In Limbo

I feel stuck right now... stuck waiting for something to happen... waiting for Fisher to find out/figure out what he will do when he graduates (yes he is finally graduating)... waiting to know where we will be moving and when so that I can make myself useful with packing and with looking for housing and preschools and...waiting for true spring (not this crazy blizzardish weather we keep having)...waiting for enough time to get all the projects done that are stacking up on my desk...
It's not that I am not enjoying time as it passes. I love everyday that I have to be with Curly and Lou. To read together, play together, tickle together, and snuggle. I love the friends here in my ward and from Audrey's preschool, and in my family and I am enjoying the time I have with them. I love living in my grandparents basement and the games, dinners, and stories we share together. I love playdates with girlfriends and SILs (and their children) and girls nights and book club. I love having family around to visit (and babysit). I love my job and the people I work with. It is a very torn feeling to already be missing what you know you will be leaving soon but still anticipate the opportunity of a job, a new place, and new friends. What do you do when you feel this way? Can't I just transport my family, friends, ward, job, and everything else with me wherever we go?

Firsts

I have had several firsts the past few weeks. I changed my first bike tire (shocking I know - Fisher always did it), I replaced the DVD drive in my computer (thanks to my brother Nathan for walking me through it), I performed my first fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of the swallow (FEES) at work (see picture) - this involves threading a tiny flexible camera through someones nose and into their throat. Fisher was my first victim, followed by all my sisters and my mom. Another first, I might get ridiculed for this... but I attended my first (and last) BYU basketball game (thanks to Mark and Jeniel). My SIL Shar and her girls stayed with us for the first time. Curly didn't have her regular preschool this week, so we decided to hold preschool with her cousins. It was a very fun first! Fisher has been very busy, so I visited my other SIL Brianna in Logan with my girls by myself for an overnight excursion. And the final first - Today I discovered the first tulip in the garden! I love spring! Lots of first... And here are lots of pictures...

The FEES described above

On our way to the park for a picnic with Shar and her girls, my mom, and sisters.
Curly and cousin Lettie with their home made pizza creations
I love my Curly and Lou!My climber Lou, who will do anything for food... She found the carrots and the ranch dip

Aunt Brianna took us to the Logan Willow Park Zoo, the cheese factory, and swimming. Curly and Lou loved the animals at the zoo. We love Brianna, she always plans fun things! (Notice Curly's sweater that my amazing cousin knit after Curly picked the yarn)

I know how you feel Lou!

Ode to Fisher

Fisher is celebrating his birthday this week. I rarely talk about the amazing person that he is on my blog... but here are a few of his qualities that I would like expound on today.

1 - Creativity - When we were dating, Fisher created a headless man dressed in a suit then placed him in my car (we don't lock our doors in Rexburg) holding a rose and an invitation for a date. I later found out that the roomate's car he was going to borrow would not start, so he walked a mile to my house in the middle of a cold Idaho night carrying the "man" then back home again. After we were married I took a job at the Utah Symphony and Opera. I came home from school on my way to my first day at work and he had left a good luck "gift" for me.

Just for fun, from our dating days - Ready to go to "Morp"

2 - Dedicated - When Fisher chooses to do something he dedicates himself to it. This shows in his willingness to be home when he can and to be helpful in caring for the girls and me when he is home. In his education, he has worked as hard as he can to take advantage of every opportunity to learn and make himself a better Physical Therapist.

3 - Humor - From the "good luck" peach to our engagement he is always making me laugh. When he proposed he handed me the ring box. I opened it to find a small piece of paper that read, "Got ya!" Okay, so I didn't laugh, but now I do. He did give me the real ring a few minutes later. Curly and Lou love wrestling and tickle time with daddy. I love to hear their peals of unrelenting laughter.

4 - An amazing Dad - While I am at work every Saturday, Fisher spends the day with the girls. First he makes breakfast, then they "do jobs", and then play. He teaches Curly and Lou so many things and is better than I am to remind them to be polite. He puts them to bed on nights that he is home, he takes them outside to play in the snow, ride bikes, or go to the park. Lou especially adores him and happily shouts "dadeeee!" whenever he is around.

5 - Well Rounded - Not only is he smart, kind, handsome, and friendly; he is also athletic, clean, organized, frugal, disciplined, and a "young, handsome prince" (quote from Curly) and I agree! Happy Birthday Honey!

The Phantom Kisser

This weeks blog post is actually on my families website. If you care to read it, click here. I will warn you that there are no pictures, you might think that I am an idiot after reading it, but it is fairly entertaining.

I am pretty sure that yesterday was the first of February and I can't figure out how suddenly the month is almost over. I know some time has passed between yesterday and today because all the things I was looking forward to in February have happened. For example, Fisher and I spent a few days at a Conference in loud and exorbitant Las Vegas while my wonderful mom took care of Curly and Lou. The highlight of our trip was visiting friends and family that live down there and spending a little time together during Fisher's evenings off. I will admit that I got a little bored without my cute girls to occupy and entertain me.From Las Vegas, we braved treacherous roads and headed to Idaho to pick up the girls and spend the Holiday weekend at the LLL Ranch with a few friends and family.

Lou modeling the latest snowmobile helmet style
The cousins - Curly, Letty, Lou, and Gracie

Shar and I in 80s Snowgear

Anticipated Event #3 - My birthday - It exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed a wonderful day. Thanks to Fisher, I got to sleep in until 7! My sister made me a yummy breakfast. In the afternoon, Curly, Lou, Amee and I went to the Children's Museum. It was fun for me to see the girls have so much fun...and okay, I liked it too!

Worn out after an afternoon at the museum
Fisher and his parents surprised me with dinner out at a yummy local Thai restaurant (Sawadee) and then we all enjoyed a scrumptious cake from Amee's work (Market Street Broiler).

Lou love's easy cheese, Fisher though she might like it even more on her face ... she didn't

And now the final anticipated event - The second Annual Woodbury cousin Birthday Bash took place last night. Eight of ten of my female cousins (we missed you Elyse and Nik) got together for a joint Birthday party. Instead of going out this year we decided to bring Gourmet Potluck and it turned out deliciously. We had Chinese Pork and Sesame, California Rolls, French Bread, Cream Cheese Bread, Declicious Salads, Pad Thai, Italian Sodas and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. It was definitely better than a restaurant. We each gave someone a gift that was hand made or represented the person to whom they were giving. The evening was enjoyable and memorable.I made Pad Thai - fun and yum!
Almost all of the cousins