Lately

Last week I said goodbye to our little house on Vineyard, and we were off to Mexico. We planned this trip a while ago and decided that since we'd be moving just a few weeks after we got back that Clark and I should just stay here. Neither of us would have been much help finishing up packing, and traveling with a toddler is a little stressful. Anyhow, we had lots of fun at my in-law's beach house in Rocky Point. Now we've just been hanging out at our parents' houses, and Clark is loving having so much new space to explore.

6 bags, a car seat, and a stroller: everything we could have possibly brought for free.

We'll pretend he was this happy for the whole drive down to Mexico.

 

These are just the pictures I got on my phone. Maybe sometime I'll get around to getting the real ones on here.

Speaking of Nice People

This Wednesday my playgroup threw me a little last minute baby shower. It was so thoughtful of them, and they were way too generous with gifts and money.

This is one thing I am going to really miss about living here. I mean, a group of 10+ women all from different backgrounds and not a SINGLE ONE is catty, judgmental, competitive, or critical in any way? That gives me hope in humanity. Really, though, they are all just so genuinely nice, humble, helpful, and intelligent. I would have lost my marbles if I didn't get to meet up with them once, sometimes more, every week!

one of our first weeks

about a month ago (it's gotten really hard to get pictures now that they're mobile)

Other things I'll miss about Pleasanton:

-great weather
-garage sales galore
-the library
-sooooo many giant, beautiful parks within a 5-mile radius. I really don't think anywhere could outdo Pleasanton in parks.
-close community and so family-friendly

Things I will not miss:

-living in a teeny house
-the cost of living
-the cost of everything else
-being far away from family and old friends
-Jacob's commute and traffic in general
-teaching primary (am I allowed to say that? Don't tell my future bishop, especially if it's my father-in-law)

December

Here's what we've been up to over the last month:

Getting our house all festive. I finally finished with about 3 days left of us actually being here. Oh well.
(Side note: As I've had an actual home to decorate, I've learned that I'm really bad at decorating. I just assumed I would be good at it, because I like nice-looking homes and have lots of good ideas. But I'm bad at putting it all together/don't have money to spend on nice things. Maybe some day!)

Sewing up some little gifts for all of our playgroup friends. And there were two more skirts that I didn't get pictures of! I'm proud that I got them all done in time.

Working on/shopping for gifts for everyone else. 

Taking walks down "Candy Cane Lane" which is actually a lot cooler at night (shocking), but I forgot to take pictures that time. And it was COLD.

Baking lots of bread.

Learning how often wanna-be-toddlers get hurt and trying to find new ways to trap him in the one "babyproof" room in the house.

Lots of other stuff, I'm sure, but that's all I can remember for now.  

Halloween 2012

Over the weekend we got Clark into costume and took him to the stake trunk-or-treat. When I first saw the carnival that had been created in the stake center, I got really excited. Then I remembered that I was too old and my child was too young to participate. So we grabbed some food and left.

When I was making his costume I forgot that babies grow really fast, so it's just a little snug

On real Halloween Clark had playgroup, and all the little babies came in costume. It was a whole lot of cute to take in!

Princess Leia, gnome, robot, tiger, ladybug, owl, frog, ballerina

I think Clark's trying to pick a fight.

Last year at this time, while dressed as "16 and Pregnant", I couldn't wait to have a baby to get me free candy. When it actually came down to it, I just couldn't quite justify using a baby that everyone knows is way too young to eat candy. So instead I put Clark in his costume for our normal evening walk, and we went down the streets that were especially decorated. Lots of people here decorate their yards for Halloween; it's marvelous. I hope they get this into it at Christmas!

Another Visit

The last few days I've been partying with my mom and sister. It's so much fun to have company here! We went to San Francisco where we found an amazing fabric store and got lots of free samples from each shop in Ghirardelli Square. We spent the rest of our time bonding (sitting around like bums), shopping, and taking daily walks to get 1/2 price frozen yogurt. I was also kind enough to let them cook, clean, and babysit for me. I've been so spoiled, I think I'm going to need to hire a housekeeper!

