An introduction… finally

Okay, I am feeling really guilty for not introducing our little one to the blog yet.  This is cute baby #3.  SHE is due May 21-22 and we cannot be more thrilled.  We found out when Dave and I were in NYC. I thought I was for various reasons and when packing I took a pregnancy test with me.  I felt pretty good most of the trip, a little tired and nauseous, but couldn’t really blame it on a pregnancy quite yet.  I took the test on our last day in NYC.  What a GREAT day. We were very happy and excited.  We waited for weeks to tell people and I think we kept a pretty good secret.  (Besides my mom who said, “I just knew it.”  We announced it at Dave’s birthday party at my parents house.  The girls wore “Big Sister in Charge shirts,” and might I say they looked stinkin’ cute! We didn’t tell Anna until we put the shirt on so it was a good surprise for her too!

In the beginning I was really nauseated and exhausted.  I swore it was a boy because I hadn’t been that sick with the other girls. It was pretty pitiful some days, I was doing my best to keep up, but some days the couch was my best friend. We have a boy name, I was sick, and we already have 2 girls… it was a boy for sure….

WRONG.

I had an ultrasound with Dr. Kaelberer and told him to write it down for Dave and I to open together. He said he was only 85% sure and I shouldn’t tell family at our party that weekend. I got out to the car and called Dave, I couldn’t wait to open it, then all the sudden I didn’t want to know, I knew it would say a girl.  I shouldn’t say this, sorry baby #3 but a little disappointment set in as I read it to Dave.  I thought for sure it was a boy and I was excited at that possibility, mostly because of the dynamic a boy would bring to the family, and also so Dave would have someone to do sports with.  I held out until another Ultrasound with my mom and her co-worker.  Another girl!  Then our “real” Ultrasound confirmed it again.  GIRLIE GIRL! I love my girls and am excited to see the dynamics that this little one will bring to our family.  There is a sweetness about girls, I love pink and girly things, I love that I don’t have to do much shopping in the beginning… only for more girly goodness and she will be loved just as much as any other baby! I cannot wait to see her beautiful face and little features.

Now,  I am almost 25 weeks and she is an active little one! She kicks and moves quite a bit. It is fun to feel again. Some days it catches me off guard like, What is that? oh yeah, I am pregnant.  I started showing quite a while ago, but this week has set in the uncomfortable hard tummy stage. I feel large and in charge,but try to remind myself it’s okay I am growing a human for heaven sakes!  So crazy. So amazing. So exciting!

Baby girl we love you already and cannot wait to meet you soon! (3 1/2 months….but who is counting… oh we all are!)

My Horrible Book Keeping

*All weekend whenever we looked for something it took forever to find, because my lack of organization. I NEED to be better, and keep up with a better system. It’s no wonder Dave WANTS to do the bills, instead of leaving them to me.

*Today in trying to finish up some old blog posts I realize I have been horrible at keeping updates on Maddie. Sorry second child! I doesn’t mean I don’t love you, just physically love and hold you more rather than be on the computer. (:

*I FINALLY found my old Driver’s License from Michigan that I thought I lost last November.  I “Knew” I had put it in the car. I LOOKED there a million times, but when it came down to it I thought perhaps it fell out somewhere. I spent countless hours calling lost and found departments, getting a hold of Michigan, finding various documents to get my new Utah DL and having to go get new certificates.  I almost had to take a drivers test (luckily that didn’t have to happen).  Dave just scrubbed down the car last week and still didn’t find it.  Then today, I saw something in the door pocket, reached in and THERE IT WAS! It had gotten stuck to the side of the pocket somehow. Whew, glad I found it, but frustrated that because I was too much in a hurry in the first place to put it back in my wallet I had to go through all of that.

* I had to pay the babysitter and thought I had a $5 in my purse. I looked and looked. But after not finding it and not making it to the bank or store in multiple days, I broke into Anna’s piggy bank and “borrowed” a  $5 bill I knew was in there.  Then I couldn’t get the cap back on, so all week I have been cleaning up the money Anna has been counting.  Then today, there it was right in the middle of my messy purse.  a $5 bill! Dang messy Heidi!

