Changes

This year has been one of changes. I am embracing the changes and loving them so far.

This month my baby turned 2! I can't believe Parker is already so big.

He is the joy of our family. We all love to make him perform. He does animal and vehicle sounds, says everyones names, sings Elmo's World and most recently he says Transformers: Robots in the sky (it is really robots in disguise). He loves to jump and run in circles. He eats everything! Most the time he is a perfect baby. He rarely throws tantrums or even gets upset.

Alyssa turned 11 this week. I have 2 girls now in the 2 digits! She is such a young woman now. Alyssa is a very social girls; always having friends over or talking to them on the phone. We celebrated her birthday by taking the family and 4 of her friends to the reservoir. It was a fun evening.

Ignore the #5 candle. We couldn't find any other ones! LOL

This month we have also gone to 3 parades. We went to the 4th of July parade in Provo where we sat in the crowd through the hot sun and then the 10 minutes of downpour followed by more sun. Then the kids walked with our primary in the children's Parade. The kids dressed up as what they want to be when they grow up. Andrew a cowboy (like his best friend McKay). Cailtyn a teacher and Alyssa a movie star. Then last week we watched the 24th of July parade here in Spanish fork. I think we are done with parades until next year!

We have also spent time with cousins at the 4th of July BBQ, saw old friends from Sacramento who were out visiting, went to a community theatre show of Singing in the Rain and done some walking.

The best news is that Aaron found a job! He started work today and thinks he is going to like it.

I have also been promoted to Customer Service Manager. I have a team of 6 that I am training. I hope to have them so good that I can work a little from home once school starts. The boys have started day care and really seem to enjoy it.

Girls Room

It is done! Well mostly...lol! There a few things I still want to find like shelves and I want to add a little more vinyl but the furniture is in and it looks great!

I love that it is bright, colorful, open and organized. We tried to find a place for everything so it can stay clean.

Crafting

It has been awhile since my last post. I have been busy with the kids, house, work, getting settled at work, etc.

Finally things have slowed down a little and I have started crafting again. Most of what I have done was done with Starr or with her help! Thanks!

First we made these bangle watches. All I have is one watch face and then I have about 10 of these bracelets that I can hook on. We had fun one night using the hundreds of funky beads I got for free at work!

Then we did some glass etching. We made some frames for my Dad for father's day and then I did a few more frames, some glasses, votives, a big ol' cup for Aaron and Starr did a pyrex dish for her father-in-law. It was fun and very easy!

Finally this project was the girls bedroom. We had a flood in our basement last weekend and had to take everything out of the girls room. We are waiting for the carpet pad to get replaced, the carpet to be relaid and then cleaned. This should all be done by Tuesday. So while the room is empty I decided to finally decorate. this is the start! Starr covered some cork boards with fabric and used ribbon to make each girl a personalized memory board. Then I cut tons of vinyl in bright funky colors to make these circles. I love it!

I found these picture frames and filled one for each girl. We added more fun vinyl. These will go above their beds.

This wall is mirrors and vinyl for the girls to do their hair.

I have the bedsets and a cool lamp. I am on the look out for some chairs and milk crates in loud colors to use as shelves and a nightstand. I hope to have everything done Tuesday!

Mother's Day!

I love this day. First off all I am so grateful to have the best mother God every created. She was perfect in every way. After birthing 6 children and being told she couldn't have any more she went on to adopt 2 more and fostered several dozen. She cooked, kept a clean and tidy house, took us on vacations, had her own friends, crafted, and overcame some of the most horendous child hood issues. All of this I do not have one memory of her every yelling. She was amazing! I love her and miss her every day!

I try to be like my mother. I am not. I yell, my house is often messing and I know I can not handle more children than the ones I have. But I continue to try.

Today I woke up to the best gift. My children were up and dressed for church and were happy!
Then they preceded to give me the treasures they had made. Mariah had drawn a bird and made a beautiful card. Alyssa had a jar filled with tags for me to use in my scrapbooks or on gifts. caitlyn has several treasures she had made at school: a picture she had drawn, a paper flower pot with paper flowers listing reasons I was a good mom and a book about mothers she had written and illustrated. All of these great treasures will be added to my scrapbooks.

The best were given to me after church. Each child was given a form to fill in the blanks about there mother.
Andrews:
When I was born, Mom thought she loved me.
My mom looks really pretty when she doesn't blow dry her hair or cut it!
In her spare time my mom likes to go to the store and buy stuff.

Caitlyns:
When I was born, Mom thought I was cute.
My mom looks really pretty when she wears dresses.
In her spare time my mom likes to sleep.

