Review #15: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Favorite Quotes:

"Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how." -page 7

"To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love;" -page 9

"He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and every body hoped that he would never come there again." -page 11

"Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed that, were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger." -page 48

"Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her a distinction among her companions." -page 131

"What are young men to rocks and mountains?" -page 145

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." -page 176

"She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd." -page 191

"'Yes,' replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, 'but that was only when I first knew her; for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.'" -page 246

"But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture." -page 283

"Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her." -page 296

"'I often think,' said she, 'that there is nothing so bad as parting with one's friends. One seems so forlorn without them.'" -page 299

"I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing!" -page 316

"I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to any one less worthy." -page 343

About the Main Character:

Elizabeth Bennet is my favorite literary heroine. She is the second eldest of five sisters. She is her father's favorite and, I would guess, her mother's least. Lizzy "gives her opinion very decidedly for a girl of her age." She's described as second in beauty to her sister, Jane, who is basically supposed to be a babe and a half. Her downfall is her strong prejudice throughout the novel. She's pretty quick to decide what she thinks about a person and sticks with it until she is very clearly proven wrong. Yet, Austen makes Lizzy endearing despite her flaws. And don't even get me started on her love story with Darcy!

Another Character to Note:

Charlotte Lucas really stuck out to me in this reading! Before I really get into her character I want to share a couple of quotes about her:

"Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object: it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and, however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want." -page 115

"She had always felt that Charlotte's opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own; but she could not have supposed it possible that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage." -page 118

I remember once talking with a friend in college about Pride and Prejudice and about how much I love it and she agreed. She said she especially loved the risk Austen took with Charlotte Lucas and I didn't really understand what she meant. This friend then explained that it was a widely speculated opinion that Charlotte Lucas might have, secretly, preferred women. It completely blew my mind and as much as I wanted to discuss this idea, I hadn't read the novel recently enough to bring weight to the argument. 

As I read it this time, these two quotes stuck out as what might lead a reader to this assumption, especially the "without thinking highly of men" statement. I'm definitely not convinced, but it was interesting to read her character with that perspective in mind. 

I personally think that for many women at the time the concept of marriage was convoluted by fortune and security. I think, in those circumstances, it would be easy for a woman to think of men and marriage as a responsibility rather than a novelty to gush about. Charlotte was not a great beauty and had no means to care for herself without marriage, why would she be selective or even excited about marriage? She was just happy to have fulfilled her requirement as a woman and to eliminate the worry of being a burden on her parents; not everyone was as bold as Elizabeth to wait for actual attachment to form. 

Plot Breakdown:

This will likely be the most thorough plot breakdown I ever do, but it's Austen and I'm playing favorites :)

1. Netherfield Park is let at last...and who shall be the bride of Mr. Bingley?

2. The Prideful and Disagreeable Mr. Darcy...and so begins Lizzy's dislike of him.

3. An Invitation from the Bingley's and a Most Severe Cold...Mrs. Bennet's got game.

4. Darcy's affection for Lizzy develops...4and Caroline Bingley is a brat.

5. Jane and Lizzy go back to Longbourn...and Mr. Collins comes wife hunting.

6. Dear Mr. Wickham...and his story of misfortune at the hands of Mr. Darcy.

7. A Ball at Netherfield...awkward Darcy-Lizzy dancing!

8. Mr. Collins condescends to propose to Elizabeth...Mrs. Bennet is not pleased with the outcome.

9. Bingley leaves Netherfield and Caroline leaves Jane a letter...and she's still a brat.

10. The Lucas Marriage...Mr. Collins and Charlotte shall live a happy {and boring} ever after.

11. Wickham loses interest in Lizzy when another girls relative dies and leaves her a large sum...because he's slimy like that!

12. Lizzy visits Charlotte at Rosings...she meets Lady Catherine de Bourgh and sees more of Darcy!

13. Lizzy learns that Darcy sabotaged Jane's chances with Bingley even though he obviously loved her...because the Bennets are embarrasing and Jane didn't seem that into it. {She's just shy people!}

14. A Rather Poorly Worded Proposal...seriously Darcy "you're poor and you're parents and sisters are ridiculous...marry me anyway!" Uh....no, thank you!

