We are Moving!!!

This picture is a hint... Where can you go and get Fry Sauce and night crawlers at the same gas station/restaurant? When I saw this, I loved it! This was in a smaller town we went through and we felt at home. It is the Riverbank Cafe/Gas Station...you still don't know, do you?

WARNING...VERY LONG (MIKE SAID SO)...Mainly for my records...

Many of you that live close by have already heard the news, but most have not heard...we are moving! We didn't really talk about the opportunity with many people because we were really not sure if Mike would get the job. But we are really excited.

When Mike and I first got married we were supposed to make a list of all the places we were willing/not willing to live/move while working for the Boy Scouts. In one category, along with the Dakotas and Alaska (just too cold people...I am a WIMP!), were Idaho and Utah. We were young(er). What can I say. A year or less after making that list we had a job in Idaho. When Mike first got the offer to interview in Idaho he immediately turned it down, I mean, we had said we were never moving there...he held to the agreement we had made. When he casually told me of the offer that night and subsequent refusal of the interview, I said, "WHAT! That is a really good job. What if that is where the Lord wants us to go?" So the next day he made the calls needed to let his future boss know that he was interested after all. Kim, a kind and wise man, let us reconsider our hastily made list and we lived in Idaho for 3.5 years. It was a great experience that opened a lot of doors for Mike. We have many good friends that we made there, I am so glad we didn't pass that up!

Fast forward to today where Mike is working for another incredible man and has learned much more. We really feel led and had the door open at the right time (timing is everything in jobs, isn't it?) and Mike has worked with Larry, a man that he had wanted to work for since before we were married. Another huge blessing in our lives. We have loved it here and with the kids being the age to forge good friends has really felt like home, even though we have rented and knew it was going to be a short stay.

We have now completed our three year "tour" as one of my friends called it. It is really a three year minimum commitment with being able to stay as long as you want (or as long as your boss can stand you). So for whichever reason you would like to pick, Mike was up for a promotion if he wanted to be. He has been the "number 2" guy in three different councils. It was time to interview for the "number 1" guy. An opportunity arose for him to interview in Ogden, Utah for the Scout Executive position. The other two men that were interviewing were either living in Utah or had worked in the council and had family there. You never know what the selection committee, made up of volunteers, is looking for or wanting. So with us being the "outsiders", so to speak, we really felt like the underdogs and that if we got the job, it was really where we were supposed to go.

To back up just a little, we had an incredible time in Utah this last summer for our family reunion. While on Temple Square, I had such a peaceful feeling. I had the thought that I could probably really love living in Utah if we ever had the opportunity...I didn't actually think that it would happen. With three councils in Utah, and timing being KING, I never thought in a million years it would happen now. I think that the Lord was preparing me for this though. Softened my heart up. Quite frankly, it is hard moving anywhere.

So back to the interview...things went really well. The first day we were there we hit the ground running. We got our car, drove to Ogden to the Boy Scout Service Center, got directions to the 3 camps that were not snowed in and were on our way. We went to a Day Camp close to Tremonton, Utah. Then went on to Bear Lake to Camp Hunt and lastly ended up at Camp Kiesel just outside of Huntsville. It had just snowed that morning so we weren't sure how the roads would be. But they were really clear. The camp properties were beautiful and we kept pinching ourselves that we were even interviewing for such a great council.

Here is the hamburger we ordered on a recommendation to two men Mike struck up a conversation with at the Riverbank Cafe close to Tremonton. It was HUGE! I think it was the first and close to the last thing I ate all day. Notice the Napoleon Dynamite Tatar Tots! Why don't they serve good tots most places anymore. They were good.

Mike was excited to be in fry sauce territory again. Porter...this is for you...if you've made it this far.

Here we are on the back of Camp Fife, overlooking the fort in the background. What beautiful mountains. And these are probably considered hills in this territory.

The view we drove into as we headed towards Logan and onto Bear Lake...

Mike, ever the posing Boy Scout at Camp Hunts Dining Hall...I love him!

The gate was secure at Camp Kiesel, so we had to hike it in. The sun was starting to go down a little at this point. I had us on a clock for how long we could be in camp so we didn't get caught in the dark...

The entrance of Camp Kiesel! Wouldn't this be stunning to enter into as a Cub Scout?

Fun with Icicles...we were having fun with them...but I think that Utahans were sick of the snow at this point of almost April...

