Thursday, October 1, 2009

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

First of all I am back. My plate is so full, I really shouldn't be blogging right now but I have missed you, and I'm hoping you have missed me too.
So I went to Utah last week. I go every year to go to the LDS General Women's Broadcast with my friend Kerry. This is the best picture of us that I got this year...
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Aric is very supportive of this outing of mine. He says that I come home a much better wife and mom. I wasn't going to go this year because our budget is tight, thanks to the adoption that never ends...but Aric insisted that I go. I decided that if I went I would try to meet with buyers at BYU and UVU to see if they would be interested in my book. That was the only way I could go and not feel guilty about it.
In the weeks leading up to my trip I had sent out a few books and made some phone calls. By the time I left for my trip I only had one meeting set up with the buyer at UVU. I was feeling a little insecure and I was thinking about canceling that appointment.
On Wednesday I hung out with my dear friend Jen. I spent the night with her and her cute family. She fed me and entertained me. It was a great time. It kept my mind off of the meeting that was hanging over my head.
On Thursday I was starting to feel really anxious and really wanting to cancel my 11am meeting with UVU. At around 4pm I got a call from the buyer at BYU. She apologized for not getting in touch with me sooner and we made an appointment for 9:30am.  I was so excited and sick all at the same time.
That night I stayed in Sandy with my fabulous friends Alisynn and Jason. They filled my nervous belly with Cafe Rio...YUM! We had a great time catching up and stayed up way too late. The next morning I headed down to my old stomping grounds.
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Aric left me sweet, supportive messages and I prayed all the way down there. By the time I pulled into the visitor parking at BYU, the peace had finally set in. I decided that no matter what happened, I had a great life, with an amazing support system. This book was written for Leah and it didn't matter who liked it. I just kept thinking of my own kids and how someday I could share this experience with them. I could tell them how scared I was and that it took all the courage I had to walk through the Wilkenson Center and find my way to the bookstore.
I met the buyer, Maureen, and she was so AMAZING! She was so easy to talk to. I couldn't believe how fast an hour and a half went by. It felt like I was talking to an old friend. I was completely calm and I totally enjoyed myself. By the end of our meeting, she had showed me how I can print it right there at BYU for almost HALF the cost! She was so encouraging and best of all she wants my book.....BYU is g0ing to not only carry my book but help me print it!!!!!!
I walked out with tears stinging my eyes. Every girl I passed I wanted to hug and give a copy of my book. I wanted to call Aric but my darn phone was dead. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for his love and support. I offered a prayer of gratitude to Heavenly Father who gave me the desire to write, the words to say, and the courage to see it through.
After that meeting I headed over to UVU.
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(It was called UVSC when I transferred there from BYU) It had been many years since I'd walk those concrete paths. My meeting there was quick and easy. They want my book too. As soon as that meeting was over I went to Walmart and bought a car charger for my car. I called Aric. He was in the check out line at Fred Meyer with Camden. It wasn't how I pictured that moment, but it was still sweet nonetheless.
To say that I am excited is a complete understatement. I am still in shock. I have to put my book into a PDF file for BYU, not as easy as I thought. But unfortunately I came home to more adoption drama so that has taken up lots of my time and energy. My goal is to have it sent over to BYU and ready to print by this time next week.
This is the point where you think this post might end...but nope. I still have two and a half days to tell you about!
The rest of the weekend was fun, and anything but restful. After my meetings I headed up to Salt Lake to pick up my mom and meet up with Kerry and Lara. We went to the LDS humanitarian center for a tour.
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It is really amazing what is done there. Touring that facility made me so grateful to be a part of something that huge and far reaching.
After dinner, my mom and I headed over to IKEA. I brought the biggest suitcase we own and only packed it 1/3 full. I knew that I was going to IKEA, so I made sure I had plenty of room for the treasures I would find.
That night we stayed with Kerry's parents. Saturday my mom and I went for a walk/hike, then off to do some more shopping.
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We actually spent more time driving around than shopping but that was probably best.
We met up with Leah and Monica for the broadcast.
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We had the best seats ever! We sat on the main floor, in the middle section and only about 20 rows up. It was so neat. The meeting was wonderful, from the music to the speakers.
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It really hit me how blessed I was to being sitting there, in the same room as a prophet of God.
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The spirit once again bore witness to me that Thomas S Monson is truly a prophet, chosen by God to lead us. I left that meeting a better person. I left with a stronger testimony of God's love for me and even more committed to living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After the meeting we had dinner at Tocano's, the best food ever!
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It was another late night, but so much fun.
Sunday morning it is our tradition to go to Music and the Spoken Word. As always it was incredible.
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Then it was off to the airport. The flight was fast and before I knew it I was home.
I was greeted by my precious people and this amazing surprise...
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We have been working on our bonus room and making it more functional for my tutoring student and my girls. We had looked at desks and couldn't find anything that I liked. So I designed this one and Aric built it while I was gone. All I had to do was caulk it, fill in the nail holes,  and paint it.
I LOVE IT! I would take this desk over diamonds any day!
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Then later that day, Jess stopped by with yummy trifle to celebrate my book.
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So there you have it. I think this is the longest post EVER...but I had a whole lot to catch up on. I promise the next one won't be so long.

23 comments:

Lindsey said...

