Boulder "lasts"

Weird, maybe, but we have been doing a lot "for the last time in Boulder". We went to "the dinosaur playground", Varsity pond and the Dushanbe Teahouse. I recommend going to all of them. My children love the dinosaur playground because in the summer it has water and you can make moats and that kind of thing. Varsity pond is on CU campus and is beautiful. We went yesterday with some biscuits. We fed fish, a duck and turtles. Andy and Anneke fed a golden retriever named Peaches. That part was unintentional. The dog's owner did take our picture, though. The teahouse has been mentioned in previous posts. We went this morning on the rainy creek path. We passed a lot of Bolder Boulder participants. Tonight we plan on going to Glacier one last time and I think that is it for our "lasts". There are so many things I am going to miss about Boulder and Colorado. I will save that list for when we move, though.

Last night after we had gone to bed I heard Anneke crying. I went into their room and found her half on the shelf by her bed. She was talking in her sleep (you know, gibberish) and seemed very scared. I pulled her back into bed and tucked her all in. Today she doesn't really remember it, though she says she does. It was weird because she usually doesn't sleep that hard. I wonder what was going on and how long she had been like that.

Yesterday in church they sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" to the three families moving out this week. (Bahlmann bunch, Sanders clan and Ludlow fam) Anneke was singing it at dinner. "Till we meet on Jesus' porch." Andy said that was how he envisioned the song when he was little. Being on a porch at Jesus' feet.

During family prayer last night Anneke was thankful for many things. (She doesn't ever bless anything.) She was thankful we had our last day at church, for her baby brother and that she gets to stay at Connor's house. Listening to her pray it makes me realize just how much there is to be grateful for.

Niki Sue Graduation Girl

Technically Anneke did not graduate today, but she won't be returning to this particular school. We went this morning to the "ceremony". Anneke was cute and didn't stay still very well. But, that's our Niki Sue. We sure love Anneke's teacher, Katy (on the right). She was very good with our daughter and we will miss her. She is moving to Salt Lake to go to the U of U, so maybe we will get to see her again. I am getting frustrated because I have been trying to upload more photos from today and it isn't working. So, enjoy the one I do have. (I think that pictures make my blogs more interesting. Andy says you don't need pictures if you can write well. Since I am not Marisa or Andy, I need pictures.)

Random Ramblings

When we moved to Colorado one of the first things we did was go to Chitaqua with Doug Burger. Yesterday he took us back there as a farewell. It was a lot of fun. The kids played on the playground and we had a nice breakfast. The other pictures are Andy cutting the cheesecake(s) I made for his birthday get together today; the kids in their "Vegas shades" and Anneke and me resting on the couch. (I only added it because there aren't too many photos of me.)

I have been thinking about church a lot today. We talked about the gifts of the spirit. That has always fascinated me. I have searched scriptures about individual worth, talents and gifts for a lot of my life. It got me to pondering why exactly that is. I have always pushed myself to succeed in so many things. I had to become Sterling Scholar in Speech and Drama. I had to graduate with honors and be a member of every honor society I could. I had to be the Outstanding scholar in Family and Consumer Sciences. I did accomplish all these things, but why? I think I figured it out. I am quite often overlooked because I don't need much. I work very hard to make that so. I am the third of four children, all girls. Carianne was the cute and when it comes to music (at least) extremely talented one. She got Grandma. Heather was the popular, pretty one that all the guys liked, plus very fashionable. She had Popi. Pamela was the baby and therefore spoiled. However, she was also funny, talented in writing and acting, and trendy. Plus, she was Omi's special friend. I was fighting to be noticed. I was not special to anyone specific. I am not fishing for compliments here, just explaining. So, next to all of this I have never had much by way of self worth. I have searched to know why God loves me and what makes me special in His eyes. Though I probably don't have all the answers yet, I am still searching and trying. There must be something special about me. Now, my focus has shifted to being the best wife and mother. What am I supposed to teach the children I was blessed with? Why am I their mother and not someone else? There are a lot of scriptures and words from the prophets about motherhood. Now, just to live up to them is the key...

