Friends

Not the greatest picture, but, I wanted to make sure I captured this moment.  I've been helping my dear friend, Shaylyn, by watching her kids on occasion, while she attends her doctor appointments.  

Carson has been ever so kind in showing Kayla "the ropes" around the house.  Particularly his sippy cup drawer.  And, Kayla, being just a few inches taller (she's almost a year older), can reach the water spout on the fridge.  

So, here are the partners in crime.  Hey, at least they put lids on their sippy cups!

2 Years

It dawned on me today that 2 years ago, this past weekend, we decided to take a HUGE leap of faith and basically turn our entire world upside down, praying all along, that we were making the right choice.

It was right after General Conference in April 2011.  One of those experiences that you knew every message was exactly what you needed to hear.  And, looking back now, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to pick out just what it was that inspired us.  But, it did, and we acted on it, and that's what matters.

For a more detailed re-cap, click here: Part One.  And, somehow, in the last 10 months, since we've moved into our house, I've failed to document Part Two, other than through our daily activities and the change of scenery in the pictures.  So, I guess you could say Part Two would have included Brian's job change and our move up to Orange County, CA.

Now, the Cliff's Notes Version: We decided to move from Colorado to California.

I've been thinking about how much we have grown as a family and I have grown as a person during this time.  Of course, most of those things are slipping my mind as I'm typing, but, I know they exist, even the ones I can't think of right now.

When we first decided to move, I was excited and scared and trusting all at the same time.  I didn't think it was possible to feel all those emotions simultaneously, but, trust me, I did.  We both did.  And, for the first time in our marriage, I felt 100% certain that we needed to do this.

Not too long after we bought our house in Colorado, Brian and I both knew we weren't going to stay.  We didn't know if that meant just that house, or Denver, or, what.  We just knew we needed to be there to learn something (didn't know what at the time), and, when we had learned it, we would know it would be time to move.

Some of the things I learned while living in Denver--
1. Brian is my best friend and strongest advocate for happiness. (I was pretty much an emotional basket case while we lived there--probably still am!)

2. My patriarchal blessing can provide comfort and peace in ways I didn't ever notice before. (Working at J8 was a tremendous blessing for me.  What started out as a little part-time job to occupy my time became a haven of peace and friendships that I will cherish forever.)

3. It is possible to live in a house with imperfections. (the kitchen wall that blocked all views of the front room, where the kids played.  Didn't think about that one when we bought sans kids!)

4. You don't really need 4-wheel drive to drive in Denver snow. (I convinced Brian that I needed an SUV, not a van, to drive safely in Colorado weather.  5 1/2 years of Denver and I used the 4-wheel drive once.  But, I got my Pilot, and still love it, to this day!)

5. Basements are awesome!  (No, really, they are!  Especially unfinished ones with little kids! 1400 sq. feet to ride bikes, climb on the play cube, run, etc.  all heated during a freezing winter storm!)

6. Even terribly awful plane flights eventually come to an end.  (Amongst many exciting trips, I'll highlight the most memorable--2 year old Morgan, newly potty-trained, got diarrhea on a COMPLETELY FULL flight, while newborn Sadie-7 weeks?, screamed for most of the flight because of her ears--remember how her fluid didn't drain? click here)

7. Colorado snow is a million gazillion times better than Utah snow!  (Yes, it's still snow, but, usually, Colorado snow melted quickly and we had many beautiful winter days of 60+ degree weather.)

8. The Lord is always there.  You just need to be humble enough to talk to Him.


Some of the things I learned after we left Denver--
1. While life wasn't always everything we had hoped it would be, we had some fun family memories from our time in Colorado.  For starters, it will always hold a special place in our heart because that's where all 3 kids were born!

2. If you trust in the Lord, it will all work out.  Not necessarily the way you thought, but, it will all work out. I'm comforted by the quote, "Sometimes good things fall apart so that better ones can fall into place."

3. I am truly blessed!  Yes, I'll be the first to admit that the last 2 years haven't been perfect.  There have been lots of struggles, frustrations, and even doubts that we made the right choice.  But, those thoughts are quickly brushed aside with an overwhelming feeling of peace that we had faith and obeyed.  And, I know there will be more struggles in the future.  But, despite everything that has and may come, I know that my Heavenly Father loves me!