So here is to being better, taking time to correctly put things away and being more organized… I hope.

I love my girls

Each day I want to be Evie from the 80's show and stop time. They are growing TOOOOO fast. I just love them!

Homeless...

Not really. Dave and I have made it to Utah. THe last two days were very long, but we made it by 6:00 last night arriving to a wonderful dinner with ALL my family! It was fabulous to all be together again.

I realized that for another week and two days we are a bit homeless. We are all moved out of our A2 home, all our stuff is in a semi truck somewhere in the U.S., we don't start renting our place in Modesto, CA until the 6th and our home in Bountiful is rented, but we are trying to find renters. So although we own a home, we cannot move into it, and even though we have paid rent in A2 we are no longer there. Thank goodness for family!

BTW, if anyone knows of anyone looking to rent a great home in Bountiful, Utah, send them my way!

We are happy to be in Utah, to relax and spend time with wonderful people. Anna is having a blast with her Grandparents, Auntie and cousins (and cannot wait to see the other set). She informed me when we arrived (as she has flown home to Utah with Grandma) that she had been "Playing ALL day". So here is Anna's plan for the next week: Play with "little people," Jump on the tramp, play kitchen, jump on the tramp, and basically "play all day!"

Mia is also in heaven running in a large yard all day!

"It's a great day to be alive..."

Behind... according to who? & other thoughts.

**Okay since I haven't really blogged since the middle of March I thought it was time to catch up... but I know the feeling of being behind stems from pressure I put on myself to keep up with all that I have going on. So, I started my post with the title "behind", but honestly, I have kept up on so many other things during my blogging lapse that I cannot say I am behind, just keeping up with life...does that even make sense? Perhaps not. I just don't like hearing people say, " I am a bad blogger," or "I SHOULD have blogged and haven't," or "I cannot blog about today because I need to catch up first." I don't like these phrases because who is the BLOG KING? Blogs are a fun way to share thoughts, photos, your life and other random stuff, the whens or the whats are not set in stone. I have had this outlook on my journals for my whole life and decided recently that I will just do the best I can to make a journal, note about my day or what not, and know that if I don't get to writing, hopefully I am doing something else worth while and hopefully my memories won't fade too soon... Am I still making no sense? Oh well, there's the inside of my head for you and here is another part.....

** Had a CRAZY, but great weekend. (okay you can skip this if you like, I seemed to ramble more, but hey it is my journal right?)
Friday: Worked an hour and a half, then ran errands (perhaps last stop to Randazzos? Will blog about later), cooked a delicious salsa verde enchilada dish along side my hubby, and got another "daughter for the weekend" (Audrey), then gave a spiritual thought about inner beauty to the young women, and had started our three part series of watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail. This is one of Dave's classic movies that every time we have tried to watch over the course of the past 10 years I have fallen asleep and he has finished. I think that we have only tried twice, but I laugh at that. This time I resorted to watching increments that I could handle. Not that I don't enjoy it... it is slap stick stupid humor which we both love... just cuddling with Dave late and night gets a little toooooo comfortable.

Saturday: Woke up to Anna at 6:40 asking where Audrey was... "No it isn't time to wake up yet" was my thought, but alas the excitement was too much to handle for these little friends. Audrey woke up shortly after that. Cooked in the kitchen all morning from 7-11 getting cleaned up, cutting fruit, cooking breakfast, making salads and preparing for a fun event. Helped get the girls down for a nap and was off to a baby shower for my friend Carrie. I will post photos later... it was amazing. Came home cleaned up the house with the girls, Anna had a meltdown, took the kids to kids swap (thank you Abernethys you truly saved the night!) and went to dinner and ice cream with the Owens and shopped at the M den. I have really wanted a Michigan t -shirt and haven't gotten one... I found one and am happy. Came home, got the girls to bed, did my primary lesson and started part two of the movie. ( Mind you I looked and the movie is only an hour and a half long). Started to fall asleep. zzzzzz

