Caught up!

Well, I caught us up to present (for the most part). If you want to start from the beginning you have to start at the bottom. Does that make sense? You know what I mean. We are loving CT so far although the humidty has been killer lately. Luckily for us we usually have a nice ocean breeze blowing. The picture at the top of my page is one I took from the little beach we walk to. Hope you enjoy and I will continue to add on as life goes on! Shana

Trip to the Big Beach

We finally made it over to the "Big" beach as the kids call it. There is a small one within walking distance but it doesn't have big waves. Nathan thought it was awesome. Some kid let him borrow his boggie board and he learned to ride the waves. he had a lot of fun. But I will say I have never seen a beach so packed in all my life! I could not believe how many people were there. Literally there was about 1-2 feet between towels. But it was still fun!

That is a lot of people! And none of them have a clue they are posted on my blog!


Daddy's having a grand time! Nothing like having 3 kids in the water all by yourself!


Beach Babe!


Becca trying to catch the water.


Too much sun!


Snack Time!


Beautiful!


Where's my body? Where'd itgo? Where'd it go?

Our new place!

So I have some video of the outside of our place. The inside is a little to messy for that. We have had to do a lot of things to the place and be inventive about space. It is the most space we have had but the closets are challenging. I guess back then they didn't have as much as we do now. They weren't trying to fill there closets with things that they think they need. Anyway Freida was here for a month to help us get settled. She did wonders for the place. I am so glad she was here! Anyway hope you enjoy the videos!












Before: This was the livingroom. Got to love the wood panaling!



After: Ah! That is much better!


Frieda hard at work! Thank you so much! I never could have done it myself!

May 22nd-Connecticut

Well after everything we made it to Connecticut! We flew in to Providence on the 22nd of May. It was beautiful flying over the ocean! I kept thinking, "were not on vacation we actually live here!" It is very beautiful! I expected it to be flat but it is full of rolling hills, of course tons and tons of trees, and beautiful rocks. It reminds me of England itself, there are tons of stone fences built everywhere.

I thought when we got here the stress would go away. Well I was wrong! Like I said before we didn't have anywhere to stay. We were staying in a 2 bedroom suit and there were six of us. Reece and I were very unsure of what we could afford, not knowing about living cost and taxes or how much he would bring home after all was said and done. So we decided to play it safe and look for something to rent about 500 dollars a month less expensive then what we started looking for. That put us on the level of....lets say not very good. We spent a week running all over the eastern side of the state looking for something that would work for us. We were becoming increasingly discouraged. Finally I came across something on Craig's list that seemed like it might be ok. At this point we were getting desparate. You see at this time renting is very limited. Everyone who is losing homes, saling or coming in for the navy are renting so everthing was being taken quickly! Well we went to see this place and when I first saw it I knew it would work for us. It was advertised as 3 bedrooms but actually has four. It is very old but we have a view of the ocean that most pay millions to get! It has an awesome back yard and we are in a great school district. We also live at the end of a dead end street with only a house on one side of us. And we ended up paying less rent then any of the already low rental prices! I feel very blessed! Glamorous? No. But the location is to die for! I think Heavenly Father was saving this little place just for us so we could have something to enjoy after all the hardship we have been through.



Dani taking a bath in the sink at the hotel. She loves to hang her tongue out. I think she is just always waiting for something to land on it!



One of the views from our bedroom window.

May 18th-22nd The Move

You know how you look back over certain times in your life and you think, "How did I make it through that?" Well this was definately one of those times! But we did and I am glad it is over. I think between the time Dani was born and we flew to CT (about 4 weeks) we were at the doctor/dentist about fifteen time between all of us. Nathan needing it the most. He had to have some major dental work done and it had to be done in Indy(about and hour drive). We had to take him every Monday until we moved. Thank goodness Reece was able to take him. I had just had a baby and was trying to get us ready to move. He also had to get new ear tubes 5 days after Dani was born on top of being sick and at instacare twice. That doesn't include Dani's trips to the doctor because of her Cataracts. And mine from having a baby. It was crazy!

