10. 7800 South now exits on the right hand side of the road when going Northbound on Bangerter Highway.
9. Trying to get in 12 "must do" restaurants in 5 weeks is too many. Next time we will try for 8.
8. Trying to work on my masters program 7,000 miles away from the comfort of my PC is harder than I thought it would be.
7. Isaac has this saying good-bye thing down better than his mom.
6. It does not matter how much time you spend at "home" it never seems like enough.
5. I have great friends in Utah. (I just wish they would come visit me.)
4. Vacationing with just me and my big kids is FUN!!!
3. Las Vegas Airport sucks in so many ways.
2. A person's history is your best indicator of their future actions. If you are expecting a different result, Shame on you!
1. Family is paramount, even when they are hard to deal with.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Day One of our Unaccompanied Tour
Well, July 9th came much faster than any of us was ready for. Our two weeks together was full of doctors appointments, birthday parties and family reunions. Not to mention those last minute trips to the store to get those last minute needs. Of course if I had had my way I would have spent every minute relaxing on a beach somewhere with the hubby and kids. But that is never what our last few days before he leaves are like.
The morning he left he made sure to give the kids their school year blessing, and when it was my turn and the tear started running down my face, Eli crawled up on my lap and said, "What wrong?" while prying my eyes open so I could seen him. That little one is going to be the light that keeps us all laughing.
Emma, Eli and I took the hubby to the airport. We were running a tad late and the security line was forever long so what is usually a 30 minute hug at the airport turned into a total parking time of 17 minutes. Isaac decided that he could not bear to send his daddy off at the airport one more time so he said his good byes at home. It was hard for me to leave him behind with my mom, knowing that he was going to go through that good bye pain alone, but I had to respect that he was figuring out how to deal with the stress for himself.
The airport brought many tears and dreams about Christmas.
Saying good-bye is hard, but it was even harder to watch my children say good-bye to their dad, and watching my husband say good-bye to his kids. None of this is fair, but we will make the best of it and try to make some memories along the way.
The morning he left he made sure to give the kids their school year blessing, and when it was my turn and the tear started running down my face, Eli crawled up on my lap and said, "What wrong?" while prying my eyes open so I could seen him. That little one is going to be the light that keeps us all laughing.
Emma, Eli and I took the hubby to the airport. We were running a tad late and the security line was forever long so what is usually a 30 minute hug at the airport turned into a total parking time of 17 minutes. Isaac decided that he could not bear to send his daddy off at the airport one more time so he said his good byes at home. It was hard for me to leave him behind with my mom, knowing that he was going to go through that good bye pain alone, but I had to respect that he was figuring out how to deal with the stress for himself. 
The airport brought many tears and dreams about Christmas.
Saying good-bye is hard, but it was even harder to watch my children say good-bye to their dad, and watching my husband say good-bye to his kids. None of this is fair, but we will make the best of it and try to make some memories along the way.
Monday, June 3, 2013
And so it begins....
Well, our life significantly changed a little over a week ago when we dropped my husband off at the airport. We have done this before, many times but this time was different; and we all knew it. We will be seeing him in a few weeks when the kids are out of school while we take some time in the states. However, when he packed up and left our house he was NEVER going to live in Paraguay again. It was/is a really weird thought. And to top it off we have been having some major problems with our house so we have been assigned to another house.
I'm not super excited about the move (because if you know me you know exactly how much I HATE moving!), but even more than that it will be strange to live in a place my husband has never lived.
Life continues like it was before.... well almost. Now we have breakfast for dinner at least once a week, and left overs at least two other nights. Now we eat dinner at 5:30 instead of 7:15 and try to find time to Skype whenever possible so daddy doesn't miss one moment of the kids growing.
I am planning trips and vacations and trying to encourage the kids to focus on the here and now instead of counting down the 410 days until this year is over.
I'm avoiding news about Afghanistan and comforting my kids when they come home and tell me that a friend said that, "daddy is serving in a war zone."
I mutter to myself when I'm cleaning up puke or up with a sick kid in the middle of the night (Yes, I'm aware it has only been a week. They had to wait until he as gone to get sick. We have a very clear division of labor in our marriage, and cleaning up puke falls to his side of it; always has.)
Anyway, enough of the complaining, we are strong. My kids are rock stars! I'm grateful I have them and I know that in years to come we will look back on this year as a year that made our family even stronger (or crazier). Unless of course our next post sucks, then I will feel like this year was all for naught and curse the Department of State.
