Ok, this is getting ridiculous that I'm only able to blog once every year. Crazy how time flies. That's so very cliche but it's so true.
We are living the dream in 2016. Here is the rundown of our bigs and little...
Graham is now back home. After his mission, he spent some time in Idaho until he decided that college isn't the route he wants to take right now. He is a nomad, roaming from our place, to his mom's to Roberts. He works full time as an assistant manager at the Pearland Old Navy and in his spare time, tries to Uber around town. Ubering is like driving a taxi, transporting people from place to place for a fee. He is interested in business and is good at it. Right now he will continue to work at Old Navy and possibly explore real estate soon.
Zack is graduated!! He is now working two jobs, keeping his current gig at Old Navy and picking up a new position with a company called Inter-State Photography. He travels to take school pictures and works long hours. He is trying to make future plans for a mission or college. With Graham in town, he has been displaced from our home and now stays at his mom's house most nights. He drops in once or twice a week to visit... and eat corndogs. The boy loves his corndogs and knows that he can count on a stash here at home.
Maddie just turned 17 and is living on cloud 9 at the moment. She was gifted a car for her birthday and is free to roam about, visiting friends, thrift shopping and pretty much whatever she wishes. With our move from Mustang Ln, she was forced to transfer to Dawson High School and is taking it in strides. She is still very much involved in choir and theater and hopes to be a graduating Junior this year and we are going to assume that it will be a very busy one, at that. She is living with her mom full-time but still drops by on occasion and continues to be our number one baby sitter.
Myka is 3! Say whaaaaaa? She's loud, she's busy, she's stubborn, she's creative, she's playful, she's funny, she's ornery, she's smart and SHE'S ALL OURS! She makes us very tired, but we love her to pieces. This Fall she has started pre school and so far is very knowledgeable of the letters A-H and the numbers 1-20 (give or take a few). She knows most of the basic shapes and colors and is learning more and more about animals. She is also learning to spell and write her name. Her vocabulary is ever growing and she is learning all about attitude, what it is and how to manipulate with it. She's a good negotiator!! She'd play outside every minute of every day if it wasn't 100 degrees. And she loves to say hi to perfect strangers.
We have some news! Mike has accepted an offer to be THE Little Tikes rep in Utah, so we are headed that way in January of 2017 to begin our life as business owners. It's scary and exciting all at the same time. He is very good at what he does and I think he will be successful. Plus, we are ready for a break away from this heat. We will miss our families the most. Our plan is to buy a house with an extra room or two so that we can, at any time, welcome friends and family throughout the year. I will learn the trade of commercial playground sells so that I can help build the business and stay home with my little. (She doesn't start school for another couple of years and I'm so grateful!!)
We have sold our beloved home on Mustang Ln and have become apartment dwellers. It has been a lifestyle change for sure. We have halved our square footage, letting go of much of our material things. We are still so very blessed! It will be time to move yet again, just when we have become accustomed to the creaks and cracks of our upstairs neighbors. I won't be too sad about that.
This has been my motivation to begin blogging again. It is my hope that it keeps us connected with friends and family. And I love, love, love going back and looking at previous blog books. My kind of journaling!
So here we go....
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Fast forward... like, a lot.
Looks like we lost a whole two years there, doesn't it?? On the contrary, I blogged our correspondence between us and our Elder Feidler during his entire mission. We have the best of both world in www.grahamsbest2years.blogspot.com. Eventually, we will print out a blog book but in the meantime feel free to reminisce those crazy but awesome two years of our/his life. I believe in Mike's weekly emails to Graham, a lot was covered, including pictures of our daily happenings. We will cherish it for life.
