A story for the Blaser history book

It's been a busy Saturday, full of fun activities. We left the house early to get to Provo in time for the byu homecoming parade, all dressed in our team colors. We walked across campus to see a plaque in the Brimhall building with Eric's dad's name on it for a honor he received when he was in college. Then we headed to Jaker's pumpkin patch to play in the giant corn pit, climb the hay pyramid and go through the corn maze. After that it was time for a tailgate party even though we weren't going to the game. Then we headed up to Eric's parent's to where we helped load the winter firewood into the garage. Eric promised the kids ice cream when we finished so we went to Macey's for giant cones before heading home. 

And what the kids will probably remember most about this day is that on the way out of the parking lot Sommer threwup and I was yelling at her, "I just asked you if you we're going to throw-up!" And she cried between pukes, "I'm sorry!" Poor girl. She shouldn't have to apologize while puking. But those are the kind of mom moments that make for a funny story later. Right? Either that or something for the therapist to analyze. 

Successful Heimlich

On Sunday Laine called from the kitchen, "Mom! Dad needs your help." I ran from my room to find that Eric was making this horrible gasping, wheezing noise. He was standing in the entryway trying to get his breath back, still having trouble. I thought he motioned for me to wait, that he was going to be okay, but he couldn't even cough out a noise, just that horrible, loud gasp. So I wrapped my arms around his gut and shoved my locked-together hands underneath his sternum. The gulp of water that was lodged in the wrong place splurted out of his mouth and landed at our feet. And he could breathe again. And then I got kind of mad at him for scaring me so bad and I had to go back upstairs and sit down while I stopped shaking. But thankfully, he was okay and the Heimlick maneuver actually worked, even though Eric is almost a foot taller than me and twice my weight. 

Solve the problem

Last week Lark and her kids visited Utah for a few days. They were able to stay with us for a few days of their time here. We took the kids to Temple Square on Friday. (Three of my kids - I checked the girls out early from school.) We parked at the City Creek mall with the intention of walking to Temple Square from there. We got as far as the fountain plaza and within 5 minutes Massimo and Paul were soaked. The last times I'd been to this mall this small splash pad wasn't working so it didn't cross my mind to avoid it. The boys had a blast, turned off their listening skills, and played in the water so happily. I did try to get Massi out of the water before he was completely soaked but I didn't want to get drenched in the process so it was hard to yank him away. Once the boys were out we walked about 10 feet, thinking they could dry off on our walk, and realized that they were way too wet. So I stripped off Massi's shirt, squeezed it out, and took him shirtless into the Gap. Solved that problem. 

Side Story: as we were walking from the Gap to the nearest bathroom to change the kids, they were all jumping from the rocks next to the creek that runs through the mall. A security guard stopped me and said, "is this your son?" To which I replied, "yes, do you want me to stop him from jumping on the rocks?"And he said, "no, he needs to have a shirt on." Well, that made me mad. I'm sure it's a rule posted somewhere and it was his job to enforce it, but seriously, stop the mom of the soaking wet three-year-old? And if they're going to have a splash pad in the ground in the middle of the mall they have to expect that some kids will end up shirtless. So I replied in a not very nice tone, "I was just on my way to do that. He got dripping wet in the fountain and I bought him some new clothes to change into." 

Both the boys ended up with new outfits for our walk to Temple Square. And with strict instructions that they were to remain dry for the rest of our trip. Which is actually kind of hard because there are water features all over, from the mall to the fountains outside the temple grounds to outside the conference center. Massimo almost fell into one, but they succeeded.

It was a beautiful day to walk around the temple. All the flowers are still blooming, it was a garden paradise everywhere. Once we'd walked around by the temple, the kids found a grassy patch to play in surrounded by flowers and small trees near the church office building. 

Lark and I had the chance to talk and enjoy a rest before walking to the conference center where we peeked inside the main hall. We stopped to see the Christ statue in the visitors center where Mimi and Sommer were amazed at the size of the statue's big toe. Then it was off to the mall again to eat and play at the indoor playground by the food court. And then we went home. 