We all know I suck at updating the blog, and this year will be even more hectic. But you will get tidbits here and there to let you know we are still alive.
I'm not super excited about the move (because if you know me you know exactly how much I HATE moving!), but even more than that it will be strange to live in a place my husband has never lived.
Life continues like it was before.... well almost. Now we have breakfast for dinner at least once a week, and left overs at least two other nights. Now we eat dinner at 5:30 instead of 7:15 and try to find time to Skype whenever possible so daddy doesn't miss one moment of the kids growing.
I am planning trips and vacations and trying to encourage the kids to focus on the here and now instead of counting down the 410 days until this year is over.
I'm avoiding news about Afghanistan and comforting my kids when they come home and tell me that a friend said that, "daddy is serving in a war zone."
I mutter to myself when I'm cleaning up puke or up with a sick kid in the middle of the night (Yes, I'm aware it has only been a week. They had to wait until he as gone to get sick. We have a very clear division of labor in our marriage, and cleaning up puke falls to his side of it; always has.)
Anyway, enough of the complaining, we are strong. My kids are rock stars! I'm grateful I have them and I know that in years to come we will look back on this year as a year that made our family even stronger (or crazier). Unless of course our next post sucks, then I will feel like this year was all for naught and curse the Department of State.
We all know I suck at updating the blog, and this year will be even more hectic. But you will get tidbits here and there to let you know we are still alive.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Update....don't expect me to stay ontop of this
So I know it has been forever since I blogged. I think once you get behind the idea of
catching up is just so overwhelming that you keep putting it off, longer and
longer. Fortunately now I have another
think I want to put off more than
blogging, homework. Yes, I have gone
back to school to get my masters in Applied Behavioral Analysis with Arizona
State. I’m super excited about being
back in school, but very overwhelmed and even more stressed about managing my
family, and vacations during this year and a half I’ll be back in school.
Since we all know that there is no way I’m going to post for
everything we have done over the last 6 months or so, I’ll just give you a
quick rundown.
In September Shawn and I went to Bogota. While he worked I hung out at the pool and
checked out the city. On the weekend we
hit a couple of museums and hired a taxi to take us out to the Salt
Cathedral. It was beautiful and we are
super glad we went.
Isaac started Kung-Fu and after 6 months earned his yellow
belt. He loved it, but decided this
semester to participate in the elementary school play. He has been cast as the Mayor in Seussical the
Musical.
 |
| Rapunzel |
Emma participated in the play this fall and was cast at Rapunzel
in Into the Woods. She made a beautiful
Rapunzel, and I must say although she did not share the same feelings I was relieved
that she did not have a huge part like last year. I’m sure next year she will be very specific
as to what she wants to play.
Through a ton of hard work, Emma has been on the Principal’s
honor all year long. She was also one of
only three students recognized for having outstanding conduct in the whole
middle school.
We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years, partaking in
some of the local traditions. One of
which is celebrating with fireworks at midnight. We did NOT set off any of the fireworks
(mostly for fear of setting off fireworks made in Paraguay).  |
| Emma is the Angel in the Ward Christmas Party |
 |
| Eli at the Embassy Christmas Party |
In January we took a trip to Puerto Madryn, Argentina. We did so because Isaac had stated when
moving to Paraguay that he would like to go to the Amazon and see the
Penguins.
The Amazon didn’t seem
possible this year, so we hit the penguins.
It was awesome, we say a penguin colony of over half a million penguins,
and went swimming with sea lions in the wild.
On our way home we stopped at a zoo near Buenos Aires and got to pet
lions, tigers, and many other animals.
Since returning home Shawn headed to D.C. for high treat
training before taking off to Afghanistan while the kids and I were stuck at
home for 5 weeks without him. We are
grateful he has returned home to the heat for family time before leaving for
Afghanistan. 
Eli started preschool in February, it is a little early for
him, but I decided the extra Spanish and kid time will do him some good before
we take off next year.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
What?!? You are staying in Paraguay?
I have decided to blog about my experience deciding to safe haven at post while my husband goes on an Unaccompanied Tour because I think many people in my life, both here in Paraguay and back home think I am crazy for making the decision to say put while my husband leaves for Afghanistan. And when asked about it I can lay out the pro's and con's list but still few understand. My crap, I don't understand!
