Moving To The Country

Well, it's not a farm or anything, but it's a small community about 20 minutes outside the city. We've been talking about this for a while now. We even tried selling our house, but I guess the timing wasn't right. Now we've found a place we like (dusty pink walls and all) and have made an offer which has been accepted.
HOWEVER...we still have to sell our house in the city. Where we still live. The sooner the better.

Which brings us to my 'favorite' point. Trying to have a house ready to show, while still living in it with 3 small, but lively children. The constant picking up and stashing all our personal affects, to give the illusion of a homey home where NO REAL PEOPLE LIVE is exhausting. Did I mention the children. Yes, they are ever so helpful. And 'lively'. And the constant state of 'flux' we find ourselves in...I can't keep track of where everything is 'put away'. And no, I am not an organized-brain person. This is all a special kind of hell to me.
Ironically my husband considers the new tidiness and de-cluttering a special kind of heaven. Even if it's fake.

Note to Universe:
Please send someone to love (or just really like) and buy our current home. And send them right over!
Thank You.

And while I'm not 100% excited about moving, I am warming up to the idea. There are some great points about our new locale.
- lots of space in the house (not that we are cramped here, but it's nice to have open space)
- more room in the yard (one of our favorite things, lots of trees)
-hot tub and sauna (of course the kids will be thrilled with the new 'pool')
-husband loves being away from the noise of the city
-lots of outdoor places to play (skating rinks, pathways, river, playground, etc) It's good for little boys and girls, and big boys and girls too.
-fantastic new school (I went out to check out the kindergarten program and it's amazing - the whole school looks/sounds amazing)
-remodeling (it will be fun to take our time and update the 80's theme - not fun while you're in the middle of it, but when it's finished!)
-I like the idea of having friends over (big and little) and enjoying our surroundings. We're hoping we can lure people to come out and visit/play!

And the stuff I'm still working on:
-all the driving (I almost ran out of gas on my way back from the school. Yes, I know, better planning on my part)
-it will now take an hour of driving to go to the gym. Will have to revise work out plans.
-we have some great neighbors here. The kids and I will really miss them. Part of my problem is that I worry we won't meet any other really great people. It's probably not the case, but it's a fear. Although I've told the kids that we'll meet new friends. And we can visit our friends here.
-I will miss our ward at church. I'm not super easy to get to know and it takes me a while to settle in with new people. I know we're not leaving the country or anything and we'll see them again, but it's not the same. I will miss the company and friendships we've made here.

And now I have some laundry to find and a million bins to fill...

Mani Pedi

I rarely ever get my nails done, but I like to paint my toes. And since The Babe is my constant companion, it's only natural that she should have hers painted too! We chose a clear gloss with a sparkle. You know, that kind that looks good on and doesn't really show too much as it wears off. Perfect. And on her fingernails while we were at it. Oh sure, the boys would probably enjoy it too, but some things we like to save for us girls!

Baby Girl 31 Months

Oh my baby girl. Such a woman of extremes. This months theme seems to be, am I a baby? or am I a big girl? Or maybe I'm a teenager?

At times she wants to play baby and will ask me to wrap her up and carry her in my arms. And so I do. And the next minute she is fiercely independent and DOES NOT require any help, thank you very much. And then she's crying because she can't get her socks on.

We play this little game where we make a scowly face and then a happy face and back and forth until we start laughing. It's always funny.

The Babe and The Bug are pretty tight these days. He can be really sweet with her and plays happily with her and her toys (not flinging them around the room like certain 'other' brothers).

The three of them together, however, are like a little cliche in jr. high. They constantly natter on about who is friends with who and who likes the other and on and on....and on. Non-stop nattering. It drives me crazy. The Babe tries her hardest to make sure she is a full-fledged member of the group and not just the little sister. She is always keeping up. Always trying to be an equal. And she does a good job of it. It's a little scary what my sweet baby learns from her big brothers though.

me: I love you
Babe: I love you poopy (crazy giggling)
(they've also taught her to say 'toopid'. nice)

I am the oldest child in my family. Of all my cousins. I never felt the need to keep up with anyone. Too exhausting! I'm sure her fearlessness and drive will serve her well in life. And I hope that she will have the chance to figure out that she doesn't have to keep up. And those big brothers better watch out!

Darcie and Julia

This shoot was a surprise for Christmas so I finally get to show it! I love getting action shots of toddlers, because they are always in motion. It's so fun and you get to see so much personality! Wheeee! I also love the interaction between the two of them. So sweet.

New Year

Wow. Here we are another year. Another decade!
10 years ago I was in Bali. I had just spent New Year's eve climbing a volcano with my Charming Sweetheart (not yet hubby, and some other tourists and some Indonesians) to watch to sun come up over the mountain top to celebrate the new millenium. And the world did not self destruct! Not in that moment anyway. I was 29 years old and I knew that some of the most exciting events of my life were likely to happen in the next few years.
So now 10 years later I am married to my Charming travel companion. I have twin boys and a daughter. I am not climbing volcanoes this year, but my boys will turn 5 and start kindergarten. We will likely change where we live. My baby will turn 3 and I will turn 40. Charming Husband is hard at work with great aspirations.
There are a ton of areas in my life that could use improvement. Oh my list of resolutions could go on and on...
But besides the perpetual self improvement aspirations, I'd like to focus on some creative goals this year. Which is great fun with all the talent available at my fingertips! I'd love to take on online photography course or perhaps even a workshop in person...dare to dream! I KNOW.

And thanks to you all my sweet family and creative friends. The ones I know in person, and the ones who share the blog-love. Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for your comments and support. Thanks for your encouragement. Thanks for your great ideas. Thanks for making my days more than laundry and emptying the dishwasher!

And Happy Happy Happy New Year 2010!