First Night

On Friday we finally got the keys to our new place. We were all so excited that we decided we should have a movie night there and have a sleep over in our new rooms. This was also going to be a great chance to test out the sleeping bags before our big camping trips this summer.

Well, the movie was great but the sleeping bags didn't work out so well ...

Coolest Commercial EVER!

So we're big fans of Discovery. Everything from Mythbusters to Cash Cab, Man vs. Wild to It Takes a Thief (though that one really brings out Steph's paranoia). Recently they started airing a new commercial and we absolutely love it. Hope you enjoy it too!!!

Now, when I first saw the commercial I'm sure it was longer than this. 90 seconds, maybe even 2 minutes. But for the life of me I can't find that version. The song always just makes us smile.

While I'm posting videos tonite

I thought I'd add this one. I'm running for office, at least that's what I learned when Jason sent me an email about the news story he saw today. Check it out, it's pretty cool!

4 Months and Fatter!

He's four months old (officially on the 13th). Wow. I don't remember clearly the last four months. What has happened. I guess one thing's clear: we've fed James! He is definitely growing, and here are his stats to prove it:

Weight: 14 lbs 15 oz, 50%

Length: 26 inches, 84%

Head Circ: 16 inches, 12% (hey, at least he doesn't have a big head, right?) I guess the doctor wants to "keep an eye on that one", but he seems healthy and smart... um, can a 4 month-old seem smart? We're sure he is. He's advanced!

Sing-A-Long

If you're lucky, you know my musical talent. Yes, I write songs for my babies and I sing them all the time. If you're really lucky, you've heard them. Well, the time came today when inspiration let loose, and I wrote James a song. It is to the tune of one of Taylor's songs, and these are the words:

Little man, little man, little man J

Little more chubby with every day

Cute little giggles, squeals with joy

Our beautiful, blue-eyed baby boy!

Now it so happens that I wrote one of Taylor's songs and mentioned his big blue eyes and had to change it when they turned the beautiful brown they are, so we'll see how James' turn out. Just so you know, he loves his song! Well, Daddy is also musically talented, and was feeling a bit left out, so he wrote a cute song too:

My first name's Jamesey
My second name's Wamesey
They call me Jamesey Wamesey!

I say creative genius! We all love to sing it, and we get louder and louder (if you can imagine). Maybe if I get enough requests, I'll publish some of the other songs I've written for the kids. If you like what you've seen here, you'll love what is in store.

This Boy Has My Heart

Taylor at Grandpa Karl's birthday dinner, wearing Grandpa Vardell's reading glasses

Grandpa Carlos' Teeth Turn Ugly, I mean 77

Grandpa Karl (aka "Carlos", thanks to Whit) celebrated number 77 on July 10, and we got together at my parents' house for dinner on the 13th.

Jenny gave Grandpa some bling grillz (I would have had no idea what these were otherwise), and he modeled them for the camera. Way to go Grampy! Hey, 77 don't look to bad. Bring it on!

We love Grampy. He's just great. Always good to rub your back. He'll let you know when you, or anyone else for that matter, is out of line. He pretends he hates Barkley, but then feeds him under the table. And he still plays a mean game on the golf course. He was diagnosed with the 'betes a few years ago, but doesn't let it get him. He revamped his whole diet, lost all of his excess weight, and then some, and now he's this cute little Ute fan, still gardening and working at the temple.

Nobody beats him!

Two of my most favorite people in the whole wide world! I love them so much! And how cute are they with their "Child of God" stickers? Everyone's a primary child to Mom!

People Who Helped Us

Like people usually do, we believe we had the best working for us throughout this process.

First of all, we have possibly the greatest real estate agent ever. I know, I know, everyone's an agent, or knows one. I know several. In fact, one of my best friends is an agent. But I've been calling on Tricia Ashby for my real estate needs since she sold my home in Midvale in 2003, and she has helped me buy and sell several more since. She is now with Keller Williams South Valley Realty in Riverton. Tricia is incredible and well worth every penny she's paid. If you can't tell, we highly recommend her, and if you need more information, like with anything else, we'll talk more.

I also recommend Stacie Marchessault as a mortgage broker. Again, I know, we all know at least one. I know several; two that I consider close friends, but Stacie has helped me a couple times over the years, and not only is she great at what she does, I really enjoy working with her. She is now with Approved Mortgage Funding in South Jordan.

BIG thanks to both of them for all they've done to help us, and all they'll do in the coming weeks to get us closed.

House Hunters

Well, where do I begin? Let's see... It was a Thursday morning, June 19 to be exact. I awoke with an overwhelming feeling that we needed to look at existing homes for sale. You probably know we've been holding out for that perfect piece of property on which to build our perfect home to raise our family.

We've kept our hopes high for years now that the piece of land we sought would become affordable, and though the price of land has come down, it hasn't been enough. We thought we'd just have to keep waiting patiently, since we knew that our patience in the past had paid off; I think we were immensely blessed to not have bought any of the land that we thought we wanted so badly.

As we had been waiting we saw the one lot that we would have bought in Saratoga finally go, after more than a year of being on the market and several price reductions, and we were so sad... or so we thought.

