before switzerland memories

A few memories I had started to record, but then got side tracked with all the Switzerland preparations:

We spent Labor Day at the cabin. We had a really nice weekend and then on Monday morning we drove back up to Flagstaff and stopped off at the county fair. It was hot and dirty (and sticky as well thanks to the suckers the boys ate the entire time), but it was fun to see all the animals and tractors and Thatcher got spoiled by getting to do some of the things he was most excited about. He and I went on the ferris wheel (he was so excited he couldn't contain himself), then we all went on a train ride, and Thatcher rode a pony as well. Look at his face on the pony, I love this age.

I had also started to write about James's ability to hear anything. It is pretty remarkable. He can hear the train when we are inside as it passes somewhere outside. He knows what a truck sounds like and what a car or a fire truck sound like in comparison. He always has his ears ready to identify sounds that are going on outside and I love it.

Thatcher loved his first month of preschool and did great with the adjustment to structure and being away for a few more hours a week.

We also said goodbye to some friends who have been in Flagstaff since we have. Their little boys Skyler has been Thatcher's friend friend from the beginning. We are really going to miss the Ortons and all the fun times our kids had playing. Here are some baby pictures of the boys and some pics of them playing this summer.

I hope somebody's laughing

Last Thursday and Friday threw me for a bit of a loop. At the end of Friday I felt like laughing thinking of Heavenly Father and how sometimes it seems he has a sense of humor. Within those two days I:

-found out I was pregnant with baby #3. This is very exciting news and something we have been hoping for for a while. However, the irony is that this one month we were consciously avoiding getting pregnant because I didn't want to be sick while in Switzerland and the timing would be the absolute worst for our once-in-a-lifetime trip. So that threw me for a loop, as well as the reality sinking in of having three children. It is going to be pretty crazy.

- signed all the papers and officially became an aerobics instructor who gets paid to exercise. That was also pretty exciting and overwhelming too. There is a lot to do before we leave on our trip with orientations, CPR certification, and getting ready for the group fitness certification exam.

- Had a little pity party as I went to a friend's beautiful new home with tons of room and room to grow, then saw another friend's hopeful houses to move into which were all just incredibly gorgeous with huge yards, then found out from another friend that her husband got a job with a great starting salary and benefits and they are starting out a new life in a great place with a super cheap housing market and no student loans. This was all within a few hours and I couldn't help but wondering when our opportunity was going to come to get out of our two bedroom townhome and in a better situation for our family.

- Then found out the next day that the odds of moving down to Phoenix are practically in the bag and that the attorney down there wants Ty to start working October 1st...just weeks away, and when we are in Switzerland. Ty is really excited about the opportunity and went to Phoenix today to meet with a bunch of attorneys and see his new office. It isn't official, but pretty close to it and will most likely be a quick move.

It was all a lot to handle and my emotions were all over the place, but I really think things happen for a reason and I am grateful for change and the way it helps me to grow. I think the Lord has some great things in store for us and I hope that trusting in him will help me not have a panic attack!

never thought it would happen

Last Christmas each of the boys got a Zhu Zhu pet. They have played with their pretend hamsters off and on, but I think I thought they were cooler than Thatcher and James ever did. Until the last few days. James has had a blast with his hamster. He plays with it, follows it around, and takes care of it. Then today he snuck up behind me and let it "crawl" on my hair. I reacted quickly as the warning I had seen numerous times was flashing in my head "CAUTION: Motorized wheel toys have the potential for hair entanglement". I stopped the wheels with my hand and after a lot of struggling and winding the wheels backwards, I got my hair free (except for the embarrassingly huge chunk that was still in in the hamster's wheel. Those warning labels are there for a reason, and I guess sometimes we need to learn those lessons the hard way.

it's official

As of today, my name is plastered all over the September aerobics schedule, and I am officially an aerobics instructor. I am definitely going to get my initiation by fire because I am teaching a weight lifting class when all I have practiced for the last 8 months, and all I have team-taught for the last month is step classes.

I have a feeling the money I make is barely going to cover the gas it costs to get there and back, but it is a hobby. And at least it is forcing me to get to the gym a few times a week.

I am excited. I tried to simplify my new year's resolutions this year, and even then I am falling short big time. At least I have this one crossed off!