First day of School

Bella was ready for some school interaction, so we decided to enroll her for the rest of the academic year. This is a huge step for me......I mean her.

Comtemplating the eternal things in life......or the crayon basket.....either way!

There was only one little girl, with pig-tails, that was taunting her, not really in a mean way, saying "New kid, new kid, new kid." I gave her a good stare. You can mess with me to your hearts content, don't mess with my kids.

She did great, ran right in and started coloring. She intially asked me to stay but then was fine without us. I hugged my little girl goodbye, and started crying. I held the tears back until I walked out the door. I didn't want Bella to be the girl with the "cry-baby mommy." Kent came with me though, and helped me through my tears. The best way I can describe that hug I gave her....let's see.....I tried with that hold to build up all the protection that the Great wall gave China, convey all the kindess of Mother Theresa (please let these kids be kind to her), all the peace of Ghandi (please let her be kind to the kids) and all the wisdom to choose the right that only the Spirit can give. Basically I called on all the Saints, in my faith, and in all other faiths, to watch over this angel girl, to protect her, to guide her, to comfort her. And after, I was like, "Huh.......so that's was prayer filling your soul feels like."

Daddy-Daughter date

Daddy-Daughter date

Bella's 1st Jazz game

Bella loves being with Kent. She totally has him wrapped around her finger, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They have their own little world full of tickle monsters, crazy conversations and wrestling. Thank heavens for daddys! We love you Daddy!

She actually curled up on Kent's lap and went to sleep in the 4th quarter, just as the crowd was going nuts over a major comeback. So sweet!

Bella got a haircut today. We did a cute A-line and with all the length cut off the front of her hair curled crazy. It is so cute. Daddy wanted to take some pictures of it. He was so hesitant to let her get it cut that short. But it turned out so cute and I think it will be low maintenance which is great!

Snow-shoeing

So we're still here. Kent didn't get the job in Portland. So we are here, in our home. It's the place we should be. So now we are unpacking some of the boxes that we packed just last week, so silly. I figure whatever we do not use in the month or so that we stay here, it will be taken to the DI. It is ridiculous how much stuff we have accumulated. I mean really, it should be against the law.

I went snow shoeing today. Here are some pictures of some of my buddies.

This is Hike-a-Deb. Her nickname was given to her by Bella when she was only 2, because when I would say, "I'm going hiking with Deb" Bella would respond in her 2 year old jargon, "I go with Hike-a-deb". Anyway it stuck. It fits her. We don't call her anything else. To say that this is the most generous, kind woman would be an understatement. Truly, an angel.

Hike-a-Deb and sweet Suzette

All right, to me nature is poetry. For every principle in the gospel there is a parallel in nature. God, being the Master Scientist, wouldn't have it any other way. What a gentle, patient teacher. He'll let us see as much as we can into it, no more. This is the view from what my buddies call "Kristin's spot". No matter how pressed for time we may be or what the weather is, I always make them stop here to look. This view speaks to me. It is thoroughly stunning in every season. But in the winter after a snow storm the world is written in white. This picture doesn't do it justice. Come over and I'll take you to see it.

Spaghetti for dinner. So fun.

Ice skating, friends & leaves

"I'm shy".......NOT!

Today was a great day. Bella entertained herself really well while I finished packing. Harry actually took a good nap. When I got out of the shower, I found Bella outside with her plastic shovel digging in the 5 feet of snow out our front door. When I asked what she was doing she said, "I am trying to find the leaf." Honey, you're gonna have to dig for a while to get to that leaf. I hope she doesn't catch a cold, she was only wearing a sweater.

Then we went over to a little town to our favorite place in the world for a "let's forget everything, hey I went running today" dinner. Kent had glorified mac n' cheese and I had GELATO. But not just any gelato, homemade fresh everyday mint chocolate, hazelnut gelato from Spin Cafe. Absolutely amazing.

Yesterday, we went to Tot time at the rec center with our friends. It was SO much fun. Why don't we do that more often? They blow up those huge castles to jump around in. There were 3 of them and the kids were going nuts. Some of them brought their bikes to ride around on the turf, which is why I had to dig in the snow to find Bella's for her today.

On Monday, I took Bella ice skating for her first time. She loved it. It took her all of two laps before she said, mommy I do it by myself. I really was hoping for her to make it to adolescence before I heard the words, "Mommy I don't need your help." She kept pointing out the ice-ballerina and saying that's what she wants to be when she grows up. Then she would let go of the little trainer-walker thing and do a wide spin by herself. It was so cute. It was so much fun and she was plum-tuckered when we got home. Wore her out, kept her out of the box-filled house, had fun, made memories - mission accomplished.

Touchdown Daddy....now where?

Harry really does do "touch down." Sorry daddy that the Pats lost. Really though, TB needed to be humbled slightly. Sorry for the blasphemy - no more, just accept our semi-heart felt condolencses.

So....what are we doing? That is an excellent question. When I know what we're doing for the rest of our lives, you'll know what we are doing for the rest of our lives. Our house is in boxes, depressing but necessary. We are either moving to Portland or my mother's this week. Nothing like the unknown to try your faith. In spite of all that, I know that my Heavenly Father has heard our prayers and His will will be done. Now if I just knew what that will was.

Anyway, the kidlets are doing fine. Harry still wakes up a couple times a night but that is a far cry better that what he was doing - so I'll take it. Bella is excited to go to the "new house." She is a little frazzled because everything is so crazy but that girl is a champ! It is so nice having daddy home after 12 days of interviews and networking in Portland. We missed him enormously. Life is an adventure and although we don't know what is next at least, we are on the journey together, that is all I need.

This is picture from the end of January. Bella was so sick. She threw up 7 times in one day. Luckily, we were able to keep her hydrated so no doctor visit but the poor thing. We just cuddled and watched DORA and princesses and read books.