Temporary

Wow- once again forever since I have made a post! I have good reason though. As many know we moved over the New Years weekend. I felt like I was leaving my home in the middle of the night in secret since so many neighbors were out of town. We feel blessed to have found a nice place to live so quickly. It was a busy and stressful December. Seems like we didn't even have Christmas since it was taken down the day after Christmas and the house packing began. I never thought I would be able to do it all like that. I think I was just on auto pilot and tried to focus on one thing at a time to make it through the holiday stress as well as moving stress. The first week after we moved I was up til wee hours of the night unpacking and getting the house put together. Claire had her baptism that Saturday so I wanted it to be nice for her.

We have been here I guess about 7 weeks now. I kind of feel like I am in a fog of some sorts. Just in a "funk" or something. It is so hard to go from being a home owner to a "renter" now. Not that there's anything wrong with that- it's just new to me cuz I haven't done that since I was single. There is definitely a change in thinking. I feel a little lack of caring of some sort....I don't know. Hard to explain.

Our ward here is HUGE. I.hate.it. Easy to skip out on church when you move....nobody knows me or will even notice if I'm there- right? I have to skip out on Sunday School (sacrament meeting is last) to save us a comfy bench in the chapel or we get stuck in the gym on hard folding chairs- which does NOT work well with Sam who likes to push the chairs around on the gym floor.... Our entire chapel AND entire gym is filled each sacrament meeting. Crazy.

I was just called to be the Young Women Sports Director. Told them I didn't know ANYTHING about basketball and can't attend the games on the nights they play because it's a busy night for me at home....and volleyball doesn't start until September, but they still put me in the calling. I signed Spence and I up for a dinner group where we rotate houses each month with about 5 couples, then switch up the groups in few months. Figured it would help us to get to know people. But truth is- I don't want to get to know new people. I don't have the energy for it- because it does take a lot of energy for me. It's not something that comes natural to me. I seriously have to put such great effort into it. I am a quiet- keep to myself person. :-) And I have this attitude of "temporary." Since I'm a renter- this is just temporary- right? So why bother.... Ugh- I just hate being at this point in my life right now. I am trying to remain positive- especially for my kids- but it is so hard. I am still just feeling like this is just a house- not my home. On the other hand- it is weird because I don't miss my old house- which I considered my home. I do miss my good friends and neighbors though.

Ugh- tearing up so going to close now. Just had to get my feelings off my chest. (Which is pretty non existent anymore. lol)

No More Mullet!

Well, we decided it was time to get rid of Samuel's mullet hairdo. I love his curly hair in the back, but he was starting to look like a redneck. He did NOT like having his haircut at all. Screamed and cried until dad just stood and held him while she finished.

 Whew! All done....and my baby looks like a little boy now! :-(

Halloween

I am slow posting pictures- I know. These are from Halloween. This year Logan was a soldier (again- it's his favorite...), Claire was an 80's girl, and Sam was a cow. Sam cried every time I put his costume on him. He wasn't quite sure what to think about it. He did enjoy digging out the seeds from the pumpkins.

 This year I took the kids and a couple of their friends over to Jordan Landing to trick or treat for about an hour. I have lived here seven years and have never taken them over there. It wasn't too bad. The weather couldn't have been any better. Didn't even need to wear a jacket. It was perfect! The day after Halloween was rainy and cold.

 While the kids were out trick or treating in the neighborhood, Sam and I stayed home and ate chili and handed out candy to the billions of trick or treaters that we get.

 Here are the "kids" pumpkin carvings.... They picked and/or drew the designs and I got to cut them out. Oh what fun on my most favorite holiday.....

Nathan's Priest Ordination

Nathan was ordained as a Priest last Sunday. I am so proud of him. Spence gave him a wonderful blessing. Didn't get any pictures of the two of them together because Spence got called out to do some transports. We had dinner at our house afterwards with my dad and Spence's mom.

Nater and Sadie Hawkins

My Nathan is going to be 16 in a week! I can't even believe it. I can't be that old can I?? Last week a girl named Katelyn called me to see if she could come over and decorate his room and ask him to Sadie Hawkins which is on November 12th. I said sure! So I told Nathan he better get his room cleaned and that he has to come to volleyball with me. He smiled and said I was kind of obvious. Sorry- I am new at this stuff! When we returned his room was filled with balloons and streamers and Katelyn had left a Cinderella type poem asking him to the dance. She left two slippers- one with a "yes" on it and one with a "no" on it. He was to return the one with his answer on it.

After about 4 days I found out that it wasn't the Katelyn that I thought that had asked him to the dance. His best friend is Katelyn Gilley so I assumed it was her. I guess he has met another Katelyn at school!

We made a plan as to how we would return the slipper. I (um- I mean he) wrote a poem and we cut the bottom of a pumpkin out and slid the slipper inside of it and replaced bottom of pumpkin. We attached cardboard wheels and the mice from cinderella to make a carriage, then left it on her porch. I think it turned out pretty good....

