Columbine

Today we went house hunting again. The first house we saw was the house I grew up in. Here is a video of the way our house looks now. Mostly this is for Bubs, Brett, Mike & John.

We have been taking videos of all the houses we have gone through. That way we can review what we saw. Our memories aren't what they use to be. I am so confused on what we should do. It would be cool to buy my old house, even though it is different. It would be big enough for us, but not a great place to gather with other families. There are small rooms you can go in, but not one great gathering room. Still, it would be cool. Although the neighborhood is kind of scary now. Our street seems fine, but when you go down towards the school the houses look like they are falling apart. Was it like this when I was growing up? It didn't seem that way.

The other houses we looked at we could see ourselves in as well. They are more expensive, and some would need a lot of work. But, if we were to re-sell it later, it would probably hold its value more. The last house we saw was really nice, but at the top of our price range. It was up the street from Mike's work.....but we didn't like the yard. Decisions, decisions.......

Cousin Time

What a wonderful day. It was short day, so we got Jorja home early. Jorja and Preston went out and picked apples. Preston likes to dip his apples in Ranch dressing. Yuck!

Jorja

Preston

This afternoon, Erica and Brandon came over. After they were here for a couple of hours, Steve brought up Jacob, Weston & pizza. Mike didn't get home until 7. He went paintballing with some people from work. When he got home, we played Settlers of Catan. The cousins played and played. This is good for Stockton who is obsessed with his cousins. He wants to play with them all the time. Mike got everyone flashlights and they played outside for a long time. Mike gave the kids four wheeler rides in the dark, then they played in the playhouse. It was cute to see little lights shining all around up there. My kids were happy because they got to stay up late! Even Preston. Hopefully they won't be grouchy tomorrow!

Weird Day

What a morning! I was in such a rush to get the kids ready today. I really wanted everyone in the car when I took Jorja to school, that way we could go straight to Steve & Shannon's. I was throwing in things as fast as I could. Preston was stinky, but I decided to change him when we got there. Jorja was late and I felt terrible. As we were driving away, I was thinking to myself, "How could I let this happen? School starts so much later here then it did in Georgia." I thought about that for awhile. When I got to Wasatch Boulevard, I realized that Jorja's school didn't start until 9. It was 8:05. Her school in Georgia started at 8. The good thing was Jorja wasn't late. The bad thing was I had all the kids in the car (one of them stinky) an hour early. I decided to take them to the grocery store to get milk. As we were walking in the store, I noticed an old, black lady standing in her nightgown. She was holding jumper cables. I asked her if she needed any help. She said her car wouldn't start. I put the boys back in the car, Maysen and Jorja stayed with the lady. I pulled my car around to help her . . . hoping I will figure out what I am suppose to do as I go. I needn't have worried. I couldn't get very far because I couldn't figure out how to open the hood of my car. I know where the button thing-a-ma-jig was in my old car, but I couldn't find it in this one. I did manage to cause such a commotion that others came over to help. Soon someone volunteered to use his truck, so I was off the hook. I then gathered my kids to go in the store. I changed Preston, but couldn't find his clothes I thought I packed. I had some shorts and we put Maysen's jacket on him. We survived and were able to drop off Jorja on time for school. I stopped by the house and put the milk in the fridge and changed my shirt. (Preston was very stinky.) We left for Steve & Shannon's house. When we got to the freeway overpass where you leave Draper and enter Riverton, the entire road was closed. We were forced onto State Street. I was stuck in a huge traffic jam, and I wasn't really sure where to go. It took over 45 minutes to get to their house. All so I could use the Internet! Ahhhhhhh! Luckily Scoop and Cori came back today. Just for an hour. Mike was able to move the Internet router out of the locked office. Hopefully we won't have that problem again.

One other thing that happened today. When I went to pick up Jorja from school, the road was closed. They had repaved the road where you enter for the car riders. I wasn't sure what to do, so I parked in the parking lot and waited outside the second grade doors. Here, when the bell rings, all the kids run out. The Kindergartners are led by their teacher, but everyone else just goes. Nothing like Georgia. Anyway, I was waiting by the second grade door and Jorja was taking forever. I noticed others coming out with a math box that I knew she would be bringing home, so I just thought she was still decorating the box. I started thinking, "I'm glad I wasn't in the car rider lane today, everyone would be frustrated because she still isn't here." Awhile later I looked up and there she was crying. She couldn't find me. She didn't see me, so I called to her. She had been headed toward another adult, I overheard that adult say, "Boy, that was scary." Jorja was in music when school let out. Her class went out a different door. Jorja was following some people in her class, but they were walking home. She was lost. Luckily they helped her find the way back to the school. I wish someone would have helped her know where she should go from the beginning. I guess it was just a weird day.

