Ringing In 2012

Good Morning, everyone!

Today is January 2nd. Already I'm a day late in writing the post for ringing in the new year. Big surprise, I'm behind again. :)

The last few months have been a bit of a blur. From October to December, it seemed like time was flying by. We didn't do a lot of travelling this year, though we did make it out to the Cabin in Leavenworth for a short weekend over Thanksgiving break. We were able to throw snowballs at each other for a while, build a snowman, and even get cozy next to a nice fire. It's always nice to retreat a little... especially when the kids are old enough to go out and play by themselves for a while. They LOVED the snow. If only Seattle would get a little bit here and there so we could enjoy our winter at home.

The whole month of December went really fast. JJ's aunt and uncle invited us out on their boat to see the Christmas Ships. Every year in the Puget Sound the Argosy Cruises decorate their boats with Christmas lights and a whole bunch of boat owners decorate their own boats and fall in line as a big, long boat parade out in the Sound. So pretty, and we always have a great time with JJ's family.

Andrew had his very first Christmas concert this year. He was so cute standing up in front of 500 people singing Away in a Manger and Mary Had a Baby Boy. One thing I'm very grateful for is that his school is private and Christian, so they can sing and teach as much as they want to about God. It's been good for him to hear more and more scripture stories at school, and their form of discipline is so good compared to some of the other schools around. Unfortunately, I don't know if we'll be able to put him back in school at Cedar Park next year, since Mason will be going to school next year, and it costs so much to attend! I can't imagine spending $5,000 on Pre-K and Kindergarten! ugh. We'll probably make the switch to public school... though we've still got a little time to make that decision for sure. We really love his school and the teachers and the curriculum. It makes for a really difficult decision!

Christmas was pretty low-key here, especially since we didn't have to do a lot of shopping this year. I had finished MOST of my shopping by the 1st of December, so there wasn't a lot of running around to do. We were excited to see the elves stop by with a gift for Andrew and Mason on Christmas Eve, and they were really excited with the gifts they got from Santa and all of our family. Thank you, to all of those who sent something to us. We have felt very blessed this year.

Now that we're finishing up Christmas break and we're all back into the swing of things, it's time to start our New Year's Resolutions. This year, I've decided to ACTUALLY set some resolutions and try to achieve them!

#1: Control spending and pay down debt

#2: Obtain an emergency fund

#3: Prepare all of my Primary Singing Time Activities at the beginning of each month to last the entire month. I'll be preparing ALL of my activities for January today, and then I'll know exactly what I'm doing for the rest of this month. Then start again in February...

#4: Live the "Abundant Life," as stated by President Monson: A=Attitude, B=Believing in myself and those around me, C= Courage to do what's right all the time.

#5: Perform service for others at least once a month.

I think they are pretty attainable. I try not to kid myself by setting goals I know I'm too lazy to achieve. You know... like updating my blog posts EVERY DAY.

So... there it is! I hope you are all enjoying the second day of 2012, and wish you all the best in the New Year!

C

Pumpkin Patch and Family Farm

Yesterday, since JJ and I both had the morning off (finally), we had a chance to go to Stocker Farm in Snohomish. They had all kinds of things for the kids to do, and even a hay ride and corn maze for the adults to drag the kids on! We had a great time together and really enjoyed having time to be all together as a whole family unit! It's amazing how often that doesn't happen!

Cindy, Mason and Andrew hangin' on a hay bale

The Boys... all of them! Mason, KC, Andrew and JJ

Andrew was fascinated by all the corn that they made the corn maze out of. He REALLY wanted to take some home with him, but we had to explain the rules of keeping it there so other people can have fun at the farm, too. He was bummed, but was good about it.

This was a fun ride pulled by a tractor. They were near the end and it really bounced around a lot. The kids cracked up the whole time and LOVED the ride.

I have the cutest kids in the world, don't I?!

Rubber Duck Races. Mason LOVED this! Andrew pinched his fingers, but still had a good time.

They had this trout tank where the kids could go fishing for their fish. Catch and Release, of course (thank goodness!!). Andrew was absolutely positive that he could do it all by himself, and he did!

Mason had Daddy there to help him, but he did most of it by himself, too! He caught TWO fish!

This was my favorite part of the day: Hampster Wheels! Here is a pic of the kids getting ready

And here they are in motion! They hadn't started going much, but they were on the move! Andrew was a little unsure, but Mason wanted to get going. He was on it as fast as he could go!

Our whole family! What a fun day on the farm!

Well, Hey there. I can't believe that it's been so long, and I'm honestly a little disgusted with myself!

Things have been consistently busy. The last few months have brought a LOT of cake baking for me. I've already completed a couple of wedding cakes and a ton of little special occasion cakes. It has been a blast, although frustrating at times while trying to balance kids, Andrew's school, and my job.