4. A lot can happen in 2 short years!  To think that Carson wasn't even born when we started this adventure just blows my mind!  I can't imagine our little family today without him in it!


5. An INCREDIBLE job is hard to come by.  Sure, there's lots of great jobs, but, we were both blessed to have the best working experiences ever while in Denver.

6.  If you do the right thing, it will always work out in the end.  (Thanks, Mom, for always reminding me of this.)

Currently, we have NO intentions of relocating, locally, or otherwise.  But, I am so thankful for this experience, which has taught me to truly trust not only in the Lord, but also in his timing.  I don't know what the future holds, but, I do know one thing.  If we stay His course, it will be great.  

Fire Station

This year, Sadie is participating in a co-op type preschool.  A group of moms from church rotate teaching 7 kids.  It's a lot of work on the weeks I teach, but, I enjoy the days off!  Additionally, I'm enjoying less of a strain on my pocketbook!

Last month, we took a field trip to the fire station.  I'm getting fuzzy on the details, but, aside from the fire equipment, this particular station is one of the FEMA support stations and has 2 semi-trucks fully loaded at all times, ready to head out when needed.  And, they have a hallway near their living space covered with pictures from all the rescue efforts their team has been involved in.  

Of course, the kids didn't care about that.  They just wanted to climb in the fire truck!

The firefighters all got a kick out of Carson's leash!  

Sadie was bummed she couldn't reach the pedals!

Carson loved wearing his fire hat!

Big Boy Bed

Ever since we moved into our house (almost a year ago now!), we have kept Carson's future (i.e. toddler) bed next to his pack-n-play in his room.  Mostly because we didn't want to store it in the garage, and, I'm a big believer in getting rid of the crib quick.  I don't like the baby phase, and, it's a constant reminder that there's a baby in the house.

Every night at bed time, after scriptures and prayers, I take the girls into their room and read a chapter book with them and Brian takes Carson into his room and reads a book with him.  Don't know when or why this "tradition" started, but, we all love it.  The girls and I have read numerous classics from Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, and others.  Recently, we've been on many Flat Stanley adventures, and Morgan can't wait to take us into the world of The Magic Tree House series, by Mary Pope Osborne.  Brian and Carson are still reading Goodnight Moon.  But, I digress...

Apparently, without my knowledge, Brian had been allowing Carson so sit on his big bed for his story, then use it to climb into his pack-n-play.  So, what I thought was Carson starting to show interest in his big bed at nap time, really was him wanting me to allow him to use it for climbing, like Daddy does.

So, one night (Feb. 8th, actually), Brian decided to see if Carson would sleep and stay in his toddler bed one night.  And, the rest is history!

My favorite part about Carson and his bed:  he still doesn't know he's "allowed" to get out on his own, so even after 2 months, he still sits on his bed and waits for Mommy or Daddy to come get him!
My least favorite part about Carson and his bed:  he thinks that we have to physically pick him, his blanket, and Fillmore up after he climbs down.  Then, he expects us to carry him and his entourage down the stairs!  Sorry, Dude!  Not happening anymore!

Q-Fest and Papa Dale's Birthday

Last month, the kids and I went up to San Dimas for a day trip, so Brian could study.  Grammy and Grandpa were getting together with all their BBQ friends. 

Since it wasn't a competition, Grandpa Dale didn't have the back of the trailer filled with "BBQ", as the girls say!  So, the kids decided the couch and futons made a fantastic jungle gym!  They loved wrestling and climbing all over the place!

And, it happened to be Grandpa's birthday, so we brought up German Chocolate Cupcakes (which, he only likes the frosting, so next year we may just make him a batch of frosting and nix the cupcakes altogether!) and sang to him.  It was too windy for candles, though.

Trains, Trains, Trains!!

I love that my kids love playing with trains.  I love when they can talk their daddy into building a train track that takes up the entire living room, too!  

A couple months ago, Carson really started to show an interest in playing with the trains.  Now, almost daily, the box gets dumped out and he starts building away!  

(I love how he sticks his tongue when he concentrates!)

