Big Ben

Big Ben settling in on his bed.

Standing up by daddy, showing him around the house.

Squeaker meeting Ben through the gate. (the muzzle was just precaution)

He pooped once on my bedroom floor.
Nate ran out and bought a Bissell cleaner, saved my dog from daddy's wrath.
Not really up to eating today, they said that was normal.
Seems to have diarrhea, again, normal.
Ignores the baby, follows us everywhere, takes the stairs in 3 giant leaps. Seriously, the stair thing is freaking awesome. Some major leg muscle action going on.
I'm running on no sleep.
Dog poked me with his nose every hour during the night and was up at 6 am.

BUT

We are very happy with him and he seems to be getting comfortable. I didn't expect him to get it all down in the first 24 hours and am willing to work with him at his speed. We took him to an AAGI fundraiser today. Bath and nail trim for $10!
We also went to Petco to get some treats for him, got stopped a couple times by people wanting to ask 10,000 questions about him.
Overall?
I like him.
:)

One day to go!

No, not until baby. That is 97 days away (notice count down in upper right corner).

One day until my dog comes home!!!!! YAY!!!!!

I'm more excited than the kids! I've wanted a dog forever and I don't care if everyone thinks I'm crazy for getting him. :P

So far I have spoiled him by purchasing:

A gigantic bed pillow. (A pretty navy blue with gold trim.)
Matching food bowls in a little stand.
A gorgeous blue and gold, one of a kind collar on etsy.
A food storage container.
A bucket with pooper scooper.
A toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
and a
Beware of dog sign (so the stupid UPS guy doesn't open the BACK gate again).

Am I excited? Prepared? Oh yes!

I will post pictures of him tomorrow!!!!! (Or Saturday....)

Spacing it.

Yesterday was an off day.

Raedin ate a frozen/microwave dinner for lunch (gasp!) and I forgot to take the film off before heating it up....that makes for a fun mess.

Squeakers face planted off the couch and ripped that little flap that connects your lip to your gum. Bled like crazy. Her lips now look like a duck bill.

I forgot to pay the phone bill.

Forgot to thaw the rolls out for dinner.

Seriously almost hit two people on the freeway.

Forgot to mail of some stuff for insurance.

....

But did manage to finish unpacking my room and made home made chicken noodle soup. :)

I have to write EVERYTHING down lately or I completely forget about it. I usually remember everything! I miss my brain.....

Arrived.

Smallest ponytail.

New house. :) View from the kitchen.

View from the loft.

Nate swimming with the kids.

Raedin got to ride in the moving truck.

One of our first views of Arizona.

Final countdown and a mohawk.

Raedin's Awesome New Do!!!

One week from tomorrow, Nate will be headed with the truck to Arizona and I will be doing my last henna show in Utah (until next summer).
I canceled my show for this Sunday so I could spend more time with our family and friends before heading to Bear Lake on Wednesday. I won't see Taylor and Evelynn for a week, Raedin and Nate for 5 days, and Afton for 4 days! The girls will be staying with Grandma, Raedin will be driving down with Nate, Afton will be staying with Mandy until Saturday night and then will drive down with me on Sunday. Such a complicated and busy weekend ahead!
I'm looking forward to things calming down and getting back into a routine with the kids. School will be starting soon, I'll be done with shows, Nate will have a set schedule for school, and Raedin can have some alone time with mommy and Squeakers every day (he has really missed that). I'm also looking forward to a clean house! I've been away every weekend for 2-4 days for the last 2 months, plus a 10 day trip to Vermont. My house has suffered greatly from that. Unpacking will help me organize and redecorate the new place. I was so good at keeping up with the chores during the school year! Fingers crossed I can do so again this year.
I've been packing all day, stopping to eat and have Brianna cut Raedin's hair and now to blog. Back to work!

4 3 2 1

counting down!

We will be leaving in just 3 weeks~not enough time to say goodbye!

I will really miss it here.
Yes there are modern ways of communication: cell phones, webcams, email, facebook, etc.
But those don't replace the interactions we have with our loved ones when in the same room!
I honestly won't know what to do without Phyllis (Grandma) and Mandy (Aunt/BFF).
They are always just a call away, willing to babysit, pick up children, provide support during times of need. How to cope without them? I DON'T WANT TO!
The independence we will have is appealing, finally being 'on our own' in the world and having to face the day to day, week to week all by ourselves. Yet I have always had family around. ALWAYS. The thought of being alone, without anyone is frightening.
The comfort of knowing the Church will be there helps. Even though I may not have my family members nearby, I will have a "ward family" to help us. (Assuming they are awesome and willing to step up and into the shoes the Park 11th ward has been wearing for the last 3 years!)

I most likely will not have time to post between now and the move. I have a feeling that things will start to become even more hectic in the coming weeks.

To my amazing friends and family:

Thank you for the love and support you have given us, we will miss you.
I hope you know how much we love you!

To my ward family:

You have been such an inspiration to us and have strengthened our testimonies far more than you realize. We have grown in this ward: gone to the temple, been sealed, blessed our children, cried and mourned for ward members, and so much more.
I will miss each and everyone of you!

If anyone is ever in Arizona, give us a call, we would be so happy to see you!

Another one?