And here's where the post title comes from. Lark mentioned when we were talking that they talk a lot about solving the problem at their house, as in how their kids can work through and solve problems that arise. Something we need to do more at our house I think. So, Paul and Massimo played really well together during this little trip. Massi loved being able to follow Paul around and do what he was doing. On our temple square outing after I changed Massi I took off his undies because they were soaked and let he go commando. When we got home I didn't have him put new ones on. Now, he's getting there with potty training, stays dry pretty much all the time but #2 accidents he's 50/50. Since he was having so much fun playing with Paul, of course he couldn't take the time to head to the toilet. He had a gross accident and Eric figure it out while they were playing the Wii in our living room. Thankfully, Massi was sitting on a blanket I could wash. While I was cleaning him up in the bathroom he said something like, "Paul picked up the big poop and put it in the trash. He said 'ew ew ew' the whole way to the trash can." So I rephrased, "you mean Paul picked up your gross poop for you? Did he use a napkin?" I was mortified and laughing at the same time. Lark heard this too and got the story from Paul. Yes he did use a paper towel, and yes, he did pick up the poop. They didn't even tell us what had happened, just kept playing their video game. After all, problem solved. 

Blessings

As I was thinking about what to blog about regarding our summer, I realized that I needed to blog about what I wanted the kids to know and what I wanted to remember. We had a lot of fun experiences, going to California, water sports camp with the cousins in San Diego, lots of days at Cherry Hill, swimming at friends' pools, lazy days where the tv was on way too long, a trip to the Blaser cabin, visits to BYU to see the museum of art and Bean Museum. It's been fun. And though I want to treasure up these days they are not the most important things to remember. 

The most important thing is to remember that we've been very blessed. Right before we left for California, that long drive on my own with the kids, I asked Eric for a blessing. When I drove along the offramp to our house I thought to myself, "I'm pretty awesome. I just drove all the way from San Diego by myself." But then I immediately thought of the blessing that Eric gave me and I know that I was able to accomplish this task because of this and because of the prayers of those who knew I was driving on my own and kept me in their prayers. I felt sustained by more than myself. I know I couldn't have accomplished this on my own. Our car worked and we were safe. This was a huge blessing.

A few months ago we found out that Eric's job was in jeopardy. This was a very frightening prospect and I didn't approach it with very much faith. I was very worried and tried to go through life with a positive attitude but would often feel overwhelmed with the what-ifs that loomed ahead. I applied for a different job at the Gap, a lead position that I was actually told I would get the next time it opened. It would have been more time away from home but at the time it seemed like it was what was supposed to happen since Eric's job was on the line (not because of his work but because the company wasn't doing as well as they hoped it would). I didn't get the job and that worried me even more even though I went through the application process with the attitude that if it did work out then it was meant to be and if not, it wasn't. Still, it was hard to have faith that everything would be okay.

A few weeks later Eric heard about a job at a different company, a job that wasn't supposed to be open for another month but the boss said he would like to interview Eric anyway. Eric was offered the position. He never had to go without a job. We were blessed. I know we often talk about tender mercies but for me, this was a mighty miracle for our family for which I am very grateful. A tender mercy that happened a few weeks later is that Eric needed to get a white car for his job. He was looking to trade his truck, that he loves, for a vehicle appropriate for work but that could also fit our entire family. He found a white Tahoe and traded it the very day that his truck's temporary registration expired.

Life doesn't always how you plan. Even if you are working hard to achieve your goals and dreams you can get derailed and have to spend a lot of time getting back on track. The quote I've had up since we had to move this spring is "Come what may and love it," by Elder Worthlin. I admit, I read that quote but I don't always feel like I love what has come. But, it reminds me that there is a lot to love about my life and that, despite things not going the way I had hoped or planned or envisioned by this point, we are blessed. 

We're not in Alaska

But Eric is. They're ready to hike and wrestle bears if needed. (I started this post when he was gone and didn't get it finish it until today.) 

