Making Changes

I was thinking today what changes others have had to make since the rise in gas prices, food prices, etc. Here are some changes Scott and I have made:
1. Last summer, when we thought gas was as high as it could get (probably "ONLY" $2.35 or something), I started doing most of my grocery shopping at my neighborhood Smith's. This actually was something that was fun, other than our 100 degree temperatures last summer, and the fact that I really, really hated the Smith's near our house. I pushed the girls in our double stroller which happens to have a massive basket underneath the seats which was large enough for almost a week's worth of groceries.
I stopped doing this once it turned really cold (and because I was sick with pregnancy). I've started up again, but it is hard since the girls are about 10 pounds heavier (combined) and I start having contractions within a couple of blocks worth of a walk. Still, I persevere...
2. We have purchased reusable grocery bags so that we stop using the plastic ones. (This is not a change because of the rise in gas and food prices, but it is similar because we are finding other ways of "going green" besides using less gas.) My Mom did this back in the early 90's and I don't know why I am just figuring out to do it 20 years later.
3. We bought a scooter! I've been wanting one since we had one in Taiwan, but we just haven't done it (Utah winters seem to always change our mind). But with gas prices and Scott starting school nearly full time in addition to working full time and finishing up his thesis, we needed something to get him around that was a bit cheaper than our car. And by a "bit cheaper", I mean 80+ miles to the gallon! Hello! Plus no one can dispute the benefits of having a scooter and going to BYU; you get the sweetest parking spots nearly right next to your classes! I think our only struggle with the scooter is to avoid the Taiwanese in us which makes us want to pack the whole family on whenever we need to go anywhere.


Speaking of Taiwan and scooters, check out this picture! And I didn't take it because it was something out of the ordinary, I took it because I wanted to remember what was normal in Taiwan! We read in our "Lonely Planet" that there were more scooters in Taiwan than there were people. I totally believe it. It's awesome! (BTW, our apartment building was about 2 blocks behind where the scooters are lined up at the light).


So how has life changed for you?

Sad Goodbyes 2

Here is one of the sad goodbyes. We will miss you, our nursery teachers, running partner, biking partner, babysitters, and pretty much our super good friends! Bye Vickie & Ryan. Good luck in New York!

Crazy Spring

I am a big weather watcher and when I heard we would have our first 80 degree day, I packed up the girls for our first trip to the park. Mostly because I also heard that a couple days later it would snow. I had to see it to believe it.

Sad Days in Provo

One of the hardest parts of living in Provo is April (and August & December). Why? Half of the town, your ward, and your friends leave you forever! I always get a little depressed watching all the people in caps and gowns, all the moving trucks, and saying all of the quick goodbyes that can't be helped because people take finals, graduate, and move within a week of each other and you can't have proper farewell parties, etc.

I guess I get a little excited, too, just because there is so much excitement in the air and you can't help it. Everyone has so much hope; they are moving on to greater things. Then this brings on the slightest twinges of jealousy. Are we ever going to move on? This Master's stage of our life has really drug on much longer than we expected or hoped. At least we are having fun, right? It's the journey, not the destination... (These are things I repeat to myself daily)
And here's to blogs! They help you to continue friendships with all of those friends who move so far away!

Pretty Fairy Princesses

We had a rough couple of weeks of illness around Sophie's birthday, so she didn't get the big party she deserved, but she ended up getting some pretty sweet gifts. Here is the fairy tent that she got from her Aunts, Ann & Kristi. The girls screamed with joy when the package arrived and have felt like princesses ever since.