I was on the phone long distance, again, setting up something for our move.  I noticed Lila's diaper needed to be changed and since she has been going #2 on the potty I knew it would be just a wet diaper so I asked Ellie to change her diaper.  I managed to snap this photo while still on the phone.  I think Ellie may have a new responsibility soon. :)

Please tell me why she gets up at 5:30 am if she crashes like this by 11.  I've tried everything.  She is like a rooster--5:30 every day.

I love that my girls love produce.  Lila will eat a tomato like an apple and Ellie loves to eat spinach leaves.

Ellie said that on the way home from errands the other day and I don't think she could ever realize all the implications that statement has on our lives right now.  It has been wonderful to be home from our trip.  The girls have loved playing with each other and their toys (the ones that are not in boxes anyways).

Here they are playing on Ellie's bed.  They love playing on and under the bed.  Notice Lila's attire.  She has been sleeping in a toddler bed since we have returned.  The transition was flawless, but she does like to layer on a few more clothes after waking up in the morning. :)

Here they are making a mud cake.  There was a huge rainstorm last night that made the sand box a perfect mud mixture for them to enjoy today.

Could it get any better?

These sweet moments have helped me realize that "There is no place like home", but that is because of the spirit of love and comfort and peace that home brings and we can make that wherever we go.  I have really been emotional about this move, but lately something has clicked and I have finally found the peace I have needed.  I have felt the Lord's hand guiding me as we make decisions and work things out.  I know of His love and trust in His care.  Here's to clicking our red shoes (if only it were that easy) and heading home. :)

It all started 6 weeks ago when Steve was offered a position with a small engineering consultant firm, Moore Good Ideas in Layton, UT.  Steve was excited about the position and the thought of moving closer to family was enticing . . . but the thought of leaving this beautiful place we have called home for 7 years and dear friends made it difficult to fully accept the idea of a move.  Well I called my Dad, the realtor, and dug in.  I started moving furniture, storing pieces we didn't need, boxing unnecessary items, storing toys etc.  All while Steve worked frantically on his dissertation or "Dad's book" as Ellie calls it.  Thanks to a couple of close friends who helped me with the heavy beds and pushed me on when I was tired, the house was ready to go on the market within a couple of weeks.  The house went live on the MLS June 30th and we had somebody come look at the house that day.

Steve and I one evening each admitted that we could imagine ourselves living in this home for the rest of our lives . . . We will miss this sweet home (especially after all the upgrades we did).

The girls were pretty patient with me as I told them that most of their toys had been put away and they had to keep the house clean, but it was starting to take its toll on us so we decided to start our trip to Idaho that night instead of the next day.  I miscalculated the drive to Panguitch and forgot that we would lose an hour so we pulled in to my Uncle Grant's motel, The Purple Sage, at 4 am.  Lila dutifully woke-up at 6 am Arizona time so we were back on the road after only 3 hours of sleep.  We safely made it to Idaho where Steve locked himself in my parents' office and continued writing while the rest of us enjoyed some 4th of July festivities over the weekend.

I think Zoe enjoyed her trip much more this time.  She would run around in the grass, chase birds and mice.  My Dad even caught her rolling around on a dead fish down by the river--she got a bath after that, but after her bath she got a ride on the boat which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Relaxing in the hammock was something the girls loved doing with Grandpa and Daddy when he took a break from his "book".

Flying kites.

Ellie loved playing "spy" with the telescope.  She noticed the neighbors sprinklers were on, observed geese, deer, and other wildlife in the area.

We love the parade on the 4th!

We were notified on the 4th by our realtor in Tucson that we had already received two offers on our home after only 5 days on the market.  Tuesday, July 5, my Dad, Steve, and myself got up early drove down to Layton and looked at homes with our realtor there.  We got a feel for the area and scoped out Steve's place of employment.  We also met Steve's parents in South Salt Lake for a quick visit and then we dropped Steve off at the airport so he could head back to school and keep working on his dissertation.  Meanwhile I began working on figuring out the offers on our home, searching for a rental in Layton, dealing with some rental property stuff--I felt like I was on the phone long distance with people all the time trying to figure something or another out (it truly was one of those times "when it rains, it pours").  However, I did find some time to teach my brother and sister a new game and enjoy the following activities with my family.

The girls and I went for several long tube rides.

Jakey let Izzy drive while pulling us.

The girls would talk my ears off while we were riding and then they would relax--I thought Lila might actually fall asleep there.

Ellie even went swimming in the river after being bribed with $3 (she tried to negotiate $6 with Jakey and Mimi).

Fishing was a highlight with Jakey and Grandpa.  Lila tells everyone that her fish was so big, HUGE while holding her hands far apart.  The fish starting flopping while they were touching it and we had to grab the girls to stop them from backing away from the fish into the river.


We left Thursday, July 14, to head back to Tucson.  Mimi was kind enough to make the journey with me and the girls so we stopped in Layton to drop Mimi's car off and the kittens for Aunt Nessa (which Lila loved hauling around like little babies awing and oohing the whole time, it was so cute).  I went by an apartment complex following a lead on a place to live and spent 45 minutes filling out a 20 page application--really? for an apartment? CRAZY!  We picked up Cafe Rio and then hit the road again with a quick pull-off to say hi to Jakey.  We stayed the night in Panguitch again and then finished our journey on Friday.  We got home to find we had a hitch-hiker.

This bug is centered at the top of the grill like a hood ornament--the picture doesn't do it justice--cracks us up.

Mimi flew home yesterday and we continue to make progress on the sell of our home with inspections and such.  Steve's defense date has been pushed to August so we are trying to finalize a move date that works . . . which is more difficult than it should be when you consider closing date for our house, Steve's defense date, Ellie's date for starting school, availability of family to help with the move and the fact that it may be me and the girls by ourselves for a while in Layton.  Thus is life and soon, hopefully very soon Steve will have his Phd and we can begin the next chapter in our lives.