First Day of Diving

What a crazy day. We did homeschool at Steve & Shannon's. Rushed back to pick up Jorja in the pooring rain. Picked up Mike and work and he went with me to Stockton's first diving class at the University of Utah. Stockton has been so excited about taking diving lessons. We were going to have him take them at Georgia Tech, but we moved. Today was his first lesson and he loved it. Especially free time. His teacher is named Monica and she is very nice. There are three other kids around Stockton's age, then four high-school girls. Stockton was so happy when we left, he gets to do this twice a week. As soon as we got home, Stockton threw up all over the kitchen floor. That boy gets car sick so easy!

We were home for about five minutes before it was time to take Maysen to Young Women's. She had a calendar that said it was a Broom Hockey activity. I took Maysen, but I didn't recognize anybody . . . neither did Maysen. We wandered around for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Maysen kept laughing at me because I HATE to talk to people. She kept saying, just ask someone. I couldn't even remember the name of our ward, so I was completely embarrassed. I finally asked someone, but they weren't in our ward. I asked if they knew what other wards were in this building . . . they didn't. I found that very odd. In Georgia, not only did we know the other ward names, but we knew/recognized most of the people in the other wards.

We were finally guided to someone in our new ward. They were playing volleyball. Maysen was less than thrilled. She doesn't enjoy volleyball. The other people were nice and tried to make Maysen feel welcomed, but it was nice to get home.

Hopefully tomorrow won't be as hectic. The worst part of the day was when I read a message from Stockton's teacher saying the scantron didn't transfer and he would need to take it again. I am so frustrated. I wish I would have stayed with GCA until we found a house and then put the kids in school. There is no reason to make him take that test again. The test is going to be exactly the same as the one he took in Georgia. It is a test that keeps going and going until you start getting most of your answers wrong. Stockton went way too far. He is such a good guesser, even when he doesn't know what the question is asking. I'm not going to have him do that again. I called Kathy at UTVA, who assured me several times that this transfer would be easy and that he wouldn't have to take the scantron over again.....she hasn't called me back. Well . . . at least diving was fun.

Internet Down

The Internet has gone down at Mike's house. Mike thinks he just needs to unplug it and plug it back in, but the box is in the office, the office door is locked, the key is with his dad and Cori, his dad and Cori are in St. George. See the problem? This would just be a minor inconvenience except for the fact that I homeschool Maysen & Stockton and I need the Internet for their lessons. I wasn't able to put in their attendance today, and they don't let you go back and put it in. Maysen and Stockton don't need any more missing days....especially when they worked until 3! Tomorrow we are hoping to do school at Steve & Shannon's.

I need something to work right for me. I know moving is stressful, but I need just one thing to be easy. Just one. And I need it to happen soon.

Redo

Today was our first full day of homeschool. We couldn't do all the courses. Several were new, so we don't have the books/supplies for them yet. Maysen got off easy today as I spent all my time with Stockton. For some reason, not all of his completed work transferred over. The only difference I can tell on his math & history is they are named differently. I have been having Stockton take the end of unit assessments in math, if he scores over 80% he can skip the unit. He was taking an assessment on multiplying and dividing fractions. There were 30 questions. After he answered question 30, there was no submit button. We couldn't figure out what to do. We knew it was just a glitch, but didn't know how to handle it. I ended up closing the lesson hoping to log back in and be able to continue where he left off. That didn't work. He had to start over. He had already taken this assessment in Georgia, so now he had to take it for a third time. He wasn't very happy about that. I helped him this time. Basically I helped him find his answers on his scratch piece of paper. He scored 100%, but never wants to take that test again.

Later in the day we moved on to history. Stockton was studying the Civil War in Georgia. Here that unit is at the end of the year. Luckily I saved all of his work, so I went through the end of the year units and marked them as complete. He had to take a couple of small assessments along the way. Then we studied for his unit assessment. It had been awhile since we started the unit, so we went through all of his papers. He found it pretty boring, but I find it fascinating.

