Seriously

I never want to move again. Ever. Even if this house isn't my favorite place ever...I'll stay here. Why? Because I loathe moving. But, we're done. We are moved in and mostly, well, partially unpacked. We're unpacked enough to live. So, that's good.

We have stairs. Amelia doesn't really know about stairs. She learned on Tuesday, the day after we moved in (or was it Monday, I really don't remember). She tried to climb up the stairs and took a tumble backwards. She now will not go near the stairs. The only problem is that we have a step that goes down from the living room and then up again into the kitchen. So, if she is in one room and wants to go to the other, she will just sit there and cry, or whine, or crawl as close as she dares...she just will not go down the stair. It's good, it's really good ;)



















Have I told you all how excited we are to have a yard?? I don't think that anyone is more excited than my Seth. He is constantly outside and when he's not, he is asking to be! He loves his backyard, garage, porch...everything that is OUTSIDE! Today he and I went and bought some tomato seeds, pea seeds and spinach seeds. We also got a soil testing kit (so we know what we need to do) and gloves for each of us. We have lots of weeding ahead of us this week if we want to get our spinach and peas in the ground this next weekend. He is really loving his yard. Now if we could find a decent and cheap swingset...he'd be in HEAVEN!
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. It is spring in Utah. This means that it can be beautiful and sunny one day and snowing the next. That is exactly what happened this week. We moved on Monday, it was warm and beautiful! The next day it was cold and rainy. The day after that, we woke up to snow. Seth was SO excited that he just had to go out right away...look at this kid!




























Now, as you can see, we didn't get TONS of snow, but it was enough to make this little boy's day. To make his own snowman, in his own yard...it brought tears to my eyes. I love that kid.

As for Jeremy and I...well, we are exhausted. We can't believe that the week is done and that he goes to work on Monday. He is excited and nervous. I just pray that it will be a fabulous job, the one that he's dreamed of so that I don't have to move again. :)

We're Set!

We found a great house to rent this weekend! It is 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1900 Sq. feet on 1/3 an acre! I am really excited! It will be 1.5 miles from Jer's work, so he can ride his bike!!! We move in on March 26...yes, one week from TODAY! EEEK!

Ok, here are pictures!!!

Here is the front of the house (duh!)














This is the detached HUGE garage!














Here is the view of the backyard from the gate by the garage.














See my garden spot?? I can taste the fresh veggies now!














Isn't this just a great spot? I can't wait to put a bench here and have my quiet place :)














Here is looking at the house from the far end of the backyard.















I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Decisions, Decisions...

And, we've decided...ready? We're going to Logan. We feel really good about this decision and while the money is the same with either company, this is where we feel that Jeremy and I both would be happiest. We really are thrilled. We're going up on Saturday to look for a place to live and to visit Jer's grandparents. Yeah, did I tell you that his Mom's folks live there? This will be nice. We can visit them, help them around the house and be close enough to all of my good friends in Salt Lake! We are just thrilled beyond belief. What a huge weight off our shoulders!

When it Rains...

It POURS!! And, this time it's good pouring! Jeremy got the official offer from Zimmer today. After he got off the phone with me, he called Medicine Lodge and told them the offer from Zimmer. They told him that they could at least match the offer. So, where does this leave us? Well, with Zimmer he would be working on hips. At Medicine Lodge he would be researching and developing new devices and technologies in all medical devices (not just hips). So, both companies are overnight fedexing the offers. So...we STILL don't know where we're going! I know what everyone is voting for...my siblings and friends are voting for Logan, my folks and Jer's folks, and his sister are voting for Indiana. Us? Well, we really aren't sure yet. We'll have to look at the offers and do some serious contemplation and praying about this. Like I said, when it rains, it pours!

Oh, she's SO cute!

