could not ask for more: From Sippers to Snow Boots

We have been here in Illinois long enough to know that it is everything that we have heard about it: busy, beautiful, expensive, and very cold. We do not necessarily live in the city of Chicago, but about 45 min away in a suburb called Grayslake. It has been quite the experience to get to know where we will be living for the next few years. I believe I personally had more of a culture shock than I did moving to Hawaii. It is so amazing how many cultures are largely represented here. There are plenty of Hispanic, African American and Asian residents. In hawaii we were a minority, but here it seems everyone in a minority, and we love it!

We live about five miles from where Jarett works. He does what he is good at, that is comparing, correcting and improving prices of product for the company. He is getting used to the fact that none of his co-workers are LDS, and all of them spend much time at the local pubs. Today one of his fellow co-workers actually came to church with us. Jarett was able to introduce him into his circle of friends there and he (Matt) seemed like he enjoyed his experience.

On that thought, we have moved into an incredible ward. Since the gospel is a little less commonplace here, the members rely on each other and they are the definition of a ward family. I'm sure those in the my family that have lived around these parts can relate to this. There are several couples that are around our age that we have been able to befriend. Our weekends have been full of activities with these amazing people and we definitely have not felt out-of-place moving here...we are only missing our good friends we left in paradise. Jarett was out playing basketball until midnight last night while I got to spend some time with a few pregger wives (of the dudes playing basketball). Seriously, this is a small ward, but there are about eight ladies who are pregnant right now! We are going to double the ward numbers in a few months! :D

Now for the bump. Little Kai is getting quite large and very strong. A few of his roundhouse kicks take my breath away. Can I just say that I absolutely love being pregnant. Yeah, I am always exhausted, anxious and getting quite large, but it is so amazing to me that another human being is completely dependent on me for its life. I am completely aware that I am not ready for a life change when this child comes into the world. Most the time I wonder if I will ever be a good mother, or if I'm fit to take on such a role. But, this child is coming into our lives in about two and a half months, whether we are ready or not. LOL "Ready or not, here I come!" At least I know that Jarett is going to be a fantastic father.

We do live in a little lake house now that I have fallen in love with. The lake is obviously frozen right now since it it a smaller lake, and it is so fun to see some of our neighbors going ice-skating and playing ice hockey. Jarett and I walked out on it yesterday. There was a few feet of snow on it so he had to shovel a trail. We have many trees on our little property that are home to squirrels and woodpeckers. The squarrels are daring creatures and I hear they are little pests. When we were first moving into the house I noticed an unusually large mouse trap. At first I was confused at the thought of large mice or rats here, but then i figured it must be for the squirrels. There are only a few things that I do not miss about hawaii: Ants, cockroaches and centipedes. I can handle cute squirrels that are entertaining to watch. At least for now. I am very happy where we are at because I almost feel like I am enjoying the outdoors...in a warm house.

Most of you probably heard of the blizzard that just came though these northeastern states. Abe and Janell were in it too! When we were in Hawaii we experienced the Tsunami warning of the century, then we move to Chicago just in time to experience the blizzard of the century! It was awesome! We didn't even know the definition of a blizzard until we experienced it. I think all of us who grew up in Arizona have dreamed (when we were little of course) about snow so deep that you couldn't leave your house. I used to imagine digging tunnels to school. lol. In one night it snowed two and a half feet, and then it continued to snow throughout the next day. Jarett went out and shoveled our driveway about every hour so that he wouldn't be left with several feet to shovel. We were literally stuck in our house for a day. All the roads were closed, and of course, Jarett got the day off of work. Oh...and when we eventually were able to get out and about a day later, we went to Walmart and it was closed! I never thought Walmart could close. These kind of experiences really do humble you into thinking..."yeah, life is fragile." Not because Walmart can close :) but because the things that we rely on for survival, can suddenly be unavailable.

So, this is the story of our life as of now. This weekend it has started warming up, at least it's not in the negatives. Happy Valentines Day to all and Happy birthday to my kid brother Jacob as well as mama Richardson! We love you!