As I was driving down the road after a doctor appointment that I apparently forgot got canceled, I was thinking about my up and coming move. I know, I know I move a lot, please don't point it out I am VERY aware of it. Anyway, I was thinking of the friends that I have made in all the cities that I have lived in in the last 10 years. This blog is dedicated to those women who I have met and left, but I still remember them and love them. I have to say that I met a lot of women in the last 10 years but in each city there has been two or three that stand out in the crowd.
When Phil and I and our tiny baby Parker moved from my home state of Utah and ventured to the lands of Portland OR, I was scared. I was leaving my family and living very far away. I quickly became friends with a girl name Lisa Whilhelm. She lived in the same appartment complex and she had a little girl about a year older than Parker. We became partners to work with the activity day girls and we shared a pregnancy of our second children together. Then came Nancy Wise, we quickly hit it off, we both had technology geek husbands so we had a lot in common.
Our little family which consisted of Phil and I and our boys Parker and Everett moved to Las Vegas NV. In my ward I was scooped up in friendship with two wonderful girls Robin Bevel and Jennifer Smith. These girls were so wonderful, Robin and I shared a pregnancy together as well. I have to say that I owe a lot to these to women. I had a very, very hard pregnancy, not in the terms of baby stress or physical anything it was all mental for me. I had a horrible case of post partum depression after my second and in turn got magnified with my third. They called me many times a week and got me out of the house to go to parks and things like that. I have to say that I would have lost my mind quite literally if these two women weren't there to bring some light in.
Now our family was a family of 5 (Parker, Everett, Mason) we moved up to Spokane WA. I was happy to be living by some family in good ole' spokane. In our first weeks of living here I quickly became friends with Gina Shumate. We were the only "young" couple at an adult valentines party and soon realized that we lived a street away from each other. Gina got me into scrapbooking and we had many a girls night doing stamps and having fun. We did preschool with our 4 year olds and I feel she became a true life long time friend of mine.
Life does some crazy things, so our crew (Parker, Everett, Mason, and Simon) moved back to Portland I was able to reconnect with Nancy but Lisa had since moved. I was spotted my two wonderful women and was told I needed to join their all boys club. They were kidding of course but Tara Mansius had 3 boys, and Kate Jefferies had 2 boys then there was me with 4. All the boys were the same ages. There is something to be said about having friends that have all boys as well, there is an understanding that can't be explained unless you are there as well. All three of us shared a pregnancy as well, all due within 5 weeks of each other. Oh what fun we had, of course two of us had boys (Tara, and I) and Kate had a precious angle baby girl, Elsa <3. Sadly Elsa was a still born, I don't know what could draw a few women closer that helping a friend cope with that kind of loss while being pregnant at the same time. I Love those two dearly and my heart aches for them and their boys.
After all those wonderful adventures in Portland our not so little family (Parker, Everett, Mason, Simon AND Calvin) moved Back to Spokane. I was fortunate to reconnect with Gina (love you) again and to rekindle another friend Tracy Mckay. I knew Tracy back from when we lived in Spokane before. We were visiting teaching companions and I really enjoyed her. When we moved back I got assigned to visit teach her. I have to say that she is such an example to me of strength and intelligence. I love her dearly. I am happy to have strengthen our relationship since moving back.
I also should mention the friends that I have known the longest. My two dear friends from high school, who I am still in contact with. Kelsey (Laws) Richards and Rachel (Hammond) Gardner. These two were the best, I sometimes feel I wasn't the best of friend in high school. Kelsey was very involved in volleyball and I didn't attend any of her games (I am truly sorry Kelsey) I should have supported her better then. Kelsey was one of those friends that we though the exact same way about almost everything when we had conversations we were always saying thing like "I know" or "thats what I think". She was just the best and I love her still. We had our first babies a month a part how, fun is that! Then there is Rachel, Oh miss Rachel! We knew how to laugh. We had so many inside jokes that I am sure most people couldn't stand to be around us (again, sorry Kelsey). We could quote movies to make a whole conversation. After high school I actually lived with Rachel for a few months while I was engaged, I'm sure I drove her crazy in my love sick haze, but she was the first one to hug me when I came out of them temple after the wedding and she was there when I had my first kid. Such a great friend Rachel and I love you still. I love talking with these women now after 15+ years of friendship. With moving so much it is nice to talk to someone who knows you really well.
