Arrival in HON

We arrived in Honolulu late in the evening on December 28th. Miranda, Mano, Sami and Rachael were all at the airport to greet us and take us and our few belongings to our temporary home. Sami and Connor hit it off right away and began to run around the airport, despite how late in the evening it was.

We arrived at our little home around 11pm. A small one bedroom apartment in the heart of Honolulu. It is a property that the Bishop owns and he was allowing us to stay there until the sale of the property in Marco Polo went through (a different blog).

There was a twin size bed with box springs and one other box spring mattress. So we pulled the other mattress off of the box springs and laid the two mattresses together and that is where Todd, Connor and I have been spending our nights. Any of you that have children can empathize with me when I say, I don't sleep well when Connor is in the bed. For some reason he insists on rolling all over the place, and the most comfortable position for him is to have his feet in my face and his head in Todd's back. It's wonderful. I'm gonna miss that when Todd and I finally get a room of our own.

When we came into the apartment there was a small tinge in the air of a dead animal. But here in Honolulu there are a lot of different tinges in the air...garlic, BBQ Beef, smoke, old people, dryer sheets. You get the idea. So we let it fester for a few days and bought some air fresheners in the hopes that it would fade away.

The air freshener smell with the smell of death was less pleasant than just the death. So we began the search for the culprit. I took all of the food out of the fridge and sprayed it down with clorox, but didn't find anything. Then, I pulled the fridge out from the wall to look behind it and the death smell came wafting out! There was nothing behind the fridge, so Todd tipped the fridge on its side...still nothing. We couldn't find it anywhere. So we wrote an email to the Bishop to bear the bad news. A few days later we had a new fridge delivered and away with the old fridge went the horrible smell.

Upon our arrival our friend Rachael ran us on our errands and even took us to look at a van (it later became our new white van). She saved our lives. We were doing just fine living out of our three bins, but were anxious for the arrival of a few boxes and a chance to look in our storage unit. When we finally went to the storage unit, it was like Christmas. That thing was packed to the brim. We could only take a few things with us, so we pulled out what was closest to the front:
Todd's guitar, computer, the television and DVD player

Our boxes arrived at Miranda's house and she delivered them to us. It was nice to have our favorite soft sheets, Todd's school books, and my scrapbooking idea books. I have been flipping through them and gearing up for the day when my supplies arrive. Too bad she is keeping Todd's golf club hostage. Yeah, the golf club....that's a totally different blog. It deserves it's own.

Anyway, back to this place we are staying in. Connor loves the lanai. He spends most of his time out there. He talks (yells) at the people that are walking by down below. He loves to look for Todd when he comes home from work. He also loves all of the buttons that he gets to push on his departure or arrival to the complex. If he doesn't get to push the buttons, he has a melt down.

The Flights....that's right, PLURAL, flights!

Oh gracious....anytime I consider flying back to the mainland with Connor, I will return to this blog and re-read the stories I am about to tell.

When Todd and I first arrived in Boston, we wasted to time at all in booking our flights from Boston to Utah (for Christmas) and from Utah to Hawaii. We wanted to get the best deal possible and get that part of our financial worries out of the way. If the money sits in a bank account, and I can see that we have it, I have a tendency to spend it. So, if we hurriedly booked the tickets, the money wouldn't be sitting there begging me to throw it away on the newest scrapbooking toy.

So, without thinking about what lay in our future we booked the flights. Here they go....
(I know, it takes me a long time to get to the point of the story, but it is what makes me me)

We picked up our friends Spencer, Kyle, Jordan and Audrey to take us to the airport. They followed us in the van, as we were going to sign the title for the van over to them after we safely arrived at the airport. We arrived at the Boston airport and unloaded our two children, two carseats, stroller, 1 small suitcase with diapers, formula and a change of clothes each for the children, a diaper bag, a computer case, one large green suitcase and three storage bins. At that time, that was the "stuff" we owned (with the exception of some really great "crap" in storage in Honolulu). We bid our farewells and paid the skycap.

Security went as smoothly as it can with a handful of kids. Now that we were settled at our gate, we mentally prepared ourselves for the THREE legs of flight we were about to embark on. Yes, you read correctly, THREE. Uh-huh. In order to get those cheap flights, this is what we got. The first leg of the flight was from Boston to Maryland. It went okay. The kids did just fine. Thankfully there was an empty seat right next to me, so Connor had some space to spread out and enjoy himself. All in all, it was a very uneventful flight.

