Time Passes

Generally, I have always been an optimist. In most cases, I've been able to find solutions to problems or the right words to explain or understand. There always seems to be a way forward.

Dave's dad, Larry, passed away sometime in the past 24 hours. My mom called to tell me to tell me what had happened and that preparations were being made. I realized that in the past five years more people that I've known personally have left mortality than in the previous years of my life combined. Without fail, all of them were good people.

I've been going to visit Larry for the past year, at least once a month, but sometimes more often. This last time we tried doing an interview over the phone, and I would say it was a success. He was an old-school salesman. It was about relationships for him. Shaking the other person's hand, a slap on the back, an arm over the shoulders. He liked to look you in the eye and share his feelings about things, about life. He also liked the telephone - it was his most convenient story prop. "I worked for the phone company for 35 years," he would say.

Larry always was a little choked up when I brought up Donna. She passed away a few years ago and I know he missed her so much. This is the explanation for why the memories I typed up of his life seem to run a little thin when talking about his family or his beloved wife. He just had a hard time because emotions were at the surface. You just don't make a city-cowboy cry (he'd laugh if he heard me call him that).

So this is it, the end of another mortal life, but the beginning of the next for him. Reunited with his sweetheart and pressing ever forward in their progression. It's what makes me an optimist. There is always a future, and it is a bright one! We are not pushing forward, however, but caught in the inescapable pull of time.

The van

*Disclaimer.  This is long.  Probably won't have pictures tonight, and probably boring.  However, this is the record of my family's life, so it's in here.  That's also why I'm including prices in here.  One day my kids or even grandkids will be amazed that someone could buy a car for $1,000.  By then, that's probably what it will cost to fill up their tank!

With baby three on the way, we knew that we'd need a larger vehicle.  Hyrum isn't out of his giant car seat yet (maybe at the end of the this year -if he gains some weight) and between his and Kate's chair -there's about 3 inches of room in the back seat.  Funny, for all the research I did on car seats, it never occurred to me to try and find ones that were a bit more narrow.  My kids are practically sitting in thrones in the car.

Either way... a Honda Civic cannot fit three car seats.

First we had to decide which car to sell.  I know that this might seem like a no-brainer, since one is 20 years old and the other is only 9 years old.  But, it wasn't.  Justin will be deployed for half the year in 2013, so we won't even need a second car (even less than we do now) so we did entertain the thought of selling the Honda, getting more money out of it, and he'd just stick with the Subaru on the rare occasions he goes any where besides the airport.

In the end, we said good-bye to my faithful little Subaru.  I bought it (my mom actually bought it and I made payments during school and afterwards) the summer after I came home from my mission (for $3,300).  It was already 11 years old but only had 80,000 miles on it -very low.  And in Subaru years... that was probably closer to 30,000 or something.  It was a great car!  I had to get a new alternator and starter (only a few months before I met Justin and we bought an alternator and starter shop), something with my speedometer cable went out once, and new tires twice (only paid once, because they were 100,000 warranty tires and they hadn't hit that mileage when they wore out) and probably new brakes.  That's it.  It did have a small oil leak that was fixed a couple of times by Justin's dad, but it never quite quit leaking oil just a little.  I think it had about 173,000 miles on it when we sold it for $1,000.  Lucky for me, it went to a good home and I'll be able to visit if I need to.  Hopefully the 16 year old twins that are driving it soon will love it as much as I did!

Oh, I need to back up just a moment.  When we decided to sell it, I told Justin I didn't want anything to do with it.  I'm a horrible negotiator, I don't like talking on the phone, and I didn't want all the hassle of selling the car on KSL since he is out of town so often.  We had the car detailed on Monday afternoon and his uncle, Jeff, picked it up for us.  He was going to list it, talk to everyone, test drive it, etc, and we were going to give him 10% of whatever we got out of it.

For sentimental reasons (not for selling purposes) I posted on Facebook that we had the Subaru cleaned so we could sell it.  I mentioned it was an old car, but if anyone was interested, let me know.  Not thinking anyone would ever comment on buying it.