Sunday: Got to sleep until 7:20 today, Anna and Audrey still excited to see one another. We played, bathed, ate breakfast, and rushed to church. It was a great Sacrament on the Resurrection. I found myself deep in thought and forgetting the toddlers sitting on the bench with me.
*I have been trying to focus more on the Savior in my life lately, especially since the beginning of March. I have wanted to learn more about His life and resurrection, and how I can be more like him. I realized that though I am praying and reading the scriptures almost everyday and learning more about prayer and family that my testimony of the Savior had not been progressing. As I came to this realization I noticed that I began to blame the outline of lessons at church or subjects in Sacrament. I FELT like often times other parts of the gospel were such a focus that we lost touch with the head of our Church. I belong to The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints and should know my Savior. One day I was thinking about this and I realized that MY lack of getting to know my Savior or trying to emulate him in my life was no ones fault but MY OWN. Worshipping on the Sabbath is only one step in our spiritual growth (and a very important one),but it is our own personal study, prayer, meditation, and worshipping that will help us grow. I actually have learned this from an example not of my same faith. I hope to try harder to draw nearer to the Lord and live a life pleasing to him, one that others see as Christ like and want to know him because they know me (another thought from someone not of my faith.)

*I am also thankful today for rejuvenating Hymns like "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" and the other hymn we sang.. with the SAME title, but different lyrics and tunes.

**I am a little flustered right now due to my crazy 2 year old who has been in bed for over an hour and a half and WON'T sleep, though she is very tired. I told myself she would stay there until she did, it might be a long day.

Two reasons why she won't sleep:
1) fell asleep in the car when I took a friend home from church, got 20 minutes and won't sleep again (this unfortunately used the work and I am realizing now that it doesn't fly anymore.)
2) She has a cute friend staying with us for the weekend. And though her friend is being a gem, she has been a little off. I think she is a little too excited to sleep.

Worries about the situation:
1) Becoming more of a jealous mommy's girl... that cannot work with my job and with babies down the road
2) Not taking naps... she is NOT ready for this stage, is a royal mess if she doesn't sleep.
3) We wanted to transition her to a big girl bed once we move, but I don't think it will work, there is no way she would stay in it.
4) I hope she behaves better in a couple of weeks when we leave her with the same friend for 4 days. Yikes. Dave and I were not her biggest fans yesterday from about 4:30 - 5:30, major meltdown like I have never seen before! Good luck Nelsons. I will start my prayers now.

Okay as I continue this post she is finally asleep... 2 hours later! Geez! Now Audrey will probably wake up. I was counting on a nap for myself... think I slept for 20-30 minutes, just enough to get me energy to blog. (another 45 minutes later of my ramblings she woke up again... what is her deal, I rocked her and she is back asleep...) Audrey on the other had is still a sleeping angel! (: Perhaps binkis are better than I thought.

**Life is so unexpected.
I just read Friday night about one of my best friend's nieces who left this world suddenly at only 4 months (?) old. She died unexpectedly in her sleep. I balled that night, haven't stopped thinking about it since, and and almost in tears as I write. Life can change as ANY moment and each second is a special one. We are lucky to be who we are where we are. Life is a miraculous gift!

** There are tons of unpacked, half packed, and full packed boxes all over our house. We move in 5 weeks. I am excited to have 3 days off this week to get the ball going again. I want to get ahead of the game so we have time to play!!

A Perfect Summer Day

Anna has been sick for the last few days and I have felt quarantined. Today, however, has been wonderful. This is how it went

Wanted to go running early (have tried the last three days and have failed because Anna was up all night and crabby early in the morning), but didn't because I would have woken Anna
Said goodbye to a fabulous- hard- working- early- riser-husband
Slept in until 8
Woke up to a happy and rash/fever free baby
Watched her down a whole cup of pears (the first thing she has eaten in days!)
Watched a little Mary Poppins (trying to get Anna off Signing time, but it isn't working)
Cleaned up a little
Had Anna help me feed the dog- she LOVES this chore!
Took Mia in the car with us and ran Dave's dry cleaning
Talked to a cute co worker and got some hours for next week
Went on a walk/run
Put Anna down and she went right to sleep on her own
Anna has been sleeping for 2.5 hours
Did an exercise video
Sat out in the sun for an hour
checked emails/trips stuff/blogs
Talked to My love
Talked with a best friend- who is PREGNANT!
Talked with a co worker
Journal ed
Showered without a toddler nearby- actually got to shave!
Lost 3 pounds since I last weighed myself
Haven't craved bad foods today... first in a long while
Anna woke up happy saying, "Mama"- love it!
Will now plan book our trip to the upper parts of Michigan
Then will play out in a small pool with Anna
Then plan to run errands-including Costco for Pizza for dinner!
Get to see an old friend tonight!