15. Elizabeth tears into him about Wickham and Jane...and he writes her a note letting her know his side of things.

16. Lydia goes to Brighton and Elizabeth goes with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner {her uncle and aunt} to Pemberley...yes, Pemberley as in where Darcy lives.

17. The Most Adorable Tension Ever...Lizzy affections blossoms for Darcy as she sees his house and meets his sister. He also fishes with her Uncle {too cute!}

18. Lydia's Embarrassment...and the demise of her whole family.

19. Lizzy starts to realize that maybe, just maybe Darcy is the one to make her the most happy...but did she miss her shot?

20. A Botched Marriage and a Visit from the Wickhams...and silly Lydia lets it slip to Lizzy that the Bennet's owe their saved names to Mr. Darcy.

21. Bingley's Back, Back Again...and with a marriage proposal for the agreeable and lovely Jane. Darcy is with him for some of the trip and Elizabeth just wants his attention.

22. Lady Catherine pays Lizzy a visit...and they have an all out argument about Darcy and who is and is not appropriate to marry him. It's salty to say the least.

23. The Return of Mr. Darcy and Love at Last.

Something Interesting to Note:

Like I said before, it had been a while since I read this novel. Since I read it way back when, the Kiera Knightley version has been my favorite movie of. all. time. And let's be honest, it will probably remain as such. But, as I reread this little gem I kept thinking..."This is so different from the movie!" I have seen the 6 hour version before and didn't really love the actresses who played Elizabeth or Jane, but I'm going to have to re-watch it because 1. I think it is probably a lot more accurate and 2. Colin Firth as Darcy. As a result of these obvious differences, my something interesting to note would have to be a few of the major things I noticed from the novel that didn't quite make the cut in the Knightly adaptation.

1. People call in Elizabeth "Eliza" along with "Lizzy" in the book, but she's only ever nicknamed "Lizzy" in the movie. It was hard to even think of someone calling her that because I'm so used to thinking of her as "Lizzy."

2. Darcy flat out tells Caroline Bingley his interest in Elizabeth in the book which is a sore disappointment as she obviously favors him. In the movie it is pretty clear that Caroline likes Darcy, but he never tells her he likes Elizabeth.

3. Caroline tries to convince Jane that Mr. Bingley is interested in Georgiana rather than in her in the book. This happens in the movie, but it is far bigger deal in the book. Jane is very distressed over and Elizabeth refutes the point by telling her that it is only Caroline trying to discourage her.

4. In the book, Colonel Fitzwilliam {Mr. Darcy's friend that Lizzy meets at Rosings} has some interest in Lizzy, but in the movie this doesn't happen. It has an interesting effect in the book because Lizzy has him somewhat on her mind when Mr. Darcy proposes to her the first time.

5. Both Mr. Bingley's and Mr. Darcy's proposals to Jane and Lizzy are different in the book. They're a little more tender and sweet in the book, but I'm not entirely disappointed in the movie version either.

I guess the book being better than the movie is truer in this case than I remember!

Should you read Pride and Prejudice before you die?

My love for this novel runs deep. I love the Bennet sisters and how they aren't all the same and some have strong attachments {Jane and Lizzy/Lydia and Kitty} and others kind of do their own thing {Mary} and they embarrass each other, but at the end of they day still love each other {okay, maybe not Lydia.} I love that the love stories aren't predictable and keep you intrigued the entire time because they aren't all kisses and rainbows. I love that even in the smallest of ways, Lizzy took a stand for her right as a woman to risk being impoverished for the rest of her life because she would not marry without affection {sorry Mr. Collins.} I love that Mr. Darcy became unabashed for the sake of love. He became Wickham's brother-in-law for crying out loud! And I love Jane Austen. In closing, she's one of my favorites because in a time when many women were using male pseudonyms for their novels in hopes of achieving better sales, Jane used a pen name of a different sort.

Her books were written by "A Lady" because she was just that awesome. And they still sold.

So yes, read Pride and Prejudice again and again and again :)

forget not to...

