.To Clarify.

Nope - I am not expecting, my post was what I WANT for Christmas..... to be pregnant...

So what are you wanting for Christmas?

Do share....

.25 Things.

I saw this on a friends blog (thanks KaLee) and thought I would follow along... break up the monotony a little.

1. I love movies that I can fall asleep to, just a comfort movie, I really like things I have seen a billion times before, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Little Women, Wives and Daughters, The Notebook.
2. I say 'knock it off' way to much I think, to noisy little boys.
3. I would love to decorate my bedroom 'just so'... think crisp white linen, simple lined sepia canvas flora prints on the wall and dark mahogany furniture... hmmm
4. I really don't care to read. I have to really want to read the novel or book to get into it. I am not a fad person, will wait until the excitement of the new release has gone before I will get into it, not sure why?? My only exception, The Help.
5. I detest TV, it is the bane of my existance (only since having kids). Since having children I can seriously count on one hand the shows I remotely follow.
6. My all time favorite flower is tulips and I love the shape of peonys.
7. I am fearful of the dentist and any talk of a visit sends me into stress mode. I so want to get my teeth whitened but fear to do so because I have to go to the dentist for it.
8. Me + my slow cooker = IN LOVE!
9. I write childrens stories. I love it and would love to be published some day.
10. Along those same lines... I am picky with childrens illustrators. I know what I like for my stories which help.
11. I think I will have all boys. Don't think a little bubba girl is on the horizon for me... I may eat my words, but we'll see.
12. If I could pick, I would have Christmas in the USA and New Years in Australia, hands down, the awesomest place for New Years celebrations.
13. I hate it when people sniff constantly.
14. My favorite pass times, Sudoku (book form) and Klondike (on the ipod).
15. I have been super slack this year with my reading of the book of mormon, I need to get back on that, and get consistant starting now!
16. If I could afford it I would have a personal chef.
17. I am a total car person. I can tell you brand of a car and often what the reviews are on the cars I like. I am picky on that front too.
18. Music is something I use to follow really well, knowing who sings what, what is on the charts, etc. I have not followed that at all since I moved to the USA.
19. My favorite songs that have stood the time are and I love to hear are, 'The Middle' by Jimmy Eat World, 'Love Rollercoaster' by Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster The People (don't read the lyrics though... I just like the sound... it is deep...about a shooting in 2007), 'I Like It' by Enrique Iglesias, 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol, 'Wish You Well' by Katie Herzig... I could listen to her ALL day. Makes me think of the music from Greys Anatomy... I heart Greys. I realise I either like songs that make me dance or make me think.
20. I have the biggest crush on Henry Cavill and Ryan Gosling (by the way, did you know that Henry Cavill was who Stephanie Meyer had in mind for her image of Edward in her novels?? bit of fyi)
21. I almost went into labor watching the 2 guys from 'Who's Line Is It Anyway' perform at UW. I have never laughed so hard in my life. I was contracting like no other!
22. If I could relive the day my children were born, hearing them cry, seeing them for the first time, I would relive it 1,000,000 times, I just don't want the pain and anxiety that comes with that day. It really is what life if all about, feeling that perfect, perfect love.
23. I want to learn to fly fish.
24. When I think of the perfect holiday, I always think of laying in the sun on the beach.
25. I collect Willow Tree figurines and always have a running list of the new releases and what ones I want.

.November.

November? Already? Holy smokes where has the last two months gone...

We have been busy here at the Andersons. We had lovely visits from my dad and step mum and then my mum. I was very spoilt with these visits and I so appreciated the time I got to spend with my parents. My mum left at the end of last week and I missed her right away. I bet she is glad to be home though and I know my sisters were missing her big time. It is really hard to say goodbye, not knowing when you will see family in the flesh again. We don't have a trip planned at all but hope to make it over as soon as possible.

We are settled into our home and our puppy seems to be settling in too. He is now 13 weeks old and 24lb. He is a monster. Big boy on our hands.

Cade and Ethan are doing great. They keep me busy as ever and we are in the process of attempting to tackle potty training for Ethan. Next week is 'do or die' week. I just have to make the conserted effort to be home. We have been busy and in and out so the effort has not been there 100% from me.

