Start Over

I have let this blog sit and sit for too long. I miss it. I need the release writing gives me and I love the record it leaves in this little corner of the internet.

Part of the reason I haven't blogged for so long is that I wanted to catch up on everything. To fill in the gaps. But that is just too overwhelming. So let's start over.

We live in Ammon, Idaho. We moved here last July. Brad joined a practice in Idaho Falls, after receiving many amazing job offers around the country. The most alluring was to stay in Boston and work for a very prestigious practice. And we loved Boston so! But we felt the pull to come back "home". Brad's colleagues thought we were crazy to turn the offer down, but let's face it, they already thought we were crazy with 4 kids! So we made the cross-country trek once again.

We bought a little home with a big yard in a great neighborhood and have spent the last year fixing it up. The yard was neglected, the previous owners had cats (new flooring!), and the basement was "unfinished" (with a few fun surprises the previous owner had attempted to complete). It's been really fun to work on our own home. We feel so blessed!

Lainy is 10-years-old. Almost 11 (?!). She's made some really great friends here. Something she didn't really have in Massachusetts. That's made a big difference for her. She's definitely a pre-teen. We're all figuring out how to handle all the emotions! But she's still the same amazingly smart, kind, reliable, fun girl she's always been. This year she's played the violin and piano, done gymnastics, and played soccer and softball. She's a go-getter. And so, so helpful to me at home. We're so happy she's our oldest.

Leah is 8-years-old. Her baptism in January was such a special night. She remains our tender-hearted, sweet, thoughtful girl. But she's also hilarious. She's the one pushing us to play games and trying to make us laugh. The one blight of the year was her school teacher. What a disappointment to come from amazing the most amazing elementary school in the world to a slightly angry, gruff 2nd grade teacher! It was rough some days, but Leah stuck it out. This year she also played the violin and piano, played basketball, and did ballet. Her ballet recital was so awesome. Each dance was choreographed around a piece of art. How perfect! We loved it. She loved it. Definitely a highlight for Leah!

Samuel turned 5 in March. What an awesome, sunshine boy. How we love him. His love for trucks and cars continues, reinforced by a new love for transformers. He is also quite the chatterbox. That boy can talk the ear off anyone who will listen. One day he said to Leah, "I am always right." Ha! I hope he keeps that confidence forever. This year he attended a Christian preschool. It was an awesome school. Brad and I had to grit our teeth through his programs ("Jesus is my friend!") but we're so glad he had a great year. This year he played soccer and t-ball. He's excited to start Kindergarten in the Fall. It is still half day in Idaho, so I'm okay with it too.

Benjamin, our little baby, grew too fast. He is 19-months-old now! He has always been such a smiley, cuddly baby. But he's also the most stubborn of our children. My goodness. He refused solid foods for a really long time. Even now getting him to eat anything besides yogurt is a struggle. He'll usually give in for Brad, but not for me. He took his sweet time walking, waiting until he was 17 months. Now he's climbing on everything and begs to spend his days outside. He is without question the ruler of the house. Everyone dotes on him. I adore him, but sometimes he really does try my patience! "Just cute enough to stay alive!" as Mom would say...

Brad is enjoying his work. He's pretty much as busy as he wants to be. In March he was called to be the 1st Counselor in our bishopric. It's been good for him and for us. I'm so glad he has more time to give now.

April 9, Brad went to see Dr. Packer about some pain he'd been having. It turned out to be testicular cancer. What a shock. He had surgery April 12 to remove the tumor. That was a dark couple of weeks. I couldn't stop shaking. He's barely had a cold since I've known him so it was really hard to see him down and not feeling well. We're so grateful he caught it early. The cure rate is very high with careful monitoring. I was so worried about it, but Liz told me something that snapped me out of it: "Girl, if this is your brush with cancer, take it and be grateful!" I was so thankful for her candor.

I am doing well. I miss my dear friends in Massachusetts terribly. I don't know if I'll have that again. Getting to know people has been slow for me here. But people are kind. It will come. I love being nearer to family. That has been such a blessing this year.

Well, there it is. A little catch up/start over. I hope to be here more often from now on!