Grandma House

At the graveyard.
"Where are all the dead bodies?" Israel wanted to know. Once I explained they were buried under the grass he said emphatically "this is boring".

Grandpa's carvings and some few of his rocks

The wonderous rock pile. No visit was complete without taking a few rocks home. When I was younger the pile was even bigger.

The ottoman that became a boat for every child old enough to flip it

Grandma's rocking chair made when she was 3 by her grandfather.

Grandma loved roses. Here are some of the beauties in bloom while we were there.

The bobcate that always scared me as a kid. Can you see his sharp teeth?

One of the many paintings Grandma painted. She was a wonder- landscape, indians, trains.

I'm Home

The kids and I had a surprise trip to Utah this weekend. My Grandma Ashcraft passed away at the age of 97 and a half. Although we're sad she has died, we're glad that she is now in her right mind and with Grandpa again (he died 10 years ago so she's been alone for a long time). Some of you may know that my parents have been caring for her for the last 2 years and it has been quite the challenge. They were glad to do it, but the work definitely took its tole. All of my siblings except Chuck (who had just arrived back home to Alaska after a year serving in Iraq) were able to be together. It was really nice to see family and get out of the heat. I also discovered the quick way to get to Vegas and that if I have to I can drive all the way to Provo all by myself. I drove straight from here to Cedar City before stopping and then all the way to Provo. It was tough driving back even splitting it into 2 days. My cousin Melanie let me stay with her in St. George on the way home. She's such a nice cousin. I've always really liked her. This is the 2nd time she's opened her home to us and I'm so glad she's willing. I have pictures I'll post shortly of the trip.

Just a few side notes:
I love tile floor, but it's not so good of bowls (we lost 2 bowls alone yesterday)
I made a ribbon blanket today from a crafty blog I like. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I did not do the applique letter as I don't know the name of the baby this blanket is for.
Our swamp cooler is back in action AND we were able to successfully change out our locks (for those of you that don't know Stan went out the front door last week and the handle came right off. We've been having to go in and out through the garage.

Note from Israel:
Jesus wears sandals in heaven all the time because it's so hot in heaven
Question from Eliza:
Why do we have to wear heaven clothes when we die?
Julia statement was the pallbearers are carrying grandma from the funeral home:
"I poop, I poop, I poop"

Update

We had our first rainstorm on the 2nd- notice out ineffective gutters:)


I tore down the old nasty pantry with Israel and Eliza's help. (I know we have a picture somewhere, but I haven't found it yet) And Stan and I put up a new one- this included tiling a small section of the floor. Now we get to see if it can hold the weight of food like it's supposed to. (yes we anchored it into studs)



I made a purse from the Moda Bakeshop
one of 2 inside pockets
We put up the tire swing (sadly my bottom is too big to enjoy it)

Stan taught Julia to say "I . . am . . tired" over and over. It's rather funny, but she wasn't so sure of the camera.

"When's it going to rain?"

Israel likes to ask me. Well today I finally had the answer because we got rain-lots of it. It was pretty exciting once it got going. Water running down the street, off the house everywhere. Jumping out of the gutters and all over the patio (we still have about 3 inches of water on the patio AND that's after I went out and "bailed" for a while. Pictures and maybe video to come (if I can load it). Not only did it rain, but we got hail as well. Quite the exciting afternoon if I do say so myself:)

"I love you" & Manwich

Israel came home today complaining about the 2 girls in his class acting like puppy dogs following him all over the playground and repeatedly telling him "I Love You, I love you" What is it with kg girls always chasing the boys?
Speaking of love,

Manwich- I don't love you. Last week felt a bit overwhelming so at the grocery store I picked up a few quick meal plans. One was a can of Manwich. Having never made it, I foolishly thought- cool, just heat the contents and we're good. I hadn't ever bought already cooked and canned ground beef, but I was willing to give it a try. Besides, it was half price. If only I had read the can instead of salivating over the picture: add fresh ground beef or turkey- I wouldn't have found myself 5 minutes before Stan and his friend would be here for dinner with nothing to offer, but almost boiling water for the spagetti dinner we would be having instead- and 20 minutes late.
Once we did make the manwiches they had few green and red peppers unlike that decieving picture on the can and it wasn't all that tasty. Never again Manwich, I just don't love you.

Thanks and Israel Starts School

I just wanted to express my thanks for your kind responses to my last post. They have truly been helping me feel better about our new situation. I've been reaching out more and finding friends at parks and at Israel's new school. Yes you read that right. Israel started school on Monday at OES and has Mrs. T for a teacher. She came recommended but sight unseen, so I'm glad that I'm liking her and she's liking Israel. Today she said she wished all her kids could be like him. He's doing so well (Mommy pride swelling . . .). I've found a Mom with 2 young kids like me to swap out with so we can volunteer in our kg's classes and I've found 3 other Mom's for play dates and such. I've been reaching out of my comfort zone and it feels SO good.

