What we have been up to...

We have finally made our move, and are settled enough to finally post our happenings. I am exausted and my kids are still adjusting to a new house and the one hour time change. Ugh.

Daxon's last day of preschool... what a sad day. It was so sweet because his teacher Ms. Debra cried when I came to pick him up. It was really touching to see that someone else had genuine love for my child. I am really going to miss that preschool, Daxon needed that outlet so badly and he did really well there and learned some of his alphabet and how to write his name. Not bad.
Here is the moving diesel that we completly filled up. There is even two cars packed in there amongst our things.
And here is our house that just started being framed a couple of days ago. The framers say that they should be done framing by next Thursday.
Just a cute picture of Dax.

My parents

Here is my sister Caitlin. She didn't want her picture taken so I was trying to turn her head unsuccessfully. She is so much fun to spend time with. She can't wait to be a teenager, and I can't wait for her to be older to babysit more often. I love her.

I think that this picture is funny. If you know my dad, then you would know that he never smiles like this. He usually is strictly business. It is probably because he is at a football game. Aren't most guys happy at any kind or sporting event? My mom of course is sporting Cort's jacket. I was upset that Cort didn't ask me to wear his jersey, some "hot chick" (Dana) wears it at every game. I see who is more important...

Tagged...

Ok, so I have been tagged twice in the last couple of weeks and have just now had the time to do it. For those that I tag, it has nothing to do with favoritism, here are the rules:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning. B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asks them to read your blog.
Here goes nothing:

1. It really bothers me when people discriminate. Even more so when it has to do with being a Mormon. I have already lost a good friend due to me being a Mormon. We were friends for a year and then one day she said that she had researched my religion most of it anti-Mormon literature, and felt that she was disturbed by what she read. Hmmm... never mind researching real source, or asking a Mormon, or that what she came to understand was not correct! Here was her letter that you might find interesting:

Hi Chanel,

I have been meaning to write for so long now and finally I have sat down and actually remembered to do so. First, I want to apologize for not returning your two phone calls/messages. I wasn't really sure what to say I guess, so I never made the time to figure out what I should say. I am sorry.

The truth is that the whole LDS thing kind of threw me for a loop. I read a bit of The Book of Mormon, did a little research and read a book regarding the LDS religion and its history and it all was so crazy to me. Honestly, most of it didn't add up and a lot of what I came to find out was a bit disturbing. Anyway, I wasn't sure exactly how to approach you about it because you obviously are a completely sweet, loving person and I think of you in the highest regard. However, it became difficult for me to imagine having a friendship with someone who I know believes that because I do not accept anything that their religion believes, I will not end up in heaven.

The difficult part is that you are by far one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met. My kids love you and I enjoyed your company very much. I just have had a difficult time attempting to rectify the feelings I have regarding the impact of religion on our friendship.

I hope that this email finds you well and is not too unorganized for you to grasp some understanding of my feelings. It is often hard to articulate exact feelings in such a limited vernacular.

Love,
********

Did she seem to forget what century and country that she lives in? Last time I checked it was 2007. Are we not taught to love our fellow men regardless of race or religion? Just today, my friend Amy was told that she is not allowed to put her four year old in a certain Christian preschool because she is Mormon, and that it is against school policy to allow a Mormon in their school. Anyone want their number? Who would want to send their child to a preschool where they are taught to discriminate against other religions anyway. Whatever! I think that I am now just discriminating against discriminators...

2. I hate moving! I have moved pretty much every year since I was 13. Ugh! I am excited to get this next move over with and finally get settled. The packers are coming in three days, and we are out of here in five. Times are really stressful for me right now, it makes me anxious just typing about it. My mind is jumping from what needs to be organized, to finding a preschool in Utah, to what else can I give to DI, ect. AAAAH! One positive from moving... I have learned that no matter where you live, you can make it a home and learn to love it. Some places just take more time than others.

3. I dream of going to a fancy cooking school and becoming a pastry chef, just for fun.

4. Who do I admire the most? Brad- he is perfect in my eyes. Amy- she has quite the inner strength that I aspire to have. My mom and Grandma Condie- they are one in the same... both selfless and positive, and have a firm foundation.

5. Growing up, I thought that motherhood would be easier than it really is.

6. My husband offered to hire a cleaning lady to come to our house a couple times a month. I declined due to the fact that cleaning is a huge stress relief for me. Weird? I am.

Ok- so I am tagging Kesli, Ashley, Rebecca, Tara, both Lisa's!

Three on Two

Cortland... the reason that Daxon always wants to go to my parent's house. He adores his Uncle and tells me that he wants to play football like his "Uncle Corky". Cortland is so great to my boys. He has a warm heart and is incredibly patient with them. Dax and Shane become his shadow anytime he is around. This last weekend I went to his football game against La Quinta. it is always fun to watch him play, and I am sad to think that I won't live close to my family anymore. Those weekend trips to Palm Springs once a month will be missed, I mean, what could be more fun than a house on a private water ski lake? Family to go with it.

So, I was asleep and Brad decided that it was time to take the training wheels off of Daxon's bike. Four attempts later, he was on his own. I thought it was a big deal and I was upset that Brad didn't come in to wake me up to witness this historic event. I instead got to watch his first rides on a camera. Anyway, WAY TO GO DAX! I can't believe that he is going to be four next month. Where has the time gone?

Blah...

What happens when Shane and a berry smoothie collide.
Just a cute picture of the Daxman.

Brad and I just celebrated our #5 anniversary. We went to K-1 Speedway (really fast go-carts), and of course the group that we ended up in was the local honda car club (that all happened to have their own helmets and racing gloves). I came in dead last and Brad came in second, only because he said that some shmuck wouldn't let him pass. All in all, a fun night!

You know how there are times that you are so tired that you don't want to do anything. Well, this is one of those times. So, I am going to post some pictures to get me by, and then I have a much longer post coming up to show what the heck I have been up to.

Spider Webs

My pumpkin grew its own spider webs and just in time for halloween. It was really considerate of it to do that, yet really gross. Nothing like pulling off the lid and a huge ball of white and black fuzz following it...
My boys wanted me to dress up with them so I borrowed Daxon's wig and threw the rest of the clothes together five minutes before we left to trick-or-treat. I am almost convinced to make my real hair into dreads. The boys ended up with a ton of candy and most of it will end up being thrown away. I am mean, I know, but my boys already have too much energy.
I made some banana bread the other day, and the best part of it is the dough. I don't like dough, but my boys take after my husband and chow it down.

By the way, does anyone have any advice for weaning a child off binkies? Shane did fine when we took the bottles away from him but we are having quite the time with the binkies... I am all ears!