We landed in Maryland and had about one hour before the next flight took off, so I went and got us some lunch. Connor went and hid in a corner. That is always bad news....it means that he is pooping. If you look at him while he is hiding, he will blow you a kiss, as though he is kissing you off. Really cute and odd at the same time. So, the bathroom time was VERY successful. Wouldn't you know it, at this very time, they announced that they were now boarding the plane. I figured I could just change him on the plane, so we picked up the kids and began to trudge to the line when I felt something wet on my arm...Connor had soaked through his pants. I hesitated...should I change him on the plane, or here at the airport. I went with the second and quickly rummaged through the suitcase and found his pajamas, a diaper and the wipes.

The ticket lady was nice enough to let me leave the jetway (if that is what that corridor is called) and ran to the bathroom. I laid Connor down on the counter (there were NO changing tables). I had to laugh as another mom was changing her daughter of the same age. I heard her say to her daughter, "it is a good thing we had a change of clothes." We laughed together how our children chose to have diahrea at such convenient times...all the while I ran out of wipes! She handed me a wad and said she didn't need them. It is always so nice to have another sympathetic mom on your side. So I zipped Connor up in his cute jammies and ran back to the plane.

Yet again, I had another empty seat next to me. So Todd took Abi and I took Connor and we had another beautiful flight...this time from Maryland to Las Vegas. Our layover in Vegas was two hours long and it was about 9pm at night. So it was time for the kids to be in bed....really time, considering we had just left a place that was three hours different than Boston.

In the Vegas airport there are "buttons" and flashing lights everywhere. Connor was so enthralled, he kept saying "push a button." He didn't get to. He did, however, find a little hiding spot and once again, pooped through his clothes...the only change of clothes I had. So I scooped him up and took some cash with me to the closest airport store. The only thing they had close to his size was a onsie. The picture says it all. Yes, I was completely embarrased. Yes, I know that every person was thinking "do those stupid parents know that when they arrive in Utah it is going to be cold." YES!!!! I KNOW!!!! It was so dumb.

The kids did great on the flight from Vegas to SLC and as soon as Connor got in the car, he fell asleep and didn't care about the cold.

In the middle here is Christmas...I'll save that for another blog.

Only ten days later we gathered our belongings and got on a plane again. We packed a little lighter this time...minus the big green suitcase. Oh, and we exchanged the small stroller for a deluxe Jeep version (thanks Jeanette, it was the best thing we could have had). This time we had only two legs of flight. Salt Lake to Phoenix was first.

We had decided not to give Connor any dramamine until the L-O-N-G portion of the flight and just let him sit it out this one. Todd took Connor this time, and I took Abi. We were able to get the Bulkhead seats, which was wonderful. I sat in between to very sweet and very understanding mothers. One of which was from the same town as Angie! It was so fun, we talked the whole time and the flight went by so quickly.

One of the women was expecting her 17th child...she was flying to Phoenix to witness the birth of her own granddaughter! The other woman was going to Phoenix to be with her dad before he passed away. It was amazing how two women on the plane could both be going to witness two of the most incredible moments of a persons life, the introduction and the departure of life. However, because both of these women had the gospel in their lives, each was joyous, for they knew what was going on. This is all a part of our Heavenly Father's wonderful plan. There is nothing to fear. It is always sad to see someone go, but knowing that you will get to see them again...soon, is what allows your heart to remain a little bit lighter.

Anyway, back to the flight. Connor and Abi both slept for that flight.

When we arrived in Phoenix, I was so sad to be returning to Hawaii. I don't really know why. We were finally on the downhill slope of this thing we like to call "Todd's Education." But I was nervous for what lay ahead....the cost of housing, food, having to buy a car, temporary housing (until we could get into a more permanent place), begging friends to help us out. Heavenly Father must have felt my desperation.

While we were sitting down, Todd leaned over to me and said, "Look, isn't that.....I don't know their names." (Todd is really bad with names, but he is great with faces). Sure enough! It was Sam and Heather Bigler. Some good friends of ours from Hawaii. It did my heart such good to see and visit with them. It made me excited to return to our island home.

