Back to School

Dallen started his second year of preschool. He is 42.1 inches tall, and weighs 36.5 lbs. His new teacher is "so funny" Mrs. Yates, and he got dressed singing his ABC's so I think he is definitely ready for learning.

Surgery Day

 When Rorey was born, the doctors told us that he was going to need a reparative surgery between the ages of 6 and 18 months. We didn't know if Dave was going to have better insurance with a new job, so we waited until we found out on that to do his surgery. It couldn't have fallen on a worse week. Dave had convention the whole week and was unable to attend. Luckily Air was able to swing a shift so she could come help. It was an intense situation. We had to keep him from eating or drinking withing 12 hours of the surgery which was set for noon. For a baby that wakes up at 7am that's a LONG time to wait! We arrived only to continue waiting, as they were behind schedule. After about an hour and a half they came and grabbed him. It was the saddest thing watching them walk him away screaming for me. He was under a lot longer than I originally expected, and after the Dr met with me to say there was a small complication but they were able to resolve things. We then had to wait for him to come out of anesthesia and it took about 2 more hours of recoup time for him to be discharged. We were sent on our way with lortab and antibiotics. Well not even 5 minutes down the road, of course he pukes. I was sitting right next to him. so I got it in the doggie bag, but it got on my hands. I had to hold the puke the whole way home and I was trying not to puke myself. Don't get me wrong I am not that week stomached, but after what the Dr had just explained in full detail what was done to my son, and the emotional role of helping him through the recoup time. My stomach of steel was more like a blender of acid. Once home Air grabbed him to take him to bed as I was close to passing out on the couch, when he puked again all over her and the stairs. JOY! Then came the never ending crying. This is the part that made me despise doctors. Why can't they just tell it to you straight?! All this "It went great!" and "He shouldn't feel pain while on the meds" and "After 48 hours take him off the lortab, because the tylenol should be enough". LIES! I pay thousands to these people to lie. The first 72 hours was like a horror movie of the purple crying. It was horrendous, and I apologize to all who had to put up with this period of recovery. He had a follow up and after explaining my frustrations, it was followed with a "that's perfectly normal". Well thank you for perfectly useless information of expectations. All in all Rorey is fine and dandy now. He is back to his normal self, we just have to take special precautions over the next 4 weeks with his activities.

The Spray Bottle

 

Day Date

Air and I had a free day last week, so we decided to grab some hot dogs and head up AF canyon. It was awesome because hardly anyone was up there. As most know, finding a fun spot to go with the kids during summer time means crowds galore. However, we were able to drive all the way to the springs without seeing more than a handful of people. It was so amazing to get out and really just find peace before all the chaos coming down the pike with a new job and school schedules. The boys had a great time, and enjoyed the freedom. 

Once we were done exploring the fish and fresh water, we headed back down to a favorite spot Swinging Bridge for some food. Air and I set up a fire and we sat in our camp chairs enjoying our hotdogs in a place all to our own. Air started telling me about how things were in Oregon and how people out there are fascinated by Sasquatch. She was telling me about her friend who had a foot imprint and tapes sounding out creepy moaning noises. She began expressing that after listening to them, she was creeped out for a week. I asked her to mimic them, and so she did. She started moaning and making frightfully strange noises. Something that if real would have definitely spooked me. Then she goes on and says that there was one they called the "Alpha-male" and his noises were like this. She makes louder deeper groans, and all the sudden we hear this loud moaning in return from up the mountain right behind us. We sat there for a second in silence, when it started again only this time whatever it was started coming down towards us. Rocks were falling down right in front of us, and then all the sudden this tall mountain goat charges right into our site. This thing was tall and large, but seemed just as spooked as us. We sat their as still as possible, I was scared to death it was going to charge at us. But after staring us down it turned and left. The whole thing was hilarious and we laughed pretty hard. But I will never forget Air's mating call to the goat!

Fishilicious

We took a quick trip up to Idaho two weeks ago, and brought a good ole' fishin' pole. The boys had fun dipping their feet in the water. We didn't get a single nibble, but it was a blast.

Got Spare Change?

I am now going to get to the juicy details of what most of you have probably been wondering about for a little while now. We have some great news about what our family will be doing for the next little while and we are very excited about it.

For months we have been planning around change. Change in finances, jobs, location, and hobbies. Some of these included the possibilities of moving our family to Calgary, California, Wisconsin, Indiana, etc.  David applied for hundreds of jobs, and interviewed at least 35 times. After receiving multiple offers that were good but not great, we thought we were going to have to settle. During this whole process, we prepared to sell our home as well. We fixed, cleaned and staged every room. We put everything into storage and were living in a shell of a house that didn't feel like home anymore. As we prayed and went to the temple a couple weeks ago, I felt we were coming to a close on this period. But, nothing had happened! Well we found out that we were not going to be able to sell our home, due to some unforeseen challenges. We thought we were toast. Without a new job, and needing to stay in our home we didn't know if we would be able to stay financially ahead. Less than a week later, Dave was offered a position with Vivint. A company that specializes in "Home Automation" or home security. He will still be testing software, and working to further his experience as a technician. The company is based in Provo, however they are currently in the process of relocating some of their departments including Dave's to a new office in Thanksgiving Point. 

 We are so excited about this! For the last 2.5 years Dave has driven countless hours to and from Usana up by the SLC Airport. As the time, gas money and citations (not to complain :0) were adding up to a monstrous aggravation, Dave found himself burned out. We feel so blessed that we will now be able to stay in our home, and make our finances work. Having Dave 5 minutes away from home is a major bonus as well. All of this is somewhat bitter sweet for Dave. He has loved working for Usana and loves the team he interacts with everyday. However, he is excited to work a normal 9-5 and see our boys more. Oh yeah and go on lunch dates with his wife again! 

I am so proud of David for the man he has become. It was inspiring to me, watching him over this period of time. He would put so much into preparing for interviews, and spreading his resume out like wildfire. But the interfacing he had to continually do on a daily basis was overwhelming just for me to over hear. Skipping lunches, heading out early, or working late to get daily interviews in was intensely difficult and exhausting work. The hardest part was waiting on companies to get back about a position he really wanted, but then never came. The emotional strength he had was insane. But, we both shed a ton of tears throughout the process, and all the hard work is now going to start paying off.

 Now I can put my house back together, and we can get back on track! I learned a lot over the last 7 months, and it still amazes me that we started the journey of uprooting entirely, and now closing the chapter with a job in our own backyard. I only wish I had a magic globe to see into my future for times like this!

Movie Under The Stars

 Last weekend we went to see John Carter play at the Movie Under the Stars on Capitol Hill. Of course it wouldn't be epic without our BFF's Marshamey!! We packed the kids jammies, blankies and attitudes and of course were pleased to have an awesome time hanging out for a late summer's eve. It was such a fun night and it was all free! Who can pass up free fun with pre-bagged popcorn?! Thanks again Marshall and Kira for such a cool activity!

 

Rorey's Birthday

 We didn't do a huge party for Rorey this year. We will have to make plans way in advance for him, since it's in the middle of summer break. People were out of town, and busy so we did their photo shoot and then did a small cake with my Dad when we went up to Idaho for some fishing. Thank you Mom & Marc for the awesome gift, he loves it! Thank you Lynda & Sheldon for the cute clothes, they fit perfectly! Thank you Steve & Sarah for the adorable toy, he chases it everywhere! And thanks Dad & Terri for the toys and putting on the cake and activities to celebrate! He is well loved, and we are grateful to all who share in creating special memories for his life.