Several why's and a couple of where's

1. Why is it so hard to keep up with tweezers and finger nail clippers? I always need them, but can never find them. I am going to start carrying them in my bag. Then I will always know where they are. (Yes my bags are back. I couldn't cope with out all the necessities.)

2. Why am I sooo tired after working just a couple days a week? I am a cashier not a coal miner, lumber jack, or...some other profession that seems tiring!

3. Why do people use their EBT cards (food stamps are on a debit card called EBT) to buy $150 worth of junk food and soda and then they pay for their cigarettes, (that are, by the way, around $5 a pack!) and booze with a wad of cash after that! If they didn't buy the latter they would have money to buy their junk food!

4. Why can't I cook fun food like they do on cooking shows and magically not have a messy kitchen?

5. Where do all the sharpened pencils go? I sharpen like a million for Jake to have all ready to do his homework and they all vanish and all that we can find are ones with dull tips and barely any eraser!

6. Why is it impossible to keep up with laundry lately? I feel like there is always something that needs to be washed...and along the same lines...

7. Where do socks go when you put them in the dryer? I seriously could wash just one pair of socks (I wouldn't do that of course) and then put them in the dryer and when I open the dryer there will inevitably only be one sock!!! What happens to its mate? And when I finally give up and toss the one that lost its mate, why then does the other one show up in the dryer out of no where????

Okay this isn't a why or a where, but am I the only one who thinks of these random things?

Jake's Awesome Valentine Card Holder

We had to make a Valentine Day card holder for Jake to bring in for his class party, but Jake just couldn't figure out what he wanted it to be. He wanted it to be awesome and something he really liked so...I came up with the brilliant idea to make an R2D2 whose head flipped up and you put the cards inside. You know those ideas that pop in your head, you say it out loud, and then go...how the heck are we going to do it! Yeah it was one of those. I have a problem with saying things out loud before I have really thought it through...But it turned out awesome!

Still catching up...Super Bowl Party

We had a fun time watching the Super Bowl with the Gariety's! I don't really watch that much. I talk and laugh at the commercials. In fact...nope, I can't even remember who won...or now that I think about it, who was even playing! Aaron loves football and every now and then I humor him and watch a game. But for the most part I could really care less. Maybe next season I will pay more attention to it...That probably isn't true either...I do like basketball though. (I am finally putting aside the bitterness I felt when George Shin took the Hornets away from Charlotte to New Orleans. I am really starting to be a Bobcats fan.) So, although there is little to no hope that I will ever care about football, I will always enjoy hanging out with friends while they watch it!

Jake's Science Project

A few weeks ago I mentioned Jake's report on the skeletal system of a black lab and here are a couple of pictures of it. He really had fun with it and did a great job on the picture he drew and labeled. Who knew just a couple months later we would be without our sweet black lab...Just a reminder how precious time is.

I am know known as "Bi-Lo Carrie"

This is my ugly uniform. A few posts ago I mentioned how Jake said I looked "amazing!". Yeah right...Thanks any way buddy. My name tag says Bi-Lo on it with my name under it, so whenever I leave and/or come home from work the 2 jokers in my house like to call me "Bi-Lo Carrie". I am wondering why I am posting this picture...It is really bad. The uniform is really bad. My hair looks...really bad (I just put it back with a head band or something like that because it is pretty warm in Bi-Lo and my hair ends up going all wavy and crazy). All the employees comment how we all look so different (better different)when we come in and shop on our days off. The uniform really isn't a good look for anyone.

Jake's Ice Cream Treat

I mentioned a while ago that Jake passed all his multiplication tests and I took him to get a treat. This is the delicious ice cream he choose. Vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate, with crushed Oreo and marsh mellow drizzle. All for $1! I don't know how this little shop stays open.

Enjoying Spring

Jake is growing up so fast. He is all about Star Wars, Ben 10, and the Wii. But every now and then he can't help himself and he recreates things he used to do "when he was little". He decided to get out the Webkinz and his dog from Build-a-Bear and have a little picnic in the back yard. I was of course invited and I accepted as long as I was allowed to snap a couple of pictures. He agreed and it was a fun little "snack picnic". Jake is a big fan of making umbrella tents too, that is why he has out an umbrella on a sunny day.

St. Patty's Day traditions

We always wear green and eat green at our house on St. Patrick's day. And I of course take pictures! Unfortunately I slacked this year and only took them in the morning. It has also been a month since then and I can't even really remember what we ate for dinner...But any way the tradition continued and here is the proof!
Jake's green lunch! It looks really nasty but Jake and Aaron like it. It is a can of chicken, bacon crumbled up and ranch dressing. They like to eat it on ritz crackers. It doesn't look quite as gross when it isn't green.