On a side note, GRAHAM IS BACK!! He has returned with honor from serving a successful two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the Everette, Washington mission. I think he had a great time but you'll have to ask him to get the full scoop. It was such a blessing to get to hear from him via email weekly as well as Facetime him a couple of times through the years. And what a tremendous blessing to our family to have him serve. The homecoming was exciting and nerve wracking all at once. I'm sure he was more anxious than any of us but it sure felt like we were going to POP! We loved having him home for a short 10 days (not even kidding) before he headed back to BYU-I to start school again. Mike got to take that road trip with him and they made it safe and sound. He is doing well and has exceeded our expectations thus far. I hope to eventually post pictures from their route to Idaho.
Life does not slow down for anyone! We have had a great year so far. Yes, I am already a bit behind in my blogging. But I'll get there! Since we have Graham's mission blog up until April 6th, I'll post from April and on. Bear with me as I get caught up one post entry at a time. Happy reading!
On a side note, GRAHAM IS BACK!! He has returned with honor from serving a successful two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the Everette, Washington mission. I think he had a great time but you'll have to ask him to get the full scoop. It was such a blessing to get to hear from him via email weekly as well as Facetime him a couple of times through the years. And what a tremendous blessing to our family to have him serve. The homecoming was exciting and nerve wracking all at once. I'm sure he was more anxious than any of us but it sure felt like we were going to POP! We loved having him home for a short 10 days (not even kidding) before he headed back to BYU-I to start school again. Mike got to take that road trip with him and they made it safe and sound. He is doing well and has exceeded our expectations thus far. I hope to eventually post pictures from their route to Idaho.
Life does not slow down for anyone! We have had a great year so far. Yes, I am already a bit behind in my blogging. But I'll get there! Since we have Graham's mission blog up until April 6th, I'll post from April and on. Bear with me as I get caught up one post entry at a time. Happy reading!
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Happy FIRST little one!
Our sweet baby has turned one! We can't believe it. Seems like just yesterday we found out we were having a baby and now she is walking and "talking" and getting into everything. She is so very loved!!
Thursday was her birthday and recovering from a stuffy nose and cough. So that everyone could share in the celebration, we decided to have her party on the weekend. Thursday was a rough day for our little one. Along with the ailments of a cold, she was also a bit clumsy. She has a few bumps and bruises to prove her getting her fingers stuck in a door, falling forward and busting her lip, falling backwards and getting the wind knocked out of her, just to name a few. It was finally time to give little one kisses night night and call it a day.
Sunday however, made up for it. She was happy and healthy and we celebrated her birthday with several close family and friends. It was a wonderful day! I decorated with yellow and orange for a "You are my sunshine" theme. It was so appropriate because she really is our little sunshine and makes us so happy. We had some BBQ with all the fixins for lunch and all kinds of sweet treats afterwards.She did not get wild and crazy into her cake like I thought that she would. As soon as the icing got onto her feet and legs, she started to get panicky. How have I already raised a prissy one like that?! I think I need to get her out in the dirt a bit more.
She opened a few wonderful gifts from friends and family and we took loads of pictures, making sure to get a picture of her with each of her visitors. We celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Feidler, Aunt Kim with Ali, Aiden and Ani, Nana, Mimi, JenJen with Anna, Ella and Brennan, Aunt Donna, Cheyenne and Jacob with Lyla, Uncle Brad Owen and Amy Felsted. It was a treat to spend time with everyone!!
Pinterest can do a number on one's self esteem so I try not to spend too much time trying to outdo everyone. The fact that I didn't have newborn professional pictures taken will haunt me forever. So instead of paying a load of money to have her first birthday pictures taken professionally, we made up our own cute backdrop and professional daddy took over the picture taking. He did a wonderful job!! And she was an excellent model. The pictures turned out just as good as I had imagined.
We love our ray of sunshine and look forward to another great year of milestones, hugs and kisses!!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Foot surgery
What was I thinking, having surgery on my foot with a 4 month old at home?!
For a good year and a half prior to surgery, I had been suffering a pain in the ball of my left foot. Each passing week would just get worse and I was noticing that I was turning my foot to the side to avoid walking directly on the pain. I went to see several podiatrists but none of them would accommodate me while pregnant so I waited until after sweet Myka was born, then at the end of July 2013, I decided to take the plunge into my first surgery ever. No one told me what it would REALLY be like!