When we first started talking about doing an unaccompanied tour there didn't seem to be a doubt that we would move back home. That decision became even more obvious when my sister added two babies to our family the summer after we moved here. Why would we stay in a place so far away from home? But when the time came for us to bid and make the decision and I really sat down and weighed our options the choice didn't seem as clear as it once had. I can give you the shpel about financially it makes sense for us to stay here. I can tell you that moving is my least favorite thing to do. I can explain that moving is super hard on my kids and although being away from family is equally as hard, introducing them into a new school environment for a single year seems like cruel and unusual punishment. I can tell you of the 12 extra months we will be living here 3 of them will probably be spent stateside. But what it came right down to was no matter how I laid it out, staying always felt like the right thing to do. I feel like I can be a better mother to my children here where our lives will not be chaos (I hope.) I have prayed, I have visited the temple, and I have filled out every "decision maker" the state department puts out to help you decide.
But then some issues came up with the school this year and I threw in the towel. I decided that it was too much work living here (and it is a lot of work) and I didn't know if it was doing more harm that good. So again (as I have several times in the last six months) sat down, looked at houses for rent in the area I want the kids to go to school back home, looked at timelines, and started working on the logistics of getting us moved back to the states. And again I was sick to my stomach, I couldn't sleep and it felt like the world was resting on my shoulders. I prayed and felt the overwhelming sensation that we needed to stay put.
Some of you may not believe in the power of prayer, but I believe that not only can prayers be answered but if you listen carefully enough you will hear answers you didn't even ask for.
I think that some family/friends believe my motives may be selfish. All I can say is that I love living in Paraguay; but not as much as I love and miss my family. Right now this is what I feel is best for us, and as much as it pains me to be so far away from family, friends and Cafe Rio it is where we need to be.
If you are faced with making the decision of staying put or going home while your spouse serves on an unaccompanied tour, I do not envy you. This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, probably because our decision was so unexpected for all of us. I hope our family will see fit to forgive me, maybe squish in a visit, but at the very least make the most of the time we will spend at home over the next year.
When we first started talking about doing an unaccompanied tour there didn't seem to be a doubt that we would move back home. That decision became even more obvious when my sister added two babies to our family the summer after we moved here. Why would we stay in a place so far away from home? But when the time came for us to bid and make the decision and I really sat down and weighed our options the choice didn't seem as clear as it once had. I can give you the shpel about financially it makes sense for us to stay here. I can tell you that moving is my least favorite thing to do. I can explain that moving is super hard on my kids and although being away from family is equally as hard, introducing them into a new school environment for a single year seems like cruel and unusual punishment. I can tell you of the 12 extra months we will be living here 3 of them will probably be spent stateside. But what it came right down to was no matter how I laid it out, staying always felt like the right thing to do. I feel like I can be a better mother to my children here where our lives will not be chaos (I hope.) I have prayed, I have visited the temple, and I have filled out every "decision maker" the state department puts out to help you decide.
But then some issues came up with the school this year and I threw in the towel. I decided that it was too much work living here (and it is a lot of work) and I didn't know if it was doing more harm that good. So again (as I have several times in the last six months) sat down, looked at houses for rent in the area I want the kids to go to school back home, looked at timelines, and started working on the logistics of getting us moved back to the states. And again I was sick to my stomach, I couldn't sleep and it felt like the world was resting on my shoulders. I prayed and felt the overwhelming sensation that we needed to stay put.
Some of you may not believe in the power of prayer, but I believe that not only can prayers be answered but if you listen carefully enough you will hear answers you didn't even ask for.
I think that some family/friends believe my motives may be selfish. All I can say is that I love living in Paraguay; but not as much as I love and miss my family. Right now this is what I feel is best for us, and as much as it pains me to be so far away from family, friends and Cafe Rio it is where we need to be.
If you are faced with making the decision of staying put or going home while your spouse serves on an unaccompanied tour, I do not envy you. This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, probably because our decision was so unexpected for all of us. I hope our family will see fit to forgive me, maybe squish in a visit, but at the very least make the most of the time we will spend at home over the next year.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Potty Training - Post 1
I named this post Potty Training - Post 1 because I have a feeling I will have several posts to share. I remind you I blog for my family who misses us dearly so if you have no desire to read potty stories, please don't feel obligated.