Also I have to comment on my wonderful company. Amanda and Bryce can down somewhat unexpectedly this weekend and I loved having family here (and playing Pandemic). They especially helpped out with those first days of school and getting Israel to and from. We only live 2.1 miles from school, so we're not a bus area and to pick up you can't pull your cars up but have to park, unload kids, walk over to the gate and pick up your kger when his name is read. It's quite a system.

His fav. things of school: play time, singing "We went for a walk and the walk was cool, we saw some people in a swimming pool. They swam to the left, they swam to the right, but here are some things that they did best, they did doggy paddle . . . dove, snorkled, towel dried" his least favorite is rest time after recess. Yesterday he said his favorite part of school was how excited Eliza is when he cames out the gate. The first day she jumped him with one of those all 4 limbs hugs of hers. Israel eats lunch at school and has just over 4 hours of school time.

Here are some more roses, Israel grating cheese for dinner, my kindergartener (who isn't allowed to take the brand new spiderman backpack we bought last week because of lack of storage space), and Julia so sad for Amanda to be leaving.







ps. We've given up on our dishwater. We have low water pressure and have fixed it in the shower with a special showerhead. But the kitchen is pretty hopeless. So, until we get a plummer we're back to hand washing. It's just as well since we kept running out of plates and especially bowls (I didn't want to send it until it was full).

pps there is a giveaway on The Benner Daily blog for V & Co's patterns.

Feeling Alone

I've been feeling all alone out here. A little down in the dumps with the move and lack of friends. I'm not saying it's been bad. Families have dropped by, brought us food and hellos, we've been very welcomed. I just feel secluded. I've begun running in the mornings before Stan leaves for work. I'll run for about 20 minutes out- find a nice sandy lot with a view, do my sun salutes, and run back home. This time has been helping. After my run today I went into the back yard and found our first rose.

Well today I had a really wonderful experience going to the grocery store. I think it was a tender mercy like my rose and I'm truly grateful. When I pulled into Staters I saw a blood bank mobile and decided to go over even though I had all 3 kids. I asked the wait time and talked to the guy in charge for a little bit- could I do this with kids? would they be okay inside the truck? in the end I let the driver of the truck sit outisde with my 3 lovelies in the Stater parking lot while I went inside to donate blood. Normally I wouldn't do this, but I had this urge to do something for somebody else and here was my unlikely opportunity. They were so kind and all 3 kids were willing to sit in the chairs in the shade and eat goodies that you get from donating- juice and goldfish and such. It was mainly routine inside, the power didgo out when the technician was trying to get a blood sample for my iron, but it was just a nice easy time to relax and realize that I hadn't given blood since I before I was expecting Israel. It just was never convenient with kids or pregnancy or nursing. I'm so glad that I went. The workers told me my kids did really well and were such good sports. During the 15 minutes I had to sit after I'd donated I watched them out the window and they looked really happy. Even Eliza was doing well without me. Israel kept talking to the man (I didn't even get his name). The lady who was doing the snacks turned out to be LDS and we talked a little about the church (she's from San Bernideno). Afterwards the driver was really complementary of my good kids and they were so good in the grocery store after. In fact, he was on lunch break when he saw us coming out of the store and helped unload my cart- no heavy lifting he reminded me with a smile (I told him I didn't thing groceries counted as I let him load the back of my car. I felt such kindness, such goodness from there guys inside at the Blood bank. I really feel like I followed a prompting to go over there. I mean really, deciding to donate blood with 3 young kids? Deciding to let a stranger watch them outside the truck? this is not normal for me. I know this sounds really small, and in some ways it is, but my experience today has made everything sunnier. I feel like I have better kids, and that I can contribute. I'm so glad I listened to that prompting. God reminded me today that I'm not all alone- I have a whole community willing to interact and be a part of my life.

Thank you men and women of the LifeStream. Today you went above and beyond for a mom with 3 kids and she is truly grateful.

I forgot to mention

Did anyone notice the lack of a crib in the kids room? Julia transitioned quite nicely with the move to a big girl bed. Most specifically the bottom half of Eliza's bed. We haven't put the crib in the attic yet, just in case, but she's doing really well. AND she's doing a lot of sitting of the potty time and taking off her dirty diapers and giving them to me as if they're presents.

Also I forgot to mention that the sliding glass door in the master goes out to our patio. We love spending time out there. We're hoping to get a patio table and chairs in the not too distant future. Early morning and evening after 7 are so nice outside, and the sunsets. I could easily get used to those.

Next post- kitchen, patio, and back yard- at least that's the plan.

Joshua Tree

We couldn't help but spend our first Sat. exploring Joshua Tree National Park. To get our bearings, find some shade, enjoy the wonderful breeze, the of course climb.
See those funny trees to Julia's left? The only that are tall and kindof look like they have arms? They're Joshua Trees.


Israel and Eliza busy conquering the rock. Father and son

Julia insisted on being part of the fun.


This is actually on the back of our house. Look at the size of that moth next to Stan's hand. The bugs out here are seriously huge.

Promised Pictures

Front Entry

Living Room: Notice the new couches (we got a super deal on them and they have a buit in sleeper if anyone wants to come visit) Do you like our crooked floor lamp? It didn't survive the move so well. Honestly it had been struggling for a while and I think that moving truck was the last straw.

