Day 8 = Sucky

Day 8

Nate took his language test. He was not worried necessarily, but it is kind of stressful. He passed. He did well. It's a good thing too, because if he didn't pass we would have had to stay here for another month. And we have plans! We have family meeting us at Disneyland! But that didn't put any pressure on Nate. No, none at all.

I didn't take any pictures on day 8 because it was my busiest day, and picture taking wasn't even on my radar. I wish I had taken a picture or two though. I prepared for pack-out ALL DAY. Basically that means sorting through all our stuff and deciding if we need it, and how soon. It is an exhausting process, and I've decided I hate it. Yes, hate. I am having a hard time believing I have to do it every 2 years or so. I'm trying to decide if it would be easier to just throw everything we own away, and just buy new every time we move. It wouldn't be that expensive, would it? We don't have that much stuff. If we were simply moving, it would be much easier, but there are several different categories things to go into. Such as: slow boat, air shipment, luggage. And luggage has a couple sub-categories. Like what we want to have access to while traveling, and what we don't want to touch. Each category gets to us at different times, so we have to decide what is important enough to go into each shipment. But don't forget about the weight limits! Argh! Just writing about it is making me tired.

Maybe I should have started earlier, but I felt like we had to wait for so many reasons. Anyway, Nate and I were up until 3-ish. It stunk, but we were uber prepared when the movers got there in the morning.

It's a Decade

Not only was this Day 9, it was B.A.'s birthday! That is pretty much all we concentrated on that day. Well, except for Nate. He had his language test the next day.

I took this picture before school. As you can tell, she wasn't thrilled to be smiling for me, but I thought she looked beautiful. She's wearing her new glasses.

She's 10! Ten is a big deal.

All that saxophone playing paid off. She was able to blow all ten candles out in one shot!
She got 10 presents. The were all numbered and she had to open them in order. That was pretty much it. It was a small party, as small as you can get with my family around. But Elder Hill and Elder Passwaters came. They even brought her a gift! She was thrilled.

I love having older kids. It is so fun that we are into the double digits.

Easter

Day 10

We took Sunday off.

There were some tears shed at church. It wasn't supposed to be like this! We weren't supposed to be here long enough to care about leaving. But alas, we all love it here. Hopefully I can find the right words to comfort my children.

It was a special Sunday. I love Easter. Nate made an amazing dinner, and an awesome dessert. I know, I'm a loser. My husband cooks everything.

It was good to take a break.

Will this be the last time I eat strawberries for a while?

Duck Sauce

Day 11 - Saturday

The "Easter Bunny" came. Did our Easter Bunny leave stuff in paper bags? Yes she did! Our holiday stuff is in storage, and since we are moving, any new baskets would have just gotten thrown away. I decided it was better to spend the money I would have spent on baskets on the stuff inside. My kids were delighted. I promise. They were slightly disappointed when I told them they couldn't look in, or color in their new books until we got on the plane. It sounds harsh, but have I mentioned how long we will be on a plane?

I also took my last trip to Old Navy. And yes, I do realize that most Old Navy clothes are made in Indonesia, but I don't think that means there will be a store within reach for a while. Maybe there will be, I have no idea.

Then we went to the store for a few more things we wanted to take that we didn't get at Costco. I guess the things we "can't live without" are pasta and hot sauce. We are going to Asia after all. If we were going to South America we would probably stock up on coconut milk and rice noodles. And pasta, of course.

Hopefully we won't have to eat the two together.

Costco

Day 12

Nate and I went to Costco for the last time in at least 2 years. Well, at the time it was the last time, now I think it was the second to last time. Turns out, we have to return some stuff. But for my purposes here on the blog, it was the last time.

Is ketchup, and chocolate syrup something I'll want when I'm overseas, you ask? I have no freaking clue! But I keep thinking I'd rather get something and not need it, than regret not getting it. That is the fun part of this lifestyle. You buy things you don't need, and you go without things you really need. It's good times. It's like my mind is constantly having a debate about what to take and what not to take. I'm not going to lie, it gets old. I'm looking forward to that time again when I don't have to think about it so much.

We also painted eggs!

Shots

This begins my countdown to the big move. I wanted to start at the 2-week mark, and note what we did that day and whatever else. But I'm already behind! So I don't have too much confidence in myself to keep it up, but I'm going to try anyway.

Even though we didn't get shots all on one day, Nate and I had to get our last shots 2 weeks before the move. So I decided to start off my countdown writing about our shots experience.

So, day 13.

The kids looking fake scared before our first appointment...

They weren't actually scared though. They were looking forward to it. Weirdos. Maybe it's because I told them I would give them a dollar if they didn't cry. They didn't cry that day. Because we didn't get shots! It was annoying, but the nurse just talked with me and Nate and scheduled another appointment. I guess having 7 people come in for shots was more than they could handle without an interview first. It was weird.

So appointment #2, shots #1, went really well. They all got their dollar.

Shots #2, the kids weren't so excited. They knew what was coming. But still no tears, and we got ice cream afterwards.

Looking at the map helps.

Dare got it in her leg. Looking at the ceiling helps.

More map looking.