Dinner by Jake

I have recently become slightly obsessed with a show on BYU TV called "Food Nanny". It comes on Thursday night and I have the DVR set to record it every week. (We are actually getting Direct TV for free right now-it will be coming to an end soon. I called to cancel it and they said they would give us the basic package free for 3 months because we shouldn't be without any TV...I guess they are hoping after the 3 months we will change our mind and keep it...but any way that is a whole other story...) This extremely perky grandma (she drives Aaron crazy) is on a mission to rescue dinner and she suggests you have theme nights to get everyone excited to be around the dinner table. Thursday is Mexican night and one of Jake's chores on Thursday is to help with dinner. He is loving this idea and was excited to make the whole meal himself (with my supervision). I even taught him how to cut everything with the sharp knives and he is such a pro. We also like to pretend we are doing a cooking show when we cook together. We talk to the audience and have commercial breaks to set the table and everything. It is amazing how much more kiddos will eat when they cooked it. To mark the occasion I had to take pictures...Naturally that was met with some resistance. Just a warning as to why these pictures are so...good.
Jake totally excited to eat the soft tacos he made.

Not sure as to why the sign had to be in the picture...

Jake enjoying his awesome cuisine. Good job Jake-it was delicious!

First meal outside of 2010

I am trying to catch up on all that happened since I have been able to upload pictures and I am having to go back to the beginning of February...So, needless to say the next several posts will be in no particular order! This is a picture of our first outside meal of the season. This was a couple of days before St. Patrick's Day and it was beautiful out! I am glad we eat outside then because so far it isn't happening in April with all the lovely yellow pollen every where! Aaron rinsed the cars off one night, only to wake up to a brand new layer of yellow!

Upward Basketball

Aaron had a great time coaching and Jake had a great time playing Upward basketball this winter. It is great to learn how to play a new sport in a Christian environment. The score wasn't officially kept...but Aaron had me keep track and they won all but one game. I loved watching them kneel down to pray before each game. These are a few pictures of the dinner and awards ceremony. We will definitely be doing it again next season!

What does it say about me?...Chapter 1...

I have been concerned about myself lately. I have just realized that my favorite books are...teen and younger books...I am 33 (almost 34. I may just skip this years birthday) and my favorite books are for kiddos. Harry Potter-read them all as they came out and read Jake the first 3 before he was able to read them himself. The Twilight series-read them all...Twice-besides the last one, I have started reading it again. Sad right? And now I am starting a new series...I just finished reading Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightening Thief. It is really good and I am excited to get the next one in the series! I am heading to the library on Monday...but wait..didn't we get this book for Jake to read (he is half way through it and loving it too! He had been devouring books lately. He just finished the 2nd Harry Potter. That's my boy!!)? Wasn't I just reading a head of him to make sure it was okay for him to read?...Oh right. I am just going to continue reading them to make sure they are all okay for Jake to read...right? What does that say about me?..

This is a test...

These are (hopefully )just a couple of random pictures. One my sweet boy and the other my sweet dog. I am just trying to see if I can upload pictures again...I really want to get back into blogging but you all know how I am with pictures! I hardly ever blog with out them...I am keeping my fingers crossed...YIPPPEEE! It is official: I am back to blogging!

This is Jake...I know it was after I gave him a hair cut...I think it was Feb...Who knows really! Could he be any cuter?

My sweet Emily. This was in February when we finally got some snow here in Monroe. She had a ball playing in it...I miss her...(have mentioned how much I love my camera?)

What I have learned the past couple of months...(in no specific order)

1. That there is a big difference in internet that costs $39 a month and $20...we have the $20 internet...I am not a fan...at all.

2. I currently am not using a purse. I know it is a shock to those of you who know of my LOVE for bags of all shapes and sizes. But working at Bi-Lo and having 15 minutes to eat lunch has made me only carry the basics in my pockets...or pocket..I washed and dried my work pants with a piece of gum still in one pocket. It is never coming out! Drivers license,debit card, of course lip balm (my current favorite is Palmer's cocoa butter. It looks like a large glue stick and works like a charm), and a water bottle. I carry the water bottle-it doesn't fit in my pocket. While slightly freeing, it is not and will not ever be my ideal to leave home without my purse. It saves me 5 of my 15 minutes from having to go all the way to the back of store (where the break room is), fiddling with a locker to get my purse (or over night bag as Aaron likes to call it), going back to the front of the store, so I can go sit outside and a breath for a few minutes (the heat is still on in Bi-Lo..I have no idea why.) And then do it all again to make it back to clock in on time.

