Month of Birthdays

Wow! It's been quite the month! One birthday after another.

Matthew turned 11 on April 24th. He's such a doll. Since his birthday fell on Easter, we celebrated a day early at Fat Cats and the Pizza Factory. We had some wonderful pizza with HUGE bread twists (on a stick no less), along with a dessert of cookies and ice cream. Ugh! We were so full, it was hard to think about bowling afterwards at Fat Cats.

Matthew's party was fun, so Jacob wants to have HIS party there too. (It's scheduled for tomorrow.) They really enjoyed the bowling and bumper cars. We were going to do the glow-in-the-dark miniature golfing, but it was getting late. Thank goodness Fat Cats granted us a pass to golf on our next visit.

Hope's birthday was next on May 10th. She's ONE! Of course, since her birthday was on a Tuesday, we had to celebrate early since Joe was down for the weekend. So, Mother's Day and birthday festivities were combined. Hope's day was the main feature though.

She had an adorable ice cream cake with Tenderheart Bear on the top.

She enjoyed every bit of that ice cream cake!

The final birthday for this month long period will be Jacob's 8th birthday. Yea! He's so excited about this one since he gets to invite friends. (We only do that for birthdays 8, 12, and 16.) We scheduled at Fat Cats tomorrow, and I'm hoping that I don't get delayed going down there since the Ogden Marathon is running tomorrow.

So, off we go for more pizza fun and then I'll worry about finalizing plans for Jacob's baptism June 4th. I don't know which event Jacob is more excited about, his party tomorrow, taking cookies to school on Monday, or his baptism. I guess we'll have to see what he remembers most in the years ahead...probably his baptism. :-)

Things come in Threes

You know how they say everything comes in threes...Well, it's true. I just don't generally have it all happen in the course of about three hours. I should have known when I woke up to six inches of new snow on the day I was hosting a pampered chef party that the day would be interesting.

Yep, it's supposed to be spring, but Huntsville doesn't believe it. The mountains were dusted with new snow. Luckily it did warm up and melt about four of the six inches. I spent the morning cleaning up my kitchen and grocery shopping. The Pampered Chef consultant was going to make a mango salsa, so I had to go get mango (like THAT's in season), jicama (I didn't even know what that was), bell peppers and a jalapeno. I never buy any of that stuff. I had to ask a produce guy to point out the jicama (it wasn't labeled that way) and try to find a ripe mango - they were all green. The salsa turned out pretty well considering.

I had five ladies come to the party which was a pleasant surprise since only two indicated they might be coming. One brought all five of her daughters. Two joined us in the kitchen, two joined the boys downstairs to watch movies and eat pizza, and the baby played with Hope. Everything was going well...until it wasn't. Jeremiah broke the glass on the fireplace, then one of the girls got sick and threw up all over the living room carpet. We got most of the mess cleaned up, but after everyone went home, I couldn't get Mom's carpet cleaner to work. Sam was getting in the way so I sent him to bathe. He called to me later to show me he'd peed in the toilet (Yea!), but a few minutes later he came out stressed because he'd pooped in the tub (BOO!). What a mess.

So, today I'm relieved just to be doing taxes all day. Well...maybe. I was going to take the door off the fireplace and see if I can get it fixed, but I can't get it off. I still need to get out the Resolve and see if I can get the smell out of the carpet (it's not really that bad, fortunately). But, instead, I'm sitting here reading and writing blogs while putting Hope to sleep rather than cleaning up yet again.

I've always said there's never a dull moment in the Behling household. Yesterday just proved it.

Merry Christmas!

Well, I TRIED to send out Christmas cards. Letters really. Some didn't print properly. Hope destroyed more than a few. My mail merge didn't work properly to get all the labels printed. I guess I just wasn't meant to send them out this year. So, since I DID put the effort into the letter, I'm just going to post it instead. On Facebook since copying and pasting won't work here.

ARGH! I feel like Charlie Brown right now and everything I touch breaks! Hopefully not since I have to install my tax software and get letters out to my clients. :-) Oh - and BAKE. I haven't even started that yet. Lots to do and so little time. Christmas Eve is tomorrow!

Just know that I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and that the Behling family is doing alright in Huntsville, UT (and Idaho Falls, ID). Hopefully the card thing works out next year!

Merry Christmas!