It's nice to get back to work. We still have several kinks to work out, but hopefully we can get everything running smoothly soon.

Conference Weekend

We enjoyed listening to another session of conference. These pictures are from yesterday, but the kids all listened to both sessions today....except for Preston. He played downstairs and we didn't mind. I grew up playing conference bingo, and so have my kids. They love it. Although Stockton made this comment yesterday, "I could have had a triple bingo, but no....Jeffrey R. Holland had to go and say sacrament." He needed him to say music. Too bad.

Preston, Stockton, Maysen & Jorja

Stephanie ~ I love sewing during conference.

We had my dad, Cathy, Max and Matt up for dinner today. Mike made pork chops and they were very yummy. Mike put my dad to work after dinner making tapioca. I ate too much because I love tapioca . . . when will I learn?

After dinner, Maysen, Mike, Matt and my dad played Settlers of Catan. My dad won. He was very proud . . . especially winning Matt. After putting the kids to bed, Mike, Matt & I played Dominion. Of course Matt won.

Preston really wanted to sleep with Jorja, so Maysen is down with Stockton. Preston has been sick lately and has needed to sleep with us for a few nights. He sleeps sideways and it drives us crazy. When I went to kiss him and Jorja good-night, this is what I found.

Preston & Jorja

Still House Hunting

If only we could combine the awesome yard, with the awesome view, the great floor plan and the good location . . . then we would be in business. Too bad it would then be out of our price range. Mike, Maysen and I looked at 9 houses. Nothing perfect. We'll keep trying.

We enjoyed listening to the first session of conference. We had to record the second session. I loved President Uchtdorf's comment about 'how does this relate to flying an airplane?' Nice.

It's About Time!

Maysen and Stockton's homeschool classes finally were loaded around 9 pm today. Finally. I don't think they have the information from Georgia yet, hopefully that will come. They better not have to retake the scantron tests, that would just be dumb. I don't have the proper materials anymore, but at least I can get somewhere....and have their hours start adding up. In Georgia, Stockton only needed five hours a day. Here in Utah he needs 5 1/2. He's not going to like that. He's also not going to like the fact that I am going to make him start tomorrow.

I LOVE This Girl!

Maysen

Cold Stone

We finally let Jorja go to Cold Stone to enjoy her gift card that Gwen gave her. She picked a cotton-candy ice cream with gummy bears and kit-kat....in a sprinkle cup. Thanks Gwen!

Jorja ~ Happy birthday from GWEN!

Preston

Stockton picked the most disgusting flavor. Watermelon Sorbet mixed with chocolate. YUCK!

Stockton

I had him try my delicious favorite. Banana ice cream mixed with snickers, hot fudge and raspberries. He pretended he hated it. Impossible.

Lock Box

Mike and I have been stressing for awhile about where our lock box is. We put every important piece of paper in this box with the intention of putting it in the car with us. The problem was, it didn't make it into the car with us. We were hoping beyond hope that it was packed in one of our many boxes. The problem was, neither of us could remember packing it.

Today I opened a box labeled "kids towels and master bedroom stuff". In there was the LOCK BOX! Yea! Now we can turn in many papers that have been waiting for us.....and we are much relieved that all of our information hasn't been lost/stolen.

Stockton has been sick today. He slept for several hours during the day. That is a waste of time in his opinion, so I know he was feeling awful. That and the fact he was really hot....but complained about being cold......and he threw up this morning. Those were my clues.

Last ABF truck! Hooray!

Preston went shopping at Smith's with me today. He thought it was funny the store was named Smith's. He loved the little shopping cart to push, and the free balloon. I was worried he would want a free cookie, but he never asked about that. He loved pushing the cart super-fast down the isles. I'm glad he didn't crash into anybody, but he did come close a couple of times.

Preston

Our last ABF truck came today. Thanks to Steve, Matt, and my dad we were able to get it unloaded ten minutes before the gate to the storage area was shut for the night. Maybe we'll just leave all our stuff there....I don't want to move it again. When Cassie posted about her ABF moving experience, she had someone contact her to fix a problem she had. So, if the ABF blog looking lady is reading this....hello!