3. I now know for sure that blogging is not only great a way to keep in touch, but it is also very much a part of my sanity. So, I really will be making time for it. Like right now. I should be cleaning. But I am not. I am taking a moment for my sanity.

4. Emily was the best black lab ever. This deserves a post of its own, but it wasn't my intention to do this yet...But I need to let it out. Yes, I did say was...We had to put her to sleep on Monday March 15th. This is the shortest version I can give you...sorry for the rambling...On Thursday March 4th Emily threw up a couple times and was really moping around. We feed her rice over the weekend and she seemed to be a little better. Monday we took her on a walk. Tuesday we played ball with her. She seemed better but not great. Friday night I told Aaron I was going to take Emily to the vet on Monday and see what was going on. I slept on the couch and pulled her dog bed right next to it that night. All weekend she got worse. Sunday night after letting her out to go to the bathroom she could hardly make it up the steps to the front door. That night a neighborhood dog wouldn't stop barking and woke Jake up. I took him upstairs to sleep hoping it would be quieter. I went into the 2nd room upstairs and tried to fall asleep. I guess I did quickly (probably from being emotionally exhausted) because a few minutes later I heard Jake say "Mommy don't you hear Emily crying?" I went downstairs to find my sweet dog barely wanting to raise her head. I ended up laying on her dog bed with her the rest of the night and she kept crying every now and then and I just kept petting her and talking to her. We got up Monday morning and Jake was really tired but I got him ready for school and realized Emily wouldn't even get up to go out to the bathroom. She didn't even get up when Aaron left for school. My plan was to drop Jake off at school and take Emily right to the vet. But when I had to lift her into the Jeep I decided Jake had to come with me. It is really all a blur at the vets office. They did x-rays and an ultra sound. I called my parents balling and told them I would keep them posted. I tried to call my in-laws but they were both at work. I sent my mother in law a text because I knew she would know how I was feeling. I texted Aaron several times (he was at school all day, he told me later that day that when he left for school that morning he knew he wasn't going to see her again). Jake and I talked about what this all meant. I didn't really know what to do. I sat on the floor crying holding my big dog. Finally the vet told us she had cancer in her spleen and liver. The mass was so large that it had pushed her stomach up. We had to put her to sleep. We decided I would hold her while they did it and Jake was going to go out to the waiting room. They said they would give her a shot that would relax her and we could spend as much time with her as we needed. That plan backfired. They gave her the shot and she fought against its affects. She was trying to get up but had no control and it was heartbreaking. Jake said goodbye to his dog and the nurse took him out in the waiting room. I was a mess. I laid down on the floor and just held her. She was trying to lick my face but she couldn't even open her jaw. They finally came to give her the shot that would put her to sleep. It was so peaceful. I told her it was okay, that we would miss her but it would be okay. I felt her spirit leave the room. I felt relief that she wasn't in pain, but shock because this happened so fast. When we left the vet with Emily in the trunk in a box, Jake was comforting me. Telling me that Heavenly Father must really need her in Heaven for something since he took her home when she was only 5 1/2. How pitiful am I that my 8 1/2 year old was comforting me? We ran home so I could change. I had Emily slobber all over me...And then we headed down to Spartanburg to bury her with all of the other well loved family dogs in Aaron's parents backyard. (Daisy is actually buried in Pisgah National Forest...but don't tell anyone because I am pretty sure it is against the law, but we love it there). Thanks again to the vets who never even met us before but took great care of our sweet Emily and us. Jake thought it was amazing that the vet hugged me when we left. And thanks Matt (Aaron's little brother) and the girl Erin (his wife) for digging the grave for us before we got there. I don't think I could have done it. So, the dog beds (yes beds...she had 2 store bought ones and 2 others I made her out of pillows and blankets...in Jake's room (we really called it Jake and Emily's room because she slept in his room every night) and the living room were the nice ones. And in the sun room and our bedroom were the ones I made for her. The one in our room was under my desk. She was my blogging buddy. Yes she was spoiled, I know.)are in the basement and her food (I thought maybe a change in dog food had made her sick initially. We had 2 1/2 large bags of different food because of this) was given to friends, and I keep finding her tennis balls. We did bury her with her favorite one-the dirtiest one. And now for the first time since we got Daisy as our first wedding anniversary gift to each other (we have been married 12 1/2 years), we are with out a furry four legged companion...and it makes me sad. I can't tell you how many people have told me they aren't huge dog lovers but if they could have a dog like Emily they would get one ASAP. I guess if you are a dog that is probably the best compliment you can get. Unconditional love is what dogs give you. Emily treated me like I was the most important human in the world. I regret the times I got annoyed that she followed me every where. I wish she still did. She loved Jake like he was her baby. Whenever I said Emily where is your boy she would go find Jake. Although sometimes she did run to the door, thinking I said ball! She respected Aaron as her pack leader. She was an amazing dog. I will miss her until I see her again. And I will. Until then I am going to try and be a better person. A quote I heard once keeps going through my mind. "I am trying to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am."

