It is official. We are moving! Don’t get too excited, we still have not sold our home in Utah (still on the market after 14 months on the MLS. . sigh). However, the lease on our 3rd floor apartment expires at the end of June and after 5 months of hiking Spencer, the stroller, and groceries up and down all those cement steps it is time to move.
We have been looking for awhile for something better. Our first choice was to rent a home. Apartment living is so . . . bothersome. Shared walls, lack of parking. . . did I mention the third floor? So we have been looking in our current neighborhood for a home or townhouse to rent. Unfortunately, we didn’t find anything in our price range.
We started to look closer to Dave’s work and just like magic, we found a cute 3 bedroom home 5 miles from the office! It has about 300 more square feet then our apartment and an additional bedroom. The best part is that it is in our budget. It is within walking distance to a community park and pool. (Spencer will love that.) We will be moving in just a few weeks.
Now we say hello to storage and a 2 car garage! Dave says “Hello, 10 minute commute!” and will be busting out the grill. . .it has been in storage for the past 14 months. We will also have an office/guest room. I am so pleased! This is perfect for our family.
But saying hello to some fabulous things means saying goodbye too. We will be moving out of the ward. We have made some great friends. Last night I was feeling a bit forlorn about leaving behind the friends we’ve made. I know there will be new friends and church callings in our future, but still there is a little ache for what we leave behind.
So goodbye and hello. . . as always.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tagged
Aynie has tagged me and here is some top secret intel:
*Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.*
1) I have had zillions of job: fast good, gas station, phone surveys, food sample passer-outer at the grocery store, maid, waitress, day care, nursing home, construction, Wal-Mart, debate coach, college professor. . .
2) I spoke at my college commencement.
3) My goal is to visit 100 temples. So far, I have been to 34 temples in 5 countries (U.S., England, Dominican Republic, Japan, and Hong Kong.)
4) I always cry (sob) at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
5) I love teen pop music (*NSYNC, Hannah Montana, Avril Lavigne. . .)
6) I have an irrational fear that I will loose all my teeth.
7) I don’t like watermelon.
Miss Amanda, Jen, Shannon, Maria & Sarah you’ve been tagged!
*Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.*
1) I have had zillions of job: fast good, gas station, phone surveys, food sample passer-outer at the grocery store, maid, waitress, day care, nursing home, construction, Wal-Mart, debate coach, college professor. . .
2) I spoke at my college commencement.
3) My goal is to visit 100 temples. So far, I have been to 34 temples in 5 countries (U.S., England, Dominican Republic, Japan, and Hong Kong.)
4) I always cry (sob) at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
5) I love teen pop music (*NSYNC, Hannah Montana, Avril Lavigne. . .)
6) I have an irrational fear that I will loose all my teeth.
7) I don’t like watermelon.
Miss Amanda, Jen, Shannon, Maria & Sarah you’ve been tagged!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Cough, Choke, Gasp!
Today, in typical holiday fashion, I ran around and got lots of stuff done that I can’t do as easily with Spencer in tow. I visited my neighbor, did some errands, one of which was fill the car with gas.
As I pulled up to the gas station the bright numbers glistened $3.79. I was shocked and horrified. Is this some kind of joke? I sat there, muttering to myself, thinking that this bill is going to be like fifty bucks! I thought about all the things that $50 would buy, and I was just pouring it all into the gas tank. The pumped clicked off and my jaw dropped to see $59.92.
At times like this I am glad we only have one car. Someone needs to hasten the advent of some alternative and renewable fuel. . . that’s all I’m sayin’. Check out this sweet little 100% electric Tesla roadster . It gets 135 mpg and with all the money you will save on gas you can put towards the car payments. This little gem is only $109,000. I wonder if it comes in a minivan?
As I pulled up to the gas station the bright numbers glistened $3.79. I was shocked and horrified. Is this some kind of joke? I sat there, muttering to myself, thinking that this bill is going to be like fifty bucks! I thought about all the things that $50 would buy, and I was just pouring it all into the gas tank. The pumped clicked off and my jaw dropped to see $59.92.
At times like this I am glad we only have one car. Someone needs to hasten the advent of some alternative and renewable fuel. . . that’s all I’m sayin’. Check out this sweet little 100% electric Tesla roadster . It gets 135 mpg and with all the money you will save on gas you can put towards the car payments. This little gem is only $109,000. I wonder if it comes in a minivan?