No one mentioned that I wouldn't be able to walk for a week or two and even then, I would be walking with crutches. No one told me how swollen and bruised my foot would be and that I would have to keep ice on it 24/7. No one bothered to mentioned that I wouldn't even be able to stand up in the shower and that toe scum would take over. My surgeon said, "easy peasy, you'll be up again in no time at all." Ha! And no one mentioned that my husband would forever make fun of the crazy things I said and did under the influence of a sedative.
Just over 6 months later and the swelling is gone but the pain persists. I have very limited range of motion in my big toe and I think I will forever be wearing tennis shoes. Gone are the days of wearing cute boots or flip flops! Some say that at times, it takes a good 8 months to a year to heal completely. I've not given up yet.
I think of others that have more severe complications, pain and discomfort than me. I am grateful for my family that helped watch the baby, grabbed me a bite to eat or refilled my soothing ice pack. I am grateful that even as some pain persists, I am able to walk normal again. As I get older, I notice the aches and pain of my body, slowly wearing down and I have to remember to count my blessings. I have too many to count!
For a good year and a half prior to surgery, I had been suffering a pain in the ball of my left foot. Each passing week would just get worse and I was noticing that I was turning my foot to the side to avoid walking directly on the pain. I went to see several podiatrists but none of them would accommodate me while pregnant so I waited until after sweet Myka was born, then at the end of July 2013, I decided to take the plunge into my first surgery ever. No one told me what it would REALLY be like!
No one mentioned that I wouldn't be able to walk for a week or two and even then, I would be walking with crutches. No one told me how swollen and bruised my foot would be and that I would have to keep ice on it 24/7. No one bothered to mentioned that I wouldn't even be able to stand up in the shower and that toe scum would take over. My surgeon said, "easy peasy, you'll be up again in no time at all." Ha! And no one mentioned that my husband would forever make fun of the crazy things I said and did under the influence of a sedative.
Just over 6 months later and the swelling is gone but the pain persists. I have very limited range of motion in my big toe and I think I will forever be wearing tennis shoes. Gone are the days of wearing cute boots or flip flops! Some say that at times, it takes a good 8 months to a year to heal completely. I've not given up yet.
I think of others that have more severe complications, pain and discomfort than me. I am grateful for my family that helped watch the baby, grabbed me a bite to eat or refilled my soothing ice pack. I am grateful that even as some pain persists, I am able to walk normal again. As I get older, I notice the aches and pain of my body, slowly wearing down and I have to remember to count my blessings. I have too many to count!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Elder Feidler
We get to hear from Graham every Monday, unless it's a holiday and the library is closed. He is doing so well. Seems to be suffering from allergies every now and again and swears he will never live anywhere with so many trees. Everything is so new to him; he lives in a trailer and takes care of chickens. :-) Graham doesn't even like eggs! Ha! But the work is moving along and so is his testimony. He loves serving the people of the ward and area. He will have been out exactly 6 months on the 10th. So crazy how time flies! You can read about his happenings at www.grahamsbest2years.blogspot.com. We beg him to send us pictures more often! We are so proud of him and the work he is doing.
Someone once said that the mission was like a marriage prep class, preparing the missionaries to get along with others (a spouse) 24 hours a day. They have to do everything together from traveling to budgeting to managing time. Graham is learning so much!!
His first transfer should be coming this next week. We are excited to find out where his next adventures will be.
We love our missionary!!
Someone once said that the mission was like a marriage prep class, preparing the missionaries to get along with others (a spouse) 24 hours a day. They have to do everything together from traveling to budgeting to managing time. Graham is learning so much!!
His first transfer should be coming this next week. We are excited to find out where his next adventures will be.
Calling London
Mike served his LDS mission in Leeds, England. It was years ago but he still carries fond memories of that chapter in his life. He's drawn to the things of England such as their language, foods and landmarks and someday he will make his way back for a visit. Heaven knows he's tried many times but "life" just keeps getting in the way.