Amelia is signing "Dad" all the time now. It is SO cute! She says, "Dah" and signs Dad!!! She just melts my heart.
Seth melts my heart too. But, he really makes me laugh so hard. Today at church, I walked by the nursery and overheard the teachers asking the kids who wanted to say the prayer for the snacks. I hear my little man say, "I will!". So, of course, I have to listen. here is what I heard: "Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for blessings, name of Jesus Christ, Amen." He is so cute! He will just break into song and/or dance all the time too, he is so funny!!! I really do love being a Mom.

So, I never thought I'd want to stay in Utah. Really, I didn't. When we moved here, I said that there is no way I would want to raise my family here. I don't like being a Mormon in Utah. It is a completely different culture here and it is hard. There are many (note I am not saying all, just many) people who are "Utah Mormons". They are a different breed. They are the people who ask when they meet someone for the first time, "Oh! Are you LDS? What's your calling?" (for those who don't know, ours is a lay ministry, so everyone helps out. What you do to help is called your calling in our church). Anyhoo, it drives me nuts. When we moved here when I was in high school, I hated it. There were people who were mean because I wasn't from Utah (I know, I know, that happens anywhere you move in high school). But, I also found that so many people took the church for granted here. There are Temples everywhere around here, and people don't go. The kids had seminary (bible classes for kids age 14-18) DURING SCHOOL! Now, for those who are not from Utah, have to go to early morning seminary. Mine was at 5:30, Jeremy's was at 6:00...in the morning! So, when kids wouldn't go, it made me so mad!
Then, there is the weather. I hate the inversion. Every year, we get the nasty weather that lasts for months on end. I hate it.
However, my family and friends are here. Not to mention, Emma. As we get ready to move, I am realizing how much I am going to miss Stephanie, Chip and their kids, my sister Cristin and her family, my brother Rob and his family and so many of my dear friends I've made here. Who will I play with when we move? I know, I'll make new friends, but I won't have Nicole, Lori, Lindsey...I won't have my fabulous neighbors that I have now (hi Tiffany!)...it really is sad. I am trying not to think about it too much, but it's hard. This is going to be a really big transition for all of us. I think it will be hardest on me though. *sigh*

Good News!

We've gotten some good news today!!! So, I have been contemplating the fact that I may have to drive 1500 miles by myself with my 2 hooligans..er, I mean children. Well, Jeremy spoke with the relocation department today and HOORAY!! They will fly all of us out, ship our cars, and give us rentals until our cars get there!!! HOORAY! Oh, and they should be able to get us moved by the end of the month. Yipee! Hopefully by next week we will have all our plans cemented.

SO Frustrating

Oh.My.Gosh. I am SO frustrated!!!!! Ok, so Zimmer told Jeremy on Friday that they want him to start on April 2nd. Fine. They said that he would get the official offer (meaning, tell him how much they want to pay him) on Monday, Tuesday (today) at the latest. Great. Yesterday, nothing. Today, he finally called them and the girl told him that there are 2 more people who have to sign off on the offer. The guy who has the offer right now is out of town until next Monday. And, one more person still has to see the offer and say it's ok. Oh, and they still want Jeremy to start on April 2nd. Um...how is that supposed to work????? Oh, and to make matters even better?? We gave our notice on our apartment already and have to be out March 31.

So, I asked Jeremy to call Medicine Lodge (company in Logan) and see what was going on with them. We'd decided that since they did their last on site interview on February 19, and he hadn't heard anything yet, that Logan was out of the picture. Well, he called today and the guy he spoke with told him that they were still doing onsite interviews (whoever told him the 19th was on drugs) until Friday, but that they were seriously considering him for one of the positions.

So, what does this all mean? That he has no official offer from either company. Two companies who are interested, one whose said they want him, but no one is willing to give us numbers. Oh, and we have no place to live in 3 weeks. Ah, my life is SO fun.

We have a date

Jeremy will get the official offer on Monday, Tuesday at the latest. If all goes well, they want him to start April 2nd. Yes, one month from today. So, I have one month to look for, find a place to live, get my house somewhat clean, have the movers come and pack up all my worldly goods, move, unpack and get somewhat settled before Jeremy starts work. There may not be much knitting happening in the next month. I'm tired just thinking about what I have to do!

