Crash Landing

I feel as if we have crash landed in our new home. The move did not go particularly smoothly, but now the dust has settled. We are feeling more comfortable in the house and adore the neighborhood. I love our new home (we are super spoiled), love our new ward already, and are loving our jobs. I am feeling optimistic, but occasionally feel sad when looking back and missing Temecula and friends. Thanks to all those who have kept in touch... Here are just a few updates to get y'all caught up.

*I have started a new job on a peds unit at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. It is fun to be back into the field I'm the most interested in. After several years of coasting, doing mostly post-partum at Rancho Springs (the nicest nurses ever by the way, and coolest friends too), it is time for me to be challenged at work again. I needed a laid back job while the kids were young, but now they are more independent (well, sorta). This type of Medical-surgical nursing (we see anything that a kid could be sick with from birth to age 21) is so diverse. There is much to learn. I come home exhausted, but feel like I have done something truly good in the world. Nursing is the best!

*Our kitty, "Ezzy," we have had since our first few months of marrage (yes, that means 7 years), ran away when we moved to the new house. :( We didn't keep him inside long enough I guess. My eyes are always searching for him when we are outside. I miss him and feel terrible about it. Sad.

*My brother-in-laws , Joey and Sam, came out to live with us for the summer. Sam already decided to go back (the big looser!), but Joey is here still. What a nice guy! The kids really love "Uncle Joey" and bug him endlessly. If any one knows of any cute 20-something girls to hook him up with... let me know.

*I hate painting. I hate the back-ache. I hate the touch-ups. I hate the smell. I hate the clean-up. I hate the guilty feeling when I look at all that is unfinished. Unfortunatly, I love the result. We have painted about 1/3 of our house (not to mention beds, a dresser, side tables and bunch of picture frames) and still have so much to do. Right now we're taking a break, but it is driving me crazy how their is mess everywhere and even paint tape around. My personality is somewhat perfectionist (this is a news flash to those that know me I'm sure), so all the mess makes me crazy. We are working on things slowly, but surely. The results, I'm happy to say, have been nice. Did I mention how lucky I am that we ended up in this house? I'm an ungratful grump for whining about the painting I know. Call the "whaaambulence."

*Wyatt is settling into his job. The business seems to be going better than expected and so that is a relief. He is planning on trasitioning from being the operations manager, to more of the sales/brokerage side of the company. Good for him. He comes home exhausted but fulfilled. Hooray for 2 hours less a day commuting!

*Toddler Boot Camp- I had a light-bulb moment this last week when I noticed that my kids are turning into little tyrants- sometimes demanding my attention in naughty ways. Since for the last 2 months we have either been packing, movning, unpacking, painting or otherwise working on the new house, we have not been devoting quality time for the kids. When I say "we," I mean "me." It feels like in my effort to multi-task, my Rachel and James have been somewhat neglected, especially in their disipline I'm afraid. So, this week we have started Toddler Boot Camp! It will include several weeks of quality attention, quality dicipline, and general whipping us into shape. Any wonderful dicipline/ positive guidance tips from you wonderful parents out there?

*No, James is not potty-trained yet. Not cool.

*Wyatt's sisters from Utah, Trisha and Kristie came out for a fun visit. They brought along the oldest of the Dursteler cousins, Whitney. It was fun to show them around. We all spent most of the time at the beach. I have great in-laws. His sisters are completly some of my best friends. I'm lucky.

Whew! Ok, this is enough rambling for the night. I'm not even going to spell-check, but am probably going to regret it. See Ya! Ruth