Kyle and Michele have finally left the nest.

In the 6 years Kyle and I have been married we have never lived more than a block off Center street in Provo (that includes three different homes). Not something we planned or insisted on, it just happened to work out that way. So, when we knew we were moving to Cedar Hills we felt a little like we were growing up some more and really entering a new phase of life.
It was a crazy, sticky process to buy this home with new home buying procedures and it ending up as a short sale. I think we had to jump through about every hoop possible. But when it finally came and we were in the home, it felt wonderful. We are so excited to have our new home.

I still need to take some pictures of the inside. We are all still in boxes, minus the kitchen. But here are some of the things I love about this new home.

• an open front room and kitchen (spacious floor plan)
• a happy kitchen with beautiful wood work ( it's fun to keep clean)
• all the bedrooms on one level (I have to be near my babies)
• room to grow with an unfinished basement
• laundry room upstairs with the bedrooms (hallelujah)
• an amazing view of the valley including the Timpanogos temple (seriously breathtaking)
• an enclosed backyard I can send the boys to play in (though we need to get window well covers ASAP)
• a jetted tub in the master bath as well as a walk-in shower (never seen a shower I liked so much)
• two balconys
• recess lighting every where (love the effect it gives)
• a gorgeous fireplace that lights with the flip of a switch
• stainless steel appliances
• an actual room just for food storage (no excuses now : )
• it's west facing so we have beautiful shade in back for summer dinners outside

Okay, you get the idea. I love our new home. I am excited to live wonderful memories here with a family I love with all my heart.
And if you are in the area, come and visit : )

Candy Apples

Tonight for the family home evening treat I made the boys candy apples. Kekoa was introduced to candy apples on a TV show and decided he wanted to try it himself. I think some things just need to be experienced by a child, so I planned it for a treat. The boys thought it was the coolest thing, even though they couldn't crack through it until I cut it with a knife.

There was a funny conversation that happened as they were eating. Here's about how it went:

Ikaika: This candy apple is so hard it is going to break my teeth.
Kekoa: Well, Kaika, if your teeth falls out, you can put it under your pillow and the tooth fairy will leave you a present.
Ikaika: Yeah, the tooth fairy is going to leave a mustang under my pillow.

The mustang Ikaika is talking about is a motorized child car he's been coveting for a long time. Though not the real mustang car, it is still a pretty lofty gift for a three year old. Come on tooth fairy.
Anyway, though sticky, messy and hard, the candy apples were fun and enjoyable for the boys.
I'll have to say though that I have no intention of making them again anytime soon.

Home Sweet Home

Hooray! We got into our home today! It took a lot longer than we thought it would, but is finally officially ours. I'll post a picture soon.
m

Puppy Love

I have access to internet and something I cannot resist posting.
This morning as I was cleaning up after breakfast, Kekoa told me he had a secret to share with me. After several stalls, clearly indicating his hesitation and embarrassment, he blurted out, "Mom, I'm in love just like Zoe." (Janette, we'll talk about that one). Not all that worried about his reference to Zoe, I asked, "With who?" "Lia," he responded. It took just about all my self control to not laugh at the situation. Afterall, I never thought my 4 year old would decide he was "in love" (just the phrasing kills me). I asked him why and he said it was because she "looks pretty."
Then he was off to go find her a present (he's always found presents around the house for the family). Well, being that we are staying at her house he had no trouble finding her her own things. He showed it to me and after we talked it through he thought it wasn't the greatest idea afterall. So he asked me if I could take him to the store so he could buy her a flower. Wow - he was not going to quit. Still holding back the giggles, I talked with him about how long he has before he gets married and how just being nice to someone is a great present. Hopefully getting him out of the house will calm him down. I teased Kyle that it is a good thing we are moving out tomorrow.
And just to share all my feelings, I did feel a bit of saddness when I realized the flower he picked as we were coming in late last night wasn't for me (I can't count the number of times Koa has brought me dandilions and other wild flowers). I guess I should be happy he doesn't want to marry me for the rest of his life.

PS. As indicated earlier, we are finally signing on our new home today and will be able to move in tomorrow. Oh, happy day!

hangin' in there

Sorry - lack of internet access makes it hard to keep posting. And so many good posts have passed! Kyle's birthday (the day we moved), our anniversary, the boys first day of pre-school. So sad. I'll try to catch up to not miss those days of our family history.
So the update on the home is that there is at least an end in sight. After the home falling into a short-sale, we thought for a while that it was a lost cause. But it is working out and we have a close date for September 8th. Holding our breath, we'll see what happens.
Okay, screaming kids . . . that's all the update I can give.

celebrations

We didn't get to celebrate much for Kyle's birthday and our anniversary.  We moved out on Kyle's birthday and couldn't really celebrate.  I felt so bad that he didn't even have a cake this year.  Our anniversary came and went as well.  But we are grateful to be together. We are grateful for each other, our children and the way in which our family is growing : )

closing

We officially sold our home today. Now the madness of trying to get out of the house. We'll finish up tomorrow. Right now I am too tired to think straight. But we did hear good news that we'll be able to close on the Cedar Hills home next week. Blessings.
I'll update when I can. My access to internet may be non-existent for a while.

takin' a break

On Monday the boys and I took a break from packing and headed to a nearby playground. The boys loved it and I enjoyed sitting in the cool shade watching them.
After a while Kekoa and Ikaika had their fill of slides and decided to venture onto the set of rings that led from one side of the jungle gym to another. Ikaika bravely found his grip on the first set of rings then let himself come off the secure side of the jungle gym to where he was dangling completely in the air. After a second he let go and jumped safely to the ground. Now that may not be on the top end of the scale of dare-devilish things for a little boy to do, but for my reserved boys it was pretty exhilarating and Ikaika yelled, "That was awesome!" He quickly ran around to try again. Kekoa decided to try, but as my most reserved child, he need me to help him the first couple times. After some serious encouragement from me, he finally did it on his own. His exclamation was my favorite, "Yes! My brain works!" I had a good laugh.
The boys continued to play that game for a while and even developed a system of taking turns jumping off different ends. After a while Ikaika stopped and sat on the edge of the jungle gym, folded his arms and began to pray, "Heavenly Father, Thank you that we can come to the playground, thank you that I can be safe and not fall . . . " Then he took his jump. Kekoa again caught on and they both started saying a little prayer for safety before every jump.
It was fun to watch and observe the boys. I thought that maybe somewhere I am doing something right.
m

Dedication

Because of some wonderful friends in our ward, Kyle and I were able to attend the Oquirrh Mountain temple dedication this morning. Not only was I able to enjoy the time next to my husband with no crying kids, I was also so thankful to not feel sick during the whole dedication. It was wonderful. I felt the sweet peace of the temple as soon as I walked in the doors and heard the prelude music. As we waited, we saw a variety of video shots of inside the temple. One of the things I love the most of the structure of the temple is how so many things inside and out draw your eye heavenward. Without a doubt the temple is the connection between heaven and earth. I loved the talks that were given and felt a desire to get back to the temple again soon (I haven't gone for a while because of my morning sickness). Elder Bednar gave a wonderful talk and shared several heartfelt reasons for why the temple is important to him. I couldn't have agreed with him more on each of his points. My favorite one: The temple is important to me because it means I can be with my family forever.
I love the temple and am so thankful to live in an area where the temple is so near.