December 2013
12 years ago
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Cheer Camp
Brooke and Bentlee went to the SV cheer camp this year. They ended up in different groups because of their age, but they had a blast.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Big Girl
This girl will be 1 in two weeks! And she thinks she is SOOO big!
- Crawls up stairs
- Stands up and walks along furniture
- Will walk while holding both hands, but sits down as soon as you let go of one
- Says mom, grandma, dad, grandpa, Brooke, Cole, Hals, thank you, Blair, out, hi, hello, and hot
- Waves and says "hi" to everyone in the store
- Holds and drinks from her own sippy cup, but will only hold her bottle if she is absolutely desperate
- Generally sleeps from 7:30-7:30 and takes 2 -2 hour naps during the day
- Loves to dance
- Likes to use rags and clean the floor
- Into everything! (especially dog food)
- Loves balls
- Has curly, curly hair
- Loves brushing her teeth
- Likes apples and cookies and... pretty much everything, except bananas and cow's milk
As usual...
As usual, my blog has been totally neglected. But in my defense, my blog is about the only thing in our life that is usual right now. The last six weeks have been hectic and full of change.
We've had our house up for sale since March and we accepted an offer on it in August. At the time, it was exciting and everything we had been hoping for. The offer ended up falling through about a month later, but the same day we got another one. Once I realized this one was really going to go through, I started to panick, just a little.
I was excited to start a new journey and of course, this is what we've been wanting and praying for so we knew it was right, but as the days drew closer I started to worry more and more. I loved my house, my ward, my friends, and my kids friends and schools in Syracuse. Was I really willing to give all of that up? I just pressed on each day, packing as much as I could, not thinking about what was happening. I think the hardest day hit me when Brooke's preschool teacher (also a neighbor and good friend) told me that they sang a goodbye song to her and she cried. That just about broke my heart. It is one thing for me to be sad, but entirely another when it affects my kids. But alas, we pressed forward and here we are.
We've been in our apartment just over week and things seem to be going well, although different. I'm slowly getting down a new schedule and Matt is definitely enjoying being so close to work.
Moving was hard. I never realized how much STUFF we have. A lot of it went into storage, but even still there was a lot to be moved. How grateful I am for good neighbors who were willing to help and for Elder's Quorums for helping even people who they don't know move into a 3RD FLOOR APARTMENT. I'm sure they were just dying when they found that out. And for family who took our kids so we could move without having to deal with them running around.
Finding a new preschool was also hard. Preschools are way more expensive here than what I am used to. Plus, it is the middle of the year and everyone is full. I called a dozen, visited a couple, and finally found one for Brooke that I absolutely love. It is 4 days a week and she has the most adorable mom and daughter teachers. It is nearly triple the price of what I was paying in Syracuse, but it has been good for her to make new friends and have something to do everyday. Because of the expense, I took Cole out for this year. He is a young 3 and still has two years he'll be able to do preschool He doesn't seem to mind, but does get a little bored being home with me all day. I need to find him a friend to play with.
Church was a new experience. How grateful I am to have the gospel and know that there will be people everywhere that share your beliefs and standards, but none the less, it was a different experience. We are used to being the youngest in the ward, knowing everyone, and being very involved. Now, we are nearly the oldest of the families, surrounded by "newly weds and nearly deads" (as our new neighbor put it) and don't know a single soul. People have been very kind and welcoming. I'm sure it will take time to adjust.
I have started watching a little baby a few times a week and that has been so much fun. My Bailee will be one in a couple weeks and the kids and I have really enjoyed have a little one around. He is such a good baby, I couldn't ask for a better job! :)
I miss my treadmill (I still go to the gym most mornings, but it just isn't the same), I miss running with Kirsten 3 times a week, I miss my friends, I miss watching my neighbors kids on Tuesdays and having 3 hours to myself on Wednesday's when she tended mine, I miss my cleaning jobs, I miss knowing where the stores are that I like to shop at... I could go on and on. BUT, I love having more time with Matt, I love achieving the goals we've worked so hard to accomplish, I love that Matt only has to fill his gas tank once a month instead of every other day, I love meeting new people and having new experiences. I know this is where we are meant to be and that there will be hard days and better days. I am glad that we are still able to live in Utah and be close enough to go "home" whenever I want. I remember feeling much this same way when we moved to Syracuse. I'm sure as time goes on I will learn to love it here too.
President Monson said, "Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed. Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us.
Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.
This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not.
I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.
Yes, there is pain in change, but there is also great satisfaction in recognizing that progress is being achieved."
Being a mother and wife in zion, raising a righteous family, and serving is what is important. No matter where I go, that will always stay constant. I can't tell you how many times I wished I could be home when I was working. Never I have wished that I could be back at work instead of at home. I am beyond grateful for the trials in life that teach us and help us grow, despite the pain and challenges that come with them. And even though change is hard, I am grateful for all my many many many blessings.
We've had our house up for sale since March and we accepted an offer on it in August. At the time, it was exciting and everything we had been hoping for. The offer ended up falling through about a month later, but the same day we got another one. Once I realized this one was really going to go through, I started to panick, just a little.
I was excited to start a new journey and of course, this is what we've been wanting and praying for so we knew it was right, but as the days drew closer I started to worry more and more. I loved my house, my ward, my friends, and my kids friends and schools in Syracuse. Was I really willing to give all of that up? I just pressed on each day, packing as much as I could, not thinking about what was happening. I think the hardest day hit me when Brooke's preschool teacher (also a neighbor and good friend) told me that they sang a goodbye song to her and she cried. That just about broke my heart. It is one thing for me to be sad, but entirely another when it affects my kids. But alas, we pressed forward and here we are.