Friday, May 23, 2008
The chase
Our little boy loves the chase. . . sorry the video is a little NYPD Blue near the end.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Elegy
Yesterday, as I was driving to the store, I heard a piece on NPR about the earthquake in China. The news story was centered on how writers and poets are responding the devastation. With over 70,000 people dead or missing, this is such a poignant time for China and there are so many families who have lost so much.
The program shared a poem titled “Elegy,” before they shared the English translation they had the author recite it in Chinese. As I was driving my eyes were welling with tears at his soft, anguished voice.
Here is the link if you would like to hear the author read this poem:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90590943
Elegy
by He Xiaozhu
Thousands upon thousands of anguished cries
Returning to silence and tranquility
Heavenly acts cannot be predicted
The moon over Wenchuan
Still, a question mark
Aftershocks extend to Chengdu
Sorrow engulfs half the world
Tears turn to ice
Let candlelight melt them away
Children, climb on a dandelion
and line up for heaven
The program shared a poem titled “Elegy,” before they shared the English translation they had the author recite it in Chinese. As I was driving my eyes were welling with tears at his soft, anguished voice.
Here is the link if you would like to hear the author read this poem:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90590943
Elegy
by He Xiaozhu
Thousands upon thousands of anguished cries
Returning to silence and tranquility
Heavenly acts cannot be predicted
The moon over Wenchuan
Still, a question mark
Aftershocks extend to Chengdu
Sorrow engulfs half the world
Tears turn to ice
Let candlelight melt them away
Children, climb on a dandelion
and line up for heaven
Monday, May 19, 2008
Treats & Surprises
So, my primary class (age 7-8) was due for a “surprise.” I do not like to bring food on a regular basis, but sometimes it is fun. When I got my new class at the beginning of they year, they would always ask if I would bring a “treat.” I would tell them, “Feeling the spirit and learning from the scriptures is your ‘treat.’” I wish I could describe the look on their forlorn faces, almost as if I announced we were having asparagus for dessert.
Over the past couple of months they have been good about not asking for “treats” because they know the answer they will receive. I told them if they all brought their scripture to class and if they were good for the Mother’s Day sub I would bring them a “surprise.” Their eyes lit up and they were too excited for words. So, two weeks later, true to my word I brought a “surprise.”
I saw one of my girls in the parking lot before church and she saw the “surprise,” a cookie sheet wrapped in tin foil. She was beaming! When class started, I was mobbed by my class asking what it was. . . “cookies!?”. . . “cupcakes!?”. . . “candy?!” . . . I just smiled and said it was “very special surprise.”
When we got to the end of the lesson, but before the game I passed out the surprise, Meltaway Cookies with Lemon Frosting. I told them it was a secret family recipe. They were quite excited. There was enough for them all to have two, and at the end they asked to take the extras, “for my sister.” It was fun. On the way out of the church one of the dads snagged an extra cookie off the sheet.
I got this recipe from my sister and they really are quite good. They almost taste like shortbread. I think the thinner the better. Also, next time I make them I will chill the dough and roll them out and cut them into shapes. I have a tiny star shaped cookie cutter that would be perfect. A perfect bit-sized piece of heaven. . .
Enjoy
Meltaway Cookies
1 cup butter soft
¾ cup cornstarch
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 cup flour
Lemon frosting
In a medium bowl cream butter until fluffy. Add cornstarch and sugar, blend well. Beat in flour until thoroughly mixed. Drop by small teaspoons onto baking sheet and flatten out with the bottom of a glass (dip glass in powdered sugar to prevent sticking.)
Bake 350 for 11-12 min.
Cool on wire rack and frost*
Lemon Frosting
3 Tbs. butter
2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
Splash vanilla
*My sister has also made this with cream cheese frosting.
Over the past couple of months they have been good about not asking for “treats” because they know the answer they will receive. I told them if they all brought their scripture to class and if they were good for the Mother’s Day sub I would bring them a “surprise.” Their eyes lit up and they were too excited for words. So, two weeks later, true to my word I brought a “surprise.”
