Life is Good

I am happy this morning, and for no particular reason. I have moments when I am sad or angry for no reason too, but that moment is not now.. and I don't like to dwell on those anyway. Sometimes there are good reasons to complain, but MOSTLY I think that complaining is an expression of ingratitude. So if you hear me complaining - STOP me - or if you think our life is always grand rest assured it's not.

Jon has finished his ER or EM as they call it now (Emergency Medicine) rotation. He really liked it - and I really like that the overnight rotations are done for a little while. He has a big test tomorrow. Then finals in December. Hopefully he'll take SMLE or Step One by the end of January and we'll be on our way to finishing the next phase of rotations. The Step One is the big test that helps determine how competitive he is for a good residency.

Daddy's FHE Lesson

Joke of the day: What time is it when your camera slips to the bottom of the jacuzzi?
Answer: Time to get a new camera.

Unfortunately, that joke is not very funny. I'll tell you what it is though. Expensive. We were lucky to get the pictures out of it though. That picture you see of Lauren at the top is from a resurrected SD card.

Speaking of Lauren, I have to tell you, that girl cracks me up...all the time! She has gotten into watching Food Network with me, (usually during Anna's evening feeding and I watch Rachel Rays 30min Meals - LOVE it. fyi). Anyway, she has totally picked up on the cook show phrases and uses them throughout the day with absolute authority. Everything is FANTASTIC, she'll say. Or she'll insist on tasting this and that, which is always "terribly delicious". Her puzzle pieces are frequently on the shelf under the TV - baking. Gone are the days of me preparing a meal without a little helper. I've had to alter a few techniques so I can keep her occupied. Too fun.

Oh, one more thing I'll mention is that Lauren named her doll Kleese. Not bad eh? Get this, when I asked her about it she said it's for her Aunt Kleesa... aka Carillisa. Made me smile.



Rissie is gaining words everyday - YAY. And Anna, is now starting rice cereal. She likes it- YAY again. She is also starting to crawl, which totally blows my mind. What has happened to my little baby? I hate that my precious darlings are growing up right before my eyes. My heart totally goes out to mom's of little ones that have to work...and those that don't have to and still do I just can't relate - I can't imagine ANYTHING being worth what they miss.


I hope you are all doing well and in the words of The Mask, "Smile. It makes you Feel good."

What a fun Halloween! This is the first time the girls have been able to collect candy. I loved hearing L. say "Trick or Treat" and then R. with her little "Day do" (thank you.) We went to the trunk or treat at the chapel that the Primary decorated so cute. The achievement girls were in charge of the booths and the missionaries did the costume parade.

Here is a quick little video of them before heading out. I couldn't edit the video on this laptop so just ignore to two goofs at the end. :)

Kenny's Wedding Today

My little brother, Kenny, is getting married today - in a half an hour actually and I am at home on the couch. I can't get over how weird that feels. Weird may not be the right word because I've already shed a few tears, but I am not sad. I AM sad that I can't share in this most important day for him (almost) but mostly I am just thinking of my brother and feeling all of the love that I have for him on this exciting day for him. I say almost because he isn't getting sealed until Tuesday (they are just jumping through visa hoops). He is marrying a darling girl from Brazil named Jamile who will be leaving her world behind when her visa comes through. So his getting married down there is a small sacrifice when you compare the two. I am excited to meet her and have her be a part of our family. Bringing two worlds together into one takes a lot of adjusting - I don't envy the challenge that is ahead for them, but from what I've heard and observed they both have what it takes to make the other person their best - and most of all they are, of course, totally in love.

Congratulations Kenny and Jamile
and Best Wishes for the journey ahead.

On the Street Where You Live

"On the Street Where You Live" - Can anyone name that movie? Clue: It's a song in this classic.

This is the street where WE live!

Another trip to the Post Office. Isn't this awesome?

This is a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk - taken from our bedroom.
This is my favorite again from a better angle...and then at night.
...much cooler than this picture!

This is officially The Pink Building...ok, not officially
FedEx...I thought it was cool. The rest of these are not technically
"On the Street Where [We] Live" anymore.
The Hole Building...another official name.

Verizon...How many bars do you have?

Still more to come.

I picked up a few recipes in Mexico and Miami is no exception. Although, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I am 29 and Saturday was my first attempt at cooking fish. I suppose that's what happens when your dad and then your husband both won't eat it. But to improve our health I ventured and tried my hand at tilapia. It was a great first, especially considering that Jon ate his entire fillet. I was also excited to learn that tilapia can be found in the Everglades. Cool, eh?

