On Our Way...

This is officially our last week in Cedar City. It has been so good to us!

Ben and I went to Austin this last week and after three long days of scouring the city for the perfect place for us to live, we found it. It was nothing short of a miracle and we feel so blessed that we get to live in this nice home and nice neighborhood.

Things are all working out timing wise. We want to get there before traveling becomes a big concern for me and my big belly. I will be 32 weeks along when we move. That gives us around 8 weeks before the babe is born.

We are so grateful for ALL the help from friends and family. It is so hard for me to accept, but really is essential. I hate to leave feeling so much in debt to everyone who has helped us so much but I hope we can pay them back in some way...

That's all for now, the next update will probably be from the heart of Texas!

PS~If anyone knows of anyone trying to rent a twin home in Cedar City by June 1, please send them our way!!!

My Mommacita

There are so many wonderful things about my mom, here are a few:

-My mom is so pretty! She has beautiful eyes and dark hair. I’ve always thought she was a looker and if I got any good looks at all, I blame that on my mom (don't worry dad, you're handsome too)!

- My mom is a hard worker. When I was growing up, she helped my dad start a business and worked

full-time from home helping the business grow and stay on its feet. She also took care of me and my sister as well as somehow keeping an immaculate home and keeping our bellies fed. Now she works hard full-time learning new things as opportunities arise.



Me, My mom holding William and my nephew, Nicholas, and my sister, Becky

-My mom is very punctual. She is always early, even when it comes to sending things in the mail. I am still working on that one.

-My mom is brave. There have been things in her life that she certainly didn’t anticipate or ask for but she has taken on valiantly and with courage. She continues to face each new day with a positive attitude.

- I can always call my mom and she’ll always tell me things are okay. For example, if I have had a lazy day she’ll tell me its okay or if the house is a wreck and I tell her all about it, guess what? It’s okay! Sometimes I know that’s just what she’ll say and that’s just why I call!

-I think one of the most important things about my mom is that she has always supported who I am and who I wanted to be. She understood my need for independence and always granted it. I’ve always felt like there was nothing prohibiting me from becoming who I’ve wanted to be. This has been especially true with me joining the Church. My mom was there at my baptism, she came to Ricks College for my graduation, she diligently sent in a contribution to my bishop each month I was away on my mission, she was at the airport when I came home from my mission, and she came to Salt Lake when Ben and I were sealed in the Temple. While my mom may not embrace the beliefs I do, she has always embraced me and shown a courageous amount of support which has blessed me beyond measure.

- My mom is a wonderful grandmother. She has braved the cold to come to help with babies and take care of the older but still little ones. They have loved it so much. Hannah cried so hard when “Grammie Sally” had to leave when she came to help with William. Our kids all know they are loved by Grandma Sally and they ask often if we can go to Seattle to visit her.

I am so grateful for such a loving and gentle mother who has always loved unconditionally and given so much so her kiddos could be happy!

We love you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day!

Dear Carter,

William and Ben were a little jealous of how good you look without any hair, so they thought they'd give it a whirl too. William is especially proud of the fuzzy head. When he was in the bath he saw himself in the water spout and said with a giggle, "My head so fuzzy!"

We love you Carter! Keep up the good work, we are praying for you and thinking of you. You are doing such a good job!

Love,

 Ben, Jessica, Evelyn, Hannah and William

(Carter is our nephew, you can learn more about him here)

2 Year Old Boys are Dangerous

This is how I found William during his "nap time."

In the last 2 weeks William has:

-climbed on our dresser where he found a bottle of children's chewable Tylenol. He opened the childproof lid and ate the 3/4 full bottle. Poison control said he would be okay and he was, gratefully.

-stuck his finger in the pencil sharpener and sharpened it (luckily it was NOT a mechanic sharpener). There was some blood.

-left out the front door to "hide" behind our van at the same time that a school bus was driving by. The worst part about this one is that I was in the front and had no idea where he was. That was scary.

-left out the front door again, and again, and again...

-taken the waffle iron out of the cupboard and plugged it in. He said "I cook food!!!"

-he is constantly pushing chairs, stools, anything he can stand on to reach up high. Today he got my Bath and Body works lotion and rubbed it ALL over his head. He smells quite nice.

I know this is nothin' compared to what you mothers of little boys have seen, but it is definitely a new world for us! Luckily he is sweeter than a billion gallons of ice cream, so we are happy to keep him.