They saw a lot of bears and other creatures -- foxes, caribou, moose. I talked to Eric a couple of times while he was gone, when they were in cell range, and every time he said, "it's so big, everything is just so big." He was in awe of the land. Hopefully someday we can go see it with our kids. 

While he was gone 4th of July happened. I took the kids to the parade and fireworks on my own. (Yes, I'm patting myself on the back.) Even with our stock of water bottles it was hot hot hot. Halfway through the parade Sommer came over to me and said she was going to be sick. She dry heaved into the gutter but nothing came up. I had her sit down by me for a while in what shade I could make for her then she stood up again and almost got sick again. It must have been heat related. By the end of the parade we were so exhausted it was hard to be excited about the water parade coming. We packed up our things and almost left but didn't. The tankers came rumbling down the street and drenched us. It felt so good even though it was kind of terrifying to have the huge hoses come raining down on us. 

Ridge got a prime seat during the parade on the Pedal Away Parkinson's float with other scouts from our neighborhood.

This was fast Sunday. We've been taking Sunday family pictures all year and didn't want to miss a day. I'm smiling because I cheated on my fast and ate. With 1 o'clock church I couldn't muster the strength to get through my fast until 4. I felt myself getting angry and exhausted and on the verge of tears. It wasn't an ideal situation for a Sunday, especially not one on my own. So I prayed about it, not very happily and apologized to the Lord that I just couldn't get through the day. Then I ate a Cliff bar and drank water and I felt so much better. That's why I'm smiling in this picture. We made it. 

custom designed 11th bday

Cannon orchestrates his birthday every year. Maybe it's because he's a middle child and he knows he can milk his special day for all it's worth. Yesterday he even had his birthday eve all planned out so it would go by quicker. He made and frosted his cake, got a haircut, went swimming at a friends and still had trouble falling asleep. This morning he was awake by 6:45, ready to go with his dad to get donuts. While he was gone, laine and Sommer set up the scavenger hunt they had planned for his presents. Donuts and presents opened by 8am. 

Spent some time at Cheery Hill on this happy day. Passed a couple of hours for us before we were on to the next adventure. (I just need to say that I love summer.)

The Lego store! Cannon chose the Dolorian from Back to the Future. 

Then we went to Provo Beach to try the ropes course -- Cannon's activity of choice. The kids had fun with their cousins. 

A summer birthday wouldn't be complete without a BBQ. We kept it simple and served the basics since hot dogs still top cannons list of favorite foods. Fun times at grandma and grandpa Blaser's with the family. 

There's the layer cake, baked and frosted by the birthday boy. He looked very serous about his wish. I'm sure he was wishing for a dog. Again. (Our land lords don't allow pets.) He has started a pet sitting business though! 

Backyard fireworks made an exciting finale at the end of celebrating Cannon. Love our sweet boy. 

on Sunday ---

Two weeks ago, it was kind of busy on Sunday. We got to do our "welcome to the ward speak in sacrament meeting" talk. (Now that I've been in a new ward three times in three years I'm not sure this is really a welcome. But that reminds me that the bishopric in our first Utah ward felt too sorry for me and didn't ask me to speak since Eric was commuting and I had baby Massi at the time.)

The kids did a great job on their talks even though there was much weeping and wailing around here when we told them they had to speak in church. They all looked up from their talks a couple of times, must have been Eric's coaching, and Eric and I spoke long enough to fill up the remainder of the time, which I think the bishopric hopes for whenever they schedule speakers. Our topic was on being better disciples of Jesus Christ. Even though giving talks isn't easy I enjoy preparing for them in that it gives me a chance to research and learn more about the gospel and my testimony. And our kids are quickly learning, as most LDS kids do, that public speaking isn't something to fear. Or at least if they fear it they are learning that they can do it and do it well if they practice and put personal experience and feeling into their message.

After sacrament meeting we went to primary where Massimo was assigned to speak. He learned the story of Jonah from his teachers a few months ago and he really wanted to talk about that so we worked  it in. He ended up repeating about half of the words I told him to say. So he has some things to learn but at least he got up there and smiled and spoke into the microphone.