Apart, but NOT Separated

What a title...but it's true. Once again Joe and I are living apart, but this time he actually got the job in Idaho Falls. YEAH! Two days after I last wrote on this blog Joe was offered a job. He'd just scheduled an interview in Salt Lake when a head hunting company in Idaho Falls contacted him about a phone interview for a position at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) where he was trying to get a job last year. I just laughed since we NEVER heard a yes or no regarding a job there. All INL ever told us was that Joe was one of the top two candidates, but they had to do some restructuring first. I was flying back to Memphis after a tax forum in Las Vegas and visiting my mom when I got a call at the Houston airport. Joe told me the phone interview had been cancelled because the people at INL remembered him from last year and told CRI to hire him - no more interviews required. I sat in the airport and my eyes were tearing up. I called my mom who had told me at the Salt Lake airport she thought we'd see each other soon. She was driving in Ogden Canyon when I told her about the offer. She was trying not to cry as was I. People in the Houston airport probably thought I was having a rough time when in fact I was thinking that my dad was sending me a wonderful birthday present. Joe finished the gift by taking the job. He actually did do the interview in SLC, but it didn't feel right, so he took the job in Idaho Falls, ID.

There are some minor issues with the job - a slight paycut and virtually NO relocation coverage, but you do what you must. We'd wanted this for so long and it felt right. Joe might not have gotten in through the front door, but at least a back door was open. :-) He started work on September 27th, so we left Memphis on the 23rd - all of us. Less than three weeks to put together a move. Thank goodness we still had lots packed from LAST year.

It was still a monumental task with a nursing baby as one of six kids. The boys would keep playing with the toys that I was making them get rid of or making price lists for toys to be sold at the garage sale. They thought they'd get LOTS of money for various items. They did volunteer to sell old bikes and scooters, and they got the money from those items. I kept the money from the sale of clothes though. Not much in the way of hand me downs now! I'll be hitting the thrift shops for warmer clothing, that's for sure.

Some how we managed to get things packed, even though it took us literally until the last minute. Even then, much was left behind. Thank goodness for Joe's sister that stayed in our house with her daughter to clean and paint. She hauled lots of stuff to Goodwill for us, and probably made a trip to the dump, too. Joe's brother flew out to drive the moving truck to Utah then Idaho. It took the largest U-haul truck AND trailer to get us out here, and we still couldn't fit everything. Luckily I did get my washer and dryer since I didn't want to replace them. We don't know how we got as much on the truck as we did. It was like the truck kept swallowing boxes and asking for more.

I never was a HUGE fan of Memphis as a city. I did like that they rarely got snow (although it wouldn't be bad if it would stay off the streets and sidewalks), but I didn't like the extreme heat and humidity in the summer. The kids only ever wanted to play outside in the spring and fall. As much as I disliked the schools, humidity, racisim, and politics of Memphis, I did learn to appreciate many of the people there. A bit of a hermit, I had a hard time figuring out which friends I could call for help. I was surprised as to how many people came to help us - before and after we left. The guys that Joe worked with came and helped load the truck. They were disappointed to see him leave, but what a testiment to Joe's leadership that the guys he managed would bend over backwards to help their former boss move away, even when that would mean a HUGE increase in their own work loads.

Joe and I have been west for two weeks now. The kids and I are living in my mom's house while Joe lives with my uncle and aunt in Idaho Falls. The kids are enjoying school again - even Heather. The high school is working with us so she can get caught up and graduate on time. They registered her as a junior where as the school in Memphis would have set her back a year. I told Joe there was a reason Utah was a promised land!

Although the kids like Utah and have friends here, I will be relieved to get all of us to Idaho where we hope to build. This time I'll get a house that I like, that isn't decorated in 70's and 80's fashion. It will be big enough for our family with plenty of storage. We even plan on an apartment either above the garage or in the basement for parents or married children to stay in if needed. Now if our budget will accomodate our wishes...

I'm so glad to be here. It's been an eye opener for me as to how the Lord will bless us when we do what He asks. We were patient (although my patience was getting short), and prayed for help. We got it in spades. Joe's family is amazing. Mom is amazing letting me move in with the six kids. I've told them NOT to trash her house. They're being good, and Jeremiah is stepping up to be the "man of the house" since Joe is in Idaho Falls. It won't be easy, but at least we're closer to family now. Closer...but not TOO close. :-)

Tax Trip

Wow! This past week has flown by. Last Sunday I flew to Utah (my stomach barely made it) so that my mom and I could drive to Las Vegas for the IRS tax forum. Flying to Vegas might have made more sense, but since I wanted to introduce Hope to Joe's family in Payson and round-trips are less expensive than multi-destination trips, this was the way we did it.

Monday, Mom, Hope, and I headed to Vegas for the Forum after stopping briefly in Payson to show off Hope to Joe's family. Joe's sisters Leah, Laura, Linda, and LeAnn all came by along with his sister-in-law, Christine. I got some good pictures of Hope with my mom and Joe's parents, but since I'm not on my normal computer, I don't know how to get them on here. Guess that will have to wait for now...

We were in Vegas for three days of tax classes so I can maintain my license as an Enrolled Agent. Some of the classes were yawners, but some were quite informative and had good speakers. I did learn things that will help some of my clients this year.