This is just Hannah and Will playing. It's a bit boring but kinda funny. They are good playmates when Will isn't screaming his head off because he wants EVERYTHING his sisters have :)



Just a cute and random shot of Ev ready for school in a new shirt she received as a hand-me-down.



Benny Boy's Birthday



This is how my VERY OLD husband felt about turning another year older. I think it's so funny that he thinks he's so old. For one reason, he is still in his 20's and secondly, I am 2 years older than him (and I don't even feel old!).



This was right before Ben opened his presents from the kids. They each got to pick him out a present from the dollar store. He scored a styrofoam airplane, silly string, and some highlighters for his office.

And here is the handsome hunk of a human being on his way to Priesthood meeting. His birthday fell on Conference Saturday, so we celebrated before, between and after sessions.
Happy Birthday Oldie Goldie! Sure am glad you were born!

Real Life, for Real

It's been a while since I have posted a "this and that" blog about what we've been up to. When it's nice outside, we've headed to the park and a place called Horse Alley.

Horse Alley is a street in Cedar City where people can rent land and do what they like with it. Most people keep animals including sheep, horses, llamas, cows, chickens, pigs and dogs on the land.

On one lot you can find retired Uhaul parts, a llama family, cows, sheep and chickens!

We also enjoy somewhat lazy mornings. Usually William wanders in our bed, then Hannah, then Evelyn. By then there is not enough room for me, so the kids play for a bit. I love it! They are sweet little things and I'm so grateful they love eachother!

We've been enjoying tea parties, or in this case, cupcakes and milk with some playmates. As you can guess, William will be very happy to have a brother join him in the mix! As Evelyn says, he is always "girl-trapped."

Of course, stories with Dad.

Show time! Dance show put on by the kids, they do this just about every night! (excuse the landry pile...)

Growing belly, 25 weeks

Hannah's chipmunk cheeks, filled with grapes!

Life, as you can see, is normal and good. We don't know much about our move yet because we are waiting to hear from a line up of people about this and that and then some. Until then, we are enjoying our last days in Cedar with wonderful friends, old and new.

It Wouldn't be a Trip to AZ Without...

A trip to visit Grammie at the Storehouse: Ben's mom's calling is a service missionary working at the Bishop's storehouse in Mesa. We were able to visit her for a few minutes. This is only a small portion of the service she gives to those around her day in and day out. 
(Ben had a week off in March and while we live only 8 hours from the fam in AZ we seized the opportunity to visit while we can!)

 A Trip to the Science Center: Okay, so we've never been to the science center before, but it has become a bit of a tradition to go to the kids' museum or dinosaur museum. This time it was the science museum.

 We had fun with this brain activity game, the person who was more relaxed was able to move the ball towards the other person, Ben's mom was determined to win and finally did (but not against Ben) :)

 Naomi was brave enough for the bed of nails!

A St. Patty's Day Treasure Hunt: We were in AZ last year for Brad and Jessi's wedding and we were able to stay the week which included St. Patrick's day. So this was the kids' second year at Grammie's for a St. Patty's day hunt, I don't know how we'll keep up next year!

A trip to Freestone Park: We tell the kids we are just going to feed the ducks, but they know better. They know that Grammie likes to spoil them a little and none of us mind! They got to go on the jet ski ride.

 and of course, the train:

 AND the carousel!

 AND we got to feed the ducks, but they weren't too hungry. We're so glad Nellie could come with us!

Stories with Grandad: Grandad is so fun with the kids and is always willing to read them a book, sometimes he makes up the words or tries to trick the kids with false facts. It's always entertaining for anyone in the room.

Time in the sand wearing dress ups: Ben's parents have made a grandchild wonderland in their backyard including 4 tons of sand.

 Our kids spend SO much time outside in AZ, especially when they have adoring and adorable aunts to play with them. Here is Aunt Noelle building a palace with the kids.

 Ben's sisters are so good to play with our kids and as a result our kids ADORE their aunts SO, so, SO, so SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much! Can you blame them?!!! Nellie with the girls on the trampoline.

 A long drive home: Since we know we most likely will not be making the drive from AZ to Cedar City again anytime in the near future, we decided to be a little adventurous and take a look at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. We've always passed it before, but always been too tired of driving and too ready to get home to stop. This time we stopped.

It was pretty cold and our coats were packed, so the girls headed out in their bathrobes and Will in a blanket. It was pretty, but we only stayed for about 10 minutes. We were ready to go home!

Thank you for such a wonderful week in AZ!