The Epicly Great and Terrible Month of March 2018

Welllll... Long time no write. And what a lot has happened to our family in these last few months since I last wrote!

The story of Nate and I has been documented elsewhere, but the nutshell version is:

* The Accidental Meeting *

I had a subscription to a dating site ever since shortly after the divorce was finalized, but it was only rarely checked. One of those occasions occured in early December when I hopped on to read some of the messages I'd been sent. There was a "flirt" by a certain man from Salem. As routine, I looked at his profile just to appease the curiousity, but also as was routine, didn't intend to respond to the "flirt". Before moving on to the next message though, I noticed a special little "Happy Birthday" icon. Since it was the day before my birthday, I thought maybe this man had sent me this birthday wish, but I couldn't tell for sure what it was without opening it. So, I clicked on the image to see. It turns out the icon was MY invitation to send HIM a Happy Birthday and clicking it sent it. Whoops! Lol.

Sure enough, the man responded, though he was also unused to the site and not sure if what he'd received was a birthday wish from me. Hah! Thus began some short comments and conversing. I was at that time still working out the "are we/aren't we exclusive" question with T, so I was putting forth absolutely minimal effort with individuals who were reaching out online, including Birthday Boy Nate.

* The First Date *

After I got home from Hannah's wedding and Christmas in Idaho Falls, Nate invited me to meet some time. I coyly responded to other remarks from his message without responding to that part. When he asked a second time, I decided "Oh fine, what's the harm of one little date? If there's no chemistry I never have to go out with him again." So I accepted a the invitation to go out for Hot Chocolate and selected a nearby coffee shop.

First thing as I walked into the shop and met Nate I thought his profile pictures didn't do him justice. As we talked, I realized his profile self-description didn't do him justice either. We had a lot in common and conversed comfortably. At the end of the evening when Nate suggested going out again sometime, I found myself agreeing that that would be nice.

* Taking Our Time *

We went out again a few days later for dinner and a casual wander around the bookstore. We browsed architecture books and chatted.

The next date was squeezing in a showing of "The Greatest Showman" though there wasn't really an opportunity to talk before or after that, as I went straight from work and then had to hurry home to relieve Brennan of his babysitting. The following weekend we met up at AC Gilbert house with our kids for a playdate and lunch. We all had a great time; it was fun to meet Ky and I was struck by Nate's ease with my children as he played tag with them. He did, however, wear a U of O sweater, so I wasn't so sure if it'd be a good idea to let anything continue. ;-)

Shortly after that I went away to visit Jenny and John in Mesa, and in the mean time Nate closed on his new house. Of course. We texted every few days amiably, but not a whole lot.

* Taking Off *

Next Book in the Series

I started a post on here back in April about how Nate and I met. Several hours into it, I had to go do other things and never came back to finish. Who knows if I ever will.

However, it also seemed appropriate to start a new blog. My little family unit has changed, so it felt right to start fresh with a new blog for book 3 in the series of my adult life. :-) Check it out any time... I probably won't post in this blog again.

Caio!

https://natherfamily.blogspot.com/

December 2017

 Brennan had a band concert

I accidentally made these kinda cute invites. I knew with last minute advertising for the activity, I'd have to step up my game a little. I decided to get these little forks to attach. Turns out they only came with the plates... and I didn't want to be wasteful! So, I put the plates to use.

 Ward party

 For this 4th grade invention convention, Asher's invented the kid-friendly allergy mask. Basically, masks, decorated in fun ways, for allergen-struggling kids to wear when the interact with pets.

 My new favorite sweater.

It's just not right for Corvallis to get this cold!

Progressive dinner sing-along

The entire Linus Pauling Middle School earned a field trip to an OSU Women's BBall game. It sounded like exactly the type of trip for me to chaperone! So much fun!

 As usual, the Underwater Audio Christmas party was a huge success! Also as usual, my family somehow dominated winning all the prizes: from candy-in-a-jar counting, to ugly sweater contest (I didn't even try! Mine won most traditional), to the coloring contest... And there was a talent show we participated in, Brennan and I playing a horn duet and Asher played the piano. Plus the kids all receive gifts from the Walkers. In the end, including taking home gear from the meal I'd helped prepare, the back of my car was filled to the ceiling!

 It would be so much better if Hollyn was wearing her glasses, but she loved getting her doll, which she named "Holly Jr".

 I didn't really take any photo's at Hannah and Keaton's wedding or reception, but for these two:

Asher drawing his treasure map for Brennan

 I don't think the following video will play unless I go through the process of downloading onto computer, opening in Movie Maker, and re-uploading it online. It's a neussance, but I'm putting this copy here to remind me some time to do that.

We loved staying in Idaho to spend Christmas with the Stevensons! As a really special and generous treat, we were able to drive down to SLC to visit Temple Square and see the lights with Barry and Judi, plus Greg and Peter and their families. Miserably cold, but beautifully wonderful!

I guess it could be worse than 23 in Corvallis.

 Before heading back to Idaho, we visited the Church History Museum, which is the one center we hadn't caught last August. What a fun place! My kids were bummed when it was time to go and they hadn't gotten to see some of spots they most liked last time, like the Christus and the Family History Museum. I guess we'll have to go back! The kids really love Temple Square. It's like better than OMSI!

 

We were definitely dreaming of this white Christmas!

And fun bonus: check out Kieran's hair!

November 2017, in review

 I played in the Christmas parade the day after Thanksgiving. So, SOOOO cold! But fun! But very cold. ;-)

Celebrated Kenyon's 40th birthday. 

In true Asher form, he situated himself among the ladies. The best part, though was when he told us all how he loves to sit by old ladies because he loves the way they smell. "The older they get, the better they smell!" hahahaha. This kid!

Ward activity to clean the church building

 I do not think that means what they think it means:

Anyone else sit this way when they eat? No?

 So this was kind of funny. I was grocery shopping with Kieran, standing in front of the condiments. Since I'd recently learned Hollyn likes mustard, and she's the only one in the household who does, I said to Kieran, "Should we get Hollyn some mustard?" His response? "Can I have my own Ketchup??? Pleeeeease Mom? Please, can I have my own ketchup?" For 98 cents I figured, why not. I selected a Ketchup and handed it to him. He cradled that bottle the entire rest of the shopping trip. He talked about it non-stop, thanking me repeatedly. As soon as Hollyn got home he rushed to show her the his & her condiments. Obviously, the decent thing to do was pull out the label maker to add their names. It was seriously the best gift ever for both of them. 😜

 

And just because... #Angryface