April Showers brings May flowers!

The weather here has been less then exciting this week. Today is the first day we have seen the sun all week, and it is really windy, so too cold to play outside. This weekend is supposed to be beautiful, so I hope that makes up for it.

So, we have this next door neighbor. We haven't officially met him, but have seen him in passing a few times. I think he is WAY too cool for me, and every time we pass by, I feel like a super dork! We'll call him, WAY TOO COOL FOR ME, SUPER COOL NEIGHBOR, or WTCFMSCN for short. This was our first conversation, while I was guiding Joel with the moving truck in the drive way,

WTCFMSCN: So you moved in yet?
Me: Uh? Getting there? (While I am waving Joel in)
WTCFMSCN: Alright, have a good one.
Me: Uh... ok... (wishing I wasn't responsible for the super huge moving truck about to run into the house, so that I could actually have a conversation with this guy.)

So, we talked to the other neighbors, and found out that he owns a surf shop on the beach. Which explains why he is too cool for us. We have never surfed, or really even known any surfers. But from what I see on movies, they are always in a different COOL league then us. Maybe, being down here in VB, we can becomes surfers, and start to "Hang" with more surfers! How fun??? These were all my thoughts until conversation number 2:

I am cleaning out the car, and Nora is running crazy around the yard. He pulls up, and I make it a point to say:
Me: Hey! How are ya?
WTCFMSCN: Pretty good. I just got off work, so life is good.
Me: Oh, great! Well, enjoy the rest of your day
WTCFMSCN: (Whatever lady!)

So, I again feel totally stupid. I couldn't even come up with something clever to say. Just, "Great". What is wrong with me? Well, you think after that, I would just learn to keep my mouth shut. But, no! I have to be little miss chatty, and have to talk to everyone who walk by. After today, I am done talking. If he talks, I will just shake my head and nod! That's it! Here was our conversation today:

Nora and I were playing hop scotch on the driveway. It was chilly, so I had my hood to my sweatshirt over my head. Which in my mind could be sort of cool? Better then looking at my messy wind blown hair. He walks out of his house.
Me: Hey there! How are you?
WTCFMSCN: EH? This weather sucks! I just want it to get warm!
Me: Yeah, me too! I hate it!

That was it! Come on! I have lived in AWFUL weather my whole life. At least the sun is out, and there isn't snow on the ground. The weather is great! All I could say was, "Yeah, I hate it!"? HOW LAME!

So from this day forward, no more talking to WTCFMSCN! Or, only talk him when spoken to, and when I have something "COOL" to say back!

Getting on with it... Today while Nora and I were outside, she said, "I go get some ping. Be right back!" Here we go again. She has to go in and get her camera. I hope she can find it, because I have no clue where it is. She came back outside with our mini Hymn book. She calls them her "criptures". So she was singing, and reading, and passing our her "criptures". It was pretty funny.



Earlier this week, we went to the aquarium. It is really close to our house. We thought it would be a great day, with little crowds. Except we forgot it was Spring Break, and everyone and their brother were at the Aquarium. Being really dark, and really crowded, made for bad pictures. I got a membership for the year, so when all the kids go back to school, we are going to try it out again. For now, here are some pretty awful pictures! Any advice on taking pictures inside dark rooms with out a flash?




I also forgot to blog about our Easter dinner. Since Uncle Dan was in town, and NO ONE appreciates my cooking like Uncle Dan, I decided to get myself in WAY over my head! On the menu: Spiral ham, stuffed artichokes, Broccoli Rob, Cheesy potatoes, fresh bread, and a lemon cream cake for dessert. Like I said, I was in way over my head. 1) I am not that familiar with my kitchen yet, 2) a few things, I have never made before, 3) this was all on my own! No help from mommy. Once I got going, I decided, "This is gonna work. I got this!" What I didn't have was yeast, so scratch the fresh bread idea. Uncle Dan is known as "Dan Dan the bread man", so he had to have bread. He made sure that come Sunday dinner, there was bread on the table. The ham went in the oven. The potatoes went in, the cake was ready to be assembled, the rob was ready, and the artichokes just needed to be steamed. Then when it came time to putting it all on the table, everything fell apart. The ham wasn't finished, and needed about another 35 minutes, the rob was too salty, the potatoes were... great! the artichoke was burning on the bottom, but not cooked all the way through. And the cake... well the cake... was not good! It tasted good, but it was a MESS! It was almost as messy as the kitchen! Yes, that is the ironing board, and the laptop in my kitchen. Ironing board added more counter space, and laptop was so that I could follow the recipe without having to hook up the printer, and printing it off. YIKES! I am glad it is over, and I am glad that I did it! I was just ready for a nap afterwards. Also, you will notice 3 cans of DIET coke! One on every surface. I can't cook a meal without it! Thank you diet coke for making this less painful then it could have been!


