Happy Birthday Cameron

Three years old today! The video didn't really capture his cute smile. He was smiling yet trying not to smile when we sang his name. He was excited--so cute!

Cameron is such a fun little guy. I can't believe he is 3! We are so lucky and happy to have him in our family.

The Neighborhood Now Knows We Are Here

We set up the trampoline and the pool tonight. And as you know, kids can't play in water or jump on the trampoline without screaming laughter and yelling. Especially my kids. I think I have the loudest kids. So now I am sure that the neighborhood is well aware that this house, which has been empty for 6 or 7 months, is now occupied. (Some probably observed the kid toys in the front yard, but for the rest of them, Here We Are!...)



A few pictures.


They did not bother to get their swim suits on.

We don't have grass back there, but lots of cement! We have grass in the front. I feel bad that I don't seem to take pictures of my older boys much. I should have gotten some pictures of Brennen and Scott setting up the tramp. Then I could have posted it with the one when Brennen was helping Scott set up the trampoline when we first got it when he was 4 years old. So cute. He has always like to put things together.

We don't have the net on yet, so they can only jump one at a time right now. If you know Andy, then you understand.

I suppose I will tell you why I LOVE the trampoline. I realize that trampolines are not the safest toy around, but we have been lucky. (knock on wood). My oldest son Dustin is a video game junkie, and TV and computer. Not so much now, but when he was younger, he could sit on the couch all day and watch TV or play Ninetendo. So for him, the trampoline was wonderful! It got him outside. A few weeks ago his friend Ricky was over and they were jumping on the tramp. They have been friends since they were 7. (They are now 15). I was watching out the kitchen window remembering those cute little boys and thinking how it was just like old times. Then I looked again and they were jumping, yes, but both staring at their cell phones. Okay. Not quite the same.

Anyway, my next son did not watch TV or play video games much when he was younger. He was a mover, liked real action. The trampoline was great for him because he liked and needed physical activity.

Andy is always on the go and doesn't slow down. I prefer him jumping on the trampoline to jumping on the furniture. He has so much energy the trampoline helps take some of it from him. Last year on the first day of school he was so excited and ready early and his brothers already left, and when can he go, etc. I finally sent him outside to jump on the tramp.

My last two kids love it also. I don't know what I would do without the trampoline.

One game that has been passed down from Dustin and his friends is that the kids gather as many balls as they can and put them on the trampoline and jump with them. If you get hit by a ball three times, you are out.

The favorite thing, of course, is to turn on the sprinkler under it. I don't know how much money I may have saved over the summers without wet and wild trampoline fun, but it has made me a happier mommy for sure! And you can't put a price on sanity.

At Least We Are Not Going Hungry

One thing the Mormons do well is food. We have been fed by the members of the ward for three nights in a row now. The first two nights at members' houses, and tonight three families brought dinner over to us. (Three families provided one dinner together--not three dinners). So even though we have not been to a Sunday meeting, we have met five families. We have had a great welcome.

And Cameron is doing great, by the way. Once there were people and things in the house, he was fine. He loves to show everyone his bedroom. And today we even found his box with his Little People toys, which are his favorites.

Day One in New Mexico

I just want all my Utah friends and family to know that I finally cried. I am not totally emotionless (is that a word?) Sometimes--or mostly--I just have a hard time getting those emotions out. They really like to hide. But after packing and cleaning and packing and laundry, saying goodbye to friends and family, two nights of not sleeping well, and spending a day driving, the emotions finally spilled over this morning. I had a good cry and later a little nap and then I felt better.

I still can't sleep. I am sleeping at my Mom's until probably Saturday night when my husband and the rest of the family come. The three little kids and I came yesterday, Wednesday. I came earlier to get the "office" set up, specifically the internet and up and going. You know, wait around until the Qwest guy comes to hook it up. And make sure it works. My dad came and brought a trailer that we loaded up and then we drove back sort of together. Scott will bring the a moving truck Saturday with the rest of our stuff and our beds. Which brings me back to sleeping. Even though I was dead tired last night I could not sleep. Then same thing tonight. So I am blogging on my Mom's computer hoping to tire myself out. And maybe clear some thoughts out of my head.

Because I am still at my Mom and Dad's house I don't think the whole "I moved to a different city, state, ward" thing has quite sunk in yet. It is like I am visiting. I did start to feel a little more real tonight when we unloaded the trailer and I am seeing my furniture in the house.

Cameron does not like the new house. We are renting a house from my brother. It is a great size and location but needs some work. When I came in April to paint, Cameron did not like to be there. He cried. My sister-in-law and sister took turns tending him at their houses while I painted. I am guessing he doesn't like it is because it is an empty echo-y house (wood floors). I don't really know. He is just my sensitive little guy. Well this morning when we drove over to the house he didn't even want to get out of the van! He did not want me to undo his buckle. He apparently remembered from 3 months ago. When we went inside he was okay unless he couldn't see me. Then he started crying and wouldn't stop even when I was holding him. That's when I started crying. We went outside. My nephew played with him and I went back inside to continue crying. We didn't stay that long. But now there is some furniture in it so maybe he will like it better. And maybe when Daddy is in it too.

Pack up the Laundry Soap

I am done doing laundry. I mean in this house. Whatever is dirty today, stays dirty until maybe next week. Because I have other things to do! Maybe some people would not be okay taking dirty laundry to their new home, but it's fine with me. I guess this means Cameron is wearing pull-ups for the next few days . . . (he is not quite accident free yet. I mean to get on that after we move. He does pretty good, but . . .).

It shouldn't have been so bad because I kept up really well last week. Then on Saturday afternoon Brennen and Scott came home from scout camp. So there was a week's worth of really dirty laundry to get done--for two people, including jackets.

I just thought about the bedding. . .Well, hopefully I can find a box with clean sheets in it after we get there.

Saying Goodbye...

Is just not easy.

I don't know what to say, or how to say it if I did know what to say. But I did it a lot tonight--at a 'hug party', as Andy called it--somehow. Trying to say goodbye to friends in the ward who have touched my life in so many different ways. Saying goodbye but not really expressing or exposing much of how I feel. Because it is hard. And I don't know what to say.

The past 8 years has brought a lot of change into my life. Mainly, I added three kids to my family. We became a 'big' family, and are no longer a "young family". We have moved into a "middle aged" family. When we first moved into the ward, there were very few junior primary kids and so our kids were welcomed heartily. When Andy came along he was the only baby at the time and the ward adopted him right along with us. The ward was here with me and was excited for each new addition, and there to support me during challenging times that come with motherhood. Basically this ward has seen my family grow up. Dustin was only 7 when we moved here and now he is taller than me and starting high school. My baby was 4 and a sunbeam. Now he is passing the sacrament, and has been replaced (as mentioned above) with other "babies." The ward has loved my kids and my kids loved them back.

I suppose I am babbling. Because I can. And I want to.

Yes, I am happy and looking so forward to sharing life with my family in New Mexico, but this ward family is so hard to leave. My next ward has big shoes to fill.