Worn out

I think this picture of Jilly is a small representation of how we all feel after packing up our house, loading the big truck, a two-day, 21.5 hour car trip with 5 kids and a dog, unloading the big truck, returning the big truck to Springfield, retrieving Ron's car from Springfield, moving furniture inside, slowly unpacking boxes, changing locks, situating the stuff in new surroundings, acclimating to a new ward, and getting started in baseball, school sign-ups, sports physicals, laundry and all of the other normal day activities. We are all happy that most of the moving is done and, I promise, we do have a bed for the poor sweetpie.

Trip to Branson

Branson, Missouri

Our first Saturday in Missouri, we drove 2 hours to Branson. We found good shopping, good food, good people watching, and Sugar Bears. We all fell in love with a fast trip to Branson and the kids fell in love with Sugar Bears. (check them out at www.sugargliderinfo.org) *A fair warning,

especially for Savannah, because they are soooooo cute. For the next 3 days, the kids tried and tried to find a way to influence a purchase of a sugar bear. Maggie wants me to write that she is dying for a Sugar Bear. The options presented by the kids were saving their own money, putting all of their money together, combining birthdays, and of course Christmas. They played Sugar Bear family and begged and begged until they finally got it. We are not getting a Sugar Bear. They were fun to watch, but not to own.
Anyway, Branson is beautifully located on a river running along an outdoor shopping mecca. A giant fountain show is the centerpiece with people staking out seats an hour before each show. Since the trip, I've been told that Dixie Stampede is the show to see with kids, so maybe next time. Anyone wanting to meet us in Branson, let us know. And no, Kat, we did not age just by going there. Anyway, we are always up for the trip, especially to meet up with someone.
I wish I had taken more pictures, but my resident photographer, Thelissa, was not with us. So, all I have is pictures taken at the restaurant.
P.S. It is not autumn yet, but the picture was beautiful and shows how many trees there are in the area.

Tears over Teddy

Ron has not enjoyed Teddy's rough transition to Missouri. Things such as throwing up in the car on the way here, Teddy having house training issues, and white fur constantly being under foot have gotten on the dad's nerves. So, today Ron was trying to buy Casey over to the dark side by offering him Star Wars toys in exchange for finding Teddy a new home. (We all know Casey can be bought.) Casey was thrilled and screamed with joy at the thought of adding to his toy collection. Unfortunately, Maggie overheard and burst into tears and sobs, thinking Teddy was leaving us. She immediately picked up Teddy, marched to her room, and let us all audibly know her feelings on the matter. The tears just seemed to snowball from there with homesickness from several kids and me aching for some sense of familiarity. Sunday seems to be a hard day with church both a bright part of the week and a sad one. We all definitely miss so much about RM ward, but also love to go where there are things that we know and love. So, hopefully each week will get better as we get to know the flow of WP and hopefully continue to stumble across forgotten notes from Eliza in the church bag reminding of good things.

Basking in green

Please no chiggers, please no chiggers, please no chiggers.

Believe me . . .

Believe me, the whole time this was happening, I was cringing with thoughts of chiggers and ticks. So far, none to be seen. But, this video, shot by Sam, is typical behavior most days after Ron comes home from work. You see Ron mowing, Teddy frolicking, Casey picking his nose and exploring, Maggie running and picking flowers, Zach (not seen) seeking out rocks worthy of a new collection, and Jill looking for trouble. Me, I just pray and hope that chiggers and ticks don't find us and love that the kids are having a good time.

A lasting memory

Our last night in AZ was spent sweating and cheering on kids at Kino pool. Sam, Zach, and Maggie swam in the city championship meet to say farewell to a fabulous swim season. Sam ended up placing sixth in butterfly and I.M. Zach placed first in backstroke, second in I.M., and third in butterfly. Maggie placed first in backstroke, second in butterfly, and third in freestyle.

It was a meet made more intense with Ron keeping track of points and contenders and me crossing my fingers for two hand touches. Sam was wishing he was twelve and not eleven, but swam an I.M. to remember. He continues to improve each year and is going to be a great mid-distance swimmer. Zach was seeded eighth in butterfly, but listened well to last minute coaching and tweaked his kick to improve 5 spots for third. He wasn't expecting a trophy and was surprised when he was awarded the runner-up trophy for getting the second highest point total for the boys 7-8. Maggie remembered to swim butterfly and NO freestyle arms to keep from getting disqualified and was thrilled when she won High Point trophy for girls 6 and under. They all did an awesome job, swam faster than they ever had before, and will always remember their last City of Mesa swim meet.

P.S. I found the cord, so pictures and video of MO to come soon.

Because I want to remember

I can't find my USB cord to upload photos, but it will be discovered among the many boxes soon. I had to post so I wouldn't forget my first impressions of our new home and surroundings. So, here are a few of my first observations.
1. It is REALLY green here
2. Being really green has its down sides (#4 and #7 and #18)
3. I so appreciate dentists
4. I don't like being told that I need to check Teddy for ticks after he romps in the tall grass and that he is stained green from his knees down
5. WP is actually bigger than I thought it would be
6. I was surprised with how many kids were in primary, but also surprised at the wide array of people in a ward that encompasses a whole city
7. BUGS
8. Nothing can replace great friends and family
9. I like vegetating at home
10. Kids do love space to roam, ride, and explore
11. It's amazing at the random people who stop by to say hi.
12. Some people are really nice and some people are not
13. I don't want to hear, "I hated it here for the first year and now I never want to leave" one more time
14. I am not excited for school, except for Casey (I met his teacher on Sunday and she seems great)
15. I'm glad I don't live in town
16. If it wasn't so much work, I could pretend I was on vacation
17. I'm glad I have my kids to fill my day
18. Humidity isn't fun no matter what people say
19. I love and miss pack 845 and all the great people who make it go round
20. It is fun to watch it pour rain and see a river form through the middle of the backyard
21. Missing the Maricopa County Library system because I don't want to pay $25 a year to check out books from the library so I am waiting for Ron to get proof that he owns a business downtown. Then, we can go and get some books.
22. I'm realizing that owning a dog in AZ is simpler than owning a dog here since I have an appt. for Teddy on Saturday to get a rabies shot
23. LOVE the red mountain memory book that you all contributed to. I can't look at it too often or I cry. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!
24. I'm really going to miss mexican food
25. If I have to go to Walmart one more time this week, I will (and I mean it) explode

I promise pictures as soon as I find the cord. But, we are doing great and the kids are missing friends, but having a blast. I'm glad that they have each other. (At least, I am glad most of the time.)