Before we headed home, Mike and I took dad and Matt to A&W for rootbeer floats. We wanted to go to Iceberg, but it was gone! Anyway, the floats were yummy and I got to enjoy FRY SAUCE again! (For the french fries, not the floats.) Oh, Utah I love you! We didn't get home until around 10:00. Maysen fed the kids and put them to bed. I LOVE having a twelve year old! Even more than fry sauce. Preston doesn't love me more than meat. He told me so, because he really likes meat.

First Sunday

We went to church today at Mike's old ward....the ward where we will be living for a few weeks/months. I didn't realize it was Fast Sunday. Oops. We let Preston stay up too late with his cousins yesterday, so he was tired and worn out for 9:00 church. I'm loving 9:00 church. It's nice after a few years at 11:00.

I talked to the primary about Jorja's baptism. I'm a little disappointed. We had planned her baptism to be on Halloween. That was when we lived in Georgia and were in control of things like that. I guess we have to go on the stake day. I knew that would probably be the case, but I was kind of hoping we could still have Jorja baptized Georgia style.

Tonight we had dinner at my dad's house. Scones. Yummy. Lots of other food too, but my kids love scones. My Grandma Millburn was there. That was nice to see her. I missed Bubs & his family, I thought they would be there. Hopefully we will see them soon. Matt, Mike and I played Dominion. Matt won. Then we brought the kids home, put them in bed and Matt, my dad, Mike and I played Ticket to Ride. Matt won. I am loving being so close to family!

Preston & Jax

Jorja & Jax...doesn't her eye look awesome!
Jorja two days ago...so sad.

Playhouse

After a morning spent unpacking, Mike and I went to look at three houses with a realtor. Man was it depressing! It is so hard to leave our amazing house only to spend a ton more for something not wonderful. The dead bird in the house didn't help anything either.

We ended the day on a better note. Steve brought up his kids to play. They had a great time. (Shannon came after the RS conference.) The kids spent a lot of time ON the playhouse. Wackos.

Stockton & Brandon

Stockton, Erica, Brandon, Maysen

Weston in the window, Preston on the ground (thank goodness!)

Stockton

Maysen & Erica

Jorja's eye is looking SO MUCH better!

Notember

Maysen and I asked Preston when his birthday was. He said, "Notember ten."

Jorja is doing a little better today. She still hurts a lot. I checked her in a little late today. She still can barely open her eye. The sun hurts her terribly. The office lady said she could read a book in the office while her class went to recess. Then, I guess, they forgot to pick her up for lunch. Poor little Porge. She was hurting pretty bad by the time she got home. She told me she was glad she went though.

I took some pictures of Jorja playing with puppies. I can't find my camera right now to put the pictures on. Scoop and Cori's dogs had six puppies. They have all been here. Jorja has been in heaven. When I ask her what will make her feel better she will squeak out, "Puppies."

My brother, Matt, came up and played Dominion with us after the kids went to bed. I won the first game, the second game Matt won with four points. I am excited to do things like this more often. It's nice to see family! I can't believe I live in Utah!

Unloading - Take One

The first moving truck arrived today. Mike, my dad, Steve, Scoop, and Cori were able to get it unloaded and into the storage facility by four o'clock. There were a few casualties. The kids computer desks didn't make it. Our washer and dryer got pretty thrashed I hear...but they were on their last leg anyway. Mike's office desk is a goner. The one that hurt though was two of Maysen's pottery pieces broke. One was her blue vase that she loved. I'm going to show her in the morning to see if she wants to try to glue it back together.

Jorja was in agony again today. She didn't go to school. I ended up taking her back to the doctor. I hope she is feeling better tomorrow. It has been so sad to watch her. I can't even put into words how hard it is to watch her suffer like this. I am just so thankful that we know this will be over in a few days. I can't even imagine what it would be like if she had a something worse.

I realized that yesterday I didn't write about how much Maysen enjoyed The Lion King. She loved it. She especially loved the giraffes. I wish Jorja and Maysen could have loved it together. Several times during the show I caught myself watching Maysen watch the play. It was magical.

The Lion King

Jorja started her new school today. She was excited, but started getting more nervous the closer we got to her school. As we were walking in, she grabbed my hand and said, "I don't want to go anymore." We went anyway. She is #26 in her class. Wow. A lot more people are in her class here than were in her class in Georgia. I think her class had 15. Stockton's 2nd grade class only had 11.