He Amazes Me

My sweet boy, he really does amaze me. Yesterday he was playing Legos. I just sat there and watched him. It is amazing to see him putting things together and building. He has quite the mind and imagination that boy.

Yesterday he was playing getting ready for bed. He told met hat he needed to go potty, so we took his diaper off and he went! I asked if he wanted to wear underwear and he said that he did. I really wasn't very hopeful, expecting an accident shortly after I put the undies on him. Well, he wore them until bed with NO ACCIDENTS!!! He actually told us when he had to go! I am still amazed. So, this morning he wakes up and he's DRY! Oh my gosh! So, I put him in his Ramone (CARS) underwear and he has not had any accidents today. He's told me every time he had to pee and even pooped on the toilet! I am amazed! It's like the light bulb just clicked on! WAHOO!

This boy loves his sister like nothing else. Recently they've been playing "cats". We are all cats in our house, Seth-cat, Amelia-cat, Mommy-cat, and Daddy-cat. Now that Amelia crawls, Seth will have her follow him (or he follows her) and they are cats. It cracks me up. I love watching them together, I love it more than anything.

We've had some downright mild weather recently, so we've been outside playing. Seth was playing on the electrical box and I told him that it probably wasn't a good idea. He asked me why and I showed him the picture of the man with lightning coming at him out of the box. I told him that he could get hurt really bad if I let him play on it. So, he stopped playing on it, but insisted on studying the picture. Wow, he is SO his Father's son.















I do, I love this boy...to the Moon and back.

Another Job??

This is a possibility. As you know, Jeremy interviewed with a company in Logan. He called them yesterday to let them know about Zimmer. Well, they said that they haven't decided yet (just finished interviewing on Monday), but to let them know when he gets the official offer from Zimmer. So....maybe we're staying in Utah after all. Who knows?!?! I just want to know where we're going and GO!

A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeremy has a job. A real live job! He was just offered a job at Zimmer today! He has to do the background check and then they will give him the official offer, but HE HAS A JOB!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!! I had a fabulous birthday (on the 11th) and party yesterday!! Oh my goodness, you all will be so JEALOUS when I tell you what my husband did. But first...A's sweater!

Here it is blocking on the 11th. After this I had to do the hood, all the seaming and buttons! It took me almost another week to get that done. Life just gets so crazy!!

















But...VOILA! I finished it!! My goal was to have it done for my party at 3:00 on the 17th. I weaved in the last end at about 11 am!


































And, it gets better...look at it on my BABY!!


































Here are the specs -
Yarn: Patons Marino Regency colorway and Cascade 220 Brown Heather colorway.
Needles: Size 7 and 8's Knit Picks Options
Baby: Just too cute for words :)

Ok, now to my party.

Look at what my Mom made for me. I don't really have a great place for it in my little apartment (but it is on my wall). I think it is just so cute though!






















So, my husband can be pretty darn creative. He made me a wonderful cake, invited tons of my family and friends...and surprised me. I was beyond surprised really. We have a friend, Mike (Lori's husband) who is a graphic artist. He and Mike have been working on something since Thursday. He kept joking with me telling me it was a marble sculpture of me. Ooh, that is something I want :)
So, imagine my surprise when he comes into the room where my party was being held and said that he had a surprise for me. And... I needed to go outside. So, out I went with everyone looking so excited...and this is what I saw

















A PINATA that looked like YARN! WOW, that is so cool! Just to give you an idea of how big it was, here's a picture of it next to my head ;)

















So, I start swinging at this thing, and all the sudden Nicole and Stephanie get a bit nervous looking, converse and tell me to stop. One of Stephanie's kids goes to their van and gets out a big blanket and they put it under the pinata. I start thinking..could this be what I think it is?? Could it be that there isn't candy in here?? Could it be something else?? I dared not to hope, but just kept whacking away (and letting all the kiddos there do the same).

