There is a family in our ward, the Halls, that have adopted us. They are the nicest people, and our kids love them! They invited us over for dinner a while ago, and the kids just loved playing in their pool. Lucky for me the Halls have teenage boys who swam with the kids so I didn't have to get in a swimming suit! Other than Bella almost drowning and me almost jumping in the water fully dressed with my camera around my neck, it was really really fun! We roasted s'mores in their fire, and had a yummy BBQ dinner. They are just good people, and fun to be around. Bella is in her toddler bed and she takes advantage (way to often) of the fact that she can get out whenever she wants. I am used to Simon and Nolan (and Bella when she was in a crib) taking 2-3 hour naps every day. Needless to say, I am entirely sick of her getting out of bed. She maybe takes a 30-45 min. nap now. For my sanity, that had to be fixed. I was talking to my mom the other day, expressing my frustration, and I jokingly told her that I was so close to tying her door shut so that she can't get out. I never mentioned my idea to anyone else. I was a little hesitant to do that. If something were to happen, I didn't want to have to deal with untying a rope. Last Sunday, we were all sick, and we all stayed home from church. Everyone needed a nap and Ben and I were all to aware of the fact that Bella wouldn't be taking a very good one. I was putting Bella in bed and Ben walked upstairs with a rope in his hands, ready to tie her door shut. To ease my concerns about an emergency we put a knife close by so we could just cut the rope. We had the best nap. . .a whole three hours! . . .and then I looked in Bella's room. . . She had gotten out of her bed, and realized that she couldn't open her door, so she looked for other ways of entertaining herself. She pulled out every single toy and every item of clothing she owns. It was a mess. Not the greatest idea, but totally worth it. I have since come across another idea. Ben is going to turn the door knobs around so that we can just lock her in from the outside. You just have to turn the knob to unlock it, so I think I will be a little more comfortable with that, I have resigned myself to the fact that her room will look like a bomb hit. . .and I'll get my two hours of quiet!! Problem solved.
I'm horrible. Everyone keeps asking me to put pictures of our house on here, and I keep finding other things to do. . .but first things first. . . My poor little Bella was sort of forgotten on her birthday this year. It just happened to be in the thick of the move. Luckily, we had a little party for her before we left. . .so I'm not a totally hopeless mother. . .right?! My sweet Bella turned two at the beginning of August. . .and really she's not all that sweet. ;) She is always into everything. She will climb up on the counters and get whatever she can reach. (She bit open all of the bananas and took a bite of each of them. She has spilled the sugar everywhere, and also opened the chocolate milk mix and spread it all over, and she's always getting into my makeup, among many many other things). She keeps me busy, to say the least. However, she is so darn cute and I just love her to pieces! My mom says that I was exactly the same way when I was little so I deserve her. . .I'm not sure that's fair.
Also, Simon started kindergarten this year! He is so excited to go to school every day. He gets to ride the bus and he acts like that's the best thing that has ever happened to him. They have all day kindergarten here, and he is loving it. I'll have to tell you all about his school in another post but just so you know how great it is, it is one of the top seven elementary schools in North Carolina. I love it! Nolan seems to be a little lost without his buddy to play with. He is always asking me when Simon will get home. I'm looking forward to having some one-on-one time with him though. I just love that sweet Nolan boy.
And now, I'll include some pictures of the house. Keep in mind, the rooms aren't totally done, but good enough to show everyone. I'll put a before and after of each room. Some of the rooms I haven't painted yet, so you'll have to see those later! For now, we'll start at the top. . . The Boys Room: I still need Ben to hang the other curtains, and the walls need something on them but I'm not sure what to do yet. . .any ideas?
Bella's Room: I need to get her some curtains. If you ever think you want to do stripes in a room, don't! They look awesome, and I love them, but they were so much work. I'm very particular so that probably didn't help, but I don't think I'll do stripes like that ever again! Yes, that's her new big girl bed. Oh how I wish I had the crib back. . .and that she couldn't climb out of it! She can get out so easily now, and she does.
Master Bedroom: I haven't painted this room yet. I really don't have any idea what color to use (again. . .any ideas?). I'm going to have to think about that for a while. I'm having a hard time finding a color that looks good with our bedding. This is my new bedroom furniture, and I wanted to show it off, hence the picture. I also got a new comforter set!
The Bonus/Game Room: We aren't painting in here, and the boxes in the middle of the floor won't be there, they just haven't found a home yet. I love this room. It keeps me sane! If the kids aren't outside, they are playing in here.
Upstairs we also have another bathroom an extra bedroom, and there is a little room off of the bonus room. Those haven't been painted yet. Oh, and there is the master bathroom, and I haven't taken a picture of that either.