Farewell

Many of you reading this have already seen this picture, but I wanted to share it just the same. Last night we had a fun little get together to say goodbye to all those moving on. I can't believe I have less than two weeks left. I would never have survived here without many of the women pictured above, and many not pictured. Thank you guys for everything.

In other news, Luke managed to break Andy's unbreakable glasses. So, my husband is now wearing contacts. He looks more like the man that proposed to me. (He got glasses one month before we got married.) Andy is doing an amazing job adjusting to the change. His eye doctor was named Jeffrey B. Holland. Hee Hee! My family has gone to the same eye doctor for several years, if only he could have waited 2 weeks for an appointment... However, driving blind over the Rockies in a huge moving van is not a good idea.

Anneke is very emotional. She can't wait to move, but she cries over the littlest things. I think she is more stressed than even she realizes. When we moved here she hated Andy for a month, I hope that does not repeat itself. I am at ease that things will work out in every way because it is where we are supposed to be. Andy is highly qualified, yet he only got into this PhD program. If there was ANY other option we would have taken it. So, I know the Lord has a hand in it. Now, I just hope we can accomplish what He wants us to.

4th tooth lost, 2nd tooth "found"

Last night Marcus lost his fourth tooth. Caspian now has two teeth. I am beginning to think that there is some truth in Junie B. First Grader: Toothless Wonder.

In other news I am turning in my keys today and no longer managing apartments. It is weird to not have anything to do. Andy doesn't think I will be able to handle being jobless. We'll see...

Luke's Law

My youngest child thinks sleep is overrated. I brag about him sleeping through the night for mother's day. Either he wanted to make that gift more meaningful or he doesn't like pride. We are back to waking up a lot at night. He is sleeping right now, though.

We are packing boxes and getting things ready. Two weeks from today we are packing up. I can't believe it. It is snowing in the mountains today. I just pray we are fully in summer weather when we head over the pass.

I will have lived in 5 states when we get to Nevada. 4 out of 5 are western desert states. I wonder where we will end up after PhD. I have lived in Texas, North Carolina, Utah, Colorado, and soon Nevada. I included pictures of the state flowers for each state. I think they are all beautiful except Nevada's. I would probably be really sad to receive sagebrush for an anniversary present. (Texas - bluebonnet; North Carolina - dogwood; Utah - sego lily; Colorado - Columbine) When you search for Columbine, it is not the flower that comes up, but blurbs on the shooting at the school 10 years ago.

Mother's Day

Andy tried very hard to make today special. He succeeded in letting me sleep in until 7:30! (If you know my children, that is something.) It has been a nice day. I got some fun things. Andy even got something for me. I tell him that I am not his mom, so he doesn't have to, but he argues that I brought him 4 things that are his greatest joys. (I am pretty sure he is including me in that. However, yesterday he told someone that he had 4 children.) Gifts I got:

Andy - $15 iTunes with a sweet letter

Marcus - a water color he painted of the two of us, and several other neat pieces of art work

Anneke - a poem with her picture, and two candles

Caspian Luke - his first tooth, and sleeping through last night

I am a pretty lucky mom, I know. Marcus and Anneke sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth" in sacrament. Anneke was standing at the front and it seemed like she was playing peek-a-boo or something. She was visible one minute, and then not the next, in typical Anneke fashion. At church we got Dove candy bars and little books, plus dessert afterward.

The children (and I) are excited about the pool we will have when moving to Vegas. My dad calls teaching my kids to swim "waterproofing". I child-proof, so I guess I had better waterproof now. Anyway, yesterday we were scouting out supplies. Anneke saw a huge pink sea horse floaty that she had to have. "That won't make me melt." We stared at her, "Melt in the water." Oh, sink. Gotcha.

We have a bunch of boxes, getting ready to move. Today Andy helped the kids put together a box fort. They wanted the baby to play, too. Anneke got her nails painted today. She loved it. I think she has just as much on her skin as her nails. She was too wiggly for me at times.