6/16/14 9:22am

Cereal and monopoly junior. The girls are such good friends right now. Last night they were giggling so much as they played this game. I want to bottle that sound and save it forever so we can listen to it when we're old. 

And the brothers, bonding for a few days over Pokemon cards and the cartoon, just like when they were little. This time around they are actually doing the battle game which is great because they have to use math skills. That counts for something on these long summer days. 

We went to cherry hill this afternoon even though it was only 70 outside and cloudy. We had the pool to ourselves and the lazy river was quiet, like we were actually floating in a wilderness. We lasted an hour then came home to take warm showers. 

Last day of school

Ready or not, here comes summer.

R: Mom! Why do you have to take a picture. 

Me: Because it's tradition and even though you're cool now I'm still taking your picture on the first and last day of school.

R: I've always been cool. Cool from the womb to the tomb. 

Couldn't get him to smile.

At the jr high, the second to last day of school was optional. Really? The 7th and 8th grade kids who didn't go to Boondocks Family Fun Center could be checked out by their parents or excused for the day. The 9th graders had Lagoon day or the same thing. We were going to make Ridge go even though "none of my friends are going!" I called the school and was kind of shocked to hear that it was optional. Doesn't seem to be sending the right message. I know the last few days of school are a wash, just there to fill the required district days, but to have it be optional doesn't seem right. 

And today after 9:30, the jr high kids were free to leave school whenever they wanted. Ridge informed me that he would be walking the "trail of tears." It's tradition for kids to walk from the jr high to a local diner and the high school kids drive by and try to peg the walkers with water balloons. Hmm. I've been trying to remember my last day of 7th grade and I can't picture it at all. I'm pretty sure that my 7th grade self would not have wanted to be a water balloon target. High school kids scared me. The guys all seemed so big and ape-like while the girls confident and pretty. For Ridge, there couldn't be a better after school plan. 

I did not pose the kids. After I took the picture I noticed they were all standing alike. Why is this the pose when mom says take a picture? I think Massi was still waking up because I couldn't get him to look at me. 

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And here the girls were screaming "last day of school" but Cannon was still in his pose, he didn't want to look excited and Massi was worried about knocking down his dinosaur. 

It has been nice for all of us to live so close to the elementary school that the kids can leave the house with only 5 minutes to spare and get there on time. 

Orange Crushers and Tiger Cubs

A long time ago I was a little soccer player in an orange uniform. 

This year I've been the coach for my little soccer player and her friends in orange. (Picture is missing 2 players.) It's been a fun season. As coach I got to run up and down the field with the girls. At first I was all over the place with them but as our season went on they began to understand what their positions were and how to keep them, especially in defense. They are awesome at defence. One little girl wouldn't move from the line on the field in front of the goal she was so determined to keep her position.  Last game one of our players dribbled down to the goal and the goalie from the other team exclaimed "hey! I know you!" And our player scored. Funny first graders. 

 

Sensory Beads (pin fail?)

We were in charge of doing a science experiment for Laine's class. While we were searching for something to do, I found this link for 12 Sensory Play Recipes. Sommer saw the pictures and begged me to order the "edible water beads" which are actually tapioca pearls, like the kind found in bubble tea or at some frozen yogurt places as a topping. 

Initially the project turned out fine. I used food coloring to make the pearls brighter colors. I let them sit for about an hour to soak up  the color. The original site mentioned that the beads get sticky and they did. So we put them in a shallow tub of water. It also said that some of the food runs off while playing. Actually, a lot of it runs off making the water very muddy. So our rainbow beads went from brightly colored to muted. Also, it turned the girls hands very purple. They had fun with it though for one afternoon. Massimo didn't want to touch them. The boys poked at the pearls and thought they were weird and that was it for them. 

Sommer is my sensory child so this was fun for her, just a lot messier than we expected. Ours didn't turn out as pretty as the pictures, at all, we saw but she had fun. And now we have half a bag of tapioca pearls in the kitchen so we can try it again someday. Maybe then we'll have prettier results. 

