Busy Week

Where does the time go? When I was working, there was so much to do like dishes and laundry and grocery shopping AND go to work from 8-5, and somehow it all got done! Now, there is no 8-5, it's just Sunday through Saturday, 24 hours a day, all at my disposal to get something done. So why on earth is there nothing in the fridge, a million things on the floor and can someone tell me why I am LATE TO EVERYTHING?! I am (a little) obsessive about being on time, and latley, I am at least 15 min late to most everything. I can't imagine what two kids will do to this chaotic schedule! Anyway, I was stressing at my inability to manage a household of three people, when I read an email from a close friend of mine. She said her blog was called boring because she doesn't have a life, it's just pictures of her little boy on there! Her response was that her life was her family, so that is what her picutres were so that is what her blog was about. It got me thinking, I guess I feel so busy because I would rather play "gonna get you," or dance to silly songs or make it to story time at the library instead of dishes. And when Michaela is sleeping, I like to make love posters for Jordan or cookies for his office or something non productive like that. I guess what I am saying is that like my friend, my family is my life and we are happy and late and messy! Well at any rate, I am proud to join my friend in the boring blog ranks! Hope you all enjoy your week!

So here is the cutest thing I have ever seen, Michaela LOVES to brush her hair and yesterday she was extremley quiet so I peeked around the corner to find her brushing her hair with the vacum brush! Not sure why she looks so mad, maybe those are her pretty eyes!

This is the swimming pool that the Easter Bunny brought to Michaela. Not that instead of a swimming suit and flip flops, we are still in winter coats and boots!

First Few Steps!

Yeah! Michaela is a walker! She officially started over the last two weeks, and this video is from the begining stages, but I thought it was cute! Now, she is kind of a runner, so don't expect too many pictures for a while, she's too bruised! SHe isn't content with walking so when I put her down, it's like a bull out of the gate (for those of you not from Montana or Wyoming, that is a rodeo metaphor......!) Anyway, instead of walking her 15 or 16 steady steps, she bolts about 4 or five, straight legged wobbly running steps and then belly flops wherever she looses her balance! So funny!... And sad!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Road Trip

Hmmm, I see that Jordan suddenly became a blogger while I was gone! That must be what happens when the wife goes out of town, the husband loses one skill (dishes) and picks up another (blogging)!

Anyway, Michaela and I went with my mom, brother and his girlfriend to Utah/Wyoming for a little family reunion vacation. Let me begin with this: WYOMING IS COLD. Luckily and thankfully it didn't snow while we were there, but it was cold nontheless. Below are a few pictures to describe the week. I figure pictures are more interesting than words! I can't wait to get updated on all of your blogs again!

This is how Michaela traveled most of the way! Isn't she cute....!

Five Generations, Michaela, Samantha, Raylene, Juanita, and Rolene

Here is Michaela and my cousin Trudy

What would a trip to Wyoming be without riding a bull? (Thanks, Wal-Mart!!)

Here I am at my elementary school - the coat rack is so small these days!!

And what would a road trip be without a flat tire??!

And Finially in the Hotel! Michaela slept in the King Size bed with me, and took up most of it!

I love technology....always and forever

The few times I have posted a comment, Samantha is standing over my shoulder showing me how to work this "computer" device. I do spreadsheets at work all day long but this blog stuff is hard. I want to post some kind of picture or visual because I'm afraid if I only type stuff, no one will really read this. So to see who my real friends are, there will be a short quiz at the end of this post so pay attention.

You may be surprised to know that Seattle ranked the most "intelligent" city in the USA (http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2007/city/seattle). I'm not sure what that means but it sure boosted my spirits for the customs exam I'm taking on April 7th. I hope to pass the test the first try so wish me luck. Another notable #1 was coffee of course and who can dispute that? Has anyone ever been to downtown Seattle? Coffee is even big in the summertime. I think they are even offering coffee at some daycare facilities ; - )

One ranking that we missed was "Affordability" (#16) which I assume is mostly linked to housing costs. We are environmentally aware (#2) and I can tell you that I hear the words "carbon footprint" and "green" more than I hear my own name. The biggest shame to Seattle is that we ranked #23 in Barbecue. That just depresses me because barbecues are an all American activity.

I have loved every place I have ever lived for different reasons. Here's the quick Pros/Cons list :
*Seattle : Beatiful skyline in between 2 snow covered mountain ranges, next to a lake, and the puget sound with Mt. Rainier in the background. If the clouds move out of the way it's breathtaking.
*Phoenix : Sunny skies every single day! Swim anytime of year. Wearing oven mitts while golfing is no fun.
*Provo (do my 3 months at the MTC count?) : Where else can you go to a nickle arcade, dollar theater and get fry sauce at the nearest Wendy's all within 1 city block? If every one is a member, how can every member be a missionary?
*Loncoche, Chiloe, Punta Arenas, Lago Ranco, Valdivia & Puerto Cisnes Chile : Small town feel and I don't remember ever hearing about anyone hating Chileans as passionately as some people hate Americans. So laid back that "on time" doesn't exist which is cool for parties but killer for meeting a customs deadline.

Places I wouldn't mind moving to :
Rio de Janeiro; Preston, Idaho; Hong Kong; Wenatchee, WA; Nessa, OR

Here are some other surprising statistics for other cities in case you were wondering :
-Portland, OR was the best overall (Characteristics) city
-Washington D.C. was #2 in best family vacation spots

There you have it folks.

Exciting News!

Hello Friends and Family! Our family is excited to tell you that we have started the adoption process again! It could take a long time, and it could be very fast, Michaela came to us just six short weeks after signing up with the agency. This time though, we are going through LDS Family Services, and it tends to take about a year with them. That's where YOU could come in! The odds of being placed with a newborn triple when you are connected with a birthmother on your own, so they told us to involve friends and family. Well, if you know of any girls in need of options for their unborn baby, please tell them a little bit about our family and that we would be intetested in talking with them. We have another blog that you could direct them to, with our agency contact info. The site is: http://www.hopefulinwashington.blogspot.com/ , you can feel free to visit there also, but please DO NOT LINK IT TO YOUR BLOG, OR LEAVE COMMENTS ON THERE! It is very important that our identities remain unknown, to protect our information. If you have a question or comment, please leave them on this post. We are superexcited and will try to keep you updated as we set up all our online profiles. Thanks for the support and prayers! Sorry..... no pictures right now, I am in the middle of a movie.........