Next week is also Cades birthday and we are planning something small for that. He has put in his requests so we will see what we can come up with. We are still on the wait list for preschools for him but I don't think we are going to get in so he will likely start school without preschool at all... is that bad?

We are staying busy with our callings and work. I actually applied for a few positions and had call backs for all of them, but decided to accept a job working for a good friend of our family. I can safely say I will so enjoy going to work each night which is such a blessing. I start tomorrow and I am excited. One of the other positions was awesome and what I thought I wanted, but wouldn't allow as much freedom with scheduling so I am happy with what we decided. Should be fun and is totally just an outlet for me.

We are so into Christmas already, listening to music, watching shows and movies and if I could get the muscle to tote up the christmas decorations, I would be doing it. I think we will have to wait another week though, get Cades birthday done and dusted and think about it then.

I think that is the run down... can you believe it is only 59 days until 2012! That is almost longer than Kim Kardashians marriage... (couldn't resist)!

.Happenings.

We are back in G town from our trip away and yesterday I spent the day back and forth between apartment and house packing and unpacking. It was a productive day but today... I am paying for it. I have a sore throat, feel totally run down and I know if I don't stay on top of it, it will set up house with me for a week or so. I am frustrated at what to do.... keep going as we have 3 more days to get all things packed for the big move on Thursday, or rest today to recover from a hectic week prior... perhaps I will rest this morning and get cracking this afternoon if I feel better. I guess I can pack here and then haul it all over tonight when Cory gets home...

I tell you, hauling the boys back and forth wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was hard for them to leave their fun backyard. It was really sweet to watch the boys with Cooper in the back yard, digging and running about. Cade was in his element. Told me, "wow mom, Cooper can dig so much faster than me! It's cool." Cool it may be, but we aren't sure whether we should be discouraging such digging, our yard is not complete, so it is no harm now, but once it is done... Cooper really only digs a ditch for himself to lay in and gee it is cute! Cooper boy is doing well. I think we are making head way (knock on wood) with house breaking him. Yesterday I caught him in the acts and was able to get that sorted and then today he let me know and didn't mess in his crate at all. I took him straight out and potty he went. Feels good, especially not to have to clean up after him. He is a fun puppy, boisterous but eager to please so we will keep working on him and I think (hope) he will be a gem. He is a handsome boy, will be a big dog I think.

I will have to post some photos as soon as I can

.Week.

One week until we close on our first home. AHHHH, so exciting!

One week until we pick up our first puppy, Cooper boy. They have been so nice to keep him for us until we close on the house, but boy has it been difficult to go visit him and leave him there each time. I have had to limit my visits and have only done so when family or friends have wanted to see him as it is a torment to me emotionally.

One week until my mum heads to England.

One week until we prepare to head to Utah for a family party.

This time next week is going to be a busy one that's for sure.

.Birthday.

A shout out to my wonderful man who celebrated his big 30th yesterday.
Love you honey!

.Baby Boy.

No we are not expecting...

We have a new addition in the male variety. Happy birthday to me!!!

.We Got It.

We got our house! Just sorting the last little things, addendums etc. We close at the end of the month.

Here are a few photos of the new digs.

Entrance

Right of entrance, or if you walked in through the garage

Half bath

Kitchen

Dining (which is open to the kitchen and open to the family room)

Family room (to the left of the kitchen and dining area)

Stairs

Hallway - looking at the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms

2nd Bedroom - on left

3rd Bedroom - on right

Bathroom

Hallway to master, laundry to right

Laundry

Master

Master Bathroom

Master - walkin closet

Garage

Backyard, oh the plans we have for this baby... next summer...

We are excited for this new chapter in our lives!

.The New.

Well, we have an offer in on a house and are awaiting a reply or counter offer... I feel calm about it, not going to get too excited just yet. We are meant to know by 5pm today or first thing tomorrow.

I turn 30 in a week... eek!

Is it just me or does everyone seem to be pregnant lately? Could be just that baby pang I feel when I should be starting to exercise the thought of have another...hmmm... (when Cade was the same age Ethan is, I had a 4 week old baby...shesh, hard to imagine).

