UUGGGG!

So Haley informed us tonight she now has a boyfriend. We knew she was spending time with this guy, but he asked her to be exclusive with him. He is 24, works where Shane does, has his realtor's license, owns a house in Provo. This is soooo not cool! I do have two implants/crowns holding over her head. She knows if she gets married she has to pay for them. That's all I have to say for now because I am speechless!

Life!

I truly love reading all your entries, the good, the bad, the complaints, the worries, the fun stories, etc. It makes me feel like I am actually part of your lives. I had a nice quick trip to Mom and Dad's place last week. It has been a LONG time since I was able to just visit with them. It seems like every visit I've had with them there has been a lot going on behind the scenes so I haven't really "visited" with them. I needed that time. We all need to take that time with them - do it! Abbie and Sophie had a blast as well. I loved that little bit of time with the two of them. They were really good.

Haley has finished semester #1. She has quickly learned she has to really apply herself with her studying. I know it has been a big transistion for her, and us. She has really stepped up to the plate and been really responsible. I can't believe I am that old! UGGHH!

Joanie, I am leaving work at 6:15 am and I take lunch between midnight and 1am. I usally check my phone at lunch so feel free to text! I am so sorry you didn't get the jobs. Have faith. You are such a good example to me with your faith. I bet someday you'll look back at this time and see miracles you don't even realize are taking place. Dad told me that has happened to him. I can say that has happened to me at times as well.

Nellie, I hope your drive back gets less "eventful" as the time passes. I hope you find a place to live quickly. What an adventure you've had. Kyle and I have decided we are going to move south after he retires, just for a change-up! I can go anyplace and get a job. He will look for work someplace far away from Idaho when he retires. It's never too late for an adventure right?

Bonnie, Thanks for your help with Haley while she was in transition. I am so grateful she can call on you and you are so willing to go to her aid! She needs that support so you rock! I was reading your last entry and I thought about when my kids were little like Chloe and Adam. I really had no social life as well. I had one friend I went to lunch with once a week and I took Haley and Kylee. We went to Wendy's and ate from the dollar menu. Haley and Kylee would share a 5 piece chicken nugget and fries and I would visit with my one friend. It was a good and hard time. I Loved being with my babies, but sometimes I felt lonely for a friend. Now I don't have time to even think about a social life. In fact, my favorite outings are with Kyle or my kids. You should never feel bad about saying no to a night out to be with your kids. This time with them will pass way to fast so absorb every minute you can!

Now that I've bored you all to tears, we are planning on coming down over Conference weekend. I hope I get to see all of you if only for a little while. We are planning on going to one of the sessions, hopefully on Sunday.

In the meantime -- Keep posting!

bLaH....

Well, things are going well. Not bad anyway - that means 'well', yes? 

I'm STILL working. Shane is STILL working TWO jobs, 5 days (if not 6) a week. The kids are STILL going to daycare in Spanish Fork. That is going better at least. And, I think I figured out why Chloe had/has a hard time going. The babysitter actually disciplines her! I love it. Everyone else who has watched her has been too nice (sorry guys....). She HAS to have people tell her "no" and punish her one way or another. She really likes Chloe and is so nice with Adam. It's comforting to know that they are at least being treated well if I can't be the one watching them.

I will say, I think Shane is finally seeing that when we have more kids, I can't work. So, we may be waiting a little bit before #3 to make sure we're at a place where that's possible. Other things might have to take a back seat, but that's ok. 

I don't know how moms can have social lives. Maybe it's just because I am never with my kids, but I do everything I can to avoid leaving the house when I can be with them. The couple of times I have been invited out, it is so hard for me to say "yes"! *sigh* Oh well. But - just so you know, anytime I ever seem hesitant to hang out, it is because I only get to BE with my kids for about 2-3 hours a day and would really rather be playing with them than with anyone else :)

Joan, I'm sorry you can't find a job. There are too many people out there - and it's always the person you're pitted against that has some ridiculous, unfair advantage. It is ruthless. I wish I knew of some awesome hook up, but I don't... unless you want to come be tech support with a bunch of smelly (seriously) boys?!

