The Good Life

Well, we made it.  We are in Nebraska.  I find it ironic that the state motto is "The Good Life."  It is like it has been here waiting for me and I didn't even know it z(my maiden name is Goodliffe).  The kids did AMAZING on the trip!  Gideon never cried because he was sick of being in the car.  Having 2 cars to divide the kids worked wonders.  Kjerstin screamed as we drove across the Nebraska border.  She is also quoted as saying, "I forgot to take my last breath of Idaho air."  I have to say, the things I have heard about Wyoming are all true.  There is not much to look at (at least along the freeway).  It has been nonstop since we got here.  I am wondering if I will ever get this house unpacked.  The storage space is different (as it is with most houses).  We purchased $500 in shelving to put in, but it didn't make it in and I am not sure Bridger will have time with his work duties.  I think I will have to do it! Ah!  I am uncertain about my building abilities.  I have already received and been sustained as the Beehive advisor in our branch.  I have also decided that I think I prefer to pack myself.  The packers did a great job and we have found few broken items, but I can't find anything.  I couldn't even find a pencil for the kids to do homework the first night.  Both Bridger and I commented that it has never been this bad unpacking.  I don't know if that is because we have more kids and more stuff or what the reason is exactly.  The kids seem to be doing okay in school and adjusting.  It is interesting how different schools are everywhere.  I am impressed with the longer school days, dedicated music and art class rooms and having these classes given more often.  Kjerstin complains that she only has 1 recess right now before lunch.  But I think that is small complaint (as is my different storage areas complaint).  She was disappointed that she did all of Idaho's test and now she and Corban have to do Nebraska's since they are enrolled in the school district in the month of April.  We have met some very nice neighbors.  We have made our first Costco trip and our first Walmart trip.  I even drove to the airport without getting lost.  I think we are settling in.  It is Sunday and I had to take a nap today.  I think the unpacking demands are more than I realized.  I swear I am taking more steps daily in this house.  I don't know if it is just because I am unpacking or because the house is bigger but it feels like everything is so far apart. There are some boxes in every room that are misplaced and we have to move them to another room.  Everytime I leave a room, I have to think what does not belong in that room and try to multitask my walking and walking.  I think the kids like the house.  I am surprised how well they are doing without cable.  I still miss my friends and my family.  I think we will be okay here.  I even said today, "We are happy to be here"  (if I say it I will start to believe it, right?).  

Third Person

I sat in a Relief Society lesson yesterday and just wanted to cry. I watched a sister teach a lesson on temples. When this sister moved into the ward she was inactive and I was assigned to be her visiting teacher. She is not currently endowed. I read the lesson beforehand and was a little worried how she would feel about teaching it. She did so beautifully and it has been a pleasure of mine to watch her grow and flourish in the gospel. I am going to move and going to miss seeing the continued growth in her life. I am going to miss her friendship.


Two of my sisters drove to Idaho over the weekend to say goodbye.  They are trying to help me stay positive and excited.  My one sister said, "Think of this as a new chapter in your life."  I have heard and mayve even uttered this phrase before in my life.  I also love to read but have never pictured myself in the story so well as now.  As a reader I am always anxious to get onto the next chapter to see what lays in store for the heroine.  I have never wanted to stay in the same chapter in a book.  I don't know why I want to stay in this same chapter in my life and cannot express more excitement of the unknown adventure that lays before me.  I need to start thinking of myself in the third person to more accurately get a view on things in my life.  I think I am too close to the picture to see things accurately.  Cindy is going to help her little boy do a puzzle then will then clean the freezer out! (I don't know if this is working but as the song says, "Let us all press on!")

Stitches.  Daven has had stitches twice in his short 4 years of life.  His first time he was just barely one, holding onto the railing by our stairs.  He fell and hit a corner on his eyebrow.  Last week he jumped off the couch at his grandma's house onto a TV table.  The table collapsed and somehow he cut a nice gash in his lip.  We were in the ER while he was stitched up.  He will have a nice scar on his lip but everyday it looks a little better.  I guess on boys scars are battle wounds-signs of valor and courage.  From the looks of things, this little boy is going to be one decorated soldier!

The last dance

The kids had spring break last week.  It was a good opportunity to let them have one last time doing things they love.  One Monday, their Aunt Pam took them to the movies for one last time.  On Tuesday they went to their Grandma Critchfield's for one last time working on their scrapbooks with her.  On Wednesday, we went to Outer Limits with one of my friends and her kids one last time and then drove to Rexburg to see our neighbors who moved there.  On Wednesday we got together some of our other neighbors who have moved.  On Friday they got haircuts and played with friends again.  On Saturday, their cousins came into town and they got to spend time with them which was probably the best part of the week for all of them.  Bridger and I had a gift certificate to use at at local hotel with theme rooms.  We took advantage of that on Friday night and stayed in the room under the sea and watched the morning session of conference laying in bed there.  It was a good week.  I don't know why I have such a hard time with change.  I always think things are the best they can be here and I don't allow the Lord to show me what more he can give me.  I have always been blessed with more than I thought possible and need to exercise faith that once again will be the case. 