We've been in our apartment just over week and things seem to be going well, although different. I'm slowly getting down a new schedule and Matt is definitely enjoying being so close to work.
Moving was hard. I never realized how much STUFF we have. A lot of it went into storage, but even still there was a lot to be moved. How grateful I am for good neighbors who were willing to help and for Elder's Quorums for helping even people who they don't know move into a 3RD FLOOR APARTMENT. I'm sure they were just dying when they found that out. And for family who took our kids so we could move without having to deal with them running around.
Finding a new preschool was also hard. Preschools are way more expensive here than what I am used to. Plus, it is the middle of the year and everyone is full. I called a dozen, visited a couple, and finally found one for Brooke that I absolutely love. It is 4 days a week and she has the most adorable mom and daughter teachers. It is nearly triple the price of what I was paying in Syracuse, but it has been good for her to make new friends and have something to do everyday. Because of the expense, I took Cole out for this year. He is a young 3 and still has two years he'll be able to do preschool He doesn't seem to mind, but does get a little bored being home with me all day. I need to find him a friend to play with.
Church was a new experience. How grateful I am to have the gospel and know that there will be people everywhere that share your beliefs and standards, but none the less, it was a different experience. We are used to being the youngest in the ward, knowing everyone, and being very involved. Now, we are nearly the oldest of the families, surrounded by "newly weds and nearly deads" (as our new neighbor put it) and don't know a single soul. People have been very kind and welcoming. I'm sure it will take time to adjust.
I have started watching a little baby a few times a week and that has been so much fun. My Bailee will be one in a couple weeks and the kids and I have really enjoyed have a little one around. He is such a good baby, I couldn't ask for a better job! :)
I miss my treadmill (I still go to the gym most mornings, but it just isn't the same), I miss running with Kirsten 3 times a week, I miss my friends, I miss watching my neighbors kids on Tuesdays and having 3 hours to myself on Wednesday's when she tended mine, I miss my cleaning jobs, I miss knowing where the stores are that I like to shop at... I could go on and on. BUT, I love having more time with Matt, I love achieving the goals we've worked so hard to accomplish, I love that Matt only has to fill his gas tank once a month instead of every other day, I love meeting new people and having new experiences. I know this is where we are meant to be and that there will be hard days and better days. I am glad that we are still able to live in Utah and be close enough to go "home" whenever I want. I remember feeling much this same way when we moved to Syracuse. I'm sure as time goes on I will learn to love it here too.
President Monson said, "Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed. Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us.
Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.
This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not.
I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.
Yes, there is pain in change, but there is also great satisfaction in recognizing that progress is being achieved."
Being a mother and wife in zion, raising a righteous family, and serving is what is important. No matter where I go, that will always stay constant. I can't tell you how many times I wished I could be home when I was working. Never I have wished that I could be back at work instead of at home. I am beyond grateful for the trials in life that teach us and help us grow, despite the pain and challenges that come with them. And even though change is hard, I am grateful for all my many many many blessings.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Halloween
We had just moved about two days before Halloween, so I wasn't sure how it would go this year, but we ended up having a lot of fun. We were able to go to a party and trick-or-treating with some friend's from Cafe Rio and their families. This is the first year we've taken all the kids "real" trick or treating and not just to a few houses. They loved running from door to door and saying "trick-or-treat." Brooke and Bailee were kitties and Cole was a fireman (which he still wears daily :))
The kids both had programs at preschool and trick or treating with their preschool friends the week before we moved. Brookelyn is a regular performer! If I can figure it out, I'll try to post video later. Cole is much more shy and just sat in his chair most of the time. It was fun to be able to watch them with their friends though, we sure miss Lisa!
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| Brooke, Mckenzie, and Landon |
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| Cole and his best buddy Jonas |
3 Years Old
I'm only about two months late on this one :)
Cole turned 3 on September 28th. We had a fireman party for him at my mom's with all his family and cousins. He even got to go pick out his very own present with Brody and Amber. No competition there for favorite uncle and aunt (ha ha Bla, you got some work to do :)) Matt and I gave him a lawn mower and trimmer and once he opened those he didn't care about opening anything else. He had to go outside and trim On his actual birthday, he took ice cream sandwiches to preschool, choose Pizza Factory for dinner, and then went bowling.
Some of Cole's favorite things:
mowing the lawn
firetrucks and firemen
playing outside
apple juice
Scooby-Doo fruit snacks
Weighs 30 lbs. and is 36" tall.
Wears a size 10 shoe
Cole turned 3 on September 28th. We had a fireman party for him at my mom's with all his family and cousins. He even got to go pick out his very own present with Brody and Amber. No competition there for favorite uncle and aunt (ha ha Bla, you got some work to do :)) Matt and I gave him a lawn mower and trimmer and once he opened those he didn't care about opening anything else. He had to go outside and trim On his actual birthday, he took ice cream sandwiches to preschool, choose Pizza Factory for dinner, and then went bowling.
Some of Cole's favorite things:
mowing the lawn
firetrucks and firemen
playing outside
apple juice
Scooby-Doo fruit snacks
Weighs 30 lbs. and is 36" tall.
Wears a size 10 shoe
Family
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| Mommy and Bai |
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| Bobbie and Blair |
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| Sisters - Amber, Bla, and Bobbie |
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| Brody and Blair (my brother and sister) |
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| The whole Clan - Brody and Amber, Mom and Dad and Bailee, Blair, Brooke, Me, Matt & Cole |
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| Favorite Aunt Bla and her girls |
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| Silly faces |
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