It's a Funny thing, Moving is...

I've been thinking a lot lately about this whole moving thing. I'm at the stage right now that I'm pretty emotional about it. You know, I've made some really good friends, great aquaintances, have a great calling at church, comfortable with the teachers and staff at school, finally feeling like I belong in the community. And now I'm moving.

What I find myself saying is, "why didn't I spend more time with them" or "why didn't I go there more often". It might sound a bit morbid, but I almost feel like I'm going through the stages of grief over a loss or something.

Like, and I'm just pulling out examples at 2:18am...we went to dinner with the Nelson's tonight. Well...why haven't I put forth the effort to do that more often over the last year and a half. I had a blast! A baby shower I hosted at my home the other night - I had 15 of some of the greatest ladies at my home. Why haven't I hosted a "it's Wednesday" or "the sky is blue" party and enjoyed more time with these ladies. All three kids had playdates this week and came home as happy as could be-was it so difficult for me to set up more playdates?

I'm overwhelmed with the feelings of running out of time...I'm literally RUNNING out of time to enjoy the wonderful people around me. To all my friends and aquaintances...I'm ready for a sprint because I sure want to spend as much time as possible with you over the next few months.

BRIAN TURNED FOUR!!

"I'm not a baby anymore"
I hear that everyday now that Brian has turned four. He is sure he is just as old as the other two kids.
What a good kid. Brian is a ham...he loves attention, and he gets it where ever he goes. He loves to play outside, loves to swim, and he loves to be with his brother and sister. They fight A LOT! But they love each other. He loves to pray, and is sooooo excited to be in Primary. Some of his tag lines these days(and I'm not proud of them all...) :
 "yeah, whatever..."
 "see ya later, suckerrrrrrrr...."
 "I wanna say the prayer"
 "boooooooring"
 "you're pretty, mom"
 "I like you in the family"

How cute is that...he was admiring his brownies (not so much the brownies but the star wars action figures on top).

We had a lot of fun with his birthday. Brent took the boys to "the star place" (Carl's Junior) for lunch, we went to the park, out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse, and then to Chuck E Cheese, and home for cake and opening presents. I'm totally bummed that I can't post the pictures. Apparently I'm "out of space" so I need to buy more space on picasa to be able to post more pics on my blog...unless anyone else has a suggestion.

Brian is a great kid and we so enjoy having him in the family. Our family was complete the day he came into the world and we are excited to watch him learn and grow for years and years to come.

SIX FLAGS

So we took the kids to SIX FLAGS Magic Mountain a couple weeks ago. It was right after we announced that we were moving and we thought it would be a great idea to get them excited about the move because their is SIX FLAGS Fiesta Texas about 15 minutes from where we will live. The only hang-up...we didn't check to see exactly HOW far Magic Mountain was from us before we ventured out....

About 5 1/2 HOURS later we got to our hotel. But before that was the drive...this was Brian during one of his tantrums. It was hilarious because it was so random and for no reason at all. And the fact that I was taking pictures made him even more upset, which actually made the tantrum even funnier....

We stayed at a Hyatt in whatever city Magic Mountain is in...can't remember at this exact moment. I know it starts with a "V". The kids loved this statue. They kept saying, "give me back my suitcase!" I don't know...

Magic Mountain is PERFECT for Madelyn and Marcus age and older. If you are 48" you can go on almost all the roller coasters. Unfortunately Marcus is 46" and poor Brian is like 42". So Brian had fun with the characters and the Kiddie area(which is actually quite entertaining for the kids) and Marcus and Madelyn went with Brent on the coasters.

 The carrousel. You would think if you've been on one carrousel you've been on them all...not so much. We go on the carrousel EVERY time we go to an amusement park - it's a staple ride.

 The Ninja...Marcus' favorite ride.

 I was a little nervous for Wonder Woman...she was just about ready to fall out of her cutsy little costume...

 Tea Cups ALWAYS make me sick!

The trip was fun! Six Flags is going to be great to have right near us. Brents managers all chipped in and surprised us with season passes! They are great! We will be able to enjoy the park and remember Yuma all at the same time :)

MOVING ON....

There truly is never a dull moment in the Busman Household.

We are on the move again....

HILL COUNTRY, TEXAS

Brent has accepted a position as Community Banking President in the area of Hill Country Texas. His area will include all the Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio...cities including Kerrville, Ingram, Boerne, Comfort, New Bronsfels, and North San Antonio. We have chosen to find a home in Boerne(you say it Burny). It is a small suburb of San Antonio, about 10,000 people. It's like living in the country with all the conveniences you could want about 10 minutes away.

We told the kids on Wednesday night. A weekend or two ago Brent and I traveled out to the Hill Country to make our final decision. We brought the kids back some stuffed animals with "Texas" written on the bellies. So on Wednesday night we took them to Texas Roadhouse and gave them their stuffed animals. Despite our bribery and selling skills, there were definetly mixed emotions around the table. Brian didn't understand, Marcus was excited, and poor Madelyn cried herself to sleep that night(and made me promise that if she didn't like it by the time the summer came around she could go live with Grandma Rigby...I better make sure she likes it!)

When we got into the parking lot of Texas Roadhouse they had country music playing from the speakers. Marcus says, "this music is terrible". I tried to smooth it over by saying, "Well, we're going to Texas Roadhouse, there is a lot of country music in Texas"....He responded with, "I don't like it". Under my breath I said, "better get used to it...."

