Children

The events of last Friday in Newtown, Connecticut have affected me, just as I'm sure they have most of you:

shock, disbelief, anger, fear, anguish.  It is unfathomable that something like this could happen, let alone did.  I have a 5 and an 8 year old.  They go go a school with a layout very, very similar to the online photos of Sandy Hook.  My kindergartner is in that room right across the hall from the office. 

It is, as I said, beyond my comprehension that such an evil could happen in such a "safe" place in such a "safe" community.  But, I guess that's just it.  Our schools, our busses, our airports, our malls, our movie theaters, and on and on AREN'T as safe as we'd like them to be.  I'm not here to discuss gun control or legislation.  I'm not here to voice my opinion on "gun free zones," although I am slowly formulating what my idea of a solution might include.  I'm just here to say this:

Mental illness is real.  And it's hard.  It doesn't happen only to "bad" people.  It just happens to people.  Children, adults, religious and non.  In this human experience, you don't get to pick your own trials, or the trials of your own children.  I read an article shortly after the shooting, for which I will post the link below.  It is brave, insightful, and right on target.  If anything is sure to make a difference, to stop, or stem the flow of these horrific tragedies, surely it is accessible, affordable mental health that doesn't come with a scarlet letter.  

http://anarchistsoccermom.blogspot.com/2012/12/thinking-unthinkable.html

I apologize to any of you who read my other blog, as I am posting this in both places.

It Has Begun!

Finally!!!

Snow Canyon

Enjoying our pass to snow canyon!

A New Corner of the Blogsphere

Hello all!  Just popping in to let you know that we have a new blog.  It is honestly not something that most of you will need (or even maybe want) to read.  BUT, you may know someone who does.  We are going to be blogging about our culinary and family experiences with food allergies and all the related baggage that goes along with them.  We are finally in a good place to deal with Hadden's allergies-we hope!- and are starting some life changes.  Just a side note, it will be a public blog and I WON'T be using my kids names, so those of you who know us, please try not to drop their names in any of the comments if you happen to comment.  Thanks!

I'll be hilighting what we are doing and why as well as posting recipes, ideas, cookbook reviews and more.  I had so much spare time, I thought I needed another project.  Ha, ha, ha, ha.....

www.weeatbeansandrice.blogspot.com

The ONLY fish tank I want to own...

Remember that fish?  The one we got as a party favor?  The kids were so distressed that we had to get ANOTHER fish and aquarium and food and chlorine drops etc. etc.  Now I have a nasty fish tank--seriously  it's like in Finding Nemo, when the filter doesn't work.  But, THIS:



might just change all that!  I'm seriously rooting for these to hit the market in hopes that if I have to have a fish in my house, at least it can grow me something to eat!

Hadden's Baptism

 Hadden was SOOOO excited to be baptized.  He only ate about 2 bites of breakfast, which is VERY unusual for this kid.

Not sure what Calla was doing with that smile...

 

Grandma and Pabo

It was our first REALLY cold day in St. George with actual cloud cover! 

Hadden thought it was so cool that he was a member of the church now.  He got to go up front in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday and be recognized by the bishop, which he was also very excited about.

Ready to go!

Some of Hadden's friends from Logan drove all the way down to see him be baptized.  They sang, "Baptism" as the special musical number.  Here they are practicing beforehand.

Standing outside the font.

Sister Dianne Nielson.  She is THE BEST primary teacher EVER!  She drove all the way from Logan to see Hadden be baptized.  His new primary teacher wasn't even there!!!  She is so thoughtful and always goes above and beyond the call of duty.

 Grandma, Grandpa, Tyler and Nick

Here is everyone who came to support Hadden.  We have such awesome friends and family.  Thanks to all!

A BAD, BAD Day for America...Again

I was trying to use my iphone ap to update posts on the blog this morning and it inadvertantly deleted my BAD day for America post.  I'm sure those of you who care to read it already have.  Here is my facebook post about the same and the FOX news article link again.  And. may I just say...broaden your news consumption and make sure you are getting the full story before you make up your mind about any story, current event, or person.

Wake up America. When, WHEN is the general population going to realize that mainstream media doesn't give the REAL, unbiased story? When will they start questioning why CNN is the ONLY station on in every American airport? Everyone has an agenda and it's time we started listening and watching with a critical eye and ear. 

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/11/07/five-ways-mainstream-media-tipped-scales-in-favor-obama/

Randomness from our CRAZY life

Random snippets of the last month in photos...

Tyler is 4!

blow, Ty!

The progression of these pictures is killing me...

Nice work, buddy.

Cute kiddo!

Nick is VERY independent.  He has little man syndrome, not much else to say there.

FHE at the temple.  It has a visitor's center.  Very cool!

