getting back in the saddle

YES, i haven't blogged in forever.
YES, i have been hiding in my own little bubble.
YES, i have missed writing.

my mind is going in 23 different directions and sometimes it's hard to pick one to write about.  i really hate fasting and am not fond of visiting teaching or singing in public.  i don't understand why my dreams feel so absolutely real.  i can't seem to pick a side when it comes to politics.  there are such extreme views when it comes to this HCR bill and i just have mixed feelings.  will we find a place to live in AL?  will i get to learn to surf this summer?  should i make my children pay for their summer camps?  will an increase in salary change who we are?  could i hitch a helicopter ride to vegas instead of driving?  will my boys want to serve missions?  will we have enough time in UT to see everyone?  maybe i could skip fixing dinner next week...

my mind is reeling.  is yours yet?

which size are you?

the scene:  luigi in the kitchen cooking crepes.  marz at the table with a fresh crepe on her plate.  everyone else wandering around getting their own food or waiting...

marz:  can someone help me fix my crepe?

(no one answers)

marz:  can someone help me fix my crepe?!!!

dash:  i will help you
marz:  no! you can't help me. you're not a big kid.  you're only a medium-sized kid!

looking forward to...

(follow-up to the follow-up to the previous post)

i thought i should make sure you don't think that i regret the decision to leave SD.  there are definitely things to look forward to even though we will miss SD and be sad to leave it behind.  here are some things that i'm glad are in the near future:

• more than 1600 sq ft of living space
• separate bedrooms for the yahoos in an effort to decrease the fighting
• more humidity
• doc M being in charge of his own schedule
• putting kids in extracurricular activities (i'm allowed to look forward to the money, right??)
• white sand, clear blue warm water - destin, FL
• being nearby a large lake - learning to wakeboard and drive a boat
• the doc gets to take time off whenever he wants
• experiencing southern "hospitality"
• getting luigi into a magnet school
• a backyard
• new vacuum, washer/dryer, pots/pans, piano
• more travel

did i mention i'm looking forward to having the doc set his very own schedule??

to be missed...

(follow-up to previous post)

alright, i can't help myself.  i just can't stop thinking about the things i'm going to miss when we leave this place behind.

• the sound of a 6-lane freeway
• living plant life around me year-round
• the weather
• the WHOLE FOODS just 10 minutes away
• the temple just 10 minutes away
• the large, fantastic youth program
• a shopping center within walking distance
• no yard to take care of
• the smell of the ocean
• parks everywhere
• the weather
• the zoo & wild animal park
• ethnic diversity
• farmer's markets daily
• the short drive to vegas
• charter schools w/ free books

did i mention i'm going to miss the WEATHER?

not to be missed

i can't believe the count is already down to 5 months before the move.  it seems like we're still getting used to this place.  and almost on a daily basis i'm asking myself how i'm going to leave this place.  i love it here.  it's no secret.  the view of the waves, as i turn the corner to head up the hill to the hospital, takes my breath away.  doc macgyver rides by it twice a day.  i don't visit nearly as often as i should.  but i know that we'll soon be on to the next adventure.

so, in trying to stay positive as i plan for august, here are the things i will be glad to leave behind:

• neighbors talking right underneath my window at night
• loud garbage & recycle trucks in the early AM
• the not-so-lovely sound of the freeway as i try to fall asleep
• washer & dryer in the garage
• a kitchen sink with NO pull out faucet
• a bathroom with NO door
• the temperature of the Pacific Ocean
• non-existent laundry room
• a tiny kitchen

i know.  they're such minor things.  but i'm trying to find the silver lining.

like father, like daughter

we had this for dessert last night:

 

here is what was left after marz said she was finished:

 and then she asked for another...

p.s. these were taken indoors, at night, hand-held with NO FLASH!  i LOVE my new camera!!!

experimenting

we are nearing the end of one of our science books.  yesterday the doc did an experiment with the kids.  saturdays are supposed to be his day to do experiments, but we've been such slackers about that since we moved here.  i'm hoping we can get back on track.  the current book we are in is all about land animals.  the chapter they read was RODENTIA.

did you know you can order all sorts of lovely goodies online through science websites?? i was so excited!  so here they are digging through owl pellets to find small bones that resemble what the owl ate.  they were less excited than me.