On that note, they all seem to be having boys.

'The' puppy I want arrives in a week, not sure if he can be 'our' puppy though, depends on timing of closing etc if we get our home.

Beagle or Golden? Which would you choose?

The man desperately wants a bow for his birthday, which is only a couple of weeks away and I would love to get it on the sly, but we'll see what I can swing.

Did you know they have a Cabelas in Rapid City? Me either, we went there on the weekend and the man had a bow fix, shooting arrows etc. It was pretty sweet.

I have been growing my hair for about a year I guess it would be now and am oh so tempted to get it cut short again. I hate that. Might just get it colored to suffice.

.Old = Out, New = In.

Kinda random post here...

- Plans are moving along, but my previous post.... ppfft! Waste of splendid time! Plans have totally changed.... I will let you know when we do.

- On another note, we have now lived in the USA for 8 years this week. C.R.A.Z.Y!

- I start a new decade of life in less than 2 weeks. S.C.A.R.Y!

- I have our name down for first call on a puppy, arriving on my birthday... I. WANT. HIM.

- My husband is rocking at working out, he is totally putting my lazy butt to shame.

- I have something weird going on with my knee, think it is a torn ligament or some cyst. Going to the ortho next week to get that sorted I hope.

- I have visitors gallore this month. SUPER excited. My dad and step-mum are here right now and my mum arrives after them.

- My boys are in their new beds, fast asleep. Loving their beds and the little loves in them even more!

- We went to Tie Hack today and I so want to learn to fly fish. (Did I just say that out loud?)

Random, I know. Just life as I know it right now.

.Moved.

We are here and adjusting to life in G town. We arrived Tuesday evening and Cory started work bright and early Wednesday, so we have been busy, busy.

I have 2 boxes left to unpack and pictures to hang, but other than that we are all unpacked. It has been horrible this time round trying to unpack. Not sure why. Maybe that fact that moving 3 times in a year has me sick of it, but I am trying to toss what has not been accessed or used in the last 9 months, hence it is taking a little longer than I previously remember.

The weather has been lovely. Hot but totally bearable. We have yet to go swimming and make the most of the nice days, but we have taken walks and played at the park and with great friends we haven't seen in a good while. It has been fun.

I will get photos up probably in the next day or so.

.Last Day.

Tomorrow is my last day at work. This is totally bittersweet for me. I have loved, loved working there, more so this time around than before I had Cade. It has been a great confidence booster and I have found a great deal of satisfaction and validation. (I know that sounds really sad and in some ways is a selfish statement, but no judgement or justification, my home - husband, children and church ARE my life and the reason I do what I do). I had to work in order to meet our obligations while living in Laramie, and I am just so very grateful that Cory and my schedules worked so well that I could help out and for the blessing of enjoying my work and those I worked with. I will miss them a great deal.

The last 2 weeks have been full on for me at work, with my co-worked on vacation, holding down the fort and trying to get loose ends tied up with renovations I have been overseeing has been the kicker. It has been something totally new for me and I really had enjoyed it, but I tell ya, after 3 and a half months, I am ready for that to be done with. It is oh.so.close.... just finishing touches now I am hoping.

I will miss the happy, fun personalities of those I work with and the fact that I slotted right back in after being gone for over 4 years. It really was a win win situation and one I am so very thankful to Heavenly Father for. It filled a physical need and an emotional one I never realised I needed at this time. What a blessing.

On that note, I am super excited for a fun summer with my boys, in a new town and with old friends! I think it is time for me to refocus and I am excited for that.

.The One Constant...Change.

News is... We are moving... back to Australia...
Just kidding! .....About the Australia part!
Cory accepted a job ....and we are moving to G town....
I know, I know, never thought we would live in G town either, but we are excited for the opportunities this will bring. (They are heavily involved in Australia.... in my home town....who knows... down the track...)

We both gave notice today and Cory is due to start at the end of the month. We literally have 3 and a half weeks to find a house, pack a house and move all while working! It is going to be a crazy, hectic month to say the least.