No pictures, just words...

...I guess I can still blog even though I can't post my pictures. It really seems pointless! :) It just isn't the same but I might as well try and catch up rather than getting farther behind! I still have a post waiting that takes care of the first half of Feb. I will post it whenever I can get the Internet to fully cooperate. I am going to just jot down some memories before I totally forget them!

-Jake did a science project and presentation on the skeletal system of Black labs. He got a 93%...or something like that, maybe a 94%...it seems like so long ago I can't remember. But he did good any way! Especially considering his sheet of notes to use during the presentation fell of the table were they were all being stored and he had to wing it. Luckily he knew it enough to do it with out the notes!

-Jake also passed all his multiplication test through 12's! He now gets to be a grader which his is pretty excited about. They are working on division and fractions. We are getting very near to the end of my being able to help Jake with his math homework. I hate math and really stink at it...Luckily Aaron is really good at it. In fact that is his official major now. I would rather scratch my eyeballs out than do math all day long...But back to the point! I took Jake to get an ice cream cone to celebrate the occasion. On the way home from Jake's school there is this cute little ice cream place and it only costs a dollar. He got vanilla ice cream dipped in that hard chocolate shell, dipped in Oreo's with marsh mellow drizzle. All for $1! I don't know how they stay open but I like it! :)

-I finally got to do the cash register this week and it is really fun. After a couple of hours of working with someone in the morning I was on my own. I was nervous at first but the beeping sound as you scan is so soothing...It sounds crazy but it is true. There are people that seriously come in every day so it is like hanging out with friends. The old men are the cutest things ever! I had 17 hours this week and they are all during the day when Jake is at school (except tomorrow but Aaron is home). Bi-Lo is really great about working around Jake being in school. In fact on Wednesday Jake was on a 2 hour delay, (I have no idea why. Its snowed the night before but it was completely gone...) but Aaron wasn't. I called Bi-Lo and they said not to worry about it just come in after I dropped him off. And they actually meant it! I also have to tell you that the uniform is pretty blah! It is a blue polo, tucked in with, khaki pants and the name tag. The sleeves on the polo seriously come down past my elbows and are so long. I know it doesn't sound that bad but it is. I will post a picture. It really isn't a good look. No one at work likes it. The first day I was going to work I came out to show Aaron and Jake how pitiful I looked. I came out expecting a laugh and this is what Jake said "Mommy you look amazing! You look so beautiful!" That is my sweet boy. Aaron didn't laugh...but he did chuckle.

-Okay so I need to vent a little. I was totally spoiled at Jake's old school in Fletcher...His school is good here...I think...but I don't know for sure because his teacher is totally clouding my vision on it. She is completely unorganized and I really would love to go scream at her!!! Here are a few reasons why:
1. Since Thanksgiving Jake's class has gone outside for recess MAYBE 5 times.
Probably not even that many. Sometimes she "forgets" or they just dance to a 3 minute song and she calls it recess...They are 8 and 9 not stupid. They know they are getting the shaft because there teacher doesn't like to go outside...I have written a note asking her what the policy is on weather keeping them from going outside. Next step is going to be the principal and a "we are new here but is it normal that my child doesn't have recess?" talk. I am going to play ignorant and see what happens. KIDS NEED RECESS! THE LAW SAYS THEY MUST HAVE RECESS!!! UGH!!
2. When we moved here we got a supply list and for the second time in 2 months
we bought school supplies. One thing on the list was like 3 or 4 folders. I decided to get the plastic ones instead of the paper ones thinking they would last longer. Jake came home his first day with a paper folder with some other kids name scratched out and his written in. I asked where his was and he said she was going to "store them" until he needed them...Last week Jake came home and said "Mommy I need to replace my paper folder with a plastic one, because the paper one is falling apart."...Okay. What about the ones I sent to school the first time? He told me he had asked his teacher about them but she looked for them but couldn't find them. He
was all concerned he was going to get in trouble so I wrote a note saying we would buy a new one, but what about the ones I already sent in? I wrote it nicer than that-you know playing ignorant and stuff. She never wrote a note back but told Jake to tell me she was SO SORRY, but she couldn't find them. I went and bought one for $1...I know it is just a dollar but come on women admit you used them!!! He has not used ANY of the school supplies I sent in. His composition books are the same way. Some other child's name covered up with Jake's on it...SERIOUSLY???!!!
3. I could say a lot more but I am going to end on this one...Jake's class
earned a Chic-fil-a party and it was on Thursday. They got one of those huge trays of chicken nuggets. They each got four...She said that was enough for them. Jake said everyone was a bummed because the tray wasn't even half gone and he knows because he is learning fractions! UGH! Why women? GIVE THEM THE NUGGETS!!! They weren't for you to take home they were for the kids! We were SO spoiled at our old school...Okay enough venting..

