Saying Goodbye

 I'm grateful for the best young women on planet Earth. Because they all have touched my heart in a deep way, saying goodbye wasn't easy. Our last Young Women's activity before I moved, we played games and then they all gave me a gift along with sharing what they love most about me. I was crying the whole time! They were so darn sweet.

I'm so happy we were able to capture on camera the white board full of kind (and funny) thoughts. I will never forget my two nick names from the girls, Sista R and Armadillo, both of which came from girls camp stories. haha

After I returned home, I laid out all the gifts I was given and felt so thankful for these special young women and the leaders I served along side. The most precious gift was from Jenet Erickson, the YW president and my dear friend. She gave me fabric softener sheets to thank me for having a soft heart even when things were challenging in this calling. Through many challenges I faced, I had the opportunity to turn to my Savior, humble my heart, and repent of my weaknesses. I drew on my Savior's strength often and became a stronger woman in the Gospel. These beautiful young women are who helped me do that. And for that, I'll be forever grateful.

What are YOU grateful for?

Moving On

 I'm grateful to be moving on, but hurting at the same time. A few days after we moved to Kaysville, we had one last friends get together at Sugarhouse Park. After a picnic on the grass and playground fun, my kids suggested we play in the "river." It was cute to see them all run in the water and splash around as I chatted with some of my favorite girls. Christine had come down to see everyone, and then there was Jenet, Cori, and Jenica, 4 wonderful friends, who have taught me so much!

Afterwards, the kids and I headed back to the house to do one last cleaning. As I mopped these old wood floors for the final time in this empty house, a part of me felt empty inside, too. I couldn't believe the time had really come to move after an amazing 7 years of learning and growing in this place. Oh, how I'll miss this house and everyone who came into my life while living here. Like Martina McBride sings in one of my favorite songs, I concur, "I am so blessed."

What are YOU grateful for?

Friends of a Feather...or Fur

I'm grateful for Diamond's friend in Sugarhouse.  These two would play chase, nap right by each other, and developed a little bond that we all got a kick out of.  At our new house, the neighborhood cats try to sneak into our garage to eat Diamond's food, so then they get into cat fights so Diamond can protect what's rightfully hers. Cat hissing used to wake us up in the middle of the night until we learned to close our garage window so they can't sneak in.  Sad, but kind of funny. Hopefully when we get a dog, he'll get along with Diamond just like this old grey cat from our old neighborhood. Hey, I can dream, right?

What are YOU grateful for?

Magic Eraser

I'm grateful for my trusty Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pad to clean up messes like this that are created while I was packing boxes in the back.  Permanent marker you ask? How you'd guess! And of course I'm ever grateful for my Love & Logic techniques to give me the patience and effective tools for helping my little one know how sad this makes mommy, without being raging mad. I gave her the Magic Eraser to "scrub, scrub" the mess away herself, and then I helped her finish the job.

What are YOU grateful for?

Reorganized Master Closet

I'm grateful for our reorganized master closet at our old home.  When we first moved there in 2005, immediately we remolded the back bedroom, adding a bathroom with a shower and a bigger closet.  As I mentioned in my last post, most closets in this neighborhood are small, so it was nice to add this walk in closet for storage when this room was first our guest room, and then my preschool classroom, and finally the master bedroom where Wade and I slept.  When the house stager came, she suggested I declutter the clothes a bit and then reorganize it with bins before we put the house on the market to sell. I wish I had a before picture because although it was fairly tidy, it looks so much better like this!

What are YOU grateful for?

Storage Room

I'm grateful for our storage room at our old home that we shared with our downstairs renters.  We felt so blessed to have so much room in here along with extra storage space in the garage when many of our friends in Sugarhouse would tell us they don't have hardly any extra storage room. The homes in this neighborhood are just simple with small rooms and small closets. We didn't have a linen closet or even a coat closet that are typically found in newer homes so with a 1920's home, we were thrilled to have this extra space.