Tagged

Chersten tagged Marcy and me. I took on the challenge but now I've spent too much time and need to cuddle next to my Jon.
I am - the luckiest wife and mother
I know - things happen for a reason
I want - my children stand strong through the war against good and evil
I have - the most amazing husband and three precious little sweethearts
I dislike - arrogance, plastic bags or cellophane in the sink, selfishness
I miss - my old friends and family
I feel - grateful to have had my cup filled today in a language I understand
I hear - the hum of Jon's laptop...and Anna waking up, sigh.
I smell - the empty remains of my blueberries and cream oatmeal - before bed bowl of cereal.
I crave - a Lee's shake when I am watching a weekend movie with my hubby. (scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, with banana slices, Nestle's quick, chocolate chips, marshmallows - I like 'em crunchy, and a little milk.)
I cry - when I consider all of my blessings
I search - shoes - Rissie's, Lauren's or any of mine they've decided to wear
I wonder - how I can keep my kids from growing up too fast
I regret - wasted time
I love - being with my family, the excitement of trying new things - to read your blogs!
I care - about others feelings
I worry - about the future of this country and the world my girls are growing up in
I remember - all of the good. What a blessing!
I believe - in being honest, I believe in being true...ha ha it's a song I sang when I was in YW.
I dance - with my girls to their "Silly Songs"...we love it!!
I don't - do enough
I argue - if it will make a difference...for good. Is that an oxymoron?
I write - the cute things my girls say before I forget
I win - in Chinese checkers...that's about it. Haha
I lose - patience if the girls don't listen and obey
I wish - I had more patience...it's coming.
I listen - to my girls singing all day long...it warms my heart
I can usually be found watching - Netflix with Jon, or FOOD NETWORK!
I am scared - of SPIDERS Eek!
I need - to feel validated
I forget - to say my morning prayers too often when my routine is off - I need as much help through the day as I can get!
I am happy - to be me
I tag - C, J, D, Lu, Bets, Jamile, Jo, Shannon, Tif, Anda, Rach, Mae, Tanya, Nikki, Anne

Our Miami Neighborhood

Most of you probably don't care, but for those who do I thought I would post some pictures of our neighborhood and apartment.

This is my favorite sky rise in our neighborhood.

...again.

This is where you turn off of Brickell Ave. onto our street. (Notice my fav. is on the left.)
This is our downtown Post Office. I only mention it because in the business district it's our only legitimate destination for our walks. =)

Jon and I model Brickell Ave. with the girls. As you may suspect our little herd is quite conspicuous in this part of town.
The rest of these pictures are taken from our apartment balcony. Stay tuned for our apartment in another post.
Above and below is the Four Seasons Hotel which is ginormous...I was on that corner when I took the picture with Jon and the girls at pic. #3.

We can look out at blue skies towards the ocean in one window and see angry thunder clouds towards the city in another.

All of the rain puddles remind me of the monsoon in Mexico.

It's been pretty exciting for us. For me, living downtown is the part I enjoy the most. Guadalajara was a much bigger city but we weren't downtown in the middle of the city-ness. Driving around isn't as life threatening either, but still is a bit nerve racking with all of the traffic and not being familiar with layout of the city yet. I'm sure I sound ridiculous to admit that it's an adventure for me to merely drive outside my apartment. Not to mention I am driving a van now, which for me might as well be a bus...I'm still getting used to it, but it's sure nice to have!

Moday starts week six of twelve - time is flying by!

Bienvenido A Miami

Welcome to Miami

So Carillisa and I made a relatively quick drive (4 days) to Miami, while Grandma Jane brought Lauren and Marissa out on the day we drove in. In fact, we got to our apartment just in time to unload the van and get back in and pick them up at the airport. Fortunately, the it's only a fifteen minute drive from our downtown apartment. In this skyline picture you can see our apartment two to the right of the tallest building. I took this picture from the bridge coming back from Key Biscayne.

The next morning we took a little walk around the block and down this ocean walk. It was pretty cloudy the first week we were here, as you can see this was no exception. Too bad too, Carillisa and Jane flew out the next morning.
This little pavement ledge was the only thing keeping the girls from investigating too far over the edge. Their exploration was short lived as you can see Rissie was the first to end up buckled back into the stroller.
Vaisalles (?) was delicious Cuban cuisine that made even better leftovers...for a couple more meals. After we stopped by the bakery and had some delicioso pastries and Jon and I were able to spit out a little of our Spanish. It's much more fun to use it when you aren't compelled!

Friday, Jon took us all on a little adventure to Key Biscayne where we visited the lighthouse and dipped our toes in the beach. This nice ranger is showing the girls how you can hear the coconut milk when you shake them at the lighthouse cabin.

The view from our bedroom window.
Lauren modeling her dress...and the apartment.

We are loving our time in Miami. I can't believe I considered missing this. For some reason, Miami in my mind was a city stuck in the 80's. Not that they didn't move on, but that's the only time I remember it being a big deal. After two weeks I can see why this place was such a hit. It's BEAUTIFUL. I'll be posting more soon.
Did I mention how much I LOVE being downtown? When C and I drove in it was night so the city was all lights and to get to our apartment was seriously such a rush (can you tell I'm a small town girl?). ANWAY - it was awesome! Our jaws dropped as we saw the city and then DROVE through the city anxiuosly hoping we were going the right way through the spiderweb of freeway. We found it and I couldn't stop grinning with my first impression of my new home.

Farewell to Utah

Hello Blogger Friends - I am heading out for our next adventure. See you in a while with our pictures from across the US. My sister and I are traveling together. I am so excited. Miami - HERE WE COME!!
I am sad that I didn't get to see everyone here that I wanted, luckily out adventure isn't too long. Only 12 weeks.
UPDATE on Lauren, it will take her several months to fully recover and will always have a scar, but her follow up visits are done and we've been given the OK to head out. Hence this message. :)

If any of you can recommend anywhere to eat along our way, PLEASE send me a note. I'll check this before we leave.