Eye of the Storm

I feel like I am currently in the eye of the storm, where life is peaceful and calm for a brief moment. We have things kind of settled for our home purchase in Omaha. We have a contract on our home here (so I don't need to clean like an insane woman and drive my kids crazy for being kids). I have quit my paper route and mystery shopping so I would have time to do what needed to be done. They are releasing me from my calling, too! I honestly haven't been this non busy in almost 2 years (maybe longer). I have time to read again. It makes me feel like I am being lazy. I should have something more productive to do. I feel like there is something I should be doing to prepare for the chaos my life will enter but I don't know what that thing I should do is! Bridger is crazy busy at work which makes me feel even more guilty for not being busy. I wish life wasn't at such extremes most of the time. It is either too busy or not busy enough. Or maybe it is me just not being present enough in the moment to enjoy what that moment has to offer. Maybe a little bit of it all. By the time I get used to not being busy, it will be busy again. I guess this is plateau training for my soul. It better be getting in great shape!

Moving

The last day I posted was 2/13. On 2/14 Bridger came home at lunch with flowers. Ahhh. I said, "You didn't have to do that." He said, "It's not for Valentines Day." He has been applying/ interviewing for awhile waiting for that right job to come along. He finally got it! He told me we were moving to Omaha. I think I was in a state of continual deep breathing for weeks to try to calm my nerves. I had a headache for 2 weeks and ended up in the ER to treat the headache that had gotten so bad that I was vomiting, dehydrated and couldn't keep any headache medicine in my stomach. We have been in Pocatello for almost 7 years. It is the longest we have been anywhere. I grew up saying I didn't want to stay but now I see what a nice place to raise a family it is. I was not very excited. I know it will be great for Bridger. Instead of being a claim rep, he will be managing a group of about 9 claim reps. It means more hours he will likely be away from us. I think that is the part that I just don't want to swallow. I am sure it will all work out. I think I am just one of those people who have a hard time with change and I drag my heels all the way. When I get there it all seems okay. We have a really great relocation package. We have now sold our house, and have found a house in Omaha (actually in a little community outside Omaha called Gretna). Here is the link: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/441-Brentwood-Dr-Gretna-NE-68028/6639064_zpid/ . I think it will do for our family. I found another house I liked better but we felt this was where the Lord wanted us. I wanted to say, "But I don't want to move to Nebraska, can't I at least have the house I want?" I am sure there is a reason we are supposed to be there. I just can't wait to find out!

Gideon's 2nd Birthday Belated!

We are entering our final round of the terrible two's (I don't think the two's are so bad-three's are much worse in my 0pinion). Gideon had his second birthday this last week. Two years ago on February 10th, I missed Corban's 4th grade program because I delivered a baby that day. This year on February 10th, I made it to Kjerstin's 4th grade program. She did a great job! She sang a song with 2 other girls. She is in the above picture with her bonnet and glasses. They are studying Idaho History this year in school and the play was called "Go West!" While watching her perform on Gideon's birthday, I had many memories drift back through my mind. I remember the superbowl coming and passing. I remember thinking I would be pregnant forever! Fast forward two years and Gideon has brought so much joy into our lives. He has done things none of our other kids have done. Kids are so unique, and although I know this it is a surprise each time. He is full of smiles. I had a lady ask me this morning if he always smiles. He is a sweet boy. We celebrated the 12th because Bridger was out of town. He had a baseball cake because he really likes cars, balls, and Baby Einstein. I was glad he recognized his cake was a ball. The red frosting and I were not friends. He is saying new words everyday and growing by leaps and bounds. My heart already feels full just thinking of what a special little boy he is. This is ready to springboard me forward to Valentines Day to show all 5 little monkeys living in this house (and their Dad) that I love them very much! Kjerstin is making a purse for her Valentines box for school. We will post photos when it is done.

Just a bit about me. I set a goal to read all of the standard works cover to cover this year. I am so struggling with the Old Testament. While I know the Old Testament is important, it makes me so grateful for the Book of Mormon. I am stuggling to keep my schedule on track. It is just too hard to force myself to read Law of Moses some days. I had whined to Bridger and those in a close enough perimeter. I have also used many biblical metephors to those in a close enough perimeter. So you may want to keep your distance.

I decided I needed a new look. I cut my hair short again. Bridger is a peach. When he met me, I had short hair. It isn't his favorite but he never says anything. I just needed a change. I need to post a picture of that, too!