What are YOU grateful for?

Guard For My Pots and Pans

I'm grateful to have a guard for my pots and pans in case anyone wants to steal them. I know, I know, some people have a guard dog to protect their precious possessions. At our house, we have a guard baby instead. Believe me, she can be vicious. Okay, that's a lie. But if you take her out of this drawer so you can steal my pots and pans, she'll probably shout, "No, no!" Of course, it will be because you removed her from her cool hiding spot...not that she cares about the pots and pans. hehe

What are YOU grateful for?

Old Screen Door

I'm grateful for our old screen door with the big hole at the bottom that the kids always conveniently used as a peek a boo window at our last home. :) When this door was the entrance to my preschool classroom for a few years, I covered the hole with a nice "Shining Stars Preschool" sign.  And then when I decided to take a break from teaching professional preschool out of my home and took the sign down, the fun little window was available again. Too cute!

What are YOU grateful for?

Peach Pie

 I'm grateful for the delicious peach pie we ate when the Rogers kids were at our house for a week. More people at the table = an excuse to cook and bake more. Wade helped me with the finishing touches to give the pie a cobbler-like taste! Yum!

What are YOU grateful for?

Week with the Rad Rogers

I'm grateful for our week with the rad Rogers kids. When Gerald and Jana spent 2 weeks on a getaway couples trip, we had the opportunity to watch their 4 kids for half of the time. This particular night, all the kids helped make homemade whole wheat pizza with their own favorite toppings.  Some of my friends and family thought I was crazy to have my own 3 kids and these 4 kids to take care of the week before we moved and being 8 months pregnant, but the Rogers family have watched our kiddos so much, that it was just a win-win. Plus, all the kids helped me pack boxes, so it worked out great.  I paid them each a quarter a box...great deal! :) I admit, I was exhausted by the end of the week, where the last time I watched them, it was like one extended party for several days, where they all entertained each other. Remember this post?   Oh, and I forgot to mention the cool coconut bra Gerald and Jana brought me back from Fiji to thank me for watching their kids. Do you see why I love this family sooo much? lol

What are YOU grateful for?

Westminster Park

I'm grateful for Westminster Park, our favorite place to play in Sugarhouse! Often, we spent time at Sugarhouse Park, Laird Park, or Wasatch Hollow Park near our home.  But Westminster Park was by far our first pick! It's almost all completely shaded by the huge trees in our neighborhood, so it feels 15 degrees cooler than the other parks. And it's small enough that we enjoyed the whole park to ourselves many times.

What are YOU grateful for?

Baby Love

I'm grateful for the baby love my little girl always shows Bill and Jami Heuffner's sweet boy. He really does love her right back. He's just in a choke hold right now so it's hard for him to show it. ;)

PS) This was taken the week before we moved, which is the day they moved, and I watched their baby all morning.  We all sure love him, especially my baby girl, as you can see.

What are YOU grateful for?

Moving Crew

 I'm grateful for our moving crew of family and friends! We had so much help on moving day, and we honestly could NOT have done it without them. I'm grateful for all the time and energy Wade put into packing with me so we would be totally ready to GO today.  Being ready for the moving crew made everything go so much quicker that morning.

 Wade's dad, Frank Reed, was one of the first to show up (and the last to leave at night after buying us dinner). He has done a LOT through the years to assist us with major remodeling of this home and even small repairs. It's been great bonding time for father and son to work together, and I know Wade has enjoyed spending that time with his dad. In the background, you can see our friend, Gerald Rogers, organizing the moving truck.

 Shawn Rossiter, Adam Buie, Chris & Erin Longacre, Patrick Standing, and Adam Hiatt represented our awesome group of neighbors to assist us.