Back to the flight portion of our story....

While waiting at the Phoenix airport, I gave Connor the dramamine and hoped that it would kick in soon. I even went and asked the ticket agent if there were any open seats, and the flight was booked solid.

We got on the flight. Todd sat on a window seat on one side of the plane with an older couple sitting next to him. I sat in between a single guy and a single woman. I apologized to both of them in advance and said "Please excuse my son if he acts like a two year old and not a twenty year old while we are on this flight." He acted like a two year old and the dramamine never worked the way I had hoped. Todd and I had to exchange kids twice, I tried pacing the aisles with Connor in the hopes that he would fall asleep in my arms. Nothing worked. Finally about an hour before we landed, I handed him to Todd. Connor crawled onto the floor beneath Todd feet, curled into a ball and fell asleep. Poor little guy. He just couldn't get comfortable. Who could blame him!

The guy sitting next to me said at the end of the flight, "well, he performed better than some adults do."

You may be wondering why we didn't purchase him a ticket. We are cheap....he wasn't two yet and didn't have to have a ticket.

BIG MISTAKE. Here is my advice (like you are asking it) For the sanity of those flying around you, yourself and especially your own child, if you will be flying for more than 2 hours, get them their own seat. Everyone will be better off for it.

So please forgive me if I don't fly out with my two beautiful children to visit you...it's just too soon to revisit that experience. Just typing this has made me all tense in the neck.

Happy Holidays

It is always so nice and busy to be home with the families for the holidays. This time around was no different.

When we arrived we had so many great things to do with the family. There was the Spencer girls ritual of shopping...a must at least once a month. I was just glad to finally get to join them. Connor playing in the snow (he HATES it....gets that from me). Todd taking an opportunity to draw up an addition for Hazel, Abi being blessed and a reunion with the Hawaii friends. Did I forget to mention shopping for these awesome lamps with Tonya and Alicia, Prom Dress shopping with Kelli, getting my hair colored by Jeanette, Spencer family pictures...the list goes on.

It is so nice having the parents living just a few doors apart from one another. It makes for easy holiday commuting. It is nicer that the parents are willing to make the holiday events work side by side with each other.

Christmas Eve morning Abi was blessed by her daddy and her cousin Mylee was blessed also. The Riches boys sang "Were you there"...it was beautiful. So many of our closest friends and family were there at the blessing. The Evans from our ward in Taylorsville (next door neighbors and my visiting teacher), The Purba's (Jill is my best friend from Logan), The Lazo's, Sorensen's, and Auntie Rachael from Hawaii. The Bender's (my best friend from Murray), Grandma and Grandpa Spencer, Grandma and Grandpa White, Grandpa Riches and ALL the Riches immediate family and ALL the Spencer's immediate family. It was fantastic. That is what heaven will be like. All of our favorite people (okay, all the people listed above are just A FEW of our favorite people, but some of them just couldn't make it).

After church, we went over to my folks house to celebrate the blessings with the Spencer family. Yummy food!!! Then it was time to take naps before the evenings events took place.

We always spend Christmas Eve with the Riches at Grandpa Riches house. (Christmas Eve afternoon we see a matinee with the Spencer side, but seeing as how it was Sunday, that just wasn't do-able). We enjoyed the yummy food there and SURPRISE! Santa Clause busted in on the party. Only one person in the whole room knew that he was going to come. It was so great to see all of the adults looking around at each other and saying "Did you know?". My face went red as I realized who was playing the part of Santa....none other than Papa Bud. Only two kids were afraid of him, Tyson and Connor....his own grandson was afraid of him. It was the highlight of the evening. The adults did a white elephant gift exchange.

MEL'S FEELINGS ABOUT WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS That is the best way to exchange gifts between adults. No deep thoughts, no feelings of guilt, no need to return, no hard feelings. Just fun. We gave an unused $20 gift card to Red Lobster wrapped with some nasty looking edible teeth and a $5 gift card to McDonalds with marshmallow Fries with sour "ketchup and Marshmallow Hamburger (YUCK!!!! Talk about a sugar overload for the person who eats that). We got a bowl full of chocolate (heaven!) and the DVD "Adventures in Babysitting." It was great.