Downstairs we have. . . The Kitchen: This hasn't been painted yet. It will be an olive green color. It doesn't look bad now, so I thought I'd include the picture.
The Living Room: This isn't totally done. I am still going to paint the other two walls a light brown. I do love the rusty color of that wall. This is also my new furniture! I can't tell you how excited I am to not have the futon in the living room anymore!
The Laundry Room: I love all the counter space, and the nice deep sink! It's connected to the garage and also has a door to the back yard, so I guess it's a mud room too.
The Bathroom: I don't have a before picture.
There is also a dining room, a guest bedroom and an office on the main level.
Then we have the backyard. This is the view from the deck: And this is the view from the play house: I'll have to include a picture of the garage later. It's still a work in progress! So, there are the pictures that I have so far. All of the rooms aren't completely done. They all need curtains, and I still have things to hang on some of the walls, but they are good enough for now. I'll post more pictures as I finish the rooms. I'm completely sick of painting right now, so I imagine it won't be for at least a few more weeks! I will, however, try to be better at updating this blog, and checking out all of your blogs too! We really love it here, but we also really miss everyone in Utah. It's different here. But it's a good different Everyone, everywhere is so nice and it is so beautiful. However, they don't even have cinnamon bears, or salt water taffy. And the Subway's haven't even heard of a seafood sub! I mean, really?! I guess we'll have to load up when we come visit! :)
Well, it's been busy busy busy! We arrived here in North Carolina on July 26, and we haven't stopped working! It is so much fun to paint and decorate our new house, and yet very stressful. It sure looks nice when it's all put together though! We were so lucky to have Ben's mom come out and help us for a few days. She was a life saver! The kids were so happy to see her too. Now they call the room she was staying in Kai's (that's what they call her) room, and the bathroom is 'Kai's bathroom'. My mom will be coming this Friday to help out. I'm so excited! We are painting every room, so there's a lot of work to do! So far we love it here. I know it's only been a week, but it's been a good week. The kids love the big back yard, and go exploring often! We went to church yesterday (and had to drive 40 minutes to get there. . .yuck). Everyone was so kind and friendly. We really are having a great time! Sorry for the short little update. I don't have much time right now. I am going to take before and after pictures of the rooms, so I'll post those as I get them done. . .oh, and Ben bought me new furniture!! No more futon! Hooray!
Last January Ben and I were driving home, and he asked me if I had ever thought about moving out of Utah. Coincidentally, I had been thinking that very thing at the same time he was. To make a long story short, we decided that was something we wanted to do, and found out where Wells Fargo had offices. They had a small office in Charlotte. We prayed and fasted, and felt like that was where we should go. So, Ben sent a resume to the manager there, and told him of our interest to move. Now, a year and a half later, Wells Fargo has bought Wachovia, which has a huge presence in Charlotte, making our move possible!
Ben was told of the job opening (doing the same thing he is doing now) at the beginning of May. Before Ben and the manager in Charlotte (Randy) discussed the position, Randy flew Ben and me to Charlotte to meet the team members, and show us around a little. It was so much fun. It was almost like they were trying to convince us to move. They really like Ben, and want him to come work for them. We knew we were making the right decision as soon as we got off the plane. Everyone that Ben will work with is so nice, and it is absolutely beautiful there! We both love it!
Ben accepted the job at the end of May, and last week Ben and I flew out there to find a house. That was stressful. We had the end of Wednesday, all day Thursday, and most of Friday to find one. I think we went to see 30-35 houses. The last house we saw, was the one we chose. . .why couldn't we have seen that one first!? Anyway, we sent them an offer on the house Friday night, and they had accepted it by Saturday afternoon, while we were still on the way home! Hooray! Here is our house: I'll post more pictures when we are there, and I get some time! We are so excited!!
Side note: Simon had a game while we were in NC. The little stinker made four goals! It's way funny too, since Ben told him he could have $5 per goal. Haha! I made Ben give him the twenty bucks. His last game is tonight. I hope he makes more goals so that I can see. . .and so that Ben has to cough up more money! Simon was pretty thrilled when he got all of that money. :) He has earned almost enough to buy a Nintendo DS (we are too cheap. . .Simon has to earn the money and save up for it on his own). He's almost there!
I know, I'm a total slacker. I've been busy. . .really I have. So, about soccer . . . Nolan doesn't play anymore. We took him to one last game so I could record him playing. He kicked a goal and everything! As soon as he kicked the goal, he came walking off the field saying "I don't want to play soccer." We figured that if kicking a goal doesn't do it for him, nothing will. We decided not to fight him about it. He sure is a cute little stinker though!