I saw one of my girls in the parking lot before church and she saw the “surprise,” a cookie sheet wrapped in tin foil. She was beaming! When class started, I was mobbed by my class asking what it was. . . “cookies!?”. . . “cupcakes!?”. . . “candy?!” . . . I just smiled and said it was “very special surprise.”
When we got to the end of the lesson, but before the game I passed out the surprise, Meltaway Cookies with Lemon Frosting. I told them it was a secret family recipe. They were quite excited. There was enough for them all to have two, and at the end they asked to take the extras, “for my sister.” It was fun. On the way out of the church one of the dads snagged an extra cookie off the sheet.
I got this recipe from my sister and they really are quite good. They almost taste like shortbread. I think the thinner the better. Also, next time I make them I will chill the dough and roll them out and cut them into shapes. I have a tiny star shaped cookie cutter that would be perfect. A perfect bit-sized piece of heaven. . .
Enjoy
Meltaway Cookies
1 cup butter soft
¾ cup cornstarch
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 cup flour
Lemon frosting
In a medium bowl cream butter until fluffy. Add cornstarch and sugar, blend well. Beat in flour until thoroughly mixed. Drop by small teaspoons onto baking sheet and flatten out with the bottom of a glass (dip glass in powdered sugar to prevent sticking.)
Bake 350 for 11-12 min.
Cool on wire rack and frost*
Lemon Frosting
3 Tbs. butter
2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
Splash vanilla
*My sister has also made this with cream cheese frosting.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
My Big Plan
So, I have been thinking a lot about photo preservation. We got all our Vietnam photos printed out and put in a photo album. I have been taking pictures madly these last few months to capture all the moments that I can with Spencer. I love the video function on Dave’s (okay really my) new camera. I have been a photo-fool.
I have been keeping all the photos in a special folder on my computer and planned on making a photo book (at shutterfly.com) at the end of the year. Last December I made photo books for years, 2004-2007. I used a cheaper rip-off company and frankly wasn’t too impressed with the quality. You get what you pay for. . . I will never doubt again. But, it was fun to go back and look at all the old pictures, but it was a huge job and I couldn’t find all the photos I wanted and was confusing 2004 with 2005 pictures . . . etc. So my big plan was to make a photo book at the end of every year and then we would have volumes of photo books to represent each year. . . . organized. . . creative. . . perfect.
As I have been amassing dozens. . . and dozens of pictures the thought occurred to me. How am I ever going to keep this organized and chronological for the book? I was afraid I would sit down at the end of the year and be faced with a mess.
So, I have started to create our 2008 photo book online. Every month I will take some time and pick some photos to upload and write about. It is kind of like digital scrap booking. This way, it gives me a fun and free hobby (at least until the book is ordered next January.) I can reflect on what has been happening and we can look back years from now and have a photo record of our family.
I love it when a plan comes together.
I have been keeping all the photos in a special folder on my computer and planned on making a photo book (at shutterfly.com) at the end of the year. Last December I made photo books for years, 2004-2007. I used a cheaper rip-off company and frankly wasn’t too impressed with the quality. You get what you pay for. . . I will never doubt again. But, it was fun to go back and look at all the old pictures, but it was a huge job and I couldn’t find all the photos I wanted and was confusing 2004 with 2005 pictures . . . etc. So my big plan was to make a photo book at the end of every year and then we would have volumes of photo books to represent each year. . . . organized. . . creative. . . perfect.
As I have been amassing dozens. . . and dozens of pictures the thought occurred to me. How am I ever going to keep this organized and chronological for the book? I was afraid I would sit down at the end of the year and be faced with a mess.
So, I have started to create our 2008 photo book online. Every month I will take some time and pick some photos to upload and write about. It is kind of like digital scrap booking. This way, it gives me a fun and free hobby (at least until the book is ordered next January.) I can reflect on what has been happening and we can look back years from now and have a photo record of our family.
I love it when a plan comes together.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother’s Day
This is my first official mother’s day. . . as a mom. It is kind of exciting. Dave and I have always celebrated mother’s day, ever since the first year we were married. He always makes the day special, prepares breakfast and gives me a Mother’s day gift.
