Moving days

Right before we moved almost exactly a year ago I started a blog post about my current living conditions...to help me appreciate them more. Now I've returned to this post to finish it. The current home list is below. As of right now, our plans are stay in Utah! Not exactly something we had "planned" on but the wiser decision for us at this point in life (ie, job availability). It feels so good knowing where we will be for the next few years. We don't know the city, or the school district or even the job yet but it gives me peace knowing our target is to stay in the SL valley. Wahoo!

The added bonus of Tyler receiving his real estate license a year ago (please, send clients his way.....our way, I work for him too) we've been talking about the real possibility of us finally owning our first home......after 10  years of marriage! Whoa! Something I have dreamed about for years and years. Sometimes, it completely terrifies me. But other times, I just want to be on our own already! To be able to paint, have more space, and just have that responsibility of being homeowners. But because I am sure I will grumble about fixing this and saving money up for that, I wanted to make a list so I can look back and laugh, and say, "hahaha, I was so naive. We should go back to renting."

 Blast from the past.....unpacking in 2010.

Things I will not miss about our last Provo house:
**The reverse sliding doors....that do not slide
**The cold faucet which was installed backwards
**the lack of central A/C
**going outside and downstairs to do laundry
**the spiders
**the trees and all the "shedding" they do
**small doorways, can't even fit myself and laundry basket through safely
**The Provo bubble

What I will miss:
**The Provo bubble
**My friends/this ward
**the trees
**being close to grandma
**lovely wild yard
**student living
**character of this older home
**large windows
**lots of sunlight
**Apricot tree :(


Since we moved to SLC.......
Things to miss:
**Landlord who makes/pays for repairs
**Lush large backyard
**Quiet neighborhood
**Park right across the street
**Church right across the street
**Central location in downtown SLC but not feeling like we live in a city (location, location, location)
**our next door neighbors who have two young boys
**Great hiking trail....right across the street
**Great landlords who are like a second family to us
**Safe neighborhood (except for some homes that have been burglarized)
**the nice big office with tons of shelving
**Zoey has a playmate with landlords dog
**Rent is still cheaper than a mortgage (with utilities)
**Children forced to take "baths" in a shower = less water mess on floor!

Lindsay, our landlords daughter; ie babysitter, sister friend, upstairs neighbor, comedian and opera singer

And we live in the original Salt Lake stake so we get to have conference in this historic building (Assembly Hall). The kids sang in the choir today as part of the program. 

Things I will NOT miss, or that Tyler is tired of me complaining about:
**Basement living
**The hallway, er KITCHEN
**Living with someone else, essentially
**no garage
**Hot summer with no cooling system
**ants and other pests
**lack of friends
**feeling like we have to keep up with the "Jone's" a bit
**the carpet that clogs up my vacuum
**The hills, especially in winter. Ahhhhhh
**lack of enough storage
**Carpeted dining room
**1 bathroom, with no bathtub
**Washer/Dryer in that 1 bathroom which makes it very steamy in winter months

And I'm a pretty picky "buyer". Ideally, I'd want to find a home that fits within our budget AND include...... an updated and open kitchen with window facing the backyard so I can see children playing; 5-6 bedrooms (for sleeping, guests, office and craft), 3 living areas, a master bath (average size is fine with me), several bathrooms, a big level grassy yard, 2 car garage that can fit both cars easily, short commute to work/choir, great schools nearby and safe neighborhood and a bonus would be a mud room You probably think I'm crazy! But Tyler just sold one with almost everything on this list to a friend/client so it gives me HOPE that it is possible. Are any of you moving soon? Buying? Renting? Wishing to rent again?

Cecily turned 3

Our happy little toddler turned 3 on January 21st. Perhaps she's not a toddler anymore because she is no longer toddling? She is still a delight to be around. She still takes naps on most days. Sometimes she has to sleep in the car where she spends so much time picking up siblings from school or running errands with mom. She has been doing much better at her nighttime routine. She and Jocelyn actually share a room....they have bunk beds.....but now they both share the top bunk so the bottom is empty. It's crazy, I think. It's also sweet. I've tried taking pictures with no success.

She does whatever Samuel and Jocelyn do but is also becoming very independent with wanting to put shoes and socks on by herself. However, she refuses to be potty trained. I tried twice last year with no success. So I am waiting. We keep asking her if she'd like to go on the potty and she replies with, "no." So, we wait.

We went to my parents this year over MLK holiday and her birthday fell on that day. So we celebrated a day early since we had to drive the 2 hours back home on Monday. She used to love Snow White....watched it every day for a while. She doesn't obsess over her as much now but still wears the dress every other day. Our princess dress ups turn into instant Cinderella rags within weeks, and if they're really cheap, days! Sadly, the snow white dress is starting to deteriorate.