Christmas Morning we spend at mom and dad Riches. She makes the most delicious "Christmas Morning Casserole". The whole White family was there and we did yet another White Elephant gift exchange. This time around we gave a hideous lamp that Tonya was going to donate to the D.I. and a box of chocolates that Todd, Connor and I had half eaten. Ken took a picture of us enjoying the goodies and we placed the picture inside the box. It was a great hit. We got in exchange a pop-up clothes hamper and a small hand-held drill.

The Spencer family party consisted of a turkey, and all the trimmings. We opened gifts which were exchanged between couples and cousins. Will had Connor and he gave him a really nice set of twistable crayons and a coloring book. Connor loves to "tunnet" (his word for color). Yoshi picked out Abi's gift, a little toy to hang from her car seat that is an Octopus.

When we had our Hawaii friends get together, it was way too short. I don't feel like we were all given enough time to catch up with one another. I had held off asking questions in emails for a few months in order to build up the excitement and anticipation of seeing one another. I learned that it is better to ask the questions when they come to your mind, because, you may not get the chance in the future, even though your intentions are good.

The remaining days in Utah were spent packing, and repacking, and unpacking and packing again. Dwindling our belongings to only what we could bring with us. I couldn't fit my scrapbooks and supplies in, so hopefully when the next wave of visitors come, they can bring them along.

Silly Side Note Scrapbooking is my therapy. Some people to prozac, I scrap. It can sometimes be more expensive then a little pill, but the end result, those beautiful books, brings joy to me every time I look at them. I am going through withdrawals right now not having my supplies. I have even begun selecting pictures and page layouts for the next book, in anticipation of my "medicine."

Last Sunday in Boston

Today marks the last Sunday in our wonderful Weston 2nd Ward. The sacrament meeting was full of opportunities to remind us of the importance of the Christmas Season and how there are many different levels of Christmas. Often times we find ourselves on the Santa Level, obsessed with gift giving (and getting) holiday shopping and the festivities. I wish I were more on the level with Christ. This particular holiday season I have been on no level. I have not done an ounce of shopping for anyone. Sure, when I sing a Christmas song, I think of the "reason for the season," however, I have not felt that excitement and gratitude of holidays past. The reason? The move.

We'll talk more about the move later, but lets get back to the wonderful people we have met while living in Newton. Most tend to be members of our own church congregation. Everywhere we go, we make friends and people who leave an indelible mark on our lives. We have met families who have suffered through the loss of children, stared cancer in the face, dealt with a young daughter becoming an epileptic, and many other wonderful people who never doubt the love of our Heavenly Father and have such a strong testimony of Christs atonement and what each of their trials has done for them is nothing short of miraculous. I have been so humbled to live amongst these people.

We are preparing to abandon our beautiful apartment here in West Newton MA and embark on another chapter in our lives. We have gotten rid of almost all of little Connor's toys, all of our furniture (except for this table that the computer is sitting on...I am sitting on a turned over storage bin) and the place would seem empty, but there are clothes in the closets and Connor's treasures (shoes, remaining toys) scattered around.

I love my little Connor (change of subject). Friday he had surgery to repair the circumcision that went awry after he was born. He has done surprisingly well. Last night we had Kyle and Spencer Wilson over with their two little girls, Jordyn and Audrey. As they were leaving, Todd shook Spencer's hand and said, "Nice seeing you." I had walked into the kitchen and Connor came running by. He met up with Jordyn at the back door and stuck out his hand and said "Nice seeing you." She didn't quite get the hand sticking out thing, so Connor grabbed her hand and shook it. He mimics everything he sees us do.

My little Abigail makes my heart beat so quickly. Her smile makes me want to scream for joy. She brings so much happiness into my life. Tell me that when you look at the picture of Abi, you can't help but smile!

Todd is an amazing father. He has a very special way with Connor and you can see that he feels so deeply for the little guy. I am blessed to have such a willing and faithful husband to be the father of these great little children. I felt such great appreciation for Todd as a father while I was in the hospital with Abi both after giving birth and when she was re-admitted. The bond that was created between Todd and Connor has made lasting effects and you can see it daily in the way Connor asks for his daddy when he is at work. Todd has also seen the side of taking care of a young one day in and day out. It's been great!