Desert Living

Intense sun and heat has been an adjustment.  We have been living with it since the beginning of July and just yesterday I was commenting to Matthew how nice the weather seems to be getting.  It's still in the 90's but for some reason, the wind, and AC make the 90's bearable.  We started out our move extremely uneventful.  Just the usual, getting settled in and trying to find a preschool for Elijah. We did take a crazy one week trip to Oregon right after we moved here.  It was literally one of those things where we woke up Sunday morning not knowing we were leaving and by two in the afternoon we were embarking on our 20 hour drive.  It was CRAZY, but we were glad we made the trip.  We were able to see family and that is always worth it.  Here are some pictures of the trip.

On the way to Oregon

On the way back

 Considering how long the drive was, the kids were awesome.  On the way there we took two days to get to our final destination.  On the way back we were much smarter and left earlier in the morning to make it back to our home in one day.  The kids are getting good at being quite the little travelers.

We really haven't seen much of this place.  Our good friends took us to the Mesa Temple when we first moved and this yummy shaved ice place, Bahama Bucks.  But we still haven't seen the Grand Canyon.  It is definitely on my must see list.

Eva started school the beginning of August, and then eight weeks later I got a job at her school too teaching second grade.  It has been an adjustment and stressful.  Not the teaching part.  I always feel  like that has a way of working itself out.  It is more the balancing between Matthew being in school and me working, spending time with the kids, translating some stuff for my "other job", the cooking, cleaning...ya, it's hard!  But, I know it is all relative.  Everyone has hard, and I just have to figure out how to put my finger around it all.  I am just thankful for this week long fall break to recuperate and start new next week.

Eva's first day of Second Grade.  While I am not her teacher, she is right across the hall from me and I think we both enjoy seeing each other throughout the day.

Swimming Lessons.  This little guy is actually swimming.  He doesn't trust himself to do it continuously but he can swim.

First day of Preschool.  It's a bummer he isn't in the same building as Eva and I but we are making it work.  

Every time Eva earns 20 "college credits" for being responsible, respectful and/or a good kid at school, we get to go out for a treat. 

McTeacher night with Eva's teacher and one of my teammates.  It was so awesome to see her running around with a lot of her friends.  Especially since we were worried there at the beginning of the year she wouldn't have any.  Love my little social butterfly.

As things get tough, I remember why I do the things I do.  It's for these guys.  I love them; and even when I am searching for the brown paper bag to breath in so I don't hyperventilate, I remember, everything is going to be okay.  The Lord knows of my needs and is with me every step of the way.