Monday, Monday

Well, we had a good Saturday. Kenneth's soccer game got cancelled due to the rain, and the cops finally left. We are still a bit wary, but feeling better about being in our house. We got to go to the park as a family this afternoon and we had a lot of fun. It was wonderful to have Steve with us all day. We ran some errands - one of which was getting Kenneth a piano book. He has been BEGGING to learn how to play the piano. So....I gave in. I got him one basic theory book and a piano book and we started Saturday. He is a quick study which is no surprise.

On Sunday Kenneth gave a talk in church (which he's very good at - in my humble opinion), I substituted in primary, Steve taught his lesson and I directed the choir. It was a busy Sabbath for us. We had a nice relaxing evening as a family, though.

This morning Kenneth got up early and got ready for school. He was eating his breakfast and he said, "I want to talk to Nancy & Debbie". I thought, well - OK. I know it's hard for Nancy to talk while she's at work, so we called Debbie and Kenneth chatted with her for a while. Thanks, Debbie, for taking the time to chat - it made his day. Nancy - we'll have to call you at home some time! :)

Tonight my mom & my sister-in-law, Jackie, are here. They are doing a conference here in Vegas tomorrow. They're doing the "Million Dollar Woman" conference series. (www.milliondollarwomanconference.com). We're glad to see them. Mom's sleeping here, Jackie at Angela's house. They'll spend tomorrow dinner with us before they head to St. George for their Wed. conference. It's nice to have them here - even if it is a brief visit.

In our house

Well, I'm now back in my own home typing on my own computer. There is still a police surveillance car parked in front of our house. (Under cover). Steve brought Tasha over this morning and took her through the entire house and garage before the kids and I came back over. We are a bit uneasy, but the weather here is quite stormy and we actually have had a fair amount of rain - so we're just hunkered down. I'm glad I ran errands yesterday, including going to the grocery store. I have plenty of ingredients for several different soups - which seems like a good meal choice in the rain. I also got a roast for Sunday.

Update

The cops never called us last night. We called them 2 hours later and they said the search had moved over a block. They said it was safe to go into our house. We still weren't sure, so Steve got Tasha and we slept over here at Darrel & Angela's place (thanks, guys!). We'll probably call a patrol officer to escort Steve later this morning when we return to the house. Kenneth has a soccer game at 10am but it's been thundering and lightning off and on all night, so we'll see if the game actually is played.

Well, never a dull moment, eh?

CRAZY LAS VEGAS!!!

Well, we're not allowed in our house tonight. The police have stormed the neighborhood, and they've searched our boat. They're apparently searching for someone......

Well, let me back up. Earlier today there was a silver dodge caravan out in front of our house (across the street), running, for over 2 hours. I got wierded out and called the police. They said "It's a code 4. Everything is OK. It's p0lice business." Tonight was Octoberfest at Kenneth's school, so we left shortly after that to go to the school. Angela and Darrel left straight from the school to spend the weekend in Arizona. Our neighbor and friend, Erin Mohler was at Octoberfest, too. On our way home she called my cell phone to tell us that we couldn't enter the neighborhood the way we usually do. While we were talking, she circled the neighborhood and told us that police were storming our street with BIG guns drawn and pointed. Then she told us that they were searching around our boat. Then she told us that they were searching under the cover of our boat. By the time we got back there were cops everywhere and they said we couldn't go in our house. They're searching for someone ( a convicted murderer living in our neighborhood ) and we can't go in our house until they clear it with a canine. I told them we have a german shepherd in the house, so they're supposed to come get Steve before they go in. We've now been here (they said we were safe in the Webb's house) for 45 minutes. I'll post more when I know more.

Uneventful Week

This week has been fairly uneventful. We've spent a lot of time at parks this week. This is the season for parks in Las Vegas...and we take full advantage of it. I've been spending time (Steve helped over the weekend) organizing/cleaning/unpacking our room. I'd like to paint it, too, but that will come. We've been here a year and I'm plum out of excuses. It's ABOUT TIME!

Last night we were watching the weather and they said we were going to get a 'soaking' this weekend. Later they said it would rain between 1/2" and 3/4". Steve and I bust up laughing! SOAKED! Better watch out! It's supposed to hit tomorrow afternoon or Saturday. Kenneth has soccer tomorrow at 5pm and a game Sat. morning, so hopefully neither will be cancelled, but BRING ON THE SOAKING! I think I'm up for it. :-)

Boating

We went to Lake Mead Saturday with Darrel & Angela, and Danny & Amanda. We had lots of fun. This is Amanda, Angela and me getting ready to tube.
This is Steve and Danny messing around on the tube.
This is Darrel (falling off) Steve (legs in the air) and Danny in the midst of a wipe out.