January Arizona Trip

Over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, we took a quick trip to Mesa to visit Grandpa and Grandma Boring, as well as some of our Boring cousins!  Of course, I forgot the camera, so all the pictures are fuzzy from the iPod!

Carson enjoying a snack at the hotel!

Can't possibly be comfortable, but, hey, they're sleeping!

Sunday afternoon, we went over to the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center.  I always love visiting temple grounds.  There's such peace and comfort to be felt.

While at the Visitor's Center, we watched a short video.  It was called, Only A Stonecutter (thanks, Logan!), about a man who lost both his legs in an accident, yet still walked miles every day to help build the temple.  Such a touching story and chance to reflect on whether or not I am doing all I can to build the Kingdom of God.

Despite the big box of toys that I brought to entertain this busy guy (these Boring cousins don't have any little ones at home!), he found it much more worthwhile to stack soup cans in the kitchen!

Family picture in front of the temple.

This guy LOVES the "aack you!"  I see a janitorial position in his future at BYU!

Grandma Boring's birthday happened to be the week after  we visited.  So, we decided to celebrate early!

On our way out of town, we stopped for lunch.  Just for the record, I was NOT impressed with the In-N-Out in Avondale.  But, I was grateful for the hats that entertained the kids in the car!

Princess Practice

For Christmas, the girls got a Barbie movie, The Princess and The Pauper.  They've watched it nonstop and are constantly singing all the songs!

And, apparently, they are practicing princess etiquette, too!

Seussical!

When Brian and I were young marrieds at BYU, we debated spending a "fortune" (probably $10 each) on tickets to go to a theatrical production at the Scera Theatre.  Ultimately, we decided to go with some friends, and LOVED the show!

A few years later, we started our family.  Over the years, as I have read Dr. Seuss to my kids, I've often thought about ho0w much I loved that musical.

This past January, I stumbled upon a coupon (can't remember if it was Living Social or Groupon), for a youth theatre production of Seussical.  So, we found a sitter for Carson (thanks, Aubrey!), and Brian and I took the girls to the show!

On a side note, it happened to be on the day Brian received results for his latest exam, which he passed!  What a great way to celebrate!  Sitting in LA traffic on your way to a children's theatre production!

When we arrived, we were just on time for the show to start.  In fact, traffic had been so rough, our "fancy" dinner ended up being Taco Bell drive thru.  Yumm!

Here's a quick (blurry) shot of us before the show.

Although the Lorax never appears in the musical, the girls watched The Lorax constantly during the week leading up to our big night, in anticipation!

The DVD has a bonus feature to draw the characters.  Morgan's drawings are on the left, Sadie's on the right:

And, here is another of Morgan's Lorax drawings. 

Sadie wanted to "build" the Onceler's house.  So, here it is.  The porch is on the right and the slats on the left are the "poke through holes to see Tim down on the ground."

While the Utah production was far superior (including better seats), the girls had a blast and the music was so much fun!  Maybe someday, Brian will take me to see it on Broadway!

Random Photo Dump

Here's what happens when you get behind on blogging.  You can't remember if you've posted some pictures or not.  So, these may be repeats, but, just in case...

Carson "organizing" the diapers.  What a great help he is!

Carson's car chasing after the soccer ball.  No matter how hard I try, he's programmed to be a rough, tough, 100% boy!

Love his bed head!

Playing in the corner...seems to be a favorite spot.

The "Puter".  Bringing joy to a 3rd generation of toddlers in the Boring home!

The girls, undoubtedly, singing Taylor Swift (although I don't remember if it's Never Ever Getting Back Together, or Begin Again).  Definitely a favorite activity!

I told you those Duplos were well loved at our house!  This picture is old, but now, Carson stacks a sequence of blocks as tall as himself!  

What do you think he did right after I snapped this picture?  You guessed it!  And they all came crashing down!

Some days, even with all the blocks, it's more fun to fill up the cups with the water bottle!  I can't keep up with this kid!

Sadie's January 2013 illustration of the "Boring Kids."  Apparently, in her mind, Carson's still a baby.  I beg to differ (refer to above pictures!)...

Morgan lost another tooth (this one's #5, but, at the time I'm writing this, she's up to 6 now).  The tooth fairy can't keep up!