That evening two people did.  I told both of them the details and price and then gave them Jeff's information if they were really interested.  The next day my friend Kathy's sister, Betsy and her husband called, test drove, and bought it.  So technically, I sold the car -or at least found a buyer.  Jeff still handled the other stuff.

We were a one car family, which didn't matter much since Justin was in Washington DC, but I knew eventually he'd be coming home.

We'd been looking online for vans, even went and looked at one on a lot.  We knew our price range and had decided on a specific make and model.  We were paying cash and didn't want to deplete our savings, but were hoping to get a reliable van with enough life left in it that it would last us the next few years without any major problems.

Most of the van's with that criteria were all priced about the same, and had about the same miles, except for one I noticed online.  It was a private seller, asking $5,000 for an All Wheel Drive and super up-graded (all the bells and whistles, like heated seats and automatically opening doors) Chrysler Town and Country that had at least 30,000-40,000 fewer miles than anyone else was listing.  We didn't care at all about all the extras, in fact, sometimes when those electrical things start to go it can be a real headache, but the low miles and all wheel drive caught my attention.

It had only been listed 2 days, so despite not wanting to make any phone calls or test drives and get too involved in the process I told Justin I would at least call and see if it was still for sell.  It was, and I asked if I could test drive it and take it to our mechanic the next day.  I did just that, and on the way over to Henstrom, I was hoping that Jeff would think the engine was in good condition, because I was really liking the thing.  I'm sure I'm wrong, but I think the last van I drove could have been the one we had growing up.  An old (even when we had it) Plymouth Voyager that drove nothing like this one.

Justin and I joke because neither one of us NEED a new car, and aren't willing to get into debt over having  nicer cars with fancy rims or a subwoofer in the trunk.  Our wish list has always consisted of 1-power locks (that's mine, with kids in your arms, it would sure be nice to have the doors unlock for you) and 2-cruise control (that's Justins, probably since he does all the long distance driving and his car didn't have it).  That's it.  Not hard to accommodate.

Anyway, to cut a long story slightly shorter, Jeff thought it looked great.  He's a big fan of the Chrysler Town and Country's anyway, and this one seemed to be running well, below the amount of miles that a lot of the vans start needing serious repairs (it has 110,000 miles) and was fairly priced.  He actually didn't like the fact that it was an all wheel drive vehicle, just because they have more things that can go wrong and can be more expensive to fix, but I suppose there's always a trade-off, and I feel better about it being a little safer.  I worried about being able to reach the back seat (where at least one kid will end up after the baby get's here) but I figured that we'd just take out one of the captains chairs in the middle and put the older kids both in the back.

 So, with a slight headache about where to meet and having to go through the drive up window twice (the credit union where we met and got the cashiers check from neglected to mention their Saturday hours did not include the lobby), we drove away with the title and two sets of keys.  I took it and did the Safety and Emissions and the kids and I will brave the DMV on Monday to register it.

That's it.  We're a van family.  I've heard there's no turning back now.

Easter 2012

The day before Easter we sent the kids with Scott and Denise to go to Denise's moms house for an Easter Egg hunt... or as it looked like from last year -a candy and toy overindulgence!  The kids came back with more than enough candy to replenish my piano treats stash and on-the-go stash.  Last year we started potty training Hyrum right after Easter, and I don't think I bought potty treats for months afterwards -I had that much candy to use up.  They kids came back tired, a bit sunburned, and happy.  It was a good day.

Easter Sunday we dressed them up and tried to take pictures.  I imagine these are what any of our picture attempts will look like in the upcoming years, and I'll get over it.  Kate had two Easter dresses, so she get's to wear a new one next week too.  It's nice to have a little girl -everyone likes to buy dresses!  