Ok, photo dump of our week (in no particular order):

And this is before the cream cheese frosting!

Bethany made him a leaf mask

Notice the angry shop owner coming out to reprimand us before we scurried away.

Weekend Update

On Saturday morning I went garage sale-ing, as usual. I've decided I'm going to start sharing my finds each week because, well, I'm my mother's daughter and feel the need to tell everyone and their dog when I get a really great deal. I'm well on my way to become a hoarder.
This week, for $5.25 I got:

Cardigan and top for me, clothes for Clark, bread maker, groovy vase

Guys, that is a working bread maker with complimentary bread recipe book for $2! ("But Natalli, have you ever/do you even know how to make bread?" No, but.. $2!) Oh, and garage sale tip of the day: if you buy baby anything and look like you're 17--ok probably even looking 22--people feel really bad for you and give you a better price than they normally would.

 

 

Then of course I watched conference with my boys. All weekend long. It was wonderful as ever, and I'm sad it's over. On Sunday night we made a little fire in the backyard and grilled some chicken, veggies, and pineapple. Is there anything better than grilled pineapple (aside from anything that has chocolate as its main ingredient)?!

Now on to "another butt-head Monday", as my dear husband would say.

Trying

One time, in an act of desperation, I started searching the web for some sort of community group so I could make some sort of friends. I came across Pleasanton Mothers Club, and though it sounded a little hokey, I figured I had nothing to lose. I am so glad I did! I started going to some of the club's playgroups--yes, with my baby that was 3 months old at the time. And then finally they formed a playgroup for kids in Clark's age group. I know, who puts there baby in a playgroup? Turns out there are lots of first time stay at home moms who felt just like I did. And let's be honest, right now it's way more for our sake than for the babies', but it will be fun for Clark to grow up with a little group of friends, too!

Can't go back now

On our way back from UT, this talk came on the ipod. I don't care who you are, where you are in life, you need to read/watch/listen to it. Really, go do it now. I've heard it a few times since it is probably my favorite BYU devotional ever, but it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I have had a really, really good life and made a lot of amazing friends and memories, but I have a problem with getting stuck in the past, wishing things could always stay the way they were.

There were times when we first moved out here and I felt so tired and lonely, I thought this could never be home and that things could never be as great as they once were. On a particularly bad day, I just started bawling and asked Jacob if we had made the right choice. Maybe we should have taken the job offer in Arizona, bought a nice house, been close to friends and family. Things have gotten better as I've been more proactive about making friends and being involved, but I was still always thinking about "better" times.

Then I listened to this, specifically this part, "So a more theological way to talk about Lot’s wife is to say that she did not have faith. She doubted the Lord’s ability to give her something better than she already had. Apparently she thought—fatally, as it turned out—that nothing that lay ahead could possibly be as good as those moments she was leaving behind." And I realized: that is so me! I had never really thought that my attitude showed a lack of faith, but it totally did. This life is all about progression! So as we literally drove away from our past, I decided right there to just let it go. Take the good from it, and move on. I instantly felt that a burden had lifted. I also felt a little stupid for not having thought of such a simple solution on my own. And whenever I'm tempted to look back, I just keep reminding myself: There are great things ahead. There are great things now.

sweet escape

Sometimes when it gets too hot for a our little AC unit to do any good, we have to take family outings until the house is bearable again. This Saturday we chose to wander around Target for a couple hours.

Jacob: We have to go done every single isle in case we need something.

Apparently there are a lot of things we need that we don't even realize we need until we see them. Like this"Koopa Kronicles" DVD.

I have a dream that one day we will be rich enough to afford an air conditioned home. Until then, we will continue to hang out at grocery stores on Saturday evenings like pre-teens at QT.

Sprinkler

Yesterday was hot.  So like any poor person with a kid on a summer day, I thought it would be a fun idea to play in the sprinkler. Plus Clark hasn't gotten a chance to wear the swim trunks I got for him, and summer is almost over.

Then as we stood in the pokey grass with cold water dripping on us and Clark whimpering, I realized that this wasn't really an appropriate activity for a four-month-old. Maybe next year, son.

am I just biased or is he the cutest kid ever?