Hope all goes well the rest of the day, it seems perfect so far. (:

A Poem, by Erin Mason

I have so much to blog, but have a project in the works (hence my 1:45 am posting), but I wanted to post this Poem. I thought it was beautiful and asked Erin if I could post it. I think this decribes perfectly the emotions that I tend to go through while being a mother.

My List
There’s a list on my table
of things to be done,
there is laundry to fold,
and errands to run,
a letter of thanks
I’ve been meaning to write,
a stack of old papers
to put out of sight,
there is dinner to plan,
I should get to the store,
but I still haven’t showered,
and it’s almost four,
the weeds must be picked,
the furniture dusted,
the vacuuming done,
the sprinklers adjusted,
the dishes are piling
quite high in the sink,
and the printer for days
has been flashing “low ink”,
the car is on empty,
the milk’s almost gone,
the light I just changed
in the hall won’t turn on,
there are phone calls to make,
there are bills still to pay,
my body is willing,
and yet kept at bay
by the sweet little angel,
his face softly glowing,
who dreams in my arms,
without even knowing
the peace that he brings me,
how heaven draws near,
and things of eternity
all become clear:
that I am a mother,
my calling divine,
of highest importance
in the grand design,
and though obligations
and chores can’t be missed,
holding my baby
is first on my list.

A Mother's Day

Today was wonderful! It was so nice to be here in Utah to celebrate this holiday with those I love most. I woke up this morning at 9:30, so happy that my husband let me sleep in. Then found out that Dave woke up earlier with Anna, but got her back to sleep and he had also just woken up (bonus for all of us!). Then Dave made a wonderful breakfast. I got to sit and read books with my Anna and then play with toys. I spent some time playing with my dog (mostly trying to comb her winter coat off-gross!), but nevertheless it is good to be with her.

Then we were off for the marathon. We went to my parent's ward (my old homeward) for Sacrament meeting). It was such an AMAZING meeting. My father has been in the bishopric for almost 6 years and was being released so he, the other counselor, the bishop, the stake president, and the new bishop all spoke. There was a wonderful spirit there. Those who spoke were humble and bore true testimony. They spoke about the promptings of the Holy Ghost, the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Gave tribute to their own wife, mothers, and women in general. (I especially loved how the Stake President spoke of the amazing role of many women in the scriptures). It was a beautiful meeting and I felt blessed to be there and a part of it. I am so proud of the Dad. He is truly an amazing, humble, loving, giving, sensitive, and Christ-like example to me. I am happy that now after 10+ years of serving in bishopric callings that he and my mom can sit together... at least until the next calling comes along.

Afterwards, I would have loved to chat with lots of old friends, but we were off to a mission farewell of Dave's cousin. I was glad we went and am thankful for what I DID hear, though most of the time I was playing the fitting role (for today) as a mother and roamed the halls with a cute 15 month old. She just couldn't sit still! I love the stage she is in because she is learning so much each day. I can truly see her mind exploring and trying to figure out what is going on. She is hilarious and so dang cute! And though I know the busy-ness will only get worse when she is fully walking, I hope she does it soon. She is in the in-between stage where she WANTS to walk, but doesn't quite have the guts to let go and go on her own. So I get to bend over a lot and walk around places with a cute little hand wrapped around my finger (that I don't mind).

Then we were off to an amazing buffet dinner. My Grandma likes to take us to a country club every Mother's day for the most filling (yeah, I'll need to exercise a lot this week), and yummy meal. It is nice because then my mom gets a break from organizing, cooking, and cleaning and we all get to be together. Though I wish it wasn't on Sunday. I was so thankful because there was a lot of things that Anna enjoyed eating and I think we filled her belly for the first time in a long time!

