Sunday, June 28, 2009

Better late than never.

(The whole lot of us)

I actually have thought about updating my blog SEVERAL times now. But am constantly thinking where to begin. Should I start where I left off? No. Too many things have happened. Should I start where I am now? No. Too many things have changed. So, here it is. Mainly for my own O.C.D and peace of mind.

April 28th. We closed on our home. Sad. But a good thing. (Although the new owners took our playground down and I could kill them for that. They specifically asked me if we were leaving it because they wanted it. They are going to get what's coming to them soon!!!)
(Can you even take it?!!!)

April 29th: We made the big move to Ann Arbor. Libby Miracle came with me since Jason had to stay in Pittsburgh and work. We had a great time together. Love you Libby!! And we had a last lunch with all the girls from Pitt. I miss you all TERRIBLY!!!!

May 6th: Jocelyn and her twin boys come to visit. She gets sick and so we can't do much. But with 6 kids, that's to be expected. . . healthy or not.

May 10th: We all fly home to Salt Lake City. Flying with 4 kids and only one of their parents is not something I recommend. But highly worth it to see family. The trip was so fun. I loved it all. One day I will live closer to them and see them much more frequently. Can't wait!!

June 5th: Flew home (Ann Arbor for those of you wondering where my home actually is) by myself with the kids. It was a nightmare. My kids were great, but there was confusion with the flight taking off in SLC being delayed and my connection not waiting so I would miss my flight to Detroit. I went back to the check in and got all my bags. My mom and dad came to get me and the kids in the cars. And now, the connection was going to wait and I got the pleasure of going through security all by myself again. Lucky lucky me. We made the flight, the kids were wonderful and I was so glad to see my long last husband.
(My brother Kevin, his wife Kellie and their two boys Nathan and Mitchell)

While in Utah, I got to go see my nephews big red carpet event in Boise, Idaho for the Make a Wish Foundation. It was SPECTACULAR!!!! Mitch, my 12 year old nephew has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and is such an amazing guy. He asked to make a movie and did a spoof on Star Wars. It was hilarious. All he cousins got to ride in a Limo and the whole night was just so memorable. And I am sure extremely magical for Mitch and his family. I wouldn't have missed that night for the world. I love you Mitch!!! You really are one of the greatest examples for my boys.
(Jackson and Noah getting out of the limo)

June 8th: I drove back to Pittsburgh for Jason's graduation/awards ceremony. I loved going back to the 'burgh. It feels like home to me. Plus I went to see friends. :) (Finally going on the incline and getting to see the gorgeous view of Pittsburgh)

I miss it more than I can express. I miss my friends, the ward, the hills, the 3 bedroom/1 bathroom homes, the cobblestone streets, the FOOD!!!, the beauty,the culture (Pittsburgers are a class all their own), and I miss being in a place that felt perfect for me. Don't get me wrong, there were days I hated it there, but the good outweighs the bad by far. Thanks Libby M. and Debi for allowing me and my zoo to stay in your homes. What would I do without such wonderful friends to house me? :) It was two weeks of pure fun.June 11: Eliie had her front tooth pulled. This deserves it's very one post so I am saving details for that. :)
June 12: Jason's graduation/ awards ceremony. It was actually a really fun night. Jason was an awesome resident and I am so proud of everything he has accomplished. I don't think anyone will ever know all that he has done because I sincerely don't know too many other people as humble as him. He is a HUGE example of humility for me and everyone he is around. The program director talked about each resident for a few minutes before they were given their gift and certificate. Each resident during their 4 years at Pitt did several different rotations. Practically each month was a new one. And after each rotation, the resident was evaluated by the attending. And out of all the residents, only 2 never had a negative remark made about them in all the 4 years. Jason happened to be one. I think that says it all. Jason really is so remarkable!!! I love you!
(A few of the residents Jason worked with the last 4 years)

Jason was able to live in Pittsburgh with a fellow residents mother. Her home is huge and she was so kind and generous to share it with Jason and our family while we were there. The kids had the best time having sleepovers with Daddy and getting to go swimming every day. I liked letting the kids go have sleepovers too. Three less kidos to take care of felt pretty great. :)June 29: Sunday night. The kids are all in bed and I am ready to do the same. Being back in Ann Arbor has been so awesome. There is something about this place that I have always loved. It's so nice to still have some of our best friends still living here and including us back into their lives. You know who you are. :) Then again, it is the summer and the weather is great. Come February, I will despise Ann Arbor. :)