When it finally opened...here is what I found

















30 BALLS, SKEINS and HANKS OF YARN!!!!!! OH.MY.GOSH! I was stunned, happy, no, really, those words don't do justice to how I was feeling. I had sock yarn, worsted weight, bulky, you name it...all sorts of wooly goodness!!! I got the pink and brown Lorna's Laces that I was coveting over at Simply Sock Yarn, I got Socks that Rock January One Colorway (ooh, I love that!), I got some fabulous Rowan, Manos Del Uruguay, and lots of others!!! 30 balls for 30 years.

































Here I am at home, in my bed, with my yarn. I love my husband! He totally surprised me. Now he has 10 years before he has to top himself ;)

Ahhh...finally a moment!

I haven't been able to blog how I want to in a few days. We either have only had dial-up, or the kids have needed me...we'll see how much I get done this morning though. I have a feeling that A is close to melt down mode :)

Ok, we've had lots of fun this month!! S is obsessed with CARS, so I decided to make Radiator Springs in his bedroom! We've got the race track, Lightning's house, Luigi's, Mater's, The Cozy Cone, Doc's, and a Corvette House (he has some corvette's that had to be included!).














Last weekend was relatively warm, in the upper 40's, so we went to the park! Man, we had fun, all of us!










































Check our family website for more pictures of this fun day!!!

My birthday was on Sunday (thank you all for the birthday wishes!). I got some new headphones for my iPod. I love listening to audiobooks while I knit at night. It is really so relaxing for me. I keep stealing Jer's headphones, so he got me some nice ones for myself! Here are some pictures of my yummy cake -














Of course, I have to have a picture of my little man eating the cake. He really liked it...so much that he had to eat my LAST PIECE of it!

My birthday party is on Saturday, so I am sure I'll have more pictures to show of that soon!!!

A Moment of Silence

Last night there was a terrible tragedy in Salt Lake City. A gunman went into a large mall here and opened fire. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all of those who will be haunted by this night forever.

Pregnancy, and Interview, and Bouillon Cubes, OH MY!

That was just yesterday! So, the kids and I were out yesterday and when we came home, our crazy upstairs neighbor was coming outside. Now, remember, I said she was crazy. She stopped to chat for a few minutes and looked at me and said "You're not pregnant again are you?". I was shocked. Stunned. I took a minute to collect myself and said, "No. I'm just fat." She stumbled over her words this time saying, "Oh, no, I didn't mean..it takes a long time for me to lose the baby weight too. I just thought that you were pregnant because you looked like it and I thought WOW if she's pregnant again, her hands will be really full!". I looked at her again. Truly not believing that we were having this conversation and again, I said, "Nope, just fat. Thanks". And I walked inside. What a WHACK JOB! Jeremy said that I should have said, "Oh, they let you out of the loony bin again?".

Interview - well, Jeremy had another interview yesterday with the director of hip development at Zimmer. She had some reservations about him and wanted to chat with him some more. Apparently, the other people who interviewed him really liked him and so she needed to see what she was missing that they saw. So, I guess during the on site interview, she was asking him some questions and really wanted to get at his thought process on how he would handle a situation, and he didn't answer her questions well enough. She gave him a design problem and she said that he gave up too easily when he didn't know the answer (I don't remember the specifics, I will talk to him and then we will edit this part). He was really glad she called. He recently read this book, "Now, Discover your Strengths", and he told her about it. He learned from that book that he is pretty analytical (really???) and that he needs to sit and think about something before answering. He doesn't just jump in with an answer, he takes his time. She was glad to hear this, as she is the same way :) He also took a test online to see what his strengths are and sent her the results. So...we'll see. She said that they would be making a decision this week! *fingers crossed*

Bouillon cubes...*roll eyes*. My son. He is a very mischievous boy. Yesterday I was laying A down for a nap. I heard some banging of cupboards in the kitchen, but I couldn't get up to see what he was doing. So, I just took a very Zen approach and said, I'll deal with it when I get up. I go out to the kitchen about 5 or 10 minutes later and I see a chair pulled up to the counter and the spice cupboard open. S had something in his mouth and I asked him what he was eating. He opened his mouth and there was a chicken bouillon cube! GROSS! I told him to give it to me and explained that it isn't for him. He said, "Oh, it's just for Mom and Dad?". No, sweetie, it's for cooking! What a nut!