Our last stop was HOME to the Miners where we were greeted by 12 running, biking, or scootering kids excited to see us (okay mostly Anna). It is amazing how much kids can change and grow up in 5 months! We had a great time catching up with Dave's family. Anyone with a small family might be rather intimidated, but it is the norm to have up to 20 adults, as of Thursday 20 grand kids! Thank goodness for good weather where the kids can escape the house and give the parents a little quiet. (: (I need to be better at taking photos at home were the action is, but is not always captured)

All in all it was a wonderful Mother's day. I love being back with family. I love my Mom, Grandma R, Mother in law- JJ, Grandma J, Mother in law-Karen (though I have never met her- today is 13 years since her passing), and all the other mother figures in my life who have taught me so much. I could write pages about each one of them.

And today, as everyday, I am reminded how much... I love being a Mother.

Thanksgiving.... and Christmas!

No, nobody at our home is excited for Christmas! (: Okay, perhaps a little. Dave and I have vowed not to listen to Christmas songs until after Thanksgiving, so here I am Thanksgiving night ready for what is to come! I admit this year I have been in the mood to listen to Christmas music for a week or so, so this task has been difficult. I have been trying to be ahead of the game and get Christmas prepared early so I am not stressed. I think it is going okay so far. It has definitely gotten me even more excited than in years past. So I am thrilled that December is almost here! This is our Family's FAVORITE holiday! But Yes, there was another GREAT holiday today which I will talk about now...

A little bit about Thanksgiving...this year it was obviously different being away from home. I did miss my Family a TON and miss the homemade pies from Dave's side of the family and my mom's stuffing (and soon to come Turkey Dumpling Soup). HOWEVER, we enjoyed creating our own memories out here in Ann Arbor. We hosted a dinner at our home for us and 2 other families. Thanks to the Smiths for a VERY delicious Turkey as well as the fixin's that go with it. And thanks to Isaksons for HUGE, but very TASTY rolls, and yummy homemade Pumpkin Pie! We cooked Yams, Garlic Mashed Potatoes (GREAT job Dave!), and Broccoli Casserole. At the table we were able to use our fine CHINA and other glassware. It was fun to get it all out. And of course, like Mother like Daughter I HAD to get Thanksgiving napkins... it only took 5 stores to find some I liked... but my mom raised me that way and I am grateful! All in all it was fun. Now this weekend we are going to cook our own Turkey and have yummy left overs and Turkey Dumpling soup ala Heidi (with Mom on the phone!). We are also going to get our CHRISTMAS decorations OUT! Wahoo. I am sick of FALL colors and ready for RED, WHITE, GREEN and SILVER!

Hanging out (stuffed) after dinner, I wish we would have gotten a shot of Dave and I ):(Anna and Josh- I had to post both pictures so you could see how they both have beautiful big brown eyes!)
For the last couple of weeks I have been thinking about what I am grateful for and the list is too long and I think I have done enough lists on the blog lately. I did want to post more than what I have, but it is getting late, my husband is already in bed, my feet are cold and I'll just have to end it for now. I have so many other things to write, but alas, another day will come! So for now I will say that I feel overwhelmed with the blessings that I have. I know I am lucky to live the life that I do. All my gratitude to those in my life who have changed me for the better and to my Heavenly Father and Savior who have made my life possible!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

(Our little princess before her second 2 hour nap today! She had a taste of sweet potatoes then was an Angel and slept so Mom and Dad could host! I love this Little Amazing Gift!)

GO UTES and SHE'S MOBILE!

A few exciting things!

1st off, we have been bad at posting about our love of sports teams. Here is a shout out to our UTES!! Wahoo, win over TCU and an amazing season so far! It was so exciting to watch last week's game we stayed up late (the game ended @ 11:00 in Michigan). Anna was a trooper and finally fell asleep just in time to be rudely woken up by the whole room jumping up and shouting for a touchdown by the UTES! We miss our time of being in the MUSS and being there for the games. Luckily we have our little Ute fan club here and are able to enjoy the games with fellow A2s who also have a passion for Crimson Red.

Here is our Fan club as you can see this is soon after Anna had woken up!(thanks Cara, I stole your photo.. hope that is okay!) (This was in 2004 when Utes went 11-0--- let's do it again UTES!)