The main thing that all these women have in common is that they have blessed my life. I learned something from each and everyone of them. I saw their strengths and strived to better myself by their examples. I hope they all know how much they mean to me and I pray that we can keep in touch with the new adventures that my family has to look forward to. Thanks to you all who have be there for me and have loved me and helped me be a better me, you are my girls!
Heres to the women I will meet in the future and the friendships that have yet to be!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
MOVING AGAIN!!!
I think that the word moving will become a swear word in my house, but yes that is what we are doing again in April. Phil got into BYU and will be studying computer engineering. I am excited for what the future holds and the thought that it will take him 3 years to complete his degree that means I have a guarantee that we WON'T be moving until he is done. AND I might add that that will be the longest we will have lived in any one house. I am not bitter at all so don't get me wrong, just stressed.
We are looking forward to being by my siblings. I haven't lived by my family for almost 10 years (yikes). So this should be really fun. Though I am sad to be leaving Spokane (again) I am really comfortable in my ward with some awesome friends and my kids are adjusting so well with friends and things that it is hard to change that. We will be OK, the boys are good sports about it. When we were telling our kids that dad was going back to school Everett was very adamant about Phil NOT going. I asked him why and he said "I don't want dad to GO to college". Poor kid thought Phil was leaving and we were staying here, we quickly explained what actually was happening and he was fine with that.
So here's to college life (again) with five kids in toe, should be a wonderful journey.
BY THE WAY- Does anybody want a lovable 2 year old male pugle (pug/beagle) named Pugsy. He is nutured and is wonderful with kids and other dogs, house trained, indoor dog, super sweet. It breaks my heart to get rid of him but we can't afford to keep him anymore and it limits EXTREMELY where we can live in Provo.
We are looking forward to being by my siblings. I haven't lived by my family for almost 10 years (yikes). So this should be really fun. Though I am sad to be leaving Spokane (again) I am really comfortable in my ward with some awesome friends and my kids are adjusting so well with friends and things that it is hard to change that. We will be OK, the boys are good sports about it. When we were telling our kids that dad was going back to school Everett was very adamant about Phil NOT going. I asked him why and he said "I don't want dad to GO to college". Poor kid thought Phil was leaving and we were staying here, we quickly explained what actually was happening and he was fine with that.
So here's to college life (again) with five kids in toe, should be a wonderful journey.
BY THE WAY- Does anybody want a lovable 2 year old male pugle (pug/beagle) named Pugsy. He is nutured and is wonderful with kids and other dogs, house trained, indoor dog, super sweet. It breaks my heart to get rid of him but we can't afford to keep him anymore and it limits EXTREMELY where we can live in Provo.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Waiting Game
Life! There is nothing like life, isn't there.
I have been taking a class through BYU-Idaho in the pathway program and an institute class. It has been wonderful, I am sloooowly getting back into the hang of homework and understanding what the teacher wants me to do. It has been great though, having something to take me out of my mommy box for a little while has been just wonderful.I have made some friends in class and I actually feel like I can contribute with my "life experience" seeing how I am one of the OLDEST people in the class.
I am sure many of you know that we have been it quite the bind financially since Phil left Fox Capital (and before he left). Well, after weeks of contemplating Phil has decided to go back to school full time. He never finished his degree 10 years ago so we figured that now is a good time to go back and get a degree in something that he have a career and enjoy doing. He has applied to BYU where all of his generals are done and we are waiting to hear if he has gotten in. I know he will be and by this summer we will be living in Utah again for a few years while he finishes up his degree. He has decided to go into computer engineering, and anybody that has received help from Phil with their computers know that this is such a great thing for him to go into. I am thrilled beyond thrilled that he is going to be doing this. I know we have some tough times ahead but we have a plan! I am excited to be living by my siblings again for a little time they will be a great support to me with Phil being so busy. Since we will be on a college budget it will be good to see my family while he is in school.