The End

Andy doesn't like me to write in yellow, but since CU's colors are gold and black I wanted to. Anyway, Andy now has an MA degree in English literature. It marks the end of his schooling at CU and is bitter sweet. Poor Anneke thought it was going to be a party and was so excited she couldn't stand it. Sitting through the speeches and such she was quite bored. Next time I will remember to bring more activities to occupy them. Yes, there will be a next time. Dr. Bahlmann will walk across the stage in 3-5 years! We took a picture of our "Masters baby", the older kids and Andy with Dr. Burger. Doug is the reason we came to Colorado and the children call him Grandpa Doug. (I am in charge of pictures, so I am not in very many.)

Yesterday was an awful day. I was very sick. Andy was pretty worried. (He said it is the sickest he has ever seen me.) Anneke didn't nap and wouldn't go to bed until after 10:30pm. I was not up to parr and Andy had gone out to the movies. Today we are all exhausted. If it is possible, it is a good exhausted.

Here we go

On Friday we found out that we have a place to live in Las Vegas. Today we found out that because we have never been kicked out of our apartment the first month is free! It is in a great location. I am really getting excited about this, which is definitely a good thing. If you want to see what it looks like you can follow this link. Here are some Nevada facts:

The name comes from Spanish meaning Snow-capped/Snow Clad. (Hmmm...)

The state flower is the sagebrush. (Ummm...)

In 1931 the Pair-O-Dice Club was the first casino to open on Highway 91, the future Las Vegas Strip.

Nevada has more mountain ranges than any other state, with its highest point at the 13,145 foot top of Boundary Peak near the west-central border.

Nevada is the largest gold-producing state in the nation. It is second in the world behind South Africa.

Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other place on earth.

Construction worker Hard Hat's were first invented specifically for workers on the Hoover Dam in 1933.

Saturday Angela and I went to "Made of Honor". It was pretty funny. I have not had a "girls night out" in quite a while that was not required for work.

Just before I left for the movie Marcus decided to throw up in the hall. Sunday he and I had a nice conversation about scriptures. He really enjoyed the Mormonad "You are Never Alone". He told me that no matter what you can pray. He is so smart! He also told me a lot of scripture stories and things I didn't know he knew. I don't get a lot of one on one time with him, so despite being sick, it was a nice time.

The movie is a bit dark, but it is still cute. (Don't forget to pause the music before you watch this.) I have never been able to get this kind of response from my babies. I guess it takes siblings to make it happen. Luke has been giving very slobbery open mouth kisses. He is cutting teeth, any day now...

Yesterday we went on a walk. It is weird saying good-bye to so many places. Two years ago I never would have thought that I would miss Boulder, Colorado. I have been very lucky to call this place home, even if only for a short time. Okay, I am done waxing poetic. Enjoy the photo that leads in this post. Marcus named the buffalo "Noil" and Anneke named it Zippy from Veggie Tales.

Red Wings Suck

*If you don't like hockey, you may want to skip this section.* Tuesday was an eventful, fun day. Spurs won! While others were watching basketball we were in the Pepsi Center enjoying hockey. It was the Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings for the Stanley Cup play offs. This is a huge rivalry. Andy was disappointed there were no major fights. I was disappointed that we were surrounded by foul mouthed Detroit fans. We took Luke with us and he had fun playing with people around us. A lot of people loved making him smile and laugh. On the way there Angela taught him how to clap. Though he can't do it to it well, it was cute to see him try. He was wide awake the whole game. When we had about five minutes left, though, Luke hit the wall. I had to take him out. Avalanche lost by 1 point. It was one of the worst referied (is that a word?) games in play-off history. Poor Forsberg was sure picked on. Hockey fans are more civilized than basketball or football fans as far as I can tell, though. I have been to a few sports games and even in losing everyone was pleasant that night.

After returning home, we had an emergency at about 1:00am. An AC exploded on the third floor sending HOT water everywhere. I called maintenance while Andy tried to go turn the water off. Yesterday after several water extractions the carpet was still wet (not damp) to the touch. It was a long night. Especially for that family. (They were the ones that took us to the hockey game.)

We applied for an apartment yesterday. Since we only have a month left, I sure hope we get it. I need to schedule a moving van soon.

In other news, it is snowing today for May Day. Very odd! Yesterday was nice and sunny. That's Colorado for you.

I have a goal to spend less time on the computer, so I will end now, and get my son from school. He doesn't have school again tomorrow. Does he ever go to kindergarten?