#2, Anna is crawling... here comes trouble! Though as my parents saw on Skype she goes backwards more than forwards and loves that she figured out how to go from her stomach to her bum! She is growing up so much! This picture isn't the best, but it was what I could snab tonight. By the way it is 10:30 and Anna won't sleep. We all have our good and bad nights, I guess.

#3 We are trying to teach Anna to sign and I think she said "milk" and "more" today!

#4 Yes we do cheer for the school Dave is attending, but wish they had a better year! Too bad this is the first time in 30+ years that they haven't been to a bowl game and could possibly be their WORST year EVER! At least they have won a couple including last Saturday's game! GO BIG BLUE!

Thats it for now.

I'm Lovin' it!

Yesterday and Today I was walking and here is what I was thinking: I am LOVING:

- The 70 degree weather in November
- Hearing the Fall leaves crunch under my feet
- Going on long walks with the girls (even when I have a ghetto make shift "double stroller"- made by me, a rope, and two totally different strollers)
- The smell of fall
- My AMAZING husband and how hard he works, I am so proud of him! (He just got all A's on his very difficult tests! well I guess one A-, but that is still an A!)
- Reading whatever I want, sorry babe!
- Seeing the squirrels. Seriously I don't think I have seen this many squirrels in my life. There were 6 outside one house! AND I saw my first black squirrel.
- Anna's bedtime... when it is at 7:30
- When Anna wakes up happy and is excited for a new day
- Watching Anna learn and get better at things each day
- That Anna Belle is signing "milk"
- Anna singing with a princess toy
- Talking with great friends
- That I will have a new niece in less than a month!
- That I will get to see her in just over a month
- Morning talk shows that help me have some adult interaction throughout my day


I think that is a good list for now. Good night!

An October Update

Well it seems as though the month of October has flown by. We cannot believe it is now November! The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind as Dave studied for a few mid -terms, we got Anna on a better nighttime sleeping schedule, and had Halloween celebrations. Here is a look back on what we have done...

Our friends the Dunfords had us over for "Dinner in a Pumpkin" and pumpkin carving. It was a blast! Thanks Abby and Jonathan. Our Pumpkins. Dave and Mine is the 3rd from the right and Anna's is the small one (we carved a binky).

There must have been some other presence there... SPOOKY!

This month Mia decided she liked to go under the porch, but couldn't get out. Though it made us mad we couldn't resist this funny picture.

I was in charge of decorating for the ward Halloween Party. I had issues with the white ghost balloon idea I had. So on the way to the party we stuffed the deflated white ghosts in the trunk and went and got these. Luckily we didn't have to drive far, this is what other cars had the joy of seeing along the way. We laughed the whole way there and Anna enjoyed it too!

Anna and I with Hunter, Katie, Isaac, and Abby at the Ward Party!
HALLOWEEN NIGHT at the Owens! Thanks for the yummy Chili, bread sticks and treats! Dave and I were the zookeepers for our little Giraffe.

Anna was a trooper during her "First Boo" She didn't mind her costume and was happy (as usual) all night!

Today we went with the Abernethys, Dunfords, and Isaksons to a park. It was nice to get out in the fall weather and see this beautiful place.

Our friends along the walkway they went around the lake.

This is us looking into the lake at the almost non-existent fish.

The Abernethys

The Dunfords ( I didn't get a family photo of the Isaksons- ):)

Mia and Dave up on a 50 foot look out. Mia seemed to be scared, she was making this funny face.

Mia enjoyed getting in the lake,

This place was beautiful!

The whole Miner clan! (Anna slept the whole time).

This quote was on my computer when I got on the Internet. It seemed fitting:

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

"The Anna's"

These are the two little people I get to spend every day with! They are so funny and couldn't be any different. Anna is bald, Anna Belle has crazy long hair; Anna can roll all over the place, Anna Belle can crawl and pull herself up to a standing position; Anna has dark brown eyes and a large smile with no teeth, Anna Belle has the prettiest blue eyes and an little smile and two teeth; Anna doesn't sleep, Anna Belle LOVES to take 2 hour naps; Anna loves her stage 1 solids, and Anna Belle will eat Cheerios, little bits of food, and an occasional pig out session on pureed food.