-The post that I already wrote that I am waiting to post once I can put pictures on it is about the 2 snows we had. So fun! I won't say too much because I already did on the post to come!

-I don't know why it is posting with spaces between some of the words...I tried to fix it but couldn't..

Technical Difficulties...

I have had a post that all I need to do to it, is add pictures forever, but my internet is not cooperating!!! (and let's face it I have a hard time blogging with out pictures) My computer will not stay logged on to the internet. I am on Aaron's lap top right now. It is really weird with the flat keys...I am going to have Aaron take care of it once and for all tomorrow or I will never be able to catch up! Expect something tomorrow...I hope! I miss the blog world. I can't wait to read about all that has been going on with you all! I didn't reach my 20 pounds by March 1st but I have lost another 3 pounds the past 2 weeks and I am happy that the numbers are still decreasing!..I had my first day on the cash register at Bi-Lo today and it is FUN! What can I say my career goals are not extremely high and I love registers! I will update and explain our crazy and fun life tomorrow!!! I hope-I am keeping my fingers crossed...

Where do I begin????

I am just going to hit all the highlights of the month so far in order to catch up...This is going to be long folks so forgive me!

First, I am back to work (for the first time in about 10 years-outside the home at least. I of course babysat some sweeties I miss sooo much!!) and I really like it so far. I work part time...technically...at Bi-Lo. I say technically because last week I had 32 hours and this week I will have 37! I have been able to work mostly while Jake is at school, and 2 evenings a week when Aaron is home. It has worked out perfectly so far. They are totally family friendly and most of the people (including the young kids) have worked there for years! I thought turn over was big at grocery stores but not this one! I am going to be a cashier starting the beginning of March, but right now I am updating everyone who comes in the store over to the new "Fuel Perks Bonus Card" and it really is fun. I get to chat with people all day and they pay me. Totally works for me! Wednesday is the best day because it is senior day and all the cute seniors love to really chat it up. They are so awesome. I seriously wish I could have a video camera to document their amazing stories! This job came at a perfect time because Aaron found out he is not going to be able to get his unemployment...BIG wrench in our plans but we are rolling with the punches and working it out. I put applications out and didn't hear anything until Bi-Lo called a month later. I literally got hired the day we got the letter in the mail saying he wouldn't be getting unemployment. Thank you again Heavenly Father for being mindful of our family! I will post a picture of my lovely uniform (I am being extremely sarcastic..) soon and tell you Jake's sweet reaction to it. I love that boy!

Okay, so that was me rambling...I have to post a few pictures to show the love and support our families are to us. Aaron told his parents the not so good news about his unemployment and they rallied right behind us to show us their support in Aaron being in school. I actually wasn't supposed to start at Bi-Lo until Monday the 8th, but they called me on the 6th and asked if there was any way I could come in (someone was sick), because they were just kicking off the new bonus cards. So, off to work I went and when I got home this is what I saw:





My wonderful in laws drove up from Spartanburg (1 1/2 hours a way) to stock our pantry for us. And these pictures don't even show all of it! Thank you for helping me convince Aaron that this wasn't the end of the road, that we can make this whole going back to school thing work. Thank you for reminding us that even though it may not be easy, we are on the right path. Thank you for loving us and supporting us in all we do.