Janell, very excited you are coming back. Chloe has been talking about you and Bridgette lately. It's funny. It really just started coming out of nowhere!! Sad that you want to be in SL County though :(  I have decided that city life is not for me! I can't wait for the day that we can move to some po-dunk little town and not have to worry about traffic or .... people for that matter (it's no secret that I'm not a "people person"!) 

Hopefully, if you are up there, it won't keep you from coming down often. 

Anne, I want to come visit again! You're always so busy with life though... But Chloe does love visiting you and your family!

Sorry everyone. I never have that much to say. My woes and wishes are pretty minuscule compared to everything else going on the world.... 

cry me a river.....

you guys love my pictures I post every time... 
don't ya.  ;)


so.
I didn't get either of the jobs.
found out both today.


needless to say.. w/ out going into grand detail
I was very very sad, disappointed... etc............


Mike came right home after work
checked on me... then sat his sick toosh on the couch for a moment - patiently waiting for me to mentally come around - so we could chat about the downpour of "no - we don't want you" 's.
then dragged me off for a car ride + a chat about my options - all the while letting me vent as he empathized w/ me the joys of being shut down again and again... not feeling wanted.
He had the clear mind, while mine was full of messy puddles 


After a sweet drive, a kind chat, and some holding back of tears
I came home and talked w/ Kaylene about staying longer
While Mike registered me for UVU - 


I will continue @ the elementary school
then hopefully will beable to begin classes this fall @ UVU
or at least take one class this semester 


It's 1:35 in the morning and I can't sleep
Annie is most likely on her way home from work.  
I could call you on your phone Annie!!!  
so.........

Maybe this is the push I needed to get back into school
to study....
?????????????????????????
thinking Graphic Design.
?????????????????????????


I shall carry on.
{maybe w/ the help of My Mike gently shoving me from behind.}



Nellie... 
I am so excited you are coming back here.
I wish you were moving into the home close to me
as does Sydney Leigh, I am sure
... you don't have to do yard work.
Does that help?  ;)
when will you be HERE?
where will you stay when you get back here?
hope you drive safely.
girls night out!!!!!!
asap!!!! 
right BONNIE & ANNIE (if you are able that is)


love you guys.
so glad I have 3 sisters. 
truly.  I am.

Summer's Over

I can't believe summer's basically over! I can tell Dan is really ready to be done. His team has dwindled down to three guys. This has been the toughest summer, as far as problems w/ team members, for him. 


We're leaving early next week to go back to Utah, although I'm still not sure where we're going to live. 
Dan and I have completely different opinions on living situations. He likes apartments, not having to do yardwork, and hates anything that resembles "vintage." I, on the other hand, am done with apartments (unless he decides to move us to a big city.) I crave my own space, even if it's a shared yard! 


There are definitely things I'll miss about Dallas, such as;


1. The Texas "U-Turns" which is the ability to make a left hand turn off an interstate off-ramp at any time, it's hard to explain, but it's awesome.
2. The zoo- I'm sad we're not going to be here in cooler weather to go back to the Fort Worth Zoo, it was awesome.
3. The food.
4. The people- Utahns are nice enough, but Texans are just so sweet to little toddlers and they're so excited to see babies, whereas Utahns seem to cast me this look of "you better keep your kid quiet." Texans are just nice and southern.
5. Shopping- not that I've really been able to shop a lot, so maybe it's a good thing we're leaving, but they have the best malls & even really good thrift shops here.
6. Our Ward- they're really nice, even the older ladies in our ward are so silly & friendly and like to goof off.
7. My gym's daycare. They're so nice to Bridgette, and she really likes the ladies there. Also, there's only about 5 kids in there at a time, whereas gyms in Utah have like 30.