Here's the poem we attached:

Once upon a time there was a prince named Nathan,

Who met a cute girl at charm school one day.

Together they shared many laughs and had fun-

But as the clock struck midnight the girl hurried away.

The prince wanted to see the mystery girl some more,

But without knowing her name was with dismay.

The clue left behind was the slipper she wore-

So to search the kingdom the prince went on his way.

After trying the slipper on many hopeful girls' feet,

Prince Nathan was filled with much sorrow.

When alas- his heart leapt and skipped a beat-

He saw his mystery princess down the hollow!

Princess Katelyn then did ask him to the Sadie's ball,

And Prince Nathan was not afraid to joke a little.

So in response to her delightful call-

Placed her slipper in the pumpkin middle!

If the Princess wants to know the Prince's reply,

She must open and search through the seeds.

Prince Nathan can sometimes be a little sly-

But likes it when the girl takes the lead!

Here's our carriage.....

I just don't know if I am ready for my son to start dating.....

Nathan is in the West Jordan Take Ten choir this year. It's an all boys choir. He has loved it and loves his teacher Mr. DeHaan. It is his favorite class. They had their first concert last week. Here is Nathan in his tuxedo. I can't believe they have to dress up so nice for choir! Things have sure changed since I was in school.... The concert was great. Can't wait for their Christmas performance.

I love you Nater and am so proud of the fine young man you have become. :-)

First Day of School 2011-12

NATHAN

Nathan is a SOPHOMORE (!!) this year at West Jordan High. I can't believe I am old enough to have a son in high school. I know I don't look it. :-) He decided to attend this school and not the one that his junior high feeds into. He has already made lots of friends. His FAVORITE class is CHOIR. He is in the "all boys" choir. He really loves his teacher Mr. DeHaan. He is also taking seminary, pre-calculus, AP Psychology, Honors History, drivers ed and language arts.

Nathan has his learners permit drivers license and so far seems to be doing a good job driving. (At least with me.) I have learned to calm down a bit when he is driving the car. I cannot believe he will be 16 next month and will be dating and be blessing the Sacrament. He is such a good kid- although still has his "teenage moments." :-)

LOGAN

Logan started 4th grade at Westland Elementary and was so excited this year to have a male teacher. He has a lot of friends in his class from last year. He is excited to be in the "upper grades" in elementary now- although that means a bit more homework and more required reading time. Logan does NOT like to read. I keep checking out different books at the library to find something that interests him- but so far no luck. Hopefully he will learn to enjoy it and not think of it as a chore.

On the 5th morning of school, Logan was bragging to Claire about how Mr. Sagers lets them do ANYTHING in their class. They don't have to follow all the school rules. (We were talking about dress code at the time because Claire insisted on wearing a tank top to school.) Logan said kids wear them in his class and don't get in trouble. That afternoon when I picked the kids up from school, we were waiting for Logan for 15 minutes. He came out, got in car and slammed door shut and said it was the worse day ever. Mr. Sagers made him and some friends MISS their recess, AND they had to stay AFTER SCHOOL for 15 minutes for talking in class. I laughed and said "I thought you could do anything in your class Logan!" He said everyone just kept talking to him and MAKING him talk. I just chuckled....

CLAIRE

Claire started 2nd grade also at Westland Elementary. She is still one of the tallest in her grade. She likes her teacher, Mrs. Glazier. She kind of had a rough first week because she doesn't like one of the kids that she sits by in her group. He isn't quite "socially" as mature as she is and acts out some in class and has even cried a few times. She was suddenly getting stomach aches and complaining that she hates school. I turned it into a teaching moment and told her that all through life we will be around people that irritate us or that we just don't care for that much, but we have to learn to tolerate them and get along with them. I told her she should just try and take the opportunity to help this other student out if he seems to be getting frustrated or doesn't understand something. I told her she needs to make an effort and change her attitude towards him. She has come home on several occasions and told me of different things she did to help him out. I am so glad she is happier now.

Claire is still very social and has lots of friends. She thinks she is older than just 7 at times. After spending the day shopping with two of her cousins who are 12, she came home and told me that she needs a BRA. She was digging through my drawer to find one that would fit her. (She probably could have found one!) I told her she wasn't quite ready for that yet...Hope I survive this one!

I have enjoyed my days home with SAMUEL. He definitely keeps me busy- but is my little buddy. He LOVES his blankie and bottle and his favorite time of day is naptime when he gets to cuddle with me. He gets so excited when I am fixing his bottle. He runs to go get his blanket. He is so damn cute.....and spoiled. Of course he is still sleeping in my bed. Oh well- he's the last one so I will just try and enjoy it. :-)

Some Day....

Ah sweet blog....some day I will make a new post. Unfortunately today isn't the day. Husband and baby out on the front porch so think I will go join them and enjoy the perfect evening. :-)