Halloween 2015

I figure I should blog about Halloween before we get to Thanksgiving. 

I really enjoyed this Halloween. There is something so nice about Jonathan being home every night and on weekends. It makes things more fun. 

Lucy had a fun, little party at her preschool. I got to be there and help out. Man, her preschool teacher is organized. I got tired just watching her.

 Just a little side note here for later. I was at the girls' costume parade but didn't get good pictures, hence why there are not posted. When I got Lucy to the car after the parade, there was a note on my windshield that said I had a flat tire. I was so thankful for that note so I didn't ruin my wheel. I called AAA and they had someone out within 30 minutes to fix it. While that was going on, a lady from our ward saw my car on the side of the road and offered to take Lucy so that she could play and wouldn't be stuck in the car. It was all around miracles! (Although at the time I super frustrated because it was Halloween at school and I had a ton to do. Hindsight is a blessing.)

Okay, back to Halloween. 

Janie was a super cute pirate. 

 Lucy switched up her costumes. For her school party she was a "good little witch." That's what she told everyone. But for trick-or-treating, it was Tinkerbell. 

 I love Sami's Pocahontas costume. She loved all the accessories and so do I. Can someone please make her stop growing up? I am getting hives just thinking about it. 

 Love, love, love my girls!!

 Jonathan got in the Halloween spirit this year. He painted his face and the girls LOVED it. They thought it was so fun that he "dressed up."

 We went trick-or-treating with out neighbors. It just sort of happened. We opened our door and they invited us into our group. I really, really love our neighborhood!! 

In addition to all this fun, our friends Brandon and Whitney Hale and their kids came over for breakfast on Halloween. It was a perfect day. I truly cherish this time in our lives. I don't ever want them to go away. 

Mom's Visit

Life has been crazy here lately.

Our basement flooded about a month ago.

It was a lot of water, so much that we were very alarmed.

We called our realtor and she called the realtor of the people we bought the house from (who happened to be the seller's brother). They said they never had water problems. The neighbors disagreed. Two neighbors told us on different occasions that there have been lots of water issues in our house. One neighbor said the sellers put fans on when it rained and she could smell the must when the previous owner opened the door after a hard rain. The other neighbor said that they house had had issues for a long time, since before our sellers moved in. 

There was nothing on the seller's disclosure about water problems and we feared the worst (black mold/foundation problems). The sellers told us we were on our own, that it wasn't their problem. And so did our broker. We opened the walls and found that water had indeed been a problem for a long time.

So we got a lawyer. We just wanted them to help pay for the repairs, and we would even work with them on that, but they refused. 

It's been so stressful. (Ironically, we found the water damage on the day we closed on the house with the bank.)

BUT. We did get the repairs finished yesterday and I am so happy to know the mold is gone, the repairs should take care of the issue, and that the girls can play/sleep down there safely. 

Now we are just waiting to hear about the lawsuit, we are hoping the sellers will just settle, but who knows. 

Jonathan's clinic officially opens tomorrow. This has also been stressful. They were supposed to open on October 1st, but there were problem after problem. There is a lot of work going into opening a new clinic. Thankfully Jonathan wasn't on his own, his partner and his wife did almost all the detail work. We are excited for his commute to only be 30 minutes each way, rather than 90 minutes each way. I am praying and praying that the clinic will be a success. 

My mom came to visit us this week and that was fun, especially for the girls. 

Mom is moving in with us on December 10th. We are making plans on where she will be and she brought a load of things with her. She helped me out a ton with housework and watching the girls as I worked with the contractors on the basement and tried to help put up pictures at Jonathan's clinic. It was just nice to have her around. 

She bought each of my girls a pumpkin for carving. They loved it!

 Mom also let the girls have corn dogs and fruit salad outside one night. Jonathan and I were going out on a date and they were excited for us to leave so they could have fun with Grandma. 

In spite of all the things going on here lately, I do feel Heavenly Father's love and for that I am so, so grateful.  I know that I am truly, truly blessed. This past month has been hard for me and I have felt sorry for myself, wished we hadn't moved here, etc., but then when I am still, I feel Heavenly Father reminding me that I so blessed and that these are small things in the grand scheme of things. I need to be patient, and have faith, and remember that we are here to face difficulty without losing faith and becoming bitter. So I am still learning and growing and thankful for the truly blessed life I have.

First Day of School 2015

I thought life would be calmer once school started. 

So far, that hasn't been the case.

This past week I had a root canal, our air conditioning broke, and Lucy had strep. 

