i'm here

My phone dropped from the second story to the tile floor yesterday. It did not like that. At all. And let me tell you, it was just one thing after another yesterday, including some surprising challenges with the boys new soccer league and culminating in the swallowing of a bug while E and I were out walking. Seriously, the majority of my days do not seem to go smoothly or productively, so I have to keep reminding myself that at least I had the money and the time (too long) it took to go get the phone fixed (even though that's not exactly how I wanted to use my money or time). And we have good health. And each other. And food, clothes, clean water, and the sun. Count my blessings, shrug my shoulders, laugh when I can, and keep on going.

After more than 7 weeks, I have a desktop computer and working internet, too. It feels strange to be typing on a keyboard instead of my phone. But it's so much faster.

I went out to eat over the weekend with some awesome ladies from some of the wards around here. One of them is just starting to build a house and was talking about how much she loved her design center appointment. I will never understand women like that. I am trying to pick paint colors right now and I am ready to throw in the towel and leave it all white. Or just go into hiding until someone else picks for me. My phone is filled with pictures of paint colors and living rooms. This is the current color I am leaning towards for our main living space.

I feel like a pendulum right now. One minute I am feeling so good about our decisions and our house and then, for whatever reason, I swing towards the weight of the stress and worry of everything that needs to be done or isn't going smoothly in life. I'm happy, but I'm exhausted. 

these days

We are all moved in to our new house! We are surrounded by boxes and have our organizational and decorating work cut out for us, but we are in. 

I still need to document Perry's birthday and our new house, but we are still without a desktop computer and Internet. So for now, here is a picture of one of the sweetest moments yesterday. 

 

Kyler and Perry were zoned out in front of the Xbox, but at least they were zoned out playing together. I love sibling friendship.

Kacin's turn

I could be a museum curator now. After three visits in the last month, I know the museum of natural history pretty well. It was Kacin's turn for an afternoon date and I couldn't deviate from the outing the other two got (plus I have a membership now). 

 

So even though this was not on his list of ways to spend the afternoon, we went to the museum together.

 

I like to think it went better than he imagined.

 

As much as I am working on it, right now it's not really his thing to study items on display or read all about them. But I like to think he learned and appreciated something from the afternoon and all we saw.

 

In the very least, I sure enjoyed spending time with this guy. He really is a great kid.

 

 

out with Kyler

Kyler had early release from school one day last week. Like, go to school at 9am and come back home at 10:30am early. And I loved it!

He got some homework done before lunch. Then we dropped Layla off at school and I got to take him to the Natural History museum in Mesa. I loved the one on one time with this boy. And let me tell you, going to the museum with a 12 year old was quite different from going with a 5 year old (when I took Layla a few weeks ago). I enjoyed each experience. They were just so different. It was really nice to have that time with just Kyler though. 

We thought this looked a lot like Sparky, the ASU sun devil. We had to take a picture for Kacin.

 

We were also quite proud of ourselves for putting together the clay pot puzzle.

 

 

To end the day, poor Kyler was eaten by a dinosaur.

 

Cinematic Pop concert

I was lucky enough to snag a few tickets the day before the cinematic pop concert. I had seen the group on you tube and I was so excited to watch the performance live. And it did not disappoint!

 

I took Kyler and Kacin with me. They had no idea what to expect, but they both thoroughly enjoyed it. 

 

 

We got to see them perform some original songs and all of their awesome pieces that are on YouTube. There's something about live music and performances that I just love. And this performance was so powerful and fun.

So I have a list in my head of all my goals for life since we moved. I call them my "fresh start" goals. Because moving is a natural time to start fresh and make changes. They have to do with relationships, personal growth, health, etc. And one of them is to attend more plays, concerts, and performances.  So I was so glad this worked out! I think I like this goal of mine. 

 

 

Kyler was caught off guard when his chair really started rocking!

 

Cinematic Pop now has a few new fans.

 

the importance of fathers

Eric has been traveling all month. Luckily, he has been able to be home on the weekends and only be away during the week. There is something about being apart that always makes me realize just how important he is to our family and how much he means to me.

As a dad, he annoys and teases the kids. He jokes around. He doesn't always say or respond in the way that I would with the kids, but, you know what, it's effective. He has a great relationship with each of our children. They respect him and listen to him. He is patient and calm. And they need him. He brings balance and perspective to our parenthood.

Our marriage itself is pretty wonderful but far from perfect. We have our ups and downs. But I can honestly say I love him more today than I did when we were married 12 years ago. That doesn't mean that I don't get annoyed at him or frustrated and that he doesn't feel upset at me sometimes. But we keep choosing each other and choosing God and working on our marriage. And we are happy. I miss him like crazy when he is gone. Thank goodness for phones!

I came across a Matt Walsh article this week and I loved this part.

 

Eric will be home in a few days and we are so excited that he does not have to leave again for awhile! Fathers and husbands are pretty great people.

student council induction

Kacin was officially inducted into the student council as a 6th grade class representative.

 

 

He was in the back row on the stage which made it very very difficult to see him or get a good picture (especially because all I had with me was my iPhone). But he was sworn in and a candle was lit and it was all very official. And then they served cake afterwards, which, of course, was Kacin's favorite part.

 

 

I know serving his school will be a great experience for Kacin.