JJ's job has been tough at times. He's been looking for and applying to jobs with the City in Public safety. He's tested for Police and Corrections positions and even got called in for an Oral Board with Kirkland Corrections. He didn't get the job, but a couple of days later he got a call about a job at S.C.O.R.E., which is a new correctional facility a little south of Seattle. It isn't ideal, but it would be better than what he has now. The pay is REALLY good and the benefits are obviously amazing. We don't know what type of hours he'd be working, but I imagine that if it's anything like some of the other facilities, he'd be working 4 on, 3 off, 3 on, 4 off. Pretty sweet. We're praying for that to come through!

Andrew has started school at Cedar Park Christian School in Bothell. His Grammy works there so we were able to get a really good discount on tuition (which was STILL too much money if you ask me). He's really enjoying school and has already had two field trips -- one to the zoo and another to the pumpkin patch and a farm. He's come home with so much to tell me and he is just a little sponge! I get to go to school with him and do a parent volunteer thing every 2nd and 4th Monday. I enjoy getting to know his teacher and his classmates, and love seeing how he plays and interacts with others. He has such a sense of humor on him and I'm just positive he'll be a class clown. Oh dear!

While Andrew is off at school, I get to spend a couple of hours with Mason having our daily "Mommy and Mason time." We play games and read books and color and just really enjoy each other. Sometimes I have to do laundry and clean during our time, but he doesn't seem to mind. He's a really good helper and is such a sweet boy! He is still struggling with potty training, but he is getting closer. I get really frustrated with that, since he's nearly 4, but I know he'll get there. He just doesn't care if he's wet or poopy or anything. He will just sit in it until I realize he's had and accident and then he'll say in his sweet voice "I'm sorry mama. I'm really sorry." So hard to stay mad at such a sweet boy!

I've had a few schedule changes at work and am now in charge of a pretty high-profile group that comes in every Thursday. They spend a couple hundred dollars every time they are in, and they make a pretty consistent tip for me, but I miss my Thursday nights. I made nearly twice as much working on the night shift as I do on Thursday during the day, and I'm missing my Mommy and Mason time, and I can't pick up Andrew at school. I'm lucky to have my in-laws so close and so willing to take the kids and watch them for me. My boss keeps asking me to come in to work more days, but I am really struggling with that. I just don't feel real good about not being home with Mason and Andrew. I've worked 2 day shifts this week alone, and have to work this morning while my boss goes to a Corporate meeting in Downtown. While I know that this isn't the NORMAL thing, I feel like if I say I can work more day shifts, it's just going to open a can of worms. They like to put me in charge of groups because I handle them really well and everything goes smoothly, but I just don't think it's beneficial to me or my family if I work so many day shifts.

On top of everything else that is going on, I have taken on teaching Piano Lessons to a couple of people in the ward. We have had a really great time with that, and the kids go with me to their house and play with the other kids from church. It's been a lot of fun for them, and a good outlet for my musical ability, since I don't have access to a piano here at home. It doesn't pay much, but then again, it doesn't have to. It's been a fun thing for me.

Well...that probably about sums it up for us. We're just plugging along and enjoying life as much as we can! Getting ready for the holidays up next and most of my Christmas shopping is done, so that's really nice! Sorry that it's taken me entirely too long to get back on here. I always say I'll try to do better, but to be honest, I just don't think about the blog, so I guess I'll see you when I see you!

Cindy

Playing Catch

Hello, Everyone!

Wow, it's been a long time! It seems like the days and weeks and months fly by without even starting! I honestly feel like we have skipped over a couple of months since being here on the West side of the Mountains. Still haven't made it over to see Aunt Kathy and Uncle Steve, but hopefully we'll get a chance to see them soon!

John is still working for Terminix, but is less happy with them than he was before. He's warming up to starting to train for Police Departments again, and we're hoping to get a little insight from a guy in our Ward here who works for Redmond. He can give us extremely valuable information about the best way to go about testing and getting our foot in the door. JJ works really hard, usually up to 13 or 14 hours a day, which is really tiring, and he's ready for a more career-like position. He loves carrying a gun, and his Military background is good for this kind of job... we'll see what happens. Prayers would be appreciated as we embark on this adventure... again. I wish something would have worked out the last time, but maybe the timing is better this time around...

The boys are getting so big! Andrew has started reading and Mason is just as tough as ever! They love it when we have blue skies here so we can get outside and play. We've had pretty wonderful weather lately, so we've been able to take lots of trips to places like the Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium and Gasworks Park. Pictures of those to come later.

Mason turned 3 in the last few months! He's STILL potty training, but has now figured out how to do #2 in the potty, which has been so helpful! We've resorted to the shower if he makes messes in his pants, which he HATES, but hopefully he'll learn quickly so that won't take much time to get past. It worked for Andrew, we'll see if it works for Mason.

I have to admit that though I miss Wenatchee, being so close to family has been really nice. We've been able to spend a lot of time with Melissa and Ralph (JJ's sister and her husband) and their two little girls. The kids have had a GREAT time getting to know their cousins. :) The ward here is wonderful, too, and I'm starting to make a couple of friends. My cake making has really picked up as the ward members started to see some of my work, and that's been fun. This month I have Melissa's cake to make, then JJ's on the 1st of June, then Julie's graduation cake in June (can't wait to get down to Utah for that!), then I come back and make a birthday cake for KC's birthday, then a wedding cake for June 18th. And that's just what I know of so far! It's been so fun!