 Twice annually the LDS church hosts a General Conference. At these meetings, the prophet and other leaders of the church share inspired talks about all sorts of gospel topics. They are enlightening and uplifting. Lately, I've bee trying to read one of these talks per day. It's something that has helped me feel more in tune with the Spirit and focused on the things that matter most. 

Yesterday I reread President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk called, "Forget Me Not." The talk is from the October 2011 General Women's Meeting that just preceded the weekend of General Conference. It has always been a favorite, but yesterday was kind of a perfect day to look it over again as there were a few of the messages that exactly fit what I've been feeling lately.

In the talk, President Uchtdorf describe the tiny "forget me not" flower that is often over-looked in favor of the larger blossoms in the garden. He then outlines five things that women often forget to focus on in the hustle and bustle of life. There are two that stuck out for me.

Forget not to be patient with yourself.

and 

Forget not to be happy now.

Patience. This is not my strong suit. I've always been {and probably always will be to some degree} the type of person who likes to check things off her very literal list. If you give me a task, I will do it to the very best of my ability, but I will also complete it well before the due date because it legitimately stresses me out to wait. I want it done as soon as possible. I'm the same way once I set my mind to a goal...like reading a book a week and reviewing on a blog {or something like that haha.} But, that goal has just not been doable for the last couple of months. I could list all the reasons why, but at the end of the day it just hasn't been happening. It's still something I strive for, but after I read this yesterday I decided not to let it bother me so much. I'm consistently reading and reviewing at the pace that lets me enjoy the reading rather than have it feel like work. 

And that's okay.

I"m generally a happy person. I know I live a very blessed life and am so grateful for it. I'm also a serial day-dreamer. I'm always looking ahead of me to the potential happiness that could come. Before Trager got into pharmacy school and we knew what we were doing with our lives, I would spend at least an hour a day in my head dreaming of what would come when we knew our plan. Once we heard back about Idaho the happiness came!! But almost as quickly as the happiness and relief that flooded me with the news of pharmacy school, bigger dreams came with it. We now have a deadline of when our inconsistent "student life" will end and our more stable " real life" will begin.

Then I remember that right now, today is real life and it is just as sweet and happy as my life can always be if I will just let it. President Uchtdorf said in his talk, "...if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us." He is so very right! I have all the tools for happiness today...I've just got to start using them! If I can be a little more present and a little less urgent to move forward, I will be better at seeing the happy tender mercies of my day to day. This is the current #1 goal. Be happy now.   

I figured {hoped} I'm not the only one who could relate to this sweet talk. I highly recommend reading it here. 

Pride and Prejudice review to come later this week... 

curry chicken salad!

The summer after my senior year of high school I took a job as a nanny for a little boy named Gage. His parents were in the business of reining horses and their home was just a few yards from the barns. Each day after hours of playing with "hopper boppers" {frogs} and swimming in the kiddie pool in the backyard we would all gather together for lunch. It was here that I was first introduced to my very favorite chicken salad recipe! Gage's Nana would make it and we would eat on toasted bread. In full disclosure I usually had two! They are that good!! 

I've been craving this recipe for weeks now and finally took the time last night to make it again. It's really an easy recipe, but it takes a minute to cut up the veggies and the water chestnuts...worth it! I had it in lettuce wraps for lunch today and that's when I decide I had to share! 

Since having it that summer I've made a few tweaks to it, but the bones of this recipe come from Nana and Heidi Arvidson, two really awesome ladies!

Curry Chicken Salad:

2 cups shredded chicken

1/2 cup chopped pineapples well drained

5 oz water chestnuts drained + sliced

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

3/4 teaspoon salt

1-2 teaspoons curry powder {depends on how strong you want it...I usually do at least 1 1/2 teaspoons}

3/4 cup light Miracle Whip

1/3 cup red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped celery {mine is usually more like 1/3 cup because celery is not my favorite}

Mix it all together +chill {I think it tastes best if it can chill over night}

And that's it! It's good in lettuce wraps, on crackers, or some yummy toasted bread like I had that summer. 

