o what a year, part 2

As we were exploring our new area in which we were living we came across Emeline Ave in Santa Cruz, we just had to stop and take a picture.

 This is the home we rented on a month to month lease at $2400.00 per month! 3 Bed 2 Bath, it did have a swimming pool in the backyard, a nice one too and a bonus room off the kitchen. The yard work was very minimal, Jonathan didn't mind at all when we asked him to mow the lawn. The cost of living really is ridiculous I even found the thrift stores overpriced.  The locals would always say "you pay for the great weather".

 Limited space in the bedrooms meant we had to take full advantage of any wall space there was so we made this little hanging hamper for Emeline to use.

 The windiest road I have ever been on, Hecker Pass. We take this road to get over to the ocean. Lots and lots of trees and vineyards along the route. It was all very pretty and frightening at the same time.

 I finally came to terms with our surprise baby on the way so I started to do some knitting for the wee little one.

 This is the elementary school that Emeline and Sam attended. We showed up on this day wondering if we were late since we didn't see any of the kids lining up outside.  We realized later that the rain prevents them from being outside.  They all have to go to the cafeteria when the weather is bad outside. It had been raining earlier that morning but by the time we left for school it had long since stopped. We found this to be so funny, scared of a little rain.

 This is what it normally looks like before school. Not a drop in the sky today.  This is the area for just the fifth graders. This school was very much packed to the brim and then some.

 Another pregnancy picture. I found a really great doctor and nurse. There really aren't a whole lot of women having babies in California and if they do they usually stop after having one or two. I really received a lot of surprised looks when I would mention that this is number 4.

The kids had a whole week off for spring break so I drove us all to Utah and back so we could visit family and friends. My feet were so swollen when we got back home I didn't do anything but put them up, well I knit too. This is our pit stop at the Salt Flats. Way too bright.

 Sam discovered the joy of playing minecraft. I don't know if the blanket helped him play better or what.

 San Jose State University is a really pretty campus. We came here one Saturday to watch one of Mr. Jewels' coworkers play wheelchair basketball.

 Mister Incognito. It's amazing how he got his hair to do that style.

still to be continued

o what a year; part 1

It all starts with Christmastime 2013, our family Christmas pictures were taken in the snow and in our home, I wanted to have some daily reminders to keep with me of our time here. Christmas decorations were put up quickly and taken down quickly after Christmas day because we had to prepare the house and ourselves for our move to a place that probably never received snow; Gilroy, CA

January 1st:  With lots of tears and goodbye hugs given to friends and neighbors, we packed our remaining things into our two cars and left our beloved home, neighborhood, friends and family and set out on a two-day journey to Gilroy. The kids said goodbye to their teachers and schools.

It was lots of driving and stopping and driving and stopping, but we finally arrived the evening of January 2nd and hoped the moving truck would arrive the following morning, when it didn't, we thought maybe the next morning, that came and went, and then the following morning came and went with no moving truck.  Starting to get a little worried and annoyed. 

We slept in sleeping bags and kept ourselves somewhat entertained by playing games and going to the library to check out books and movies that we could watch on our little portable dvd player. It really was a miserable week, everyone was at each other's throats, all three kids got sick, we couldn't start the kids in school because we hadn't received their paperwork, Mr. Jewels hadn't started his job yet, we were completely broke and buying what food we needed using a credit card that we luckily found before we moved. To this day, I feel anxiety coming on when I think about this week. The birds were really the only ones who didn't seem to mind. Finally after a whole week of waiting the moving truck arrived. It took all my self-control to put on a happy face and not strangle the guy when he said he had no idea he had a delivery to make.

One day we took a trip to the beach to pass the time.  Sam hated all the sand. 

It didn't take long to unpack and it was so nice to sleep in our beds again, the kids started to feel better and they were able to start school. Our ward was really small, but very friendly. I received a call to teach in Relief Society and Mr. Jewels was called into the Young Men's program. Jonathan wore bow ties to church every Sunday and soon after some of the other young men were doing the same and he was able to play the music for Priesthood meetings. Eme made friends quickly and the same with Sam.

February; Jonathan reached my height and it was all over from there, it's hard disciplining a child who is taller than you.

We took a day trip up to San Francisco and what do we happen to come across while walking the streets. True Love (and litter). 

this car really is better looking in person. I hadn't gotten used to the constant sunshine yet.  I would soon be wearing sunglasses on a regular basis, it wouldn't be just a fashion tend, it was a necessity.

Expecting our baby #4, this was at about 21 weeks

  Our glorious neighborhood, they had a table saw in the front, cars and broken cars parked everywhere and they hung out in the garage drinking on the weekends, but the rainbow is nice.

We visited this beautiful temple often, it would take most of our day to get there and back, but it was worth it.  My grandfather on my mother's side helped build this temple.

to be continued

My Letter to November

Dear November,

I'm happy to see you now.  I really appreciate the change in weather you bring, all the leaves you drop on the ground, the winds that you blow, the snow that you sometimes let fall, and then the sun that you sometimes shine.

I didn't like you for a long time.  You once marked the full month of unemployment, then you marked the 1 year and 1 month of no job, then 2 years and 1 month and then 3 years and 1 month, then there was last year when you had us stay in an empty house for a little while so we could rent out ours.  That wasn't so fun because you also had me feeling not-so-well and with a suspicion that a little one was on it's way. I remember because I kept thinking that if I didn't take a test then I wouldn't be pregnant. How funny is that? Last of all you gave us the preparations we needed to make a move to another state.  Thank you for that.

After all is said and done, you have brought me great joy this year and everything to be grateful for. I see the beauty in all you bring, the memories that come whenever you are around.  I look forward to making more memories with you, but can we make some of them good ones? Thank you for the trials, lessons, beauty, and joyful reunions that come whenever you are around.  Not a day goes by now that I am not grateful for. So keep on coming.  I look forward to our visits, now and in the future.

Sincerely,
Jewels

Impressions

When the witches are out at Gardner Village, we hear them beckon for us to come. Even though our favorite candy store is gone, the magic of the season is not and that baby is one cool chick.