We’re sure trying!

For the past couple of years we’ve been trying hard to eat healthier and eliminate processed food out of our diet. But when I was pregnant and sick, we didn’t try very hard. We’ve been back at it (not 100% by any means…but giving it some good effort). Both Rich and I are only pounds away from our goal weight. Some days I want to throw in the towel when my alarm sounds at 5 am for my daily workout, or my stomach is growling, or that brownie is just looking TOO GOOD! (Which lets be honest…I usually give into the brownie. UGH!). But when I’m not eating brownies I’ve really enjoyed eating fresh whole foods and doing a lot of juicing. This was Bennett trying to devour the produce before I could juice it.

Half a year…holy moly

Boy time flies when you’re having fun I guess. Sure love this growing boy!

Our favorites…

We love our new home and neighborhood. Here is some of our favorites…

The laundry chute from upstairs. Love it… until I get a toy dropped on my head while folding laundry. That’s what just happened in this picture. She thought it was so funny!

We had new carpet put in. The first time I’ve EVER picked out my own new carpet. It’s so soft and smells so good, just like this little squishy boy in the picture. I like to snuggle both.

The citrus tree in the back. Lovin me some fresh fruit to juice.

No need to explain this one. Our first pool. In Arizona a pool is like a garage is in Utah. It’s not necessary…but really it’s necessary.

The Jacuzzi tub. It’s the BEST because my kids actually want to get in a wash right away so they can then turn on the jets and watch the bubbles rise up out of the tub.

But WHAT WE LOVE MOST…. Is the amazing neighborhood we have moved into. My kids instantly had friends. Kids run up and down the street all the time here. They run from one house to another, to another (just like how I grew up). But most of the time they are just content to play outside and climb the amazing mature trees. Kids stepping away from electronics to get exercise in this day and age??? It’s almost unheard of. We have definitely found something special. I can’t help but smile when the herd of kids come to our house. I can barely get out my front door.

 I also can’t get over how green and lush this neighborhood is compared to our last. Growing green in Arizona is not easy. One day when I couldn’t find Sadie, Kendyl said to me “Mom she’s just hanging out in a bush”. Me “Huh?” So she walked me to it. Sure enough in this huge bush was a handful of kids sitting near the top inside this bush just talking away. Reminds me of my childhood where I spent countless hours building tree houses and creating magic in natures beauty.

Unexpected changes…

Life was settling down for us. We had been in one house, one job, and one ward for almost 3 years (that’s a record for us). We didn’t foresee any major change in our life, so you can imagine our surprise when Rich was offered and accepted a new job, and then we picked up and moved within a couple of weeks. It was a crazy time for us, but it’s been an exciting change and a huge blessing to our family. Rich is helping to build a new practice, which should open the first of August. In the meantime, he is working at a clinic just around the corner and he is LOVING IT! I’m so happy for him. Nothing makes me happier than watching someone I love so much do what they enjoy so much.

I joined instagram during this time, and thankfully so. I feel like the past few months have been a blur. I barely remember what happened in March/April (other than a lot of painting and packing).

Here’s a quick run-down according to my instagram:

I packed the whole house in ALMOST 2 days!

I came across some fun things. I like to think those tally’s are in a lifetime…and in that case I’m not doing too bad!

Painting with a baby is pretty much impossible.

We lived in an empty house and survived

Saying goodbye to our first home. I’m surprised how hard that was for me. 

It took two of the largest Penske trucks and multiple trips with our van and truck to get our junk to the other side of town.

My friend was Mason’s substitute teacher on Mason’s last day of school. She caught this awesome moment as the kids were saying goodbye. I love how the kid in front of him is bowing down offering him some sort of gift, and then the kid to his left is taking an elbow to the face. Hope everyone made it out alive. 

During these crazy weeks:

Kendyl had her front two teeth pulled. She has an extra tooth growing between her baby teeth and her adult teeth. They had to pull her baby teeth to make room for her little snaggle tooth to grow in. The only way to stop the bleeding was with a diaper!

Toothfairy brought her $2

Sadie became the mother most days as I busily painted the bedrooms and packed the house. Here she is calming a crying baby and helping her brother with homework.

I got pooped on almost everyday for about 2 weeks.

These two continue to grow like weeds

These two never made chillaxin look so cute

Last minute sleepovers with friends. Boys in one room, girls in another.

Looks like Barney’s been kissing some girly turtles

Kendyl was rewarded with getting her ears pierced for being so brave while getting her Kindergarten shots. Does anyone else find it strange she wanted to be rewarded for pokes with more pokes?

While out of town, Rich brought home a wild snake. Our house is slowly turning into a zoo. He however has made his way back to the wild.

This is the look I have on my face when people tell me it’s May. WAIT WHAT?!?! Where did March and April go???

Gonna find us some snow

Mid March during Spring break I had the crazy idea of driving the kids up to Utah to visit my family. I was bound determined to find some snow for my kids to touch. It was all melted when we first arrived, but we got lucky and it snowed for an hour one day. Then we headed up into the mountains so we could actually play in it.

 

Hanging out with Aunt Roxie

 

Bennett’s first time meeting most of my family! I think he liked the attention

 

 

 

Fun trip…fun family! Love them. The end!