^^^Again, food pics are not my forte!^^^

Hope you enjoy them! I think it's the perfect way to welcome the warmer weather!! :)

What I'm Listening To: April

1. Be Be Your Love...Rachel Yamagata

2. Forrest Gump Suite...Alan Silvestri

3. Girl Crush...Little Big Town

4. Think Of You...A Fine Frenzy

5. Gentle On My Mind...The Band Perry 

6. Can't Help Falling In Love...Ingrid Michaelson

7. Heartland...George Strait {and Son}

That last one is currently making me cry anytime I hear it. Okahoma is the "heartland" for me and I'll be sad to leave it behind!

celebrating with the whettens!

Now that the news is out about Idaho I can tell you about celebrating with some really, really fun people last weekend! Casey and Ann Whetten are some of our nearest and dearest friends. It was Casey who instigated the brief love affair with law school that I mentioned in the last post. We really got to know them for the first time last August when they invited us over for dinner and we've been close ever since. Casey had just finished law school at the time and was starting a job as a patent attorney. Trager and Casey would spend lots of time talking over law school and all the things that come with it. Meanwhile Ann and I would paint our nails and watch Harry Potter and solve all the worlds problems...because that's what you do with your girlfriends, right??

Although law school wasn't where we ended up, these friends have really helped us in all our pursuits.
We think they're pretty wonderful :)

It doesn't hurt that we're a little more than obsessed with their little girl, Hallie {or Hallie-bear if Trager's talking about her...yes, it's as cute as it sounds!}

 

^^^Hi, my name is Hallie and I'm so cute it hurts!^^^

 

Do you see what I mean?! She's absolutely killing me with the little hand pop in the first picture. I have her sweet mama to thank for the smooch pic...she's was giving me little bird peck kisses and Ann happened to catch it with her lightning quick picture taking abilities! We spent the evening in the city at Republic {a little pub with yummy food and a really cool vibe.} It was kind of weird to sit at the table celebrating the fact that we know our next step! I honestly keep having these *pinch me, is this real life?!* moments. I'm not mad about it :)

One of the reasons we are sad about leaving Oklahoma is because of gems like the Whettens. Over the last year we've developed such great friendships with so many people, but like Ann said,

 "That's why there are things like FaceTime!!" 

Again, just solving all the world's problems!

 ^^^1,2,3...jump!! Anyone else play this game?^^^

Here's to a summer of fun outings like this and lots of future FaceTime calls!! 

And thanks to Casey and Ann for celebrating with us!

hello, pocatello!

Let me tell you a story. 

Once upon a time there was a boy named Trager and a girl named Jena. They were married in a beautiful, white castle and began a happily ever after life together. Trager was to be a doctor and Jena a writer and all would be well in the land. Everything would happen immediately and would come without any trial.

Sounds too easy, right?

What we quickly learned is that no matter how long you've been planning for something or how much effort and prayer and money you put into an endeavor, sometimes the Lord has other plans. Trager and I spent the last three years with a big "What's Next??" looming over our heads and in a figurative limbo. There were a lot of tears and some serious frustration. I can honestly say Trager put 110% of everything he had into pursuing medical school and, you know what, it didn't work out. 

Looking back from where we are now I see why it happened that way. 

It wasn't what he was meant to do. 

At first that was so hard to take. Especially as his wife, all I ever want for Trager are all the good things in life because I ardently believe he deserves them.  To watch him struggle was the worst and as the planner that I am I was desperate to know where our life was headed. 

And now we do!!!

After multiple medical school applications, a brief flirtation with law school, Trager will be starting pharmacy school this fall at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.

We are over the moon about how it all worked out!!!! My cousin's husband has been attending ISU for three years now and has absolutely loved it. We talked with him and my uncle a few times about pharmacy school over the past couple of years. Last year was too soon; we weren't quite ready to stop pursuing medical school. We were ready this year.

In January my uncle talked with Trager again about the idea and the more he thought about it the more excited he got about it! We talked it over and decided he should apply. 

This was the last part of January and the application was due February 1st. 

Three weeks later he found out he had an interview.

Two weeks after that we flew out and he went through the process.

Two {slow} weeks later he was ACCEPTED!

