Snow, Snow & More Snow

I know that everyone in the west has felt the brunt of this series of storms but when you didn't grow up with snow and you get over 3 feet in 5 days - that's a lot of snow!! Luckily Amelia loves the snow and Caleb has been putting up with it fairly well. The picture at left is our front yard. Keep in mind that we live in a mobile home and the deck is at least 3 feet off the ground. That being said we really can't complaint too much because the picture at right was taken from in front of our house. You don't get views like this in Southern California. We did take advantage of all the snow and Rod dug the kids out a snow cave. The only problem now is that we got at least 10-12 inches more snow the night after he dug it so it's a bit hard to get to.



Thankfully before all this snow hit last week we were able to celebrate Amelia's 4th birthday. We had some friends up from Bloomfield, balloons, pizza, cake, ice cream and presents - what more does a 4-year-old need? We left the streamers up in the living room for a few days after her birthday and she kept asking me why they were still up. I guess she understood the idea that her birthday was just that one day. Of course, the real answer to her question was Mommy and Daddy are just lazy and haven't taken them down yet. (Don't worry, they are down by now.)

In other news, Rod has started his new job as a corporate pilot for Foutz & Bursam Construction. This is the same businessman he has been flying the LearJet for since the spring. When the owner heard that Mesa was shutting down he offered Rod a full-time position. Now Rod is getting the same pay and only has to work about 3 days a week. He's home with the kids and I the rest of the time. What a blessing!

To finished off, I don't want you to think I forgot about Caleb so here's a cute pic of him. Yes, he's our little climber!

New House, New Snow

So we are finally moved in up in Durango and what a last two weeks it has been! We frantically packed the moving truck on Monday, November 30th and closed on our Bloomfield house. Tuesday afternoon we made the 45 minute drive to Durango, Colorado and unpacked into our "new" mobile home. On Wednesday, we made the drive to Bloomfield and back twice then finally got to settle down for a few days.

After closing on our new place that Friday, I guess the Lord really wanted us to stay put for a while because on Monday, December 7th it snowed for 24 hours straight and we got about 2 feet of snow. No going anywhere in the Saturn for several days! Then the next Sunday we got another 8 inches. Wow! Welcome to the mountains. Rod and I have been busy shoveling snow while still trying to unpack the house and remember that it's Christmas time. Caleb is trying to figure out why Mommy & Daddy are spending so much time outside.

Amelia loves the snow while Caleb is not so sure about it. He most just stands there and fusses while Amelia is rolling around like a penguin. You can see from this last picture why we wanted to move here. This is the view from our house!

Season of Change

Fall is in full swing here in New Mexico and we are getting ready for a lot of changes ourselves. So here's the latest news. We are in escrow to sell our house in Bloomfield and also in escrow to purchase a mobile home in Durango. Everything seems to be going smoothly and our move might actually take place the first week of December. That will be only two months after putting it on the market. In this economy, that has to be a God thing!

As that is all happening, we are counting down the days Rod has left with Mesa. The company has decided to shut down the flight school, officially in 6 months but it will more likely be around the end of this year. Praise God that he gave us the foresight to move now and reduce our expenses. That being said, Rod does have several job possibilities for flying in this area that look to be very promising. We know that God has to be in control otherwise we'd be freaking out right about now.

Other than that, we're good. Caleb runs everywhere and doesn't know what to do if his big sister is not available to play with. Amelia is learning to write her name and loves taking care of her stuffed animals and talking on her cell phone. I had some great pictures from our annual trip to the pumpkin patch but sadly they disappeared with the diaper bag so I'll have to indulge you with a few summer pictures.

A Bit of Inconvenience

So this week the kids and I are in Arizona visiting my Rod's parents (otherwise known as Nana & Papa). When we got to the airport in Durango, I went inside for a minute to see if there were carts available or an employee that could help me since I had luggage and two carseats to bring in. After being inside for less than 10 minute I went back outside to retrieve said items only to find that the truck's passenger window had been smashed and my diaper bag and computer bag stolen. Most of the items that were taken can be replaced but sadly the kid's blankies were also in the diaper bag.

It has been a good lesson on trusting God with the outcome. It has also given me a chance to talk to Amelia about how there are just mean people in the world and conversely how God wants us to act. There are some things that we just don't understand but at least I can still be at peace about it.

