We made it!

So... on our way to Boulder Colorado I took some pictures with my phone - ya know - partly out of boredom, partly out of interesting scenery, but mostly out of boredom. Our main stop about half way to Boulder, was in a little tiny town called Rawlins, Wyoming. Anyone heard of it? I found it incredibly...Wyoming-ish. Just the kind of place you'd think would be in Wyoming... nothing against Wyoming- it was actually quite a beautiful landscape to drive through, not very populated, which I guess in a way is sort of refreshing. Anyway what was so great about our stop was this beautiful church that didn't match the run-down-ness of the town, and this little Thai food restaurant called "Anong"and it was really really yummy. We hate hate hate the usual Wendy's, Burger King, KFC, Subway stops that usually exist on road trips and we wanted anything but fast food, and well the Thai food was more than satisfactory.

So below are some pictures from the road and some pictures of our new place. At first we were a little overwhelmed with the amount of junk and lack of organization in the house, but after a few days of getting settled and moving stuff around, it has become cozy and comfortable.

Jared's new job is refreshing for him. It is this huge warehouse. It is so crowded that there desks everywhere (even in hallways), and because interns are on the bottom of the priority list, their desks are the kitchen tables located in the kitchen. There is free soda machines and plenty of other perks. They allow dogs at work, people ride their bikes around the warehouse to get from office to office or desk to bathroom. They have bikes and snowboards available to borrow. They don't care when you show up or when you leave, just as long as you meet your deadlines. It is very casual, yet very professional. They expect a lot from you, but understand that creativity requires an environment free of obstacles that would impede creative thinking (example: ties, rules, cubicles, no food, etc) which is why the environment is so relaxed. So let's just say it is a very perfect place for Jared. He's only been there for a couple of days so there's not much to report yet, but so far he is enjoying it.

Anyway so far it's been sunny, cozy, and friendly. Check in later for more updates.

Moving Forward

So I've just posted a few entries from Christmas and I have yet to post a couple more from Boise, soon to come. But I have some news to share with everyone.

My last day of teaching is this coming Friday the 22nd of January. We are all moving together as a family to Boulder, Colorado this weekend, and Jared starts his internship at Crispon Porter the following Tuesday. A sort of miracle has happened. Up until a few days ago we, let alone, Jared had no place to live in Boulder. Jared had been in contact with the bishopric in the ward we'll be attending, asking him to see if any ward members would be willing to house him for a couple of weeks until he gets a pay check and could find us a place. We have not heard a word from him, so Jared was planning on sleeping in the van in the parking lot of Crispon Porter, which for us has been a bit a touchy subject, but that's a story for another post.

So Jared posted an ad in craigslist that mentioned that he and his family were looking for fully furnished housing in Boulder, Colorado for 12 weeks for $800 a month. Well within 1 day of his ad this woman responded to his ad and told him she had a townhouse in Boulder and that she normally rents the place for $1200 a month, but would be able to do it for $800. So we've been working out a few details over the past few days and it has been settled. The place is fully furnished (including sheets, blankets, towels, dishes, utensils, a new queen size bed, two twin size beds, two bathrooms, a basement with a pool table, new carpet and counter tops, furniture, etc. the only downer about the place is that it is from the 70's and all the furniture is original to the house including the decor - so everything is a little "groovy" if you you will - like wood paneling on the walls and green bath tubs and sinks -YIKES - hopefully it's not haunted : )

One of the details was our dog Layla. This property doesn't usually allows animals, but we thought we'd try to ask and hope that they would make an exception. They have agreed to let us bring Layla, which was huge for me. I never really knew how attached I was to my dog until I was told that she would have to be left with family for the 12 week internship. She is such a comfort to our family. When Jared is not around she makes me feel safe, she keeps me company, and now she sleeps with Talen every night, and he will not go to bed unless she is laying next to him. She is just a big part of our family and I've grown very attached to her. She is such a great dog. She is so obedient and loving and friendly. She's never been a threat to anyone, she's never been destructive, and she's never had accidents in the house. Really she is the best breed of dog that anyone could have as part of their family. I'm so so happy that we can take her.