Or maybe we'll just try to make our own bubble tea. 

Pistachio Pudding Cookies: Eric's new favorite

Before we moved, a friend dropped off a plate of these cookies. Eric declared that they were probably his new favorite. I asked her for the recipe and what made me excited was the note at the bottom that said: this recipe makes a lot of cookies, approximately 90. What?! I wanted to give cookies to new neighbors who have been so friendly to us and I thought this would be a great one to share. And if the batch makes 90 then I'm set for us and everyone else. 

Well. I know enough about cookie science that I should have known better when I read the recipe that is wasn't going to make 90 cookies. But still, I thought maybe I was wrong, that somehow those boxes of pistachio pudding would stretch the recipe to huge proportions. They didn't. This recipe makes a scant 4 dozen. But the cookies are yummy and we'll make them more often around here, especially around Christmas since they're the perfect color. I'm sure they'd be delicious with dried cranberries mixed in for holiday color. 

Pistachio Pudding Cookies: 

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 bag milk chocolate chips

1 cup butter

2 small packages instant pistachio pudding

2 cups flour

Sift the pudding to remove the nuts. Cream sugar, butter, vanilla and egg. Add pudding, flour and chocolate chips. Mix together. Roll into 1-inch balls, flatten slightly. 

Cook at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely, frost and glaze if desired. 

Frosting: 

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 8 oz cream cheese

1/3 Tbls milk or cream

1 Tbls butter

1 tsp almond extract. 

(or use pre-made cream cheese frosting) 

Glaze with chocolate drizzle to make them extra fancy. 

Notes: I used a half package of chocolate chips and 2 eggs and that worked. I think this frosting recipe would frost 90 cookies so maybe that's what the original author meant. I made my own frosting with 1/3 block of cream cheese and that was enough for one batch of cookies. 

win some, loose some

This isn't about the Pinewood Derby. Though I will post Cannon's results and tell you that even though he won 7 of his 8 races with his awesome, purple car, he placed 4th. He had fun, had a happy attitude, and more important, he's a good sport about cheering on his friends. 

Yesterday the results were posted for who gets to go onto the interviews for student council. Cannon didn't make it. He's sad. I'm sad for him. I went to meet him after school where the results were posted. I got there first and my heart dropped as I looked at the list. Then I looked down the hall and saw Cannon coming, a head taller than all the other kids. He had so much hope and anticipation on his face. I'm not sure if I did the right thing in getting to him before he could read the results. Maybe I should have let him read the list himself. But I couldn't. I rushed to him because there was a big crowd of kids next to the list and I told him I'm sorry but he didn't make it. 

It's not a popularity contest at this school. Cannon had to write an essay and the woman in charge of the program goes around and asks his teachers and people like the recess lady what kind of kid Cannon is and could he do this, would he be a good example to the other kids. The answer is a resounding YES! He is a terrific boy. He is caring and watches out for the underdog and he's good at including everyone. He's also a gentle giant who has been made fun of a lot this year, who has struggled to find his place, and who has been struggling with school work this year. I'm most upset because this opportunity would have given his self-confidence the boost it needed. He tries hard. He has to or he can't succeed at school. 

At church on Sunday the lady sitting behind me leaned over and said, pointing to Cannon, "you've got a really special boy there." Then she proceeded to tell me that she works on recess duty at the school and she's so impressed with Cannon's kindness and patience. I thanked her and she said she gave Cannon the highest recommendation she could for student council. I'm glad I was able to relay that message to Cannon before yesterday. He had people on his side. We did a lot of talking last night, as Cannon was crying, about how he'll have his moment, how this doesn't mean he's not a full of all the qualities they're looking for on student council. It just happened that way. He was a good looser and said that he's sad but he's happy for his friends that did make it. See? He's that kind of kid. 