This morning he got up at 6:00 AM to take care of Spencer so I could sleep in. When I rolled out of bed at 7:18 AM he gleefully greeted me with a smile holding the boy and said, “Do you want your present now or later?” I said, “The answer to that question is always ‘now’.” He got a big grin on his face and told me to wait in Spencer’s room so he could go to the secret hiding place and retrieve the gift.
Moments later he slightly poked his head into the room and said, “Now, this comes in different colors, so if you want a different color let me know and we can exchange it.” My first thought was. . . “hmmm. . .he knows better then to buy me clothes.” (We have a bargain that he will never buy me clothes and I will never make him dance.) I continued to wonder what it could be. . . .
Then all of a sudden I saw. . . it. . . the mother of all cool communication technology! Dave got me a . . . a. . . . JAWBONE Bluetooth head set! . . . (with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time). . . I couldn’t believe it. I have had me eye on this thing for about a year. I have heard wonderful things about the noise cancellation and now I have one. It is so great. Dave picked out a flashy red color, which I love by the way. You can custom fit the ear piece and ear bud with several different styles. I eagerly interchanged all the parts until I came up the perfect it.
My mind was swirling with excitement. . . I kept thinking. . . hmmm it is 6:45 AM in my mom’s time zone. . . is that too early to call? But, fortunately for my mom, it needs to be charged up first. It is charging up as we speak and I can’t wait to make the maiden voyage into Jawbone land : )
Dave also asked what I wanted to breakfast. He said he would make me anything that I wanted. . . I had a hankering for cinnamon toast, not very extravagant, but that’s what I wanted. He whipped up for breakfast for us, fed Spencer his oatmeal and apple sauce and then got him ready for this morning nap. I have been a woman of leisure all morning.
Today the Primary has arranged to have substitutes for all the classes, so my 7 year olds will get a sub and I get to go to the other meetings today. How fun is that! It looks like Mother’s Day 2008 is off to a great start.
I feel so blessed to be a mom and have Spencer in my life. Dave is a wonderful father & husband. It is nice to reflect today and think of how wonderful my mom and Dave’s mom are. They truly are valiant women and if I can emulate them as I raise my children I would count myself lucky.
Happy Mother’s Day : )
This morning he got up at 6:00 AM to take care of Spencer so I could sleep in. When I rolled out of bed at 7:18 AM he gleefully greeted me with a smile holding the boy and said, “Do you want your present now or later?” I said, “The answer to that question is always ‘now’.” He got a big grin on his face and told me to wait in Spencer’s room so he could go to the secret hiding place and retrieve the gift.
Moments later he slightly poked his head into the room and said, “Now, this comes in different colors, so if you want a different color let me know and we can exchange it.” My first thought was. . . “hmmm. . .he knows better then to buy me clothes.” (We have a bargain that he will never buy me clothes and I will never make him dance.) I continued to wonder what it could be. . . .
Then all of a sudden I saw. . . it. . . the mother of all cool communication technology! Dave got me a . . . a. . . . JAWBONE Bluetooth head set! . . . (with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time). . . I couldn’t believe it. I have had me eye on this thing for about a year. I have heard wonderful things about the noise cancellation and now I have one. It is so great. Dave picked out a flashy red color, which I love by the way. You can custom fit the ear piece and ear bud with several different styles. I eagerly interchanged all the parts until I came up the perfect it.
My mind was swirling with excitement. . . I kept thinking. . . hmmm it is 6:45 AM in my mom’s time zone. . . is that too early to call? But, fortunately for my mom, it needs to be charged up first. It is charging up as we speak and I can’t wait to make the maiden voyage into Jawbone land : )
Dave also asked what I wanted to breakfast. He said he would make me anything that I wanted. . . I had a hankering for cinnamon toast, not very extravagant, but that’s what I wanted. He whipped up for breakfast for us, fed Spencer his oatmeal and apple sauce and then got him ready for this morning nap. I have been a woman of leisure all morning.
Today the Primary has arranged to have substitutes for all the classes, so my 7 year olds will get a sub and I get to go to the other meetings today. How fun is that! It looks like Mother’s Day 2008 is off to a great start.
I feel so blessed to be a mom and have Spencer in my life. Dave is a wonderful father & husband. It is nice to reflect today and think of how wonderful my mom and Dave’s mom are. They truly are valiant women and if I can emulate them as I raise my children I would count myself lucky.