That trampy mermaid isn't supposed to be in the pictures either, but we can't seem to get rid of her. We are learning to love all of our mermaids, even the ones that may act promiscuous.

Who knew?

Nora LOVES goats? Maybe it was the outfit that had her kickin back with the furry friends? I know it has nothing to do with her mom, because, this is sooo not my thing.





She loves them!

The food photographer DORK is back!

It has been a while since I have been taking pictures of my food. I am working on a project for my kitchen, and thought I better get photographing AGAIN! Nora was eating her MOST favorite snack in the whole world, (after M&M's), and my juices started flowing. I got a little carried away, but here we go... EDEMAME is great!



Oh yeah, I cut Noras hair today! Lets just say, I cut worse then beauty school drop-out. Oh well, she's two... it'll grow back!!!

2 Packages in a ROW!

This is how an artist sends a letter....





Dad, you have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you so much for your time and talent, and for continuing to share it with those who love and appreciate it! You are the best Papa a little girl could ask for.

Today we got a package!!!!

Thank you Jenni! You made me and my little two year old very happy, and very home sick! We sure do love you and miss you. Thank you Laurel for the amazing images. You did a fabulous job!!!

My tender mercy...

I hate posting without pictures! Unfortunately, 1) there is not a picture that will come close to describing the feelings I have, (even all the most talanted photographers in the world, could not make it happen) and 2) Joel has been using my camera for work purposes!

Nora and I had a GREAT day together! She is always so fun to be around, and I love her sooooo dearly, but for some reason, today I feel especially filled! We took a trip to the mall together. Just the two of us! Something we have never done together. Usually Aunt Alie, daddy, Katie... usually someone goes with us! Of course, today, it was just the two of us. I was on a mission for a new Easter dress to wear to church on Sunday. I knew this was a tough task ahead of me. A 2 year old in the mall, alone, no one to play with her, but me, who needs to find a dress, yikes! We started out the trip with a ride on the carousel. Then we tried on a few dresses, which was a nightmare! Not because of Nora, in fact, she LOVED watching mommy try on dresses! "Mommy, you are so pretty!" Which is exactly what I needed to hear, because I felt... less then pretty! But, being the darling princess that she is, loved every minute of it. On to the next store. Nora looks up at me from her stroller and says, "Mommy, I need to get up. I need to walk around." I said, "Ok, Nora, but I need to see you. You need to stay right by me." As I was checking out the racks, she would step into the rack, and say, "Mommy, you see me?" Rack after rack, "Mommy, you see me?" The sales people were probably cringing that I would allow her to be inside the racks, but I figured it was better then having a melt down. Because she was so good, I took her into the Disney Store, and I told her that she was so good, that mommy would get her a princess. She loved that. (I think positive reinforcement is the way to go. In stead of, "I will get you this, and you have to behave." It was, because you behaved, you can have this reward.) After an unsuccessful dress shopping trip, we went home. She fell asleep in the car on the way home, and when I carried her into bed, she was so sweet, and beautiful, I laid with her, and took a two hour nap too. Something I haven't done with her since.... ever! It was awesome. So awesome, that when I woke up, I had no idea where we were, what day it was. For a moment I panicked... "There must have been something that I should have been doing... shoot... focus.... AHHHH.... nothing!"

