We Made It!

One of Scott's coworkers asked me today, "so are you all moved in?" It took me a bit but finally I responded, "the boxes are in, they just aren't unpacked yet!" After haggling with utilities companies, finding out the dryer was completely broken and hanging our wet clothes in front of the fireplace, realizing we have NO cell phone service in our house and having to sign up for a home phone, trying to lock the front door only to discover that the house key provided by the property management company didn't fit (among many other things) we just wanted to say, we are here & we are alive. By the way, we get text messages but the cells don't ring when they should and messages often show up hours after they are left so if you want our home number, text or email--those 2 technologies are atleast still reliable!

After all the craziness dies down, I find I'm grateful for little things---like Jason who willingly runs up the stairs to get what I need so I don't have to waddle my way up there or Ryan who is sleeping through the night better (thanks to Scott's "tough" love methods) as well as a 1 hour nap each day (oh how I love "quiet" time). I'm thankful for a nice calm neighborhood and backyard that will soon have growing grass! I love that there are decent Chinese restaurants that DELIVER! But most importantly, I LOVE my icemaker--that's right folks, we finally have a fridge with water despenser/icemaker that chops my icecubes into tiny little chunks for me to chew on AS OFTEN AS I WANT. No more trips to Sonic just for a cup of ice, it is right at my fingertips! Anyway, life is good, we are adjusting and miss you all mucho--Tidwells

Lasts

I find myself wanting to cram in all those "last" things before we move--restaurants to visit, friends to hang out with, places to go...so for this "last" my friend and I packed up the kids and headed to Lake Havasu. It's only an hour away, the temps are AWESOME in the spring and CRAZY hot during the summer but for being completely desert everywhere, it really is a pretty lake. It is huge and the city has done tons to make it really family friendly--great parks, beaches, golf, picnic areas etc. So aside from being a fatty prego lady, I still enjoyed myself since we were the ONLY people within 200 yards on the beach. The kids had a blast and it is a place I will miss heading to when ever the weather suites us! Bye bye Havasu!
(Of course I forgot the camera so I owe all the great shots to Morgan--even the one of Ryan flashing a little skin!)

To quote a friend...

"So they just passed a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he didn't understand it, passed by a Congress that exempts themselves from it, signed by a president who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese,... and best yet it is to be financed by a country that's broke...hmmmm???"

My One True Love!

The day started out sluggish and slow. I felt drained already and it was only 9am. It dragged on, hour by hour, occupied by minimal housework, avoiding packing and trying to keep the boys entertained. By 5pm it felt like 10pm and I just wanted to go back to sleep. I still had 2 1/2 hours to kill before the kiddos went to bed--I could hear the clock tick slower and slower as every second DRAGGED on. Enough was enough! We threw on shoes and jackets, grabbed the keys and headed out the door for a walk to the mailbox. It was only around the block but if I let them get distracted I might actually be able to burn a half hour! We get to the box, put the key in and what do I find..."wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles"...a package. A box sent from my sister Lisa. The boys are excited, "a present for me," cries Jason! Ryan jumps up and down and babbles something about Lightening McQueen??? All time burning is forgotten. We rush back around the block, excited to get our glorious package opened and discover the wondrous contents inside. The kids clamour on chairs around the table, chanting "open, open, open". My hand shakes a little with anticipation as I cut through the packaging tape, open the top flaps and remove the bubble wrap from inside. My heart stops for a moment, literally halts, as I realize what the priceless treasure is....GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!! My loving, thoughtful, beautiful sister sent me GIRL SCOUT COOKIES.
She knew I had missed the boat here in Kingman, Provo was still selling them and she came through for me. I don't know that I have ever enjoyed checking the mail so much in my life. 5 minutes after opening, our hands and faces were covered in chocolate--ok just the boys but still! My tummy was full of thin minty goodness followed by a cold glass of milk. Oh my sister--and Girl Scout Cookies--you have been a much needed relief to a long and droning day. How I will cherish you forever--who am I kidding--I'm lucky if they'll last a week but it will be the most tasty week of my life!