So a few weeks ago I bought Eli a new potty. He likes it well enough. He would carry it all over the house if I would let him. And with the older kids I did allow it. But that was when I was in control. Now we have a nanny, and I can't explain to her why it is alright for him to carry it all over the house now, but when he actually starts using it, it MUST stay in the bathroom. So for Eli, the potty stays in the bathroom.
Anyway, we aren't really potty training as of yet. Just letting him get used to it. He sits on it every morning and if I'm going to be in the bathroom for an extended period of time. But he has not really shown enough interest for me to put my heart and soul into it yet. But this morning we NEARLY had a break through. While he was sitting on the potty he felt the urge to pee. So he promptly stood up and peed on the floor in front of his potty.
Well...at least now he knows was pee-pee is.
So a few weeks ago I bought Eli a new potty. He likes it well enough. He would carry it all over the house if I would let him. And with the older kids I did allow it. But that was when I was in control. Now we have a nanny, and I can't explain to her why it is alright for him to carry it all over the house now, but when he actually starts using it, it MUST stay in the bathroom. So for Eli, the potty stays in the bathroom.
Anyway, we aren't really potty training as of yet. Just letting him get used to it. He sits on it every morning and if I'm going to be in the bathroom for an extended period of time. But he has not really shown enough interest for me to put my heart and soul into it yet. But this morning we NEARLY had a break through. While he was sitting on the potty he felt the urge to pee. So he promptly stood up and peed on the floor in front of his potty.
Well...at least now he knows was pee-pee is.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Turmoil in the Middle East, but Tranquility in Paraguay
So I got an email from my Dad today begging me to call my mother. "We are concerned and your mom (and I love the wording here) is a nut case."
I found this article and although it was not written by my mother, it very well could have been.
As I'm sure most of you know, the safety and security of our diplomats in the Middle East is cause for concern. But please rest assured that thus far our family has been blessed with the tranquility of being surrounded by good people in a small and stable nation. Even when there were questions several months ago by the ousting of Former President Lugo and the Embassy asked Mission personnel to stay clear of downtown and congregating crowds and protests, there was still relatively little violence throughout the country.
So if you called my mom wondering if we are alright, thank you so much for your concern. We are doing great! Next time you are worried about us, feel free to give us a call. We still have the same phone number we have had for 10 years. -- If you have lost it, call my mom; I'm pretty sure she still has it.
PLEASE NOTE!!! You do not have to wait until there is tragedy in the world to call us. We would love to hear from you anytime. (Please just check the time zones we will soon be 4 hours ahead of mountain time.)
I would like to take this moment and thank my family who has been so supportive of our adventurous journey. Sometimes it is easier not to say anything, to fail to acknowledge the sacrifice we have forced you to make. I'm sorry, I know this is hard for you. I know that it is times like these that the sacrifice seems amplified. Others can't possibly know how you feel (well except possibly the mother that wrote that article, maybe you should facebook friend her), not even us. I wish there was something I could say that would make the distance between us feel justified. But there isn't, so please just know, I appreciate that you support our decision, I love that you worry, and I'm grateful that you visit.
I found this article and although it was not written by my mother, it very well could have been.
As I'm sure most of you know, the safety and security of our diplomats in the Middle East is cause for concern. But please rest assured that thus far our family has been blessed with the tranquility of being surrounded by good people in a small and stable nation. Even when there were questions several months ago by the ousting of Former President Lugo and the Embassy asked Mission personnel to stay clear of downtown and congregating crowds and protests, there was still relatively little violence throughout the country.
So if you called my mom wondering if we are alright, thank you so much for your concern. We are doing great! Next time you are worried about us, feel free to give us a call. We still have the same phone number we have had for 10 years. -- If you have lost it, call my mom; I'm pretty sure she still has it.
PLEASE NOTE!!! You do not have to wait until there is tragedy in the world to call us. We would love to hear from you anytime. (Please just check the time zones we will soon be 4 hours ahead of mountain time.)
I would like to take this moment and thank my family who has been so supportive of our adventurous journey. Sometimes it is easier not to say anything, to fail to acknowledge the sacrifice we have forced you to make. I'm sorry, I know this is hard for you. I know that it is times like these that the sacrifice seems amplified. Others can't possibly know how you feel (well except possibly the mother that wrote that article, maybe you should facebook friend her), not even us. I wish there was something I could say that would make the distance between us feel justified. But there isn't, so please just know, I appreciate that you support our decision, I love that you worry, and I'm grateful that you visit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)