After our nap time, we went to check out this pre-school that I have been eye-balling for the last two weeks. The facilities were A-Mazing! I wanted to go to school there! All the workers were so happy, and the kids were great. The place was immaculate! Everything looked picturesque. We set up an appointment to come back and tour the property. They sent us away with a registration packet. Now, mind you, this is the first time I have ever lookied into a pre-school. I have no idea what tuition costs are like. I thought, yeah, this is probably going to be a little out of our planned budget, but I am willing to re-arrange a few things, if it is the right place. So I looked at the tuition costs.... uh? Is that right? No, that must be a typo, they say per week, that must mean per semester? WOW! Lets just say, that if this is the place, I will be getting a part time job while she is in school, just to pay for her school! Joel seems to think we can make it work. I am going to check it out anyways, so I can compare it with some other places. But when we were leaving, Nora stood at the door looking in and said, "Mommy, I want to play there." It was sort of sad!

The end of the day was supposed to be part of our "Love Dare". APparently Joel had seen a store, and he knew there was something there that he wanted to buy for me. He thought he remembered where this store was, he didn't remember the name of it. He thought it closed early, but wasn't sure. So we drove around for an hour looking for this store, and couldn't find it. So we stopped to grab something to eat. I was a little nervous, because Nora had been in the car for a very long time, and I was expecting her to be a little cranky. She still had her princess from earlier. We grabbed our food, and sat at a table. Nora got chicken noodle soup, and was happy. She dipped her bread in the soup, took a bite, and said, "Mmmmm, thank you mommy. This is really good." She said this after every bite! I was at that moment, realizing, what a great kid I have. After dinner, we found the store, and sure enough, they were closed. Joel was frusterated, and I was tired. Nora, was HAPPY! We came home, and I kissed her good night, and my wonderfully amazing husband took her to bed, and sent me out dress shopping.

I can't put my finger on it, but today was a great day. It started out with me missing my family, and wanting my friends. It ended with me feeling more grateful then I have in a very long time. Of course, tomorrow is a new day, and who knows what it will bring? But moments like these should be shared, so that I have something to look back on. I got my camera back, and I am so excited to use it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next....

Love Dare

I don't generally recommend books. Mainly because I am not an avid reader, and don't have a genera that I appreciate more then another. Joel and I have been reading "Love Dare". It is a self help book for anyone in a marriage. It is recommended to those that are happy in love, mediocre in love, and falling out of love. We started it about three days ago, and where most of the details are very personal, I have been very happy with the results thus far. Joel has been labeled "CP" on my blog, (Crabby Pants), but with his new job, and all the great things that he has to be thankful for, he has changed his name/alias to "MP", or "Mr. Positive". I think it is so important in a marriage to take the time to focus on your spouse. There are so many things in day to day life that make it hard to understand your spouse. This book is really helping both of us to focus less on, work, cleaning, cooking, and more on our love for one another. Then in the end, it makes it easier to focus on the other things. So, I dare anyone reading this, who is married, to take the "Love Dare". I also have to thank Alie, and Julie for recommending it. Thank you sooooo much! Our family is based on the foundation of Christ. This book just helps us to be specifically involved in each other.

Moans and Groans

If you are burried in snow in Michigan... don't read this post. I am sorry to hear that the weather up there is not letting up. Really, I am so sorry. This last weekend we went to the beach. It is not the closest beach, but it's the quietest of the two that we have found. It was a great day, and the weather was magnificent, (don't worry, the weather is supposed to be a little gloomier this week, so there won't be, "GREAT WEATHER" posts all week long.) This is Sandbridge Beach! This is where I want to spend my summer, and photography time. Forget the kitchen... there is too much beauty to see in VB to be couped up cooking! Of course Nora loved it! Her and Joel dipped their toes in the water, which I thought was too cold. Altough the surfers and the family disagreed with me. And speaking of our little "Moo Child" there will be lots and lots of pictures of her on her blog a little later. If you haven't been invited to her blog, and are interested in seeing nothing but Nora posts, please send me an email at kirstynnlq[at]yahoo[dot]com. I will send you an invite, and then you can get all the Nora you want. (Mostly for G'mas, and G'pas, but everyone is welcome!)

General Conference Sunday

What a great weekend! General Conference (semi-annual opportunity to hear of the leaders of our church), was very powerful. It is always so motivating, and gives me the extra boost to be a better mother, and daughter, and wife. I am so grateful for the opportunity to document my thoughts and feelings, it is something that I keep very close to my heart, and therefore, are very personal.

