Friends

Today I am thankful for FRIENDS. Near and far, new and old. This particular category of friends includes family members who are also friends.....like sisters, my mom, cousins. You know who you are. You probably read my blog:)

Leaving my AZ friends & family network proved much harder than anticipated. I miss them and am thankful for them every day. I am so glad that I had a friend here already when we moved in. My good friend Kami is just 9 miles away, and is such a comfort to me. I have been very blessed to make new friends who have proved to 'have my back' already. Thank you, thank you, thank you! (I guess I'm also thankful for my big mouth:) My CA family-friends of my mom, Holly, Mary, and now Heidi have proved invaluable. I NEED them, and am SO grateful for them. I have reconnected with old friends and hope to renew some old friendships with more family. This network building stuff is hard work!, but so necessary for my mental well-being. It is taking a freaking village to raise my kids, so the more in my network the better.

Without rambling further..... I am grateful for my friends, all of you.

November = Giving Thanks

I am going to copy my sister, Julianne's idea from last year and post something I am thankful for each day in November. My attitude is pretty crappy lately and hopefully this will help turn my frown upside down and get me ready for the quickly approaching holidays.

November 1st (yesterday)
I am thankful for medicine. Lots of it. Excedrin Migraine to be exact. The spook-alley on my parent's street was AWESOME, but the strobe lights left me in pain the next morning. SO thankful for my meds:)

November 2nd (today)
I am thankful for Diet Coke. Yep. Silly, I know. But really, sometimes that's what it takes to get the job done. It's a Monday afterall, and I am truly, from the bottom of my heart, no kidding, seriously, SO thankful for my evil nectar. I happen to consider it part of my meds:)

Happy November, all! Give Thanks!

Yikes!

It's been a month since my last post? Oops. Just remember that I hate September, it is always a super hard month for me...but now it's over and I can hopefully start being productive again. I have some pics to post in the next couple of days but I'll do a little fill in for now.

Eric turned 16 over the summer, and finished his Eagle Project two days before he was able to get his license. Hence, he is a licensed driver now. At first (ok, still) it was a little scary, but it is really nice having another driver. I don't have to drive to early morning seminary! WooHoo! The down side is that he gets lost A LOT. The gas bill is not fun. He had his Eagle Board of Review two days before we moved, so now we are just waiting for the paper to come in the mail, making it really official, and so we can plan the Court of Honor. He is loving his surf PE class and has straight A's! (that NEVER happened in AZ) It is a wonderful transformation that's happened over the kid and I just pray that it lasts:)

Bekah is still adjusting but is doing well. Impecable grades and cross country times that are improving each week make for a happy girl. The way that Math classes are set up here, in 8th grade, it's Algebra. Well, in AZ it's a year behind that. So, she's in Algebra having never taken Pre-Algebra. We are really proud of her. We is doing great because of all the hard work she is putting into it.

David turns 13 this week. He is a little beach bum. He goes almost every day with either Eric or Jay or both, and gets really mad when he can't go for one reason or another. He's getting really good at surfing. He's still himself....perfect grades, the cleanest room in the house, etc.... but is suffering from 'teenager dumb'. The symptoms of this are hard to put into words. This kid that has always been smart, lots of common sense...like a mini adult-is SO a teenager. He asks stupid questions, forgets what you told him 2 minutes ago, is clumsy, etc. We love him to pieces, despite this 'setback'. He makes me laugh every day. Last night we had the CA family over for dinner for a little party for David. It was the first party we've had in the new house. I think it went well:) We got some more stuff put away because people were coming over, so that was good. On Wednesday, David's actual b-day, I am taking him to Disneyland with my mom, Holly and Grady, and Mary. He is super-excited to not have to go to school on his birthday! I told you.... teenager all the way.

Jay is working his buns off, but like I said, goes to the beach daily. It is keeping him centered and grounded. He is happy and content. He is the Varsity Scout leader in our new ward and seems to be having a good time with that. It's basically just having fun with the 14-15 year old boys once a week. Last week they did Jiu Jitsu...everyone had a blast.