We had a TON of fun and BIG THANKS go to Danny & Amanda for driving down, and to Angela & Darrel for taking so many great photos.

Kenneth played in a soccer game Sat. morning and he scored 4 of his team's 5 goals. They won 5-1. Yeah! Kenneth!

This morning I have moved the kids' rooms all around. I put the dressers back into the boys' room, and I put the crib in the purple room. So - now instead of having the baby sleep in the blue room and the boys sleep in the purple room....Caitlin will be sleeping in purple, and the boys are back in the boy room. I've hung curtains and made up their beds all special to surprise them when they get home.

Pretty Girl

This is Caitlin in her new Sunday dress. Isn't she pretty? She's really growing up. She's 14 months now.

Rainbow

See - I told you it rained yesterday. Here's the rainbow.

Break Through

Here's the photo I promised of Caitlin and her cousin, Emily. Aren't they cute? I couldn't resist the photo op since we were both in the same state for about 48 hours.

We had a big break through today. My sister's first guess was Daniel pooped on the potty. No - I'm happy to say Daniel is now thoroughly potty trained and yeah for us. Her second guess was with his speech. Well, we continue to work on that, and we're making slow, steady progress. So - here it is. Daniel wrote his whole name, "DANIEL" today, unassisted. He's really doing great with his letters, and Angela's pre school is helping tremendously. I am very proud of him.

It rained here - all day. That's big news! It's literally about the 6th time it's rained here since we moved in over a year ago. I never thought I could miss the rain; yet I do. I left my window and door open all day so I could smell the rain. There's nothing quite like the smell of rain. Then - this evening we got the most beautiful double rainbow. What a blessing it is to know the Earth will never again be flooded. I'm grateful each and every time I see a rainbow. What a beautiful way to symbolize such a lovely gift.

Bittersweet

Today is a bittersweet one. This morning we turned in our last piece of Texas for a plastic piece of Nevada. We went to the DMV and got new driver licenses. :( We hung on to them just about as long as we could, but I really want to vote in the upcoming election and I felt like I should have local ID to do so. Texas was good to us. We still have dear friends there, and we will always have a piece of Texas in our hearts. Our children are all "Texans". When we moved there - out on our own for the first time - not depending on anyone but each other - we had no idea how profound life's experiences there would be. Texas is a big part of who we are as a couple and hopefully will be part of who our children become. Texans are just so friendly. They care about others around them. They have pride. This afternoon I went to the Post Office to mail a few things and there was trash strewn about all around the swinging door that said "Waste". I picked it all up and gently put it IN the "waste" container. The guy behind me said, "Wow, that was nice". Then - the girl ahead of me got called up prematurely and the postal worker who hadn't started to serve her yet got called away. She stood there - not knowing what to do. (She was only about 12). When I got called up, I gestured to her, telling her that she was ahead of me in line and she should go ahead of me. She looked so shocked. Why is it so hard for us to be nice to each other and care about our surroundings? It's sadly amazing. It's sad that the people around me were surprised by my behavior. I just stood there thinking, "What can I do as a mother to teach my children to pick up, keep their world clean, and be kind to the people around them?"

On an entirely different note, ever since our vacation to Northern California in July, I have had a longing to live in a place where I can GROW something. I miss my garden. I miss my soil. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't have stupid statues in front of my house. I would have beautiful plants and flowers. I would have Rosemary and thyme. I would have allspice and bay leaves. I would have things that smelled beautiful and looked beautiful. Maybe that's why no one will buy our house - the "Street Appeal" isn't there. Who knows? We're putting in new carpet ASAP. Our realtor still says she's showing it 2-3 times/week. I can't believe no one has even liked it enough to make an offer. It's a nice house, dang it! I miss it. I miss the tiny mortgage! I miss the garden! I miss the covered patio! I miss the dog run! I miss the grass!!! I miss the yard!

Anyway - I digress. I really do hope that someday I can live in a place where I can plant beautiful things and help them grow, and enjoy their beauty.

Wish me luck!

Weekend in Utah and other updates

This is a photo from Kenneth's first soccer game this weekend. He stayed with my sister while Steve, Daniel, Caitlin and I went to Utah.

We went for Steve's Mexico City South Mission reunion. It has been 14 years since he served, but it was good to renew friendships and see everyone. We spent Saturday watching conference and then we went to a family get together at my Aunt's house in Lindon. It would have been my Grandfather's 90th birthday and my Grandmother planned a party. We had a great time and I got to see some cousin's it's been close to 10 years since I've seen them. We have several engaged and several others expecting babies so it's a very fun time.

Sunday we put Caitlin and her cousin, Emily, in their halloween costumes. I'll post a photo when I get one. They were DARLING. It's so fun to have them so close in age and size.

