4.30.2011

Moving, Graduation, and Buying

Wow.

That about sums up my feelings of the last month and a half.  After I vented my frustration about looking for apartments, I found one that we felt good about, was $650 a month (not including gas, electric, or internet, funny how the internet has become such a necessity) and was not in the "ghetto" area of Provo (ahem, the southern and eastern side). 

We had petitioned with Wymount to change our move-out date from April 30th, to April 18th, and we were planning on moving into our new place April 16th. 

Along comes April 13th.  I'm planning Cade's birthday party and asking if Aaron's family would like to meet us in Salt Lake for cake and ice cream on Sunday (his birthday).  I get an email from my mother-in-law, Corinne, asking us if we would be interested into moving into the basement of the elderly lady that Glade (father-in-law) hometeaches.  Now, here's the clincher.  Free rent. 

Yes, free rent.  With cable TV, wireless internet, a home theater, a pool table, our own private entrance, a water softener (no more gray whites, HOLLA!), a washer/dryer, two bedrooms, a HUGE bathroom (with a heat lamp), a fenced in backyard, and oh yes...FREE RENT--in exchange for doing small household chores and visiting with her.  Yup.  We've lived in the basement for one week now, and she's asked us to change one lightbulb, carry a few things down the stairs, and mow the lawn.  Cade and I go up to talk for about half an hour every day, and that's it.  It's been awesome.  We're right across the street from Aaron's parents (yes, free babysitting) and we live in a neighborhood, with sidewalks and everything.

It was slightly stressful trying to get out of our one year contract, and having to move everything into storage because her old tenants were still living there, but now that we're settled and moved in, I'd take the stress anyday.

Aaron is still working in Provo, commuting an hour each way (I know, yuck), but he works from 7-3, so he leaves before I get up and he's home at 4, way better than it was when he was in school.  He's got an interview with Fidelity Investments to be a Financial Representative on Wednesday (fingers crossed) and they have a branch in Salt Lake, so hopefully, he'll be able to go someplace closer soon.

Aaron also graduated, but both of us were lame (and to the great disappointment of Corinne) chose not to walk.  Me, because I had my baby the day after my last final and it just wasn't a priority, and Aaron because he didn't want to spend $40 on a cap & gown.  We had our own little celebration, and I've just loved having him home, and when he's home, actually being able to be home, and not have to do homework.  I know school is worth it, but it was such a sacrifice. 

We're now in the process of buying a larger vehicle.  Patsy (our 2005 Ford Focus hatchback) is just not cutting it anymore.  With my big belly its really hard to get Cade in and out of his carseat in the backseat, with no door (it's a 3-door, apparently the trunk counts as a door).  I think we've found one, a nice-suh-weet mini van (don't worry, I drove one all through high school, my cool factor can't be damaged anymore than it already is), and hopefully we can get it today. 

Fingers crossed.

Anyway, that's that.  Thanks for sticking with me and hopefully reading until the end. 

For that, you also get to find out that we got family pictures taken during General Conference.  Here are a few of my favorites.







3.18.2011

Future Plans

Let me just say, I love doing ChaCha.  It's been so nice to have an extra $200 a month to spend on crafty stuff and things like new vacuums, and it gives me something to do while Cade's sleeping and Aaron's gone.  And I also get to learn that it's illegal to have an armadillo as a pet in Massachusetts (who knew).  If you're interested in doing it too, go here, I honestly think its great for stay-at-home moms.  You feel like you can contribute something, but if your baby needs you, well then, get off the computer and take care of him. 

This does have a point.  I got paid on Tuesday, so...

Cade and baby boy #2 (who's name will either be Jackson, Ethan, or Logan, we haven't decided) need a dresser.  I found a solid oak, 9 drawer dresser on craigslist for $99 and now I need to paint it.  So I'm off to Lowes tomorrow to buy lots of navy blue spray paint (neighbors, if the grass outside looks suspiciously darker, don't worry, it will grow out).  I'm also going to get stuff to do this for their room.

