my dream

As soon as I look this good I will begin chasing my true passion.

Merry Go Round and Growing Up

Last week I found a merry-go-round on one of my runs! I love merry-go-rounds! I mentioned this to Steve when we were dating and he surprised me once with a drive to Elberta, UT and the best merry-go-round. This is still one of my sweetest memories with Steve.

Well, the weather has been pure misery, but then this evening a cool tickle of a breeze came out. The kids and I walked to this new park and I introduced Jack to the merry-go-round. We took it nice and slow.

Enter: Michael. Our new, four-year-old friend. Michael wanted us to really experience the merry-go-round, but I encouraged him to keep things slow so that no one got queasy. Michael's mom was nearby listening and probably thinking I was too cautious.

Jack and Michael ran around to visit the teeter totter, swings, sand etc and then came back to the merry-go-round. Long story short. Jack gave Michael a ride that he'll never forget. It wasn't fast. Really! I was watching and right there. Michael did that nasty cough that any a mother will recognize with pain. Three times he puked right there on the merry-go-round with Jack horrified and my jaw dropping. Grapes. Oh man...I kept apologizing and hefty Mikey clambered down to the grass. His mom didn't seem too happy...

I feel like Anne Shirley after Diana gets herself drunk on Marilla's current wine! Oh good grief. Worst of all, I kept having fits of giggles on the way home and Jack wanted to know why. If Leisy were along she would have a picture of the vomit, but I couldn't do it. I did take a picture before the main event though.

A Few Glimpses

The window between the kitchen and living room

Thanks G&G Leavitt! Jack is constantly working on projects!

Isn't this awesome! I'm keeping this forever. I kind of feel like this picture (Griff was up sick last night and Daddy has been gone forEVER)

OH Utah...how I didn't think I would miss you, but the humidity here is suffocating me!

My first kiddo bathroom! Thanks to mom, it's all decked out and darling!

I've been meaning to walk around and take some pictures, but I'm so exhausted....okay and I'm in the middle of a really great book (These Is My Words!!!). Things have moved in quickly. By about day number five I really did feel at home. Now I need to get the courage to tackle the garage.

The Wiemers came just in time to cheer me up. Then they left and made me REALLY miss home and everything and everyone familiar. It was SO FUN for me. Thanks guys!
Here's the old gang reunited and they tried to convince me they didn't need bathes after playing outside. Look at those faces!
Being the "baby".
Being the mom-Uh Oh Erin! :)

homeless/wanderer

"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests"

ps - if Hailey starts asking anyone if they know any nice guys who are good with kids, put in a good word for me. I will be coming home to Chicagoland some day.

Home Again, Home Again

Welcome home pirate style (would you expect any different from this family?)

Naperville Riverwalk with cousins Katie and Taylor

Gelato at Gelati!

Chicago

Our Pirate Voyage to see the city!

This is long in coming I realize, and to make matters worse I don't have a great collection of photos. Apparently I've been too preoccupied! :) Everything has gone so nicely. We must have stock piled our blessings for this move because it's been fairly enjoyable. The drive (with mom's help) was actually fun! The kids were SO good. Jack never threw a fit and Griffy wasn't too fussy and the AC worked all but about thirty minutes. I really love our new area. It's close to just about everything and charming. Our home was put together fairly quickly and our new friends at church are great. Of course I'm missing the family, friends and mountain air, but the future looks promising.

An Era Ending

Does the picture tell the whole story? There is no glamor in moving, but many telltale signs. No one is sad for our move. It's been a long work that bring us to tomorrow morning, a moving truck and a long drive. It's actually sad. I didn't know if I would feel that emotion swirl around with all the others, but I certainly do and so does Steve.

I wish I had another picture to post. A picture of Steve in doctoral robes. That picture may or may not grace our blog in August, but I do get to say how incredibly proud I am of his accomplishment. He is officially a doctor and I'll claim that title also. He'll never own up to his achievement, but I LOVED every second of his Defense and I was amazed by the completeness of his work and his ideas. He's incredibly brilliant and his faith has blessed our family in so many beautiful ways.

For those of you wondering why Steven doesn't know if he'll walk across a stage for graduation, never forget his ability to know and speak his mind. You might consider any of the following topics:
graduation ceremonies
circumcision
Glen Canyon
Mount Meadow Massacre
evolution
non-native plants in Utah