Mom & Keith Stoney (who brought breakfast for the whole crew-thank you!), Jeff & Elizabeth Reed, and Tyler & Tonya Short, also joined us at the Sugarhouse home to load up. Then Jason & Margaret Hess, Brandon & Diana Reed, along with our new neighbors, Amy Greenway and Tammie Adair, helped us move into our new home along with the other family members helping.  THANK YOU ALL for taking the time to assist us! We feel soooo blessed.

What are YOU grateful for?

Our Home in Sugarhouse

I'm grateful for our home in Sugarhouse. We're moving tomorrow morning and saying goodbye to this home and neighborhood, which is why I wanted to document some of my favorite photos of the inside in recent posts. I want to always remember our "first home." My parents own the home as an investment property, and it's been the greatest blessing to live here like partial owners rather than regular tenants for the last 7 years. It was especially nice to be close to campus while Wade was finishing up his degree at the University of Utah and while we were starting our little family.  I'll miss this place, that's for sure.

What are YOU grateful for?

Trees In My Neighborhood

I'm grateful for the huge trees in my neighborhood that line the streets so beautifully!  They add a depth and character to Sugarhouse because they've been around longer than most of the people who live here. I especially appreciate having so much shade everywhere I go in the warm summer months or see the lovely white winterland look when the snow falls upon them during the colder months.

What are YOU grateful for?

Downstairs Apartment

 I'm grateful for our downstairs apartment that has brought new friends into our lives and helped pay our mortgage for the last 7 years.  I could cry thinking of all the amazing people I've bonded with that have lived in our home for a time.  They had their own private space, but always made me feel welcome whenever we spent time together, either upstairs or down.

It really is a nice apartment, but it's the nice people who have lived here I love the most!

 What are YOU grateful for?

Spacious Room

I'm grateful for the spacious room we are blessed with in this home. We have had  countless parties with friends and family through the years and always felt like we could fit everyone comfortably with the 4 rooms all opening up to ONE large room.  Recently, it's been most exciting to hold our Love & Logic classes here and provide an enriching, joyful environment within our very own home.

What are YOU grateful for?

Pink Happy Daises

I'm grateful for the pink happy daises in the girls room. Before, I just had a diaper changing pad on top of the dresser. Adding the happy daisies show off the antique dresser better and add soooo much joy when you walk in the room now. :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Antique White Dresser

 I'm grateful for this antique white dresser that my Grandpa Lang made over 60 years ago. It means so much to me to have a piece of furniture in my home that reminds me of him. He passed away 2 years ago, and I miss him a lot.  It makes me happy that my daughters can use it in their room, knowing their great grandpa worked so hard so build it with his own hands. And it coordinates quite lovely with the rest of their furniture, I think. 

Before simplifying to stage our home to sell, my girls enjoyed their room like this.  Both ways work!

What are YOU grateful for?

Blue Lamp

I'm grateful for my blue lamp. It was by far my favorite purchase of all the home decor I brought home that I mentioned here.  It's just fun, and so my style. I seriously smile every time I pass by it. Lamps add such warmth and class to a room, and when they're both bright and cute, I'm all for it! 

What are YOU grateful for?

Newly Staged Office

I'm grateful for our newly staged office.  Do you remember last year when things didn't work out with the purchase of that home in Holladay we had made an offer on? I was so disappointed (but now consider it a HUGE blessing) that Wade was open to me spending a couple hundred on new home decor so we could update our current home. I posted these before and after shots here including my new mirror above the fireplace, lamps, candlestick holders, pillows, etc.  When our house stager came a few weeks ago, she helped us simplify, so after moving a few things OUT including the big filing cabinet, our office now looks like this. I like the simple look. What do you think?

What are YOU grateful for?

Living Room Rug

I'm grateful for our new living room rug. We had a pretty, yet old fashioned green and red floral rug that we took out and replaced with this chocolate brown rug that our house stager recommended to give our home a more updated feel for potential buyers.  We've since been given a nice black leather couch and bought some unique parlor chairs (pics to come soon) to replace this hunter green couch and love seat.  So I have to say also how grateful I am for this couch set and how sad I was to see them go. They were sooo comfortable! And I thought they looked really classy with the brown rug when we were staging our home to sell.

