Five For Friday

1. We narrowed our housing search to 5 homes in Gilbert and 6 in Chandler. Any city is fair game. This is one of the homes that peaked our interest. If any doesn't dazzle us we decided that renting is always an option. I guess we will find out Monday and Tuesday!


2. Doug came down with the flu after Weston's asthma flared up this week. It has been a sad state of sickies for the past couple of days. I can't recall the last time Doug has been this sick. It boggles my mind that he continues to go to work (without choice). Ah, the beauty of a fellow aka grunt worker. I am praying that the z-pac works fast or I may be driving the entire 15 hours. Yikes.

3. These cheery things came in the mail this week. Tasha sent a bunch of gold good luck coins due to our dreary February. And Carlo sent a sonic card (as well as a card last week---not pictured). Both came at a perfect time. Thanks gals--it really meant a lot!

4. As I was walking Angie out to her car this afternoon I noticed Weston playing around in the rental car (I wasn't paying attention) When I walked back to the garage to start packing Weston had locked the keys in the car (yep and both keys were in there) !$@#$ I was seriously bugged. Luckily, Angie once again came to the rescue and called her AAA (which I need to get) and the lock smith was there in a jiffy. Phew! Note to self: don't leave keys around!!

5. We decided to leave tonight for our trip and are getting ready to head out the door. I am grateful that we were able to get a car, but having to drive different cars has seriously messed with my mojo. Our Honda has several car charger outlets and this car only has one. What in the world? This may be a long trip after all......such is life. I am hoping to update later. Until then, happy Friday!

15 degrees hotter, we made it!

Our first stop was El Paso. This is our famous exit we get off to eat at Subway. After driving about 6 hours we always welcome the Yarbrough exit. Doug and I discovered there was a Rudy's at the exit as well. The kids demanded Subway so we opted to feed them and then go to Rudy's. The bummer part was when we found Rudy's it wasn't finished being built. So sad!!! We were desperate and by then starving, so we ended up eating Costco. Oh, well maybe next time!

It worked out okay, the kids were able to all share an ice cream dessert. Doug and I switched off driving. You can tell we got a little slap happy in the car. Doug took several photos (which are not featured). He thought this one looked like one of those photos you see on a reality show. Ha

Weston was happy as can be watching "Cars" My kids did amazing on the drive. We may have some professional travelers on our hands.

14 hours later we pulled into Phoenix. And let me just say, the heat intensified double from home. We will definitely be living in the pool for the next 2 weeks!

good deed: was patient with the kids.

4:30 am outing

Last night unbenounced to anyone I shed a few tears gearing myself up for today. I am normally okay with saying goodbyes for a few short days, but somehow it was a bit harder this time. Doug has been around way more than usual (perks of the being a chief resident) and so I have been accustomed to his presence. I am happy he is finally able to attend an important family event, but I couldn't help but wish I was going along too. I won't have to worry about being bored, my kids will help out with that factor. However, watching The Office just isn't as funny, the annoying quirks are absent, and most importantly the sweet kiss and hug I get each day. I miss and love you honey and hope you have a great time!! I guess their are some perks to taking someone to the airport at 4:30am. My morning chores are done, the kids ate a nice breakfast (french toast and eggs), the laundry is caught up, I got to see the sunrise, and I even squeezed in some blogging all before 7:30am.

good deed: took Weston and Luke to the park.

Festive Fans

Doug was given Phx Suns court side tickets tonight...........

and Randy Johnson aka "the unit" was sitting right in front of us.

and we were so close we could see Steve Nash shooting some hoops during half time.

Sadly, they lost to Detroit..... but, it was still a fun evening. Go Suns!!

good deed: took the kids swimming.

1200 miles/15 hours later

Classic Doug, ipod and straw in his mouth.

We made it safe and sound after a long day of driving yesterday. We left about 4am our time (3am AZ time) It took us about 15 hours due to getting into Tucson rush hour. My kids did extremely well, other than the fact that Jared asked about every hour how many hours left mom?? We luckily only stopped for gas and one of those was lunch at Sam's Club (yuck!). The funny thing was Doug downloaded 3 audio books to his ipod, so he was pretty engrossed in it while driving and when I was driving. I actually put a dent into my book I started oh, about 3 months ago.

candy stash

This was my survival kit for the drive. I bought out all of the banana sticks from the dollar general along with quite a few tootsie rolls. As you can see from the picture below the drive is pretty DULL. I don't think we saw a tree or piece of greenery for miles and miles. Aren't my toes cute? Thanks to Janet I now support french manicured feet.

I spent much of the drive doing this along with getting into the back of the van to assist emergent demands from my kids. You know the classic lines, mom I'm thirsty, hungry, he/she's pinching me, I don't want to watch that movie!! etc....

Are we there yet???

I swear Weston was born to travel. You hook him up with a 32 oz soda and he is good to go. He didn't start screaming until we had about 40 minutes left into the drive. In which he yelled mommy I get out now! Poor thing, by then I was beyond ready to get out. We made it in around 6pm. Doug and I then went and grabbed a quick to go bite from Tia Rosa's. We unloaded the car and literally crashed.


Today we woke up to beautiful weather. Doug and I went for about a 4 mile run. We ran past our old stomping grounds Mtn. View. I had to laugh because Doug broke out singing the fight song. The minute we got back the kids were begging for their cousins to come play. Doug came home and showered and met with two other doctors for job interviews (our reasons for coming out here). I cleaned out the car and haven't seen the kids since. Doug's parents have the greatest backyard set up. They back up to a retention basin and their neighbors have a sports court and the other one's have a tramp and swing set. My boys are asleep, so I am off to read my book. Woo hoo for vacation!! p.s.Don't forget to spring your clocks ahead tonight. (AZ doesn't, but I set mine ahead before I left).

good deed Friday: didn't yell ALL day. That's pretty good for a day in the car as family!
good deed Saturday: ironed for my MIL.