Boom. Boom. Boom. 

It was just so easy and just felt so right.

All along Trager has said he wants a job that will allow him to live the life he wants: to be a worthy priesthood holder who can attend his meetings on Sunday and give extra time throughout the week; a father who can come to the ball games and help with homework at night and go on evening horse rides; the husband who does the dishes after dinner and comes home to his wife every night.

Pharmacy will let him do that!

We are beyond grateful for the path we were put on three years ago that has led us here. We are so sad to be leaving Oklahoma, but are ecstatic to start this new chapter! 

And we may just have to try some of that potato flake chocolate milk ;)

Review #14: "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Favorite Quotes:

"'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.'" -page 1

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." 

-page 4

"And I hope she'll be a fool--that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."
-page 17

"He hadn't once ceased to look at Daisy, and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes." -page 91

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." -page 118

"Angry, and half in love with her, and tremendously sorry, I turned away." -page 177

About the Main Character:

Simply because I think everyone knows a lot more about Jay Gatsby than they do about Nick Carraway, I chose the narrator as the main character. Nick writes this account of his time with Gatsby two years after it occured. He talks about having taken some notes on a timetable that was withering away with barely legible notes by the time he returned to them to write this account. Nick is Daisy Buchanan's cousin and helps to reconnect Daisy to Gatsby. He represents normalcy and the reality of life in the very pomp and circumstance world that Gatsby lives in. He was from the "Middle West" as he called it and then went to Yale. He served in the war before moving to New York Ciry, Long Island's West Egg specifically, to sell bonds. His love interest is Jordan Baker.

Another Character to Note:

The conundrum of The Great Gatsby this time was Jordan Baker. I've read this novel several times and really never noticed or focused on her character until this reading. Jordan is a friend of Daisy's that she knew from her youth. She is a professional golfer whose closest relation is an aunt. Jordan carries herself in a very confident "I don't need a man" manner and she is unmarried. She becomes somewhat romantically involved with Nick, although extensive details are not given as the main love story is between Daisy and Gatsby. The reason I think she is noteworthy and frankly a little confusing is because I really can't decide why she is in the novel. She and Nick don't end up together. Her encounters in the novel are not monumental {she does help in connecting Gatsby to Daisy, but I think Nick could've been sufficient to make that tie.} The only thing I can think of is the contrast she provides to Daisy and the balance of male to female ratio she aides in. Daisy is rather silly and over-the-top. She was much sought after in her youth and holds no sort of position outside of her home or that of a socialite. Jordan is a competitive, unmarried athlete who doesn't throw herself on Nick in anyway. And there would be one less female presence without. I'm 100% open to other theories because this is all I got.
 

Plot Breakdown:

1. Nick Carraway pays his cousin a visit...and takes a peek at the unhappy marriage of the Buchanans.

2. Tom introduces Nick to his mistress...and they buy a dog and throw a really odd party/gathering. Also, I love Fitzgerald's description of Myrtle. Hilarious.

3. Nick meets Gatsby...at one of the parties that never end.

4. The History of Daisy and Gatsby...Nick and Jordan help Gatsby reunite with Daisy. And he's so awkward about it.

5. Tom, Daisy, Jordan, Nick, and Gatsby...all at the same party. Tom decides he needs to know more about this Gatsby fellow.

 

6. Say you never loved him...a hot day and a heated argument.

7. The "Death" Car...it was yellow in case you were wondering.

8.  An angry husband and a gun...Nick is the only one who stays behind.

 

 

Something Interesting to Note:

 

George Wilson, Myrtle's husband, realizes that she has been cheating on him for awhile and basically has a breakdown and locks her in their house. He yells at her that God knows what she's been up to and that He's been watching. Yet, the eyes he is referring to are the literal eyes of an advertisement for an eye doctor, specifically Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. These eyes are just across the street from his garage. Dr. T.J. Eckleburg knows that Tom and Myrtle are cheating on their spouses. And he knows what really happened with the "death" car. {No, I'm not telling.} I loved this very literal reminder from Fitzgerald that nothing that happens goes unnoticed. Someone always knows the secret.

