We're Here!

     Okay!  So a lot has happened since my last post.  Jared took a new career opportunity in Cedar City, Utah which had us moving here the very beginning of May.  We were really excited for a change of scenery and a new adventure, but really sad to be leaving our home and friends of 6 years, and our family! 

     We were blessed to find a wonderful family to rent our home the day we posted it "for rent" on Craigslist.  We had tons of help from friends and family with the moving process, I can't thank them all enough.  It only made it harder to leave all those good people, and our home state. 

     I was really worried about doing the 18 hour drive (that's not with a moving truck) without an extra driver to help me, and those who know me really well were worred about me too! :) but again, we were so blessed that I was completely fine and able to do what turned out to be about 23 hours of driving.  We did get 29 mph in the van too wich was awesome, yet probably not awesome enough to make up for the fact that I had to drive 50 mph most of the time behind the moving truck.  YUCK. 

     When we finally arrived in Cedar City I was pleased to find that it wasn't the barren desert land I was expecting.  Thank goodness!!!!  It's actually really beautiful.  We have done a lot of scenic drives, a little hiking and a little boating.  I am loving the sun and the heat....the DRY heat is wonderful.  Of course having air conditioning helps with that too :)  I miss the rich beauty of the Woodland/Kalama/Kelso/Longview area.  And I miss living right off the Columbia River. But as we explore this new area it is beginning to feel like home, and we are discovering a different variety of beauty.

     The people here are wonderful.  You can almost always expect someone to start up a friendly conversation with you anywhere, or at least offer a friendly smile.  We are settling into our ward as well.  I have been called as 1st Counselor in Young Women......Jared has yet to receive a calling.  I told him it was his turn to take a break :)  And my turn to get back to "work".  Oh wait, switch that!! HA HA.:) 

     We go to Play Group twice a week which is awesome.  The kids have made new friends easily which was another blessing I was hoping for.  They were really nervous (mostly Conner) about the move and making new friends, but they seem to be thriving here. 

     School starts mid-August....I am counting down the days!  We've already had a 2 1/2 month break and I am ready to get back on a schedule I enjoy.  We're still looking for a piano.   I am not letting Conner give that up.  So pray that we can find one. 

     Lily is growing like a weed.  She is so awesome!  I love, love, love her.  She likes to laugh and cuddle with mommy.  She's  definitely a mommy's girl and I am soaking in every minute of it.  I want her to stay just the way she is!  It makes me sad that she's the last one, but glad we got to end on a happy note.  She is in a hurry to be big like her brothers and sister.  She thinks she can stand on her own so she falls a lot :)  And she's thinking about the stairs lately too.

     Conner is getting baptized soon which is sort of upsetting my world a little.  Why do they have to grow so fast?!  I guess it's for the Dad's ;)  He asks lots of questions about the gospel and he is a deep thinker so we have had some really good conversations lately.  He's a great kid. 

     Jackson's current obsession is serving a mission.  No complaints here!  His favorite song that he sings and adds words to depending on what's going on around him, is "I Hope They Call Me On  a Mission".  He often asks Jared about his mission.  He's the same ol' cutie pie, but with the flair and attitude of a 3 year old.  He's driving us crazy with some things.  But I still adore him.

     Raelee is the same Raelee!  Just a sweeheart with her head in the clouds all the time. She's an awesome big sister....to Lily.  She and Jack fight all the time, but Lily adores her.  She always has a big smile for her big sister. 

     Well I think that's all for now.  Not sure anyone will read this much, but it's here just the same!  I'll try to put up some pictures at some point.  My new camera broke and I don't know what I'm going to do about it yet.  Other than be TOTALLY BUMMED!!!!  There have been a million things I would have liked to take a picture of over the last few months....so I'm going to have to do something soon.  Both of our cars broke down within a week of eachother and at the same time we had to license and register one of them (NOT cheap here in Utah).  So I have to recover from that before I can think too much about the camera. And thus is life!  Anyway.... until next time!



Time Flys!

Oh my. Has it really been a year since I've posted?! Well then here we go....

Raelee started Kindergarten and Conner first grade in August 2011. They are both loving it, and so am I! Jackson and I got to enjoy having the house to ourselves for about a month and a half while the other two were at school. On September 30, 2011 we welcomed a new little girl into our family, Lily Faith Parr. Weighing in at a whopping 7 lbs 3 oz, she was the "biggest" of all our babies. Jackson and and I continue to enjoy having the house mostly to ourselves during the day, since Lily still pretty much sleeps the day away :)

So Lily was born, and has been such a JOY. She is an absolute sweetheart, and a very easy baby (so far). She's 3 mos now, and usually sleeps through the night, maybe waking up once to eat. Lily is the happiest little baby I've ever had. She started smiling at about 6 weeks, and she smiles for just about anyone. Her personality is already shining through, and it's a cute one. She loves her brothers and sister, but Raelee is defnitely her favorite at the moment. She talks and talks, and smiles and shows off when Raelee has her attention. Lily has been a precious way to wind things up. No more babies for me! I am a little sad to say goodbye to this part of our lives, but excited at the same time to move on. I am definitely savoring every moment, and can already tell she will always be my 'baby.'

Conner finally lost a few teeth last year, and it looks like he'll be losing the top two any time now. He's doing very well at school (was there ever any worry about that?), and he seems to like it. He's such a great big brother (at school anyway) and is always looking out for Raelee. Conner will be getting baptized this year, so we will be preparing for and looking forward to that. Maybe swimming lessons so he won't be so afraid of the water? :)

Raelee loves school. She's coming along in her learning and doing well. She loves being a big sister and especially loves that Lily sleeps in her room now :). Raelee will be turning 6 in March.

Jackson is the same old Jack. Other than a few new less charming qualities that being 3 brings out in a kid, he's just a pleasant boy. He's a sweetheart too, and loves "his baby" a lot. Too much sometimes ha ha. He can't wait to be old enough to "go to school with Conner!" He has about 3 years before that happens. Jackson is a Sunbeam this year....a VERY young Sunbeam. Because he's the only one in his class, we have him go only for singing time and sharing time. Sunday school is spent in the Nursery with his friends.

Jared is still with the same company. We had an interesting last year and ended up moving back into the house we own in south Kelso. Everything worked out just how it needed to, and I'm very thankful for the experiences we had. My faith has been strengthened and prayers were answered.

We have since been offered a job in Anchorage, Alaska which we haven't turned down, but most likely won't be accepting either. So here we lie and wait :) I am still selling Scentsy, but don't really feel like I can put the time into it that I want to while I'm still raising children. I'm sticking with it for a while longer and we'll see what happens. I'm not losing anything by staying with it.

So. I think that brings us up to date. It's the beginning of a new year! We are celebrating Jackson's 3rd birthday this Sunday, so pictures will follow. I don't post much on here anymore because of Facebook, but I will try. I'd like to print out my blog one day and keep it as my journal. So I better get better at this!