The closing hymn, which is always the same, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", was especially touching for us when we are transitioning into this new life here in Virginia. We dearly miss our family, and friends in Michigan, but, we are watched all watched over, and we will be together again one day! It is hard to believe we have only been here for a week. It feels like so much longer. We are pretty much unpacked... with a box or two per room to go. I know how to get to Target, and the beach... what else do I need?

Red Wing Park!

WE live in the subdivision called "REDWING" and all the streets are bird names. I didn't even put two and two together till just now.... We are from Detriot, and live in REDWING Park! Wow! Maybe if I were into the Wings like I used to be, I would have noticed that sooner. I blame my Joel for that. Anyway, today, the family took a walk to the park that is about 1/2 mile from our house. It was a GLORIOUS day! The sun is shining! The birds are chirping! The Navy men are out with their families, (I guess is a regular thing here, I was taken aback the first time I saw a group of men in uniform, felt like I should salute them, and pay special tribute to them in some way, but no, that is an everyday occurence in this area. I'm sure I'll get used to it soon, just like I will get used to the jets flying over head all day and night!) Anyways, just wanted to post a few pictures of the beautiful park that we are so lucky to be able to enjoy all the time! Theses are just a few of the pictures. There are actually beautiful gardens, plants, and trees, that I didn't even document this time.



Fun is over... back to unloading boxes, and listening to conference!

Saying goodbye...

Last week was one of the hardest weeks I have had in a very long time. I knew that is would be tough for us to say goodbye to everybody, but wasn't sure it would be as hard as it was. There are so many people that came to help us load up, lots of people stopped by an empty house to wish us well, and then the drive began. It was a long thoughtful drive. Thinking of all the loved ones behind us, and all the many friends, and adventures ahead of us. I took most of the pictures, because if you have ever seen my cry, you know... ITS NOT PRETTY! So, since my thoughts are as disorganized as my house, I am going to post the pictures, and add captions/stories that go along with the pic.

This is one of my activity day girls. Karyna! She came over on moving day with her dad, and little brother. They brought Nora the cutest little Travel Bag, with all sorts of fun things for Nora to do, and snacks too. They are so super, and I heard that there is a trip being planned....? Maybe after mom has baby number 5!

My great friend Jenni, makes dresses, and asked Nora to be her VA. representative. We had to try out the dresses in Michigan just to make sure they were worth making the trip.... SOOOOO ADORABLE!

On moving day, Joel assigned 2 captains... they were the ones organizing the process, and it looks very efficient! Well done boys!

We had one yummy lunch with Nana the day before the move. She is constantly cooking, and spoils up rotten. We are going to miss those lunches FOR SURE!

To get her mind off of all her things being packed up in boxes, we moved her around too!

Nora will for miss her most favorite, bestest, babysitter ever. Hayley... we already miss you. I hear there may be a trip planning in your future for you too? Maybe I can fund a cute, righteous surfer boy.... hmmmm?

Hayley's sister, Chewy! Nora has already been asking for Alli... "I go to Alli's house". We miss you! We won't even recognize you next time we see you, with braces and all! Can't wait!!!!!!!

Nana gave Nora an angle. It was so precious, and she loved it. Nana always has some little thing that she has to give the kids when they leave. Nora named the angle "Nana". Very appropriate.

Uhh... wait a minute... what happened to the orginization? YIKES! We almost needed a bigger truck!

Cousins playin for the last time before we leave. Here is one of the other things I hear, everyday, sometimes two or three times, "We go to Kys house... right now! I want to see Marley. Marley needs me!" Alie is so great at sending pictures, and videos, and they made us this super awesome picture book with loads of great pictures of the kids. Honestly, this was the hardest part of leaving. These kids are so amazing! I already miss them like crazy.

Their mom, she would be almost as amazing as her kids, if she would OPEN HER EYES, and smile for the camera. Instead, she insists on either closing her eyes, or making a goofy face! I love you Alie, you are so freakin awesome!

Nora had to go around her room that papa painted for her, and kiss all her friends goodbye. It was such a sweet moment for me. She loved this room soooo much, and misses all her bedtime friends. There is plenty of room on her walls here in VB.

Oops, one more of the Jensens! Weston was probably Noras first crush. And with those pearly whites, who could blame her?

