The Stubblefield Family

On Tuesday we got to go the Beacon Drive-In in Spartanburg, a "world famous" reasturant where politicians (George W., John McCain, Mitt) often stop to speak while in SC. Chuck Baldwin, the presidential candidate for the Constitution Party spoke. Jared also attended a rally in Greenville later that night. Here are a couple of the pictures we took.

But, you might be more interested in the photo and video the Spartanburg paper, The Herald Journal took while we were there. :) There is one photo of Hannie and Jared in the photo gallery and they are once briefly in the video too. In the video interview the reporter asks Mr. Baldwin how the Constitution Party differs from the Libertarian Party and about the possibilities for a third party candidate this election. Here is the link to the article.

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080827/NEWS/808270319/1083&title=3rd_party_candidate_lashes_out_at_Obama_and_McCain

We are mentioned. But, mind you this is my first newspaper quote and on the way home I thought of 100 more intelligent things I could have said...maybe next time. :)

Also, if you want to take a look, here is the link to The Constitution Party

http://www.constitutionparty.com/

and Chuck Baldwin.

http://baldwin08.com/

A few weekends back Jared worked with the Elder's Quorum to help finish a project for our friends and neighbors, Mike and Diane. Mike, had started building a great shed, but because of some back problems hadn't been able to get back to finish it and the wood was starting to show the wear of weather and rain. Four men from the ward, plus Jared and the missionaries gave up their entire Saturday to finish it up for them. Mike and Diane were very touched. They told us that they couldn't believe what "perfect strangers" were so willing to do for them. We were so glad we were able to help! And thanks to all those great guys from church for giving of their time and talents! It was a great day!

The Lawson Academy is officially one beautiful little dancer stronger! :) Hannah had her first class last week at Converse College, a private women's college in Spartanburg. She's in class with her friend Riley. Riley's Dad goes to school with Jared.

Here's Hannie in the dressing room before her first class.


When it was time to go into the Studio with Ms. Jennifer, Riley was a little nervous and didn't want to leave her Mom. Hannah held our her hand and said, "It's ok, I'll be right with you." Riley took Hannie's hand and off they went. Here they are, holding hands, lined up ready to go to class.

Our dear friend Sister Kennedy invited us blue berry picking on their little farm. Like Sal in the book Hannie ate more than her little hands put in our basket. :) We also got to pet the goats and their BIG puppy.



We made a bunch of blue berry pancakes and froze some, but we ate most by the hand full! :) Thank you to the Kennedys for the the lovely afternoon and the yummy blue berries!

Here, I hope that everyone will forgive me a little wifely bragging. (Fair warning. :)

This quarter Jared started seeing out patients in the clinic. He's started with a small little group of patients...me, Hannah, Ben and a couple of students. He also sees our next door neighbor Mike and four people from our ward, with more expressing interest all the time.

While Jared and I were still "just friends" (a period that dragged much longer than it needed to due to my stubborness :), we walked up to campus together one day...I don't even remember why. We ended up sitting on bench and talking for a while. Jared was conflicted about his career path. He loved economics (he got his AA from BYU-I in Economics) and business and has a lot of natural talent with them. His mission president had encouraged him to follow that path. But he had always planned on being a chiropractor. He was very interested in that too. What should he do?

When Jared asked me this question, even though it was early in our friendship, I had this feeling inside me that this question would effect my life too. I tried to push that feeling away, I thought I was being silly and maybe a bit too interested in this guy. But even now I can remember how I felt. I felt inside that he should follow his plan to be a chiropractor and that my life would be directly influenced by this work for the good. I told him that I thought the life of a chiropractor was more suited to family life than that of a business man...no years spent "married" to the company striving to climb that corporate ladder, no mandatory business trips, no late nights or temptations to bring the work home. I also told him that as a chiropractor he would be able to help so many people.

Just in our years of school so far my health and the health of our children has been hugely improved and enhanced by the knowledge and skills Jared has gained. It has been especially great for me as he has been able to help some of my family members too. But beginning to serve the world at large :), has been really wonderful.

Even now I know I cannot guess all the lives that Jared will touch through his work, but what I do know is that even with just a few patients he is making a difference. His classmates are a bit jealous right now. Four of of his five first out patients are special cases (multiple injuries, severe osteoperosis, cervical disk herniations, neurological problems etc.) and he is learning a lot by the visit. At the same time, his patients are gaining a lot by the visit also. I have never seen Jared more in his element. He is finding things that the supervising chiropractors and radiologists in clinic are missing, that the medical doctors that treat his patients can't help or have made worse, he is spending hours in clinic doing research and collecting information to educate his patients and inform his treatment. He is getting physical results. One of his patients had been in so much pain that he had been unable to sleep and spent much of the night crying. But not any more. He's calling Jared a "miracle worker." :)

I am so proud of my husband. I look forward to all the good he will continue to be able to do through his chosen profession. And, I'm glad I was able to nudge him in the right direction. :)

We flew back to RDU where Uncle Thad was waiting for us. Thank you to the Smith's for the wonderful care, love and spoiling : ) you gave our dogs while we were away. You made our time in CA possible and gave the dogs such a comfortable visit! Jared headed right down to SC to take his 7 finals, that he'd missed when we flew out to CA early, in 2 days, plus begin classes for the new quarter. He was blessed and did just fine with everything. The kids and I stayed behind at Aunt Becky and Uncle Thad's to visit with cousins and give Jared the peace and quiet he needed to concentrate on his exams. The Sechrist's drove down to join us, so the kids got to play together and enjoy some time in the hotel pool. By the end of the weekend, I was wondering if Hannie and Ben would know what to do without a bunch of cousins to play with. What a great summer for the kids!

Well, way back in June, my last post brought you up to date on our adventures to Father's Day. Here is the highlight reel from the last half of our California summer vacation... 






Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Hawley


Prince Caspian & Queen Lucy

Rub-a-Dub-Dub Lovin' Grandma's Jetted Tub

Melina's Birthday Party

Headin' Home
And the next day, bright and early we at the airport heading home. We left with all of these wonderful memories, plus all the ones you don't take pictures of, like game nights/afternoons with the Lyons or Mom and Dad, lunches out, snuggles, loves and play time with the nieces and nephews, late night In-and-Out Burger, making "rockets" with Hannie and Kel, walks to the Lyon's house, good and touching moments and conversations, all the hugs and kisses, tears and laughter. We were filled to the brim with love and good times. Thanks again to everyone for everything!