Teeth, Teeth and More Teeth

Kennedy lost her third tooth the other night. She was sooo excited. She's been "working" on this one for a while now.
AND...drumroll please...

Colton got braces today. Happy Birthday!! Actually, he's quite pleased with them. It's hard to tell from the picture, but he's got black and gray bands on them. He's all doped up on Motrin right now, so maybe after that wears off, he won't be as pleased with them.

Last, but not least, Whitley. She's mad because she hasn't lost a tooth in FOREVER, and the tooth fairy never comes to give her any money. And now she wants braces, and why does Colton get to do everything first! I love ya Whit

Happy Birthday Colton!

Today is Colton’s birthday! Wow-11 years. I can’t believe it. I am sooooo old. I’ll never forget the day or should I say night he was born. You hear it so often, but I really didn’t know I could love someone with that much intensity. There truly that “mother’s love” that happens to you when you have a baby. Colton has been a joy to have in our family. He’s very easy to raise, and I hope he continues to be that way. He has had many nick names over the years. A few of my favorites are munchie, coco, and HIS favorite mancub. His leaders and teachers have always commented on what a good kid he is. I never worry about how he’s going to behave, or choices he’s going to make when I’m not there. I’m so proud of him, and the young man that he’s becoming. Happy Birthday my little munchie-( that is the same height as me now!)



Ten things I love about Colton
1. His gentle nature. Colton is our peacemaker
2. His willingness to try new foods. Even green stuff!
3. His sense of humor. It’s getting better every day.
4. Colton is caring. He’s always concerned about how people feel. Once, when he was really little, he invited a kid to his birthday party that he didn’t really like very much, just because he didn’t want that little boy to feel bad. ( I told him that he shouldn’t invite him-mother of the year)
5. His athletic drive. He’s been begging to play tackle football for years now. I think this season Landon is finally going to give in
6. He’s a sniggler! I can always count on Colton to come in and lay by me and give me a kiss and tell me he loves me.
7. I love his brown eyes. He has the longest eyelashes. They should be on a girl!
8. Honesty. I know that I can trust what he tells me.
9. I love what a great big brother he is! The girls absolutely love him. He’s always willing to play a game, or read a book to them. He’s a great example for them to look up to, and they do. He’s also becoming a GREAT babysitter. Yeah!!
10. I love that I get to be his mother. I had no idea 11 years ago, how much this little spirit would teach me. I am truly a better person because of him. He is an old, wise spirit, and I often feel unworthy, and unable to be as good a mother as he deserves. I love you Colton, and am so happy that I get to share this life, and the eternities with you!

I Am Thankful For... (#4)

...FRIENDS! I have been so blessed in my life to always have good friends. From all of the new friends we have made here in WA, and continue to make, to the friends that we have back home in AZ- You have all had a special place in our hearts. It's so fun to be able to keep in contact with many of you, even though we're starting to be spread across the country!
I am soooo thankful for my friends-you guys are the best!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

I know this picture is kind of hard to see. It's the temperature on my rear view mirror this morning on the way to school. Yep, that says -2! Now, I know that I grew up in Utah, and I know it's cold there. But -2, are you kidding me???

I Am Thankful For... (#3)

Free continental breakfast! We are staying in Seattle this weekend, and just finished our free breakfast- When you have kids, feeding them for free is always a bonus!

I'm a REAL girl

Hallelujah! We finally got my laptop connecting to the internet today! Now I don't have to wait for Landon to get home with his computer. Things are definitely looking up!

After getting my computer fixed and picking up the kids, we got home and guess what was at our house when we got home?? Our cleaning lady. Yeah!! That is one of the perks of living in this condo. She comes every two weeks, and probably cleans way better than I would. Today was a good day-

Tri-Cities Adventure

I went on a little adventure today to the Tri-Cities. Some girls from my ward were heading there, and invited me to go. It took us about an hour to get there. We went in to Target, went to lunch and then on to Costco. I know, in Gilbert that would be a typical boring day of running errands. Here, it's a fun day of shopping and getting out of Moses Lake! I had a good time getting to know my friends better, and now I can get to ANOTHER Costco!

Fog, Ice, and a 2 Hour Delay

It has been foggy here off and on the whole time we've been here. I don't know if that's just part of the winter or what, but I'm sick of it! Sometimes it's so thick that you can't see 20 feet in front of you. Oh how I miss the sun.

I had to take Landon to work this morning because he turned his rental car back in and hasn't had time to buy a car. The roads were like an ice skating rink. I think I went about 20 mph the whole way.

About an hour later, I drove the kids to school on the same ice skating rink only to find out that they were having a 2 hour delay. We were the only people there! So we drove back home, and back again 2 hours later. I'm thinking, if I can drive here from clear on the other side of the lake (3 different times) surly the people that live 2 minutes away can get here. These people are wimps!

I Am Thankful For... (#2)

...The UPS Store
I know this sounds a little random, but there is a perfectly good explanation. We have been waiting for almost 2 weeks to get a mailbox key for our condo. Well, we found out Wed. that that wasn't going to happen, ever! So Friday Landon and I go to the post office to get a PO Box, and they're all being used! WHAT-I can't even get an address. You have know idea how badly you need an address, until you can't get one. The lady at the post office told us to try the UPS Store. We rented the last PO Box at the UPS store. Soooo, I am so thankful for the UPS Store, and the mailbox they have provided for us!!!

Boots or No Boots- Who Knows???

