It all started with a simple little phone call. Able Engineering in Phoenix was offering Kent a job. There had been other offers before...maybe this time would be different?
In May, our family drove to Arizona so Kent could interview. In June, he flew out for a second interview and at the end of the month he accepted the job!
We put our house in Utah up for sale and started the slow and painful process of moving. Kent's dad came to help us tow away the first load on the 4th of July.
Kent gave his "2 weeks" at Wencor, after 13 years of employment and prepared to start anew. During the two jobs, we enjoyed doing some fun family activities (Lagoon, Timpanogos Cave, Trafalga to mention a few) and Kent got in a few rounds of Golf. Inbetween playing, trying to complete our new home construction projects and Kimberly neurotically cleaning the house for showings, we prepared to start a new chapter of our chaotic lives. (sidenote: Kimberly was sick and pregnant during the height of our adventures!)
On a Sunday morning, Kent pulled away in the Honda, the backseat loaded with enough personal items to last him an indefinite period of time, and drove away... August 4th, he started his new job at ABLE.
It's 9:30 am and I'm ready to go back to bed. Already the dog has peed and pooped on the carpet, Karsten has dropped a container of yogurt on the floor (that splattered everywhere) and doused his room with a large capacity water gun (bed, walls, ceiling and wood ceiling fan). These things happened while I was trying to clean up other messes, including the 8 walls of crayon and pencil from previous days this week. Today is day three of Kent being gone on a business trip to Slovakia. We made it through a non-stop Saturday, Sunday (Stake Conference) and hopefully we will survive this monday (a school Holiday). Take a deep breath....
funny things that make us laugh
A variety of noise can often be heard from our home and since choir rehearsals have begun, there is more singing. Generally the kids are pretty resilient to my singing, but this night, Karsten had something to say. Karsten (while mom is singing): "Mom, stop that! I on the big boy potty an' I can't hear d' music from Kenzly's room!". September 2012
Kimball's new craze is Paint Ball Guns. While trying to convince Kent to buy him one, they had the following conversation. Kent: "Kimball, are you sure you want a Paint Ball Gun"? Kimball: "Dad, that's just what boys do! It's my decision to regret!". April 2012
While spending a blissful week with the Andrews' family at Lake Powell on the Huntsman's houseboat, we watched the Justin Beiber show (which was surprisingly amazing). Later that day Kierra dreamily said, "I have Beiber fever"! June 2011
Karsten went through a very short but oh so sweet phase, where when you asked him to do something he would get a huge smile on his face and reply, "sure can"! It only lasted for a month or so...by the time we came home from vacation in Utah early June he didn't say it anymore. But, we sure enjoyed it while it lasted. June 2011
It's been way too long since I've added one of these...darn! Missing all the good memories :(
Kenzly was in my closet this morning "eyeing" my clothes, especially after going to the mall on our "date night" the previous evening. I bought a new pair of capri/bermuda jeans at DOWNEAST clothing. Kenzly said "mom, you should keep those so I can have them when you GROW OUT of them"! I reminded her that I am done "growing"!. She said "oh! That's right", with a sheepish smile.
After several times of telling Kierra not to bother Karsten and hearing him scream, she was sent to her room for a little time out. After a few minutes I went in to talk with her. She told me "when I grow up, I am going to be a MUCH better mom than you"! I replied telling her that I was sure she would. May 2010
We were at Lake Powell with Kimberly's family, enjoying a reunion just after her parents had gotten home from their mission. One night as I tucked Kierra in to bed, she was acting upset. I asked her what was wrong and she replied, "I have skin on my feet, princesses don't have skin on their feet". I told her if she went to sleep I would help her have pretty feet in the morning. June 30, 2009
In our quest to find a home and relieve ourselves of renting woes, Kierra has been to many homes with Debbie and I. One day I was talking to her explaining that we were looking for a new home to live in. She got really upset and said, "I can't move, I have to stay here and be daddy's princess". With all the moving and visiting Utah, we figured Kierra was a little confused! I tried to explain to her that our entire family was moving together with dad, but she didn't relent. Poor girl! June '09
We were driving home from Thatcher on Memorial Day after spending the weekend with Kent's family. As we drove past the dairy fields in Chandler, Kierra (who has a particularly sensitive nose) said, "what is that smell? Cows! Someone needs to give them a bath!" May 25, 2009
Kierra was watching Karsten play on the floor. He sneezed and Kierra said (laughing), "mom, Karsten just bless you'd his pacifier out of his mouth". May 09