Jorja said she liked everything except the library. It was smaller and harder to find the books she likes to read. Hopefully she'll become more familiar with it. She also didn't like that they had to run laps. I'm pretty sure that's what she said. At Jorja's old school, they have a PE specialist. His name is J.D. Hughes and he is amazing. He would be a hard act to follow.

Jorja's first day of 2nd grade....take two

About a month ago, I got tickets to take my girls to see The Lion King. I have been so excited about this. Maysen likes The Lion King, but Jorja loves it. She has the music on her ipod and sings the songs all the time. It has been so hard to keep this a surprise from them. I had images of the two of them being completely enthralled in the production. We would dress up, maybe go somewhere special....it was going to be a night to remember. I splurged on these tickets, we sat in the fourth row right in the center.

It was a perfect plan. But, I forgot to take into account 'the folder'. Jorja came home from school and was taking her folder out of her backpack. As she did, she let out a scream of pure agony. I have never heard her sound like that. Frantically I ran and got her some ice. I'm not sure what I thought that was going to do, but I had to do something. I rocked her for about 15 minutes while she sobbed. She couldn't open her eye. I called my friend, Jennifer Wilcox, who is an eye doctor in Georgia. She told me to take her in if she is in that much pain. I was able to get her into a lenscrafters at the mall. I really liked the doctor. He was very good with Jorja. I guess she sliced the top layer of her cornea. Just a little bit, right where her pupal is. The doctor put a blue light on and you could see where she grated her eye off. It was bright green. I was trying not to be sick. I wouldn't make a good nurse. Luckily, her gash only affected the top layer, and that will grow back in a few days. I need to put eye drops in her eyes for five days, than a different kind of eye drops starting on Friday.

Anyway, back to The Lion King. It didn't turn out as I had planned. We went straight from the eye doctor. Jorja couldn't even see to walk to our seats. I was leading her as if she were blind. Thank goodness that isn't the problem. Jorja was in a lot of pain during the entire performance, but she was a trooper. When "I Just Can't Wait to be King" was on, she pried her good eye open and was able to watch a little bit. I can't believe she hurt her eye today! I hope she sleeps well tonight. I'm not sure what we will do about school tomorrow. Hopefully she will feel well enough to go.

Maysen & Jorja at The Lion King

First Day

Mike had his first day at overstock.com today. He seemed to like it. When they showed him to his desk, they said, "Here's your brand new laptop and phone. It's top of the line stuff." They had a 1980's era laptop and an old brick style phone waiting for him at his desk. Mike seemed to really enjoy the people he was working with, so hopefully this will be a good job.

I got Jorja registered for school today. She starts tomorrow. Her teacher will be Mrs. Walker. She is excited, but a little nervous.

I'm pretty sure Preston drove Scoop crazy today. I spent the entire day doing laundry and unpacking. Preston spent the entire day coming up with mischief of one sort or another. Scoop walked into the front room to find Preston on top of the grand piano. He wanted to turn a light switch on. He wanted all the lights on. Scoop doesn't like all the lights on, never has. Preston is three. Oh boy.

Cori got a big kick out of Preston during family prayers tonight. Preston isn't known for being the most reverent child. Apparently Cori was peaking at him during prayers. He looked at her with one hand over one of his eyes and said, "I have one eye open." That's my reverent child.

In Your Face New Mexico!

We are finally here! I can not believe I drove the entire way, pulling a tent trailer with all four kids. Previously the farthest I have driven is from Sandy to Idaho Falls. After about two hours, I get really tired. I must have gained about ten pounds though, I was chomping on things non-stop. At least it worked and we are all here safe and sound.

Today we started off in Nebraska, went through Wyoming and then finally Utah! The kids slept through most of Nebraska last night. We only had about thirty minutes left. Wyoming seemed to take forever this time. Jorja said, "Wyoming is even longer than New Mexico." Preston then yelled, "In your face New Mexico!"

We got here about six o'clock. Scoop and Cori had a delicious dinner waiting for us. It felt so nice to eat real food. Steve & Shannon and their kids all came up to see us. Our kids were so happy! Now everyone is fast asleep, and I feel like I can sleep for a week....don't think I will though.

FOUND!

Jorja's blanket has been located. Life is good. The Super 8 Hotel in Tennessee is mailing it to Utah. Thank goodness! Porge has been much more reasonable/agreeable now.