This morning I got up and he was eating my last piece of birthday cake. Ooh buddy. You don't come between Mama and her cake. He ate all the frosting (whipped, my favorite!) and the oreo that was on top. I was laying in bed dreaming of that piece of cake and it's gone. In the belly of my 2 year old. Here is the conversation he and I had:
Me: S! What are you doing?? That's my birthday cake!
S: Well, you can share!
Me: No sweetie, that's my cake!
S: But, you gave me some in my Cars bowl.
Me: Yeah, last night I did. But, that was my last piece of cake and I wanted it.
S: Sorry Mom. Sorry for eating your birthday cake Mom.

Ugh, why is he so cute? Because it saves him. Just now, he was coloring on himself and the table with markers. Who is this child?!?!

Anyhoo...my birthday was SO relaxing and fantastic! We got up and went to church. We came home and Jeremy made me lunch and then I got to have a nap. Nicole came over after my nap with a great bag she knit for me. Jeremy and Seth got me some headphones for my iPod (I think it's because I steal Jeremy's daily!), and we had some FABULOUS cake. (I'm still mourning the loss of my last piece of cake). It was a really nice day and I was so happy to share it with my family. Now, I'm the big 3-0. So far, my thirties are good :)

Oh, and I will post pictures...I just can't right now. Our great neighbors let us use their high speed internet...well, it hasn't worked for a few days now. So, I'm on dial-up. I hate dial-up.

Oh so much better!

This is how I am feeling. I lost 4 lbs. the other day! I hate being sick. I despise it! Luckily for me, my husband came home and took care of my babies so I could take care of myself! And, now, I am better!
Ok, as promised.... 30 things about me for my 30 years!

1. I was born February 11, 1977 at 11:38 pm.
2. I stay up until my birth minute every year and wish myself happy birthday.
3. Since I have become a Mother myself, I have called and thanked my Mother on my birthday.
4. I have 3 children
5. 2 are living...it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
6. I grew up in Omaha, NE; Coffeyville, KS; and Kaysville, UT. However, when I tell people where I'm from, I always say Kansas.
7. I could never sleep in as a child. I wished I could...it was terrible being the first one awake at a sleep over at someone else's house.
8. I would eat chocolate everyday if I could.
9. I am learning that chocolate doesn't cure everything though.
10. I have been pregnant or nursing (or both) for the last 5 years (in March)
11. I bit my toenails when I was a kid (gross, I know)
12. I have been 5 foot 6 inches since 6th grade. That was the year that I grew 6 inches!
13. I had my first kiss when I was 13. I felt so old then, but now that I have 13 year old nieces, it is SO YOUNG!
14. I am the 4th of 5 children.
15. Between the 5 children in my family, there are 20 grandchildren!
16. I love to read
17. Therefore, I love audiobooks!
18. I wish I could knit and listen to books all day long.
19. I would never do that, because I love reading to my kids and playing legos with Seth!
20. I love Barry Manilow and the Carpenter's. I thank my sister and my Mother for that.
21. I always wanted a car mat like my brother's had, when I was little.
22. My feet are always cold.
23. I wish I could knit socks faster...because my feet are always cold ;)
24. I have the best in-laws in the world, seriously.
25. I was a Sign Language interpreter for 2.5 years.
26. I have been signing for 24 years now.
27. Someday, I hope to go back and finish my degree in Deaf Education at Utah State University.
28. I made a cd when I was in college. Don't ask to hear it, I won't let you.
29. I play the piano and guitar...neither of them well, but I can.
30. I am the luckiest woman in the world to have such a fantastic family. I mean, who couldn't love these people?!?! Oh, and fyi, the last picture is Emma. I know, she looks just like Amelia!