Of course there are reasons I'm excited to go back to Utah, like;
1. You guys : )
2. The Fall! They actually have seasons in Utah, and it's beautiful in the fall
3. The water- Texas water is DISGUSTING! I don't like drinking all bottle water b/c I'm afraid of chemicals that plastic can leach, but that's all I could stomach all summer. They water here tastes/ smells like wet dog meets pond water. YUCK!
4. Dan has conceded that Salt Lake County just might be better than Utah county, it only took me 5 years to convince him. (GO UTES) Although I'm sad about the cute American Fork house we're passing up.
5. Shopping. Texas has cool stores that Utah doesn't but things here are pricier. Utah retailers understand that most of their shoppers priorities aren't $50 cotton t-shirts. Also, in Texas, cheapest place I found to color my hair was $100. That includes Mall Salons. It's crazy, some places here are like $300 +. I'm sure some can afford that, but even if I could I don't think I'd pay it.




So, as you can see, it's a bittersweet move for me. I'm just ready to get it over with. I dread packing, but at least it's mainly clothes and toys. 


We'll be driving through Colorado to visit Dan's family on our way back. It'll be nice to see them & celebrate Dan & Bridgette's birthdays with them. 


I can't believe Bridgette is going to be 2! What a big girl. We're going to start potty training when we get settled into our new place. She tells me every time she has to poop, and updates me when she's done. I think she's ready.


Well, I think this post has covered enough topics. I'll let ya'll know if we find a place to live, and if not, what underpass we'll be sleeping under!

I have had a couple of great job interviews as of late

today I had a follow up one - 

they are making a decision between me and another lady.

I told Mike,

I hope I don't, 

however I always loose out on these kinds of "decisions"

even my own fiance wouldn't pick me...

when we used to play volleyball in their back yard in college

I was always that last one standing against the wall -- by myself.  Listening to the unfortunate team leader moaning under his breath as they said, "Joan" with a sigh.... then I would just shrug my shoulders... giggle, then sashay over to which ever team was unlucky enough to get that last person that no one really wanted... me.  

{ok... off the subject, but you know how there are some words that you know are supposed to be spelled in a difficult manner... because it would be too easy to spell it how it looks?  I just did that w/ "sashay"  It sounds french... so I was trying to spell it very... french like, when in fact - it is spelled how it sounds.  I'm a genius.  p.s. - my job does not require spelling accurately}

so for now. 

It's another wait and see process.

anxiety

here I am.  feed off me.

p.s.
this is becoming "the life of Joan" blog.
seriously.
Ok.  so in a week, I won't be posting as much.
but... it's fun when I am posted to loved ones rather than just posting so I can have the memory or remember something I loved...
so much funner posting to you guys.
and not caring what's out there.
love you ladies.
post.  please.  ;)

my heaven... 

only missing a window w/ a slight breeze, comfy chair, and a side table.

hi girls.

I have been reading up a storm lately

Nothing note worthy.

Just silly young adult books - the HUSH HUSH 2nd book, Crescendo and then the 2nd book of the FALLEN series, Torment.  

On date night tonight I made Mike take me to get the 3rd book in the FALLEN series, called Passion.  I gave it to him while I used the restroom - but warned him not to look @ the cover.

As I walked away I could here his wicked laugh taunting me.

{I warned him!!!!}

{for my sake, of course}

I'd just like to add in here -

the first 2 book's covers were beautiful.

this one... 

not so much.

A summer brain vacation.

That is what my reading as of late has been.

And I've loved it.

I just got my work schedule for this year.

I think they might be either trying to get me to lose my mind and quit, or quit before I lose my mind!  Or maybe they think that I am so wonderful and can take on the world.  Either way...  should make for an interesting year.  Pushing me farther towards continuing my education - so I can feel as if I am worth something - that I DO have some self worth.  

I have a job interview on Monday for the position of a secretary @ the jr. high.

I am kind of excited about this possible step in an upward direction, however if I am able to snag the job at the orthodontists office... that would --- be so very wonderful.

