A quick catch up

Eventually I'd like to get to the point were I can blog just about something funny that has happened but in the meantime these quick updates aren't half bad, huh? 

Well, we are here! Living in our condo and settling into our new life. It's great here, so far. I don't think it's hit us really just how far away we are. Or that this isn't some between semesters vacation... But slowly but surely things are settling down and we are finding out groove. 

Kona is turning out to be a really great place for families! It's a very ohana friendly community with many, many activities that are free to families (the pool is free here, activities every Friday geared towards 0-3 year olds, to name a couple). I get stopped in every store at least 3 times by people wanting to make friends with sweet little Nora. They just adore her! And she adores them, too! Especially the old men and women. 

Last week we drove to the other side of the island to pick up our car from the port (since we shipped it). We decided to make a day of the trip and stopped at a few places along the wa y. Instead of turning around and going home the way we came, too, we continued forward and made a big loop. We were able to stop at Volcano and see a little bit of our backyard up close. It really wetted our appetites to get back and explore some more. We live in such a beautiful state! 

I will say this much though... As dream-worthy as this move has been it is hard to leave Idaho and that life behind us... I definitely could not do it without these two by my side!

Onto reality!

The two weeks after graduation we have spent in Seattle with my family. We shipped off our car and packed a 26 foot container with all our belongings and shipped them off. Then we packed our suitcases (we'll be camping out of them for the next month or so) and are currently on an airplane to Hawaii! Hard to believe the time has finally come!

The past two weeks have been so great. Getting to see Eleanora and her cousin, Zeke, who is just 8 days older than her, get to know each other better and seeing Nora establish relationships with my family has been so fun! Especially now that we are not sure the exact time we will see them again. (within the next year, for sure!)

You know how there are mommy or daddy's babies? A baby that just takes to one or the other and latches onto them? I think it's safe to say that Eleanora is a Nana AND Bopa's girl.. That girl couldn't help but smile at their names, and couldn't resist sneaking into their bedroom to wake them up each morning. Both of my parents have a special relationship and way of showing excitement and happiness to her that just does something to my heart.

Now, Zeke! Oh, those two babies have such a unique bond! Every morning Eleanora would start jumping and run to the top of the stairs when we heard Zeke coming upstairs for the day. They really are the best of buddies. It was fun to see their relationship now that they are a bit older. Zeke is a bit more apprehensive and cautious (his lucky mama!) while Eleanora is carefree and fearless (talk about terrifying). All too often we would be somewhere and Eleanora would run off and I wouldn't know until I heard Zeke running after her saying 'Elna, Elna!!!' He kept her safe and a few times she gave him courage to take a risk. Very cute!

Well, onto Hawaii!

Oh BOY do we have BIG news!

No... We are not having another baby. I'm not pregnant.... Buuuut.....

We are moving to Hawaii! (Try not to be too jealous, people.)

(Gotcha, didn't I?)

We are thrilled with the position Levi was offered and we can't wait to get our toes (who am I kidding... Our entire bodies) in that water. We are counting on everyone coming to visit us often.

It's a weird place to be. So, beyond ready to move on past college life, but also not quite day to leave it all behind. I am mostly going to miss my friends. A lot. We have been so lucky to be so influenced by great people here and I am going to miss them so much. Change is hard. But it sure is good!

Needless to say, I've had Joshua Radin on repeat all day. (He has a song for everything)

"Most kind of stories
Save the best part for last
Most stories have a hero who finds
You make your past your past
Yeah, you make your past your past

It's a brand new day
The sun is shinning
It's a brand new day
For the first time
In such a long, long time
I know I'll be okay"

Well, I'm off to pack some more boxes and sell some more things! (If you want something of our let me know... Chances are it is for sale.)

Any tips on making a big move? Things you wish you brought or things you wish you left?

(Sorry the formatting is lame on this post... I'm on the iPad)

On leaving Rexburg.

Well, the day is fast approaching when Rexburg will become a memory instead of my life. I love Rexburg... I know I am part of a small minority that loves it here and I have found myself completely enchanted with the small town. I love all it has to offer and to say that seeing the city disappear in our rear view mirror won't be harder than I can even imagine would be a lie.

This is our home. I lived on my own for the first time here. I paid my first bills here. I made some of my best friends here. I fell in love here. I got engaged here. I went on hundreds of dates here and kissed way too many boys here {only one really counted in the end, don't worry}. I had my first baby here. My baby took her firsts steps here. I gained a testimony all of my own here. I found my feet here. I found my passions here and left some old ones behind.