So, anyway, we bought her a Snow White doll, perfect for her new crib. A snow white mug (thank you Disney movie rewards points and rewards) to drink her "cocoa hot." And the Merida barbie doll, butterfly wings (perfect for nickname...she also got a butterfly pillow pet for Christmas) among a few other items. She loves to watch movies, play PBS kids (she can control the mouse pretty well now), the ipad (Where's My Water? is one of her favorite games), playing with barbies and princess polly pockets, dress up and anything with Jocelyn. For some reason, Samuel likes to torture her the most. It's sooooo annoying because he touches her wrong or calls her baby and she shrieks. This is especially annoying on the morning car ride to school every weekday.

She's still blond-ish with curls. Some days she really looks like me while others she is definitely a Stoehr. I love it when she randomly comes up and gives me a squeeze or places her head on my leg, "I wuv you mommy.....so much." I love you too Cecy-bug!

 She wanted a red cake....so she got a red velvet cake (which consequently is my mom's favorite and one that Levi had requested for his birthday a few weeks earlier). 

I am sorry but I cannot get this cute picture to rotate. I've wasted too much time trying. So, sorry!

The one on the right is a photo of me at about the same age (right, mom?) 

Her new thrift store crib. Read more about it here. 

Jocelyn turned 6

Back on December 27th..........


We celebrated her birthday, as we do just about every other year, in Colorado while we visited the in-laws for Christmas.

The day before her birthday, while Tyler's sisters were still in town, we went to a beauty school to have Jocelyn have her first real manicure. It only cost $5 per person.....which is totally worth it. Some of the gals  had pedicures done. The job was hit and miss. Some were excellent students and did great work, others, not so much. But you get what you pay for and everyone had a fun time. Sadly, I didn't get a group photo. Almost all of Jocelyn's aunts were there, one of her Grandma's and all of her girl cousins. She felt like a star. They gave her a birthday crown and showered her with compliments. And while we waited for the pedicure gals to be pampered Jocelyn ran off with her cousins and pretended to be big girls, talking and laughing and "painting" each other's nails. We had a blast. She was all smiles. Then we went out to eat lunch afterwards.

 

Jocelyn wanted a green cake with lots of sprinkles. And so she did! And guess who ate most of it? Yes, that would be me. I do not boast of my cake making skills. Someday perhaps I'll learn.....someday.

 

Happy Birthday Jocie girl! You are so mature. You are loving and kind. You are happy, intelligent and witty. You've been to the hospital more than anyone in our family so far (broken arm, eye surgery), are top of your kindergarten class and a great example to us of following the Savior. Thank you for being our wonderful "middle" child!

Samuels Birthday

Because it's an even year, Samuel did not have a friend birthday party. Instead, I wanted to focus more on his baptism and being with family. So he got presents, as usual, and we invited family over after the baptism.

We had about 30 family members over. It was great. I asked people to bring salads/side dishes and we ate this yummy Hawaiin pork served with rice that two of my aunts (from different sides of my family) served at big reunions this last summer. Soooo easy and delicious. Then Samuel opened his gifts. On his actual birthday we gave him the wii game (which we later exchanged for the play station) Skylanders. He's wanted it for nearly a year. He was ecstatic. He received several more skylander figurines, a set of his own leather bound scriptures, a new suit, some other clothing and toys and a boy scout belt from others. He was blessed.

He requested a skylanders cake and designed it himself. He wanted it shaped like the portal of power with skylanders on top. I did the best I could without using fondant (because I think it's nasty....and more time consuming to create). So I looked on Pinterest and found one idea. I used her idea of edible spray paint (which, by the way, looks cool, but tastes sort of nasty) and went from there. I used giant tootsie rolls as the rocks for the cake and whoppers for the cupcakes.

Samuel

Samuel turned 8 in September. He experienced a lot of changes last year, as we all did. He is usually our most adaptable child when it comes to change. But he was really sad to leave his friends and school in Provo last May. So all summer he was yearning for playmates. Luckily, we moved next door to a couple who has two little boys, right between our kids ages. They played a bunch but he still needed that consistency of day to day routine. So by the time summer was nearing the end he was chomping at the bit for school to begin. And so was I. Once I finally knew which school he was going to attend (just a few days before it started) life was a bit more peaceful. 

