Oklahoma and 2011

I'm going to have to change the name of our blog and heading.

I realize that it's been eight months since I last said anything and so much has happened during that time. Since the last time I wrote: Matt was on the road for the better part of 4 months, I threw my back out, Benjamin was baptized, had a big family Christmas celebration, prepped a house to go on the market, flew with the kids to meet Matt in Oklahoma, Jack started sleeping through the night and taking naps, sold a house, bought another house in Edmond, back went out again, and repainted about 1/4 of the house. Crazy to say the least but everybody has survived and still loving each other.

Life in Oklahoma is about as opposite as I can get from that in Alaska. It will be awhile before I can fit in around here. Edmond is its own little place where heals and make-up seem to be required attire for a girls night. My 5 year old Keene tennis shoes and make up only on Sunday just don't seem to cut it! Having sold all of our furniture when we left Alaska shopping for furniture here sends dread through me. I must say that I have found some great Antique malls and that is really fun. I have been invited to church by total and complete strangers at the DMV and have had more opportunities to say that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints than ever before. People are so nice but so much busier it seems. The kids have been able to enjoy swimming 2 to 3 days a week. I caught the boys outside with a magnifying glass trying to burn a bug, of which there are plenty. Josette is becoming a very proficient scooter rider and has the wounds to prove it. Sophie is realizing her cupcake decorating dreams. 2 acres to run wild in has been so great and I can't wait for a garden bed to done so my dreams of canned tomatoes will become a reality.

I find myself looking back at 2011 and wondering where it all went. I then realize that April is almost done and am wondering what is happening to 2012. I have come to really realize that I love being a mom. I want to hold on to every moment with the kids because they are growing faster than I'm ready for. I enjoy every little thing Jack does and just want to hug and kiss him all day long because soon it might be like Benjamin who doesn't want a kiss from his old mom. That is something that has been a positive with this move, there haven't been friends (who we still miss terribly) to hang out with, we've had each other. And they don't mind being with their mom!