Wow jessica. Wow. Congratulations! That is so great, and I am so happy for you! YAY! You did it, and I am NOT surprised. Looks like you had a blast and just as a side note, can I borrow Aric. I soooooooooooo want a handyman husband. Crap. . Oh well, I guess I will need to learn to do that stuff myself! BTW, your red kicks are so cute! And those red buckets on the rod... where did you get those? CUTE!

Melissa-Mc said...

What a fun trip. I thought the conference was wonderful. Congrats on the progress of your book. That is just so cool. And I love the bonus room.

Jean McKendrick said...

What an awesome trip! Congratulations on your book, how exciting!!!!!
Your desks are so cool! What a sweet hubby to do that for you while you were gone.
Have you ever heard of craigslist (not sure if I ever asked you this before). I was thinking how you said your budget was so tight, remembering how you made out at your last garage sale, knowing you have cool stuff... Anyway, you can list stuff you want to sell for people in your area to see. I've made some money listing stuff on there and it's way easy! You don't have to have a garage sale, just sit in your house and list it.

mrsmonje said...

COngrats Jessica! That is really so awesome about your book :)

the wrath of khandrea said...

i read this whole post, even though i was totally confused by the opening linke "first of all, i'm black." i thought you were mexican. i'm bad at speed reading.

congrats on the book. that is really fantastic. i am amazed at the whole thing.

and the desk is out of this world. what talent!

i'm sorry about the adoption crap. i know all the good news in the world can't offset the struggle there. hang in.

the wrath of khandrea said...

opening line, not opening linke

♥Shally said...

Good for you girl!!! You are an inspiration to us all.

Can't wait to get a copy!!

AMY said...

Congratulations... I knew they'd like your book... especially after they met you in person.

PS Mike and I are totally jealous of Tucanos. Mike likes to flood in memories of his mission past by speaking Portuguese with the "meat guys". It's really quite funny... annoying while we were dating as I remember though.

We're glad you're back. Looking forward to a quiet Conference Weekend.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you right now that i am crying. (THat presents a problem. when i cry i get sleepy and i have to mop my floor.)

Oh, you are so amazing. i wish that i could have been in utah to see you. it would have been so fun. i thought about you and sent you happy thoughts all week long. Sorry about the adoption drama. REfiner's fire? this too shall pass? losers never win? any catch phrase to help...

The desk. Oh, the desk. i almost cried about that too. can we rent aric? i'm with you on the diamonds:), that is truly BEAUTIFUL and made with love:)! bonus.

so happy for you jessica. you inspire.

Randi Kay said...

Jess, I can't even tell you how proud I am of you and your book! I just love you. And I'm a tish sad I didn't get to see you when you were here. But I understand. Sounds like you had a busy trip!

Becky said...

Congratulations! What great news, awesome conference, and gorgeous desk. And yes, I totally agree that Tucano's is the best.

Leah said...

Is that guy at Tucano's playing a violin on the table??? I have no idea what that thing is. A cheese grater?

Well, a HUGE congratulations for becoming a published author!!!! That is SO amazing...I am SO glad you never let any doubts win and you just kept going for it!!!!!

Elena said...

You're pictures turned out great Jess. The desk is beautiful! We packed alot of stuff in a short weekend didn't we? I will never forget the joy I felt there.
Khandrea, you're funny. We are actually Honduran. A little further south than Mexico. ;)

Erin said...

Yay! Yay! YAY! That is so great. Good for you for going for it and making this happen! You are amazing!

And, of course, totally jealous that Jessica got to meet you with trifle.

just the five of us said...

I am so happy to hear about your book. I have looked at Desert Book for it, but couldn't find it!

Your hair cut is so cute on you! I just can't do that "Kate plus eight look." It so works for you!

Glad you had a fun trip to Utah. I have to go next weekend for a quick trip. I am excited for the leaves, cooler air, and visit with my sister. She has thyroid cancer.

We were introduced to Cafe Rio last trip. Then I found one here!! Yippee!!

Mrs Ana said...

congratulations on your wonderful accomplishments. You are a blessed daughter of god. Hard work and detemination pays off. Sometimes it even takes courage and you used it well. I'm so proud of you! Love you and way to go!

calibosmom said...

How cool is all that?! I can't wait to hear more about this amazing experience. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. It's uplifting to hear about other's successes! Now I need to go eat something because that triffle is staring at me.

Ilene said...

Holy Craptastic!

What a great weekend. Thank you for thepictures. And can I have one of those treats too?

Lauren in GA said...

Jessica!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for you!! Sorry, I am late to comment...but I just wanted to tell you congrats!!

The whole thing is so neat and that is so incredible that BYU not only wants to carry it but they also want to help you print it!! I laughed at your saying that Aric was in the check out line with Camden when he got the news. I can totally see that in a movie, or something.

Congrats, again!

Lauren in GA said...

Oh, and that desk is so beautiful! Aric is awesome. I want Jessica to bring me one of those ☺. You deserve it!

Kara said...

Congrats Jess! That is amazing! I can't wait to get a copy of the book. What an awesome accomplishment. Aric did a great job on your desk.

Becky said...

Congratulations! I can say ...I know her....

Cynthia said...

any smart girls would appreciate that desk area over stupid diamonds.

ok, i haven't read your blog since camden was a newborn....you are writing a book? wowie!! whatever it is, i'm sure it's great!

best of luck! cynthia