Calla VERY much wanted her picture taken by the door.

And then, so did Hadden.

Watching Conference.  See that stuffed dog?   It's Calla's favorite.  Her next door neighbor friend gave it to her right before we moved.  

LOTS of scooter riding at the park.

Grandma and Grandpa have been down a few times since we got here.  Last weekend we had lunch downtown at 25 Main, which is a fun little cafe in the "quaint" downtown part of St. George.

Hadden got a goldfish as a party favor at a birthday party.  By the way, this is against everything I believe in. Live pets should NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER be given as gifts, especially not party favors!

BUT, he was excited, so we bought the $10 fishbowl at Wal-Mart.

I may or may not have accidentally added too much de-chlorinator chemical to the water.  Whatever the reason, the fish lasted a total of 16 hours.  

Don't worry, all drains lead to the ocean.  

Now EVERY DAY he is begging to go to PETSMART and buy a new fish.  WHO gives a live animal as a gift?!!!!???

Miss You Dad

To:dad I wil Mis yoo intil yoo git hom

Translation: To: Dad  I will miss you until you get home

Dad is a rare commodity around here lately.  I can't believe Calla is old enough to spell all by herself!

Here we go

First cooking class. We're back in business!

IKEA Monster

This is what happens when you ask a 7 year old named Hadden to help you carry something in IKEA:

Abduction

We have been abducted by a kitchen store.  We will try to return to earth as soon as possible.  Until then, wish us luck.  They asked us to take it 2 weeks earlier than we planned, which means we had no time to get organized.  Maybe I can finally learn to embrace chaos! ;)

Before 

Before 

During 

During 

After

Love my Calla Girl

Calla drew this for me today during church. She's had quite the sassy attitude lately but this just melted my heart.

Calla's First Day of Kindergarten

Yesterday was Calla's first day of Kindergarten.  She had an awesome time.  We were expecting some separation issues, but when it came time to leave, she gave us a hug and stayed at her table with no tears and no clinging.  It was awesome!  She came home with a big smile on her face and a Twinkie because her first day was "a piece of cake."  I'll take the smile and try to forgive the Twinkie.  She came home and told me all about story time, computers, recess and 2 new friends, Isabelle and Elanie.  Yea for Kindergarten!

The Rest of Our Lives...Part 1

So, here is the Reader's Digest Version, folks:

We had looked at a kitchen store to purchase in the Phoenix area (again-we looked at it a few years ago), and while we were looking at that option and possibly running two stores, a good customer came in and offered to buy our store.  He's a great businessman and all the cards fell into place.  During that same time, a store in St. George came up for sale.  It is a lot like our Logan store was before Chris' mom purchased it.  Not too much inventory, needs a lot of TLC.  So, We did A LOT of negotiating and were finally able to come to an agreement with them.  We are officially purchasing the store September 15th, though Chris is in there every day already.  It's going to be a lot of work for a few years to build the store up, but Chris was looking for something challenging to do and this fits the bill.  When we realized the purchase of the St. George store would need to be quick, we put our house up for sale, fully expecting it to take 9 months to a year to sell it, which has been pretty standard in our neighborhood.  Nope, it sold in 6 days!!!!  It was a whirlwind.  The people needed to be in in 30 days.  We took a few quick trips down to find a rental and a building lot in St. George and packed our house up.  Everything just kept falling right into place for us.  There was a 24 hour period in which we tried to change our minds and convince ourselves the whole thing was crazy (it is), but we both KNEW, without a doubt, that was the wrong decision.  So, on the 11th of August, we pulled out in a U-Haul to start the rest of our lives.  Then the people called and said they wanted to close on the house even earlier than we'd planned, so Chris was able to sign all the papers last week when he was up in Logan for his final consulting with the old store.  The house sold and was closed in 25 days.  We have honestly been led here.  We both feel like the Lord has taken us in His hands and moved us.  Now we just need to follow Him and figure out our purpose for being here.  Hope that answers some questions.  And here is the view from where we will eventually end up living:

Hadden's 1st Day of 2nd Grade

Today was Hadden's first day of second grade. It was also his first day as a Little Valley Lion. He had a great first day and made a friend named Logan ;) he had a huge smile when I picked him up and hopefully that continues!

U-haul

We packed up and rolled out of Logan on Saturday. It was sad and stressful. On the way down we (Chris in the uhaul with my dad following with truck and trailer and my mom following in a car with the kids and me following in the van stuffed full) missed getting hit by a car that spun around 4 times on the freeway right in front if us. It hit 4 other cars but missed the uhaul by inches. It was a nerve wracking drive! I hope I never need a uhaul again!!! Some neighbors helped us unload when we got there and now we are still unpacking.