Trading Places

Brant and are, as usual, going against the norm. We officially entered our phase of role-reversal. He stays at home, while I go to work. So far so good. Of course, we're still in the honeymoon stage. For me, compared to four months of no family it seems awesome just to have a family to come home to at night.

Brant was busy explaining to me everything he got done today. He said, "It looks like I haven't done anything, but I really have. I've unpacked so many boxes and done laundry." I had to laugh. I told him I know exactly how he feels--trust me.

I would say the kids are adjusting well--but they really don't seem to need any adjustment. They happy as can be in their new rooms. They sleep well--mostly because they have a private room and are uninterrupted. Porter loves the top bunk--although Lane has figured out how to climb up to the top already. That kid! He's a daredevil.

Madison got hit in the face with a baseball. Porter said she wasn't paying attention when he threw it. That's why he got hit. Dona, Vicki, Mom--I don't even want to hear it--I know you know and are laughing about the time that happened to me. Dona threw a baseball and I wasn't paying attention. I got a bloody nose. Luckily, Madison just got a couple of fat lips--yes they're both as swollen as a bee sting.

That's all folks!

We're not in Kansas anymore...or Vegas

This past weekend we made the final trek from Vegas to St. George. I was so excited. I woke up several times Friday. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve. I took the shuttle to Vegas and we finished up the few things we could get into the U-haul. Brant got a U-haul that was way too small for the amount of stuff we had. Needless to say, lots of stuff got left. I guess that is a good excuse to go back and visit.

It's funny how you can look forward to something so much, you often overlook the things you're going to miss when they're gone. Rhonda, my mother-in-law is such an amazing grandmother. She has the patience of Job. In addition to watching my children--all 3 and under--she also takes care of Heather's daughter Isabella who is 5 months younger than Lane. It's practically like two sets of twins. Not only does she keep them alive, she has a schedule that includes meals, snacks, story time, and activities. She still cleans the house like a madwoman and manages to take a college course once a week. Not to mention, that a day never goes by without her studying her scriptures. And she gets dressed, puts her makeup on, and does her hair. She's definitely a superwoman. It's been so fun getting to know her over the past few years. I think of all the things I am going to miss it will be having her around so much. There are not many people who can say their mother-in-law is one of their best friends. We've already planned trips to spend holidays together. One thing that is nice about our move is we are close enough to visit often.

We both have been dying to go to the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City so that a definite must. I have only been through the temple for one year now. Rhonda and I used to go to the temple almost every week before I moved to St. George. We decided we can go together when she comes to St. George to visit.

The kids are having a blast. I think they think we are on vacation. Although, last night Porter decided he wanted me and Brant to be Grandma and Grandpa. He said Madison is his Mom. I think he misses Grandma and Grandpa.

Madison made her parents...and grandma...very proud

Madison did an amazing job on her Primary talk. I put something together last weekend so that she could have all week to work on it. Her Dad and Grandma helped her practice. I had pictures of colored paper that went along with her poem. I was only hoping she would be familiar with the talk so that when I helped her with what to say, she would at least have practiced it. My little star had the whole thing memorized. I was so impressed.

On Saturday, I received a call from her Primary teacher confirming that she would be talking on Sunday. She told me that Madison kept asking when it would be her turn to get up and talk. So, that's why they assigned her to give a talk. She's already an aspiring public speaker. I'm so proud.

I was talking to my sister Kim about how happy I am that I have a daughter like Madison. I said she is perfect for me. I couldn't have custom-ordered a more perfect daughter. Kim said, "I think all of my sisters think that. They all think their daughters are perfect for them." I thought about it and realized that's because our daughters are like us. Dona's daughter Brooke is alot like her mother; Vicki's daughter Jayley is an athletic, happy-go-lucky, could-care-less for boys girl; Bobbi's daughter Emy is a social bug that loves to dance; and Madison is incredibly smart. How funny that we have daughter's that have our personalities. Kim reluctantly said she must be going to have more girls because Kaylor is nothing like her. She is pretty cute though.

Me, Brant, and Rhonda (my mother-in-law) all sat on the back row as we waited for Madison's talk. We were giddy with excitement. I laughed at the scene because we were all obviously first-timers. We were proud parents and Rhonda is a proud grandma. I joked about filming her and taking pictures, but said that would probably be too much. Rhonda said, "I have my camera! Do you think it would be too obvious?" We both laughed because we really wanted to take pictures of her, but felt that would be too irreverent. Brant whipped out his new "Droid" phone and said he could film her talk and be very inconspicuous. I whole-heartedly encouraged him. So, we do have her first public appearance on a phone video. It was amazing.

In case you're interested, this is what she said:

Red is for the blood He gave
Green is for the grass He made
Orange is for the edge of night
Yellow is for the Sun so bright
Black is for the sins we made
White if for the grace he gave
Purple is for his hour of sorrow
Pink is for a new tomorrow

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, they we might not perish and dwindle in unbelief.

I am thankful for all that Jesus has done for me. I love my family...and my grandma. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

So much to blog...so little time

I just got back to St. George and have to rush to get ready for work, but I have so much I want to blog about. It'll have to wait til later. Stay tuned for more on Madison's talk and an official moving date. I took this picture in the car after church. I tried taking pictures of Lane--but, like his Daddy he hates the camera. They were a little disappointed with Primary when they first started, but are now very enthusiastic. They Primary teacher has won them over with cool crafts and chocolate.

Lane and his temperament

This is what Lane looks like when he wakes up. It takes about half an hour...or a bottle to get him happy. He takes after me. Let's just say I'm not very friendly when I get woke up. He also has this thing where he doesn't really like me taking pictures of him. He gets that from his Dad. The twins love the camera. (See pictures below.)

