The newest member of our family

I know that James will have to blog his own version of this story but I thought I would add mine as well. . . we got a dog. As you know I'm not really a pet person but I love my husband enough to let him get his dog. He found a pretty yellow lab who is 9 months old. He is trained in many ways but needs a little more training to our home and our lifestyle. I believe we are calling him George as his last owner called him Izzy for awhile and then just dog from there on out. It is really interesting to see him interact with the boys. Michael is the quiet shy kind who likes to just take him for a walk but does not like it when he gets wild. Joshua likes to play, play and play some more. I'm very impressed by how he can get him all excited and then deal with it and enjoy it. Jacob needs a little more training in the dog area. He is learning not to just grab his collar and hold on, not to lock him in rooms and not to put food too close to his face. Poor Jacob and his many struggles with this move.

George and I have a very simple relationship. I will pet him for a minute and then he knows to move on. James has taken on the responsibility for the dog, so I just help when I can and ask for help when I need it. I'm doing better and we seem to be getting along just fine. He even likes to be with me. In this photo he is just sitting in my office with me while I blog-I couldn't find the camera so this is the best I have for now. I also learned that he sleeps on my side of the bed, so he must like me--or maybe I'm just a quieter sleeper. :) Who knows!

Crazy Internet

What could make me more crazy than sketchy internet? Well, if you can think of something let me know because I can't. We decided to just stick with Centurytel even though they said the speed would not be quite as fast. What they failed to tell us was that it would not be hooked up properly when we got there and not until after two service calls was it up and working--I use the term working loosely. I had to run one of my chats sitting outside the library--not the best situation. Then, the internet would just randomly shut off and maybe start back up. They came out a couple more times to try and help but in the end when I get kicked out of my own chats enough times I will find another solution--there is nothing like being kicked off line while students are sitting and trying to learn from you--arg!

So, today Comcast came and hooked us up with lightning fast internet and I haven't been kicked off once. We'll wait 24 hours to be sure before we cancel our Centurytel but I think Comcast is the big winner! And then maybe my stress levels can come down just a bit!

Though, I have to tell you about my funny conversation with the Comcast lady on the phone. When I told her I was interested in internet and phone she asked if I already had another source for TV. I proceeded to tell her that my antenna and I were getting along just fine. She then asked how it was working after the change to all digital TV. I got to tell her it works even better because now everything comes in digital. Who know you could get HD TV with just an antenna--best $20 I ever spent. I think she was surprised but knew she was fighting a losing battle. What would I do with all those extra channels when I can't even find time to sit and relax for 10 minutes?

Well, I hope you enjoyed our crazy story and you're probably glad you weren't here to live it with us because we were crazy stressed! But now all is well and we can focus on more important things!

The first night in our new house

What do we fear most when we buy a home . . . that something will go wrong the moment we close. So, what does my husband do the first night in our new home? He tears off the paneling he hates so much! Fortunately, he also patched it up with some mud, sanded it and painted it a lovely green color! Isn't he amazing!?! Now he just needs to finish up the bookshelves he is going to build in for the space . . just wait a few more days for pics of those!

My manly husband

While my husband loves to cook and loves his music he is sure becoming a manly man!

At our fair well party he got to play with a bow and arrow and loved it! He even hit the board which he is very proud of! I just have to show him off because he won't. :)

He is also doing some amazing things around the house, but I'll get to that soon.

Project 1

Project #1 is now finished. In full disclosure I should tell you that it's actually project #2 that I leaped in to while the mud was drying from project #1. Yes, it's nice to have a back-up project. Michael is, at this moment, leaning up against his new headboard reading a book before his inevitable sleep time, and when he's done with it he can leave it in the built-in bookshelves on the sides. Should we need extra space, the trundle still pulls right out for easy accommodation. It could use another coat of paint to give it a real lustre, but Joshua tossed sawdust onto it during drying, and someone's bound to write on it in the next few days, so I'm not going to lose a wink over the possible second coat. I primed, I painted, I assembled. Most importantly, I learned, and my next project will be easier because of it.

Oh, and a special thanks to Dad for helping me think through the execution of this project this morning.

2 words . . .

Lobster bisque.


-- Post From My iPhone

Jacob and the new house

I was surprised to learn that Jacob is the one having the hardest time with the move. He keeps asking when we are going home and we continue to try and explain that we are home. Life can be so confusing to a three year old. It also hasn't helped that his first night in his new house he fell down the ladder on his bunk bed. We rushed in and helped him back to bed. Then, about an hour later I heard him whimpering in his room saying he needs light but sitting paralyzed in his bed because he was scared of falling again. I then realized he might need to go to the bathroom. Ahhh. . . . I helped him down and back up and left the hall light on for him.

The next morning he again woke up but was afraid to get down--so sad. :( We are definitely fixing his ladder before next time.

Later that morning while exploring he learned what a stall shower is. He managed to walk in, close the door and turn the shower on himself. We heard him crying and followed the sound to our bathroom where we found him still in the shower soaking wet. He was very upset but VERY cute!

After we return from the family reunion I hope his second day will be much better than his first.

Reunion Day 1

-- Post From My iPhone

Alphabet of Nations

Algeria

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Dominica

Egypt

France

Gambia

Hungary

Iran

Japan

Kazakhstan

Libya

Mongolia

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Qatar

Russia

Suriname

Turkey

Uruguay

Vietnam

West Xylophone

Yemen

Zimbabwe

That's what we learned today. Can you find the fake country? It's even better with a groovy beat and 5 interchangeable chords!

Funny children

My children just make me laugh so hard sometimes!

Today at the pool we started at the kids play area where I had to prod Jacob to enter the water. We walked around for a bit and then he said to me 'It's wet.' Amazing! And this is why is he now potty trained--he hates to be wet!

Then later today James was talking to the boys and the Nephites came up--sorry I can't remember why. Then, Joshua said, "The Nephites lived before the dinosaurs, right?" I'm still rolling on the floor--I hope you all think it is as funny as I do! Gotta love kids!

I'm hot!

I keep telling James that I'm hot because well my skin is basically on fire. The boys and I went to the pool today and had a great time. Several of my friends were there and we hung out and talked while our kids played in the water. It just doesn't get better than that and since I'm moving soon I'm going to take advantage of the time I do have to spend with those I love but have to leave soon.

Unfortunately, it is the first time I put on a swimming suit this summer and then just sat in the sun talking. And since all of you know me to be the quick tanner than I am I am now a little lobster whose skin is quite literally burnt and burning still.

I also have to add how much Michael is growing up . . . he was tall enough to go down the big slide and had a blast. He tried to take Joshua with him but he is not tall enough yet. So sad. It was great to see them play and swim and have a grand old time!

Little breakfast

Jacob woke up later than the others this morning, so he and I shared our own little breakfast time. He was a joy, telling me that he would like a little more yogurt with his cereal, and that he is neither a big kid nor a little kid, but "getting bigger." Good times.



-- Post From My iPhone