Farewell USDA! You've Treated Me Well.

Working for the United States Department of Agriculture for the last two summers has been the perfect summer job for me. Seriously, I lucked out. I love my little Southeastern Agriculture Research Station and have hundreds of memories from working full time in those humid and peach-filled orchards. I love the people I work with and all the adventures we undertook. These are a few pictures that one of the workers took and I stole from off of his Facebook. One of the coolest things about our pecan orchards is how long they've been around. Probably one of the top things I love about Georgia is a nicely kept up pecan orchard. Its majestic. And old. An orchard with nice, big trees in it has probably been around for 100 years. Way back when, before the government bought our station, these orchards were originally on a plantation. A legit, southern plantation. So in our spare time from doing our daily experiments with the scientists or eating countless, delicious fruit; us biological-aids go and make new paths in the woods and visit/find cool new things, like the slave graves someone came across a few years back. There's a TON of wildlife around this place too. I feel like I live on a farm during my work day when I see a tractor roll around. Another thing I love about Georgia would be the wickedly-awesome thunderstorms that come and go every few days. I mean, I grew up in Washington, but a Georgia thunderstorm can ALWAYS outdo some Washington sprinkling-mist. Oh, and on a side note: everyday at 12, we play volleyball at lunch!!! I mean, come on, who can beat playing volleyball on your lunch with a bunch of scientists??? Anywho, I could go on and on with picture captions which would indirectly lead to a whole host of memories that would only really make me laugh, smile, or cry. So just check out these awesome wildlife photos and take a piece of my beloved summer job.

mi chicos

are coming tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! jim's been in afghanistan. john in cambodia. im perrrrtttyyyyyyyyy exciteddddddddddddddd!

Sadly, I Am Very Attached to This Building.

Library commercials are always the best. The first video is a HBLL commercial that mimics The Old Spice Commercials from Super Bowls (the 2nd video). Oh, how I love BYU:)

I, Am a Registered Voter.

And I voted for the first time ever today. Its Tuesday and our Georgia Primaries. Check out my sticker I got. Nervous and excited i was, for all my life I have listened and listened to a very political family discuss very political things. As much as I tried to drown their voices out, I always followed what was up in our local and national governments and began to get that "Rhoden" desire to do your country a service by voting. I went to the Byron City Hall, ran into a few old townsfolk I recognized (I love living in a small town) went to the cool little computer and bypassed a bunch of random names of people I don't know anything about (I'm determined not to vote ignorantly). Then I found the one name I was looking for, Mike Keown. His name is outside on the lawn. When my Dad and I take Macey on walks, he takes a handful of magnets/brochures/posters of this gentleman and walks up to any neighbors he might see (or not see)and gives them a shpill of what this man's views. Because of listening to the same lecture and reading all the left over info from my Dad, I felt like it would be wise to cast my vote and make a difference in Georgia.

I Think I Lost My Marbles....

or my cell phone




again

Letters Written After Weeks of Nursery

Dear Darling Little Girl in the Plaid Dress,
You are so tiny and softspoken, I'm sorry when the big 2 1/2 year old boys come and take your toys. I'll never forget listening to your sweet little voice sing and watching you dance during music time.

Yours Truly,
Becky Rhoden


Dear Boy Who Shakes His Fists When Screaming At The Top of Your Lungs,
You are what my dad would call a biggin'. Chillax kiddo. I know you love your parents and want to be with them ALL the time, but give them a break. You climbed into my lap once and fell asleep. What wondeful peace we all had that Sunday. Go knock down some towers, you're good at that. I'm glad you stopped that biting habit.

Sincerely,
Becky Rhoden


Dear Girl With the Same Hair-do Every Week,
I love watching you play house. You go to the play kitchen, open the microwave, stick something inside and "hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm" and then you say "beep beep" and get out whatever you just cooked. DO you realize that you're only 2? AND you have more motherly instinct in the kitchen than I do?? I admire you!

xoxo,
Becky Rhoden


Dear Blond, Happy, Dimple Newbie,
Everyone knows we favor each other. You're just too darn cute. And I like those parents you come from. You're always the first to give your toy away when someone's unhappy. AND you LOVE nursery with a passion. You're such a cute, good boy. Never change.

Love,
Becky Rhoden


Dear Smartest Kid in Nursery with Messy Hair,
I've figured you out! You may be small, but you are SOOOO smart! Keep manipulating the other adults. You ROCK!!

Regards,
Becky Rhoden


Dear Oldest Girl in Nursery,
You have quite the spunk. I like you! Everything you do reminds me of myself at 3. You can manipulate and try and play the system by getting what you want. You also like to be in control of your sister. But I love, love, love your tender sweet moments when you find your younger sister and make her smile or show her how a toy works. Or, when you find the newest little boy and make sure he's always included in the fun. You're a born leader. You convinced every kid today to climb under the table and 'hide'. Kodak moment!! I'll miss you!

Best,
Becky Rhoden


Dear Nursery Class,
All of you are special. Thanks for keeping me away from Sunday School and Relief Society this summer. I don't want to go back to a college ward where its much to quiet. My earliest memory is from nursery singing that Alligator song. We sing it every Sunday. I'll miss you.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO,
Becky Rhoden

Why can't I just receive speeding tickets or get into fender benders??

RIP BIG RED :'(

7:45am - Intersection on Highway 41/White Road. Green light. Heading through intersection. White Honda Accord. CrAsH, BaNg, CoLLiDe!!!

7:46am - Climb out, body shaking. Assist old lady in White Honda Accord. Call her husband. 100% in control.

7:47am - Bystander arrives and asks me one question. Only asking me. "Are YOU alright?" Tears. Find dad's bullets ALL over cab. Immediately freak and think that i'll get arrested when cops come. Stuffing all bullets into my purse before anyone shows up.

7:50am - Fireman arrive. See Kelsey pulled over on the road walking towards me. In her arms, bawling.

8:15am - Talk to cop. See mom. More tears. Watch old lady get put on stretcher. More tears.

8:30am - Watch big red get taken away.

10:30am - Realization hits that I'm a danger to society and my future family. Vow to move to Pennsylvania and only drive horse/buggy for the rest of my life with the Amish.