The conference was at the Mandalay Bay, so I had arranged for us to stay there since it would be easier for me to feed Hope. The room was nice and the beds comfortable. There was a large, flat-screen tv that we had to figure out because you had to go to a menu before you could actually watch tv. The "fridge" that was in the room was a type of mini-bar, but since I don't drink alcohol, it just frustrated us that we couldn't put the juices my mom bought in it very well. The bathroom was HUGE and had a separate shower from the tub, plus a tv so that somebody could watch it while bathing. I didn't, but I could have. The thing that astounded me, though, was the fact that there was a phone next to the toilet. Now come on! Who really needs to talk on the phone while "doing their business?!" The thing we noticed most was that some of the conveniences you find at less expensive hotels (microwaves, free breakfast, coffee maker (for hot chocolate you know)) weren't available here. We ultimately decided that other hotels give you more value for your dollar and the price wasn't worth the view of the Las Vegas strip that we had. Since a free tram went between the Mandalay, Excalibur, and Luxor, we'd have been better off spending less on the rooms at the other hotels since getting Hope to me wouldn't have been any less convenient. Oh well...I doubt I'd attend the Forum in Vegas in the future anyway. Next year maybe I'll see if I can take the kids with me to Orlando or Anaheim so they can go to Disney.

Friday we were exhausted since we didn't get back to Huntsville until 3am. Mom ended up mowing her lawn and a few other things around the house. I tried contacting friends, but wasn't able to get a hold of some.

Yesterday, Saturday, Mom, Hope and I drove to Idaho Falls and visited my uncle, Jim, and aunt, Sueann. We looked at my mom's lot up there where Joe and I really want to build a house, but can't unless he gets a job around there. The fence is starting to come down and the people that have been keeping horses on it have started storing cars and stuff there. Although my uncle had told them that we were going to try working on the fence and the horses had to be moved, all they did was tie the horses in their yard rather than find another field for the horses to live. Horses to be gone next weekend... (yeah right)

We also drove up to the Ammon cemetery to see where my dad's ashes were buried and the monument that Mom chose for him. It is a nice headstone with a dove on it since he loved doves. I thought the trip there would be harder than it was. Mom said the same thing. What a blessing to know that Dad's not really there in the ground, but with our loving Heavenly Father. I know that he watches over us and can help my mom with her decision making now. She says that she knew what my dad was thinking when he was here, and she still knows what he's thinking. How beautiful is that? Now if he could prompt somebody in Idaho Falls to give Joe a job... Unfortunately, that's probably not how it works. *Sigh*

Today was great since I was able to see lots of people. Mom and I headed to church where many asked about the kids since they remember them from last year. They all would like to come back here...although that wasn't always the case. After church we went down to Ruth and David Stevenson's house. I knew them in Memphis, but now they're a mere 10 minutes from my mom's house. They both sing with MOTAB (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and we watched the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast they recorded with them. It was a nice visit and hearing their story about their move to Utah reminded me that I must have patience and that our move will happen in the Lord's time. I just need to keep telling myself that when I get frustrated with the pace of everything.

After visiting the Stevensons, we went out to Hooper to see Nathan Seaich (my brother's best friend) receive the Melchezidek (sp?) priesthood and be ordained an Elder. What a change he's made in his life! It was so neat to see him ordained by his father-in-law.

Our last stop today was at my cousin Mandy's house. The Keime clan gathers at somebody's house on Sundays for a get together. Amy, Mandy, Chris, and my aunt Judy and uncle Al were there. My cousins' children all played together outside and the rest of us chatted. Amy's daughter, Drue, is a precious 9 month old. The older girls played on the trampoline, and the boys played soccer. Chris's youngest son toddled around trying to convince Chris to let him have "one more" ice cream sandwich. :-) What a wonderful family! I sure love my cousins. It would be great for my boys to live around them and get to know their second cousins. Maybe some day.

Now it's off to bed for me and Hope since we go to Payson again tomorrow. I'm sure Rex and Thora would like more time with Hope before we fly back to Memphis on Tuesday. They don't realize it yet, but Joe will be out soon too. He has a third interview with Overstock.com on Friday. Maybe something will come of it. Fingers crossed!

Strep and School

It's been a busy, busy day today! I can't believe all that I ended up doing today. Since having Hope, I'm just not used to running everywhere.

Jacob has strep. Because I saw him wince when swallowing, I dragged him and Hope to the doctor. I am leaving Sunday and wanted to be sure that he wouldn't miss any doses of medication, so I opted to have the doctor give him a penicillin shot to cure the strep. Normally Jacob is brave and doesn't balk about getting a shot, but not today! He decided to stand outside the room, so the nurse hesitated about coming in since he saw the needle. Oops! Two nurses finally came in and Jake had a total conniption. It took both nurses to get him on the table for the shot. One nurse held his hands behind his head while I held down his legs. The second nurse administered the shot. Man oh man did he scream! I thought only Heather had tempertantrums in the doctor's office about shots! Jacob sure out did her today! He talked about killing me and himself and shooting me twice. I told him he could hate me, but that the shot would get him to feel better, and that we DO NOT talk about killing ourselves or others.