Rexburg has become such a part of me for so long that the idea of moving seems hard to comprehend. For 6 years now I have always come back to Rexburg. I am so glad I came to this tiny town and became the woman I am today. I know it wouldn't be the same if I went to a different university. I am thankful for that.

I'm trying to be more optimistic, because since I love Rexburg so very much I am finding its hard to be excited to leave. So, in all honesty there are a few things I will not be missing.

I won't miss living off of a busy street across the street from campus. I won't miss living next to a college apartment complex. I won't miss the dusty winds. I won't miss the flaky mentality that often accompanies a college lifestyle {so past that}, I won't miss watching our savings shrink every semester. I won't miss Levi being in class {or at work} all day only to come home to hours of homework. I won't miss feeling a little bit like we are in limbo. The anticipation of what's to come next..

I am looking forward to what's to come. We have a couple very wonderful opportunities on our horizon and I can't wait to see where life will take us. One month from now where will I be moving to?! Life is happening so fast right now and I do not look forward to saying goodbye to all the great friends we have made who seem a little bit more like family than friends sometimes. I am going to miss our church and the activities we are involved in around these parts.

Anyway... I'll be sure and keep you posted on what we end up deciding to do!

If you read this far, here's a reward. Cuteness!

Long days.

Today is one of those days, I have started 3 posts and I want to write.. but with a baby crying in her crib (thanks a lot, day light saving’s) and after a long, dragged out day… here we are.

nothing to say, except 3 new shows that aired last night waiting for me on Hulu Plus.

With a husband on campus until late tonight and a house that is in desperate need of cleaning, dishes in the sink, and laundry that needs to be folded…

I can think of no better way of spending the evening than on the couch with a can of spaghettios and Smash on the TV. and maybe a lindt chocolate for dessert (shh! don’t tell Levi!)

 

 

Wish me luck ;]

Because learning to use utensils is adorable

And a little bit tricky, as well.

(Consider yourself warned: brace for cuteness and overload)

Instagramage

Behold! A million pictures you've probably already seen on instagram!

Now we march, march, march

Anyone else read the Sandra Boynton "Pookie" series tho their children? If you do, you'll win a cool prize if you can name what book the title is from.

Not really. But I will be impressed. And in case you were curious, she's my favorite children's author.

Anyway.....I have no real purpose in blogging today other than the fact that I want to stay in the habit if doing so. How about a list? I am excellent at making lists.

a. I started doing Zumba a few times a week. I was really excited to try it because everyone I know who has tried it loves it and says its right up my alley. Um.... For the record it is fun... But it is extremely difficult! After my first class (...which happened to be with the toughest teacher in rexburg...) I thought I was going to die. I could barely complete the first dance. So, if you ask me how zumba is I will be honest with you. It's great! Tons of fun and really energizing.... But also stinking hard. It's still a kick butt workout.

b. I mentioned we have been cutting back refined sugars in this house. I didn't think I was noticing much of a difference (except when I did eat it once a week) until we cheated and went out to eat last night. Indulging in dessert and the tasting one too many caramels last night... Ugh, I felt like my body was revolting against me. Good way to persuade myself to keep up with my goals.

c. Caramels? Why were we making them you ask? Levi sells them! I dont like caramels usally. in fact i generally avoid caramels because I don't love the flavors. But, Levi has got that recipe DOWN! Between using the highest quality ingredients (hello, organic Madagascar vanilla) and the perfect touch... Levi has got it down! We only deliver locally at this point, but if you want details on shipping and pricing let me know... (Did you like that shameless plug for my husband? What can I say?! I'm a fan!)

d. Eleanora is at a really fun age right now. She has so much personality that sometimes it just comes bursting out of her tiny body and all she can do to express her emotions is scream and scream. Whether its delight or anger.... She is always heard. By the way, I thought we had a few more months until the terrible two tantrums begun? ;) it's pretty adorable though to see such a tiny person packed with so much passion.

e. oh, we just booked tickets to fly home to Seattle at the end of this month. Oh, I am READY to see my familia! And Levi hasn't seen them in far too long... It'll be good to get my hands on zeke (eleanora's cousin the same age as her).

And that's the way the cookie crumbles, folks!

