Handfulls

Since we have been here in Calgary, I don't think that there has passed a day without someone commenting on our family... particularly on the quantity and gender of our children.  "My, you have your hands full".  " Golly, you must have your hands full".  " Five kids.  Five boys! Well, don't you have a hand full !" At first I found it amusing and kind of nice. I much preferred it to the scary or disgusted stares that we sometimes received in Phoenix. And then there came a very trying week.  Instead of feeling like this was me and the boys:

It was honestly more like this:

On a particularly difficult and trying day when I had run to the store to get milk- and only milk- I heard that phrase "Wow...don't you have your hands full?" 7 separate times in 10 minutes.  I was more than a little frazzled and frustrated by it all, to say the least.  I started to feel very upset.  Yes.  My boys are a lot of work.  Having 5 children in and of its self is hard work. Having 5 children in the space of 7 years is challenging. My boys are intelligent and curious and exploding with energy and confidence and self-assurance and stubbornness- which at times can be a very very challenging combination. I am always tired and worn out.  Many times I could use a shower.  And I am going deaf and gray at a speed of which I am not particularly pleased.   But not for one moment would I have it any other way.   Yes I have my hands full.  They are overflowing with some of the greatest blessings and miracles ever bestowed on earth from heaven.

And yes... he may not be a handfull, although I am positive that is mother would disagree, the following boy is the hand that made me full.  He is my greatest blessing and my personal miracle (and most of the time it is like having 6 boys, so I figure I could add him here too :-)

The next time someone remarks that I have my hands full,  I am just going to smile and agree with them!

Horses

We went to an equestrian show/tournament this past weekend.  It was wonderful to be outside (the boys were excited to wear long pants and jackets) and away from all the boxes and projects at the house. Our boys are definitely "city-fied" but they LOVE horses.  But then again, what kid doesn't? We stand out a bit here.  We did in the States as well;maybe I just feel it more.  I haven't met too many families with more than two or three kids.  But this day we stood out because of Nathaniel.  Bryant and I were a little concerned that he would get chilled because of the wind, so we carried him around like this:

He was so happy to see everything and be bouncing around and talking with everyone. The boys are already talking about going back next year.  Sounds like a good idea to me!

Welcome to Canada

Here is the exciting action packed play by play that I know you are all dying to hear.   This is the "official report" of the beginnings of our Canadian adventure.  Bryant and the oldest two boys had the singular opportunity of driving a large U-haul truck with all of our stuff around mid-May.  It took them 3 days to drive from Phoenix to a border crossing in Montana.  The province of Alberta only borders Montana, btw. Idaho touches the interior of British Columbia.  Sorry, I got sidetracked with geography details.  Since 9-11 the crossing guards on the Canadian side are similar to our Homeland Security officers and immigration is slightly more complicated. (I wish there was a sarcastic font) After an extended day visit there at the border Bryant and the boys arrived in Calgary!

Promising to be good while enjoying Canada

Victorious Arrival!

So I asked the boys when I joined them about 10 days later to show some of the new things that are different here in Calgary this is what they showed me.  I guess we are not in Kansas anymore :-)

Looks like a typical 7-11... wait, what's on the wall?

These hitching posts are EVERYWHERE! The people of Calgary love their dogs

In the space of one chip I swear it changed flavors at least 6 times...interesting

Fries and gravy.  GENIUS!!!!  Why don't we have this in the states???

Costco hot dogs and "pop" still $1.50  and full and happy boys

Seth said that "canada people must think and drive sideways".... guess we'll have to work on that thought process

And for once, brother time did not end with a bloody nose or a black eye

So far the boys are doing quite well.  Mom and Dad are learning the ropes.  It's taking us a bit longer, but we also have to deal with all the boring adult stuff like work permits and tax ID numbers and currency exchange rates.  While there is enough things here to remind the boys of home there is more than enough for this  next chapter to be written in a foreign tongue.  

Goodbye Arizona

In the middle of May Bryant and I said goodbye to the place that we have called home for the last 5 years.   We were sealed in the Mesa Arizona temple about a million years ago. (ok, it was only 8 years ago but it certainly feels longer...) We then moved to Utah for schooling and returned to pursue a career that at the time was based in Phoenix. While we came for the job, the valley of the sun also had two major bonuses: all over our extended family on both sides live in the valley and we were very excited to have a temple in close vicinity.  From the pictures below I think it is safe to say that generally speaking the Grandpas and Grandmas were excited to have grandbabies near by with whom to play.

Go Utah Grandpa Chuck!

Grandma Andrus wants to hear a story

Our favorite things hands down was one of the traditions we were able to establish.  Every year around the time of the Easter Pageant , when the wonderful perfume of citrus blossom was in the air, I would take the boys to the temple and spend an afternoon there.  This year we went in May instead of April and Bryant was able to accompany us.  Here are some highlights of our last family trip to the Mesa temple.

I think this is the best portrait of Bryant and I ever!

 Anyway... for me, and by me I mean us, the best thing about our new neighborhood is that the new Calgary temple is literally around the block from our townhouse.  We are thrilled for our sons to grow up basically in the backyard of a temple of the Lord.  Even if you do not share our faith, the peace and tranquility found at the temple are a treasure for all in this busy and shrill world.

So, goodbye Arizona.  You were a good place to start us and take some of our first steps. You'll always have a place in our hearts.