Home Sweet Home?

Well we are all moved in and the days are becoming more normal. The move and unpacking did not put me into labor. Thank goodness because I'm having a harder time getting in to see a doctor than I expected! I'm 37 weeks and my biggest fear is going into labor and just showing up at the hospital saying, "Who ever wants to deliver me, go ahead!" Who knows Tyler may have to be the doctor!

We've had a few other small road bumps along the way that makes us joke around wondering if Michigan really is where we are suppose to be. So, for your enjoyment and laughter this is what has happened...

- Tyler amazingly did well driving the moving truck with our car in tow. Unfortunately I was his leader in our van and did not guide him into the best of places to be driving such a big truck. One was when we were trying to find a hotel for the first night. I led him into a skinny dead end parking lot! Luckily with the help of a construction crew with 20 Hispanics, running over the curbs, and doing a 20-point turn, we got out!

- We stopped for gas one last time about 1.5 hours out of Detroit. Tyler filled up on the diesel side. I met him with the van once I was done filling it up and then we went on our way. I got a call from Tyler about 45 minutes later. He asked if I paid for his gas. I thought that was a dumb question since there is always the prepay option with the credit card. Well, I guess he didn't have that option. Studying for boards really did fry his brain and he didn't even think to pay afterwards! Once we got to a hotel (as we couldn't get into our house until the next day) and with Tyler thinking the cops were going to be after him, we racked our brains to remember what podunk town we stopped at and the name of the gas station. After an hour of phone calls, Tyler got a hold of the right place, only to be told that he would have to drive back and fill out paperwork! Luckily they also gave him the option to call the manager in the morning and talk to her. In the end she took our credit card number over the phone and paid for the $100 of gas that was "stolen!"

-So I mentioned that we stayed in a hotel. The power had been out for 3 hours when we arrived due to a storm. They were able to still check us in and give us a room. SO there we sat tired, hot, ready to shower, with kids running around like lunatics. May I let you know that the power never came on even when we checked out the next day at 10 am. We had no TV, A/C, lights, hot water, or free breakfast.

- We found out that we couldn't get into the home until later in the day due to the other people's moving company taking FOREVER. We had several hours to kill, so we decided to make it over to a Costco and do a little bit of shopping. As we were backing up to leave, Tyler noticed another lady backing up at the same time. He stopped and honked, but before he could move forward, she hit us! Luckily we came away with just a few scratches on the back bumper. The whole corner of her bumper was dented in. So now we have to deal with that.

As the movers for the previous people pulled away from the house, we pulled our moving truck in. We LOVE our new place with all the extra space and amentities that we have lived without. I'm still trying to find my way around to places, which can be frustrating. I got off the freeway the other day to come home and went the wrong way for a good 10 minutes. I guess it's good for "sight-seeing" and finding all that is available in the area.

Well, if you are still reading our sob story, that is about it! We are just making memories that we can laugh about later!

Goodbye Missouri, Hello Michigan!

Makenzie saying goodbye to one of her best friends, Aida.

We are moving in a few days. The moving process, both physically and mentally, for me can be described in so many words-- exhausting, sad, exciting, relieved, hot, anxious, ready.

The kids are having to come up with other things to do since most of their toys are packed. Playing in the empty cupboards has been one of them.

I knew before we started this medical school journey that we would have several moves in our forecast. Because we live in such a small town, and in order for the med school to accommodate all the students, they ship them out to hospitals all over the country for the 3rd and 4th year. I feel like we made Missouri home over these past two years and have "bloomed where we were planted." I don't know if moving will get any easier or harder the more we have to do it. Of course the hardest thing about moving is saying goodbye to all the amazing people we have come in contact with. Some of the other things we have loved while living here:

-Having a major support group with many young LDS families doing the same thing that we are.
-Having a free gym and free swimming offered through the school.
-Being in the Nauvoo Stake and being able to attend the Nauvoo temple every month.
-Visiting all the surrounding church history sites.
-Seeing and catching fireflies.
-Having a frisbee golf course at a local park. Having free wading pools at the parks.
-Having Tyler's cousin serve his mission here in our ward for over 7 months! We are leaving before he does.

I never saw myself living in Missouri. I definitely never saw myself living in Michigan. Any bets on where we will be going in another 2 years?

Here is Jordan at a birthday party eating a cupcake and swimming.

My little fish

Makenzie has been in swim lessons for the last 3 weeks. It was a good experience for her and I'm glad I put her in them. I don't think she can actually "swim" yet, but she now will put her head underwater and try to do the basics, which is all I was hoping. On the last day of classes the aquatic center broke all rules and allowed all the kids to go on the water slide and diving board! Of course, the teachers/lifeguards accompanied them. Makenzie was so so so excited and did everything with no fear. I wish I got more pictures but the battery died.

Kids Pics

A shout out to Maren who did a wonderful job taking these pics!! They capture their personalities so well! Enjoy....

My favorite

Always on the move!!

She looks soooo grown up!



AND last but not least......

This just makes me smile! It shows that we didn't have a picture perfect day.

3 Buns in the Oven....

Oh the joys of pregnancy.... One of which is having the kids imitate Mommy.

Makenzie's Big Catch

We went to the dollar store today and I felt like being a "nice" mom and letting my kids each pick out a new toy. Makenzie came home with a butterfly net, excited to catch any bugs or butterflies. She hopped right out of the car, ready to go, only to find there weren't many bugs around, especially any that were willing to be caught. After being discouraged for only a few minutes, she found something much better than any bug or butterfly. She found a baby bird in the grass who must have fallen out of it's nest. It was quite friendly and hopped to Makenzie's feet. She enjoyed playing with the little bird until she decided it was best to put it back in the tree where hopefully it's family would find it.

I hate facial hair.

I hate facial hair period. (No offense to any of those who like it.) Tyler knows I hate it, but every so often he feels he needs to show his manliness and grow it out. He got many compliments, so he says. He usually gives in to my pleading and playful negative banter within a few weeks, mostly because I don't like to kiss that itchy hairy face. This is what I had to live with....

Here he is shaving it off and having fun....
I actually like the goutee look better....


No thank you....
No thank you....
AND no thank you!


For some reason I didn't capture the end, which of course is the best part, a nicely clean shaven HANDSOME husband. Most of you know what he looks like without it anyways.