School started in late August and I was on pins and needles. He has struggled in school a bit. Not academically just socially and due to respect to adults. It's been a struggle since pre-school. A lot of prayers, angst and confusion are what we've been through with Samuel and schooling. So the month leading up to his baptism was a little tense. I think it was due to the combination of the adversary having a bit of influence on his decision to be baptized and also the fact that he was going to a new school with new friends he was acting out more. I was really worried but a few weeks before the big day he really settled down and was completely ready to be baptized. I was so relieved and pleased. I'm happy with the decision he made on his own. He was so happy to be baptized a member of our Church and to receive the Holy Ghost. I bawled for most of the meeting. Tyler's father spoke about baptism. I spoke about the Holy Ghost. We sang a little and he was baptized and confirmed. We were grateful for so many family members that came out for his special day. Samuel was truly touched.

The big day was September 29, 2012

I love that fake smile. 

His best friend and cousin, Creigh.

Papa Stoehr

The whole gang

Cecily was being a goof. I had to turn her head toward the camera. 

Still not working. Oh, well.

Samuel with most of his grandparents. 

Just for fun!

Tyler

Tyler has had a successful year. I'm kind of jealously proud. There, I admitted it. But I am so happy for his accomplishments this year. It's why I married him....always the Renaissance Man to me.

Starting with......graduating from BYU Law school on April 20th. And I stand corrected from this post last week. He did not graduate Summa Cume Laude, but Magna Cume Laude, so not as high. But he did graduate 10th in his class of about 140 students, so not too shabby, eh? He did make it into the Order of the Coif, top 10, however.

Here are some snapshots my dad kindly took the day of his graduation. It was a FULL weekend. We decided to enlist the help of our families while they were in town and let them help us move the day after he graduated. Luckily, the weather was perfect the whole weekend and we BBQ'd outside that night of graduation. Keeping it simple. We did, however, take all of our parents and his grandparents (for helping him along the way, financially and emotionally, through his schooling) to the Chef's Table in Provo. Lovely lovely restaurant. We've been three times and haven't been disappointed yet.

Ready for a TON of pictures?

 Don't you love how photogenic we all are?

 Many of our family came out for the occasion (not all pictured).

 The 6-guy study group. We really grew close to these families. Some of my best friends now. I miss them all already as we're all over the country now. (two spouses/4 children missing).

 The guys....they spent a lot of time together. Now they do it through Fantasy Football!

 Tyler conducting closing song. I bawled. The end of an era. The student era....hopefully. (I honestly won't be surprised if he gets his PhD one day). Plus I think it was "America" or "The Star-Spangled Banner" ....one of those patriotic songs so it really got to me.

Tyler and his bro, Troy.

 Tyler with his mother.

 Tyler and his father.

Tyler at his carrel. He spent maaaaaannnnnnyyyyy hours here in this little cell. Uh, the peace sign is something he picked up on his mission. 

After graduation he began work at a law firm in SLC, the same one that he interned with last summer. He's enjoying the work thus far, and the hours are incredibly manageable. Starting in January he'll clerk for Chief Justice Durrant in the Utah Supreme Court. It's a prestigious position, to clerk, mainly because it's great one-on-one experience with judges. He interned for several other judges while in school and he really enjoyed the work so he's looking forward to it.

Then in July he took the Utah Bar and in September we found he passed! Wahoo! All the hours of studying are behind us...sort of. He's planning to take it again in February so he can do legal work in Colorado, mainly for family that may need it in the future.

Sometime before he graduated he completed the course work to become a licensed Utah Realtor. Part of the classwork/hours he took in law school so then he just needed to pass off a few more classes and take the test. So if YOU need a Realtor to buy or sell your home, or your cousins home, or your parents home, or your brother's home, or sister's or friend, give him a call! (or email me). He's happy to do business!

In October he completed the Tough Mudder race experience in Las Vegas with Troy. He had fun training for it all summer and had a blast being in it. Look how tough he looks :) He plans to do to it again next year.

In addition to all of this, he auditioned for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in August. They hold auditions once a year and it's a rigorous process. And we just found out over the weekend that he passed the first three phases. The final "test" is to train with the Temple Square Choir and Chorale School starting in January through April and see if he "passes" then he'll be an official member....we hope. And I'll be an official MOTAB widow. That's what I am going to call myself, lol.

So, I think that is everything thus far this year. He's been very busy. But he handles the stress sooooo much better than I do. For Father's Day I secretly made him this video. He's a great father, husband and friend. It's been a joy to watch him mature and grow (and lose some hair ;0 ) over the past 15 years. Love you honey! The video "unlisted" so please don't paste it all over Facebook, as I'm sure you are wanting to do. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN3Ohn1KOr8

Strabismus

A few years ago, when Jocelyn was about 3 1/2 years old, we noticed she could do a cool trick--cross both eyes. It was a pretty funny trick. One that she could do on command if we asked her to. We'd laugh and ask her to do it again and again. Then it got to the point that she'd do it for attention. Then it got to the point that we were worried that old saying, "Don't make that face or it'll stick" was beginning to apply to her. Then we asked people not to laugh and give her attention anymore. Then she couldn't do it on command anymore. Then it was only her left eye. Then she'd do it when she was playing excitedly with her toys and more importantly, when she looked closely at things like books and toys. Then we knew it was a problem.