Hope's exam was a piece of cake compared to Jacob's. I had the doctor look at her ears to make sure she didn't have an ear infection before flying. The airplane is probably NOT the place you want to find out that your baby has an infection. Another good thing I found out was that I CAN take Dramamine or Bonine while nursing! Yeah!

Later I had to go pick up Samuel from the school. The elementary has a large circular drive where people line up in their cars to pick up their children. Some will show up nearly an HOUR before school lets out. I don't get that at all. I have to come early since they let Samuel out about 30 minutes before the others get out. So, I pass all the cars in line and park in the teachers' lot and go get Sam. Not today though. Today a police car was blocking the left side of the entrance so I couldn't go past the line of cars to the parking lot. Instead, I had to go to another lot and hurry over to the other side of the school to get Sam. Definitely doable, but frustrating to change my routine.

I took Sam home then waited for Matthew since he rode his bike. Not a bad deal since I didn't have to hang around the school for 30 minutes waiting for him to come out. As soon as he got home, I loaded the kids up and took Heather to the chiropractor since she's been complaining about her back.

We got pizza on the way home, and about the time we finished eating, Joe and I had to leave again. Joe went to a parent meeting at the elementary, and I headed to the middle school. We had various issues we wanted to bring up at the schools. I gave Joe a list about the police car blocking the school's driveway, preschool dismissal practices, and Jacob's substitute teacher allegedly calling him a "cow head" (I think she meant "coward") the other day. Of course Jacob could have misunderstood. I sure hope he did and his sub isn't calling kids names. It will be nice when his regular teacher makes it to school. She had an embolism and was in the hospital for a while. She should be back to work by the first of October though. But I digress...

Joe tackled those issues while I went to the middle school thinking there were issues because they didn't put him in a co-teaching situation like was in his IEP. Only one class has a co-teacher, and it happens to be the class he generally does well in - social studies. When I went tonight and met his teachers, I realized that he has a study hall of sorts and the co-teacher in social studies isn't really a teacher but a guidance counselor. He has some unique teachers, but I think that all of them will really help him. They all love to teach and are trying to teach the kids to get organized and ready for high school. If only I could get my house organized...

After that, it was off to Wal-Mart since I missed Joe getting set apart for his new stake calling (computer specialist or something like that). While Joe was getting a speeding ticket, I was at Wal-Mart picking up a few more school supplies and lunch fixings for the kids. Then it was back home to put kids to bed. Now I'm off to bed as well because I have a feeling that tomorrow will be busy for me too since I really do need to get all the mounds of laundry done before I can pack for my trip to Utah. A BREAK! I really need one and can't wait to show Hope off to her grandparents.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today's my mom's 64th birthday. I always have to figure out how old I am to know how old John is and add 29 to his age. You'd think I could just add 27 to my age, but for some reason I do it this way. Anyway, it sounds like she's having a good day. Although I sent it weeks ago, she held out until her birthday to open her heritage makers brag book and card that I made for her.



It was fun making the "brag book" since I was able to sift through pictures of John's girls via facebook and email him and Sharon for comments about the girls. It also made it so that John was able to give more than a phone call to Mom for her birthday.

I wish I was there today. I know that it's probably been an emotional day for her. I am SO glad that she's able to go to lunch with her sisters today. Even Karla is in town. The only one of the sisters not in Utah this week is Patti. They were planning to "do lunch" which probably took several hours. I don't know where they planned on going, just that it was in Bountiful, but guess it would be Chuck-a-Rama since my mom loves the buffet.

I imagine Mom will be fine for most of the day. It will be tonight when she stops and reflects on the day that she'll be sad that my dad wasn't there in person to celebrate with her. I know that he's close though.

My kids got father's blessings for school this week. After Joe finished with the kids, he gave me a blessing as well. I was told that my dad was close and would help hold me up on days that I didn't feel like I could handle the stress and uncertainty. I'm sure he's there for my mom, too. They are soul mates and I'm sure he gives her all the comfort he can. He's the one that helped give her the strength to move corral panels while her "renters" looked on. I always knew my mom was strong, but that's really impressive!

I can't wait to see my mom again. Luckily that is only 10 days from now. We'll have a busy nine days together. There's the tax seminar in Las Vegas and a day trip to Idaho planned. Hope is going to get to know her Gran really well! I'm excited so show Mom how much our little Hope has grown.

Love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!