Lots of prayers going up from my mouth --- 

Annie

if you click on the photo it will take you to the website I got it from

Most of them come from the same website.

{I love the website - deviantART}

love you ladies!

Joanie

Joanie, Where do you find your cool pictures? The last one you posted I'd like to make a 36" print and frame it. What a cool wall hanging that would be!

My kids don't start school for 3.5 more weeks. (Just after Labor Day). It's kind of nice. They have less "holidays" off during the year and still get out right before Memorial Day. Not too shabby!

Welcome, Annie!!!


Nellie, I think your little Bridgy needs to start working on this:

then you two can hop and skiddaddle right over here to Thanksgiving Point (which - did you know that I could never remember the name of that place when we moved here, so I kept calling it the Turkey Point. duh!) where I will pick you up and keep you hostage while Dan brings up the rest of your belongings.  
(let me know when she is done with that)


Mike and I went up to the high school track tonight (just as the jr. high football team was leaving - too bad for Sydney Leigh) and jogged/walked/ran 2 miles.  He's cursing my name right now, but it felt so good to get out and run off some steam.  (and then of course come home and have a large scoop of ice cream w/ 2 oreos.  Hey, I added 1/3 of a banana!  that has to account for something, correct?)


I am getting my kids up 30 minutes earlier each morning, since in 2 weeks we will enjoy the 6 a.m. morning call, and if I get a different job it might end up being earlier for me if I want to fit into my jeans this year.  Did you know I am NOT in any form a morning person?  we shall see.  Today was 9:30.  tomorrow... 9.  
Sad that they are groaning about me getting them up at nine in the morning.  


tootaloo!

Here we go!!

Well Sisters, hopefully this will work now. I am techno-dumb. I love reading all your posts! I wish I was as elloquent a writer as you all are, but I am not so you have to put up with my boring-ness.

I've decided I don't want to raise teenagers anymore. Oh wait, that isn't an option! My brain is tired as is my body. Don't get me wrong. Love them to death, but it is just hard. I am a bad mom to them some days. (they remind me frequently as well!) How do you teach respect? How do you get through to them that the choices they make today do affect them tomorrow? Oh well, this too shall pass. I just hope when they are adults they don't have nightmares about how mean and rotten I was.

I am on a hiatis from school until Sept. It has been AWESOME. Five semester to Bachelor's. I can't wait to be done and have one more goal checked off the ole bucket list. Kyle says I should keep going for master's I say probably not. Don't really care to be an eternal student. We shall see.

Joanie, I think you should be a clothing designer or interior decorator. You just have the natural eye for cool things. I would love it if you could help me re-do the "stuff" on the top of my kitchen cabinets. I've had the same stuff for 3 houses now - boorrring.....

Nell, It will be cool to have you back close again. Even though I don't see you a lot, it would still be cool to know I could. I hope you are feeling better these days.

Bonnie, way to go with the jeans. I remember when I got back into my jeans after Sophie, they didn't fit the same, but hey I could do up the button!

Well, now that I have figured this out I will try to visit/post often. I think we should start thinking toward another sister's weekend. Maybe next summer. The one we had 6 years ago brings such fond memories. We need to do it again!!!

How I fill my time.

You may have heard that the temperatures in Dallas are record setting highs, and we have also been experiencing  a severe drought. It's too hot to play at the park, so this is how we spend our time...

Bridgette will soon be able to draw the chalk world from Mary Poppins.

I have also started running again, in the gym, not outside. For two months I focused solely on weights & building muscle, which definitely bulked up my legs. Now I'm in the "cutting" phase. I miss running outside. That's really the one thing I miss about Eagle Mountain-- the running trails were wonderful!

I'm excited to return to UT in a few weeks & run outside. I'm not sure where we'll be living yet, I've seen a few cute apartments, but they go like hotcakes! We'll find some place, well, because we have to : )

Well, Bridgette is crouching over in the corner grunting, which can only mean one thing... I have to go!

