Things About Kansas

Now that we have been in Kansas a little while, here are somethings I have realized.

I feel like I'm breathing through a wash cloth.

Michael's eczema cleared up in 3 days.

I hate my townhouse.

Everyone smokes.

They have awesome parks here.

Some times I forget I'm not in Utah.

People in the midwest have as many kids as Mormons.

Eric loves his job.

It's really hard to make friends or get out of the house when you have 3 babies.

I really miss just being able to drive to my mom's.

An average of 88 trains a day pass through our town.

I'm not as humble or as patient as I thought.

I miss the mountains.

It rains a lot.

Everything is so green.

It's hot.

But the constant wind keeps things cool.  

Wanted to go to dinner as a family but couldn't decide if the Bar & Grill was going to be more bar or more grill?

I'm excited to try the BBQ out here.

I can't wait to go to the new Kansas City Temple. 

Almost everyone in the church any where I go seems to be able to come up with some kind of connection to Utah.

Hanna keeps reminding me that Annie's house, Grammy's house, and the moon are all far away.

Mauree loves swinging!

Love that smile Mikey!

Hanna Marie loves stomping in her new rain boots!

We sure have gotten some great pictures here!

Our Big News

I was waiting for Eric to announce this to the world because I felt like it was his news but he hasn't so I guess I will . . .

We were happy in Logan ticking away at school, loving our little house and neighborhood, and enjoying having Grammy and Aunt Chay close by.  We planned on staying put for another year or two while Eric finished his Master's Degree and then he would look for jobs and we would move on.  Then in January an old classmate of Eric's emailed him and told him about a position available in his department at Garmin that he thought Eric should apply for.  Eric blew him off because of all of the before mentioned happiness and plans.  But the friend persisted so Eric sent in a resume.  The very next day Garmin made contact and scheduled a phone interview which went well so they scheduled a second, which must have gone pretty well too because next thing I knew he was on a plane to Kansas for a face to face.  That was Superbowl weekend.  Then we waited and waited.  Finally just after Hanna's birthday Eric received an official offer, double our income, a signing bonus, and pay for our move.  They also offer tuition assistance, pay 100% insurance premiums, retirement plans, stock options.  We said yes.

Eric's office is in there some where.

I told Eric we would need a minimum of four weeks before he could start and four weeks is all they gave us.  Eric worked his last two weeks at his job in Logan and we had two weeks left to say all of our good byes, pack, clean, and move, oh and take care of three babies.  It was unexpected, fast, crazy, and stressful.  We survived but barely which is why you all are just now learning the details.

Goodbye house, Goodbye Logan, Goodbye Utah

  
Eric is thrilled about his new job and the chance to work for Garmin.  I'm excited for him, happy to have a little money, and looking forward to new experiences for our family.  I miss my family, friends, neighbors, and unit at Hill AFB.  I miss the idea of graduating from USU and being an Aggie.  I miss my cute little house.  I miss being able to walk to to church.  It is going to be a HUGE life adjustment but I am proud of Eric and extremely happy to have a stable and promising future. 

We plan on staying in Kansas with Garmin at least long enough for Eric to finish his second degree and gain some valuable work experience, maybe longer but definitely not forever.  Eric really wants to work for Garmin, I really don't want to be stuck in KS very long so we'll see.

Now you know.  

Hanna Marie is Two!!!

26 pounds 2 feet 11 inches, safe to say she is going to be taller than her momma!

We had a big party.  If you ask Hanna about it she says "balloons, party, cake, Annie" or "toys, presents, bike".  Apparently Annie was the most important person there but if I press her on it she will rattle off everyone else that was there too with quite a bit of enthusiasm so don't worry you're all loved too. 

Cupcakes!

Balloon Faces

My favorite part of the party was the photo booth.

I know this is picture overload but I wanted to add some of Hanna enjoying her presents!

Better Full Than Empty

Once upon a time I worked and went to school, had a calling, hung out with my friends, and made dinner for my husband.  I complained of my sleep apnea and lack of energy and my long to do list.

I thought I was busy then.  I thought I was tired then.

But now . . . as everyone at the grocery store likes to point out I "have my hands full".  And it's true.  If one baby has a good night or a good day one of the others has a terrible one.  Tonight for example Mauree has been doing great and will probably sleep 6-8 hours but Michael is teething and Hanna is sick.  Since I put them all down for bed at 9 Mauree has been up once, Michael twice, and Hanna twice and it's only 12:30 and none of them woke up at the same time.

I don't sleep.  My perfume is baby spit up.  I'm lucky if I get to shower and put on make-up in the same day.  Some days I can't wait for Eric to get home just so I can pee and brush my teeth.  My meals are always rushed and cold.  I'm always holding a baby.  A good day means at least one room in the house is clean.  And there is always laundry, laundry, laundry.

I get smiled at more in one day then I think most people get in a whole week.  Somebody always laughs at my comedy routine.  My audience thinks I'm a great singer.  I get told almost every day that I am pretty like a princess.  My kisses are magical.  I have four eager faces dying to be my dance partner.  I always have someone to cuddle with or play with.  And I'm rarely bored.  

My hands are full.  But I'd rather they be full than empty.

Of course Eric is pretty awesome. Helps out a ton and takes the kids all by himself for a whole weekend once every month while I am at drill.