First Day of Kindergarten...

Well, my small-fry, Laura, started kindergarten last Wednesday (I know I'm behind, but I've really been busy!). She loves going to school. Nevada still does half-day kindergarten which has been okay, but I sorta wish it were all day. I was driving home from Florida, so I was unable to take care of the first day routine (I was so bummed). I must say that Aaron was a champ. He even sent a photo of her outfit to my phone the night before. I think that earned him some brownie points. She has since found a "best friend" that she plays with at recess, and though she still can't remember the little girl's name (I ask just about every day; I think it's hilarious), I'm sure they'll enjoy playing together throughout the year. I'm so thankful that Mom spent so much time doing preschool activities with Laura (and Kaitlyn) these past 5 months. I already see the difference it's made in the school work she brings home.
I still have a difficult time believing that this adorable, spunky 5-year old is my little Laura. She seems like such a big girl. I'm so proud to have such a wonderful daughter.

*Today Kaitlyn and I went to the school for her preschool screening. She did a great job (I knew she would). Kaitlyn should be starting preschool on September 8th. She's so excited... she's been wanting to go to school with Laura and was very upset that she couldn't. And her classroom will be right next to the kindergarten class, so Kaitlyn thought that was great (we spied on Laura while we were there, hee hee).

Officially a Thunderbird...

Today was my first day at Southern Utah University. I have my ID card and my parking permit, so I officially consider myself an SUU Thunderbird (even though I'm not participating in sports). I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and left the house by 5:15 a.m. to drive the 95 miles to Cedar City, UT. I amazed myself by NOT getting lost on campus (especially since I'd never been there before) and made it to my photography class early. By the way, I know I'm going to LOVE that class! I then had English 2200 - Literature and Culture. I think I'll enjoy the approach to this class... more emotional than analytical. I'm taking Modern Social Problems, mainly to finish my general ed., which I thought I'd finished when I got my AA degree, but no. My last class of the day is Creative Writing. I'm pretty sure I'll like this class. I've always felt that I'm a decent writer, and my first english professor really pushed me in that direction, so I'm excited to branch into the creative aspect of writing (secretly I've always wanted to write a book... maybe I'll get some of the tools I need).

Overall it was a good day, though quite tiring (8:30-4). Starting out with such a long drive isn't super fun, but I can't really complain. I was able to get a full ride for this year between grants and scholarships. I feel so blessed. I absolutely love school and I can't wait to get my degree. I hope that as a teacher I can pass some of my love of learning on to my students.

Pajama Rama & Short Hair?

So I finally broke down and got the girlies new pjs. Pjs are a bit overpriced (at least I think so), so I was delighted when I found the Carter's 4-piece pajama sets on clearance at Target. Bumblebees, rainbows and lambs found their way into my cart. Let me say I had some happy girlies at bedtime. There's nothing like a new pair of pajamas...

If you're wondering what this is, it is a phone call I got today from my mom-in-law saying that Laura and Kaitlyn hid in the bathroom cabinet under the sink, with the bathroom light turned off I might add (so Grandma couldn't see them - so said the girlies), with a pair of scissors, cutting their hair. I'd say about 98% of the hair filling the bowl (yes, full) is Kaitlyn's. Apparently they were saving it for something crafty.

This is Kaitlyn after bathtime, when I cut about 8 inches of hair off because where she decided to cut her own hair was a HUGE (and I mean ginormous) patch on the right side of her head. The sad thing is that I just cut their hair about a week ago. Maybe that's where they got the idea?

This is Kaitlyn after I finished the massacre (okay, I'm exaggerating, but I was sad to cut her beautiful hair so short). I think the only reason she's smiling is because we were done. After she looked in the mirror she wasn't smiling anymore. She told me she doesn't like short hair and I felt so bad for her. But, she's the one who decided to cut her hair in a dark bathroom cupboard. (Of course I still think she's a beautiful little girlie.) Oh the woes of a three-year old girl.

Family Fun Night...

Almost 2 weeks ago we spent the evening as a family at Kershaw-Ryan State Park (I've mentioned it before). It is such a great place to have fun together and it's only 2 miles from our house. There are tons of wild sunflowers growing in the ravine where I imagine there's a creek during the spring. We walked a little ways up the overlook trail and found the mini bridge that the girls thought was so cool. One of their favorite stories is the Three Billy Goats Gruff. It reminded them of that. And of course the wading pool is their favorite part about the park. We love being outdoors and I am so glad that my girlies are developing their own love and appreciation of nature.

Can't Say I Saw That Coming...

