Changes

I haven't blogged lately not because nothing is happening but because so much has happened.

Derek finally received his transfer details Friday July 27th. It was about freakin' time. It definitely wasn't what we were expecting. Its a short term small job on the westside of Phoenix however only until November-ish. That means we are in limbo because we could be transfered out of state again at that point. Or we could stay in the Phoenix area. We really don't know. Derek will be finished in New Mexico at the end of this month.

We decided to move into Derek's parents house during this time. Partly because school started earlier here and Derek still was needed at his current job in New Mexico. Derek moved the kids and I moved here Saturday August 4th just one week after finding out where we were going. We packed up a U-Haul trailer and brought anything we thought we'd need over the next few months.

Its definitely been a whirlwind of emotions and events. Maeley and Chase started school August 8th. So far so good. I will go into more details in another post. Although its been hard being away from Derek I do feel it was the right decision for the kids.

We sold our house! It took a little over 3 weeks which is great for our area. It will close at the end of the month. The inspection came back perfect. No repairs needed. We were thrilled! I'll go help Derek with the big move at the end of the month. Not that we have to pack but I'll be there while the movers are packing and loading so Derek doesn't have to take days off work. Plus that gives me a chance to get the cleaning done before closing.

Everything is coming together. Its been a very stressful summer. We are so grateful the way things are turning out.

Fun day

The kids have been asking to go to the zoo for sometime. Considering we are moving soon I thought we better take them. Recently I looked online to see what the hours were and ticket prices. That's when I read that on Mondays during the summer with one full price adult you get up to 4 kids in free. Derek didn't really want to go anyways so it was perfect. I figured I owed it to them after being so helpful in keeping the house clean while the house has been on the market.

This was the best picture I got of them. I'm not sure what they are looking at but certainly not me.

They are getting so big. First time going to the zoo without a stroller! 

Maeley sure enjoyed seeing the polar bear up close.

And Zoe was thrilled to see zebras.

Chase said this was the best day ever when we were leaving the Zoo. Then we went to lunch. Kids choice was Wendy's. I wasn't ready to go home quite yet so we headed to the discount movie theater. I had no idea on Monday's its only 75cents per ticket. Score! We saw Chimpanzee which was fitting after just going to the zoo. Maeley was so excited because she saw one of her kindergarten teachers there with her kids. Its so much fun doing activities with the kids. They are wonderful kids. I sure love them! 

Funny story

This happened about 2 months ago at church. I am a sunbeam teacher at church. Zoe's name got called to go and help during sharing time. Zoe gave me something in my hand to hold for her. I asked, "What is this." Zoe's reply was, "my booger." Of course I was grossed out and quickly wiped my hands to get rid of that thing. After Zoe was done helping she came back and asked, "Where's my booger Mom?" I can't believe she wanted it back and that she remembered. Her teacher had heard what was going on so she and I had a good laugh over that.  A funny story I simply don't want to forget. Silly girl.

Zoe with stuffed animals she has dressed up using her doll clothes. She does this all the time.

Chase's doctor appointment

Chase had his annual doctor visit on Tuesday.

Weight: 40lbs
Height: 42"
He is around the 40th percentile for his age. I didn't tell Chase that he had his doctor appointment until the day before. At that point he was concerned about being healthy for his check up and eating the right foods. I think he thought if he's healthy than he wouldn't have to get a shot. The morning prior to his appointment the kids were getting a snack. This is the conversation that occurred.

Chase: "I need to eat strawberries for my snack so I can be healthy for my doctor appointment."

Me: "I can't cut up the strawberries right now I'm in the middle of something. The girls want gold fish why don't you get yourself some of those."

Chase: "But I need something healthy."

Maeley: "But its made with whole grain, it is healthy!"

Chase then reluctantly got himself some goldfish. Hahaha. These kids are pretty funny.

Chase's birthday

Chase has certainly enjoyed his birthday. Plus it has definitely been dragged out so it been more than just one day. He knows he's been spoiled too. 

The day before we went to Coldstone Creamery to let him pick out his birthday cake. I was not in the mood to make him one. For his birthday dinner he chose egg salad sandwiches. He asks for them often so it wasn't a big surprise. He didn't really like having to wait all day to open presents though.

The pirate Mickey shirt he is wearing came from Disneyland from Tama and Papa. Its his favorite shirt and wears it about twice a week. He planned on wearing it on his birthday several days before. 

After dessert he finally got to open presents.

From Maeley and Zoe he got Lego folders and a bag of Hershey's air delight kisses.

He got his favorite Lego set he's been wanting for months now.

The rest of the evening was spent building Lego sets together as a family. 

Chase is 5

This is Chase's favorite shirt. He wears it at least twice a week. 

A little about Chase.

I can't believe my little buddy is 5 and will be starting kindergarten next month. It just seems crazy. Chase is a very sweet boy. If I tell him I have a head ache he'll tell me to lay down and get a pillow for me. Sometimes he just wants to snuggle and talk. I absolutely love his grin. You can't help but smile back at him. He loves Lego's. He will spend hours each day playing with them. He can be very creative in what he makes. The other day he made a crab which was pretty impressive. He loves just about anything Disney, Donald Duck being his favorite character. He loves when people come and stay with us. I think he enjoys giving up his room for them. He definitely likes to make people happy. Chase loves his family and our extended families. He is very thoughtful with his prayers. 

I love you buddy I'm so grateful your part of our family. 

Weekend events

Saturday was the hospital open house. I forgot to bring my camera. I'll have to go back or send the camera with Derek to get a good picture. I just found this one online. It was fun to take a tour seeing the completed project. We've enjoyed seeing the construction process over the last two years. I think Maeley was confused that Derek had to work today. Apparently she thought because the hospital was done that so was his work. Sorry sweet Maeley but there is still a lot of paperwork to finish.

