Homes

I am one blessed girl. I'm back from my trip home, to Palm Bay. And have come to a conclusion. I've been debating, really since we bought the house and moved in about where my home was. I have had a little mental struggle going on.

Palm Bay has been home. My parents home was my home. People who have known me my whole life, streets I knew my way around, a home I always feel myself in, and family quailfied Palm Bay for the title.

But Jacksonville (really Orange Park now) had started to feel more home-y as well. I've been here a while. People are starting to be more familiar, as well as the streets. And I have family here now too. So should Jacksonville be home?

When I was in Palm Bay I called Jacksonville home. When I was in jacksonville I called Palm Bay home. So my trip last week has cleared it all up. Here is my verdict.....

I have a couple 'homes'. I'm blessed enough to have places I can go and feel like I am home. To feel loved and accepted and safe. I have two safe havens. I have to heavens on earth. I'm so blessed! Palm Bay in all of it's glory will always be home. But Jacksonville has earned the title as well. Be it ever so humble there's no place like my homes.

Now for the trip details.....it was a blast!!

Jacob my little brother is no longer little. He is offically taller than me and can pick me up (though he dare not try!).

Kaylene is gettig ready to move to Jacksonville and I'm ready!

Jessica and her family are the cutest. Her little ones are just too much fun and getting bigger every day. She has started making quilts and blankts sets for baby cribs, and they are BEAUTIFUL! I'll post the link when she finally sets her Etsy account up, I've already called dibs on a few sets.

Mom and Dad are great as ever. Anna and Kim are h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s. We had a good time at the pool and the beach and letterboxing.

The highlight of the trip may have been Ben and Jerrys. You see my dad has a special kind of love for ice cream. He has a bowl every night before bed. So for fathers day, we put him up for the gallon challenge. 20 scoops of ice cream. 18 toppings. 1 brownie. 4 banannas. Lots of whipped cream. If you can eat it all, you get it free. We all ended up helping, but he gave it a good shot. I'm thinking it should be a new tradition! What do you think?

5 more nights.

I'm not good at being away from David. And I don't think that makes me silly.

I used to think it was silly when we would go on vacation without my dad during the summer and my mom would call him every morning and every night. I'm happy report that my mom is not crazy for missing out on all of the fun those summers, instead just very much in love with her husband.

I'm going to Palm Bay tonight, and am spending some much needed, long over due time with my parents and siblings for the week. David is staying and working. I'm sure I'll be on the phone, just like my mother used to be, every morning and every night. Wish me luck. 5 more nights away.

I'll report back on my phone usage, and hopefully a weeks worth of summer time fun with the family =)

Oh what do you do in the summer time, when all the world is green?

Here's what we've been up to:

Girls camp was last week, and it was a blast! I met some great people, and got to know and love the girls I served. I was definitly blessed with a wonderful assistant Camp Crafter (that sounds funny huh!?) who made sure I knew what was going on when I needed to know. This stake is pretty big on traditions, and it could have been much more overwhelming had Miss Danielle not been there! Camp Oleno is beautiful, although I think I could have apprectated it more if the river was swimable =) I'm excited to go back again maybe, a little more prepared, and a little more comfortable. Definitly with another waffle house excursion. Thanks to everyone who helped, see y'all soon hopefully!

Aside from that things have been pretty calm. I'm now enjoying my first summer break since the 8th grade. It kind of works out perfectly with what is going on now for a few of our closest friends. Clif and Britani are expecting their daughter soon, and Steven and Sarah just welcomed their little boy. I've really enjoyed just the few days of being able to lend them a hand. I can only imagine how challenging a new little one is! Both these ladies are great mommies and wonderful women who make it all look so easy. Congratulations girls, David and I are so thankful to be a part of this exciting time for you!!

Aside from the regular day to day my 5 week break will hopefully contain....at least a few pounds of blueberries picked, a week long retreat to Palm Bay, a ward activity, a shower for Emily, another new baby (this time a girl), a visit from Doug and Allison and their little ones, a wonderful 4th of July, at least a couple trips to the beach, a refinished dresser, a painted bathroom, a trip to the cannery, a few jars of jam, an apartment hunt for Kaylene, and maybe some homemade ice cream...

What about you all? Any summer plans?

23

Funny story: I forgot how old I was turning this year. I couldn't remember if I would be 22 or 23. I had to ask David after almost an entire afternoon of deliberating. I talked with my mom about this. Her first response was "you know, they say that is a sign of dementia". Wonderful! We joked for a little bit, and she informed me that she always forgets how old she is. The older she gets the less likely she is to remember. Age just stops being important at some point. Okay, but I'm not that old. 23 isn't old. Especially when you still feel 14, maybe 16 on a mature day. Maybe I'm at the point where age doesn't matter? I guess I could be. Its been a full 23 years.

18 years of education.(Including a few especially rough one's in the middle years, heaven help middle schoolers).

4 years of seminary.

I've lived in a whopping 3 cities.

I fell in love.

I've learned to ride, to play the flute, to share, to match my clothes, to do my hair, to plant, to forgive, to teach, to want, to sing, to grow, to change.

I've enjoyed friends, and the temple, and fairy wands.

I've remembered my Big Brother, and my Father.

23 years of laughing with my sisters, and hugs from my mom. 23 years to learn how to love.

23 years to learn how to cook.

In 23 years I've discovered I love to sing, and to see people smile.

In 23 years I've figured out how far from perfect I am, and how okay that is.

I suppose another 23 years will go this quickly too. Maybe I'll feel 23 instead of 14 when it happens. Maybe we'll do another list then. So wish me luck, I'm off again. Here I come 46! See ya in a bit...

Kings of Leon

My new favorite. Thanks to David who randomly decides to 'find new music'. I'm not complaining. I love music. Most any kind. And finding a new musician to appreciate is always great! So we went to see them in St. Augustine, at the ampitheatre, and had a blast. 3rd row. practicly on the floor. So fun. So nice. So good that I'm going to share it. I don't usually do this. Im kind of a music snob who keeps her music all to her selfish self. But this is actually that good. Don't worry, I know this kind of music isn't everyone's thing. That's okay, it won't hurt my feelings. I just thought I'd try because maybe you'll like it? And then wah-la! I've shared something I'm starting to love with you!

White dress number 2

Things have been great in this Goode household. Busy, mostly just with life things. But a few wonderful fun things too. Anna and Kimberly got baptised. It was wonderful. David and K.C. spoke, and Dad preformed the ordinances. I'm not sure when they got so big. Or if I'm okay with them growing up yet. But we sure do love these sweet silly smart little girls. If you could meet them, you would most definitely agree that there is nothing better than two matching toothless grins. Or two pretty white dresses. It was a great day, now if I could figure out how to keep them 8....

They all shall sweetly obey thy will

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will, peace be still.

Whether the winds of a STORM tossed sea, or DEAMONS, or MEN, or whatever it be.

No waters can swallow the ship where lies, the Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will, peace be still.

They all shall sweetly obey they will,

PEACE BE STILL.

I love this hymn. Especially the chorus. I can always use a reminder, especially lately, as my hope in the world, and people, and goodness faulters, that I know who is really in control.


I love this print. Hopefully I'll get it to add to our picture wall.... It's from an artisit listed on Etsy. I was going to post a link, but my computer is being funny, so I'll add it to another post later.