Starting school and other adventures

In August, the Dallas Arboretum had dollar days which mean that we went twice!  It was So entertaining (despite the HOT weather).  There was lots of water works and misters and splash areas so we survived.  It was fun to meet with a former roommate from college as well as another friend who just relocated to the area with us.  

We've made friends with several people in the cul-de-sac.  We are excited to have friends around.  the kids were so nice to teach Jackson to play 4 square and be patient as he learned.  They played for an hour and not one car drove by!  Love our location!

The girls and I started mommy school and lunches together.  We love our time during the day, although we miss Jackson. 

I 've learn a few hairstyles, but my skills leave much to be desired.

Hallie had a lesson at church about being thankful for her home and how she can help.  On one side she drew herself vacuuming and the other side is her getting angry because she doesn't want to pick up.  yep, so Hallie.

We let Jackson stay out past bedtime all the time, but esp. if the neighbors were out.  One night they played night games and I LOVED seeing him out playing hide and seek.  It was 10 before he came in an crashed watching bball with Dad.

Mariah continues to be a shining light in our life.  she is really growing up.  No more baby.

Our ward had a fun yoga relief society activity.  I love getting to know people better and better.

 Jackson started school at green valley elementary.  He was so excited to start and got an amazing teacher.  We are really happy with a neighborhood school.

We went swimming with a family in our ward on Labor day.  the kids love swimming and the water.   

Saw this crazy car out on the roadway...

Las Vegas Girls trip

Thanks to an amazing husband, friends with the drive and desire to have fun always, plus a friend with hotel points, and US airways, I was able to get together with girlfriends from Mesa and have the most wonderful weekend!  Because of the flight loads, I worried I would miss the trip altogether, but I headed to the airport with my packed bags (packed days in advance in excitement for this!) I got on the first flight I tried, which was to Phoenix, which means I got to make the LATE night drive with my besties to Las Vegas.  I thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing airport experience and reading a book the entire 3 hour flight.  Heaven!  I thought I would be so tired and boring on the drive to Vegas, but the conversation started and I woke right up.  I'm pretty sure we didn't stop talking for 3 straight days.  Just what a momma needs!

We finally settled in at fell asleep around 4 am my time!  Luckily and surprisingly, I was able to sleep in until 10 am my time!  Yeah, I still got it!

We worked out, ate a crappy breakfast to make up for the work out and then headed to the pool where we parked ourselves for the rest of the day.  We thought we would sleep, but never got around to it(didn't want to miss anything!)  We slide down the water slides, sat in the hot tubs, had some swim races, sucessful dodged a bee in the water.... 4 times, and just enjoyed the sun and relaxing by a pool Because I am always with kids I don't know when the last time I 'relaxed' by a pool.  When I talked to Jackson, he said "I wish I was there!" I said honestly, "I kind-of wish you were too!" To which he replied, "You ARE there mom!"  

After an amazing dinner of pina coladas and fajitas, a movie and cleaning up, we spent the evening playing games.  I am way to competitive, but being super tired slowed me down a bit.   

The next morning was spend primping.  I don't know about the other girls, but I loved spending time in the bathroom with other girls.  I loved the new hair tips I got and enjoyed getting dressed up with only girls! 

 

We made it to the temple and enjoyed a session (beside the lady full on snoring next to me).  So peaceful and full of love and joy.  I really love the temple. 

We then made it to the strip in stark contrast to the temple.  We shopped in Ceasars Palace, enjoyed the flowers at the Bellagio.

 then went to eat at Pampas... a Brazillian meat grill.  It was so delicious!  It was funny that 6 mormon girls ended up here... we don't drink, smoke, gamble, or participate in any of the crazy, lewd, and crude aspects of Vegas, but still found a way to be entertain and have a great time.  

We headed to our show "Recycled Percussion" With all the years I've lived close to Vegas and driven through, I have never seen a show.  It was not to be forgotten.  Pure entertainment from the moment before it started to the end.  It was mostly clean and the boys were from our generation, so they made all sorts of references to 'the good ol' days' which we could relate to.  Pretty sure the other girls turned into 8th graders pining after the 'hot performers'.  I couldn't get THAT into it, but enjoyed the entertainment immensely.

Yes, they are drumming while hanging sideways being dropped from the ceiling, the fact that is turns completely upside down just blows me away. 

We finished up with more time on the strip and headed home. 

I love these ladies.  their example of faith, devotion to motherhood, encouraging each other, helping and service each other and drive for fun and laughter is amazing.  I feel so blessed to have had the chance to be friends with them.  

We were exhausted and the thought of getting up at 4 am to go for a flight was horrible.  I ended up waking up around 6 and headed out to see if I could make the flights.  I missed 2 but I made the next one.  I should've slept in and gone forward with the plan, but honestly I was just glad to be heading directly home (and so was Dave!) I was exhausted at home, but it was well worth it.  I felt like I was a much better mom after getting a break and perspective. 

Snowbird UT (Aug 2014)

My parents bought a condo in Snowbird last year and this is our second year we were able to spend the weekend with them.  I am excited that my kids will get memories here and look forward to coming back each year.  It is such a beautiful place!
We started our trip with a SUPER early flight and a layover in Phx.  It has been really difficult to fly from here which is a bit discouraging, so this was one of our first trips out.  It took longer and much more effort to fly.  This may make it happen less.  We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise as we landed.  As we stepped into the airport my first thought was, "were home!!"  This really is our flying home and I loved coming home to it.  Unfortunately it was just a stopping place this time and we flew out to SLC.