Madison's first talk in Primary

I know I'm an old Mom 'cause I'm pushin' forty, but can't I still get excited when my eldest child--who's only 3--gets chosen to give her first talk in Primary? Madison came home with a sticker from church. She is assigned to give a talk in Primary on February 7th. I'm so excited! I'm not sure what to do though--any ideas? Brant are already grinning about going to Primary to watch her. We even traded weekends--they were going to go to St. George next weekend--but I'm going to come here again so she can give her talk. I know--I'm overexcited, but despite my age, I'm still a first timer at alot of this stuff.

Awesome 80's

So...I'd never pass up a chance to dress in 80's clothes. We're promoting a new product call Flashback, so for work we were able to dress in our favorite "flashback" era. Of course, I chose 80's. Flipped collar, big hair, heavy makeup, and leg warmers. What more could a girl ask for. My Service Coordinators (who are half my age) said I looked like an old lady who had never left her high school years. Vicki and I used to laugh at those ladies. They were stuck in whatever era they went to high school. We swore we would never do that. Dressing up once in a while doesn't count, but I sure do miss the 80's.

Another week

Here I am at the end of another week and not much has happened. I think blogging is rather dull when you remove all of the cute things your kids do. I am happy to report that Brant brought the family over yesterday and will be staying here for the weekend. We have set a date for them to move--by February 15th. I am so excited. It's going to be like Christmas. It is always fun to settle into a new house and routine.

Last night was the first night Porter and Madison have slept in separate rooms. They have had a few times where they weren't together when they were babies--but this is the official separation of the twins. Brant thought Madison would want to sleep with "her boys." That's what she calls them. But, she was quit anxious to leave them and go to her own room with her own bed. She even shut the door when she went to bed.

This morning, I asked Porter and Madison what they liked most about their new house. Madison said she liked her bed and her own room. Porter said he liked that his Mom was here. (Aaah....he's my sweetheart...I don't care if he is a Momma's boy.)

When I came home from work yesterday, Brant had the kids sitting quietly at the table and he was fixing dinner. I joined the kids and we waited for the food. I can definitely get used to having a man-wife...especially if he cleans the toilets and vacuums.

Thank Goodness It's Friday

Only one more work day...and then it's back to Vegas. I love my job, but I miss my family. Hope to get them in the same place soon! I don't have as much stuff to write about without the kids around.

My life is pretty boring. I work, come home and piddle with cleaning or setting a few things up. I've been trying to exercise more, but can't say I'm a hundred percent committed yet. With no TV, I've plenty of time to catch up on reading and listening to motivational CD's. You'd think I'd have my life perfect.

Any Ideas, Anyone?

I am in charge of a fundraising for work. I will have a group of students working with me...I want to raise about $5,000. Any ideas?

Weekend's over too fast

What a wonderful weekend with my family. We had so much fun. It was nice to be together. The kids were so restless I felt like we needed to get outside and play. It was a nice 63 degrees in Vegas and the sun was shining. They were resistant to go outside, but once they did we had so much fun. We played in the dirt and I chased them around. Is it bad that your 3 year olds can run faster than you? I'm going to have to work on that.

I had to coax them into letting me take a picture with my phone. The twins insisted on putting their hoods up since Lane was wearing a hat. That devious grin on Lane's face is a devious grin! He's my little devil child. Sweet, but what a temper. And, look at the meat hooks that kid has. He's only a shoe size behind Porter and Madison. He's going to make the little bunch look like a group of triplets if he keeps growing at this rate.

Brant and I went to Avatar this weekend. We saw it in an IMAX with 3D. It was very, very cool. I have to say I really liked it. I'm not much of a movie buff, but this one was good. I highly recommend it. Actually, I don't know anyone who hasn't liked it.

Now I'm back in St. George--living my other life--bachelorette working Mom. I'll sleep well, look good, and gets lots of sleep. But, I'll miss the little ones.

I am sitting in a ham radio class

That's the text my Mom sent to me when she didn't answer my phone call. I had to laugh...but also have alot of admiration for. She is 63 years old and she still is doing new things and she's very active. Last week she went with all the guys to hang out with them while they were snowboarding. She was out there taking pictures and being with the boys. I hope I am just as active and ready to try out new things in 24 years.

The long distance relationship continues

Brant brought the kids over this weekend. This was the first time they got to see our new house. They had a blast chasing each other through the empty rooms. We have bunkbeds set up in the boys room. Madison loved that she is the only girl in the "girls room." They played in the back yard. Porter kept asking me if this was Travis' house. They have no memory of living in a house that wasn't someone else's. I kept telling them it was just our house. They slept until at least 8 every morning.

We're still living in two cities, because we need to save a little more money. We need a few basics like a washer and dryer, microwave, dining table, and mattresses. We can probably live without everything else for awhile. We're going to alternate weekends--I'll go over there one weekend; and the kids will come over here the next.

It's rough, but could be alot worse. I'm sure the time will pass quickly and we'll all be under the same roof soon! Can't wait. Until then...we keep plugging along.

I really don't mean to be ungrateful but...

...an external hard drive to back up the overflow on our computer?!?! That's what he went to Fry's for? I mean...it is a practical thought, but I was a little excited about the setup. I guess when you get a good tease, you're just expecting more. I had visions of laptops, netbooks, blackberry's, Ipods, and digital cameras dancing in my head. A slim black box with a 360 GB capacity just didn't do it for me. Too much anticipation. And...P.S....he DID get me a digital photo keyring too!

Surprise? Or, Suprise!

Brant left the house to get me my "other" Christmas present. He said it wasn't going on sale until after Christmas. He's going to Fry's...now I can't wait. I really wanted a Netbook...or maybe it's a new camera. I hope he's not getting me a digital keyring or something now that's he gotten my hopes up.