 

Should you read The Great Gatsby before you die?

 

I'm a huge fan of this novel, so my vote would have to be a resounding YES! Fitzgerald perfectly captures the time he writes about. The 1920s were filled with flappers and liquor and happiness. The American Dream was thriving...only to be followed by the stock market crash of the 1930s. Gatsby had this idealized version of Daisy in his mind, just like many people idealized what their lives were going to be like. Both parties were disappointed.

It's just really, really good. I notice something new every time I read it.

Idaho/Utah Trip: Part 3

The last leg of our trip was spent in Utah seeing some of our very favorite peeps! My Aunt Mel and Uncle Ster live in Ogden, UT and I don't see them near enough so on our way south we stopped and spent a day or so with them. As usual, it was a blast! 

Trager and I got to tour Uncle Ster's company...I have that gem of a photo below to prove it! And no, you shouldn't take off your safety goggles when taking a photo because it's obvs so much more attractive with them on. {Duh.}

^^^It was so neat seeing the ins and outs of what Uncle Ster does! Trager was especially impressed...I was mostly in it for the hard hat ;)^^^

Later that night, after eating all the pizza we could handle, Trager, Uncle Ster, my cousin Chance, and I all went for a ride in Uncle Ster's company plane! It was so weird to be in the plane for like 10 minutes and be somewhere that takes about an hour when driving. The lights of the city were beautiful, but it was a touch too dark to document. You'll just have to take my word for it!

^^^I may have found my true calling in life....taking pics in the driver's seat of the plane! Not actually flying it, just taking pictures! I ended up with about 16 pictures and my eyes are open in all of them, which is basically a record for one sitting!^^^

The last few days of the trip were spent in sunny St. George, UT with Trager's family! We love any and all time we get to spend there because the Hintze house is always a good time! We got to watch Tegan perform with her competitive cheer squad which was so fun! What's even more fun is she just made Varsity Cheer for her high school next year!!

 {Yay, Tegan! Also, when did you stop being 11 years old like when I met you?!}

Probably my favorite part of being in St. George this time was watching Trager and his dad spend every extra minute roping in the backyard. Trager has been taking some informal roping lessons in Oklahoma and his dad has been working on it too so it was extra fun to see them get to practice together!

 ^^^Also, can we talk about how pretty St. George is ALL. THE. TIME? It was like summer in late March! So, so nice!^^^

We can't wait for our next trip out to see these favorites of ours! It may be sooner rather than later :)

Idaho/Utah Trip: Part 2

On Sunday, Trager and I headed south to visit more friends and family. We began in Logan, UT with one of my closest friends from college, Whitney. Whit and I became roommates at the beginning of the second semester of my freshman year. We were both looking for a constant in our lives that we weren't finding with anyone else. So Whit moved in with me and looking back on it...we barely knew each other when she did. But, lucky us, we clicked and had quite a bit in common and whole lot that made us different from one another which is part of why we worked so well as friends. She was just what I needed right when I needed it.

We met up at her parent's house and got to spend and hour so catching up. She somewhat recently came home from her mission and even more recently got engaged so there was so much to talk about. I think she would agree that we could have talked for a couple days worth and it wouldn't feel like a complete visit without a few episodes of something funny and a few impersonations. But this trip didn't allow for that much fun :) we went to church with them and then headed to the next friend's house. I can't wait to see pictures of this babe in a wedding dress!

Up next we got to see the Bayles family! They were some of our closest friends in Oklahoma when Trager and I moved back from Virginia. I remember the first time I met Bailey was the day my mom took her dinner after she had her second little boy, Taos. Not long after that I held her oldest son, Cinch, at church and I was toast. If you got to be around her sweet little boys and then got to talk to her for about 3 seconds, you would definitely want to be her friend. Added bonus, our husbands clicked and became good buds as well! Over the next several months we went to dinner often and grew to love those sweet boys and their awesome parents! It was such a great afternoon getting to see them again. We played with their new puppies, saw their horses, and had a great meal. Once again, we didn't have enough time with them, but we took what we could get! And we managed a picture with both boys {somewhat} looking at the camera! Yay :)