My parents are moving back to California. Specifically Gridley. So, it's moments like this that I wonder why we had to stay here. I know that we're supposed to be here, and now that Aaron's got the job at the youth center and I'm starting school in a couple of weeks I can see the reasons a bit more, but I'd much rather be in California. I miss my family, especially my mom... she's my best friend. I miss California. I want to be with our friends that we were so close to, I want to be able to go to a farmer's market with variety, I miss visiting San Francisco and Mandy in Fallbrook. I want to drive Highway 1. I miss the diversity of the people and their cultures. I want my girlies to get to know our extended family, especially all of the cousins that are their age. After being away for 5 years, I am still in love with California. And I really miss my mom...


*I apologize for the whining... in the future I will try to keep it to a minimum.

In the Desert We Stay...

March 3rd was the day Aaron applied for the job of "Group Supervisor 2" at the Caliente Youth Center. 156 days later (after testing and waiting, interviewing and waiting) we find out...

HE GOT THE JOB!!!!!!

(Can you tell I'm a little excited?)

After so much stress and uncertainty we can finally look forward to some stability in our life. I have a confession... last fall I heard about the scores of people losing their jobs around the country and I thought "oh, that won't happen to us." Lo and behold, we lost our jobs about 4 months later. Maybe I should have knocked on wood...

As I've written before, the Lord has blessed us so very much. All He asked in return was our faith to follow His will. Though that is always easier said than done, I feel like Aaron and I have done our very best to allow the Lord to lead us. I can say that in all honesty for the first time in my life.

Now that Aaron has a job, I'm scared. That may sound incredibly strange given our status of "unemployed" for almost 5 months, but I am truly afraid. I'm afraid that I will go back to forgetting Heavenly Father, that is unless I need something. I still struggle with studying my scriptures daily, and to be perfectly honest I've never liked serving in Primary. I feel like going to church with 3 children is a challenge that most Sundays I'm not up for. I want to continue to love my husband, and not get so easily frustrated with the parts of him that, well, frustrate me. I know that all it really comes down to is remembrance and humility. I'm pretty sure I can do that. I have come to the conclusion that I am only human, but I can continue to aspire to greater things. And the thing about Heavenly Father... He'll never forget me.

Pancakes Anyone?

I came across this photo of Kaitlyn... when Aaron worked at Midwest Academy, he spent a little over a year managing the gas station owned by the same guy who owns the school. There's a mini diner (for lack of a better description) inside. When Aaron was the manager he usually worked 80 hours or so a week. Since we didn't see him much we'd usually go have breakfast on Saturday mornings and he'd eat with us. They made the best pancakes I've ever had, and I'm not exaggerating. I admit, I love, love, love the multigrain pancakes at IHOP, but if you're looking for super tasty buttermilk pancakes, this is the place to go. Anyway, Kaitlyn and Laura loved them also, and Kaitlyn usually sat in the highchair as displayed above. Gotta love her little foot.

Flowers in the Desert...

Since Aaron's been working for Nevada State Parks he gets to see a lot of beautiful places. The two parks that he specifically works in are Cathedral Gorge and Beaver Dam (Beaver Dam is about 25 miles down a dirt road, heading out into the mountains). When he got home from work one day he told me he wanted to take me on a drive and to bring my camera. Well, we headed out toward Beaver Dam and after driving 10 miles or so we crested a hill and we were immersed in wildflowers (of course they weren't in the road, just both sides). Most were bright yellow, but there were large white poppy-like flowers, and many others. It was such a wonderful sight to see in a seemingly barren area, excepting sage brush and juniper trees, oh and rocks... can't forget rocks. I have always loved Aaron's appreciation of the beautiful world around him, and I'm so thankful he talked me into driving out there. There is beauty to be found in what may seem an unlikely place.

A Little Fish...

So our Laura went to a beginner's swim lesson class for two weeks in July. When I told her I signed her up she freaked out. And what I mean by freaked out is she stomped around yelling about how she couldn't do it and was scared, etc. I sat her down and explained that we'd go the first day and watch, and then if she felt comfortable she could participate. Of course we got there and she saw a bunch of kids her age and decided she could try it out. The kids always got to start out sitting on the edge with their legs in the water, kicking like crazy, splashing the lifeguards/instructors. Laura always turned her head, but she was a good splasher.

In the pool they had what they called a "tot dock." It was pretty much a dock submerged in the water, creating a shallow platform for smaller kids to play on. There was a railing that went around two sides. Laura wasn't afraid of it and did really well. The only thing she really struggled with was putting her face in the water to blow bubbles. Towards the end of the two weeks she improved and could blow bubbles with her mouth, but she refused to blow bubbles with her nose. I have to say I'm so thankful for Stana (2nd photo) and Amanda (3rd photo)... they were awesome instructors and endlessly patient with Laura.

We're super excited for next summer... Kaitlyn will get to join Laura at swim lessons. Maybe Laura will be braver since her sister will be there with her.