Moving to Vicksburg

We have been in Vicksburg for 6 weeks and I feel very much like we made the right decision coming here. I was a little hesitant. We could have gone to San Antonio, TX, which seemed like the "better choice" location wise, school wise, shopping wise, wise wise wise. But we didn't. We came here and I have no regrets. Erik is adjusting to his job. He is meeting new people and learning new things and enjoying the atmosphere of his office.

Alyssa first.

Now add Erik.

I have started going to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and that has helped get to know women in the community. I also fulfilled my life long dream and started a preschooler music group. It has been well attended these first two weeks and the mamas sing so beautifully! I feel like I am doing what I love to do, which is being with kids, teaching them, and helping them have fun in the meanwhile.

M'loves.

Oh, yes, we celebrated Erik's birthday, too.

Last night we went the the First Baptist church. Don't worry, we are not looking for a new religion. Erik's co-worker invited him to come and hear a little devotional he was giving and go rock climbing in their church gym. (President Monson, have you considered this for our missionary efforts?) We went because we wanted to experience a reverse missionary experience - in that we wanted to see how hard or easy it is to go to someplace completely new.

It turned out alright. I talked to a couple of women there and Erik scaled the wall a couple of times. We learned about Jesus healing our hearts and sang some songs that are a little different than LDS hymns.

The interesting thing to us was our conversation that ensued before we even left. I was pretty nervous/anxious to go. Who knew what it would be like? Would I have someone to talk to? Would I fit in? Would Erik be able to find his friend? Would it be AWKWARD (because I hate awkward)? These feelings and thoughts are something we do not really consider when we are on the inviting end. Just as nerve racking as it is to invite someone, it is also that nerve racking to be invited, accept, and follow through!

I think we are both a little more determined to be a little more friendly to new faces we see in places that we are comfortable.

So to wrap up my 6 week analysis of Vicksburg -- we like it, a lot. The people are so friendly and so religious. I'm wondering why I have always been so reserved about my religion. We are meeting more people than we have ever met before and we are learning how to be southernly hospitable and kind. It is pretty crazy, but I know we are right where we are supposed to be.

This one is for you, Mom. Those clowns are loved by her! They are the only boys in the house she can marry!

Reading A Lot

Alyssa is a reader. She loves it! She will at look at books for a long period of time. Sometimes she lets me read them to her, but mostly she just flips, flips, flips the page. I am glad she likes books, and the library, and all of that stuff.

Some of our favorites right now are Fancy Nancy books by Jane O'Connor, anything by Mo Willems - especially Piggie and Gerald books and Goldie Locks and the Three Dinosaurs, and little books. It doesn't matter what the subject matter is. Is it little? Yes. But it's about pavement design. Who cares?! It's little!

Privately Speaking

We have decided to make this blog private. It is mostly for family and friends to read about what is going on and we don't want any creepers creepin' in on us. So, if you want to be on our private reader list, email me (emilynelsen@gmail.com) and I will add you to this list. Let me know what email you will be using to sign into the blogger reader account thingy.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't cause too much of a hassle. I just want to keep our little family safe! You can read my thoughts openly at thefruitroom.blogspot.com. There will be some family updates there, but not as many pictures and details.

Please do not be shy. If you know me and I know you, we're friends! So send me your email address!!

Tired

Nursery wore this poor fella out

And that's why I love him.

'Sing' the Temple

We went to the Baton Rouge Louisiana temple this weekend. Alyssa started singing  "I Wove to Sing the Temple" when she saw it. 

I am grateful that we can take Alyssa to the temple with us when we go. Sure, the convenience factor is pretty low. Erik and I cannot go inside together, making our time there longer and the drive quite lengthy. However, Alyssa is learning the temple is important. It is important to us. It is important for our family. It is important to make the drive and to worship there. 

I have always loved the temple. I am grateful for the peace that comes to me when I am in it. I am grateful for the covenants I have made there for myself. I am grateful for the work we are able to do to help those who have passed on come unto Jesus Christ and receive their own covenants. It is truly heaven on earth!

To Share a Secret

I have been waiting to do this because I want what I'm about to share to be perfect before sharing it. But it is kind of a work in progress and I hope that by sharing it, I will be able to be more dedicated to it and also gain some valuable input and ideas.

So. My secret is:

I want to be a blogger.

Phew.

But this blog doesn't count in that I don't really want millions (or more than my family and close friends) to read about our everyday life, particularly Alyssa because there are creep-os out there. And I don't really want to look back on this blog, which is a record keeping mechanism for me and see posts about food or what I think about controversial issues or what I do in spare time or whatever.

Now, you might be familiar with my previous blog attempts. And you might have noticed on my profile that I have maybe 7 unrealistic blogs. But I'm moving on from that. They are like journals with bad vibes that need to be thrown out.

So. If you are feeling intrigued. And if you want to be my encouragement/support team/idea generators then take a peak at this link. Remember, it is still a work in progress. Shareable, but a work in progress. And I hope to fulfill my life long dream - the one that eats at me every time I read a blog because I want to do it too.

The Fruit Room 

I am open to comments, topics, ideas, recipes, etc. etc. etc. It will probably definitely not be updated everyday. But hopefully twice a week. It is NOT a food blog but will contain food. It is NOT a photo blog, but I might include pictures. It definitely ISN'T a sewing blog but I do sew. It is an everything blog and I hopefully will talk about a lot of things. So join me in my dream.