We've RELOCATED!!

We finally got Internet and so I am back on the Blogging map! We are doing well, though we realize how much we hate to move(7 times in 6 years!) So here is my tribute to our latest move:

[Isn't it sad when people start to ask you for moving advice?- I really have]

Great Moving Tips:
1.Disconnect and connect ALL utilities in advance (this includes gas- so you can have hot water!) Try to schedule cable and Internet guy to come in the same 4 hour window!
2.Cook and freeze at least three extra meals. Store them in old pie tins, you can then heat them up when EVERYTHING is packed.
3. Give your kids markers/crayons on packing day and also unpacking day, so they can draw on everything they see!! (well, minus the walls)
4. Start studying for your drivers exam- each state has it's "unique" rules (or can I just say stupid).
5. Prepare your families names and birth dates for the ward clerk- addresses and old ward/stake is even more helpful! I might as well make a document on my computer and then I can just print one off each move.
6. Start making a list of all the address changes you will have to make.

Let me know if you have any to add- I am sure I will need them


You Know You Move Too Much When:
1. Your child starts to make friends with the movers..
2. As you unpack you find two different sets of number tags on them (from different moves), or they are written on and crossed out so many times you don't know what is really in them.
3. You Know the moving process so well you could be a mover, or you feel you could do it better (except that you wouldn't if you did.)
4. Your friends are tired of erasing/ crossing out your address in their address book.
5. You really do "spring cleaning"! You literally do an "inventory" of all your belongings yearly.
6. You start not to care what your driver's license picture looks like cause it will change soon enough, and you hope you remember what you read from studying for last year's driver's exam!
7. You have a collection of license plates.
8. Your parents now see more of the United States than they would have.

All the fun we have had:
They wouldn't let me get my license cause my middle name on my Ohio licence and my SS card did not match. So they thought producing a marriage license would solve it all!?!?
Connor failed his first driver's exam- due to the three kids we toted to the DMV and the silly NC laws we didn't get familiar with before attempting the exam.
Waiting for the cable guy three times (each with a four hour window!)
Dylan is serious candy to these mosquitoes -10 minutes outside and he is COVERED in bites.
Can I say HOT and HUMID!!!!!
Connor's main complaint at work from the plant employees is that they are out of popcorn in the employee break room.
I have been asked three times in one week "have you found a church?"
I have been called "sweetypie", "baby", and "honey" all by complete strangers.
Ashlyn cries about wanting to go to Cami and Kristen's house.
Dylan will take just about any friend right now- old or young.
I have already found a handful of connections in our ward (one plus of moving).
Cockroaches!!!
Dylan and Ashlyn fighting about what to listen to at bed time (they are new roommates!!)
It has taken us two weeks to find the pool.

All and all- we are settling in and starting to figure Raleigh out. The people are so nice here. However, No one will ever replace those we have left behind!

Summer Nights

I have come to feel a little jipped. I have been excited to move all winter long and now that summer has FINALLY come, it isn't so bad (granted there are only three months out of the year here that are warm.) We have enjoyed fun family activities -well, the very few moments we are not working on the play that is.

Dylan played on a T-ball team. He loved every minute of it! He was one of two kids who could throw the ball from the pitchers mound to first! We are such proud parents, can you tell?? He was sad when it all eneded because it made him feel so big and he called them "my team." Connor and I have also been playing on a softball team so he really enjoyed having his own feild time! My favorite part was when he would run into home and pass by us giving us all high fives, and always seeming to leave Ashlyn hanging. Luckily, she is patient and would hang out until he finally heard us and came back.

Dylan also took swimming lessons. The first day was rough, but then he went to town. After he got his cool, shark googles, there was nothing that could stop him! He is my little fish. He really believes that he can swim all by himself (making me happy that he is so confident, but scared because I don't know if that is REALLY true.) Ashlyn has even ventured off the stairs, and would rather swim and jump in deaper water. We spend all the time we can at the pool before we have to leave. Everyone looks at me like I am crazy coming to the pool with three little kids on my own, but how else do you do it?!

Here is our last hurrah to Cleveland. We will miss the sunny days!

Opening Night

This week we opened the play This is Kirtland. We had a successful first two shows. Now we just have 6 more shows. Here is Connor singing Dear Emma. I have heard from many that he plays a wonderful Joseph (as myself- but I am biased.) He was worried about following Nate as Joseph from last year as everyone thought he was amazing. I can't tell you how cute he looks in all of his makeup! Good thing I am the one who gets to steal kisses between scenes (Shh, don't tell Emma!)

I play Julia Murdock, the woman who died giving birth to twins who were then given to Joseph and Emma. This song is the only scene I am prego in, so there are a few jokes about it:
After the opening scene I "go get pregnant"
I have a very short pregnancy
Didn't I just do this?
I am very pregnant but have a 5 month old too!
Wide load coming!
I die and come back to life (I am in a few more scenes after my prego scene- unprego)
I have two husbands, both who are younger than me!
I am a mistress to Joseph

Here are the kids at just ONE of the many practices they attended. Ashlyn who wishes she was up there dancing right along with us.

Here is a sideshow of all the fun and crazy moments of our experience. This has been a very hard time for us, but rewarding spiritually. We have learned so much about Joseph and these Saints. We have had many spiritual experiences and we have made so many wonderful friendships! This really is an amazing show written and directed by our close friends. I am so impressed with the concentrated talent in this area- all for a great purpose! We are so excited to share this with our friends and neighbors.