June 2007 update

I am going to try to add an update each month & let everyone know what we are up to. So I guess everyone knows by now that we are moving to Texas. We started thinking about moving around Christmas time… we enjoyed the sun so-o much down in AZ, that we started thinking, “Why don’t we sell our house- take the equity & build again with no debt, & move some place sunny & warm & closer to my family.” If you would have asked us a year ago, when we were just moving into our new house if we would ever move, we would have said, “No, we’re going to stay here ‘til we die, or at least for a very long time” - since building was so much work & we were so glad to be almost done & we just built our dream house on our dream property, etc... Who would have thought we would be crazy enough to build again??

Well, we started looking for land in St. George first, then we moved our search up to Northern Utah, then we started looking in Boise, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, & then I had a friend in Texas that told me to take a look in Texas, because land was so cheap there compared to everywhere else. And we looked in Texas – in New Braunfels, which is in between Austin & San Antonio. We fell in love with the area. It’s green & beautiful, warm, near big cities for work, and the prices for land were the best we had seen anywhere. So we went down there a couple of times & found a beautiful 8½-acre lot. Now getting the lot is a story in itself; but to make a long story short… we were interested in it -- & found out it was pending, then a week or so later it was available again – but we had to bid against another buyer for it & we dropped out of the bidding war & we lost the land, & then another week passed by & the seller calls us back because the other buyer wasn’t being honest with him & so he offered us the land again & now it’s ours. So now the big task is finishing our home, so we can put it on the market.

Well, besides working on the house… what have we been up to?? I just finished homeschooling for the year! YIPEE!!!! The last two summers we got behind so we did school during the summer, this year we finished all the curriculum on time & we are all ready for a break (I think – I was the most ready!) This summer the girls are going to take swim lessons, piano lessons, & continue with Gymnastics. The swim lessons & gymnastics are on the same day (Tues & Thurs) & right next to each other -- so I only have to drive twice a week – instead of everyday (2 or more times)- so I am looking forward to not being a taxi. I am hoping this summer to catch up on my scrapbooks & I just learned how to bead – so I want to get into that hobby some more this summer before we move. As for Don, what can I say – he is always busy with interpreting, working on the house, getting his Sign Business web site set up, or church stuff. However, he has started a new hobby that we are all enjoying. He got interested in cooking different kinds of ethnic foods. So he learns everything he can about Lebanese food, Chinese food, etc – he visits the little markets that sell the stuff & talks to the owners about cooking it, etc. Then, he buys the stuff there & comes home & cooks it. He’s a great cook & it taste like were eating at a restaurant.

I just realized – I haven’t mentioned Dayton—he’s doing great & growing. He is all boy & loves cars- he loves to sleep with them in his crib & loves to hold them while he eats, etc. We just finished our attic & it’s giant play- room & he loves to play in it with the girls. It’s been very nice for me, because now all the toys stay up there & the kids bedrooms have been staying clean.

Well, that’s about it for this month. Take Care & Keep in Touch. If anyone is up in our area, come & visit us before we move!