Hi family!
I'm a few days late on here as we were out of town of the weekend. It is fun to see so many on here. I'd still love to hear more from Dennis, Travis, and Becky. Come on guys!
This month has been much more calm than last month, I think we are finally settling into a bit of a routine. Agathe is making more friends and finding more things to do with her time which takes a huge huge load off of me. Mary and Trent were so nice last week to invite her to go to a BYU basketball game with them and that helped a ton. Thanks guys! My good friend, Charlotte, who teaches French at Corner Canyon invited Agathe over for a French dinner one night too which gave us a nice little break. The Young Women have been AMAZING, really taking her under their wing. The YW Prez is very supportive and a huge go getter- she has been so sweet to Agathe. She invited her to do a BOM challenge with the YW, invites her to play the piano for opening exercises, and they're even doing a mutual night all about France. It really means so much to me how good they have been about taking Agathe in. People are good.
We had a busy month as we tried to fit in a couple of weekend trips. I hadn't left Utah since I had June and all of a sudden, after a long stressful winter, I felt so ready for a change of scenery. So, over President's day we took Agathe and her friend to Las Vegas. We left June with Greg's parents and hit the road. Agathe's friend is from the ward. She's over six feet tall and a volleyball player. Agathe is no shrimp herself. I felt like I was being accompanied by two body guards all weekend. Agathe's friend, Maggie, is a true yapper. She talked nonstop. She had stories about her sister's boyfriend's sister when he was in fifth grade. I could only feign interest for so long. It was nice though, because Agathe is not very talkative so I didn't have to worry about the two of them when they were together- I knew Maggie would just do her thing and Agathe would be completely entertained.
We walked up and down the strip, watched the water show at the Bellagio, did some shopping, and ate out at Shake Shack and Cheesecake Factory. The big thing was that the girls really wanted to do the rides at the top of Stratosphere. We did them at midnight and were up there with a bunch of high schoolers who were in Vegas for sports tournaments. I can't escape teenagers! The girls LOVED the rides. I tolerated them. Greg puked. Are we getting old?!?!?
Agathe LOVED Las Vegas. It was kind of sweet how excited she was about it. I guess it would be like if some American teen got to see Paris for the first time. She just kept looking at all the big hotels and casinos and saying that she couldn't believe she was there. It was really sweet. I also think the trip was good because it kind of endeared me to Agathe a lot more. She really is so so kind and grateful. She never complains. She was happy the whole time even when we had to do a lot lot of walking. Teenagers can be self involved (Well, I guess everyone can) but it is really amazing to me how aware Agathe can be of our feelings. She is very sensitive to many things and I appreciate that.
Of course, we missed June like crazy. It was the first time I have spent a night away from her. Harder than I thought it would be! At the end of the first night all I wanted to do was go home and see June! Weird!
That was over President's day weekend. This weekend just barely we went to Phoenix to visit Brett and Kylee- Greg's brother. We had Friday off of school and Brett had a break at med school- something that rarely happens- so we took Monday off and made a long weekend of it. Agathe stayed at Maggie's house- her mom is so good to help us out. It was nice and warm in Phoenix which we loved, but it rained most of the time. Also, Kylee had a dance competition all weekend so we pretty much only saw her on Sunday night. Still, though, I know it was so good for Greg to get to spend time with his brother. He misses him so much having him gone. That's the thing about a small family- when one person is gone the whole family is gone! It was also nice to have a little space from Agathe, to not feel so responsible for someone else, to just relax and be away from home for a long weekend. I also had the best almond french toast of my life!
June weathered the 10 hour drive pretty well. There were a few stretches where she got pretty miserable, but overall it was good. She is not taking the big long naps that she used to and I am in a period on long-nap mourning. She is also not sleeping as well at night. I think it might be because of this rash/eczema thing that she has had going on on her skin for about a month now. She itches it like crazy and I know it bothers her. We've called the doctor and taken her in, tried coconut oil, special eczema cream, aquaphor, and even a weird combination of baking soda baths. Nothing is helping. I am going to take her in again tomorrow. She remains mostly pleasant, but she does cry more than before and acts like her skin is bothering her so we'll see. Her nights have definitely become MUCH worse- waking up two or three times a night. I am dying!
