Two Years in a Nutshell

Not long after my last post I made a decision to stop blogging.  I decided I was sharing too much online and becoming too personal.  But as I've looked over previous posts, I realize how much I enjoy having a record of life events and happenings.  Little things that don't always stay in memories.  Thus, I have decided to give blogging a try once more, but to keep things light, and less personal.

So, since fall 2011 what's new?

Tad and I moved from our condo to a beautiful house about a mile away.  We have a big backyard for Valencia, lots of space for us and kids, fantastic neighbors, and I can still walk to work, though it takes me twice as long.

I'm working at the same school, and still love it.  This year I am also at the middle school one day a week.  I don't exactly love it, but I'm trying to enjoy having new experiences.  I am a fully licensed, certified SLP and a permanent district employee.  Like I said, very happy with my job.

My grandma passed away in early 2012, which was absolutely devastating for our family.  We grieved together and have come to a new normal.  My grandpa moved into a Christian retirement community and is happy as a clam there.  My other grandma has recently moved from Nevada to a retirement home in Seattle near my aunt.

Tad and I have done quite a bit of traveling including a trip to visit his grandparents in St Louis, our 1st anniversary in New England, a couple trips of to the PNW to visit family and friends, and a trip to Colorado to visit friends.  We are in the beginning stages of planning an international trip, either to Spain or Japan.

I was elected as CCLVI secretary in Louisville in 2012 and have enjoyed serving in that position for thae last couple years.  I do not plan to run for re-election this summer.

Tad and I changed churches to one closer to home and joined a home group.  We'It's been a blessing having friends in our local area.

And that pretty much sums it up.  Life is going well, God has bestowed many blessings on us.

Weekend in Nevada

My parents, Stephen, and I just got back this afternoon from spending a long weekend with my dad's family in Nevada. My dad grew up in Boulder City, Nevada, about 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, and my grandma still lives there. My two aunts and cousin had all arrived earlier in the week and were there for Christmas.

We piled into my dad's Camri Friday morning, dropped Nigel off at the petsitter's, and set out on the 5.5-6.5 hour drive. There was snow in the mountain pass, but sdaly none left at my grandma's house. I was hoping it would snow enough on Christmas for some to stick so we could see it. No such luck, oh well.

Friday was my mom's birthday (what a way to spend your birthday, driving for 6 hours in the desert) and Saturday was my Aunt Diane's birthday, so we celebrated by going out for dinner at the only restaurant that was open Friday night, Big Horn. It was a nice Italian/Mediterranean place. We had a fairly large group with my aunts, cousin, grandma and our family friends the Lindebergs. I got veel parmesan, quite tasty.

Two favorite quotes of the evening
#1 "They had me at lamb cabobs" Stephen
#2 My cousin Stephanie: Hey
Our Waiter: What?
Stephanie: It's my mom's birthday
Waiter: I know (ref
Stephanie: I eating it *referring to the birthday cake*

After dinner we went back to my grandma's house and had cheesecake and hung out. My parents and Steve and I spent Friday and Saturday night in the old hotel in Boulder City, since the 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house was already a bit full. It was also good to get a little break from the craziness. My cousin Stephanie, now 15, has physical and intellectual disabilities. She is very sweet, but loves attention and doesn't mind being loud to get it. It was kinda funny, over the course of the weekend I went from "Lindsey", to "Aunt Lindsey", to "Lindseya" (what she had been calling Valencia) to "Aunt Lindseya" haha

Saturday my Aunt Lauren's friend Courtney flew in from Reno to visit and then drive back with Aunt Lauren on Sunday. We hung out, played a couple games of Apples to Apples and Uno and watching Mama Mia. Sunday morning Aunt Lauren and Courtney left, and Aunt Diane and Stephanie left for the airport not too long after. The 4 in my family moved in over to my grandma's house and spent the day relaxing there, and playing Yahtzee. And we drove home this morning.

I love getting to see family, but am glad to be home again. I'm also getting mildly antsy about being back on campus. And don't even talk to me about grad school applications, ugh. I have a lot to do this week.