Employment?

Well, friends and family, after weeks of searching and thinking and some soul searching, I have decided to once again become part of the work force! I found a position that is per diem, I have to work at least 3 8-hour night shifts a month, and it's in Labor and Delivery at a hospital that does upwards of 500 deliveries a month. It's pretty fleixble so we can still vacation and such and I can work around Chris's schedule. It's been nice to be a stay at home mom in some ways, and not so nice in others. Those of you who have done both know what I mean! I do have a passion for labor and delivery though. I feel like I'm good at it and maybe I can help save some moms and babies from poor outcomes, and have good experiences. It's nice to keep up my skills, and I really like poking people with needles!

So anyway I finally decided it would be best to not use up all of our rainy day fund, and well, the pay is pretty good! The minimum that nurses start at down here is about $3 more per hour than what I was making after 4 years in Utah! The bad news is that it's about a 35 minute commute. We kinda live in the boonies! This Phoenix area is enormous! I can't believe that it is all considered one valley. I don't think it ever ends! It's weird to not have the mountains to limit things.

So I start next month, after our long awaited vacation to Laguna Beach. We are having my mom come down to watch the kids while I do the initial week orientation. Those big hospital orientations suck the life out of you minute by minute. I guess it could be nice cause you get paid to sit there are listen, but 40 hours worth? Come on people! Oh well. There's no way around it. I'll let you know how it goes!

Gretchen's aspiring art show

So Gretchen likes to snag my camera phone and take loads of pictures. I thought this one was particularly modern. What do you think?
Since she is a HUMONGOUS pack-rat, I decided that we needed to take photos of her favorite works of art, since she makes about 500 a day, so I could gradually chuck them when she isn't looking. It would be fabulous if I had an entire wing to devote to her art, but since I don't, I must resort to throwing them away when she is at school, and making sure she won't see them in the trash 'cause then she'll pull 'em out and yell at me about it! What a rude mother.

Veggie Garden

So since I had the landscapers put in these great little veggie gardens I decided to do some fall planting. It's kinda wierd planting seeds in September, not to mention sweating while doing it. The kids were such a great help, moving dirt back in spots I had just cleared away, stepping on freshly planted seeds, flicking dirt in my hair, fighting, did I forget anything? But we amazingly got it done. I have never had much success with a vegetable garden, so I am crossing my fingers. Weeds I can grow brilliantly. I think I've worked out flowers, too, so now it's time to work on the veggies! I got a great list from my sister in law, Mindy, as to what to plant when, so away I go! After waiting like 3 days and not seeing anything, I was pretty sure my work was a failure. I mean I have been patient and everything!! Shouldnt I like have mounds of fresh veggies by now? But wait! LOOK. . . BUDDING SEEDS!

Aren't they beautiful?

Thatcher's B day dinner

So we had kind of an uneventful B day dinner for Thatcher. It was just me and the kids, Chris wasn't home from Vegas yet, but it was exciting 'cause I scored this FAB bbq on craig's list! So I 'cued up some hot dogs, one of Thatcher's favorite -provided there are heaps of ketchup - and made some potato salad (a first attempt for me, which turned out pretty good I must say!). The dogs were tasty, and a hit with the kids.
Then we made some awesome homemade ice cream in this ball that the beautiful Katie gave us a while back. It was great fun! You load it up with the ingredients and then pass it back and forth for 10-15 minutes. We rolled it around on the floor, as to avoid dropping and breaking it. Chris made it home just before bed and presented Thatcher with a gift, a motorcross DVD! He was in such heaven. The kid won't sit still for more than 5 seconds, wait like 2 seconds, unless there are motorcycles on tv! It's hilarious! And then if there are commercials he starts freaking out!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THATCHER!

Thatcher is 2! Happy Birthday to him! He is so fun, and so grouchy. I tried to sing to him this morning and he yelled and me and told me, "NO!" At least he is learning to talk, right?

Grandma Holmes bought him this new helicopter, which he picked out himself, and he calls it his, "Gco-gco" - it's a combination of cocoa and go-go. I am pretty sure that's an interpretation of the helicopter sound! He loves it, as does Gretchen and he insisted on taking the following things to bed last night: the "guy" that came with the helicopter, a picture of Chris body womping (Thatcher calls it, "Daddy, boat"), a motorcycle, and a tractor book. It was pretty funny to see him try to carry all of them, and then try to hold all of them along with the three binkys he has in his bed!

So I mentioned that Gretchen loves Camp Rock, well, check this video out. If she wasn't such a tom-boy, I'd be pretty sure we have a diva on our hands! She has this amazing hip wiggle thing. . . wow! Notice the bum crack too, in classic Gretchen form!

Help!

Ladies (and anyone else who cleans) I need some help! I have these retarded water spots in my showers and I scrub and scrub and they remain! These are new showers for heavens sake! You can help - PLEASE inform me of your favorite cleaners! If it is fabulous enough there may be a reward involved. Thank you and Good Day!

Utah! Utah!

