The good, the bad, and the hillbillies

I've had several people ask me lately how MO is going and what it is like. So, here, to help me remember, is another list.

1. I realllly miss good food. Ron and I save a lot of money by not eating out because we are not tempted at all. The locals all love "El Charro" - the mexican food place in town. We tried it and I think I may have been eating tomato sauce instead of salsa. The pride of the town is the new Ruby Tuesday's. It's fine, but no Mango's, Rosa's, Pei Wei (which is another story), Cafe Rio, Grimaldi's, or any other one of our regulars back in AZ. It has forced me to be a lot more prepared in making dinner, which has been a good thing. We were desperate and made Denny's salsa Saturday. It really saved our taste buds.

2. Church is a big change. And, I really do not like change. I hate to say that, but some of my struggles definitely come because of changes from a ward I felt was my home, to a ward where I knew nobody. I am just grateful that the important things are still a part of my life and that I am still able to enjoy the blessings of the gospel. However, there are things that make for difficulties living in a ward/stake that covers a ton of miles. For instance . . .
a. Sam and Ron had to travel 2 hours each direction today to attend a stake fireside.
b. My young women live in 4 different small towns and as beehives, they really don't even know each other.
c. EVERTHING - big and little scouts, YW, YM, achievement days, institute, etc. all take place at 7 on Wednesday. It makes it difficult as a mom to attend pack meeting, court of honor, and YW. But, I understand that they don't want to ask people to drive up to 45 minutes to the church more than twice a week.
d. The temple is not as convenient as it was. Ron works M-S and we were hoping to be able to sneak to a late temple session in St. Louis - 3 hours away- on Saturday evenings, but the last session is at 2:30 on Saturday. So, I really do appreciate the temple more than ever.

3. Shopping. I miss shopping. As much as I try, Walmart does not satisfy me. I miss the hustle and bustle of the holiday season at the mall. I miss seeing all of the holiday window displays and the fun, creative ideas that come from just wandering a major mall. So, Thursday morning, I woke up and decided to take a trip to St. Louis. Ron was supportive because I think he could see the bright, desperate gleam in my eye. Sam wanted nothing to do with 6-7 hours in the car so he opted out. Zach was having a substitute and wasn't excited about going to school, so he promised to be help and was soon seated in the car. Maggie heard shopping and that was all she needed. Casey was bribed with a Star Wars toy so I wouldn't have to worry about an 11:15 pick-up, and Jill doesn't have a choice yet. So, the four of them piled in the car and we made a trip to the mall in St. Louis. We had a fabulous time. We spent lots of time in Pottery Barn Kids looking at all of the toys, they loved Border's and all of the books, H&M was a pleasant surprise for me, I used my 30% off at Old Navy and Gap, and as mentioned before, Pei Wei was had. So, as long as the drive was, it was well worth satisfying that incessant need to shop and find the best deals on the clearance rack at Old Navy.

4. I'm starting to sound a little whiny, so here is one for the good. It has been fun to meet and get to know people with such different backgrounds. A group of ladies get together to walk three days a week and I do enjoy listening and learning from them. They have been so supportive in our move and have adopted me as their project. Michele is constantly making sure I am not pining for AZ too much, and makes sure we are always taken care of on holidays.

5. Sports for Sam. He has loved it. It has been a great to see him enjoy getting to play competitive sports through school. Plus, everything is so cheap. No more sign-up fees. Hooray.

6. We love the house and the yard. The kids spend most Saturdays just exploring and menacing outside. It is great. Just as long as they don't get chiggers or ticks.

6. Culture Shock. Two conversations with Maggie sum it all up.
a. The other morning she said, "I'm fixin' to . . .." I turned immediately around and told her that fixing means that something is broken and needs to be fixed, not that you are going to do something. She said that her teacher says it all the time. Hooray. I told her that her teacher is allowed to say that because she grew up in MO, but that she is not allowed to. Then Ron says, "Wouldn't it be funny if Maggie picked up the accent." That really wasn't funny.
b. On the way home from St. Louis on Thursday, Maggie said, "Mom, I just have one question. Why did we move where there are so many hillbillies?" All I could do was laugh.

Anyway, there are a few little glimpses into life in southern Missouri. There is the good, the bad, and as Maggie says, the hillbillies. But, besides missing friends and family, we are all doing just great.