A Year Of Healthy Choices

Each year Levi and I decide on a theme for that year. I say every year as if we have been doing it forever... We started last year. It's a fun way to decide what our focus will be and to be more mindful of X.

Last year was our year of travel. We figured with it being our last full year of school (which means a lot more breaks than we would take if Levi was working full time) we should take advantage of the time off and smaller amount of responsibility. So we travelled. We went from coast to coast and made it a point to travel within our own state a little more than we usually would. It was really fun and we saw many new places we wouldn't have had it not been our overarching theme. We both gained a really good appreciation for this country we live in.

This year we decided on our theme being health. Between traveling so much, school, having a baby, work, and everything that falls in between... We will just settle and say we are not where we were 2 years ago. So this year we are focusing on health. In every sense of the word. We are starting with our physical health, because it is very hard to have the rest of your health (spiritual, mental, psychological, etc...) in good working order if your physical health is not in place.

We have both been exercising regularly and eating healthy. For two weeks the first part if February we went on a total sugar fast (minus those foods that have sugar naturally occurring, such as fruit) and then decided to continue it on for the next 6 months, amending it to give ourselves one cheat meal (or time period, such as at a party) a week. I tell ya, after the weekend, which is usually when we take our cheat night, I can tell. Monday I am dragging and my energy is WAY low.

Our newest goal is to drink a gallon of water everyday. We bought gallon size water jugs so we can keep track easily each day and I am loving it! 10:00 am and I am already more than a quarter of the way done with my water!

Aside from eating mostly organic and cutting out unnecessary meat in our dinners, we just finished up a cleanse as well. It felt really good and we both noticed a big difference within the first 24 hours. Yay for being healthy! We also started making a lot of our own foods. Cutting our preservatives and additives is important to us, too.

Obviously there are weight numbers in our minds, but it's not what is driving us. A number is a number, but I can tell when I am healthy. Truly healthy... And it feels good. That's what motivates me more than anything. I did say that whatever pants i can't fit into when we move will not be coming with us... So that is very motivating.

Also, Eleanora is working on staying healthy :) childhood obesity is scary, yo. Our theme this year includes educating ourselves on whole foods and childhood nutrition a little bit more. Even with a picky eater in the house we can still eat healthy!

So here is to health! The year of health will set new habits in our lives and guard ourselves with knowledge that will benefit the rest of our lives.

Do you ever have themes for your year? What have you done in the past?

February, February

For some reason I have always loved February. Unlike the rest of the blogging world I don't hate January (did anyone else notice how every famous mommy blogger complained about January? Funny...), but I sure do welcome February in with open arms. February is when I find I am the most committed to my goals. February holds my favorite holiday. February is the month I found out I was expecting our first child. February has a few sunny days, but doesn't try to be spring just yet. February is just happy and wonderful!

Lately we have been doing a whole lot of nothing. Taking advantage of the cold weather and spending our days homesteading inside. Levi has started selling caramels on the side and he is rapidly approaching the end of this semester. Did I mention this is his last? Crazy and exciting all at once! He is still serving in the bishopric and keeping busy with that. Since it is his last semester he took a few extra classes to bump his credit limit up to full time. He loves his ceramics class and is really talented! I'll post some pictures of his pieces when he brings them home... He is also taking a military fitness class 3 days a week which is followed immediately by a 1 hour swim class. It's been really motivating for me to exercise ;)

Eleanora is as sassy as ever and everyday her personality just comes out a little more. She is quite the communicator and loves to color. She also loves playing mama and taking care of her dollies. From dressing them up in her pajamas to giving them bottles to wrapping them in blankets, she is always taking care of them. It's really cute. 99% of the time is is easy and happy and has love spilling out of her ears because here little heart is so big! Right now she is insanely extroverted looks forward to any sort of social interaction each day. Many days she wakes up and staggers to the front door while pointing to her coat. She wants to get out! Also, she is obsessed with anything duck. Or anything with a bill or beak for that matter. :)

I am keeping busy with a few exercise groups and gourmet club. I was released this month and am enjoying having a little more free time. Funny how you don't realize how much time something is taking until its not there anymore. I am looking forward to graduation, but sad to leave Rexburg. More sad than I thought I would be. This is our home now. Where we met, fell in love, became engaged, had our first baby, went to school, where I became independent... This tiny little town is chalk-full of memories for me and come April 12 I will be sad to say goodbye.