I miss North Carolina more than I can say. I miss the climate. I miss the trees. I miss the neighborhood we lived in. But most of all I miss my friends.
Las Vegas is already meeting our expectations, though. We have had more family visits in our three months in Vegas than we had in our four years in North Carolina. That is the main reason we moved here-- to be closer to our family. And it has been absolutely wonderful. My mom popped over for a few days this week just because she wanted to. It was fantastic to have her here. It was so easy to say goodbye because I'm planning to pop over to Snowflake for a visit next month. I love it! Two of Mark's siblings have visited us here. My brother has visited us. Mom and Dad Bailey have been here and we are going to see them again next week. So much family time!
I'm trying to build a life and routine for myself and my family here. Mark's routine is pretty set and he is starting to become friends with his coworkers. I have started training for a triathlon. I take my kids to the library weekly. I try to attend a play group weekly (when family isn't here.) I have started quilting. I have started making my own bread from wheat I grind myself. I get myself and my boys outside everyday while I hang out the laundry. To be honest I feel like I am living this idyllic life. I just love it.
For Mark's birthday I gave him a year of pre-planned dates. One in. One out. We just finished up our August dates and it was amazing! The both took place on Friday nights when we would otherwise have been too tired to plan anything. I can't wait to date my husband for the next 11 months with those plans. It might just be something we have to plan out more often.
Las Vegas is great but I am already anticipating the move we'll be making in 10 months and it makes me feel weary and anxious. But I know that I can't hold myself back from this place. I have to invest myself fully into my friendships and my ward family here if I want to be happy and fulfilled.
P.S. Random hilarious Austin quote of the day-- I am outside pouring wheat into the wheat grinder and Austin is watching me. He very excitedly points to the wheat and says, "Thas cat food, mommy!" I promise it was wheat. :)
Some pictures for your enjoyment:
This pose happens at least once a day. Austin loves to cuddle Sean. The following two pictures were taken about a week apart.
We enjoyed our own fireworks on the 4th of July. The boys were entranced.
Sean is a mover. He rolls everywhere and can almost army crawl. I promise I don't stick my kids under the bed. He got there all by himself.
When Mark is rotating at UMC he rides his bike to work. Austin here was putting on his shoes and helmet, walking to the bike and saying, "Bye! I go work! Bye!"
Austin is showing Sean his book with roads in it and demonstrating how to drive a car on a road.
Austin loves "baby monster" (the brown one). The yellow one belongs to Sean. Nana made them. He also loves the "Baby Monster Movie" (Monsters Inc.) and has to be holding the baby monsters while he watches it.
So I often will hold Aus in one arm and Sean in the other and say "My babies! My babies!" while I give them hugs and kisses. The other day I heard Aus in the other room saying "My babies! My babies!" while holding the two monsters the way I hold Sean and him. It was darling. He is a darling boy with a heart of gold.