The next day Mike had calls to do around the community and I went looking for houses "just in case". Looking for houses is a great way to see the community while being productive, because I knew I wouldn't have much time to look for a house, nor want to leave my kids again for an extended time, if we got the job. The weekend before we left I remembered that my sister's father-in-law, Mike, was a realtor in the area. I was so excited, because I knew he would help me like I was one of his kids. He is also a hoot and we laughed and coughed and sucked on lozenges together all day long. (I had had the flu really bad before we left and still had a bad residual cough).

That night, there was a reception for the candidates and the selection committee and then we went out to dinner. I was more relaxed than I probably should have been, however, I have learned that scouting volunteers are some of the most wonderful people on the planet, so they really are not scary. In fact, they were really fun to talk too. When we got back to our room, we remarked to one another how we felt really good about how the night had proceeded. We felt that if this was not the place, we could do it again! The process was somewhat demystified. We went to sleep exhausted and slept amazingly well, even though I had a bad cough.

Mike got up the next morning. We had breakfast, got ready and tried to relax until it was his turn. I called and talked to my parents almost the entire time he was gone, which helped my sanity enormously. When he came back he told me everything he could remember. He felt like he did his best. So we just waited while the committee decided over lunch. Most of the stories we had heard from others that had gone through the process before was that you usually get a knock on the door if you got it and a call if you didn't. A little after an hour had gone by, my phone rang really loud. We were so nervous (we couldn't eat lunch) that we jumped until we realized that they wouldn't call me. While I was on the phone, there was a knock at the door. I hung up quickly while jumping up. However, the door started to open on its own and we realized it was housekeeping. At this point we were laughing. We walked the halls, staying close so we could hear the phone ring in our room, just in case. Finally we went back in and the phone did ring. I was shaking my head, saying to Mike that we obviously didn't get it, but then he started to nod his head. I was so confused. He got off the phone. The HR guy for the Western Region called to tell him to "get his butt down here and sign the contract". I almost couldn't believe it! We felt so welcomed by the volunteers as we walked into the room. I think my smile at unbelief mixed with excitement was from ear to ear. We then went to the service center to meet the staff, who were so gracious. Everyone was so nice. There are some really amazing people working there too. We are still a little overwhelmed by it all.

After all the introductions were over, we rushed off to see the two houses I picked out. They were both great houses, but by the next morning, neither of them felt right for various reasons. We called to see if we could change our flight. Now this is just funny. If we changed our flight, it would have cost us over $150 each ticket (a brand new one was $190). I didn't know what we were going to do. Then the customer service agent, feeling my distress volunteered, that if we missed our flight, but still got there within two hours of take off we would be put on the next flight...FREE OF CHARGE...if we had a really good excuse. It ended up that I didn't remember our flight time...I thought we were going to make it in the end. I had remembered what time we had to leave by to catch the flight safely...but not the actual take off time. So, I really did screw up in the end. However, it bought us two hours of house looking time. After looking at 20 houses over two days we found two more houses that we really liked. One was perfect. Everything was new, lots of play things in the back for the kids, three car garage, everything. But it was further from work by 15 minutes than the other house and "just" $40,000 more. We put an offer on it and by the end of the 24 hours we gave them I was praying that they wouldn't agree to it. I call it the new car effect. You are really excited to have that brand spankin' new car...but then you make that first payment and think of all the things a cash paid for car or less expensive car would have allowed for in your budget. We ended up going with the two car, still beautifully updated, house that is only 10 minutes from work. A blessing for Mike, who is gone a lot and may only have a moment to come home before a night time meeting.

So, in the end, the Lord had different plans for us than we did almost 10 years ago. We are headed to Utah. I just hope I can survive the drama of my eight year old as we move. Those who say young kids move easily must have been drinking heavily through it.

Spring Break...means being Sick.

We had so many plans over Spring Break. Play dates were scheduled for almost every day of the week, we were going to go to the zoo, and go to see the Thunderbirds out at Luke Air Force Base. We actually did get to go the zoo on Tuesday, before I realized that anything was wrong.