Then I told Brian how I was feeling about looking at existing homes. He was surprised by my suggestion, and at the same time completely supportive and excited, as he understood the great positives of buying an existing home: an immediate yard, established neighborhood, big, tall trees, knowing what we're spending up front, much better location for us, the list goes on...

So we began looking that Thursday evening and have seen nearly four dozen homes the past two-and-a-half weeks! After a couple offers on a couple different houses, and some simple negotiating, we've got one under contract! Yea, yea, yea! This is such an exciting time for us.

You ask where? Well, we'll still be in West Jordan. In fact, we'll be in my parents' ward. This was not my idea, it just so happens that Brian suggested we see it, and when we did we realized all the positives this specific house has for us: It not only keeps Whitney in the same school that we've been taking her to for the past two years, but we'll be right next to it! Also, lots of little ones around for the kids to play with; a much better commute for Brian (20 minutes in rush hour traffic); a great little shed in the backyard that Brian can use for his workshop; a good sized yard (the 3000 sq ft rambler sits on about a .25 acre lot); And it really is neat for the kids to be able to grow up so close to Grandpa & Grandma. It is a great house and we're excited to have found it. Hopefully things go smoothly over the next few weeks; we plan on closing on July 23, if not sooner.

Freedom for All

For some reason this year found me more emotional than years past. For instance, on Sunday when we stood and sang the Star Spangled Banner in Sacrament meeting, both Brian and I were sobbing, and I had to say the closing prayer right after. (I should have chosen to say the opening instead.) And just days before I had listened to some dialogue my dad emailed me that has been floating around the Internet about Francis Scott Key writing what became the national anthem - really cool story and narrative.

So then came the actual day we celebrate our Independence. Brian found the documentary series The Revolution playing on The History Channel, so we watched a few episodes and recorded the rest for later. Fascinating stuff.

I guess I'm turning into my parents, because just as my parents did (especially my dad) I've begun to quiz Whitney, and so we asked her what she knows about the history of America, and why specifically we celebrate the fourth of July. Of course, we had to kind of steer her in the right direction, and there was a bit of comic relief when after we defined independence she exclaimed "That's what I want!"

I don't think any of us can express perfectly in word what living in this blessed land means, but I do think it's important that we try. I think it's important we thank the service men who are in active duty and those retired; I think it's important we thank the families of those service men who have died, especially those who've gone while defending our freedoms. I think it's important we appreciate all we have here in America - not just the freedom of speech, not just the freedom of religion (note that I said "of" not "from"), not just the ability for the American Dream and all its material conveniences we enjoy, but all the freedoms we have, and all that we don't even realize we have because we live here. I know we are blessed beyond awareness, and I thank God and those who have served us all that we have this blessed nation.

So we celebrate! And this year was no exception. It didn't bother me to be so busy; it's such a neat day - one of my favorite holidays - and I like to fit in all the fun we can.

We had a lot of stuff to take with us, and we also wanted to drive cheaply, so we loaded up the Civic as best we could. It worked.

It's hard to tell, but the trunk is only about a foot deep!

While I wouldn't want to go long distances riding this way, it was fine to Orem. My legs didn't even fall asleep!

First it was down to Orem with Bri's family. We had a fun barbecue and a good visit with lots of the Billingsley clan - Dad & Joan, Steve's family, Christian & Emily & Emily's friend, and most of Joan's family. Good food. Good times.

Grandma Joan with a grandson (James) and a great-grandson

Taylor and Whitney enjoying Grandpa Marlow's homemade ice cream on a cone. Mmm messy!

Then we came up to my parents' for more food, water fun, food, and fireworks. The kids had a little pool to swim in, and thanks to JenEric, a slip n' slide! I don't know who had more fun, though, Aaron or the little ones!

So Tay didn't really get the slide part, but he eventually sat in the puddle at the end!

And my dad thought he was funny pretending to toss James onto the slip n' slide. And he was. But just a little.

Aaron and the kids - he's so funny and they're so cute!

After a while my dad had a brilliant idea to start a water fight. I wouldn't have said so at the time, but I really did think it was a good idea of his - what else is summer for? So, in the end, after avoiding most of it by taking my baby inside for protection, I got drenched. Yep, I went back outside and Eric poured a bucket of water down my back. Hey, at least it was warm water. Thanks, Eric.

Later in the evening Brad took Whitney and Taylor to the Bees game for baseball and fireworks. We hung out for awhile and then went to the elementary school to watch the West Jordan fireworks. In the past they have started around 10 p.m., so we walked over there about 9:45. About an hour later, after moving from our spot about three times to avoid being sprayed by the sprinklers, and NO fireworks, we decided to go back to my parents'. We could still hear the rodeo, and figured it'd be awhile yet, and we were all getting tired.

As it would go, as soon as we got back to my parents', we heard the fireworks. Oh well. Some of us went to the other side of the street to watch; others of us were annoyed at West Jordan City and refused to participate. So we watched Rob light some fireworks for the grandkids, and then went to pick up Whitney and Taylor from Brad's parents' house in Midvale.

It was late by the time we got home and to bed, but isn't that what it's about? Family, food, and late nights. Yep, that's what our forefathers wanted for us! God bless America.