Though they are very different, they both love to play, especially with any new toy that I pull out. They love to squeal and talk and feed off each other mamamama.... dadadada... babababa.... woawoaw. It is fun that I get to wake Anna up each day and say, "let's go to work, and see Anna Belle!" It is a great job for right now.

Two "Anna's," one beaver , weird art work, and a student husband...

Yes, this is my life as of the last two days. Yesterday I started a full time nannying job! The baby I am watching is only a month older than Anna and her name is "Anna Belle." There have been a few crazy moments (no I don't ever want twins), but all in all it is great to be able to take my pride and joy to "work" with me and get paid to take care of her. (: Yesterday was awesome, Anna Belle sleep for 4 hours (yes, the mother and I were both dumb founded). It was a great way to break me into the job. I didn't want to have to work, but I feel fortunate to have found this family. The mother and I get along really well and the babies love to play together, well until Anna Belle pulls Anna's ear or sits on her feet.

About the Beaver, The neighborhood I nanny in is amazing! I went for an hour walk and fell in love with the neighborhood! Part of it reminded me of Holladay, Utah. The biggest reason I love the neighborhood is that there are huge lots and seem to all have their own "woods." The reason I tell you this? Well, today I was doing the dishes and looked into the backyard and there stood a BEAVER! Why in the heck is there a Beaver in the backyard you ask? Well your guess is as good as mine.

The weird art work... The family I nanny for are here from Boston for the school year. They are renting the house from a very eccentric family... VERY! There is art work EVERYWHERE and some of it is BIZARRE! If I can train my eye to look away it will prove to be a success. Perhaps I will post some pictures of that!

And... Yes, I miss my husband already. Dave is working really hard everyday and still feels like he is behind. I tell you, it is hard going from being together almost every day for a month and a half to days that we have to stay up later than needed to catch up on the day. I have to say I am glad it isn't medical school. I am thankful that he is working hard and wish him the best!

Things I never saw in Utah...

These pictures were taken on our walk yesterday...

(NO "ice"Skating)

The sidewalk I was walking on turned into this mysterious woods! (they seem to have random wooded areas everywhere it is pretty cool)

This rather LARGE squirrel won another squirrel in a fight... I wonder why, look at the size of that thing. This is jsut down the path in our complex.

This is what the three girls looked like... sort of. I felt a little silly working out in my chacos, but I left my running shoes in Utah so I wear whatever works for me that day.

Week One of Ann Arbor Living

Well we are shocked, but exactly ONE WEEK AGO we just thanked many outstanding Elders in our ward for emptying out the PENSKE and filling our home with boxes (I should have counted how many, on second thought, I am glad I didn't!) and we along with my AMAZING parents looked around exhausted, pushed boxes out of the way and got ready for bed. I made my Dad a U of U bed and thanked them for their incredible work and love (I could never REALLY thank them for all they did last week, I feel SO BLESSED!) Dave and I looked at each other before crashing and said, "We LIVE in Ann Arbor... CRAZY!!"

Now we are sitting in in our ALMOST put together Living room (it looks alot different than the picture seen above, but still not blog worthy) holding our teething starry- eyed 7 month old and feeling like the time has passed so fast.

During the day we work hard to unpack boxes, clean, and run errands. Dave spent Monday getting some things ready for school and wondering what he got himself into (especially after making a record of losing his student card within hours of getting it). Today, we went swimming in our COLD pool. In the EVENINGS, especially at sunset we have enjoyed many walks through amazing parks, seen fireflies and wild hares (that threw Mia for a loop!), liked beautiful sunsets -though they don't compare to the Utah skyline at night, talked with family on "skype," and stayed up way TOO LATE watching the Olympics (TV times in Michigan are horrible).

All in all we are enjoying our time and know it will go by FAST. We will definetly keep you updated and try to blog more frequently. We feel lucky to have the support of family and friends and though far we still feel close! Also, as you can tell from the photos, our two "girls" love being together. Mia is very good to Anna and Anna loves reaching out for Mia and just laughs as she is soaked with Mia's "love."

They are so CUTE!