Those of you out there who are dog lovers probably know exactly how I feel and can understand how happily this news was received.

So we're going. And we can't wait to start our next adventure. We pray that something great will come of this and that it will finally be our turn to start our new life that we've been wanting and working so hard to achieve.

It's going to be hard. I'm never going to see my husband, the house we're living in is what you could say a little on the "ghetto" side, we have no friends or family out there, but it's hopefully going to be worth it. I'm excited to be home again with my babies, and to provide them with structure that they can depend on. They have had a rough 6 months, and I'm determined to focus all of my attention on them and give them the best experience that I can. All these transitions have been so hard on Talen. He's become very affected by all the changes, the loss of friends, the absence of his mommy, etc., and I'm hoping to help him turn around and to feel safe, secure, and happy. I'm just glad that they aren't any older than they are.

Anyone know anything about Boulder?

Temple Square

Okay, so the next few posts are from Christmas, but I figured I need to post them even though they are long over due, mostly for journaling purposes.


Before we went to Boise for Christmas we had a little Christmas here in Utah and we also went to Temple square to see the lights with the kids. It was a lot of fun and was absolutley freezing. After seeing the beautiful temple grounds and the nativity scene we finished the evening at Krispie Kream with doughnuts and hot chocolate. The kids loved watching how the doughnuts were made. I think if we would have let them they could have stayed and watched the doughnut -making process for hours. It's alwasy so fun to go see the lights at the temple and to see the carriages being pulled by horses, and this year we got to hear a street performer playing the bagpipes. It was very festive.

My mom also picked out a really cute dress for Kendal for Christmas but it didn't fit her right, so I took it back and got her a new Christmas dress. I bought her a gorgeous Christmas dress last season right after Christmas at the children's place that was $40 and was marked down to $5 - it was gold, pale pink, and black velvet and it was so so beautiful. Well it was and is still in storage and it kinda broke my heart that she wasn't able to wear it this year for Christmas, but at least I was able to get something that came in a close second. So also in this post are some pictures of everyone dressed up on Christmas Sunday.

The Salt Lake Temple

Sitting in front of the reflection pond

Kendal and Grandpa

My mom (Elaine) and me

Kendal dancing in the visitor's center

Talen took this photo and I love Kendal's smile - she looks like such a big girl.

Yes Kendal is sitting on Layla and yes my son is a little stinker face

That's better...

Talen and Kendal wrestling

Aren't they so sweet?

Build-a-Bear

For Talen's Christmas present this year we told Grandma Lainy that he had expressed interest in doing a build-a-bear. So she decided to take him on a special date for Christmas to do a build-a-bear. It was just perfect for him. He loved picking out his very own animal, and then watching the nice lady stuff the bear, he got to pick out a voice box, and then he got to put the heart in. It was so cute the lady had him rub the heart to warm it up and had him give it a kiss before putting it into the bear. Then he had to give the bear a bath and I think that was his favorite part. He loved pushing the pedal with his foot, which cause air to come out of this pipe to help blow all of the fuzz off the bear. Then he got to pick out an outfit and an accessory. His accessory of choice was a set of golf clubs since he had been golfing a few times with Grandpa before this excursion, and he loves to golf.

Then we registered the bear, made him a birth certificate and gave him a name. It was so cute because I asked him what he wanted to name his bear and he said, "mmmmmm.... Tylenol, with this huge smile on his face" and I said, "what, that is too silly, how about Ty?" and he said, "yeah, yeah Ty, Ty!" So his new bear had a name, an outfit, a birthdate, awesome shoes (black and white slip on's), and golf clubs. I think the whole experience meant a lot to him and I think he was the perfect age to really appreciate it. Now he sleeps with Ty every night. It is very cute.

stuffing the skin

warming up the heart

kissing the heart

bath time

pure joy

Thanks Grandma!