Everything else on the homefront is pretty good. I am planning to work part time again next year, the same schedule I had this year. I am pushing for AP Lit at my school next year. It was a class I taught my first year that they did away with because there was not enough interest. I am hoping we get enough kids this year to make it go (at least 20 need to sign up.) Greg is getting ready for another year, already planning his next musical. We are both very excited for summer break and especially excited for Cancun!
Church is good. We have been in the primary for 18 months now and are at the point where we'd be ready to be released. We were put in the primary the first month we moved in so... yah. A change would be nice. There are still so many people in the ward we haven't met because we've been in primary the whole time. At our tithing settlement the bishop asked us if we were doing okay there. We said yes and he said "Okay, we usually rotate our primary teachers every 2-3 years." Wow. Now I wish I would've said we weren't doing okay there. I don't think I can do three years! I kind of want to let him know that we're ready for a new calling, but at the same time maybe this is where we need to be for some reason and I just need to calm down the ants in my pants.
Love you all! Sorry this post got a little long winded!
I'm a few days late on here as we were out of town of the weekend. It is fun to see so many on here. I'd still love to hear more from Dennis, Travis, and Becky. Come on guys!
This month has been much more calm than last month, I think we are finally settling into a bit of a routine. Agathe is making more friends and finding more things to do with her time which takes a huge huge load off of me. Mary and Trent were so nice last week to invite her to go to a BYU basketball game with them and that helped a ton. Thanks guys! My good friend, Charlotte, who teaches French at Corner Canyon invited Agathe over for a French dinner one night too which gave us a nice little break. The Young Women have been AMAZING, really taking her under their wing. The YW Prez is very supportive and a huge go getter- she has been so sweet to Agathe. She invited her to do a BOM challenge with the YW, invites her to play the piano for opening exercises, and they're even doing a mutual night all about France. It really means so much to me how good they have been about taking Agathe in. People are good.
We had a busy month as we tried to fit in a couple of weekend trips. I hadn't left Utah since I had June and all of a sudden, after a long stressful winter, I felt so ready for a change of scenery. So, over President's day we took Agathe and her friend to Las Vegas. We left June with Greg's parents and hit the road. Agathe's friend is from the ward. She's over six feet tall and a volleyball player. Agathe is no shrimp herself. I felt like I was being accompanied by two body guards all weekend. Agathe's friend, Maggie, is a true yapper. She talked nonstop. She had stories about her sister's boyfriend's sister when he was in fifth grade. I could only feign interest for so long. It was nice though, because Agathe is not very talkative so I didn't have to worry about the two of them when they were together- I knew Maggie would just do her thing and Agathe would be completely entertained.
We walked up and down the strip, watched the water show at the Bellagio, did some shopping, and ate out at Shake Shack and Cheesecake Factory. The big thing was that the girls really wanted to do the rides at the top of Stratosphere. We did them at midnight and were up there with a bunch of high schoolers who were in Vegas for sports tournaments. I can't escape teenagers! The girls LOVED the rides. I tolerated them. Greg puked. Are we getting old?!?!?
The picture from the scariest ride on the stratosphere. It is hands down the most terrifying roller coaster I have ever been on. I thought I was going to die. On beach day! (10 points if you know the reference.) The picture below is the ride we were on when we were making the face from the picture above. We were in the very front.
This was the other terrifying ride, the swings. I wanted to die the whole time. I think I kind of hate heights.
Of course, we missed June like crazy. It was the first time I have spent a night away from her. Harder than I thought it would be! At the end of the first night all I wanted to do was go home and see June! Weird!