I have come to the realization:

period pieces are my favorite genre.

last night I watched all 4 episodes of North & South

{BBC style - not Yankee style}

although it really was not "great"

I would much rather watch a movie from that time period

{for relaxation purposes}

than any other form of movie.

{p.s. -- this movie showed the unromantic and grimy English style of living back in the day.  Kind of put a damper on things... I would much rather relive that time period in ball gowns, top hats, clean clothes, toilets, and pretend that it was all lovely all the time... in an unrealistic manner, of course}

(& the main character might resemble a certain Hugh Jackman a tiny bit.  maybe.)

there you have it.

one of the many conclusions I have made about myself this summer.....

*sigh*

Sorry guys. I am terrible at this. I used to be a regular blogger, and..well... I haven't updated my own blog in about 3 months. Life has become H.E.C.T.I.C. I know you all care SO much, but here's my daily schedule:

Up at 4:30AM (if not before), out of the house at 6. 

Work by 7 and home around 4:30 after picking up the kids.

Get some laundry switched around, pick up toys, get Adam fed, bathed and in bed about 6:30 PM. 

Then I have about 3 hours to get my housework done, which now includes 95% of the things Shane used to be "in charge" of. 

Make Shane's lunch for the next day and see him off at 10:30 PM.

Get my last-minute stuff done and HOPEFULLY be asleep by 11:45 :(  

 I need to learn how to budget that 3 hours of "me" time better, I guess because I can't seem to keep up with my chores!!

Anyway, I have to say this because I'm pretty excited about it. I was able to actually wear the pants I had before I gained the weight from BEFORE getting pregnant with Adam. I wore them all day! That was a good motivator for me to keep my dieting. I may not have the most conventional diet plan, but it's working - slowly, but surely!

I have a quandary... Shane is working 2 intense jobs. He is burning the candle at both ends and has another flame melting the wax in the middle. Well, lately the ladies in my office have kind of been rotating having Lia Sophia (awesome jewelry) parties and anyway, I've started thinking about doing it. It's not an MLM at all and  if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work --- no fees or anything like that! 

Anyway, I'm a person who needs CONSTANT reassurance when I'm about to do something different. So, tell me.... yay or nay....? Feedback?

Well, anyhow - the Jeans thing is the highlight of my week, thus far. I guess I better get back to laundry. 

I have become an emotional eater.
Thus - the distraught attitude over wearing jeans again.
I was jogging/walking before Arizona.
Now...
 I jog to the kitchen for - if nothing else - a handful of chocolate chips
which, if I am to be completely honest, do NOT completely indulge my sorrows of self pity.

with chocolate stained hands
I walk to the couch - my next position would be the sitting move....
{it really works those upper thighs}.
truly.
ok.
not really.
I do clean, run errands, do miscellaneous things...
my fingers type as I am instant messaging Mike while he's busy working out his brain muscles....
does that count?

HELP!
seriously.
help.

we had girls camp last week.
(Kaylene was our excellent cook for that one - she did an amazing job, of course.  She should do this as a job)
I had a job interview today for a receptionist at an orthodontist's office....
I actually had taken David here to see about braces, this Ortho was by far the most knowledgeable, kind, and organized out of the 4 or 5 I looked into.
His receptionists were darling (and so very kind).
We shall see.  I would Love this position.....  I will leave it at that and try not to jinx myself.

We continue to look for a rental.  A lot depends on if I have a job this fall ---

Nell - sorry I didn't send back your text.  I am not ignoring you, really ---

I think every person I texted the week before last --- or called --- never got back to me.  I was beginning to think that I was living in a perfect storm - me being in the middle of a tornado, everyone else in sunshine and bliss, not knowing that I was reaching out via cell service for someone, ANYONE!  

so....  you are not alone in the world of the living, or not living.  I, @ least, am alive.

when are you coming back to UT?

do you know where you are going to look to live?
do we need to find something quick so you can maybe live here?

hope you are well.!!!!