Well, it's park weather here, so I'm sure we'll be going to the park tomorrow.

Milestones

Caitlin now says "Ugh Ooh". I heard it the other day and I wasn't sure if it was on purpose, but she did it several times last night when she dropped things so I know she's associating it with an action. It's very cute. Steve installed tot locks on the cupboard she likes to open and empty and yesterday after her nap she went directly to the cupboard. When she couldn't open it she looked at me and screamed....and screamed. She didn't like that AT ALL. I've started putting her hair in 2 pony tails on top and it's very cute. She still pulls it out about 10 times a day, though....

Daniel is now walking around saying "Down, around; D. Up, Down, Across; A. Up, Down, Up; N. D A N I E L Daniel Layton". It's very cute. Angela's preschool is great for him. He's learning so much, and he loves it.

Kenneth is maturing. Yesterday he sat and read an entire chapter book - I'm talking like an hour. He's loving being so close to Johnathan and just wants to be near him all the time! He's looking forward to this weekend with the Webbs. He was writing in his book log that he had read Charlotte's Web, but he spelled it Charlotte's Webb. It was pretty cute.

Steve, Caitlin, Daniel and I are heading to Utah today for a mission reunion of Steve's. Kenneth is staying with the Webbs so he won't miss his first soccer game. Good luck, Kenneth! Thanks, Webbs.

We'll be back Sunday evening.

Reflections

I just read the Joneses' post and this was my comment to her:

Yes, it's amazing...truly amazing. Remember that ICU stay - and that day without your pump? Was that 5 years ago - no! It couldn't have been. How is that possible? Is it possible that it's been 3 1/2 years since that ice storm? Nooooooooooooo. Couldn't be. How can it be? Has it really been 2 1/2 years since that dreadful phone call while I was "covering" for you as basketball coach (that was a joke!) No way. Gosh, where did all the time go? We miss you guys so much. I miss being part of your lives....more than once a month or so. I'm so sorry we are separated. I love each of you so much. You each mean so much to me. I'm so glad Spencer is growing older. So glad. I'm sad that as Sophie grows older her bond with me grows weaker. I love her so much, and soon her memories of our daily triumphs and battles will fade. Such is life. I guess it's what we signed up for. I miss you, nonetheless.

I guess I'm just reflecting on how we've spent our last 9 1/2 years of marriage. It's been good...Texas was good. Las Vegas is OK - but in such a different way. It's hard to move on - to leave those you love so dearly behind. It's bitter-sweet to look back on the memories - I constanty have to say "Did we do the right thing? How could we have left (voluntarily) such a perfect life? I know Steve's job wasn't perfect, and that was the motivation for the move. There are things that are good about living here. We've been able to spend a lot more time with family - since we're so much closer. Steve is able to go help his mom a lot more, and that's a blessing....for her, for us, and for our children. We aren't too keen on the weather, though, and even as I get "settled in" here, I think - someday I'm going to leave all these good friends here. In some ways I'm jelous of the pioneers who just stay put. It would be nice to put down roots and know you're going to be some place forever. It's nice to see different places and get to know different people, too, but it's hard to leave, and hard to move on. We were very blessed with good friends in Texas....maybe that's why I'm hesitant to make "really good" friends here....because I know that will just make it harder to leave. It's so nice to have my sister here now. I hope we can always live by each other. Her kids are good for my kids, and she's good for me. I'm glad Steve has a friend, too.

Well, those are the thoughts I'm having tonight. The weather here is lovely and we went to the park again today. Kenneth had a very emotional afternoon. I strive to stay calm and not lose my temper with him, but he pushes me sometimes. He is tired. He's asleep - and it's 7:30. Actually, all 3 kids are asleep. No wonder they were so crabby. Daniel overheard me telling a telemarketer (who called at 6pm) that I was trying to get dinner together and I had crabby kids and he said "I not crabby, mom". He actually wasn't crabby right then - but Kenneth and Caitlin were...

Anyway, Steve made it home in time for a nice family dinner and that was wonderful. Now he's heading back to work....and I should work a while....so I'll sign off.

A beautiful day

Today was a lovely day in Las Vegas....the kind of day that is "payoff" for living here. I took Caitlin, Daniel & Zachary to the park this morning and we stayed for over an hour. Then, we took all the kids except Alex back later this evening. It's just a nice time in Vegas. I didn't do any cleaning today, just hung out with kids. I did sneak time to call my dear friend in Texas, Nancy, and we had a good chat. I am so pleased that she sounds so good following some serious health challenges. It seems she's on the mend, for which I am truly grateful. I miss our friends there so much, but no one more than Nancy & Debbie. It is a huge hole in our lives, not having them around.