It's been quite the long and expensive week. But as of today, we are all good, for which I am so thankful!!

The first day of school was both exciting and scary. For all of us. It's a new school with new teachers, and I was nervous for them.

Sami is in 2nd grade. 

 Janie is in 1st grade. 

 Not sure where this pose came from, but we'll take it. 

 Glad my girls like the camera.

 Trying to get a sibling shot.

 Walking to the school. Nerves were high. Lucy thought she was going to. 

 Their mascot is now the eagle. They are the Oak Hollow Eagles. So we took a picture with the creepy eagle man.

 I felt like I was kind of embarrassing Sami by hanging around. How did it come to this so quickly??! But she was a good about smiling for me. 

 At first Janie was very uncomfortable and nervous with the whole "new school" thing. 

 But once she found out our neighbor and a friend from her primary class were all in her school class, she was totally okay. 

 Lucy was sad it wasn't her first day too. Poor thing. It's hard to always be left out of the good stuff. 

 This was the smile I got from Sami as it was time to go in and I knew she would be okay. 

I sure do miss these girls all day, but I am so thankful that they love school. 

Ben's Wedding

On August first, my little brother, Ben, got remarried. 

The wedding and reception was in Denver, and I am very thankful that I was able to go. 

This is a picture of Ben, me, and my nephew, Davy, at the hotel, right before we headed over for the wedding. 

 My other little brother, Danny, with my mom. 

 The groomsmen. 

 Ben, watching his bride walk down the isle. I love his expression. 

 Ben and Kelli during the vows.

 Their family now. Ben, Kelli, and the kids: Julia, Sarah, and Nathan. 

 The whole wedding and reception was so beautiful. I loved their first dance together. Ben even took dancing lessons so he could do this with Kelli. Way to go, Ben!

  I will admit that I was balling when I watched my mom and Ben dance. 

 It was so good to see my brother so happy. 

 My dad was cracking us all up with his dance moves. 

 After a lovely wedding and reception, the happy couple rode away. 

It was a beautiful day and I was happy to be there for them.

Congrats, Ben and Kelli! ♥

Pioneer Day in Utah

Summer has been crazy busy for us. But we love our new house and are enjoying the neighborhood and all the good things Utah has to offer.

Right after we moved in, Jonathan's family came to visit us for Pioneer Day. 

I am just going to be honest  and admit that I really don't get why Pioneer Day is so big here. From what I've heard, only about 25-30% of Salt Lake County is active LDS. Now, I love and admire the pioneers, but I guess I don't understand why it's such a big holiday (even bigger than Independence Day) when so many people don't share our heritage. I guess that just makes me a weirdo and an "outsider." Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for another holiday (even though Jonathan had to work), and I am thankful for the pioneers. 

But back to the family.

We had a full, fun, house and we saw family that we hadn't seen since we left Arizona. 

Our neighborhood had a bike parade. The girls decorated their backs and we rode to the local park. 

At the park, we had breakfast with the neighbors and community. 

We also took the kids to Cabelas. We thought it was their fishing day, where they let the kids fish, but that was the following day. But we had fun just looking at all the fish and animal displays. 

Jonathan's oldest niece, Makenzie, is going on a mission in a few months. And we realized that this was maybe one of the few times that all the grandchildren would be together for a picture. I am so thankful for the pictures we took and the memories made. 

Then it was time for a sibling picture for all of Jonathan's side. We were only missing Gregg. I am going to see if I can photoshop him in sometime. :)

I am thankful for the time we got to spend together.  

Fellowship Graduation and Marathon

We move in less than two weeks and life is getting chaotic, but I didn't want to forget to blog about two really special things: Jonathan's done with training and he ran a marathon!!

After 14 years of training, Jonathan is finally, FINALLY done!! Yay. Now we get to start paying for all those student loans. I am super proud of him. His fellowship program threw him and his co-fellow, Mark, a graduation party. It was at a bowling alley and super fun. 

 They recognized him briefly. It was perfect. Short and sweet. 

 Jonathan and the two other fellows and his good friends.

 And then today he ran a marathon in Missouri. It was his first marathon and he was nervous that he wouldn't be able to finish. I wasn't worried because this man is awesome and he always does what he puts his mind too. He finished residency, worked 30 hours shifts on a regular basis in said residency, and by golly, he can run 26 miles. And now he is out mowing the lawn. He's amazing. Love him!

And I found these cute pictures on my camera. I just love these girls of mine!! 

Next time I blog will be in Utah! I can't believe it. We are so blessed. 

♥