It's been a while

It has been a while since we have updated our blog and so now that we are in our new house finally and have the internet working I will update everyone.

Chaz - loves going to his new kindergarten class and has made many friends. He had to switch teachers on his first day of school and we didn't know how he would do with that, but he just rolled with the punches and had no problems with it. He has started playing soccer and I am his coach...fun, fun, fun. He is glad that he finally has his own room and doesn't have to share with Gavin anymore. He trully thinks he is a big kid.

Aedan - She is now going to 5 day a week preschool and loves it. They have been doing lots of activities lately around the cowboy theme...she is having a blast. She too is playing soccer and will have fun. She is back in her pink room and has been enjoying reconnecting with her things after being away from them for a month.

Gavin - He is 98% potty trained...2% = diaper at night only...he has been trying to talk us into not wearing one, but he loves to have water before bed, however, he hasn't mastered the art of getting up in the middle of the night and going potty. He has been a big helper around the house, but has also a big attitude. We just keep reminding ourselves that he will grow out of it. He is still making us laugh though with all his antics and demand for independance.

Codi - She is very busy making our new house a home and keeping up with the kids and preparing her Gospel Doctrine lessons. She is the new GD teacher in our ward, replacing the teacher who had done it for 13 years...yes that is 13 years.

Coby - I have been working long hours at work and loving every minute of it...not because I get out of house work or unpacking but because I truly love my job and enjoy all that I am learning from my new boss. At home though I am perfecting my plumbing and electrical skills, updates galore to be done. I am working with the Young Men at Church and I am also the Assistant Scoutmaster so Chaz and I will be going on campouts each month.

Life is good in the Long home and we are working hard here in Borger to make it our new home, but we still miss all of our friends in Katy.

All he wants for Valentine's Day...

Chaz has now lost FOUR teeth. He lost his second tooth on the top while visiting our counsins in Dallas January 18. He has found it hard to eat some things; whole apples, etc. but he loves the toothless grin! What a big kid! He is growing so fast!!!

Officially Official!!

Our house is FINALLY on the market. After waiting for everything to come together to make this event happen (job transfer, relocation company, interviewing 2 realtors, etc) the time has arrived!

If you know anyone in the market for a house in Katy, TX, send them our way. It is clean as a whistle and ready to go!

Look Ma, No...Training Wheels

Ok, so I'm a bit behind on this one, but Aedan has taught herself how to ride without training wheels! Coby and I were doing a TON of cleaning preparing to list the house over the holiday break and with the gorgeous weather and friends to play with in the cul-de-sac we let them play from sun-up to sun-down so we could get stuff done and they would wear themselves out. Well, Chaz comes running in one day and says "dad, do you want to take the training wheels off of Aedan's bike?" Coby said, "No!" Then I asked, "Why would we do that?" Chaz then told us that Aedan was riding a neighbors bike with no training wheels. We rushed outside and sure enough...she was riding like a champ! Well, her training wheels are off and she is a big girl on her 2-wheeler!

Another One Bites the Dust!

Well, Chaz has lost another tooth. This time his top right middle tooth! I was cooking chicken on a Sunday to follow the pattern for his other teeth, but the tooth just wouldn't wait. During Sunday breakfast (Jan. 11) Chaz was eating his bowl of Cheerios when he start crunching on a really crunchy "Cheerio" - he finally spit it out and it was his tooth! He loves to retell that story about trying to eat his tooth.

The tooth fairy traded him $1 for his little white gem and now he is working on loosing the other front middle tooth! Stay tuned...

All good things must end

As my time here in Alaska is coming to a close and I have less than a week left...YAY!!!...I thought I would share my final thoughts.

When I arrived in this beautiful state back in August I was ready to go and take on all that it could throw at me...fleeting daylight, cold weather, and whatever. As my time has gone on and my perspective has changed a little I have learned a few things or remembered a few things...not sure which is the best way to put it. But one thing I always knew was family is the most important thing along with the love of our Father in Heaven. Times have been great and I had fun, but there were times where it was hard for me emotionally and spiritually but I have gained much from this Alaskan experience and wouldn't trade it for the world...well maybe next time have the family with me so they can enjoy it as much as I did...even the - 20 degrees we have "enjoyed" these last couple weeks.

My next assignment in Borger is one that I am looking forward to, one because Codi and the kids will be with my and two it will be a great learning experience for me and a growth for my career. We bloom where we are planted in our family and I know the sun shines in the Texas panhandle.

My Baby Brother (not so 'baby' anymore)!

I wanted to quickly mention something that has made me appreciate my "baby" bro. When I found out Cyle was deploying to Iraq this past week I wanted to make the 3 hr. drive up to Killeen (Ft. Hood) to see him before he left. After trying to work out the logistics, etc. we (Cyle and I) decided that a phone call before he left would be fine. I was perfectly ok with that plan until I was sitting in R.S. on Sunday and out of the blue was hit with a strong feeling that I needed to go see him.

After church was over I texted my brother to let him know I needed to talk to him ASAP (he was in church...don't tell Elder Oaks ;) ). I tried calling him once also and the after the 2nd call I got ahold of him (between meetings). I explained my prompting totally ready to ignore, down play or defend it when he said "if you got the prompting then you better do it". End of discussion. We planned for the kids and I to load up and meet him for an early dinner the next day (Monday).

The kids, Amber B., and I made the drive to and from Killeen on Monday (6.5 hrs total) and had a great dinner (thanx Cye) - gave him a quick hug and then we were on the road again.

What a great reminder to me that when the Spirit prompts I need to follow thru and not ignore or down play those feelings. Also, when others tell me they are prompted, I need to only say "if you got the prompting then you better do it" and not question or down play their promptings!

Thanx Cyle for the opportunity to learn!