By the time we got to shots #3, the kids had had enough. They started to complain, but they were still super good sports.

Even though this was supposed to be our last trip, it wasn't. They ran out of on of the vaccinations Nate and I had to get, so we had to go back again. Ugh! All I know is, I hate shots! My arm hurt so bad. I know I'm being a weenie, but I'm done with pain. I don't want to hurt anymore ever again. But now it's over, until we get to Jakarta anyways.

Family Pictures!

Our last-but-not-least visitors were Rachelle and her family. She walked around DC all day AND took our family pictures. Amazing, I know.

Sneak peek...

Isn't this one awesome? I'm so excited!

April 17th

The D's and the P's

We are sure going to miss the P's when we both move to different parts of the world. I'm so happy to have this picture.

*****

After church that day, we took a drive over to the temple. It was perfect.

Lucky

I got a surprise! Liz came to visit me. And I didn't even know until she walked in the door. How fun is that? Lots, I'll tell you.

Oh, she is also G's new girlfriend.

I loved going to the temple with her.

I loved shopping with her.

I loved eating with her. That girl can eat!

But I'm feeling pretty bad we didn't go roller skating. : ( I'll make it up to you, Liz. Jakarta 2012. Right after we go surfing.

He Digs 5

You know how moms always say they can't believe their kids are as old as they are? How they say it goes by so fast? Well, IT IS SO TRUE! I can't believe Mads turned 5. FIVE! Oh, it hurts my heart just thinking about it. He was such a great 4 year old. Why couldn't he just stay that way?

On his birthday, he got to choose what he wanted to do. Within reason. Of course, he chose to play video games in the morning. And he wanted quesadillas for lunch. He wanted to go bowling, but since the idea of bowling was edging towards stressing me out (it's a slippery slope these days) we decided to go mini golfing instead.

He was perfectly happy with that idea. It was such an amazing day outside, it would have been a shame to stay indoors,

A hole in one!

He is so awesome.

After dinner (Subway- the idea of cooking was on the verge of stressing me out too), we had ice cream and cake with the P's and the missionaries.

I haven't been in the mood to write much lately. I'm blaming it on the fact that all I have been thinking about is my upcoming move. That's a good excuse, right? Anyway, I want to write all about Mads and his coolness, and everything about him right now, but it will have to wait. Maybe once we get settled in a few months I'll get back on track.

Thistle

The big gap.

I pulled this one out. It was kind of dramatic. It was dangling, but it was putting up a fight. I have a before shot too, but I decided not to post it because it was kind of gross looking. We were going out to eat and I didn't think there was any way she would be able to eat with it hanging there. So I yanked it. Apparently it hurt. Because she cried. And there was some blood.

I'm pretty sure she was glad I did it though. I hope.

56 Pillars

We had some more visitors!

First it was Grandpa and Diane. I didn't take very many pictures, but I liked this one of Grandpa walking with the boys.

We had a great time with them, and we are so glad they came to visit us. Because of the cherry blossom festival, DC was more crowded (times ten!) than I have ever seen it before. But we were still able to do some fun stuff, and hang out too.

Then the uncles came!

Here we all are a the Capitol with the Washington Monument behind us.

See those chicks? Those are my new sister-in-laws! I was so happy to hang out with them and get to know them a little bit better. They are awesome.

We had a fun weekend filled with eating, laughing, cramming in cars, video games, flying monkeys, walking, Metro riding, Tangled watching, and more!

National World War II Memorial

My kids with their first cousin on Dad's side! This was the first time they met her in person. For me too! She was as lovely as she looks. Just a super fun baby to have around.

Circus

Dare had a music concert too. Probably because she is in the last grade at her school also. It was the day after B.A's. Same procedure, only this time we started out by doing Dare's and Bronte's hair...

Can you tell who is who?

Dare is almost right in the middle of this picture. She is making a weird face because it was the same day she lost her tooth up top. Anytime she wasn't singing, she was checking out her new gap with her tongue and lips.

It was a super cute program. Dare was really excited, and she loved performing! I was surprised because she is a little shy, but she really got into it.

On the way home.

At Mobil

For around 10 years now, Nate has done this while getting gas, when the kids are in the car. He does it every time. Because every time this kids ask for it. And every time they are entertained. He never says no, and he will do it as long as they keep asking, or for however long it takes to fill up the tank, which ever one comes first.

50 Nifty

B.A. had a music concert! It was really fun. They practiced songs and then one night they perform for families at the high school. On stage! It was so exciting.

First we took the Elders out to Red Robin...

And, of course, there was wrestling in the seats during the pre-show waiting period...


Here she is on the front row. She is pretty much the smallest kid in fourth grade.

I'm guessing they have a concert for forth grade because that's the last grade at the school. That's why Rhon didn't have one.

Good Bye Cute Little Baby Teeth

This tooth took forever to fall out! It has been 6 or 7 months since she lost her bottom ones, and it never stayed loose for very long. It kept changing it's mind about wanting to be loose. She was so excited to finally be rid of it! And she pulled it out at school, which makes it even cooler. Today was a good day.

Now if I can just try to be a good Tooth Fairy. The odds are stacked against me.