Well thank goodness I had my wonderful sisters-in-law and mother-in-law there to help me! Poor Kiersten was stuck with the kids a lot! Thank you so much!! And Megan spent a lot of time holding Dani and being my hands when I didn't have enough. Of course Freida, as usual, is amazing! I could not have done it without her! To say the least that week was pretty stressful but all went smooth considering all we were doing. The movers came packed up all our stuff, moved both of our cars so we could fly! I went to a doctors appt. and when I got home most everything was in boxes! I am so glad I didn't have to do it! Well we made it to Friday, the day we had to fly out. We said good bye to Reece's family (except for Freida,she came with us) and got on the plane. We had no idea what to expect. We had no where to live when we got here and had to stay in a hotel until we found somewhere!



Swimming with the Bjarnson's at our hotle ther night before we flew out.
Lot's of fun! We miss you guys!



Nathan and Andrew. Best of Friends!



Creatures from the Blue Lagoon!! Scary!!

May 17th Baby Blesssing

So after the big celebration, on Sunday we had Danielle's baby blessing. It was so sweet! My wonderful and talented sister made her blessing dress for me. It meant so much to me. I know it was no where near an easy task for her since she has three kidos herself. I know I keep saying this but I don't think I can ever repay her!

Dani was perfect! Actually I was in the bathroom, having just fed her, finishing up getting her dressed when they called us up for the blessing. Reece has to go to the front and tell them we didn't have a baby yet. Luckily there was another couple who were also blessing their little girl. They ended up going first. Then when we finally showed up they made a crack about her having to make an entrance. I had no idea we were late! Then of course afterward we had a nice meal of left overs of all the food great grandma Garrett brought from Kentucky. She makes wonderful food. It might clogg your arteries after only a few meals but man is it good!!!

May 16th

We did it! The big day! We have been counting down to this one for a long long time! It was a very nice graduation! Purdue goes all out! It was a great day. I was physically and emotionally exhausted by the end of the weekend. We had Dani's blessing the next day. Most of Reece's immediate family was able to fly out it was great to see everyone!






Procession



Walking

Reece and Grandma Garrett








Celebration Dinner. We had a great time and good food!

Chase, Kiersten, and Emmalee

Kiersten and Aaron


Matt and Megan and soon too be Eli.

Grandpa showing Becca the art of the chopstick!

Nathan's lovin' it!!

Big sigh of relief for us!

May

Well May was extremely busy too! Nathan got to graduate from preschool. He did very well this year and is ready for Kindergarten!

April 19th

So three days after Reece's Thesis defense I went into labor and had Danielle Marie Garrett! Such a sweety! I was scheduled to be induced on the 19th at 8:00am. The night before I started into labor on my own after eating a very spicy Thai dish. We ended up at the hospital at 3:oo am. They were in an emergency C-section so I was not able to get my epidural until 6:30am. I was at an eight in a lot of pain. Having gotten that far without an epidural I don't ever want to feel natural childbirth! I love modern Medicine! She was born at 8:30 am. She did not like being out here she cried and cried! But she is so sweet! She was 9lbs 20 inches long. Her shoulders got stuck. Erin had flown out the day before Reece's defense and stayed for 10 days to help out. Bless her heart, I don't think I can ever repay her.


Labor Room



Danielle

Its Cold Out Here!!

Yummy Finger!

Aunt Erin to save the day!

Becca, Nathan, and Cole
Enjoying The View

Welcoming Baby Danielle!

April

Thesis food spread. It was Yummy!

Well as most of you know Reece and I have been working very hard at getting through school over the past 9 years. We met at Eastern Arizona College, married and moved to SLC, UT were he started at the Salt Lake Comm College and then transferring to the UofU. Well that wasn't challenging enough so he attended BYU after that. Graduating from BYU with an undergrad he still wanted something a little different so he applied to Purdue and got in. That is were we have been the last 2 years. As of May he has graduated with his Master's and has taken a job with General Dynamics Electric Boat here in Connecticut. So here we are.

To say the least the last 6 months have been harder than I can say. Probably the hardest I have gone through for all kinds of reasons. But we made it and I am sure glad it is over.. Some of you might be saying " Oh but you will miss those days" but I say right Back there is no way in Hell I will! Yes I appreciate them because without sacrifice nothing is worth it. I am glad for the lessons I have learned. Anyway enough of that I am going to start with some pics from Reece's thesis defense. Very stressful he got completely grilled in front of everyone, but I am proud to say he held his own against the professors and passed!

We can't believe it is done and he passed!!


Everyone enjoying a bite to eat after the thesis defense.


Thank goodness Erin was there to help me. A special Thank You to Leah for helping with the food. It meant so much to me!


Feeding the kids.



Becca loved the food.