So we took her to Dr Abrams in Orem, at the Excel eye center. By this time she was 5 years old. Luckily we had health insurance for her. He checked her several times, did some basic tests and sure enough, we weren't crazy. She was crossing her eye. It was strabismus. He suggested she get surgery. Neither glasses or a patch would help cure her eye. I had Tyler come into one of the appointments to confirm this. He didn't believe it was that bad. We both thought she was mentally allowing herself to cross her eye for attention. Or I thought it was a "tick" that some children pick up when they feel certain emotions. But Dr Abrams suggested it wasn't mental at all. That it was her muscle in her eye that was forcing it to cross to the center. So she had surgery.

February 24th: I was nervous for this but had to be brave so she could be brave. She had to fast once dinner was over the night before. We had to be at the surgical center at 7am to check in. She got a special t-shirt to put on and then we had to wait. The nurses came in and told me briefly what would happen and what to except  And then I had to say goodbye. I couldn't go in. They felt it was better for that I, the parent, wasn't there to distract her. So she had to go alone. They tried to make it as comfortable as possible for her. She willingly obliged and went with the nurse. She was to breathe into a tube that would relax her and then they would give her anesthesia. Then they would operate, on both eyes, which took very little time. Once she awoke from her anesthesia they'd bring her out to me.

Dr Abrams insisted she would not feel any pain once she woke up. He said it would feel like the foreign body syndrome, when something is gone or added to your body and you can't get rid of it. Or like a speck of dirt is in your eye, but you can't get it out. Baloney. She was in pain. She was scared. She was uncomfortable. She cried bloody tears. I felt so helpless. They let us wait in the recovery room for a few minutes until I could get her to walk by herself or be willing to go outside to the car. She was hungry. She was tired and she was scared. She was afraid she was blind. Afraid to open her eyes because it hurt to her. She just wanted to be held, so I held her. Reminded her not to rub her eyes too hard. Not because it would disturb the stitches or the work that was done on her eye muscles, but because it would not hasten the healing process. She would not accept a popsicle, a drink or anything. I just held her and tried not to cry myself. It was hard.

After 15 minutes or so, we drove home. With no pain medication. They said it wouldn't help. Perhaps Tylenol if she really needed it but it wouldn't focus on her eyes anyway. I encouraged her by telling her she would be able to pet our new puppy when we got home. That gave her comfort too.

A few days before her surgery with our brand new puppy, Zoey.

I put her in bed and suggested she "sleep it off." She still hadn't opened her eyes. She finally  went to sleep and when she awoke we let her eat whatever she wanted. She requested chicken nuggets. So Tyler went and got her some Wendy's. She wore her sunglasses constantly as her eyes were still very sensitive to light.

By the end of the first day she was in good spirits. She barely opened her eyes but mainly she walked around, with her arms outstretched, feeling her way around furniture, like a blind person. It was actually sort of humorous.

By the second day, with her bloodshot eyes, she felt better. She was scared of her own eyes at first. I was too. They looked scary  But then it became something she was almost proud of. She'd go around and stare at other kids hoping they'd notice her creepy eyes. Then, if they did, she'd tell them why, and wait for their curiosity and fascination.

I still marvel at how brave she was. Although she did not expect it would be so intrusive to her. It was probably better that she went into the surgery "blindly" otherwise she would have been too scared. She doesn't want to go through it again, and I don't either. Sadly, the surgery was not a complete success and her eye still crosses, but not as severely. It does not affect her school work but it does need to be cured before it gets worse. So after we moved to SLC I decided I wanted a second opinion. There are only about 5 doctors who specialize in this. So we went and now she is getting bifocal glasses. I'll post a picture in a about a week once her glasses come in. She's excited about it, which is GOOD. But now I wish I would have gone  to this doctor in the first place....wondering if she ever needed the surgery at all. But I can't know now. A gal I visit taught in Provo had a grand daughter with the same problem, but worse, and she went to the SLC Dr and she had surgery too. And this same gal knew of another girl in the stake who had to have the surgery at least 3 times! Then I also visit taught a girl who had a SIL who didn't get her crossed eye surgically fixed until she was 30 years old! She lived with it her whole life, in embarrassment. So I am glad there are options out there.  And glad for a mostly healthy Jocelyn.