I know, someone has to win, which means someone has to loose. I just wish it were some other kid yesterday and not mine. Cannon needs a big win in his court. It will come, I have no doubt about that. But, like I told him last night, he's still a puppy growing into his paws. (He liked that analogy but then it made him cry again because he really wants a dog and we still can't get one for him because we have a no-pet-rule from our landlord again.) 

Here's an addendum: 

When I was making lunches, after posting this, a poem my mom had us memorize started going through my head. It's called "Prayer of a Sportsman," and it was one of my grandpa's favorites. I could hear him saying it as I thought of the words. I didn't memorize the entire thing, the first two stanza's. And after I googled it I saw that the Nebraska Cornhuskers repeat their version of it before the game. This one is the one I memorized. 

Dear Lord in the battle that goes on through life, 

Give me but a field that is fair. 

A chance to be equal with all in the strife,

the courage to do and to dare. 

And if I should win let me live by the code

with my faith and my honor held high. 

And if I should loose, let me stand by the road

And cheer as the winner goes by. 

Spring break?

Our spring break wasn't really a break this year. The kids had Friday-Tuesday off. We went to Eccles Dinosaur park on Monday. There is a little dinosaur museum and then a park outside with trails and these dinosaur statues all around. They all had fun, even Laine who complained and Ridge who wasn't sure what he'd think. 

Tuesday our big plans to go to a different trampoline park were spoiled because of sickness so the kids moped around the house for the most part until late in the day when we went to Red Robin for dinner. So, not really a spring break. But hey, now we get out of school the last week of May. 

Sunday nap

Every Sunday since we moved Massimo has taken a sacrament meeting nap from about 1:45-2:15. Then he wakes up happy to go to sunbeams. I think we all need Sunday naps at that time. Usually he says he's tired then falls asleep on Eric's shoulder. Since Eric is hiking somewhere in Utah, my shoulder had to suffice today. 

Out of all the kids, Massi has had the hardest time with moving, or at least said the most about it. Today, I was trying to get him to come home after a walk and he said something like, "that's not our  house. That's the guy's house and it's stupid." The morning after we moved in I was holding him and he said, "but mom, this house is so, so little," and he showed me how little it was by holding his forefinger and thumb really close together to illustrate. Another time I told him he needs to sleep in his own room and he said, "I don't have a room anymore. Now it's Sommer's room." Because he shares with Sommer now. And at Target last week he was sitting in the cart and out of no where he said, "our old house was perfect," then he leaned his head on the cart handle. I suppose, because he is three, and because he still plays with our old next-door neighbor all the time, it is hard for him to understand moving, the why's that the adults in his life have tried to explain. While the things he says are funny, they are hard to hear as a parent. But I have to remember that in general, he is happy and I still bounce on the trampoline with him all the time. 

Saturday

After Laine's game we went to Station Park, an outdoor shopping mall. I love that somehow this snapshot captures this moment of happiness. Eric was off hiking in the Utah wilderness somewhere, Ridge was at a bbq at a friend's house, so the five of us went to dinner at Harmons (one of the nicest grocery stores you'll ever see). Laine is grinning at Massimo because he put his pencil behind his ear and insisted on carrying his notebook. Sommer's hair and her long stride. Laine in her purple soccer uniform. Cannon tagging along, content. 

Massi recharged his batteries between soccer games. There were three but he only went to two. What I loved though was that he played on the playground by himself during Cannon's morning game. I could see him but he had enough spirit of independence and understood that I needed to watch Cannon, so he set off on his own. We couldn't get to Ridge's first lacrosse game because it was too far away and I had to coach Sommer's game at the same time.

This is at the playground at Station Park. For some reason, Sommer looks happy to be buried in rubber "wood" chips. I didn't know what to think about this except that they were having fun so I let it be.

Goalie

Cannon played goalie for the first time on Saturday. He did a great job for never having played -- or practiced -- the position. He told the coach he wanted to try and the coach put him in. Today we went to the park to practice some goalie skills. Not that I'm an expert but I did play goalie for a couple years when I was little until I got too nervous to play the position. I hope the coach will give Cannon more opportunities to try because with his height he's got an advantage at covering the net. 