Sick

Oh man, it sucks when Mom is sick. I've got what Seth had, but I get to take care of 2 little ones, change diapers, make food and try to be a nice Mom while doing it. Ugh.

Potty Training

Yeah, not so much. We've tried, he just isn't ready I guess. Seth told me yesterday that if he had an Elmo potty seat, he'd go on the big potty all the time. After 3 pairs of underwear, a poop incident and a couple pee incidents, he told me he really just likes diapers. So, it's back to diapers. I've had a child in diapers for the last 4 years. I'm kind of tired of diapers. However, I know that it is not ending any time soon, so I will suck it up and be happy :)

On a brighter note...my birthday is on Sunday. My dear sweet husband is giving me a party on the 17th. It will be fun. I haven't had a birthday party (a real one) since I turned 16. Yipee!!!! :D

Silent Poetry Day

t's Blogger (Silent) Poetry Reading day! I heard about it from Cara and she heard about it from this blog. So, here is an original Kim.

Emma

I lay her down, she laughs, she cries
she knows what is coming
I lie down and offer my breast
she grabs it and smiles.
Here comes the milk,
drink up my baby!
I look at her face
so sweet, so innocent.
Rosy cheeks, tousled hair,
little bit of me,
and a lot of Jer.
She is my world,
she is my joy,
I can't believe I wanted a boy!
I love her dearly
and pray
she will be happy, hopeful and
know she is loved, everyday.
Goodnight my Angel
Sleep tight my love
I'll be here all night
So if you wake up, and get scared
or hungry,
roll over, I'll be here for you
always.
Goodnight my Angel
Mommy loves you.

Written August 3, 2003, 20 days before Emma died. I find that so ironic, it was not long at all before she left me. This just gives you a glimpse of my feelings for her. I've been thinking of this poem a lot lately, as Amelia is doing much the same things Emma was when she died. She is crawling, playing with toys, and playing with me just like Emma did. It is hard for me, daily, not to call her Emma. I catch myself everyday.

Seth is sick. It came on very suddenly. His friend, Aurora, has been over all day. They left and he wanted a snack. I gave him some pudding and he didn't want it. That should have been a clue, but it wasn't. Then he wanted spaghetti. I gave him that and he barely touched it. Again, this should have given me some inkling that something was wrong. It wasn't until he was sitting with me, asleep, that he threw up everywhere. That was my clue. Sometimes we need to be smacked in the face (or puked on) to realize when something isn't right. Ugh. I hate when he doesn't feel good. It is the worst. My poor little bub.

The Z Hotel

Jeremy got home last night around midnight. He has been in Warsaw, Indiana for an interview with Zimmer. So, now we are waiting to hear from Medicine Lodge in Logan, UT and Zimmer in Warsaw. He said the interview went well, really well. They have 4 positions available in the hip team. So, we'll see.
The very interesting part of this is the hotel where he stayed. Zimmer is a pretty big deal in this small town. About 10% of the town works there and they have various buildings scattered throughout town. So, the fact that they have their own hotel isn't too odd. The art work in the hotel...well, that is another story completely.
Now, you all know that Zimmer does implants. They are an orthopaedic company, hips, knees, spine...that's their thing. So, what happens when implants meet leaves? Art in the bathroom. Yes, in the bathroom of Jer's hotel room was a picture of a knee implant among leaves. (I'm still laughing about this one). Oh how I wish he had a camera phone and he could have taken pictures. There was another piece of art involving a hip implant, but I don't remember the details.
This has inspired me. If they can do it, why can't I?? My sister-in-law, Tawnya, has a knee plate that was recently removed (and cleaned) from her leg. I am going to take it and place it in beautiful yarn. Maybe I can get it shown in the hotel even! I am excited about that! ;)