1 year

Last week we hit the 1 year anniversary of moving here. The sense of time seems so strange. On one hand it doesn't feel like we've been here that long but on the other it feels so much like home that it seems like so much longer. We truly have enjoyed it here and hoping for many more to come.

To celebrate we went out to eat. The first night after arriving here we went to Blake's Lotaburger. It's a New Mexico fast food restaurant that Derek had said we needed to go to. In the year we have been here we'd never been back. We thought it would be fun and kind of cheesy to go back on the anniversary. The kids loved it and remembered going there before.

Now that I've experienced all the different weather in each season, hands down fall is the best. Winter was long. This was the first "winter" I've really experienced. Living in Arizona my whole life didn't give me a sense of what winter really is. Even here I'm probably still missing out. We had to buy a whole new wardrobe for all of us for winter. We hit a 40 year low, -14 in Rio Rancho one morning. I froze. When spring came I was excited but that turned into pure irritation with all the wind. We were stuck in doors yet again because this spring was one of the windiest ever. This summer hasn't bothered me at all, however it is warmer that normal. I sure wish the temps were at the normal which I heard today is 86, however we have been in the low 90's. I really won't complain though. It beats the 110's in Phoenix. The mornings are feeling cooler and I love it because fall is just around the corner. The other morning before school Maeley was picking up the dog poop in the backyard. She tried getting out of it because it was "too cold". I told she needed to toughen up, it wasn't that cold. It really felt great.

Different

Since school has started I feel like my days are just so different. It feels so strange not to have Maeley around. I mean she is nearly 6 and now gone all day for the first time ever. I do miss her, but I'm not sad about it. I don't think its easier without her here but its not any harder. It just feels very different.

Maeley- Wow. This girl loves school. I'm certainly not over exaggerating that. She has told me every day since the first day of school. She hasn't complained about anything. I really think this is going to last all year too. I think school is everything she dreamed it would be and then some. She already acts more grown up. Last Wednesday on her short day I thought she'd like to relax and watch a movie in the afternoon with Chase and Zoe. No way that girl was too busy to slow down. I've overheard the three kids playing pretend school. It really excites Chase and Zoe. They have such a great big sister.

Chase-  He most definitely misses her. He was asking today if its her short day and was disappointed when I said no. I'm pleased with how excited he has been about doing our own little preschool at home. He has put so much more into learning than ever before and it shows everyday we work together. If only I could get somewhere with his speech. I try and it gets me nowhere. He gets frusterated and I loose my patience. I have learned when we are working on a specific sound that if I ask him to repeat something I can only do it once or he stops.

Zoe- She really looks up to her big sister. She wants to do everything Maeley's doing. I've notice a huge change in how Chase and Zoe play together. Chase doesn't get as mad at her like he did before. I think this next year Chase and Zoe are going to get very close. When Chase goes to school next year its going to be a sad sad day for Zoe. Oh, Zoe knows how to spell her name now. Its cute to hear her spell it for you. She loves to point out when she sees one of the letters in her name on street signs.

Another project completed

Here is a before picture of the kitchen.

(This picture was taken when we were house hunting last summer.)

After

Painting kitchen cabinets is no easy task but it was something we wanted to do. It has really changed the feel in the kicthen. Its so much bigger and brighter. I enjoy the kitchen so much more now.

We are planning on getting new countertops, sink and faucet eventually. But for now its amazing what a difference paint can make. With each project completed I'm loving our home more and more.

Maeley's first day

Yesterday was Maeley first day of kindergarten. Boy was she ever excited. The first day for kindergartners starts one hour later than regular. Which in short means it was the longest morning ever. With all that time to spare Derek made a yummy breakfast of Mickey Mouse shaped chocolate chip pancakes (Maeley's request) and  scrambled eggs.

Ready to eat. Maeley loves getting her hair done with curls. It reminds her of Molly (the American Girl doll) in book 6. She had me read all those books again last week and she did not like when I stopped reading. 

This picture puts a smile on my face. I love my cute kids.

She is so grown up.

(by the way this shirt was for the first day of school and not a school uniform)

Maeley getting her name tag from her teacher Ms. Cox.

She didn't cry when we left she was just beaming with excitement. I think she will do great in school she loves to learn.

After school we had cookies and milk while she told us about her day.

A few things I don't want to forget.

When I went to register Maeley for school in April we met several teachers. Ms. Cox was my favorite.  Apparently Maeley made an impression on Ms. Cox because she requested her.

Sunday night Derek gave Maeley a blessing. Maeley had a huge smile on her face while she got it. It made her feel extra special. Later she was giving the family prayer and got emotional at the end. When she was done I asked her what was wrong. She immediately burst into tears and blurts out, "I'm going to miss you guys." It was so sweet. So for just a couple minutes Maeley and I cried together. She got it out of her system and she was excited again for school.

Chase and Zoe have done well with her being gone. Yesterday was special for them too because Daddy stayed home all day. Plus we took them to McDonald's for lunch which rarely happens. They do talk about her often and ask if it's time to pick her up at the bus stop. Chase was ready to go after we ate lunch today. I had to tell him nope, she doesn't come home for 4 more hours.

Playing together

Today is cleaning day. Normally the kids help me pick up and organize their toys. 

Not today. I just don't have it in me today to pull them away from playing together. Let alone get upset with them from bringing toys downstairs which is normally not allowed. They are having a blast and that's all that matters today. Maeley starts school Monday, all day kindergarten. I know Chase and Zoe will miss her as well as Maeley missing them.

Maeley

Recently we got Maeley some new shoes for school. Only problem was she needed to learn how to tie her shoes before school starts. She picked up on it fairly quickly and loves her new shoes.

I'm so proud of her. She loves to learn and she can't wait until school starts.

photo session

Last week I just wanted to snap some pictures of the kids. After I took only a couple of pictures Maeley took over as the photographer again.

Zoe is so darn cute!

Such a sweet little boy.

She is growing up way too fast. She starts kindergarten in less than 2 weeks.

Chase took this picture, I just cropped it down.

Wish this picture wasn't fuzzy.

Wish I knew what he was laughing at.

Apparently I did not get the memo about doing funny faces.

I love my kids. Now if only it were all smiles and games all the time. Lately there have been some hard days particularly Sundays.  Two Sundays ago Zoe was in a bad mood and wouldn't go to nursery she just kept crying. That is complete opposite of her. Derek and I just sat in the hall during Sunday School with her and gave her a snack. After awhile she was happy and herself again so we took her to class. Only minutes after sitting down for the third hour a primary leader came to get me because Chase was crying. So I sat with him in the halls the last hour. He was terrified by the three men that were substituting the 2 sunbeam classes. So this past Sunday Chase started bawling when we dropped him off at the primary room. He hates Sharing Time and then he doesn't like his class because the other kids are rowdy. What can I do? I'm totally not sure at this point. Zoe was being grumpy again. I think for her she needs a nap. The long drive to church either puts her to sleep but then wakes up when we get her out of the car or gets her sleepy enough to feel "yucky" as she puts it. After trying to convince Chase to go to class and failing we left. I had to pull Maeley out of her class. She was upset and then she was crying. When we got home we sent Chase and Zoe to their rooms for about an hour and a half. Maeley got spoiled by picking out a movie to watch and having some M&M's. I've always thought Sundays are hard but this is unbearable.