We are sad to leave jobs and people we love. We have really, truly loved our work especially the people we work with, but we have been blessed with this wonderful opportunity and feel that it will grant righteous desires to be fulfilled.

We are excited for this new chapter in our lives.

.Big Boy.

All things Ethan...

We have a little graduate on our hands...

...Ethan is now paci free! YAHOOO
He is also...

sippy cup free to go to bed at night! WAHOOO

We also have a learner on our hands...

He is keen to potty train. He takes himself poop, and will pee on the potty, just doesn't know the sensation in time to take himself pee as yet. What a little champ!

Our baby boy is getting so big!

.And I Still Call Australia Home.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

Today in the land of Aus (they are a day ahead) ...
it is Australia Day - January 26th.

This is what I would consider the equivalent to the 4th July in the USA. It is in the thick of summer with lots of fun to be had.
I always, always miss Australia at this time of year... for lots of reasons but I think the cabin fever and the fact that I would give my right eye to thaw out in Australia on Australia Day is really up there!!

I thought as a tribute to all things Australian, being Australia Day and all, I would give you a bit of a look into the things I love (and miss) about Australia.... I will warn you, this might be a long post, but it is just a look, so it won't be as long as I could make it!! :)

First off, my family!

I miss them like crazy at the best of times and even more at the worst of times. We truly have been blessed to have such frequent visits!

Today, they will be together (most of them) at my sisters house enjoying this...

Where I would be getting my laughing gear around one of these sausage sangas...

After that, they would be heading here... Newcastle Beach

...to do some of this...

beaching and relaxing while the kids play...
OHHHH to click my heels and us to be there with them....

I would then be enjoying this for dinner perhaps...(if mum was up for cooking her lamb roast)

If not, we would all chip in and enjoy some fine dining of fish n chips! CHICKEN SALT please....

Then... we would all enjoy some 'oh so delish pav'....mmmm

Where we would then all watch this....

believe me when I tell you, nothing beats an Australia summer sunset! ahhh the serenity!

When Cory and I were chatting and I was thinking of all the things we love and miss, it was fun to reminise. I am so glad that he was able to enjoy the same parts of Australia I did and even more so in some ways....
I miss alot of the food and goodies I grew up with and Cory is particularly fond of these things too... here are a few...

TOTALLY top of the list... cadburys chocolate, and I mean the REAL stuff! (My favourites are Peppermint, Black Forest, Top Deck and Snack. Cory likes those too, but his fave is Crunchie)

I particularly love this little baby.... (although Nestle make him, he is a good one)

Lollies...oh lollies...how I miss you...

Weis Bars... you are just lovely...both Cory and I agree that Mango, you are our fave

Bickies...
Monte Carlos...heaven...

Mint Slice...think, girl scout mint thins on crack! They have a smooth mint center, like a york peppermint pattie in a cookie!

Now for the savory...
Cheezels...

...Burger Rings (they sound gross, but trust me... they are mmm mmm good)

Bakery items... oh how I miss you, on those cold, cold days (which are plentiful here) when I crave you daily when pregnant... ahhhh I miss you..
Lamingtons... (I use to call these wellingtons when I was a little girl...memories...)

Meat pies... HAVE to be from Bakers Cottage... THE.BEST.BAKERY.E.V.E.R!!

Sausage Rolls...with sauce (ketchup)

Apple Turnover with cream....

Chocolate Mud Cake (with King Island Cream)... THE BEST!!

Vanilla Slice...AND chocolate ecclairs..

Scones... oh you call my name almost daily!

These would be the only "cold ones" I would be slogging back on Australia Day, and any other day for that matter!! Sars and Ginger Beer are like the equivalent to Root Beer, just depends on your taste. I am partial to Sars myself, think sweet, homemade root beer...even better!

I found some really cute tributes to Australia and thought I would share...




I also found a blog that had some fun facts... some of it is a bit shonky (yeah another Aussie word)... but it was a bit of fun none the less...

I seriously could go on and on! I got to thinking of all the lovely smells and sights of the familiar parts of Australia, but thought I might leave that til next year!!

Hope you have a great Australia Day!!