House for Sale

So we have decided it is time to make the jump to Durango. Last week we put our house up for sale and are doing the work to sell it ourselves. You can check out our house info here. It will definitely be a challenge to sell a house in this economy but the market in our area is much better than the rest of the country. We have already had several calls about the house and have shown it twice. Most importantly we know that it will all happen in God's timing. If you know anyone in this area looking for a nice family home, please let them know about this one.

This process has been consuming most of our time and energy for the last several weeks. We had a big garage sale a few weekends back and were very successful in getting a lot of junk out of the house. Then we've been working on "staging" and depersonalizing the house as the Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Own Home suggests. It has been a lot of work but the house is finally the way we want it so now we just have to keep it maintained, which is easier said than done with two little ones running around. I'll post some recent pictures of the kids in the next week or so.

Our Christmas Tree

So everyone always debates the real tree vs. fake tree issue. But I have to say that there is nothing like a fresh tree. See real trees usually come from the Christmas tree lot or from Home Depot. Once in a while you get a chance to cut your own from the tree farm but there is nothing like having a tree cut straight from the forest, especially when a tree cutting permit costs $8.00.



Rod and our friend, Nate, went on Sunday outside of Durango and cut down our tree. It smells so fresh and there aren't needles falling off of it when we brought it in the house like last year's tree (from Home Depot). We put it up on Monday night and even with no lights or decorations on it yet Amelia still wanted to read her stories on the couch by the tree.

Everybody Sing!

Last weekend, Rod's parents were here for a visit. On Friday evening we went up to Durango for a little outing. We let Amelia play at our favorite park and took a nice walk along the riverwalk. During dinner at our favorite restaurant, Serious Texas BBQ, Amelia had probably more than she should have of my sweet tea and Rod's Diet Coke, so she was quite awake for the drive home. For most of the way home, we had a family sing-along with Amelia as the choir director. She told us what songs to sing including the ABC's; Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star; Itsy, Bitsy Spider and a few other. She wanted everyone to be singing and even scolded Rod once when she thought that Daddy was not singing. It was cute to see her mind working to remember all the different songs.

A Getaway

Last week, Rod's parents were here for a few days. So we took the opportunity to get away up to Durango for a night. We went for a hike when we got up there last Sunday and by chance happened to pick a hike that followed a beautiful creek and waterfall. I love having a digital camera so you can take tons of pictures and not waste film. We wanted to share some of the pictures with you. If you have never been to Durango, Colorado it is a trip you must plan on taking. There a tons of fun things to do and the scenery is awesome.

We stayed the night at our favorite B & B, the Apple Orchard Inn. It is just a little north of Durango in the Animas Valley and each morning and evening you can hear the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad go by (another thing to check out if you come). Most of you know that we lived here for a year about four years ago. We keep asking each other why we left and are hoping that God will allow us to move back someday.

Checkup in Durango

Yesterday we spent the afternoon in Durango. Amelia's pediatrician is up there and it was time for her 18-month well check. The doctor said she is doing great and she came in at 20 lbs. 9 oz. and 31 1/2 inches. She likes to stick right at the bottom of the curve in her weight but then look at me. We have to go to Durango to go to the doctor because our insurance does not have any pediatricians in-network anywhere in Farmington. Because we love going up there, we don't mind so much. After her appointment we went to Santa Rita Park which has a great playground and is right next to the Animas River. So she had a great time stretching her legs and then we put her in the stroller and went for a nice long walk along the river. The temperature was perfect, maybe 80 degrees, which was a nice change from the near 100's we've been having in Bloomfield.

This picture is a from a few weeks ago but I just had to share it!

What We're Up To

For those of you who have no idea what we've been up to and where we are now, here's a summary: At the beginning of this year we moved from Apple Valley, CA to Bloomfield, NM. Rod is working as an instructor pilot with Mesa Pilot Development in Farmington (northwest corner of NM, near Four Corners). We were finally able to buy a house (not a reality for us in Southern California) and are working on getting it landscaped. I am able to be a stay-at-home mom to Amelia who is now 17 months old and practically running everywhere. I do some selling on eBay for fun and to help pay a few bills.

We like the area and being away from the hustle-bustle of So. Cal. It is a little hotter here than we thought it would be but not as hot as the High Desert so I really shouldn't be complaining. We are only about 45 minutes from Durango, CO where we love to go when we have extra time. I know that New Mexico doesn't sound very exciting but there is really a lot to do within an hour of here. If you are ever through this area, we'd love to have you visit. We even have a guest room!