Logan life, tamales, and trains

Been working so hard with my little house, I can't wait to show you pictures. Kitchen is crammed full with stuff! Food, cans of food, food storage, etc. We are not lacking in the food department. Or any small appliances therin. I put up two shelving units in the bedroom to put our linens and other stuff on. I unpacked 5 boxes of random crud and put away or threw into the D.I. pile. It's hard getting rid of the U of I vandal shirts that the kids wore when they were little and other things, but I don't want to have baggage! I kept one for a keepsake, but then I'm going to let someone else have the opportunity to own it. It feels so good. Started putting away Ryanna's room, but it's SO HARD with all the boxes in the way. I honestly am so blessed.


I made a new friend! The only one I have in Logan and she hardly speaks english. She's hispanic and has only been in the US for 8 years. Her young kids are learning english so they speak with NO accents. They absolutely crowd me! They are so sweet. Two little girls, one 7 and one 2. The 7 year old invited us over to her house yesterday and since she goes to the same school as Ryanna and Dawson, M (can't remember her full name, it's very Mexican) caught up with us as we walked home. (she only lives 3 doors down across the street) She reminded me the ENTIRE way home how I promised to come over and to come to her birthday party with a pinata and lots of 'Spanish People, not white like you'. It is so darling. I said that we will come over after school and as we walked up to her house, she had her little nose pressed up against the glass waiting for us. Her younger sister (the 2yr old)'s name is Emily. Very beautiful. HUGE black eyes and dark hair. Very 'bonita' as Marina taught me today.

Marina is very patient and we do alot of communication with our hands. I am bubbly and happy around her, she is so sweet. She has a garden and gave me 2 squashes, 4 tomatoes, 4 cucumbers and cilantro and 4 ears of corn she grew and picked for me. She also tried giving me clothes and we're already planning play dates next week. She walks M to school and watches at the window for me. (My 'backdoor' is more like a sidedoor. It is mostly glass, you can see into the kitchen from the street) Next week she said she'll teach me how to make tamales. As she said, "I cook tamales. You just watch." You betcha I'll watch! I'm excited to learn.

I am starting to feel like I'm on a mission. To love the people around you. I am surrounded by Hispanics and am always waving to the neighbors. I am really regretting NOT taking spanish. Only knowing how to say, "Hello! How are you? Me, I'm so-so." Hasn't proved very helpful. By the way, it's "Ole! Come estas? Eh, tu asi-asi." Yes, that was enough to get me an A. Go figure. I also learned how to say The Pledge of Alligence. Why? I have NO clue.

The kids are adjusting and LOVE their new school. Ryanna's on the 2nd floor, so she feels really big and important. Dawson is on the first floor and is so head over heels for learning. It starts so early here, we are up and at 'em by 6:15 and I'm yelling at the kids to get dressed and get their backpacks on since I'm usually making eggs, toast and yogurt. It makes for a long day, but it's so nice. I walk with them, it's a mile round trip, and beautiful. It's such a gorgeous area! Every house is intriguing, different and has a different story to tell. We pass by a horse, goat several older homes with lawn ornaments that are hysterical. We have gotten to know the Crossing Guard, Miss Lori. She has been doing it for 10 years and are seeing the kids she had when she first started, have kids of THEIR own. She has learned who my kids are and I told her that if I'm not there to lead them in the right direction. I look forward to seeing her each afternoon. She was telling me about this gentleman, who I see regularly riding his bike past my house. In his suit. With a small suitcase on the handlebars. Since we live so close to the temple, I wondered if he attended and just rode his bike home. She told me today that he suffers from seizures and attends the temple regularly. His mother just passed and he lives all alone. AHA! I know who we'll be visiting with cookies in hand soon.

THIS IS SOOOOO EXCITING! I love the people here. They drive like maniacs, but are still a very warm people. I have been stunned. I get funny looks since my van windows are rolled up and I lock my doors. No one does that here. No wonder it's the number one safest town in Utah. I like it. With so many hispanics around, I was a little wary of the safety and even cleanliness of the neighborhood. I am so wrong! It's been a lovely place to be. I actually look forward to my days. I love being at home and spending the majority one-on-one with Carter. Still such a busy body, especially with grasshoppers around!

Ryan is working hard and doing well. Since the little Mazda is gone, (when it died, the dealership in Brigham City was trying to fix it) would spend more to fix it than the car was worth. Now we're in the market for a new PREOWNED car. Since going through the dealerships have warranties and we've gotten to know the staff, they've been great trying to help us find a car. I think we found one. Pictures to come, if the financing works out.

Oh, and since the traintracks are maybe 100 feet away, we got to see another one this morning! The conductor waved to Carter this morning, and Carter was absolutely TICKLED!!!! I knew he was waving to him, because we were the only ones standing outside in the freezing cold in our jammies waving to him. Talk about something to make your day! As simple as that.