Christmas in Spanish Fork

So we had Christmas a few day before Christmas with my parents and it was great. Jared and I received a gift card to the movies, and a gift card to one of our favorite restaurants - Good Wood BBQ - and then another gift card from Cameron and Bethany to Blockbuster along with goodies for a date at home. Someone in the ward dropped off gifts on the door step, rang the door bell and ran and dropped off a gift for everyone in the family. Talen got a Lightning McQueen remote control car, Kendal got a little dolly, they each new outfits for Church, and Jared and I got a new blanket. I thought that was really sweet and thoughtful. Grandma and Grandpa spoiled the kids with new books and clothes. Grandma gave Kendal a big Tinkerbell doll too. It was a wonderful day packed with the build a bear date, then a Christmas dinner, and presents. Thanks, Mom and Dad for a great Christmas in Spanish Fork.

Kendal is Two!

It's been awhile. Life has been busy. I don't think I've ever had so little time in all my life, which is why I'm doing this post at the horrible hour of 12:48 am.

December started with Kendal's 2nd Birthday. We celebrated it by doing a Princess and the Frog party. We went to the Princess and the Frog movie, had a Princess Tiana cake and theme colored balloons. She got a Princess Tiana Barbie along with many other gifts. Grandma spoiled her and got her a princess necklace, a Madame Alexander Doll (that looks just like Kendal) some dress-up clothes and a plush tinkerbell doll to sleep with. Talen got her a little people fairy play set, that goes perfectly with the little people tree house that Grandma and Grandpa Davis got her, and mommy and daddy got her a new tea set to play with. She got a new dress and wore it all day long. We curled her hair and took tons of pictures. I was going to post them in cute scrapbook pages for everyone to ooh and ahh over, but our chord to our computer fryed itself so we are now computerless (all the birthday photos are on that now unaccess-able computer)But I must tell you they were adorable. She had a fabulous Birthday.

I did take some 2 year photos of her the other day in her tutu (the 1st one I've ever made) and I'm just so excited about them that I had to post them. Following this post I'll catch everyone up on the job search, my job and Christmas...so stay tuned. I also need to change my blog theme and playlist. One thing at a time I guess.

My favorite one

Laughing at her Daddy

This girl seriously hates the snow and I just love this photo

To cheer her up we gave her a lollipop

It worked

I am so so grateful for my beautiful Kendal, for the way she makes me smile everyday, the way she teaches me to be better, for her innocence, and her brilliance. When I look at her my life becomes simple for a moment and I remember what is really important. She is truly a very very special little girl and I just wish she would stop growing so that I can catch my breath and hold onto her a little longer as my baby. Time just goes by way too fast.
Happy Birthday little lady!

Happy Turkey Day

We had a great Thanksgiving that started with the Thanksgiving Parade on tv, followed by some relaxation, followed by a huge and flavorful Thanksgiving Meal,followed by scrubbing cranberries out of the carpet, followed by more relaxation, followed by a second Thanksgiving meal for the kids, which after begging for did not eat, followed by movie watching, football, and more relaxation.

I am thankful for my beautiful children who teach me humility, love, and patience everday, I'm thankful for my sweet husband, my friends who have taken care of us on so many occasions, the health of my family, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, my savior Jesus Christ, my job, Cameron, Bethany, Cory, Tanja, my parents, Cindy, Harry, Kelley, Tami, Brian, and all my nieces and nephews, freedom, the government for taking care of my little family in these hard times, my reliable mini van, and my dog - Layla. There are plenty more things to be grateful for, but these are a few.

I hope we can always count the blessing that we do have, instead of waiting for the day when we'll have enough blessings to be happy. (something I'm still learning)

Little Golfer

My Dad loves to Golf and has already taken Talen twice since we've been here. Talen lahuves to go with Grandpa and eat treats, ride on the golf cart, and practice his putting skills.