The Easter bunny takes his job a little easy at our house.  Between all of the kids grandparents, he doesn't need to bring us any candy, Hyrum got Diesel 10 (from Thomas and Friends) and a book, and Kate got a little purse and a book.  Kate loves to carry purses (or anything) around, and in Relief Society I think she went up to every single lady and had to show them her new purse, it was pretty cute.  

Another Easter Egg hunt at Mimi and Papa's and we called it a day.  

No good deed...

No good deed goes unpunished.  Neither does speeding, eventually.

Today I was on my way to volunteer on a Human Rights Committee for a company I used to work with back when I used to work.  I was speeding, trying to get my kids to my aunts in time for me to make it to the meeting on time.  This really isn't anything new -I speed a lot.

An officer on a motorcycle pulled up behind me as I was waiting to turn.  I knew I had been speeding.  I also knew I did not have a current copy of our registration in the car (stupid, I know).  I was sweating bullets almost  immediately.  He turned on his lights.  I had no idea what happens if you don't have a current registration.

Lucky for me (looking for a silver lining) he only asked for my license.  At least I had that.  He was super nice and said something about going to Utah State.  (We have an Aggie license plate).  I tried to play that angle as much as possible, and he was super chatty when he came back to the car.  With my ticket.  He wrote it for 5 mph over the limit.  I was going 16 over when he clocked me.  I guess that's another silver lining.  I hadn't been pulled over for about 12 years, at least.  Hyrum told me I should have been going slower.

I guess he was right.

Things I could't say...

Until now.

Just for the record, I have never waited this long to tell anyone I was pregnant.  Ever.  I know I only have 2 children, but I've technically been pregnant five times now.  I had either told people (mostly just coworkers the very first time) or had made plans to tell people (made a t-shirt for Hyrum to announce his upcoming sibling) by 7 weeks every time previous.  I know... way too early.  Something we learned the hard way in Hawaii.

Anyway... I actually waited 2 days to tell Justin this time.  I waited another 3 or 4 days to call my doctor.  I sort of had a break down when 2 friends were over for dinner (either the day I told Justin -or the day before) and told them, but it was more about the fear/anxiety about a miscarriage, and much less about actually being pregnant.

So... other than Justin, my trainer at the gym, a couple of friends who happened to be around for a meltdown -and Kathy, I haven't told anyone.  And, I'm almost 12 weeks along.  That should change this next week, when we tell our families.

So... there's a lot of stuff that runs through my mind, and I don't have anyone to say it to.  (Warning, they're mostly complaints).

-I'm sick and tired.  I know I shouldn't be surprised, and in some ways I almost would say it isn't as bad this time, but when it get's bad (in the evenings) it sucks.  Like right now.  And especially last night.

-No acne.  Well, not much.  This is HUGE.  With Hyrum my face exploded and stayed horrible during the whole pregnancy.  Until I delivered.  Then it got worse.  It didn't clear up until I had to stop nursing and could finally get on something that cleared it up.  Who knew the first time I'd visit a dermatologist I'd be in my late 20's.

-Can't breathe.  This is pretty much par for the course as well.  My sinuses swell up I think from the moment of conception until the baby arrives.

- I can smell you.  Yes, you.  Even if it's a good smell, I can still smell you and it's offensive.  Sorry.  The other night we went to the movies.  I kid you not, I smelled every single person as they walked up the aisle.  And the smokers that sat down on our row?  I could smell them the entire time.  Ugh... I can't believe how sensitive I am to smells right now.

-I need a pinterest feed that does not include food right now.  I haven't cooked raw meat since becoming pregnant, not sure what that's about.  And about 90 percent of the time I can't stand to look at food.  So... I haven't been on pinterest much.  I wouldn't mind the funny quotes and craft projects I won't ever actually attempt, but the food is too much for me.

-Heartburn?  I've got it.  I hardly had it at all with Kate, had it big time with Hyrum, but just for the last couple of months.  Heartburn already?  This could get interesting.