So, YES we will be moving again and YES I am will be sad to leave Spokane but I am so excited about this opportunity for Phil. I am doing what I have always wanted to do, stay home with my kids. Now he is going to get an opportunity to do something he loves. This is so exciting and scary at the same time. Please, keep us in your prayers that he can get into BYU. I don't see why he wouldn't but it would be great for some extra help. Thanks
I have been taking a class through BYU-Idaho in the pathway program and an institute class. It has been wonderful, I am sloooowly getting back into the hang of homework and understanding what the teacher wants me to do. It has been great though, having something to take me out of my mommy box for a little while has been just wonderful.I have made some friends in class and I actually feel like I can contribute with my "life experience" seeing how I am one of the OLDEST people in the class.
I am sure many of you know that we have been it quite the bind financially since Phil left Fox Capital (and before he left). Well, after weeks of contemplating Phil has decided to go back to school full time. He never finished his degree 10 years ago so we figured that now is a good time to go back and get a degree in something that he have a career and enjoy doing. He has applied to BYU where all of his generals are done and we are waiting to hear if he has gotten in. I know he will be and by this summer we will be living in Utah again for a few years while he finishes up his degree. He has decided to go into computer engineering, and anybody that has received help from Phil with their computers know that this is such a great thing for him to go into. I am thrilled beyond thrilled that he is going to be doing this. I know we have some tough times ahead but we have a plan! I am excited to be living by my siblings again for a little time they will be a great support to me with Phil being so busy. Since we will be on a college budget it will be good to see my family while he is in school.
So, YES we will be moving again and YES I am will be sad to leave Spokane but I am so excited about this opportunity for Phil. I am doing what I have always wanted to do, stay home with my kids. Now he is going to get an opportunity to do something he loves. This is so exciting and scary at the same time. Please, keep us in your prayers that he can get into BYU. I don't see why he wouldn't but it would be great for some extra help. Thanks
Monday, January 3, 2011
When It Rains it Pours!
I hope and pray bad things ONLY come in three's. This new phase of life Phil and I are going through is not an easy adjustment but we are doing fine, counting our blessings and so forth. Well when you get a grip on things there is always something that has to slip and makes you have to grip harder so you don't fall on your face. Last friday I was in a car wreck. That sentence sounds so simple but simple it was not. I was heading down the wonderfully snowy icy road on my way to Taco Time for a quick lunch. I had Mason, Simon and Calvin with me. Thankfully I left Parker and Everett home since they NEVER want to buckle their seatbelt to the point of lying to me saying they have when they haven't! Anyway, a truck heading in the opposite direction turns in front of me with not enough space to finish the turn and I slam into him going probably 30 maybe 25 mph. I sent him sliding into another car and I then go on to slam head on to the car that was stopped waiting for the truck to go. I then send him sliding into the car behind him. Five cars in total, four of them have to be towed but thankfully NO ONE was hurt. I believe I got the brunt of the wreck hitting twice in motion. I have never been in a car wreck before and let me tell you I don't want to experience that again. It has been 3 days and I still have the images going through my mind over and over and it is worse while I am driving. Physically I am ok, I am going to the chiropractors tomorrow (I would have gone earlier but it was the new year holiday) I have been having constant headaches and pain between my shoulder blades.
On top of that our refrigerator is not working properly. I think we have that figured out we are trying to defrost it and hopefully that will work.
Then tonight we completely shatter our ceramic stovetop. I had place a #10 can of dried onion on the stove to get it out of my way while I prepare dinner (first mistake. Not having my kitchen cleaned up second mistake or you can flip that because if the kitchen was cleaned up I wouldn't have had to place the can on the stove because there would have been room somewhere else or it would have been put away two days ago when I got it out, grrrr! Sorry, where was I? Oh yes, can on counter. So then I fixed dinner and turned the stove off and apparently I bumped the burner knob the can was on and turned it on high. So we eat dinner and clean up the dinning room and everyone leaves for their various forms of activity. The older boys on the computer and Phil and I and Calvin in the front room. Thank goodness no one was in the kitchen. Next thing we hear is an explosion and what sounds like heavy rain falling. I first thought the kids threw snow and a light bulb again and went running into the kitchen to get the glass before the baby goes in there. What to I find? a smashed stove top with burnt dried onions ALL OVER THE KITCHEN!!! They had hit the ceiling with the really fried and black onions, it look like an ant hill ON MY CEILING! and then the toasty onions were EVERYWHERE! we are going to be cleaning those up for weeks. So now my house smells like burnt onions, all my refrigerator and freezer things are in the garage fridge, and we only have one car. GAAAG! We are all healthy and happy. There has been hardly any fights between our kids. The boys are loving school and doing great at it. Simon and Calvin are the cutest little buddies ever and I have the Best husband who makes me feel like the most beautiful and perfect person on the planet. I know we are tried so we can receive blessing and I know we will and I know Heavenly Father knows my pain and frustrations and he is with me and my family through everything. I am thankful for what I have and what I am going to learn from these test and I know I will not be tried harder that what I can handle. I just hope there is a little break from test until we get these ones figured out :)
On top of that our refrigerator is not working properly. I think we have that figured out we are trying to defrost it and hopefully that will work.