Robin's corner of the living room. My beloved oversized chair. This is already my "library" in this picture it is acting as a boat for my Eliza.

Master

Master looking at closet doors

Master Bath- notice the rounded shower curtain we added. I rather like it. 6 extra inches makes a difference.

Kids room

Kids closet. I had to remove a huge shelving unit from the closet so I could get Eliza's dresser in. I learned how to remove gliding doors and the floor track and how to put it back together.

Office with our other beloved overstuffed couch. The room is already cluttered, but we're working to organize it.

Office closet (where I moved the big shelf unit from the kid's room) this closet it bigger and could use the shelves.

I couldn't post without showing you our lovely kids enjoying Luckie Park. It's really nice before 10 am. After that beware, the slides can burn your bottom.

Up and running

We finally got our internet hooked up yesterday. Look back soon for a picture filled post. 29 Palms has been hot, but bearable. We've been enjoying the slower pace and having a house- even with all the ups and downs associated with it. Now if could just figure out how to get the gas dryer hooked up and the lawn mower working:)

Last Moments

Today was such a wonderful, bittersweet day. I had my last class at It's Yoga early this morning. I'm going to miss Brittany pushing me so hard 2 mornings a week. I have grown so much practicing there. Next Amanda babysit (again) while Stan and I went to our last temple session at the Provo Temple. Having a temple in walking distance has been so wonderful- for us and the kids. I kept tearing up once we were inside. They asked us to be the witness couple. Next we grilled yummy malibu pork (on the things we've found in our freezer) followed by our last trip to The Quarry. I seriously love that place. I've taught yoga for 3 years in that building and been climbing for just as long. Israel, Eliza scaled the wall, and Julia enjoyed swinging. Stan and I put in our last climbs on the lead wall. I know we'll be living close to Joshua Tree, but the conveniences of a indoor climbing gym just 5 minutes away will be missed. Next I finished setting up all our utilities, signed the rental agreement for our house (we're renting the 1 month and closing after Stan's first pay check.), and worked on packing the kitchen. This evening Trina watched the kids while I played on our ward's co-ed softball team. We won both games- our first time of the season- I was really happy with our playing together as a team. It helped that we had more than 7 people. My team will keep playing, but I'll be gone. It was so nice to end on a win with some nice plays and some good hits. Israel had so much fun playing with Travis. They are such good buddies, but one or both families has been gone for much of the summer.

Leaving is so hard. I've been laughing at all the things I'm sad to be missing.
*having to tape the freezer door shut*
*not having to move the table out each time we eat*
*parking the RAV in that spot that gets a little bit of shade*
*teaching my tiny yoga class*
*using my over the sink Ikea kitchen storage rack*
*hearing our neighbors*

Life is changing
I know a lot will be wonderful but now is wonderful too.
These last 3 years have been better than I ever imagined.
I'm sure the next 3 will be too

Belated Happy 4th of July

In the basement of Mom and Dad's house. While the women wired and the men fixed doors, Israel got creative with the plumbing pipes.

Eliza loving cold cold Bear Lake. We all had a blast playing in that water. I have to admit that sometimes I was jealous of Stan's wet suit.

Julia in her own little lake boogie boarding. She wanted to be in the water constantly.

All the kids love riding in the Ranger. Julia is the only one who was confident she could drive it:) We also did a lot of tire swinging, croquet, riding the miniture horse/pony Squirt, playing games, and eating yummy food.

Eliza and my Dad- I just L-O-V-E this picture. They're faces are similar, don't you think? and look at those matching smiles.

We had a great trip!

Hello Denver

Stan and I had a little getaway this past week. We went to Denver for the All-Star Lacrosse Game at Investco Field Mile High Stadium. We used priceline and got a really nice hotel (Courtyard by Marriot) right on the down town strip (the 16th Street Mall). We loved that Denver has this street closed to cars. They have free electric buses that stop at all the intersections if you want a ride. It was so nice and pedestrian friendly. Maybe Provo could do this one day.

On the steps of the capital building. I'm standing exactly 1 mile above sea level.

Check out these incredible seats we had for the game. We laughed that we'd brought a pair of binoculars. We really had a fun time watching these guys play. It's only my 3rd game to ever watch, so I learned a lot during the process.

Me, about toe get on one of the many buses. See the sign to my right- very pedestrian friendly, maps, guides, lots of arrows to help us out on every corner. They even have 2 visitor booths for people with questions and workers in yellow tops answering any questions. We were both impressed with how clean Denver was. Nice city to visit if you don't mind paying for all that parking but then I guess that's in every city.

Stan had fun with interesting hairstyles all trip long. Here he's showing his yummy parfait breakfast before we went to 6 Flags.

Driving home on I-70 "Colorado Rocky Mountain High . . ."
We also found out they had a 6 Flags and we hadn't ridden roller coasters since our Honeymoon so we couldn't resist (plus I found 2 for 1 tickets). We had a blast and scared ourselves half to death in the process:) Here's a brief video of the halfpipe ride. We rode all the coasters that were open and they had some really fun ones. We were suprised how much we liked this particular ride.