I am struggling, still. I miss my network of friends (Julianne, you're included in that:). I love the weather, our new house, being closer to the CA family. But I am lonely during the day. Especially when Jay is out of town. I have made friends, but not the kind that you can call up and go for a coke or go shopping with, etc. I know it will take time. Overall, it's good. My friend Kami is close by so that helps. I am the Activities Committee Chairman at church (I know!) and am nervous about how the first party will go (Christmas). I'm going to do a Christmas in Bethlehem kind of thing. Still, 300 people that I don't really know? Talk about intimidating! Oh! You're not gonna believe this one...my cousin Heidi talked me into doing a 1/2 marathon with her in May. THEN my sister Holly talked me into doing a 1/2 marathon with her in March! I can't believe I agreed! 13 miles?! Seriously! I SUCK at running. This is going to be interesting, to say the least. SO, in March I'll be running in Moab, UT with Holly (and hopefully Mary) for FSA (Families Supporting Adoption) and in May I'll be running with Heidi in Laguna Hills, CA. I'm going to have to throw in a couple of triathlons just so I can add the two sports that I don't suck at (swimming and biking) into the training mix. Wish me luck! And if you can.....join me! (hint, hint, Julianne)

The Best Day of the Year

Ah, the first day of school. For me, it's better than Christmas. Today was the first quiet day I've had to myself in 3 1/2 months! While I do love my little darlings with all my heart, I really, really, really look forward to school. Today was a total treat. Jay is out of town, so our annual breakfast date is postponed until Friday. Instead, I came home and took a nap. A good long one, guilt-free. Then I treated myself to lunch, ALONE, and went and got a mani-pedi. SO needed. I may have let a moan slip out while the nice little Vietnamese lady massaged my feet and calves. By then it was time to pick up Eric (2:30), so the peace and quiet was over for the day. But guess what? Tomorrow I get peace and quiet again! I may clean and unpack tomorrow. Unless something better comes my way. Hey, it's like summer vaca for me now (at least til Friday when Jay comes home).

In the last week, we did NO unpacking whatsoever. We went to the beach, Sea World, the beach, Sea World again, and more times to the beach. I swept up a week's worth of sand off my floors today, and let's just say that it could have weighted down a small punching bag. Oh well.

I don't want my AZ friends to think that life is a total beach, so I'll gripe a little. It has been HOT. Not AZ hot, but humid and very warm (85-90), making for hot in the house without a/c, trouble sleeping hot. Two nights ago I was still up at 3:00 and got up and sat in front of the open bedroom window, wondering why I was so sweaty. There was no breeze-the air was stifling and damp. I just sat there and waited for a little bit of air movement. Since Jay is in AZ this week, he said he turned down the a/c in his hotel room and slept really well. I had 3 hours of sleep last night, due to insomnia, the heat, and no hubby in bed.

Anyway.........yeah for schedules, routine, and peace and quiet!

All settled?

hahahaha! That would be a good one. We've been here for two weeks. The important stuff is settled and put away. The rest is.... not so much. We'll get there, but for now we are enjoying the beautiful weather, being outside, and exploring our new digs. The kids are settling nicely. They all have friends and social lives that are better than the ones we left. There is definately a higher power guiding our family right now, and I am very thankful. The troubles we had have been traded for new ones, and I'm okay with that. We are in a good place.

Here's a quick rundown of what we've been up to:
-moved out of AZ.... lots of help and lots of tears. friends and family are extremely missed.

-moved into CA.... lots of help and no tears. family, old friends, and new friends are very appreciated.

-met my cousin, Heidi (whom I hadn't seen in 9 years!), at the beach. it was so good to hang out and realize how similar we are!

-hanging out and dinner with the Banks. old friends...so much comfort.

-kids have been to two movie nights, played 'fugitive' all over the neighborhood with the ward kids, and the older two have been to two dances.

-Jay's been back to Phx and I survived my first 4 day stint alone with the kids.

-HUGE amounts of $$$$ have been spent. food, more food, stocking up at Costco, school clothes, shoes, new bedding, etc, etc.

-went to OC a couple of times to see family... this last Saturday we were there for Holly's family's big day.

-went to a luau. AWESOME food and entertainment. (including my Bekah doing a hula!)

-we've also been to the beach... A LOT. almost every day!