Happy Mother’s Day : )
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Cable Free
We have been Cable TV free for just over a month now. Dave just sent me an article he found in The Wall Street Journal about another family who gave up cable for some of the same reasons. It is interesting; things have not really changed around here. It seems we watch about 10 hours of TV a week, thanks to NetFlix. (The average adult watches about 4-5 hours of TV everyday. Yes, you heard me right, everyday. That seems coo-coo to me, but there you have it.)
So what do we spend our time watching? We really love 24, as you know, and LOST. We watch the episodes with no commercials. I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to Cable TV again. I feel so spoiled. We went to the dentist last week, (no cavities thank you very much) and they had a plasma TV in the lobby. It was so weird to see commercials. Some are rather clever, but I think the vast majority are annoying.
The only down side is no instant gratification. I would love to see what is happening with LOST, but we have to wait until season 4 comes out on DVD to see what everyone else is already enjoying. Also we are on the last season of Jack (24). But, one cool thing about NetFlix is they give you recommendations, based on the movies/TV shows you like. For instance, I recently watched “Appleseed: Ex Machina”. . . and LOVED IT! I never even heard of it, but because I liked Spiderman and Howl’s Moving Castle they recommended it. So, even if we have to wait for our favorite series to come out on DVD we can sample some good recommendations.
I love that they recommend “Appleseed: Ex Machina” and “Pride & Prejudice,” they know me so well!
So what do we spend our time watching? We really love 24, as you know, and LOST. We watch the episodes with no commercials. I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to Cable TV again. I feel so spoiled. We went to the dentist last week, (no cavities thank you very much) and they had a plasma TV in the lobby. It was so weird to see commercials. Some are rather clever, but I think the vast majority are annoying.
The only down side is no instant gratification. I would love to see what is happening with LOST, but we have to wait until season 4 comes out on DVD to see what everyone else is already enjoying. Also we are on the last season of Jack (24). But, one cool thing about NetFlix is they give you recommendations, based on the movies/TV shows you like. For instance, I recently watched “Appleseed: Ex Machina”. . . and LOVED IT! I never even heard of it, but because I liked Spiderman and Howl’s Moving Castle they recommended it. So, even if we have to wait for our favorite series to come out on DVD we can sample some good recommendations.
I love that they recommend “Appleseed: Ex Machina” and “Pride & Prejudice,” they know me so well!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Imperial Walker
When Dad came home from work, Spencer was showing off his new talent and we got some more footage. Enjoy!
First Steps
Spencer got a cute romper from his Aunt Janelle so I took some photos this morning to share with her. . . Our camera has a video function, so I thought it would be fun to send some video. As I was testing it out and seeing how the thing worked, our little boy took his first steps! What luck! It is a little fuzzy and a bit dark, but you get the idea. . .
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Haircut
I just couldn’t take it. . . I cut my hair yesterday. . . well not all by myself. I guess I should say, I had my hair cut yesterday. It feels so good to go short for summer. My mom also highlighted my hair last week and did a wonderful job. So now I have my short, sassy, highlighted, fun hair again! I missed it : ) Every summer for the past 5 years I have cut my hair short. . .then I grow it out and then I just can’t take it. . . and you know the cycle. At any rate. . . I love it!
Springtime in the Rockies
I thought I would share these lovely pictures. My sister in Utah sent them to me.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The new best friend
Spencer is 10 months old and something curious happened last week. He discovered the pacifier. We brought several different kinds with us to Vietnam and he was 100% disinterested. In the last few months, as he has been teething, he will occasionally gnaw on one and then toss it aside for the next bright shinny object.
Last week when Grandma B. came to visit, he all of a sudden realized that you could suck on it. . . and it has been his constant companion ever since. It is probably a phase, but he looks so cute with it. He also learned to clap his hands when grandma was here. So it seems, when family visits he picks up some new tricks. . . I guess we need more visitors. . .(hint). . .(hint.)
Last week when Grandma B. came to visit, he all of a sudden realized that you could suck on it. . . and it has been his constant companion ever since. It is probably a phase, but he looks so cute with it. He also learned to clap his hands when grandma was here. So it seems, when family visits he picks up some new tricks. . . I guess we need more visitors. . .(hint). . .(hint.)
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