New Mexico

We finally arrived in New Mexico.  Doug is still driving and I'm sure he'll have a lot of fun stories for me when he  pulls in, but for now it's just me and the kids for a little bit.  I honestly did not know if I would make it through this move.  I've moved before, but for some reason I was miserable every minute of this move.  From the organizing, to the packing, and finally cleaning...I was miserable.  Thanks to my mom for coming to help pack and organize a month in advance, and for Doug picking me up at the end and plowing through the rest....I am so thankful!  We still have to unload in a few days, but I'm feeling like I can start healing.

Today I am so thankful for my family.  Doug is the most amazing husband ever...so positive and always in good spirits.  His jokes and goofy comments helped us get through.  We both have always liked change so it is a bit puzzling to me why this move has been so hard.  I think part of the reason may be that we grew so much as a couple, as parents, and as a family in Florida.  We learned how to really take care of each other and learned how to be parents and not go insane in the process.  It's hard to leave a place and people that you have come to love so much.  The memories I have of these last 4 years will always be precious to me.  

While I have been suffering through the move...the kids have been loving every minute of it.  They loved the messy house and the rooms that began to empty out leaving little homes for them and their stuffed pets to squeeze into.  They loved the plane ride.  They made some great friends...everyone from the stewardess to everyone in ear shot of us.  They told great stories, played 20 questions, and laughed nearly the entire trip.  Whenever a problem would arise, Dallin would kiss Brooke on the hand and she immediately forgave him.  In return if Dallin bothered her, she told him, "I'm going to tell Santa, then you'll be sorry."  That also was received with immediate forgiveness.  They are great kids and are excited for all things to come.  I'm learning from them and trying not to let all the details ruin the experience.  I'm glad to be West and happy to be back in dry weather.  I guess if I have to leave Florida, the hot sticky summer is the best time.  

Some fun comments on the trip:

Dallin:  "So Aunt Julie has a baby in her tummy.  When it comes out it will have on a diaper and clothes.  Do all babies come born with clothes and diapers?"

Brooke: During the landing she yelled (so the entire plane could hear), "Help everyone, we are crashing!  Dallin hold my hand the plane is going into the ground!"

Brooke:  "Who-buddy lives in this place?"

Dallin:  "So is this what the desert looks like?"

Dallin: "I thought we were moving where it snows?"

Brooke:  "Did Dad get my doll dresses into the truck?"  Very important!!!

Doug's dad flew out to make the drive with him.  While we finished packing and cleaning he took the kids out for us.  I guess they headed down to the beach and Dallin asked Papa if he was lost because they had passed the same thing 3 times or if it was just so that he could see it 3 times.

  

Happy Father's Day!

This year we are all enjoying Father's Day!  Doug and I are both very thankful for Sunday and a nice break from packing & cleaning.  The Primary kids sang in church today and Dallin almost missed it.  Doug took him to the bathroom and made it back in time for Dallin to run up and join in on the chorus.  Afterward he asked me if he missed the first song.  I asked which one he was talking about and he said, "You know...the Mother's Day song.  Did I miss singing that one first, before the dad one?"  These holidays are just a bit too confusing for the kids.  In fact while we were shopping for Doug this week he asked me when Kids Day was, "Because I really don't want you to forget that day.  That's the day I can do everything I want to!"  Brooke looked like a little angel up there singing!  Unfortunately she doesn't sound much like one.  We get a kick out of her singing at least one word behind everyone else, loud, and off key!  Can't get enough of that sweet little face & all that energy!

More Sunday fun:
Sister Hientz (our awesome primary president): Can you tell us where you are moving?
Dallin & Brooke in unison:  To Mexico!
I didn't realize that moving to New Mexico would cause such confusion.  I was changing our water bill & gave the lady at Davie water our new address and she told me that they didn't mail internationally.  I said that was fine because we are going to New Mexico.  She continued to explain that she couldn't send my bill there and after several attempts and explaining that it is the State of New Mexico in the United States of America she finally gave up.  Truly gave up...she still did not get it.  I was shocked!

There is a little room off the side of the Bishops office where the kids and I usually wait while Doug does tithing after church.  Dallin loves to sit in the chair behind the desk and pretend to teach us lessons.  Today he asked me what I wanted him to teach us and I told him that he could pick any topic he wanted.  He then said, "I wasn't born with very much think so you'll have to decide.  I was born with a little think, but not so much think."  Brooke then chimed in and said, "Me have think, how 'bout Jesus Christ." Dallin said that was a great idea, but then started teaching his lesson on the Word of Wisdom.

We have loved living in Florida so much & are really going to miss our ward.  We have had great opportunities and have been blessed with so many great friends and examples.  It was hard for me to leave the primary room today knowing that I won't be there next week.  It's going to be so hard to leave.  Thankfully I have my sister in New Mexico, otherwise Doug would have a hard time pulling me out of our place.