Anyway, so there ya go. That's the most recent stuff for us. Hopefully I'll get a chance to put some pictures up soon. Love you all!

Moved In

Well, you're getting two posts today. :) Lucky for you, this is the only one that requires much reading :)

We moved into our apartment a week or so before we had expected to, which is a good thing! :) We're back on our own! It was so great to spend so much time with Grammy and Grampy, but it's nice to be back on our own schedule and in our own place! We are so grateful for family that has the means and ability to help us out when we need it. We are so blessed!

I don't have any photos of the new apartment since we've moved in. We only have pics of the empty apartment before the move, but it's been a great fit. The kitchen is small, and that's no big surprise, but the rest of the apartment fits us just fine. :) We live LITERALLY 50 yards from the playground equipment (I can see it out my bedroom window), and when it's not raining we get to go play outside. The kids have even been riding their tricycles and bikes in the parking lot (since we're the last apartment on the street, there isn't much traffic). :) It's really been a positive change.

Work, for me, is going well. I am working about 4 days a week and am really loving it. It's harder now with the overlap time, but we're making it work. The kids still spend a bit of time with Grammy and Grampy, there's just a lot of vehicle changing we have to do. :) I usually get home after the kids are in bed, but I get to spend all day with them, so I don't feel too horrible about it. JJ gets a little extra daddy time, too, so that's nice. The kids really love having some one-on-one time with their daddy. JJ is really good to them. :)

JJ is still working with Terminix, and doesn't hate it yet. He's working really long days, usually about 10-12 hours, and we expect it to slow down, but we're not sure how much it will. The nice thing is that they are compensating him for his extra time, and he's earning a production percentage from each job he does, which adds up since he's doing about 13 - 15 jobs per day. I hope he can still keep this up. I know it's not ideal, and he doesn't get much time at home, but we each have Sunday off and he'll be off 3 out of 4 Saturdays. It's just hard work, and a lot of driving in Seattle traffic. :( Ugh.

On a brighter note, we're on to Thanksgiving, and then to Christmas! I LOVE the Holidays! xoxo Love to all!

Just Photos

This is the Halloween cake I made this year. It was SO fun!

This is Mason at Grammy and Grampy's house. :) Apparently he got really tired!

Andrew and Me playing on the rocking chair

Andrew at the park

Mason sliding head first! He loves slides!

"Uncle" KC, "Uncle" Heath and Daddy when the Huskies got slaughtered by Nebraska

"Uncle" Heath's Seahawks birthday cake

Mason and Mommy play Go Fish

Wrestling boys - Andrew and Mason - Still having fun!

All of the cousins on this side of the family -- Andrew, Mason, Cate and Lilah

Andrew's birthday present - a Basketball Hoop!

Andrew opening birthday gifts! I can't believe he's 4!

Andrew opening a gift from Grandma and Grandpa! He was so excited!

Doing what they do best - Running in circles!

Grammy's 60th Birthday cake. :) Dark Chocolate with Raspberry filling

Andrew and Mason in the culdesac with our caution buddy. :)

In Limbo

Well, we've been moved in with JJ's parents for about a month now. It's been difficult in some ways, but overall has been relatively easy to adjust to. JJ got a job pretty quickly with Terminix and has been working with them for about 3 weeks now. This week he is spending most of his time in Phoenix taking classes and getting his certification. He's had a series of tests he's had to study for and has passed 2/3 of them so far. One more to take next week in Olympia. So far this job seems like it will be good. I found a job working at the local Denny's. I loved waitressing when JJ and I were first married, so I figured I could give it a go again. It works out nicely because I don't start work until JJ's parents are home from work, so they are able to watch the kids during our overlap time. JJ usually gets home around 7 or so from work. He's working 12-hour days again, which isn't great fun, but should slow down when Winter gets here.

The boys have LOVED being with Grammy and Grampy. They have fun outings to the park with Grampy and the dogs and Grammy is a great book reader! They have really enjoyed being here and have adjusted well. They still don't understand why we're not going back to our house in Wenatchee, but hopefully they'll get it soon. Mason said last night "Mommy, I want to go home." I didn't know how to get it across to him that this is our home for now... oh well. They have been so good and have been such a joy for all of us.

I'll be posting lots of pictures as another post. Just some things that have been happening and all. Andrew's birthday will be one of those. He was so cute! I can't believe he's already 4! I forgot to take a picture of his birthday cake, so you probably won't see that, but it was fun to make it. He wanted a Mario cake just like uncle Ben's and was a little bummed when it wasn't 2 feet tall. I had to scale it down for the 8 people who were here :) A little different story than when I made the cake in Utah for Ben!

Anyway, sorry about the length of time it took me to get back on here. I'll get pics up soon!