Daniel got his first "speech therapy" of the school year today (after much ado) and I didn't see any progress. It's so hard to switch teachers, isn't it? Gosh, Mrs. Eades was so good with him and I saw marked improvement after each and every session (except the one he fell asleep in :0). This teacher is new - just did her student teaching last year, and I have a feeling she has a way to go in honing her new skill.

I bought the kids their Halloween costumes today - well, Angela bought Caitlin's and I bought the boys'. Caitlin will be a lady bug (darling outfit - thanks, Ang), and Daniel will be a Power Ranger (I need to add velcro to the belt - he's a little slim for the outfit) and Kenneth will be Darth Vadar. Kenneth is the only one who chose what he was going to be before we went to Saver's. I need to add a button to the costume, and fix one part, and buy a mask, but it's a cool costume, and it was $7.99 less 20%. So - who's complaining?

Steve got home in time to spend some time with me this evening, which was a real treat, and very well received. I'm trying to talk him into going on the family cruise this Thanksgiving. I just feel like we need a vacation together.....can you blame me? Oh, well. I guess he's got to decide for himself, eh? Kenneth overheard us discussing it, and he said he didn't like being left with a babysitter.....oh, no. How am I going to recover on this one? I've got to find someone who he'll consider it a treat to spend a weekend with, so he doesn't feel neglected. I don't blame him. I used to hate it when my mom went to Utah for a week for Education Week every year. At least this will only be 4 days.

Anyway, another day in the life of the Laytons in Las Vegas.

Reunion

Well, there's nothing like a few days apart that makes you appreciate what you have, is there?

I left Thursday for Santa Barbara to meet with my favorite client, and Steve took the kids for a couple of days. Of course, Angela kept them DURING the day Thursday and Friday... thanks, Ang.

Steve took the kids to Clovis to help out his mom...so I felt like we were doubly separated...that, combined with me not having any cell service.

I love my husband and I love my kids, and no riches on earth could make me happier than they do. I'm grateful for the role I play as wife and mother. And, I'm especially grateful that we're all safely reunited....even if we are in Las Vegas.

Cute cute cute

So, a cute thing just happened. I just brought the kids home from school, and I had to run to the restroom. Kenneth also headed to the restroom, so that left Daniel and Caitlin downstairs. Tasha was in because the bug people just came. So - I hear the baby cry and I hear Daniel say "Tasha ran into the baby" -- then I hear doors opening and closing and slamming, etc. I yell down and say "Daniel - what's going on" and he says "I'm getting the baby the "boo boo sock"". I just thought it was cute....

Then he put Tasha out.

Weekend

Well, we didn't go boating this weekend, but we did put 28.75 gallons of gas in our 26 gallon gas tank on the boat. We also turned the ignition key to see that it registered "full" - which we've never before had happen! Steve took the whole boat apart and replaced the sending unit for the gas tank! Now we can actually see how much gas we have without dismantling the back seat. What a treat! We had a great Saturday playing and working together and it was such a treat to have Steve home all day.

We got news this week. One of our dear friends, Nancy Stimach, had a pacemaker placed in her heart. This was a shock to us and our prayers are with her as she recovers from her surgery.

Life in Las Vegas

Caitlin is pointing, now. She's trying to immitate words. She's becoming very independent. Daniel can buckle his own seatbelt without help! He's growing up! Kenneth starts soccer today and he's VERY excited. He slept in his shin guards last night. :-)

Preschool

Well, Daniel had his first day of preschool today at Angela's house, and it seems he gave her a run for her money. We knew it would be tough for him to go from "playing" at Angela's to "preschool" (i.e. obeying - working WITH the group - following instructions - sitting DOWN) at Angela's, but we underestimated the initial challenge. He sat in time-out 3 times. He also spit on a little boy. We had a talk when he came home, but he's definitely having trouble making the association of "school". He still says, "But Mrs. Eades is my teacher". (She's his speech therapist from last year). Anyway, hopefully Thursday will be better, and each day a little better after that.... He will be having speech again this year - we're just waiting for the new speech therapist to get her schedule figured out.

Boating

We had another WONDERFUL - FULL day on the boat yesterday. We drove over 86 miles according to Steve's GPS. Maybe that's why we ran out of gas? :-) We literally pushed the boat onto the trailer in the pitch black at the end of the day. It was a VERY fun day, though. Angela came with us. I almost got up on a knee board - got very frustrated in the process...I was SO close! Geesh. Anyway - it was so "helpful" to have Kenneth (the know-it-all) on the boat shouting at me what I should be doing...because...he's the pro now. :) Today should be an uneventful Sabbath. If the weather holds, we may go boating again tomorrow, but a storm is supposed to be coming in, so we might be thwarted. We're looking forward to a fun day with Daddy, though.