-Crazy, vivid and memorable dreams.  It was the same with both previous pregnancies.  I'm talking  really weird ones and I usually remember every little detail for at least the entire next day.  The other night I had one with Matt Damon in it.  Usually I'm not that lucky though.

-I miss drugs.  Not hard drugs, or even all-that-great drugs, mostly just ibuprofen.  Maybe some sudafed for when I had a cold a couple of weeks ago.  All of you that can take an Advil, take an extra one (or two) for me.  And my mom.  She's not allowed those kind of drugs either now.  Stupid kidneys.

-I have to pee.  All the time.  I know this one only get's worse.  And, it's funny since I feel like I really, really, really have to go.  And... well, there's not much there when I do.  Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have felt that way.  Pregnancy has a funny way of preparing you for loss of sleep.  I can't make it all night anymore, and in another 3 or 4 months, I will most likely have to go at least twice.

Our week

Justin's been gone all week.  Actually, in a 5 week period (ending April 6th) he will be home for about 6 and a half days.  Right now he's doing his two weeks for the Navy in Newport, Rhode Island, and so far, there hasn't been any hurricane's like last time he was there.

The first half of the 2 weeks were pretty busy... this coming week seems a bit more relaxed.

Tuesday was our Young Women's cake auction.  It was a little sad this year, not as well attended as the last few years, but we still had a TON of cakes and other baked goods.  Our ward members were very generous.  I made cupcakes that went for around $30 and my cake this year went for $111.  I made it the week before for Gordon's birthday and I do have to say, it is a delicious cake.  An Andes Mint Cake with peppermint buttercream and chocolate ganache.

Wednesday I finally made it to the Tracy Aviary.  They do $1 Wednesday's all winter long.  I found out about it the first part of February and between the weather and other things going on with our schedule, I made it on the last one they offered.  We went with friends and the kids seemed to like it.  It was most definitely worth $1.

That night I had dinner with friends (no pictures) and luckily I had cupcakes and the fresh strawberry butercream frosting left over, so it made the night pretty easy.  I'm sure Bryon and Steve were happy to go back to their spotless and quiet place though.  My kids are pretty loud (and messy).


Thursday was a pajama day.  In the morning this seems like such a good idea, but it always backfires on me.  I usually don't do my hair, so I don't want to go out anywhere, but we end up getting so stir crazy in the house I regret my earlier decision and try to put on a hat and get out.

Kate climbs into her shopping cart and waits for Hyrum to push her around.  

Friday was supposed to be a really nice day so I told my mom we were going to the zoo and she ended up coming with us.  I always seem to choose the wrong stroller to take on any of our outings.  I took the double to the aviary, and Hyrum sat in it for 2 seconds, and at the zoo, where he seemed to tire out a lot quicker than usual, I only had our single with us. I guess it won't be long from now when ever with the double he'll be walking -so I suppose he should just get used to it!

Saturday we headed up to my mom's for the weekend with Jodi.

One of Grandma's Easter crafts

The kids love cleaning the floor.  Good thing Grandma has two swiffers.  

Building (or destroying) with lincoln logs.  

We had dinner and Easter Egg dying contest.  I'm not sure why not many of us really got into the contest this year.  (Jenny still did awesome, Jessica had a great idea that didn't seem to work right, and Jodi's ended up being super cute).  Justin thinks it was a conspiracy that we did it without him, to let someone else win for a change (If I remember right, he has taken the top prize for the eggs and pumpkin carving contests the last couple of years).

We decided Jenny was the winner for her henna/lace drawing on a couple of eggs, plus she drew Phineas and Ferb (from a tv show) that made Perry the Platypus (from the same kids show) that much cooler -which Jodi did.  I've been on a Red Sox kick, and tried to do a few themed eggs.  But, then I realized the red was much more pink, and I was not prepared to try and make a green one look like Wally, the Green Monstah, so I gave up.

Oh... and the week before we went up to Gordon and Jessica's house after his back surgery.  We went on a short walk and had lunch.  Hyrum loved the 'easy access' doggy door!