We started off the day in Missouri. I thought that state would never end. Luckily it did. We had a quick 20 minutes in Iowa, then on to Nebraska. That is where we are now. We are so close to Wyoming....which means we are close to Utah! Tonight we are sleeping at a Days Inn. They have an indoor pool and hot tub. Mike took Stockton and Jorja for a quick dip. Preston fell asleep in the car and luckily stayed asleep. Hopefully he'll sleep all night and not have nightmares. Last night he woke up screaming that the silver controller wasn't working. Something about the circle not working. (Jorja said that was the C button) Anyway, it was three in the morning and he was very upset. Life can be hard for such a little boy.

Big Mistake!

We made a big mistake. A horrible, terrible, awful, devastating mistake. At least where a little Porge is concerned. Last night we stayed at the Super 8 in Tennessee. Tonight, right after dinner, we realized we left Jorja's blanket there. Her frog blanket. The one Grandma Parry made for her. The one she stitched Jorja loves frogs on. The one Jorja loves and sleeps with every night....and carries around a lot of the day. That would be the blanket that we think is in Tennessee. Jorja cried and cried. She is so sad. I called the motel tonight, but he said to call in the morning and ask the maids. I don't think he understood the gravity of the situation. This isn't a 'call in the morning' type of phone call.....this is a serious, I need to know now type of phone call. He didn't have the same opinion as I did. So, I guess I'll call in the morning and pray they have her blanket. Jorja wanted us to turn around and drive back to Tennessee. Sorry, I just couldn't do that.

Anyway, we started out in Tennessee, then back to Georgia, back to Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and now we are in Missouri. At least I think that's how it went.... Jorja threw up in Kentucky. I had a bag of snacks on the seat next to me, I dumped them out as quick as I could, handed the bag back to her, just in time. I guess a combination of car sickness and junk food for the last week caught up with her.

We also stopped at a Walmart and got oil changes for both the cars. One of the things we didn't quite get to before we left. Mike bought some clothes. His got packed. He fished them out of the truck, then they got packed again. I can't find the bag we had all our toothbrushes in either, so we restocked a little.

We are in Kingdom City, Missouri right now. We wanted to go further, but it was storming so hard. The lightning was pretty awesome, but we decided to call it quits for today. Plus, Mike is feeling really sick right now. We ate at Denny's, hopefully he didn't eat anything bad. Sure hope he's up to driving all day tomorrow.

Jerome Was Right

As much as I hate to say it, Jerome was right. Drat! He came over and helped Mike load the last few heavy things, and to close up the truck. Irene was over here for over five hours this morning. Stephanie also stopped by to help. Justin, from across the street, helped Mike load several things as well. What would I do without such amazing friends?

The kids were cute as they took a last walk through of the house. Maysen stopped in every room and remembered something about it. Stockton went through the entire house and closed every door. (Later, Mike went through the entire house and opened every door.) While I was walking through the house one last time, Chris & Wendye came to say good-bye. They live on our street. Cole came a few minutes later. My kids were all loaded in the car, but we weren't ready to leave yet. (They loaded themselves in about two hours early....they were pretty bored, and we had a movie on in the car.) Anyway, Stockton saw Cole, so he came out to say good-bye. When Stockton did that, Cole threw up all over the floor. Luckily it was on the kitchen floor and not the carpet. I thought that was so funny. You never can tell what is going to happen. Chris & Wendye helped me clean it up. They said he throws up when he gets emotional. He threw up for Stockton....isn't that sweet.

As we drove away, I said, "Take a last look at our house." Wil & Cole were also on their porch waving good-bye. A few minutes later, Stockton said, "That was hard, saying good-bye to our house and waving to Wil & Cole." But we did. And now we are on the road. We got on the freeway about 10:00 at night. We are now in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and I'm very tired...so I will end.

Preston, Maysen, Stephanie, Mike, Stockton, Jorja

Maysen & Jaz

(Jaz lives across the street...Maysen is 3 days older.)