Then tonight we completely shatter our ceramic stovetop. I had place a #10 can of dried onion on the stove to get it out of my way while I prepare dinner (first mistake. Not having my kitchen cleaned up second mistake or you can flip that because if the kitchen was cleaned up I wouldn't have had to place the can on the stove because there would have been room somewhere else or it would have been put away two days ago when I got it out, grrrr! Sorry, where was I? Oh yes, can on counter. So then I fixed dinner and turned the stove off and apparently I bumped the burner knob the can was on and turned it on high. So we eat dinner and clean up the dinning room and everyone leaves for their various forms of activity. The older boys on the computer and Phil and I and Calvin in the front room. Thank goodness no one was in the kitchen. Next thing we hear is an explosion and what sounds like heavy rain falling. I first thought the kids threw snow and a light bulb again and went running into the kitchen to get the glass before the baby goes in there. What to I find? a smashed stove top with burnt dried onions ALL OVER THE KITCHEN!!! They had hit the ceiling with the really fried and black onions, it look like an ant hill ON MY CEILING! and then the toasty onions were EVERYWHERE! we are going to be cleaning those up for weeks. So now my house smells like burnt onions, all my refrigerator and freezer things are in the garage fridge, and we only have one car. GAAAG! We are all healthy and happy. There has been hardly any fights between our kids. The boys are loving school and doing great at it. Simon and Calvin are the cutest little buddies ever and I have the Best husband who makes me feel like the most beautiful and perfect person on the planet. I know we are tried so we can receive blessing and I know we will and I know Heavenly Father knows my pain and frustrations and he is with me and my family through everything. I am thankful for what I have and what I am going to learn from these test and I know I will not be tried harder that what I can handle. I just hope there is a little break from test until we get these ones figured out :)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
I'm to impatient
So I have a bunch more pictures to post of randomness of my kids, but I am so impatient with our slower internet that I'll do just one right now and I promise I will add some more soon.
Here is Calvin in our field before it snowed :)
Here is Calvin in our field before it snowed :)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
First Day of school
Yeah school started!!!
I have THREE kids in school, crazy! The boys were very excited to start school today. Parker my non-morning person was up before 7:00 fully dressed and ready to go, did I mention school doesn't start until 9. He got to enjoy breakfast all alone with his dad which is good for him I think, every boy deserves alone time with daddy. He had a slightly rough first day back, changing schools and all is not easy. Everett was NOT excited to be going back he was slightly grumpy all morning but when I picked him up after school he said it was the best day ever. Mason my little kindergartener was very excited this morning, but he has afternoon kindergarten. By the time we were at the school he was getting really nervous, but he warmed up quickly. When I picked him up he said that he was only there ten minutes (meaning time went by quick because he was having fun). I had 2 1/2 wonderful hours with only Calvin and Simon. They are the two busiest but Calvin took a nap and I put a short show on for Simon and he fell asleep and then so did I, NICE! I won't be continuing that but it is good to know that that is a possibility :) It may take me sometime getting used to the schedule but I can handle that.
I am enjoying being back in Spokane. When we lived here before I noticed that when I was out and about I always saw someone I knew, not just random people but someone I would want to stop and talk to. It is still like that and it is wonderful, I feel at home here. I do miss Portland but I am loving being back here, I just need more friends in my ward.
