that I must be doing something right if my baby can look that happy all the time. I hope that's true, cuz I love my little dollface!

Beauty is Pain

My mom used to tell me when I was little "Beauty is pain!" It usually came when she was making me blow-dry my massive mop of hair and I would whine and complain that it took to long and that I was too hot. Or on prom night my sophmore year when my sister curled my hair into what seemed a million ringlets and it seemed to take forever.

Well, I did it and I will never do it again! It was horrible, heartbreaking, and down right sad. But dang, she looks so cute! Yes, I peirced her ears! Rusty really wanted them done, and I thought I did too until I sat in the chair with her on my lap. When you go to the doctor for immunizations, you know that it is for their own good. It protects them, strengthens them, but this..... no this was just plain vanity! It's not like she gets accused all the time of being a boy so I had this complex and ran to get it done, she is really all girl. I sat in the chair and she was in a really good mood. Ashley and Brooklyn came with me since Becky swore she wouldn't come! I was glad Ash was there for MY moral support! The lady did the first one and when I heard Brylee cry, I knew she was hurt. I grabbed her to hold her still and everything in me wanted to scream, "NO, DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!", but how funny would that have looked? She did them both really fast and then I grabbed Brylee to try to console her. When I spun her around, she was screaming with only a whisper coming out. Through all of her surgeries, castings, and shots, she has never cried like that. And all I was left with was the feeling that it was all my fault and for no good reason. I felt like a mean mom, (probably didn't help that two ladies were in there teasing me that I was a mean mom). But eventually, she calmed down and even smiled! I have to say, she is adorable with them in, but I think my next daughter will have to wait. They don't remember and it only hurts for a minute, but I can't forget. Ya, she will have to wait until she is begging, then I can say "YOU wanted it!"

The Crazy Hair Bandit Rides Again

Ya, she has some crazy hair going on, but hey, she was dressed, fed, a clean diaper, and happy the first day she got to ride with Baylie. I stole these pics off of Becky's blog since I didn't have my camera for two weeks. She loved it and the second time Baylie took her, she wanted to go again and again. I think more than anything she likes the feel of the horses mane and hair. The little filly didn't seem to mind her there at first but I think she got nervous after a while. In a week and a half she will have the brace off during the day and will be able to fit her a little better. Ride em' Brylee!


This is the second time she rode and I think she would have preferred to stay on forever, even though she doesn't show it in this pic!

Big Girl in a Big New World

I remember after Brylee was born and we were trying to figure out her constant crying and had started the whole process with her club feet, that I would tell people "I can't wait until she is 4 months!" Everyone had told me that with her stomach trouble that she would start to outgrow it at four months, and I thought we would be done with her braces during the day time. Of course 4 months would be better. I also remember thinking "I'll never make it to 4 months. I don't see it getting ANY easier!!"

Well, she turned 4 months on October 1, and has been such and easy baby! I don't know how I got so lucky! From the time she was about 3 months old, she wanted me to lay her down and she would drift off to sleep on her own (and by 2 1/2 months was sleeping through the night), and she was taking 3 naps a day!! She is also down to only taking a half a pill once a day for her medicine and she doesn't have to have rice cereal in her formula anymore. Really, it does get easier for any new moms out there!

She decided the day she turned 4 months that she is a super big girl and she needed to see more of the world around her. So, she sat up by herself and has been ever since. We have had a few bumps on the head, but every kid needs those I guess. I am amazed at her everyday. She learns so fast and seems so eager to see and do everything. She has pretty quick hands as well! She is now starting to roll to where she needs to go, but I'm lucky she isn't speedy fast just yet. I am so excited and hopefull for what this little girl has in store for us!

Sorry it's so fuzzy but it's a cell pic. This is the day after she started sitting up!


Loving on Bronx. She can get to him a lot easier now that she sits. Oh, how she loves this dog! Don't mind the "party in the back hair-do!)

First Bites

The Sunday that Rusty left for Chicago, I went over to Becky's for some dinner. Even Brylee wanted to try some. We gave her her first bites with some rice cereal. She did better than I thought she would. Even though her face looks like she hates it, she actually ate more than I thought. Since then, she hasn't liked it AT ALL! I can't get her to keep a bite down. She just shudders and pushes it back out. I can't tell if I should be happy or not that she isn't ready for solids. She is sleeping through the night and sitting up on her own so I don't figure she is missing anything too important. I do love these pics though!

First Trip Home

Rusty was able to come home after two weeks in Miami, and I have never been so excited. Since I wasn't such a good wife before he left, I was determined to make the first trip home fun. Thankfully, Janet agreed to watch Brylee for us the first day so that Rusty and I could have a sort of second honeymoon. We spent time with her the afternoon he flew in, then got to stay in this cool little suite in Scottsdale. It was amazing to be able to see Rust again. We went to breakfast with Dennis and Janet and then spent the day being a family, an afternoon nap and all. We then went to Schnepf Farm since Rusty had never been there, even though we have lived in Mesa for ten years! Cameron and Lea were up to going, and well the pictures say it all! It's always a good photo-op with Rusty and Cameron together. Between no ice cream to go with the free pie they gave us for only having two of the items on their menu available, and Lea freaking out a little about the skeleton guy running up behind her, it was a fun and interesting night!



Saturday is always a good day when you start with General Conference and then take a break to eat some food, see your family, and of course play some all family, all ages football. And, of course a dog. We Wilkins met at the Anthem park to eat, play, and compete of course! Brylee even got to swing for her first time.









Rusty had to leave on Sunday right after the first session of conference to catch his plane. I have to say, as sad as it is, it does get easier to watch him walk away. I still cried but only for a little bit. It was a really good distraction to come home and watch conference. I have to say, it was a pretty good first trip home!