To view the tutorial, click on the picture
And I will learn to quilt. 

Apartment Hunting

Our time in Wymount is coming to an end.  Honestly, I have mixed feelings.  Mainly because finding a new place to live is such a pain.  I don't want to move pack, deal with weird neighbors, and other people's nastiness that they've left behind. 

I told Aaron I wish he was home more so that he could help look.  He told me:

"If I looked, we'd be in the cheapest apartment."

Point made. 

I'm picky.  I want a washer/dryer (at least the hookups), I don't want to be living with a bunch of college kids (because we won't be anymore), I don't want to live in the ghetto (ahem, south of campus), I want a yard, or at least a small patch of grass nearby, I want shelves that fit nicely into their compartments, I want a kitchen with counter space, a bathroom that I don't feel like I need to spray Lysol in every time, and I want to be able to walk around barefoot without feeling disgusted, all for around $650. 

Unfortunately, that's been hard to find. 

But, never fear, with craigslist, and ksl I will find a place.  Maybe even a place where I can paint the walls...

2.28.2011

Tyler's Homecoming

Aaron's little brother Tyler came home from the Johannesburg South Africia mission last Wednesday.  We drove up to the airport to meet him, which was a great sacrifice for Cade since the plane didn't get in until 8:20 pm and his bedtime is 6:30 (there are cons to this, the biggest one being his wake up time is 6:00-6:30 am). 


I love this one.


2.02.2011

Lupercalia Dilemma

I am NOT a fan of Valentine's Day.

I think the only time I ever liked it was when you made valentine holders in elementary school, and everyone had to give a valentine to everyone, and you could always tell who the rich kids were because they had candy with their valentine, and so you liked theirs' the best.

I like it slightly better now that I'm married and not single, but still...imagine trying to be romantic in a tub (or bathroom) barely big enough for your 9-month-old (don't even get me started about the lack of counter space).

I don't know about the rest of you, but it is so hard to buy something for Aaron, and I feel bad making him just get me presents.  Plus, I like to give gifts.

But he's the type of guy who follows the "wear it out or do without" philosophy, which is fine and dandy (except when it comes to things like garments and socks, like the fact that he still has garments THAT HE WEARS from before his mission.  He left in '04, you do the math).

So I decided that rather than try and find something in the store that he'll appreciate and use (which is a big requirement for me in gift-purchasing), I'm going to be cheesy and make him up one of those little coupon books.  Poor little guy.  His coupon for a back massage is going to be for a 5 minute back massage because that's about all my fingers can handle.  



[FYI-Lupercalia was observed in ancient Rome from Feb. 13-15, and was a fertility festival.  Apparently the pope didn't think that fit very well with the Christian religion, so he, um...picked something more P.C.]

Y Not

We had our ultrasound appointment today.  Baby wouldn't show us his face, so no cute little profile pictures.  Everything is healthy and there, which is what I pray for when I go to an ultrasound (and that baby will not be shy).

According to the doctor, we will be increasing the ratio of Y chromosomes in our family.

And he moved my due date back...Boo.

But I guess I'd rather have it moved back now than when I'm 38 weeks.  So instead of June 11 we're looking at June 21.  10 days.  I'm sure I'll be wishing for those back when I am 38 weeks.

1.19.2011

Husbands should come with instructions

I asked Aaron to pick me up some butter.

Disclaimer:  We're cheap, or living on a cheap budget, however you'd like to phrase it.  When we can, I will buy real butter, but for now, I buy cheap margarine.  But I call it butter.  I've always bought it, and he's seen it in the fridge.

 He comes back with butter.  The kind that costs $3.00 for 2 cups, or 4 little sticks.

Me: I wanted you to get the Blue Bonnet kind (showing him the kind in our fridge) the kind we always get.

Him: Well you should have said you wanted 53% vegetable oil spread