We rented a car and visited Michelle and her kids for a while.  It was so nice to be with cousins.  

Finally, (after Jackson bloodied Hallie's nose and Mariah cried the whole way up)  we made it to snowbird with just enough  time to get some hikes in before the storms rolled in.  My mom took the kids swimming and they enjoyed the water for an hour.  Melinda, Dave and I hiked to secret lake and Catherines pass.  It was a perfect temperature and beautiful landscapes.  I loved being in the mountains!!  I could definitely tell the elevation difference though.  

The storm rolled in right as we finished up and the fog and mist were an incredible sight.  

We spent the evening having dinner with my aunt and uncle.  My dad stayed with our sleeping kids while we enjoyed the adult pool, hot tub and sauna.  

In the morning, Mel and I went running straight up a mountain.  We only made it 2 miles in about 40 mins.  The altitude and steepness killed me.  I was glad I was with Melinda to make it endurable.  I missed her so much and am so glad she is home safe and sound.  She is an inspiration in her hard work. 

It actually snowed a little (yep in August) so it was chilly.  I warmed up in the hot tub.  We took the kids 'hiking'.  They loved exploring and seeing.  I wish they had these experiences more often.  But I;m thankful they at least have them!

 We ate lunch at the park and then hit up Oktoberfest for a few games for the kids.  They loved Grandma's present of little beanie babies.  We stopped at the church children's museum for a few minutes before heading to our flight (I finally got Panda express which I had been craving the entire trip).  Luckily, we didn't have to layover anywhere and Jackson was thrilled with flying on American for the first time ever.

Thanks Mom and Dad for allowing us to crash at your condo!  Can't wait to join again next year!

Sept 12 on 12th

 1. Our travel wall.  Almost done with decor
2, Current book, "Dad is Fat" funny and so relatable
3. In costco with the toys entertaining the girls
4. Maia LOVED this backpack and animal
5. Hallie's "Mommy school"
6. Played b-ball outside with the kids (It got COLD today!)
7. My chores today included tidying the play room
8. Getting Jackson home from school and getting a snack
9.  Taking the girls to the park for a play date
10.  Getting up late, set my schedule off
11. A Load of LAundry a day... keeps the crazies away?
12 Torchy Tacos.  Met some new friends/neighbors/members who live fairly close to me.  Happy to have friendly people around.

Honestly, this 12 on the 12th made me realize how empty and lonely I feel here in Texas.  It was a Friday, which is always more challenging because I am ready for the change of the weekend, but it can't come soon enough.  Today, we slept in until 7:30!!  Since school starts around 8, we were in a huge rush.  I felt so tired and sleepy even with sleeping in.  Jackson had hot lunch for the first time ever.  This started the whole day with a lack of motivation and I just felt TIRED.  Usually, I get up by 5 to run with people I met on Facebook or by 6 to workout or read scriptures.  This day just started wrong.  I definitely didn't want to do chores (and Friday is a 'light' cleaning day anyway) but I always do a load of laundry.   I tried to get up motivation to do school with Hallie,but since I didn't have anything specific planned in advance, I mostly spent the time looking for an activity to do and finding songs to teach when it is my turn for preschool next month. Hallie spent some time counting beads.  Like I said, I really had no motivation to do anything.  I had planned to meet a neighbor for the first time at Grapefest, but the rain kept us away.  She suggested meeting at a taco shop.  It was 15 mins always, so I thought it was a waste of a trip just for lunch.  I debated not even going, but I decided I was bored and needed to get out, hoping that raised my motivation for the day.  The tacos were pretty good.  I met a lady whose kids go to Jacksons school (Who is a member of the church).  So I was excited to meet some people who live near me who share my beliefs. Mariah stood up, and sat on the back of her high chair, immediately falling backwards.  I caught her leg as she went down inches before her head his the ground.  I felt lucky although it looked painful to be caught by the leg too.   Right after, my new neighbor/friend/member of the church was going to costco, so I thought I'd kill more time by getting samples.  I struck up a conversation with another mom who was letting her daughter play with the Christmas toys.  She found out within seconds that I was a Mormon and it turns out that she is friends with all the members that live just NORTH of me in the Colleyville stake, Keller 2nd ward.  I was so amazed that God helped me find a group of people who live around me through a non-member (who has a calling doing activity days!).     I was glad I went out, but then back at home felt the same non-motivation.  I read from my current book (Dad is fat) then got Jackson from school.  He has had no homework and so it has been nice after school to just relax.  Dave and I were planning on taking the kids bowling, but last minute the lanes were full.  I made dinner, but no one liked it so I ate alone and felt like a failure, even though I had tried to make a family meal.  We played basketball outside and talked to a neighbor for a minute.  I tried to plan a girls night, but apparently, last-minute deals don't work as well here, so no one came.  Dave and I watched a movie in the evening as he planned and prepared photos for our travel wall.

I wish this day fell a day earlier when I went running at 5 am, took the girls to the park, did school with Hallie, the kids painted and we visited a widow in our neighborhood as well as attending Jackson's curriculum night and watching BYU play while finishing Mariah's 1st year scrapbook.   Or maybe Saturday, when I ran 9.5 miles, grocery shopped for hours, cleaned house, prepped dinner, took Jackson to a birthday party, fed the missionaries and another family in the ward and finished the travel wall.  Much more entertaining and exciting and productive day, but none-the-less, such is my life.  Sometimes I am just boring and unmotivated.  Wish I could've gotten out of the funk.   There is so much I WANT to do and be, but sometimes I don't have motivation to do it, or feel paralyzed at what I should start with.