That was over President's day weekend. This weekend just barely we went to Phoenix to visit Brett and Kylee- Greg's brother. We had Friday off of school and Brett had a break at med school- something that rarely happens- so we took Monday off and made a long weekend of it. Agathe stayed at Maggie's house- her mom is so good to help us out. It was nice and warm in Phoenix which we loved, but it rained most of the time. Also, Kylee had a dance competition all weekend so we pretty much only saw her on Sunday night. Still, though, I know it was so good for Greg to get to spend time with his brother. He misses him so much having him gone. That's the thing about a small family- when one person is gone the whole family is gone! It was also nice to have a little space from Agathe, to not feel so responsible for someone else, to just relax and be away from home for a long weekend. I also had the best almond french toast of my life!
June weathered the 10 hour drive pretty well. There were a few stretches where she got pretty miserable, but overall it was good. She is not taking the big long naps that she used to and I am in a period on long-nap mourning. She is also not sleeping as well at night. I think it might be because of this rash/eczema thing that she has had going on on her skin for about a month now. She itches it like crazy and I know it bothers her. We've called the doctor and taken her in, tried coconut oil, special eczema cream, aquaphor, and even a weird combination of baking soda baths. Nothing is helping. I am going to take her in again tomorrow. She remains mostly pleasant, but she does cry more than before and acts like her skin is bothering her so we'll see. Her nights have definitely become MUCH worse- waking up two or three times a night. I am dying!
Everything else on the homefront is pretty good. I am planning to work part time again next year, the same schedule I had this year. I am pushing for AP Lit at my school next year. It was a class I taught my first year that they did away with because there was not enough interest. I am hoping we get enough kids this year to make it go (at least 20 need to sign up.) Greg is getting ready for another year, already planning his next musical. We are both very excited for summer break and especially excited for Cancun!
Church is good. We have been in the primary for 18 months now and are at the point where we'd be ready to be released. We were put in the primary the first month we moved in so... yah. A change would be nice. There are still so many people in the ward we haven't met because we've been in primary the whole time. At our tithing settlement the bishop asked us if we were doing okay there. We said yes and he said "Okay, we usually rotate our primary teachers every 2-3 years." Wow. Now I wish I would've said we weren't doing okay there. I don't think I can do three years! I kind of want to let him know that we're ready for a new calling, but at the same time maybe this is where we need to be for some reason and I just need to calm down the ants in my pants.
Love you all! Sorry this post got a little long winded!
Those rides at Vegas look crazy. I can handle fast, I can't handle spinny anymore though. Roller coasters definitely are not the appeal they once were.
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome the way the church is set up and how well Agathe has been taken in!
Don't be afraid to tell your bishop you could use a change… information before inspiration is what my mission prez used to say!
ReplyDeleteGlad you've had fun getting out and about. Congrats on taking June on a road trip? Did you know I flew by myself from TN to UT when Em was only 6 weeks old? And we flew with Caroline from DC to Poland when she was 4 months old.
Right when I got home from my mission, Marianne and I went to Disneyland. We stopped at the stratosphere on our way there, and went to the top. We only paid for two rides, and chose to do the needle and the swings. We loved it. We did it at night, though, so I don't think it was quite as scary. I think daytime would be really hard cause you would have a clear view of really how high you were.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing more adorable than that little white sun hat on June.
My favorite part of that trip that Mary made is the picture of Marianne that it spawned, if any of you haven't seen it just google mom's address, 354 E 1250 N Orem. Mary's car door is open and if you scroll over you'll see Marianne walking with her sleeping bag.. hillarious!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, glad that you've been getting a bit of necessary space, I didn't read last month's post until a few days before this one and I felt so bad for you.
I've never really seen much of Vegas. The big Mining show is held there every four years and I went there in September 2013. I wanted to go running so I decided to run down the strip, which unfortunately there are many places where the casinos basically close off the street and route you through their lobby/gaming areas. There is nothing like jogging through a bunch of casinos at 7:30am and seeing the type of people who are still gambling after a full night of it and drinking to think, "this is the least attractive thing to me in the world". Never explored any of the "cultural" positives of Vegas like the shows, etc, I was there only one night and we did a company dinner.