My emotions are all over the board...mostly I'm numb and shocked right now. I really like Yuma, my friends, my routine. But I know I will adjust in Texas as well. I'm proud of Brent and his success with the Bank. But for now all I can say is....

TEXAS or BUST.....

SHOWER FOR DEBBIE

NUMBER FOUR!!!

Four babies and one shower....I tried to prepare "all things Debbie" - Diet Coke, water, chocolate for her sweet tooth, fruit for her healthy tooth, and crackers, chips, and dips(homemade salsa and artichoke dip) for her salt craving. She wanted fries but I had to improvise a bit(hehe). And Ta-da! It makes for a nice spread, right!

Debbie received some great gifts! Thank you everyone that took time away from your families and busy life to come celebrate with her. Plus that fact that it was just so fun to gather together. Lets do it again soon!

K...seriously.....I'm gonna miss this lady!!!

What a good looking bunch of ladies, right!! For remembrance sake I'm gonna list names

Valerie Hall, Brooke Swenson, Melinda Meyers, Christi Jones, Deann Lyda, Tami Tolman, Susan Cook, Irene Hutson, Ericka Nelson, Angela Titensor, Linsey Farar, and DEBBIE

DATES With the Kids

December 30th Brent took the boys to San Diego to the Holiday Bowl. His friend from Nebraska treated them with tickets - Nebraska Cornhuskers were playing. So Madelyn and I had a date here at home. I'd say the entire two days were a success for all of us.

 Shopping at Kohls for a new shirt, and the craft store for material and shirts, Pretzels for lunch at Target....

 Off to the theater to see Yogi Bear....

New Shirt....Material from the craft store made into a blanket for Rupunzel, new fingernail polish for our pedicure, and we painted t-shirts too. What a fun day we had! I love you Madelyn-you're my BEST FRIEND!!! :)


I might not have taken as many pictures as Brent did, but we had a great time...Now Brent's time in San Diego with the boys. I told him, "take lots of pictures". I think he took about 75. So here are a few.

 The parade for the Holiday Bowl is one of the largest in the country. I guess it's got more balloons than the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade...this is just heresay. But the kids loooooved it!

 Can you guess why they would love it...they got to see their favoite characters.

 This is Tom. He got the tickets for the boys. He is also the one that sold Brent his Jag in Nebraska. Super nice guy and a major supporter of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. His life was at a crossroads when he applied to Nebraska - he graduated and went on to obtain multiple doctorates and is a very successful business man. But he also recognizes that if it weren't for the University his life could have gone a completely different direction. He's a real stand-up guy. :) And the kids thought he was GREAT!

 They ate at Cafe Coyote...this is the boys, Tom, his son, and wife Terri.

 Ready for the game in their Nebraska shirts and jackets....handsome boys.

 I think the boys made it to the third quarter....

Saying goodbye - thank you Tom and Terri for a great weekend! What great friends you have been to Brent and now the boys think you are the greatest! One day I will get my chane to meet the two of you. :)

2010 Books Read....

A quick list of the books I read in 2010 for memory sake. Some of them were super good, some of them were super bad, and most were quick reads. More than anything I am glad that it is exciting and motivational for me to pick up a book and read. I love to escape with the written word. And I'm just going to be honest....I love to write myself. I have written a couple of novels that I would love one day to be published....but to get them published you have to be willing to put yourself out there. Maybe that can be my 2011 goal. Anyone friends with someone in the LDS Publishing world??? :)

The Wedding, Nicholas Sparks
God Wants a Powerful People, Sheri Dew
Second Chance, Danielle Steel
Faith of Our Fathers: A House Divided, N.C. Allen
It Only Takes a Moment, Mary Jane Clark
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
Faith of Our Fathers: To Make Men Free, N.C. Allen
Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
The Undaunted, Gerald N. Lund
Secrets, Danielle Steel
Faith of Our Fathers: Through the Perilous Fight, N.C. Allen
Dreamhunter, Elizabeth Knox
Dreamquake, Elizabeth Knox
Timeless Waltz, Anita Stansfield
A Time To Dance, Anita Stansfield
Princess Academy, Shannon Hale
A Dance To Remember, Anita Stansfield
The Girl Who Could Fly, Victoria Forester
Impossible, Danielle Steel
Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan
Redefining Joy in the Last Days, Chris Stewart
Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
City of Bones, Cassandra Clare
City of Ashes, Cassandra Clare
City of Glass, Cassandra Clare
The Short Life of Bree Tanner, Stephanie Meyers
Safe Haven, Nicholas Sparks
Legacy, Danielle Steel
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
Family Ties, Danielle Steel
The Search, Nora Roberts
Christmas Through a Childs Eyes

Here's to 2011

FOR SALE...FISHER PRICE HOMES

Madelyn has decided to give up her little people homes....they are so fun with polly pockets or little people. We have SEVEN different homes/stores/school and a mat. If anyone is interested give me a call or email.
Posted on Craigslist for $35 for all of it. You can't buy most of these in the stores anymore.

Sniff sniff...this is huge for me...this means my little girl is growing up and OUT of her toys. I definitely have mixed feelings about this. She is so into music and using her imagination(plays school, house, whatever...) but not so much into playing with her polly pockets.