-Eric tried out Water Polo for the first time. decided that coming into a new sport like that as a junior when all the freshmen have been playing for 4 years is probably not a good idea.

-Jay's parents have been down our way a couple of times to help put things away and help paint the boy's rooms. first big projects are done.

Well, that's what comes to mind. My camera charger is still MIA and the battery is dead, so, pics will have to follow. I guess you'll all know when I get more unpacked, huh?

Summer in Pics

Here are some more summer pics.... in no particular order because I am too lazy to re-order them after spending 30 minutes bringing them into blogger one at a freakin' time.

One of the several times we were in Carlsbad over the summer for like 2 days at a time, I think this was Memorial Day... in the pic above, Jay is cracking up because a wave just got us while we were waiting for whichever kid to snap the pic.

We went to the beach with Holly and Grady, Mary, my Mom, Tracy and her girls. Look at all the 'moms' it takes to put suntan lotion on Grady. hahaha.

Rebekah spent a little time with Holly and Grady after Girl's Camp. I think it was the single biggest self-esteem booster for her EVER, because Grady likes HER. Will let her hold him and help take care of him. She ate it up.

A boy and his dog.... gross.

Bek and David posing in some impromptu 'shade" with Fritz.

David finally grew taller than Aunt Jennifer. A true 'milestone' in his life.:)

See that guy in the top left corner? Yeah.... he jumped off that cliff into the water below. This is at Blue Ridge Resevoir here is AZ, on his first High Adventure Trip. The second one was in Lake Powell, where he did more cliff jumping, with our new ward in Carlsbad.

Jay LOVES Paradise Bakery and our friends over there made an awesome giant cookie for him on Father's Day.

David and his friend Gage both made the All-Star team and got Home Run trophies.

One of the times Jay's Dad, Grandpa Johnny, came to visit, he left a pair of pants and his hat. Eric thought it would be funny to dress up like him....see if he noticed. Yep.... and Eric thought it was SO funny.

This is the cake and flowers that Jay and the kids made for me for Mother's Day. YUMMY! Also in the background is proof that our house use to be a home before it all got boxed up. We have been living in a 'house' since early June.... and are eager to turn our new place into a 'home'.
It sounds dumb, but living in a 'house' and not a 'home' for the past couple of months has really taken a toll. It's like you don't feel right or something. I don't know..... just sayin'.

More pics later.......gotta go pack some more:(

FINALLY CLOSED

After the longest escrow in the history of man, the purchase of the Carlsbad house is finally finished. We should be moving August 7th. Just in case anyone is thinking of refinancing or purchasing a home, do NOT use Trust One Mortgage in Irvine, CA. The WORST customer service, professionalism, know-how, etc. This company is a prime example of why the mortgage industry is not going to recover for quite some time.

I've been a total slacker in the blog department lately, mostly because I don't want to just be negative and bitching all the time. There have been some fun times mixed in with this summer of hell. Here's some photos:

4th of July weekend, my Mom and Mary came to visit. This is Rebekah and Patrick. I just love little Patrick (Jimmy's 2nd boy) and want to hug him soooo bad, but he just loves his mama and rarely lets anyone else get any lovin'. Maybe one day;)

Mary and Jimmy. A rare photo of Jimmy smiling;) Mary is the only person who can ever get Jimmy to pose for a photo. Isn't my baby sis gorgeous! And my kid bro is pretty handsome, too. I love it when we get to see him and his fam.

James (Jimmy's 1st boy) and Aunt Mary. I use to watch James on Fridays when he was a baby. He turns 4 this weekend! He has the best sense of humor and always makes me laugh. I am going to miss my AZ family soooo much. Now that the move is final and the date is coming, I can't even think of my nephews (and their parents) without tearing up.

My mom and Rebekah talking Patrick into playing with Colby.

Mary doing the bitter-beer face under water. Maybe it's because Eric's armpit was so close to her face! eeeew!

We celebrated Colby's 2nd b-day while some of the fam was together. He's such a cheese! His brothers are close by, making sure he can blow out those candles!

Chicken in the pool. Christian and Eric beat Chase and Mary, only because Eric cheated with a leg swipe under water. Typical.

Hope you all are surviving summer............