So he has decided to bring a little England to us. We won't even count how many Mini Coopers he has owned, including the cute little classic that he bought for Zack. No, I'm talking about the 1700 pounds of steel he meticulously maneuvered into our living room. Oh yes, you read that right. He had been dreaming of owning a red telephone booth for months; researching it out, contemplating the pros and cons, mapping out plans. He finally took the plunge and purchased one from Florida (originally from Europe). It needed work but he's never been afraid to try something new.
He found some sucker to haul it here from Florida then together the painstakingly unloaded it from the trailer, inch by inch, going through (breaking) a few flat dollies. Finally it was in our garage, on it's side because it was too tall to stand up. In all it's red glory! For weeks, Mike worked on removing each and ever glass piece, welding corners together, sandpapering old paint. He was finally defeated in the sanding and decided to have it professionally sand blasted. Then the painting began. Lots and lots of red paint! I was worried about him for a while because he was complaining of his eyes twitching. Ha! Oddly enough, the twitching stopped when the painting was completed.
Getting it up off it's side was another challenge so Mike designed a pulley system that would slowly stand the booth upright. It sat outside of our back door for a couple of weeks as he mapped out yet another plan to get it into the house. After all, that was his dream in the first place. We all had our doubts, including him.
One night when I called my bedtime, he decided it was drag-the-booth-into-the-house time. With metal pipes and an innocent teenage boy, he went to work maneuvering this thing into the living room via the front door. Oh, it won't roll through the grass?? Just walk it all the way around the yard on the sidewalk and up the walkway to the porch. Oh, it won't fit through the door?? Take the door off. Oh, it's too heavy to stand it up on your own?? Simply take down the elaborate pulley system and rebuild it in the living room. A few heaves and hos and it was up, stationed right where he wanted it. Booth and surroundings intact. You just have to come by and see it to believe it. Mike even installed a real working phone and built a fold-down desk inside. Pure genius.
Now this is what we call a conversation piece.
So he has decided to bring a little England to us. We won't even count how many Mini Coopers he has owned, including the cute little classic that he bought for Zack. No, I'm talking about the 1700 pounds of steel he meticulously maneuvered into our living room. Oh yes, you read that right. He had been dreaming of owning a red telephone booth for months; researching it out, contemplating the pros and cons, mapping out plans. He finally took the plunge and purchased one from Florida (originally from Europe). It needed work but he's never been afraid to try something new.
He found some sucker to haul it here from Florida then together the painstakingly unloaded it from the trailer, inch by inch, going through (breaking) a few flat dollies. Finally it was in our garage, on it's side because it was too tall to stand up. In all it's red glory! For weeks, Mike worked on removing each and ever glass piece, welding corners together, sandpapering old paint. He was finally defeated in the sanding and decided to have it professionally sand blasted. Then the painting began. Lots and lots of red paint! I was worried about him for a while because he was complaining of his eyes twitching. Ha! Oddly enough, the twitching stopped when the painting was completed.
Getting it up off it's side was another challenge so Mike designed a pulley system that would slowly stand the booth upright. It sat outside of our back door for a couple of weeks as he mapped out yet another plan to get it into the house. After all, that was his dream in the first place. We all had our doubts, including him.
One night when I called my bedtime, he decided it was drag-the-booth-into-the-house time. With metal pipes and an innocent teenage boy, he went to work maneuvering this thing into the living room via the front door. Oh, it won't roll through the grass?? Just walk it all the way around the yard on the sidewalk and up the walkway to the porch. Oh, it won't fit through the door?? Take the door off. Oh, it's too heavy to stand it up on your own?? Simply take down the elaborate pulley system and rebuild it in the living room. A few heaves and hos and it was up, stationed right where he wanted it. Booth and surroundings intact. You just have to come by and see it to believe it. Mike even installed a real working phone and built a fold-down desk inside. Pure genius.
Now this is what we call a conversation piece.
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