What are YOU grateful for?

Snow Cone Sale

I'm grateful for the snow cone sale my kids helped their cousins organize a while back. The girls made a sign to advertise, and although difficult to read since they used pen instead of marker, they waved that sign back and forth on the corner of my sister's street waving EVERYONE down for a good hour! It was fun to see their determination with it. 

Since then, they've been obsessed about having their own sale to earn money this summer. Because we don't have a snow cone machine, they decided a lemonade and cookie sale would be perfect instead. I'll have to post pictures soon of the one we had recently. It was a hit!

 

 

 

 

 What are YOU grateful for?

My Memory

I'm grateful for my memory.  Similar to Dory from Finding Nemo, my short term memory during this pregnancy has gone OUT the window.  I promise I'm a bright, intelligent individual usually, I just tend to forget SO MUCH lately! haha Has that ever happened to anyone else? Going through the photos I took from our zoo trip, like this one below, reminded me that I definitely want to be more like an elephant who "never forgets" than the silly blue fish who makes us all laugh because she suffers from short term memory loss.

 What are YOU grateful for?

Blogging Mama

 I'm grateful to be among the many blogging mamas out there who have series of photos just like this where a photo op was apparent like two cute cousins holding hands on their own...  

 ...and then another child jumped on the line...

...so then we just HAVE to encourage that fourth child to join them, too, because we're blogging mamas, and we know pics like this will be added to the blog, right? ;) Come on, don't tell me, I'm the only one guilty of trying to pose my kids! haha

What are YOU grateful for?

Hogle Zoo

I'm grateful for the Hogle Zoo. I know I'm going to miss living so close to it when we move to Davis County in a few weeks.  One year we had an annual family pass and went at least once a week, and others years, we went the 3 or 4 times it was free that winter. 

 This trip was especially fun because it was the baby's first real experience where she got genuinely excited about the animals.  We all loved watching her reactions.

What are YOU grateful for?

Playground at the Zoo

I'm grateful for the playground at the zoo.  It keeps the kids happy and busy while we're waiting for friends to arrive to see the animals or sometimes after we've seen the animals. There are some unique playground pieces at the zoo. I mean, where else can you find a huge, hideous spider THIS big? :)

 What are YOU grateful for?

Monkeys at the Zoo

I'm grateful for the monkeys at the zoo, especially the kind they let you take home like these two funny monkeys. :)  We always look forward to the last Wednesday of the month in the winter months where we can all attend for FREE. This time, our cousin, Gina, joined us again with some of her friends. It was fun to watch Gina's little boy chase my son around and copy his every move. Monkey see, monkey do, right?

What are YOU grateful for?

Visit from Miss Elizabeth

I'm grateful for our visit from Elizabeth Munson, or as the kids call her, Miss Elizabeth. We hadn't seen her in years since she's moved to the East coast, so it was an extra special reunion when she came to town a few weeks ago.  Forever ago, she and Stephanie LeVeque lived in our downstairs apartment for over a year, and they both became dear friends to our children and to me. When Wade would work late, I often hung out with them like I was one of their roommates. Good times. I love these girls. When Liz moved back East to nanny for some families, I gave her high recommendations since she was always so good to my children, as our regular babysitter. The kids often ask about her and Stephanie, who I'll have to do another post about when she returns from Spain soon. Yay!

What are YOU grateful for?

Our Own Playground

 I'm grateful for our own playground. It's such a blessing to have a fun and simple playground in our backyard that the kids can play on any time of day when we don't have time for a trip to the park.  Our little girl is loving this warm springtime weather because we spend HOURS everyday playing in the backyard.  The big kids aren't in these pics because they've been spending more time riding bikes constantly in our backyard, which I'll save for another post. :)

What are YOU grateful for?