Papa and Mimi

Having three extra mouths to feed, a crying baby pilfering sleep at night and a constantly dirty living room would be enough to drive any grandparents to the doorstep of an asylum. Mimi and Papa have  not only kept their mental health in balance, but also still seems so welcoming and happy that we are in their home. I have loved getting the chance to talk to each of them and get know them better. One of my very favorite things about living here is that Riley has had a chance to get to know her Mimi and Papa.

Riley adores them.

Favorites: Papa and Peek-a-boo

Papa nurturing a sick Riley

This man's creativity surpasses all!

Riley came to crash Mimi's work schedule :)

Shopping buddies. Riley kept looking over at Mimi as if she was happy to be doing cool stuff like shopping 

Riley currently has very big, I'm-going-to-eat-you! kind of kisses. Only Mimi stands firm and undeterred

Papa forts

One of her favorite activities: 'helping' Papa with dishes
aka play with bubbles

Play Date

We started making friends! A woman from the other ward invited us over for a play date, so we have met up a couple times. It is fun to have something to look forward to that is kid friendly for Riley, and at the same time to see other kids, and be able to talk to a peer all in one! It is amazing how good it feels to get out and interact with people.

She has a baby that is about 9 months and a 4 year old girl who is very sweet with Riley. We have enjoyed getting to know them.

She has made me want to pay it forward and look out for other people who may be friendless or just need to get out and invite them along to something. It makes so much difference.

Activity Days Anticipations

I was called to be the Activity Days leader at Emily's farewell on February 13th. I wasn't sustained until today, and all I have done in the meantime has been to steep longer and longer in worry and anxiety than I never thought 8-11 year old girls could provoke.

How do I interact with these little humans? It has been so long since I have been around their age group.
How did I feel when I was there age? Is it possible to dredge up that information considering it feels like centuries ago?
I'm scarrreeddd...!

I recognize that waiting around and fantasizing about them ganging up on me and creating an Activity Day Lord of the Flies replica isn't going to help, but sitting down and actually planning has been intimidating.

So my unharnessed imagination has full reign.

I may not survive this.

Longtime Friendship

Rae and her droid bff

The Dingles

This is something that Mimi has termed 'the dingles.' At least the first one was. I'm not sure if the second one is a real chill or if she is just trying to make herself do it again...

Mom Swears

As early as late December and early January, little Riley surprised us by pronouncing one word loud and clear: Mom

There's nothing quite as elevating, endearing and ego-swelling as being at the receiving end of your baby's first distinguishable word...!

Then again, there is nothing quite as deflating as to realize that instead of her repetitions of Mom being a cheering chant for the greatest parent, it turns out it is the word used in times of frustration as her favorite swear word.

...

We are going to work on that.

Beijing

For church today we had a stake conference broadcast, where we were able to hear from our own Chris Kurtz from the stake presidency and some general authorities (including thoughts from Elder Runland, who's talk about basic doctrines and context for commandments was great!). It was a good spiritual feeding as Chris and I traded off taking Riley out in the hall to get a short nap and some food before the journey to the east bay to see Melissa and her family. Melissa's daughter, Carrie, and her family were visiting from China, and a family gathering was called in order to see them before their departure back home to Beijing.

Remember the interview Chris had with the company in Beijing? Well, Carrie's family and the man who interviewed Chris are in the same ward in Bejing, so we would be really close to their family if we ended up taking that job! Small world! Even in China! :)

It was a fun afternoon, packed with delicious appetizers and gripping conversations with many folks, especially the explanations of living in China. They were very honest about the pros and cons of living in Beijing, and after what they said, I felt more comfortable with the idea of living across the Pacific. Especially if we would be living close to them-they are such a fun, cute little family!

Riley was especially good for being back in the car after the traumatizing effects of last weekend. She did very well both on the rides to the chapel and to the east bay (with ample entertainment from Mom and Dad) then she slept the entire way home! So happy for this girl!

Then we were able to Skype with the M.s and D's, and found out the M's will be both visiting Utah soon (just missed them!) and then moving because they sold their house!!! And we learned that Elizabeth's bed head can greatly resemble a Donald Trump hairdo.