Katie's girl scout troop decided to go to the Wildlife Zoo and Aquarium on the west side of Phoenix (an hour away). Christian and I went with since it was Spring Break and all. Upon arriving I noticed many in our group were wearing green. I asked if I missed the memo and was laughed at...it was St. Patrick's Day. Somehow between the night before and that morning I completely forgot that part. All three of us got a sparkly clover leaf to put on our shirts from our ever so prepared leader Miss Cindy (with Scott here). St. Patty's Day was never a big deal at our house growing up...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!We were also lucky to get the group discount, because after we got into the zoo Katie felt awful and was stuck to me like glue. She didn't want to be without me. I kept on trying to get her to talk and walk with her buddy, thinking that she was just having a shyness attack or something. Then she started telling me that she didn't feel good. She had seemed fine that morning, but I imagine that was partly the excitement keeping the momentum going, so at first I wasn't buying it. I told Katie to smile for the picture. She held this face for as long as it took to take the picture, and then...

this is how she really felt...

I knew we were probably never going to come back to this place again, as for the distance and it was a bit spendy without the deal, so I tried to trudge on...

We went on a train ride and a boat ride and fed the Lorries...

and then Katie was officially done. She sat down on a bench and would not move until I said we were not going any further...in that direction at least. We had to go to the Aquarium! Christian really wanted to see the sharks. He was a little disappointed they didn't have a great white...apparently he didn't realize we are a bit inland for that type of acquisition. Even Monterey Bay Aquarium only gets the bigger sharks when they are hurt and then release them when they have healed. They had so many kinds of turtles, Christian really liked that. This alligator or crocodile turtle was huge...

We visited Dory...she found her family...

and the kids favorite part and what got Katie up off the floor was getting to touch the stingrays.

They would come up out of the water sometimes to look at you.

We did a (very) little log ride that was a fun little thrill before we left for home. Katie was just dragging and burning up. We got a slushies on the way home for a treat and Katie was officially done for the week.

We spent a lot of time in pajamas for the rest of the week. On Friday after three days of a fever we went into the doctor to get the official word that it was the flu. Katie got it at the tale end of the season, and a doozy of one too. The poor girl is still sick with a high fever and a cough. At least she didn't miss a lot of school... :)

So long, Mustang Sally...

We really haven't advertised it, but for the last 4 months or so, we have been trying to sell Mike's mustang. Yes, his beloved 1968 GT/CS Mustang of 18 years. He has had it a long time and has been working on it every once in awhile in his spare time. It is an awesome car, but Mike doesn't have a lot of time to work on it (we have had some parts for 6 years that hadn't made their way on yet), so he decided it was time to sell it. I am sure at a later date we will get another one...but for now it is with its new owner.

We could not have asked for a nicer couple to buy the car. Dave and Janis plan on sending updates of the car as it finishes getting restored. Dave came with his friend Jeff last week to look it over and spent 2 hours crawling through, around, and under the car to decide whether or not he wanted it. He fell in love and came over on Wednesday to show his wife the car. He had been looking for a mustang for 5 years that he wanted to buy and fix up. It is hard to express how cool these people are...just down to earth good people. They left after giving us a partial payment, got the paper work notarized the next day and picked it up (and all the parts) on Saturday.

Some may say we are crazy, but at this time in our lives it just felt like the right thing to do. Whenever Mike gets his next job it will get a little more crazy in his life and he will have even less time to spend on the car. It takes up a massive amount of space and is heavy to move when we need to go to our next location. Selling the car was a really hard thing to do, for both of us. Katie has fond "memories" of riding in car. The car hasn't been as mobile since Christian was born. In Idaho there was a registration nazi and she wouldn't register it unless Mike took off the dash and proved that the VIN numbers matched. Christian was actually glad to see it go, but I think he will eat his word in about, say, 9 years. The kids got pictures taken with Dad about a month before this when we thought we had another buyer for it. They each wanted to go around the block with dad on their own before it was gone.

Mike was really trying to be cheerful in the pictures. It is a happy/sad time.

Going around the block with Katie, listen to how good it sounds...

Christian was just a little bit excited about having the opportunity of going with his dad around the block.

Old Friends and the Shooting Range

Last weekend my family got together with my oldest friend that I have managed to stay in touch with over the years. (I know what you are thinking...that really is a miracle... :) ) Kindy and I have known each other since we were 10 years old when we were in the Hill Cumorah Pageant with our families in Upstate New York. So that is almost 24 YEARS. I can't believe it. It had been way to long since we got together even though we only live an hour apart. But with all the family they have in town and Mike's schedule...it really has been hard.