Yeah, We Have a Lot of Stuff

The plan was to leave at 6:30 this morning. Hopefully make it all the way to St. Louis. We did not follow the plan. We are still in Georgia. Will the packing never end? We are so thankful for our wonderful friends. Stephanie took Stockton, Jorja and Preston swimming, and then had them play at her house for a couple of hours. That was so nice....the kids were bored here. Teresa came with the sister missionaries this morning. She brought me five suckers. I had told her that I really wanted these specific suckers to help me stay awake as I drove. She let me know where I could find them, but I never got a chance. I was so excited when she brought them for me. That was so nice. She then added onto her niceness by helping me pack. Irene spent ALL DAY here. Maybe not all day, but at least eight hours. She was the very last one to leave. Darren helped load for a few hours this afternoon, then was back for several hours this evening. Stephanie, Kathryn & Rylee came tonight. They packed up my Santa Claus closet. I was dreading doing that. Tim and Jerome also came to help. When Jerome was leaving he said, "See you tomorrow Stephanie!" Hopefully NOT! That would be sad. I don't know what we would do if we didn't have so many people helping us. We are so very blessed.

Mike & Darren ~ 1 truckload done!

Good-Bye Mirror Lake

Today was Jorja's last day at school. She has loved it. She loved every year and every teacher. I have loved this school as well. Jorja's class ate in the classroom to celebrate Jorja. They made her a cute good-bye poster and gave her some flowers. They also had cupcakes. She has had a great school year and made a new favorite friend. Mason. Jorja collects friends. Every year she has one very special friend. This year it was Mason. I wonder who it will be when we get to Utah.

Jorja & Mason

Flowers from her class

Ms. Chambers (student teacher) & Jorja

Jorja & Mrs. Trombino

At the end of the day, I went to sign the withdrawal papers for Jorja. As I left the office, I noticed her talking to Mrs. Latham. We were talking for a bit when Mrs. Catlin and Emma found us. Emma was Jorja's favorite friend in Kindergarten. She is still a very, very favorite friend to Jorja. They don't have the same teacher, but they still get to have P.C. together. Anyway, Emma was so sad to say good-bye to Jorja. Jorja gave her a hug, but didn't say anything. Emma couldn't talk, she was too upset. As Emma walked away Jorja ran up and put a frog on her shoulder. I was tearing up just watching them. Jorja had spent her camp cash on the frog. She is going to miss Emma.

When I went to lunch for Jorja's party, I brought Stockton so he could eat with his friends. I don't think he liked all the attention he received from all the kids. It's "annoying". He has had a couple of very long, boring days.

Stockton & Mrs. Catlin ~ 4th grade

Mrs. Smith (White) & Stockton ~ 2nd grade

Mason & Stockton ~ a bunch of goons

Today Maysen had a combined activity. It was a scavenger hunt at the mall. Maysen had a pretty good time. After the activity, Jerome & Payton came over and helped load more boxes. Payton was the very first person Maysen met in Georgia. They were four. Wow.

Payton & Maysen

Irene also came over and helped me for several hours. Darren helped load more boxes and Stephanie came over in the morning and then at night. She stayed until past midnight. I really appreciate it. Our original plan was to be all packed up and ready to leave at 6 a.m. in the morning. That is not going to happen. Hopefully we can leave tomorrow....we have so much to do. It is 2:00 in the morning, so I better get some sleep.

Good-bye Rooms

If you don't like to look at pictures, I would skip this post....there's going to be a lot of them. I wanted to take a picture of everyone in their bedroom. Crazy that we are moving. Have I mentioned that we are going to miss this house? One thing before I forget. I had parent-teacher conference for Jorja today. Jorja has already met all the benchmarks for the end of second grade. They also gave the kids a test to see how the kids will do on the CRCT at the end of the year....kind of a pre-test. If the kids score 50%, they will most likely pass the CRCT. Jorja scored in the 90% on one, and the upper 80% on the other two. Her teacher is going to miss her. I hope Jorja gets a new teacher as amazing as the one she is leaving. Jorja has loved her.

Empty truck...except Preston & Stockton

I think we'll use more than 9 feet
Stockton

Preston

Preston & Stockton

Jorja

(and her frogs)

Maysen

Maysen in her own bathroom

Stephanie & Maysen

Mike & Stephanie

My gigantic closet (Mike has his own)

We had a lot of people from our ward come and help us move. Tim Stephens and Ron Bass were here for hours. Rod Rivers, Jerome Myers, Darren Wilcox, Evan Grizzle, Spencer Shaw, and 3 missionaries helped out a ton as well. Sorry if I forgot anyone, it was a long day. We now have all the heavy stuff in the truck. Mike and I have a lot left to do. Hopefully we can have everything boxed and off the floor before the carpet cleaners come at nine tomorrow morning. Better get to bed.

Preston...mattress is gone

Darren & Preston