Alyssa's:
When my mom was a little girl she had a best friend who she named me after.
When my mom met my dad she thought he was gorgeous.
When I was born, mom thought I was beautiful.
Mom looks really pretty when she is dressed for church.
In her spare time, my mom likes to scrapbook.
My mom likes me to do my hair in ways she likes.
I love my mom because she loves me and takes care of me and my needs.

Mariah's:
Still to come....

Aaron surprised me this morning with a Mothers necklace. It is a heart locket with birthstone jewels inside representing each member of my family. I will wear it and keep my family close to me!

Off to enjoy the marinated chicken and artichoke pasta that has been prepared in my honor!

Happy Mother's Day to all women who in any way help to raise and educate todays youth and especially to those who help keep all mothers sane!

Mr. Mom

While Aaron looks for a job he is playing Mr. Mom. He is very good at it. Some things he has gotten to do: pick up girls from school, laundry, dinner, cleaning, playing with the boys, feeding boys, homework, playdates, whining children, and running errands. And he has done all of this while trying to apply and look for a job.

I am very proud of my husband. He is trying very hard and has done a great job at keeping the kids in one piece, having dinner ready when I get home and having the upstairs clean!

Thanks honey. I love you!

I just love it here!

So today was the girls first day of school. We had already met the principal when we enrolled them 3 weeks ago. He was very nice.
We all went to see them off on their new adventure. As we were walking up we were greated by a teacher who asked if we were the 'new' family. She has a 2nd grade son who would be in Caitlyn's class.
Then before we could get to the door a group of girls asked "which one of you is Mariah?" Each class had been told they would be getting a new girl from California. They told Mariah to come with them and off they went.
It was so great to see the girls taken in and shown the ropes.
Even after school they were still excited. Caitlyn says her new best friend is named Zoe!

I am so glad that they are fitting in and making friends so quickly. Right now the girls are all riding their scooters around the neighborhood in hopes of catching sight of a new friend.

I started work today and had a similar reaction. Everyone was very open and welcoming. My job is customer service. I get to answer a lot of emails; mostly where is my order type of stuff. Not terribly exciting but I get to work in the industry and with great people.

We made it!!!

After 2 long days of packing we left our house late Tuesday night. It was strange to drive away from the house we own leaving it messy and with belongings (my step-mom is doing a yard sale for us later this month). As strange as it was it was also exciting.
We spent the night at my Dad's. Yeah for beds and breakfast in the morning. Our plan to leave at 6am were deterred by the want for more sleep. By 7am we were on our way. Aaron driving a 24 foot truck, my Dad driving a 16 foot truck and towing Aaron's car, and me driving the van with the little kids.
Our drive went smooth although long. We finally made it to Spanish Fork at 10:30pm. My sister graciously set up beds in her basement for us to crash on.
Thursday we arrived at our new house and began unloading the trucks. We were amazed at the support from the neighborhood and our new ward. With in minutes of arriving our landlord was at the house unloading for an hour before he went to work. Then my awesome friend and her husband drove down and spent a few hours helping. The relief society president showed up with muffins and spent an hour organizing my kitchen. The next door neighbor brought us home made cookies.
The other neighbors came to introduce themselves and ask if we needed help. My reply was sure if you have the time. They replied, "We are out of town and can't help today but we will call someone to make sure you have the help you need." I laughed at that.
Then the elders quorum president and his 2nd counselor came and finished bringing in the rest of the big furniture.
I couldn't believe the amount of help we had with in the first few hours. We have met more of our neighbors in 2 days than we ever met in our 12 years in Sacramento.
It didn't end there!
Friday we slept in after a late night grocery shopping trip in the rain. As I was getting out of the shower at 9:30 the neighbor arrived with her 2 little ones with the offer to help. With her and my sister working hard we finished the kitchen, Caitlyns room and got a good start on the food storage room. After she left another neighbor from down the street came and helped with my craft room.
Before long the Bishop's wife came with her 12 year old daughter. We got to work organizing the boys room. Mariah and Alyssa found a great friend and took off with her to her house.
Still not done with all the generosity. Around 5 the retired lady across the street brought bread and dessert and told us the rest of dinner was on its way. Sure enough lasagna and salad showed up a little later.
We shared our dinner with all of the family that showed up to help bring in the last boxes so I would have room to park in the garage.
Today we had a delivery of warm cinnamon rolls to start our morning.
I am just amazed and blessed to have the warm acceptance from family, neighbors and church members. With all the help we are almost done with the unboxing. (except for my craft room which will take awhile)
So far I love it here! Our house is big and open. The people are wonderful. Family is close!