Our Saturdays are busy this spring with 3 soccer games and sometimes a lacrosse game as well. But it's good to have a busy season, we didn't play any winter sports this year. 

Changes (it's a blur)

A lot happened around here in 3 weeks. I'm still recovering. 

In December our landlords told us they wanted to sell the house. We knew it was a long shot for us to buy it but we tried anyway. Didn't work out. Second week of February we found out for sure. Although our lease wasn't up until June, our landlords wanted us out sooner, if possible. We decided that keeping the kids in the same schools would be the best possible scenario so we were willing to move sooner than June to make that happen. 

February 18th -- a house came up on the rental listings in a cul-de-sac right across the street from the elementary school. 

February 19th -- we walked through the house, right before I left for a writing conference in Arizona. While at the conference Eric applied for the rental house and before I got home we were approved to rent it and made the decision to move. 

Just sharing this fun picture -- at the conference there was a Protagonist Gala. Since my favorite YA book of late is Shadow and Bone I dressed up like the main character, Alina. (My costume is made of a graduation gown we got from the thrift store for Halloween last year, the ribbon I yanked off some Christmas garland but the had is the real deal. It's Eric's shapka from when he was a missionary in Russia.)

So on the drive home through the red rocks of Arizona I contemplated our move. I did my best not to cry. We didn't tell the kids for a few more days, until we had paid our deposit and had the keys in hand. 

February 27th: We gathered our family together and said, "We have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is we have to move. The good news is we're going to Disneyland." Poor kids. They didn't know how to feel. We all loved living in that house.

February 29th: I worked all day at the Gap. Eric packed up the car and picked me up and we began our drive to California. We stayed the night at my aunt's house in St. George then made it to Claremont by the next afternoon. Kent and Nellie were great sports about letting us "hotel" there for a few days.

Monday, March 3rd: Disneyland! 

We got there first thing in the morning. It wasn't too crowded all day. 

Meeting Tigger. 

Space Mountain -- ran through the line 2x in a row. The kids loved it. They loved Star Tours too. Massimo was just an inch too short for a lot of rides but he didn't mind. 

We had an awesome Jungle Cruise tour guide. I laughed the whole time. That was one of my favorite rides of the day even though we waited 30 minutes in line.

March 4th: California Adventure

Again, not too crowded. Nellie kept Massimo home with her in the morning so we could do some big kid rides all together. Sommer was too short for California Screamin' so we went on the carousel 3 times in a row while waiting for Eric and the kids to go twice on the roller coaster. Then I went with Cannon and was sick in the head for the next two hours. (I guess I'm too old for roller coasters.) 

We waited almost an hour for the Cars ride. It was worth it. I'm not sure why, it just was. The best moment of the day was when we got off the ride and Massimo was there waiting with Nellie and her boys. He said to me, "Mom! We're here!" I replied, "you're right, we're at Disneyland again." And he said, "No. We're in Radiator Springs." It was one of those magical Disney moments. 

The Pixar parade at the end of the day fabulous for Massimo, almost worth the price of his ticket. He loved seeing all of his favorite characters ride by. I loved watching him. 

So for a couple of days we escaped from our life. 

March 5th: Long drive home. 

In between this time I cried a lot.

March 8th: We moved. 

Our new place is just a couple of blocks away from our old place but since we're in Utah that means we're in a different ward and stake. But this is Kaysville, Utah's hometown, and people are very kind and welcoming. The kids recognized friends from school in their church classes and there is always a group of boys playing basketball in one of several driveways after school, ours included. They seem to be settling into life here just fine. 

I'm sure I will too. I miss our old backyard and how much light flooded into the house. I'm less resilient to change than I was before and I'm weird now when I have to walk into a crowd of new people and talk to them about myself. I feel kind of trapped and frozen and I know I'm being weird but I can't help it. I need to adopt an alter ego, like Beyonce, who is good at being the life of the party. I know, these are first world problems. We are very blessed to have a home and to be healthy, the things that matter.