Leaving

We made it to the land of Oz. Actually we made it about 2 weeks ago, but those weeks have been busy and kinda hard. Taylor has traveled over 80+ hours in the car over the last month. Gavin and I have joined him for about 36 of those hours and it the last 8 weeks I have been a "single parent' for 6 of those weeks. Life can be hard sometimes. I have cried almost every day. I have said silent swear words in my head probably just as many times. I have driven around aimlessly trying to find things for Gav and I to do to fill our days (I'm still adjusting to this stay-at-home-mom thing) and have been going crazy with no internet.

I knew that leaving the Salt Lake area was going to be hard. Having everything within a short 20 minute drive was a blessing I took for granted. We lived in a good sized home in a fantastic neighborhood. I had friends and family close by (and a decent shopping mall!). I left a great job and great friends and was just beginning to feel at home. I always knew Utah wasn't going to be our permanent/raise your kids here place but as we drove across the country, Gavin and I most of the time, I tried to stay positive as to what we heading towards. This really was an answer to prayer: a job for Taylor that he would love. But part of me couldn't help feel like I was abandoning everything for it. I would do it all over again for him, don't get me wrong, but that doesn't make it any easier.

We spent Thanksgiving with my Grandparents in Illinois. After our 20+ hour drive to Kansas, a week later we packed up the car again and drove the 10 hours to my grandparents. I loved being there with them. We played and ate and just relaxed and remembered days gone by. And then we had to leave. Leaving. It seems to be the theme of the last month and it stinks. We drove the 10 hours home and it was longer than I wanted because I knew I really wasn't going "home". The next morning Taylor got up early and left to go on a soccer trip for school. A trip where he left and doesn't know when he'll be home due to if the team wins or not. Again, leaving.

Today I talked to my mom and my aunt on the phone and when I hung up, I burst into tears. I can't even "leave" anyone on the phone. Sheesh. I am such a crybaby! I know that things will get easier. They have to. I'm not trying to complain. I love my little family being back together (well, we have only been together for like a week!) and I love that Taylor is loving his job. I love that I get to spend time with Gavin going to the YMCA, to the library and just hanging out at home. I just don't like the fact that in order to do all of this and have all of this I had to leave so many things. It's a blessing. I keep telling myself that. Maybe I should tattoo it on my forehead. I am clinging to the fact that in 3 weeks we will get to see almost every member of our extended families! And I'm not thinking about the leaving part.

It's about time...

Oh my goodness...where to begin? It's been a LONG time since I posted (like 6+ months) and I racked my brain thinking about how I was ever going to catch up. I came to the realization that I am not going to catch up. Drats. But that doesn't mean that we haven't been doing lots of fun things. Maybe when I have the energy I will post pictures from our 6+ months of fun. 

Unfortunately during those 6+ months of fun there were also many long days, nervous moments, and sleepless nights, I guess that's life right? Taylor and I have always believed that the Lord has a large (VERY LARGE sometimes) hand in our life and just recently our testimony has been strengthened. A year and a half after graduating with his Master's degree, Tay has landed his dream job...only problem: it's back in Kansas. I guess it's not really a problem, but remember that energy I was talking about? I currently have NONE due to the fact that I am a) trying to sell our house and keeping in show condition b) chasing after a 2 year old and being a single mom 3) still teaching 3rd grade. Tay is currently in Kansas working and I am tying up loose ends here at home. I have been humbled and amazed at the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, church members, and co-workers. You can imagine my heartbreak in telling my 33 third graders, and many tears were shed. I just have to remember that this is all in His hands. 

So it's back to Kansas for us.  Part of my soul always knew we'd be back. So I have come to the decision to make this blog public again, and to try to be a better blogger so that our friends and family can keep up with our Kansas adventure.  But don't worry, "There's no place like home". 

Gavin's ready to drive to "Tan-sas" today! 

Christmas in Boise

We spent a glorious Christmas in Boise with Mom and Dad and the Tanners. The only thing that could have made it better was if Elder Peterson could have joined us. It was so fun to have both Gav and Will there and they got along just fine. Sadly, these are the only photos I have on my computer, but don't let the lack of photos mislead you. We had buckets of fun! 

 The boys in their traditional matching Christmas jammies. Gav still wears these to bed in July! I love them!

 Gav got a Sit and Spin from Mimi and Papa McFarland and thought he'd show Will how to ride it. 

We are looking forward to Christmas 2013 when we finally will all be home for Christmas (fingers crossed!) 

It's hard Being the Oldest

In October we went to Denver to see the Tanners.  The main reason we went to Denver was so Gav could spend some quality time with his cousin Will. Being exactly one year older (to the day) Gav took it upon himself to show will how all of his toys worked. 

 "See you just do this, and then it makes this noise." 

 "Mom, this kid is a know it all. Who the heck is he anyways?" 

 A quick moment to tell Gav that he can not lay on his cousin. 

 We also took the boys swimming at our hotel. Gav didn't mind that the water was freezing. Will on the other hand wasn't too sure about this idea of a big cold bathtub. 

"See Will, it's not that bad. So what if you loose feeling in your fingers and your toes turn to icicles?" 

After church Gav got to go on a bike ride with Daddy and Uncle Grant. I knew he was tired when they left, but I didn't know he was THIS tired. 

"Being the responsible older cousin really wears me out."

Getting In Tune with Nature and Our Inner Pioneer

You can't go to Denver without getting in a little nature. We just didn't know we were going to get THIS close to nature! 

 Luckily we were in our HUGE Nissan Armada (that's a story for another day), our modern day ship of war, and we were safe. I mean don't those deer look frightening? 

 Taylor caught up on his reading while stopping for a "milking" break. 

 I wrestled Gav into the stroller WAY past nap time. Open spaces equal one wild child. 

 Will tried to take it all in. It's hard to be 3 months old. 

 We walked, and we walked, and we began to feel like pioneers. I mean we were pushing that stroller on the gravel path. That is the last time I take a stroller on a hike! 

 Gav slept and he slept and he even almost fell out of the stroller. 

In the end we were smiling because 1) We had enjoyed nature and 2) we had a sleeping baby who we didn't have to chase over a mountain. 

Red Rocks

We had the chance to go to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater. It was incredible, after I recovered from the hike up there. Nothing like a straight incline to test the lungs in the Mile High City! 

"Uh, mom? I don't know how I feel about being up so high!" 

 Will was obviously loving it. 

 Even though we were up so high Gav wanted to RUN AND RUN. Mom's worst nightmare: child going over the cliff. 

 The McFarland's

 The Tanners

Happy to have seen the amazing amphitheater and happy to be headed back down the mountain! 

Why Do I Do This To Myself?

Sad..that's the only word to describe my lack of blogging in the past few months. No excuses. Busy? Yes, but not too busy to sit on the couch from 7-9pm every Monday night to watch The Bachelor. So here we go. Here is an attempt (no promises) to catch up this sad and sorry little blog.