And during these last few months of craziness for us, Ellie lost all her sleep habits. Starting back when she stayed with her grandparents in Oregon and was allowed to sleep in a bed every night up until yesterday when we regressed BACK to the crib. I have never had a child with poor sleep habits. Never. I have just been lucky. So dealing with Ellie was making me insane. She was getting out of her bed every night and coming into ours. And I HATE having children in the bed with me. Not only does it interrupt my sleep, but theirs as well and that isn't how we are made to get our rest. (I am getting off my soap box now). So, we ordered a crib tent and let the fun begin yesterday. And let me just say. . . Ellie is BACK!!!! She took her normal 3 hours nap yesterday, and slept over 12 hours last night. I should say, she has yet to be happy about getting in a crib, but that's just tough!!! See, now I can update my blog because I am not dealing with a 2 year old thinking she can be her own boss and never go to bed. Really, it was getting out of control with her sleeping. How do some moms live like that? I am guessing they barely are. That pic of Ellie sleeping is because she refused to take nap and ended up falling asleep in the kitchen floor for over an hour. Nice.So, I know that seemed pretty boring, but I had to get it off my chest. And let me tell you, I left PLENTY out. I know how you all love to read every last detail of my super exciting life. My new goal is to get back into updating my blog. Whether I have anything to say or not. Because let's face it, when don't I have anything to say? :)
This post was meant to be short. :)

14 comments:

McKelle said...

Your life if crazy!

It was so good to see you while you were here. Like I told you, I miss you. It was fun to sit and laugh with you and Kara like old times.

Brooklet said...

Wow, so much travelling in the last two months- glad you are all settled for a little while. and lets just talk about carson for a sec. He is SO cute! he looks so different than when I last saw him, he's already grown so much. That smile is soooo cute!
Bummers we won't see you in July, hopefully I will see you in August.

Libby said...

that makes it seem like you have been gone forever- with all of the traveling. we miss you guys and can't wait for you to come in like 2 weeks!!

so you got the tent already?!

jared & amber said...

Wow. You really are insane. I will only have one and the thought of traveling with her makes me not want to go anywhere. You give me hope that life goes on with children :)!

Michele said...

Carson is huge! wasn't he just born last week? time flies when the summer hits. You are so brave to fly alone with 4 kids...I could never do that but I had 2 horrible sleepers that crawled into our bed until they were 3 and I made them beds on the floor in my room! It was a nightmare!

Jennifer said...

Welcome back. I've missed you.

Whit said...

Finally freakin' time... kidding. But I have missed reading about your life... we have all missed it. :)

wackywilsons said...

I had been checking your blog out for weeks...no months...

So glad that you finally posted!

Your baby is so so so so adorable. He looks like a "Smythe" if that makes any sense. I hear that about Isaac, that he looks like a "Wilson."

I am so happy for Jason! Way to go Mr. Positive and Humble:)

No surprise that you have great friends wherever you live. You have a brilliant personality and are so fun to be around.

Jen and Bryan said...

YEAH!! Glad you're back. I was actually thinking about how intertesting your life is, far from boring. Although I do deem you slightly insane for traveling so much with 4 kids. Makes me feel like I'll be ok with three in a few weeks. We'll see.

Denise said...

congrats on finishing residency and selling your house and moving! What a busy time. You look really great! Keep an eye out for Pete. he's starting at Mich law school in the fall.

Radene said...

Jana, so fun to hear about everything! Ellie's hair is getting long...so cute. And I love Noah's shorter hair. Nice. Glad you had fun on your trips...sorry you had to fly by yourself with all your kids...no fun at all. You are missed here too, even by people like me who didn't see you everyday. :-) Your baby is so big, wow they grow fast.

libby said...

I love reading every detail of your life. :)
Too bad about Ellie and her sleeping issues, but I mean really, now you know how the rest of us feel. And I think Carson sleeping from 8pm to 9am makes up for Ellie's craziness. :)

Kimo said...

Nice to see you again. It is good to have you back.

Abbigail said...

I am so sad that you are in AA when I am not. How did that happen. Oh the cruelty!