Farewell to Fernley

I am packing, packing, packing, cleaning, packing, packing, packing. Danny is in HI working already and I am here moving us out. Thank goodness I have help watching the kids! I can't believe what a big job this is. There is so much to do.


I can't believe how I feel right now. Though I am very excited for our new bend in the road, I am very somber about leaving this place. My heart flutters with excitement at times, but is quite heavy as well. We have family here. And friends. Good neighbors. A good life.

After all, this is our first home together, where we brought two children into the world and discovered life as a small family.
We worked really hard and had a great life.

I am really going to miss a lot around here.

Yesterday, I was pulling out of my subdivision to go get some moving supplies and I saw this sunset. Wow! I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. It was like a gigantic, larger than life painting staring me right int he face. This sky conveyed all of the feelings I was experiencing over moving! I pulled to the side of the road for a moment and took it all in. What a wonderful surprise and blessing.

I found my ring!!!

1:23 a.m.
I just found my wedding ring!

I am staying up late tonight to get my laundry done and my office cleaned out. I have a lot of energy because Danny is coming home tomorrow from his 10-day sojourn to Kona, Big Island. I am aggressively wiping out all the crap from my washer and dryer, hungrily taping and labeling boxes, and looking to clear out every last item in every room. I am having a great time. Moving and cleaning with my man out on business is a challenge, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, my man is coming home tomorrow, my kids are safe asleep in their beds, we are flying to Hawaii with nothing but our clothes in just three days!
Load 3 is up, cold water is running, detergent is in, and what is this? Huh. A dirty old work jacket of Danny's that has been hanging in my pantry closet for at least two years. Should I even wash it? There is crap all over it, I wonder if it is going to come out at all. It looks like grout. Did I tile the kitchen back splash wearing this coat? Huh. I better wash it. I unzip pocket one: nothing. Pocket two: a ring. Who's ring is this? I wonder.

(gasp)

MY WEDDING RING!!!

And I still think it is so beautiful! Hooray!

We Are Moving to Hawaii

...Kailua-Kona, Big Island.

This will be our home for almost a year.

We are SO excited!!!

FYI

Danny accepted a position as a "Project Manager" for Pacifica Hotel Corp. His first assignment is in Kona, Hawaii, working on the renovation of the King Kamehameha Hotel. Then we will most likely move to California after that.  We are very happy for this next chapter of our lives.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

Our little Sophie is two!

What a joy she has been. We are so glad to have her.

Sophie, we love your firecracker personality and daring tricks, your jubilant yells throughout the house, your extremely resilient attitude (through so much crap!), and your tender little hugs.

We love you!!!

And just for fun, here are some pictures of her look-a-likes:

The Kewpie Doll

and a Campbell's soup kid!

Baby Alana

We have a new niece, born May 15 to Christie and Cameron Brady!

Alana Mae

Overstimulated

Yesterday I had to go to the mall. That is something I am against doing. But it is sometimes necessary-- so I gathered my courage and walked right in, with two little daughters in tow. As I entered the loud, crowded corridor, I immediately felt the usual angst and discomfort I have always felt, ever since I can remember.
As I take it all in, I ask myself, "Why do I dislike malls so much?" Most of my of my friends enjoy them! And many friends have worked at them! And liked it!
"Why don't I like this?" I think to myself. "Why don't I like this?"
This is a question I have asked many times, and never found the right answer. "Will I find it today?" I wonder. "Let's see."
I am confused. I look around. "Ugh, where am I?? Shoot! I entered in at the wrong door again!" I change my direction and speed up my pace to a quick, urgent one, because my destination is actually on the other side of the maze, I mean mall.
The girls are loving the whole deal. They wish I would slow down. Their eyes are trying to take it all in. They can't get enough of it. They keep wanting to stop. They want to touch stuff. I keep them steady; I am on a mission.
"Why don't I like this?" I ask myself again. Some red high heels catch my eyes. I stop to look. The girls contentedly study all the nearby shoes. Melia loves the shiny ones, the ones with buckles, the ones with bows. Sophie wants to use them to make cracking noises on the glass table. I want the red shoes. I see a sale sign. "Oooh, maybe I could!..." I think. I hold my breath. I peer underneath the shoe at the red marker scrawled over the original sticker price.
I let my breath out. The shoes are still $59. "NO WAY." I whisper sternly and quietly to the shoe. I walk out.
"I know." I say to myself. "Malls are too expensive." My eyes widen. I inhale quickly. "That's it! The reason I dislike malls is because they're a tease! ...right?"
"Hmmm....no. That's not it at all." I know that malls are cool. I know why they are cool. I can't say that I don't like them just because I can't afford everything I want. That is ridiculous. I am just uncomfortable. But then I am onto something there, I must admit. I hate feeling like I want everything in sight. It makes me feel bratty...and then it makes me feel poor when I can't satisfy all my wants.
"So is that it, then?" Is it because malls make me feel poor?"
Hmmm...another thought. "Is it because I feel ugly and plain when looking at all the pretty models and coordinating outfits?" Hmmm...now I could really be onto something.
These answers ...are all part of it...but they still aren't it. Because I can't hate the mall for having too much pretty stuff to look at--I like pretty stuff. I like the big displays and the interesting decors and the matching color schemes. Beauty is a good thing, right.
"But too much beauty is not a good thing. Too much of anything is not a good thing."
And that is when the true answer hits me of why I don't like malls. One word. In my brain.