Every day here brings new EXPERIENCES. Colton had a hard time this morning. I think the reality of him going to a new school with kids he didn't know really hit home. He cried off and on all morning, and tried several times to talk me into letting him stay home. We had a little talk about asking Heavenly Father for help. We both did so, and went to school. When he got home, he had had a good day. WHEW!

I did make the kids wear coats and glove and boots today. Only Whitley argued about wearing her boots. I finally forced her to change out of her tennis shoes. We got to school and found out it was a red flag day, which means that it's too cold to go outside for recess! I don't think we'll ever be dressed right!

First day of school - for real

The kids finally went to school today! Even though it was snowing worse this morning than it did yesterday. I don't get it! Anyway, when we got to the office, they were waiting for us. The office staff was all very friendly. Kennedy got in to all day kindergarten, so really nothing else matters. Landon and I met all of their teachers and they all seemed very nice. Of coarse, how would I know any different? They could all have crap, and I wouldn't know it! The great part is, that even though it was snowing when we left the house, my kids wouldn't wear their coats. (we're so from AZ) We found out at the school, that they would be going outside for recess. So I had to go all the way home, get their coats, and then deliver them to each of their classrooms. Tomorrow, they'll be wearing their coats! All in all, they had a good first day. Each one of them made at least one friend, and Whit says she's got 3 or 4. I'm just glad we're done with the whole suspense of what that first day will be like. Now they can just be normal kids at school.

First day at new school - SNOW DAY!

This is the view from my front door, across the street this morning

Are you kidding me?? I wake up this morning, and turn the news on (like I always do) to get a check of the weather. They're reporting snow, and there a ticker-tape at the bottom of the screen with all of the school delays going across. I see that Moses Lake is on there. So, we're suppose to start 2 hours late. No biggie. I call Landon to check on the Internet, just to make sure. Yep, it's starting 2 hours late. 5 minutes later, he calls me back and says it's been cancelled for the whole day. SNOW DAY! Snow day, on the first day? My kids were thrilled, and it did snow most of the morning. We went sledding all afternoon!


Today's EXPERIENCE-missing school because of snow

I am thankful for...(#1)

So for my first photo of my 52 photos of things I'm thankful for, number one is the church. Specifically, the way it's organized! This seems like such an obvious thing to be thankful for. Today we went to our new ward for the first time. We were all a little nervous, but I explained to the kids it would be a new EXPERIENCE and to try their best. It was really nice. Tons of people came up and introduced themselves to us. Colton and Whitley both reported that they had already made a friend. Colton's friend is also going to be in his school class-YEAH! We had a couple already invite us to go out to dinner with them. She is the girls gymnastics coach. Another couple invite us over to their house for dinner. She is Colton's primary teacher, and the mom of Whitley's friend. She was very excited about Whitley, and was way helpful with info on the school/teacher etc. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an awesome organization. I don't know how people ever move without it.

2008 Word of the Year

My word for the year 2008 is EXPERIENCE. This year will be full of first times and new things for my family. Some will be good, others might not be. I hope to EXPERIENCE this part of the country. After this year, we may never get back here. My prayer is that as we EXPERIENCE these new challenges that we will all learn to depend on the Lord and each other, and hopefully strengthen our family unit. And maybe, just maybe. we will be better people because of them.

One Word Challenge!

one little word

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts. Last year I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word. (You can read the whole article here.)

My friend Nikki has done the "one word challenge" and I just loved the idea so I'm jumping on board! It seems like a great way to keep your goals realistic and to keep them fresh throughout the year with a little help from "your word"....stay tuned for my WORD OF THE YEAR...2008!


Along those same lines...
I'm joining Nikki in her great idea to post 52 photos of things I'm grateful for in 2008! It will start this Sunday with my first post, and continue each Sunday! I'm hoping it will help me look for the good this year! Anyways...here is what the project is about if you want to join in please do!


About 52 BlessingsOnce a week post a photo of something you are most grateful for. This gives us a chance to reflect on the good things we have learned from or that have made us better in our everyday lives or things we just enjoy! I think everyone needs to be more grateful for what they have now days instead of always thinking about what we want! This is one of the things we can do to be more gracious people.
It will be like a photo gratitude journal!

Thanks Nikki for the great ideas!

So far, so good (I guess)

So today was the first day that felt a little bit more like "real life" up here. Landon has been off work since we got here, so it's felt like we're on a vacation. I mean, there's always this nagging little voice saying "Holy Crap. You live here", but we've just been unpacking and playing with Christmas toys. Today, Landon went to work, but the kids were still here. They're getting anxious to start school, and try to make friends. We made it to Landon's work to have lunch with him, and then went to the grocery store. No wrong turns! I was pretty proud of myself. There is ice and snow off and on on the streets, so its way different than what I'm use to, but hey, I learned to drive in Utah. I can handle a little snow. I don't like it, but I can handle it. I feel myself settling in, and can't wait until next week and we get through that first day of school. Tomorrow we're going to the gymnastics gym to get the girls signed up. They do this baby sitting thing on Friday nights. I said to Landon, "Once people drop their kids off, what the heck do they go and do?" We had a good chuckle! I'm trying to stay positive, but this will never be home. I miss my friends and family tons. Thanks for all of the blog/email support. It keeps me going-
As far as the house, the company has rented us a 4 bedroom condo. It's very nice, but it's on the opposite side of the lake from the town. It's takes a while to get to stuff, but it is free. Once our house in AZ sells, we will buy a house "in town". YUCK, I can't believe I have to say "in town". I'll post some pics of our condo when I have more time tomorrow.