I forgot to take a picture of Pooha! Or as Jake used to call here when he was little "Poohba". We are watching her while Aaron's parents go on a cruise. She is so sweet. She loves to curl up with anyone sitting down. And if you are covered with a blanket (it is cold in our/my parents house. It is an adorable historic home with tons of character...and old homes equal drafty windows and little insulation. Plus we are cheap so we have the heat turned REALLY low. But that just means hot chocolate and cuddling which totally works for me!), Pooha likes to crawl under it. She is so sweet!

Lets see...whats next? Oh, to go along with the house being cold I had to post a picture of Aaron studying.

Nice hat in doors right? I guess when you have very little hair covering your head you have to keep it warm some how!

We FINALLY had snow here (Jake was so bummed every time he heard how much snow you all were getting up in the mountains) TWICE! The first was equal parts ice and snow. We played the first day when it was snow...And then looked out the window wishing we could play in it, but it was no fun for 2 or 3 days after that! Snow is fun to play in...ice not so much. Jake did get a day off from school Monday the 1st and 2 hour delay the next day so it was pretty awesome! Here are pictures from snow #1:






Snow #2 was PERFECT! The light fluffy stuff that accumulates in no time at all and makes the best snowballs. And as quickly as it came it left within 2 days. Don't you love the south? Enjoy playing in it and then poof it is gone. I love it that way!!! Here is snow #2:






Okay...My head is starting to hurt...I will break this up into parts to make it easier. Consider this Part One. Tomorrow I will do Super Bowl Party, Jake's TOTALLY AWESOME Valentine Card box for school...and some other stuff I can't remember right now, because my brain has shut down for the day! :)

Week 7 results

I am not surprised to report that I stayed the same this past week. I hardly got to exercise at all because I am getting into the swing of juggling work, laundry, Jake's homework, etc! I will blog more later today and update all that is happening in our world but right now I have to clean one more room and get ready to head to work!

Week 6 Results

I am in a hurry so I will make this quick! I lost 2 pounds! Yippeeee! I have to get ready for work now, which is another thing I will blog about later. Along with snow, making Jake's Valentine card box for school, etc.! I will catch up soon...

Week 5 Results: I stink..

...I really do stink right now because I just worked out and REALLY need to take a shower. It was one of those "work out so hard your whole had is wet" work outs. For good reasons I worked out that hard...I got ELIMINATD from my Biggest Loser Wii. You read right I actually got eliminated! I slacked BIG TIME last week and gained 4 pounds!!!!! So not only do I stink from needing a shower, I stink at week 5! Aaron was like don't worry usually you do bad week 3-at least you made it longer this time...Is that really a compliment? I am back on it people-BIG TIME! Let this be a lesson to all who are reading (which may be no one...) If you slack and eat a little too much life is not over if you are working out. But if you slack at eating and exercise you WILL pay the consequences...I stink...I have to go take a shower...

..One more thing...actually 3 more things:

1. My parents are on the way to the MTC as we speak!!!! We love you and are so proud of you! Good luck!!!!

2. Jake said "Mommy can't you change the picture at the top of your blog? It looks like I am getting more and more tired every time I look at it!" (he has "the blues" as we call it in this picture. If Jake is tired we know because he gets dark circles under his eyes instantly or "the blues")

3. You will probably be happy to know I won't be blogging for a few days until we get our internet up and running. I am not sure anyone will even notice I am gone because I don't think anyone even reads my blog any way (that's okay though you all are busy and I have been RAMBLING lately!). But I did reach my goal of blogging all of Jan. by Jan. 31st. A lot happened in Jan. sorry for the post overload but this is my journal/scrap book so it had to be documented. I can't wait to see what all you post when I get back! Good bye for now!

C-ya in 18 months!

After the Jeep got repacked and we ate lunch (Aaron had to say goodbye before they left because he had to go to the dentist), we said our goodbyes. We took a few photos and hugged a bunch. It was strange because I think we all expected it to be sadder or more emotional than it was. We are of course going to miss them, but it had already hit us when they got set apart that it was really here. We cried our tears then and now we were just saying goodbye or really c-ya in 18 months. It could have been saying bye as they went out to dinner or something. Plus we knew they were on their way to the bank down the street. We had a deposit to make too so we waved bye and then went and jumped in our Jeep to surprise them one last time! It was pretty funny and it gave Nee another chance to sit and cuddle Jake one more time.



I am so excited for you Mom and Dad! You are going to be great missionaries. We are going to miss you so much but we know that you are where you are supposed to be-or at least you are on your way! Good luck as you enter the MTC tomorrow. You will be just what Seattle needs!