"Overstimulating."

"...Yes, yes, THAT'S IT!"


I know-- overstimulating.

The first time I ever heard it was when my older sister used it to describe her baby's toy time limits when he was a few months old. I thought it was such a cheesy, nerdy word. But then I have used it myself since becoming a mother. When Melia is overstimulated, she has night terrors.
And so it is with me. When I am overstimulated, my brain goes into hyperactive mode. (Suddenly, my brain is no longer clearly thinking about the task at hand: you know, buying what I came in for. No, this is an example of what is happening in my overstimulated, hyperactive head: that shirt is sooo cute, i love how it fits, is it a good style though? Will I wear it enough, is it practical? ugh can I afford it? I really shouldn't be spending any money right now, am I just satisfying my clothing lust? Jeez annie give it a rest you buy like 5 new shirts a year, for all four seasons just buy it, am I poor? No i am not I am rich--there are people starving and I am here at this mall suffering intense inner turmoil over a style of shirt-of which my body may look ridiculous in it after I wash it or when I stand in the wrong light--oh my gosh did you see what that girl had on (or what she didn't) and is hanging out I can see that our society is too loose, and too unhealthy, oh what can I do to raise my children right, am I ignoring these people in society that have problems, should I volunteer somewhere because we must work through these class systems in society, there is so much misunderstanding in the world and I am such a bad person for not doing anything about it here I am looking at this stupid shirt, oh I hate it now I'll just walk away, but it is what I came here to buy in the first place! But jeez if I would just work out more I would look way better in it. Aah this store is just so perfect. I hate it. why can't I decorate like this? is this stuff superficial Blah blah blah blah blah blah!)

OVER STIMULATION. That's it, people. Malls have WAY too much going on. There is too much to look at, too much to try out/try on, too many temptations, and too much decision making! (Sigh)

I think about it more and more and it makes total sense. Of course! No wonder I get such a kick out of being in nature, running by myself, reading a book, going on a drive, taking naps. I am a slow-going, keep it cool kind of girl that prefers peace and quiet wherever I can get it! That stuff is easy!

And furthermore, there are other things I like a ton, but in reality, can't enjoy as much because they, too, are a lot to take in and think about at once: amusement parks, magazines, airports, teaching (meaning in schools), going to concerts, party planning, big cities, and fashion, to name just a few.
(another sigh).

I love people. I love things. Just not a bunch of them all crowded together in the same space. I can't think straight.!Yuk. I like my peace.

It is nice to know I am still figuring myself out, at age 27.

Well done, Annie. Well done.

Respect the Van

We sold our Jimmy yesterday for $1400. We think that was a generous price! Good-bye, Jimmy!

We plan to buy a van soon.

My Dandelion Daughters

My sister, Audrey took these pictures of my girls while they were staying at her house during my Hyde/Knudsen Sister's Retreat in April. The girls were picking flowers for me before heading off to the zoo! Aren't they sweet?! The dog is Audrey's cocker spaniel, Caroline.

Danny in China

Danny has had two 10-day China trips so far this year. I think he has one more coming up in May. I hope it is a short one. The shortest amount of time he has been over there before is 6 days. I am crossing my fingers for three...