Saturday night Derek's brother Marc and his wife Eunmi came to visit. They are moving from Utah to Texas and we were the half way point. We don't see them much so it was wonderful having them here. Maeley, Chase, and Zoe loved having visitors. I think they might have smothered them a bit. They enjoyed having someone new to play with and show they all their toys. I forgot to get a picture with Eunmi, who is going to have a baby next month. They left just this morning. Zoe told me she missed them when they were pulling out of the driveway. Thanks Marc and Eunmi for visiting.

4th of July

We didn't do much on the 4th. Derek got up pretty early and went to work for a few hours. Then together we went to our ward breakfast and had a great time. Afterwards we were trying to decide what else to do  and Derek suggested going to Carmax so we did. We will be buying another car soon, finally. By the time we got home both Derek and I were exhausted. The kids enjoyed being home and playing together. Because we had a late lunch we didn't even have a typical 4th of July dinner. The kids requested cereal and I wasn't going to argue because Derek and I weren't hungry. When it was getting late I asked Derek if he wanted to take the kids to see fireworks. He was too tired after getting up so early and having a long day in the sun. We asked the kids if they were okay to watch the fireworks on TV. They liked the idea. I gave them the glow in the dark sword and wands my sister sent them in a package the week before. The kids really had a blast watching fireworks on TV. I'm so grateful my kids are easily entertained. The day definitely didn't go as I had imagined however the kids were happy and that's all that matters.

Where?

I never imagined that we'd still be wondering where we are moving. Its pretty likely we will be moving next month. With the school year about to begin its really hard to get the kids excited because I have no clue where they are going to school or when. I've tried so hard to keep calm and patiently wait. Derek has been calm so I should too, right? Well  last week he began stressing out too and I had the emotional breakdown today that I've been fearing would happen. I just can't take it any longer. Having the house show ready has been difficult. Its tricky finding the right balance between keeping the kids happy and me happy. I'm losing my mind. I'm praying we find out soon because I'm not sure how much longer I can wait.

Anniversary

A couple weeks ago Derek and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. 

Now, 8 years later I see why people always told us we looked young. 

I couldn't have picked a better husband. He truly is my best friend. I love you Derek! 

In our 8 years we have had 3 kids.

Moved 7 times.

Lived away from family for 4 years.

We've had 7 different vehicles.

3 different dogs

Derek started and finished school.

And so much more. 

Can't wait to see what the next 8 are like. 

Moving

That's correct we are moving yet again. Our house is officially for sale now. We don't have an exact move date yet which will likely happen in about two months possibly less.  The crazy part is we don't know where we are moving! It's definitely out of New Mexico. We are waiting for official word on Derek's job transfer. Oh what a life we have. Maybe someday we can stay somewhere longer than 2 years. I think for awhile I was sure his company would get the project for a hospital expansion in Albuquerque. But we found out at the end of April that wasn't the case. That's given me a few months to get comfortable with the idea of moving. I love our home here but I'm okay with moving. Now if we can only find out where and when sooner rather than later. I'm trying so hard to be patient but there are moments when I just want to scream I can't handle it anymore.

Father's Day

It seems that its become a tradition to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Mother and Father's day. Each of the kids gave daddy a shirt. For dinner Derek grilled some steaks while I made the sides. At dinner the kids all said why they love daddy so much which is always fun to hear.

Here we are all ready for church

Maeley took this picture for us. 

That's a shadow going across my arm not a weird tan line.

Happy Father's Day! 

quick trip

A couple weekends ago we made the trip back to Phoenix. We went because my Grandpa Stratton passed away and we were going to his funeral. It all happened pretty fast. He wasn't sick for years like my other grandparents had been. He was in and out of the hospital/rehab for about 2 months before he passed away. Lucky for me we were able to see him when we stopped in Phoenix on our way to and from Disneyland. It was nice to see extended family that I haven't seen in several years. Although it was a lot of driving over the short weekend. While the funeral was in Gilbert the burial was in Tucson. The first 26 hours of the trip about 12 was spent in the car. I'm so grateful Derek was able to get off work and be there with me. Plus he even played his violin at the funeral.

Father's and Son's

A couple weeks back our ward had the Father's and Son's campout. While Derek's work is insanely busy he wasn't sure he'd be able to get off at a decent time on Friday to make it. Chase and our neighbor Alexander were already talking about it and excited. Derek decided it was worth it to leave work a little early to take Chase camping verses the heart break he would cause not going.

Here they are all ready to go.

The sole picture from the actual campout.

As for me and the girls I let them decide what to do. Maeley even made a list. First was dinner at Chili's. Maeley had a certificate for a free meal that she got from school. She had been very anxious to use it. Then we went to the store to pick something up for breakfast and get a movie from RedBox. Unfortunately RedBox had nothing that looked interesting. Instead we went home and the girls chose to watch Cinderella and I painted their toes. It was a nice evening with my girls and sadly I forgot to take pictures. 

summer

Its been interesting adjusting to summer. This is my first summer break since Maeley has started school. Before summer wasn't much different than all the other weeks of the year. I do some school time with them each day. Maeley signed up for the library summer reading program. After only a week she already qualifies for the free book at the end of the month. I think we will be visiting the library often this summer. There hasn't been too much fighting but I do have to limit the time they can play on their LeapFrog Explorer game systems. This week after breakfast we've been going on walks to nearby parks. Maeley enjoys riding her bike and Chase his scooter. Zoe on the other hand wants nothing to do with a bike ever since this crash landing. I think its been wonderful getting some fresh air to start the day.

Here are some random pictures of the kids from Friday.

Chase has really become quite the pirates enthusiast as of recent.

Zoe doesn't take naps often but it was cute to find her asleep in my bed wearing her fairy costume.