I was looking for a Unicorn...

While Doug's family was in town, his dad wanted to go see the Fishing Hall of Fame.  We all went down and spent some time in Bass Pro Shop & then headed over to see all the amazing fishing stuff.  After the museum we started to walk over to the restaurant (it ended up being too expensive for our little outing) but on our way out, Dallin told everyone that he saw lots of Iguanas when we were walking over.  No one believed him until he pulled back the branches of a tree and we saw a bunch of  them sunning by the pond.  Iguanas have become really normal to us and not nearly as cool as they where when we first arrived in Florida.  At least the kids don't get really excited over then anymore.  In fact, when Aunt Birdy asked Dallin how he found them, he told her that he was looking for a unicorn, but found them instead!  Darn Iguanas...they keep scaring off the unicorns!

Pure Exhaustion!

I am absolutly exhausted!  We are in the middle of our move, and I never want to do this again...it makes me very thankful that Doug decided against the military.  I'm not tough enough for all this!


I'm sick of looking at this...

and this....

I can't wait until it's all in the truck and we're on our way!!!

Saying Bye

We said goodbye to great friends today!  It has been such a journey here in Dental School and we couldn't have made it through without our friends.  Dallin & Brooke were sad to say goodbye, but I think they figure they will see them in a few days...it's hard to tell if they really understood what was happening.  I on the other hand was very aware and was so sad to see them go!  I guess that means our time is up and we're next to pull out!!

more fishing...

This is one of my favorite pictures...in one of my favorite places!  We took the kids to Wolf park on Sunday afternoon.  They played by the water while Doug and I relaxed.  It felt so good to be outside & in nature. 

Brooke decided that she wanted to catch one of the tiny fish she saw.  I gave her a tic-tac container that I had and told her she could try.  I really didn't expect much success.  However....

She caught one within minutes!  She was so excited and said, "her name is girl fish and I'm her Muver (mother)!"

Dallin had some success too.

Fishing

When Doug's family was here, the boys went up to the school to fish.  They caught quite a few fish and had a lot of fun.  Dallin loves fishing with Doug and it was twice as much fun with Grandpa!

Graduation...best day ever!!!

Doug graduated from Dental School!!!  It was great to have his family down to help us celebrate.  I am so proud of Doug.  I was completely overwhelmed with emotion the entire day.  He has worked so hard and has accomplished so much.  I am so excited that he is going to be working in a field that he loves so much. He has a lot to be proud of!!

Best buds!  Doug & Mark walking in to the big Graduation.

The kids were actually really good at the graduation!  Dallin kept asking when they were going to call Doug's name & despite peeing all over the floor and her shoes...Brooke was great!  It helped that Aunt Birdy spoiled the kids with a Jamba Juice half way through the ceremony!

Family Time

We were able to spend lots of time at the beach & in the pool!  We had beautiful weather & loved spending every minute outside.

The hotel that Papa got for the weekend was amazing!  We all had fun at the pool, but Dallin also spent lots of time on this slide!  He had the time of his life.

Wolf Park

We spent Sunday afternoon at Wolf Park.  That is one thing that I am going to miss...relaxing by the pond.  It's about 15 degrees cooler there and makes for a great spot to relax.

Road trip to Disney

After Doug finished his requirements for Dental School we took a road trip up to Disney World.
We had a lot of fun, but were absolutely exhausted by the time we got home. It's a trip we will remember for ever & we made some great memories.

Looks like it's raining right?

Raining Bugs!!

We were already hot & tired from the car ride, but we couldn't resist
heading over to Magic Kingdom for a few hours.

Doug & Brooke in what turned out to be one of my favorites
just because of the great air conditioning (It's a Small World).

Dallin thought he was strong enough...it was quite a disappointment for him!

Disney Part 2

The next few days all blurred together for me. We had great moments & loved every bit of our break!

This was I think the highlight for the kids. They got to see all the characters on stage & really enjoyed the little performance.

Brooke's favorite was the carousel!

Dallin loved all the wet rides. He went on Splash Mountain at least 6 times!

Getting soaked in Amimal Kingdom. (Brooke & I joined them twice, but she was done after that...I think they went 4 more times without us)!

My kids enjoyed the skeletons much more than the living animals.
(Rhino Skull)

This section of the park was a big mistake on our part! The 3D Bugs Life was too much for the kids. Dallin was crying hysterically through the whole thing. Go figure...he could handle Tower of Terror with Doug, but the bugs in 3D were a little too real!

Pink Singlet

Brooke loves to wrestle with Doug & Dallin. She thinks she is so tough & I'll mention that even though she is quite the opposite, she has great tough girl faces! One day she found this pink singlet....at least that is what she uses it for. It is now her favorite outfit & she wants to wear it everywhere.