These next few pictures get a little out of order... sorry. When we got to VB, my mom couldn't find her sunglasses, so she used the 3D ones that were in Noras toy bag. She is such a Lulu!

When Nora learned that Lulu and Papa were going on an airplane to go back to Michigan, she ran in her new room, and cried. It was too cute not to grab a picture!

Closing the door of our first home, as a family. We made some great memories there, and will always cherish the time we spent so close to my parents.

Noras BFF Avery came to say goodbye... Nora was sleeping, and since the drive ahead of us was going to be a long one, I chose to let her sleep. I said Goodbye to Avery for her. She is such a doll. We miss you Ave!

Nora loves when Uncle Matt scruffs against her lips! She thinks it is so "shunny", (funny)!

Here is the new property manager himself... leaving for his first day of his new job. I tried not to embarrass him, but I knew I wanted to blog about it. I took a few random pictures, without him realizing what I was doing, but I couldn't really ask him to pose for me. I am so proud of him! He has worked so hard, and wants only the best things for his family. I think he is so hot too! Mommy and Nora are so happy, daddy!

Having our first dinner in our new house! Not exactly living the good life yet! The Chinese place that the GPS gave us... NOT GOOD! We are going to have to do some exploring for a good Chinese place here! Jade Garden... C-!

Here we are! Everything unloaded! Now we just have to find what we need! We are 3/4 of the way done! What a process. I should probably be doing that now, nah.... blogging is more fun.

Nora was playing in the truck, and really wanted me to grab something for her. Why, my loving husband thought this was the right time to snap a shot... well, maybe he liked what he saw?

We had my dad take a picture of us in front of our new house. Note to self: 50 years old= not able to focus! Anyway, here is our little family, ready to take on the world! The window behind us is in perfect focus though!

GPS in one hand, Blackberry in the other... knock em dead baby!!!

MY 1 year BLOGEVERISARY!

I am three days too late, but I have been blogging for a WHOLE YEAR! And I am not even tired of it! WOO HOO! I think tonight we will celebrate as a family!!! Coming up, a plethera of pictures!

Coming to you from VIRGINIA BEACH!!!!

Is anyone out there? I know it has been a while, but we had some computer issues during the move, and a few pieces of the computer didn't make it. I was able to use the laptop when Joel was home in the evening, but most of the time I was so stinkin EXHAUSTED, that did what I needed to get done, then passed out. I must say, that when moving to a new city, the internet is a must! Come to find out we were driving 30 minutes to get to a Lowe's, when there was a Home Depot right around the corner. Ugh! But, all is well now. Even if there are still packed boxes everywhere, and I haven't done any laundry in over 1 week, things are great here! We love it! The weather has been a little overcast, but still nice. We have some great people that live in the neighborhood, and some people from the ward have stopped by, and called to say hello! We are sooo excited for all the fun things to come.

Nora took a few days to get adjusted. When we unloaded the doll house, she was like a kid on Christmas morning. Then after a few days, she grew bored of that, and so we unpacked the princess dresses, now, we have a few days of her being happy again! Every day she asks, "I wanna go to Ky's house." I tell her, "We will go to Kys house, but he lives far away now, so it is going to be a while." Nora says, "Why?" I say, "Well, because we moved to Virginia, and now we don't live close to our family anymore." She says, "Why?" I say, "Remember when we used to say our prayers, and we would ask Heavenly Father, if we should move to Virginia, well, he answered our prayer, and said, Yes, we should move. So, here we are... in Virginia!" She says, "I wanna go to a different A-ginia." I really don't know what she is thinking, all I can rely on is the spirit to comfort her, and bring peace to her mind. She asks me "WHY" about two and a half million times a day, so, we have lots of learning opportunities.

Other then that, I have pictures that I will post later today. I just wanted to put up a post hoping there are still some readers out there. I am back, and over the next month, it may be slow blogging, but I PROMISE.... there are lots and lots of fun things to do here, so I will have lots to blog about. We live right between two GREAT beaches! Near Busch Gardens, an amazing aquarium, great water parks all over, lots of parks. Lots more, so the blog will be filled soon with all these fun things. We would love to have visitors too. Everyone is welcome! I don't know how you can't not love it here! Just let us know when you are coming!