Simon is still playing, and loves every minute of it. Ben really wants him to kick another goal, so he has upped the price payed for making a goal to five dollars. . .but Simon still hasn't made another one, even with the incentive. Two goals is good though, right!? . . .I think it is! Simon also graduated from Preschool! He's getting so big. He starts kindergarten next year! YIKES! It was fun to watch him sing all of the songs, and show some of the things they learned throughout the year. He did awesome on the little test they give the kids going to kindergarten the next year. His teacher said he was one of the smartest kids and he was at the top of his class!
Mother's Day was great! I just love being a mommy. There's nothing better.Ben had a birthday yesterday! He is 29. . .so old! It's actually quite strange to think that he is almost thirty. Anyway, we had dinner at his parents house. They cooked yummy steak and funeral potatoes per Ben's request. Yummy! Happy Birthday Babe!
Oh, and one minor thing that has kept us a little busy. Nothing major, we're just moving to North Carolina in July, that's all. :) We are so excited! . . .I'll explain later!
And just because I feel like she got left out of this post. Here is a funny picture of my princess. This is what she does when she doesn't get her way. If she were on the floor, she'd be rolling around and kicking her feet. She's an angel. :)
He hates playing soccer. Well, I'm not sure hate totally describes what I mean. He loathes it. We have to bribe him with McDonald's or candy to go play. Even then he barely gives it an attempt.
This is how a Saturday morning goes. . . We wake up and say "Who wants to play soccer today?!?!" Simon, jumping up and down says "Me! Me! Me!" Nolan, still laying in bed with the blanket over his face mumbles "I don't want to play soccer." So, we force him to get his uniform on, and make him put on his shin guards. The whole time he is saying. . .or screaming "I don't want to play soccer! I hate soccer." After everyone is ready, we get them in the car and head for the fields. Nolan, of course, is in the back making sure that we understand that he does not want to play soccer. We get to the park, set up the chairs, spread out the blanket, and wait for the game to start. When it is time for Nolan to go play, he refuses. "What if Dad buys you McDonald's Nolan? Do you want McDonald's?" "Yeah, I want McDonald's!" "Okay, you have to go play soccer" "I don't want to play soccer" "Then no McDonald's." "But I want McDonald's" "Then go play soccer!" We finally convince him to go play. The coach (who really is quite good with the kids) lets Nolan kick off. Nolan kicks the ball, and then another kid kicks it. So sweet Nolan starts crying. . .
That dang kid stole the ball from him! He thinks that he should just get to kick it around all by himself. He comes back over to the blanket, and through his little tears says "I don't want to play soccer." Being the sweet aunt that she is, Angela takes Nolan back to the field and stays with him, trying to convince him to go play and try to kick the ball. She was fairly successful too! While he was running around and trying to kick the ball, he was having fun. There was even a smile on his face at times!
However, this is what we saw the majority of the time. . .
Angela and Nolan just standing in the field, watching the other kids run around. I'm not sure why, but he doesn't like soccer.
I don't see much point in going to the games if all we do is fight him, and watch other kids play. We will try one more game this weekend. Hopefully he will play! If not, we donated money to the Taylorsville Rec Center! How nice of us.
Oh, and here are my cute boys. . .
They are both #8, just like their dad (and aunts) always was.
P.S. This was Nolan's second soccer game. The first one was the weekend that it was pouring rain. It was miserable and cold and, needless to say, I didn't want to ruin either of my cameras!
Ben and I have been feeling like our sweet Nolan has been getting lost in the shuffle. . .so, last Wednesday, Nolan got to have a little one-on-one time with Dad and Grandpa. They went fishing, and he had a great time! Ben took him to the store to pick out some treats and goodies to have on their trip. They slept over at Ben's parents house the night before, since they were waking up so early. They also went "warm" (worm) hunting Tuesday night. . .Nolan thought pulling those nasty worms out of the ground was the coolest thing. . .boys.
If that wasn't exciting enough, Wednesday morning they all woke up at early o'clock in the morning and went to catch fishies! Oh man, did he have a good time! He threw rocks in the lake, which I'm sure was great for the fishing, and Ben said that his favorite thing to do was walk around with the fishing net, and catch the fishies.
Ben also bought some crawdad traps. Nolan called them the little crabs. They cooked them up and had them for lunch. I don't think Nolan ate any, but he sure loves to tell you about those little things!
I'm glad he had a good time with his Daddy and Grandpa. He's been talking about going fishing every day since then! He's such a cute little guy.
