From last week

After a week, we’re beginning to figure out a schedule. Wesley started orientation and work on Tuesday; he loves it. He is anxious to dive into the actual research issues (rather than figuring out the programs, places, etc.) yet has already enjoyed it more than anticipated. The people he works with are alive with ideas and excitement. His building is only two years old and the primary goal in its building was energy use—even before the people who would work there. The pillars are made from old pipes, the counters are ground sunflower seeds, everyone works in cubicles (including managers) with lower walls because they use almost all-natural light. Pretty cool. They offer yoga classes. Amazingly enough, Wesley doesn’t plan on utilizing these. As we settle more into the professional aspect of our summer, we’ll keep you posted.  The current report: awesome! Wesley entertains ideas of moving here permanently. I point to insanely high housing prices; he points to the mountains, weather, and fun mix of arts/science. Regardless, we’ll revel in our experience.

We originally planned (as in, for the last eight months or so) to purchase a van while in Colorado. This week we realized that we really don’t need one yet and it is wiser for us to wait until we return to Texas. This came as a bit of a surprise to us. We’re grateful for the knowledge we’ve gained and our opportunity to learn as we go. So—we were blessed to find a deal on a super nice bike for Wesley. To bike to work takes the same amount of time as driving. He now multitasks with his time—no extra workout needed! What a life!

                   

I’ve learned that electric ovens and I do not mix and that I have much to learn in terms of high altitude food prep. I’ve never ruined so much in my life. Thankfully, I’m not a big fan of food anyway. The food isn’t much different and the boys don’t care: depending on their moods they either eat or they don’t, no matter what or how it is. We did succeed in making banana bread in the waffle iron (no bread pans). Phew! A bit of hope!

Monday we attended the ward Memorial Day breakfast that the high priests and elders put on. We sang patriotic songs, ate, played horseshoes, and introduced ourselves to more people. Nice people. We love that the gospel remains the same everywhere and that people are changed and better as a result of living by it. We’re happy to be here. We just returned from dinner at one of their homes—she had a bird and a cat which the boys loved. Lucky us.

The boys continue adjusting. Due to lack of sleep, new routines, and new places they have been a bit more explorative and destructive. We fear they may pull out all of the blinds that cover the balcony door.

One of the benefits of living in a complex is the amount of motorcycles. Wearing helmets is not a law. Levi informs us that they’re all going home to find their helmets. Ha! Levi also protects us all. He’s concerned about staying close together, no one being left behind, and making sure Lincoln doesn’t wander anywhere with anything.

Levi is full of interesting and hilarious things to say. Usually he comments that he loves Dad and “no like Mom.” I’m okay with this (though today with melt downs and screaming and both of them refusing to let me hold them or help them into car seats and yelling, “DAD! DAD! DAD!” during Relief Society, I kind of wondered if the boys and I should put our friendship on hold until tomorrow…). They have a fully engaged and wonderful father—lucky me! But Tuesday while preparing dinner, Levi stood on a stool, wrapped his arms around me, leaned his head on my waist and said, “I love Mom soosoosoosooooooooo much.” Later, when Wes worked on his bike a little he commented, “Dad is strong like Mom!” That’s my boy!   

Lincoln loves jeeps, cars, dogs, climbing, and testing the skills of legions and legions of angels. I must shower before 6:45 a.m. if they are to survive. While I rushed through my shower Lincoln saunters in wielding a paring knife casually. No one lost a limb—I don’t know how aside from our angels. We introduced the boys to the pool (Levi was a bit wary at first). They love it. We stay until Lincoln shivers too much. We carry them back and forth in the water and they giggle. Lincoln dunks his head. We saw a pond later, dashed off running and yelling “POOL POOL POOL!”

Baby Joule dances. Almost nonstop. I brought the boys to my first appointment with the Colorado doctor. They listened intently to Joule’s heartbeat and talked about it all the way home. The entire staff swooned over the boys. Most people look at me like, “You’re having another one?” But once they look at our kids and how darling they generally act, they understand. Some days we’re grumpy (which is true for anyone) but wow we are blessed.