If I ever get on our computer (not laptop) I will post some pictures, hopefully soon (we will see about that).
I have THREE kids in school, crazy! The boys were very excited to start school today. Parker my non-morning person was up before 7:00 fully dressed and ready to go, did I mention school doesn't start until 9. He got to enjoy breakfast all alone with his dad which is good for him I think, every boy deserves alone time with daddy. He had a slightly rough first day back, changing schools and all is not easy. Everett was NOT excited to be going back he was slightly grumpy all morning but when I picked him up after school he said it was the best day ever. Mason my little kindergartener was very excited this morning, but he has afternoon kindergarten. By the time we were at the school he was getting really nervous, but he warmed up quickly. When I picked him up he said that he was only there ten minutes (meaning time went by quick because he was having fun). I had 2 1/2 wonderful hours with only Calvin and Simon. They are the two busiest but Calvin took a nap and I put a short show on for Simon and he fell asleep and then so did I, NICE! I won't be continuing that but it is good to know that that is a possibility :) It may take me sometime getting used to the schedule but I can handle that.
I am enjoying being back in Spokane. When we lived here before I noticed that when I was out and about I always saw someone I knew, not just random people but someone I would want to stop and talk to. It is still like that and it is wonderful, I feel at home here. I do miss Portland but I am loving being back here, I just need more friends in my ward.
If I ever get on our computer (not laptop) I will post some pictures, hopefully soon (we will see about that).
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Getting adjusted
Well, we are SLOWLY getting adjusted here in Spokane. I used to think that I did the majority of the unpacking which I do, but the heavy and hard to move Phil would help me with. I am much more appreciative of Phils help now. Phil went to work the Monday after we got here which is great, but I have taken a lot longer to unpack than normal. I'm sure once school starts I will get more done.
The school district here is so packed that they only let an exact number of students per grade in the school. So if they get more enrolled they bus them to another school in the district as overflow students. So now Parker is going to Adams elementary and Everett and Mason are going to Sunrise, grrrrr! Now I will have not only two times (because of kindergarten) for pick up/drop off, I will have two schools to go to. Thankfully the schools are like two minutes apart I can deal with that.
We have already been asked to speak in church AGAIN I was hoping for SOME time. I was talking to a lady in the mothers room who has been here for 8 months and hasn't had to speak yet, what the heck, why do we go before they do? oh well, I was totally expecting it to happen :)
The boys are loving the house and the room to roam but they have been getting board with no friends (you know who you are). We are happy to be back here but it feels WEIRD moving back into a house we have lived in before. I can sort of relate to missionaries now, leaving home for two years and coming back. Things are familiar yet unfamiliar, you remember how you used to do things but you have changed and grown over the course of time. Some of your same friends are here and are ready to start the friendship up where you left off and other friends are no longer here (tear). What a crazy time in our lives right now, we appreciate the prayers in our behave and the help we have received from family and friends. We know that the Lord will help us get though this rough time and we know the only things that really matter our our faith and our family, everything is replaceable.
The school district here is so packed that they only let an exact number of students per grade in the school. So if they get more enrolled they bus them to another school in the district as overflow students. So now Parker is going to Adams elementary and Everett and Mason are going to Sunrise, grrrrr! Now I will have not only two times (because of kindergarten) for pick up/drop off, I will have two schools to go to. Thankfully the schools are like two minutes apart I can deal with that.
We have already been asked to speak in church AGAIN I was hoping for SOME time. I was talking to a lady in the mothers room who has been here for 8 months and hasn't had to speak yet, what the heck, why do we go before they do? oh well, I was totally expecting it to happen :)
The boys are loving the house and the room to roam but they have been getting board with no friends (you know who you are). We are happy to be back here but it feels WEIRD moving back into a house we have lived in before. I can sort of relate to missionaries now, leaving home for two years and coming back. Things are familiar yet unfamiliar, you remember how you used to do things but you have changed and grown over the course of time. Some of your same friends are here and are ready to start the friendship up where you left off and other friends are no longer here (tear). What a crazy time in our lives right now, we appreciate the prayers in our behave and the help we have received from family and friends. We know that the Lord will help us get though this rough time and we know the only things that really matter our our faith and our family, everything is replaceable.
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