So when we had actually nailed a day down to get together, Mike told me to ask if they would like to go to a shooting range and I did, not thinking that they would bite. Our original plan was to go hiking. But it so happens, that Kindy's husband Vern is a gun man himself. So plans were made for the guys to take to the four oldest while Kindy and I took their three youngest over to Usery Mountain to the playground. Kindy so happens to be one of those people that it may have been forever since I have talked to her, but it seems like it was just yesterday. I love that about her! We had a blast. I really wish my scanner was working, because I would totally put a picture of a long time ago on here.
Here is a picture of our boys together. Mike had a great time with Vern. He said it was like hanging out with one of his Brookings friends...a very high compliment since they are the closest thing he has to siblings. I think Mike would love to go shooting with Vern again.
My kids had only visited a shooting range once before when Mike wanted to shoot his Christmas present and break it in really fast after we had gone hiking one afternoon. They weren't to sure about it at the time. But when they found out that the Vern was bringing some rifles for the kids to shoot they got really excited. (Thanks for sharing!! Now Mike has told the kids we will have to get one for them too...what a bad influence ;) ) You can see that Christian revved up a bit of his testosterone while shooting his gun. The great thing about shooting ranges, is they are very safe places to go shooting. I was impressed the first time we went there with the rules and the procedures that they had.

Mike got a "shot" of my little girl shooting the rifle. Look at the concentration.

Christian loved it too, although not a real great shot at this point. He was just so excited about shooting the gun he apparently didn't pay attention to the target per se.

It was a fun day that went by way to fast. Thanks Kindy and Vern for driving all the way over to the East side. Our turn next time!

Pinewood Derby

Mike has waited years for this day. No, he didn't get another Mustang or a Harley. You would think in his profession, that he would have done this before. But, no. There is no Pinewood Derby car requirement in becoming a professional scouter. I am not sure how he never did it as a Boy Scout, but he didn't. So here was his chance, finally, to do it with his son.
They didn't really like the noise. Both Katie and Christian made one, so they were out helping dad...

Learning to sand the pinewood derby car...the evening was a little cool, so Christian had his blanket...

The requisite funny photo...

After "painting" Christian's car. It was a peel and stick "skin". It looked really cool, but I think that we will paint the car next year. (Notice the U of O colors duck fans...)

The day of the race. The cars are actually passing the finish line in this picture. They were going so fast I couldn't get them to be in the picture. But you can see Christian standing to the far left taking it all in.

He had a fast car, thanks to a dedicated dad that wanted him to do well. (He sanded the axles). He got a trophy and was on cloud nine. The first 5 runs he was 1st four times. But the computer wasn't registering them correctly, so they ran them all over again. He still ended up in second place, and he could have cared less at this age. He was just glad to have a trophy.

Look at that face...

A fun day for Dad and Son.

Katie got overall first place in the Exhibition round if you don't count the car that belonged to the boy scout that had already competed. And we're not. So she was first. (Okay, second, they did let him race...) She was pretty happy too. Not sure what happened to the pictures for her...but she was ecstatic. She wishes the girl scouts had a pinewood derby too. :)

3 Years in Arizona

Today is officially our third year in Arizona. I am sitting in my living room with orange blossom breezes wafting in from outside. It is gorgeous here this time of year. This is the time of the year that makes me especially grateful to be here. The sun is ever present and is not yet beating your brows like it does in the summer. The skies are almost always clear. The flowers are blooming in the backyard. (I will have to add a picture later). The kids are making chalk pictures on the driveway, because it doesn't yet fry their legs and riding their bikes and scooters around the block. I love it.

The move here was a real blessing for our family. It was time to move from Idaho, we were going one way or another, so there is no loss of love for Idaho. Coming to Arizona instead of somewhere else at the time was just so right for our family. It has been an oasis in our life of moving around. Mike's boss has been fantastic. A friend and a mentor. He has had great bosses that have helped him see how to do different things fantastically. We have had more balance here for family. Not to say he isn't still gone...a lot...but still, more balance. Some how, when we move again, we will have to find balance again. You only get your kids once and you just have to make sure life doesn't swallow you up and squander those times together. This next time Mike will be the boss, and it will be intense. We don't know when or where it will be, but it is coming one way or the other. I am peaceful about it though. I haven't always been lately. But I am now. Once you put your trust in the Lord, it is "easy". We haven't gone anywhere yet and still have many plans in the making, so don't write me off.

For now, I am just grateful I am here. Smelling the orange blossoms through my window at night. In Arizona. Life is Good.