So last Monday night Chris suggested flying up to Utah on Wednesday morning. I said, "um, OK!" It was so great to visit every one. I flew up with the kids and Chris drove with Dave. We had lots of visiting and lots of eating. And of course some illnesses. I managed to get the stomach flu, and both kids came home with a cold. I guess that's the price of fun! Thatcher also managed a small amount of vomit at Pei Wei. What's a vacation without vomit?

One of my first stops was to check out our old house. I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I think it looks kinda lonely!

And of course, some of the best mixed beverages ever made! I have missed these dearly.

Grandma Adler threw a little early B-day party for Thatcher (who will be two next week!). He was a little cross (what else is new) and not quite as gracious as I would like my child to be, but what can you do? He certainly is his father's child, with the often inability to keep his eyes open during a photo!

Grandma A. gave Thatcher this awesome 4 wheeler! He loves it!

We made a visit to one of my best friends, Angie, to check out the new addition. Isn't she cute! Gretchen would hardly let me hold her! I had to pry the baby out of her arms!

We certainly had to golf, seeing as the weather wasn't 110 degrees. It was actually almost chilly! I had a sweatshirt and all! But look!! It's fall! Who knew? I certainly didn't living in down here! I will miss the fall leaves. They are so lovely. One of our favorite weekend pastimes is golfing with the Knights!


What fall Utah trip would be complete without a stop at the State Fair? Is this not the creepiest photo ever?

Do you think Thatcher could get any further away from the goat? He refused to go into the sheep house, yelling, "No!No!" He is becoming increasingly determined to get his way. When it was time to fly back everyone kept asking him, "Thatcher do you get to go on an airplane?" and he would vehemently answer, "NO! Boat!" I finally conceded after his near tears and we are referring to them as SKY boats.

We had loads of fun, but were also glad to come home. Wait-did I just call this place home? Whoa, that's wierd. The kids slept well in their own beds, and Gretch was glad to see Jackson at school. I then went for a jog through the park and every single person I saw wished me a good morning! How nice! I guess I'll frequent that park more often!

I am waiting to hear back about 2 job offers - both in labor and delivery and part time - about 3 shifts or more a month. It's nice to be home, but that will give our budget a little boost, and keep my license current. I wish the hospitals were a little closer - the nearest is about 25 min. away - but that's life. I'll keep you updated!

Thatcher

How can you not love this little face? I guess I'm just a sucker for blue eyes and blonde curls!

Pool Party!

I had no idea a $2 pool could be such a hit! They have been playing and getting along for like 4 whole minutes! Whoopee!


Thatcher's world class jumping video
So this swim party ended with a poopy diaper, and some swimming in the poopy diaper, and it was . . . really gross.

We had some cousins over to play and to have pizza last night - our hubbies were working late. It was great fun! It's coolin off a little down here - only in the low 100s, but mostly the humidity seems to be going away, which makes 100 feel simply delightful!

I had a fabulous hair cut this morning by Karen who comes to your house - I felt like a movie star! Pretty sweet, eh?

Widows suck! Yards rule! Including Pom-Pom trees.

Look what I stumbled upon in my garage! Look closely . . . see the red belly! EWWWWWW! I told Chris we have to move!
So I raced to find my gallon sized bug killa and sprayed him until he couldn't swim any longer! I turned around and he was crawling back up his web! Stupid spider tried to fool me! So I forthwith and posthaste smashed it with a broompan! Try comin' back from that widow head!
On a happier note, we have landscaping! Front AND Back! In memory of Suzi Bria - It's a Christmas miracle!
So funny me thought that if there was no dirt, that it was safe to let Thatcher romp in the yard. Well he managed to find some! Aparently he and Gretchen only had to dig quite shallowly beneath the rocks to find some mud! Ahhhh! It is now handprinted all over my back porch!
So literally yesterday these shrubs had no blossoms! Today we wake up to Purple Mania! They are everywhere and beautiful! Gretchen kept saying, "ah! oh!", and requesting to smell them! Then she added in how much she loves "pom-pom" trees! (aka PALM trees!)
Thatcher fell asleep in the car. He is always so cool and casual.

More Grandparents, Painted Nails, and Puke

The best part about Grandparents coming to visit - cuddling before bed! Gretchen made sure everyone got turns reading her bedtime books. She also enjoyed the shopping - although we didn't enjoy having her come! She threw an awesome tempertantrum, or three. Thatcher casually cuddled up to Grandma to request lots of Diet Coke! She, also casually, painted my little boys toenails! Naughty grandma. . . . The worst news is that he held very still and is excited that they are pink!

Thatcher enjoyed kickin' it with Grandpa on the couch. The bad news is that shortly after this moment, I picked him up to put him to bed and he PUKED all over me! MMMMMMM! I love puke down my shirt! I don't think he was stomach flu sick, but he did have a fever for a few days. I am thinking it was related to some teething. He took advantage of every moment and wouldn't allow me to do anything. He wanted to sit in my lap and watch tv all day. When I try to turn on kid shows for him he makes a car sound and moves his arm around in circles. I finally figured out he wanted to watch vehicles driving on tv! He finally settled on NASCAR. Uncle Dave would be so proud.