Day-to-Day

Nothing earth-shattering has happened. The most bizarre thing that comes to mind is a sub job I recently took. I was unexpectedly assigned to teach a Chinese immersion class. I panicked, especially when seeing that all the assignments (even the BINGO boards) were in Chinese. In case you're unaware, I do not speak Chinese. Luckily, it was a 5th grade class and the students were pretty independent.

That is the extent of my "earth-shattering" experiences as of late, so I'll fill you in on some of our day-to-day activities.

Andrew:

Is still writing in the evenings and meets up with friends to play board games weekly. He is working on a new book. To get in the writing mood, Andrew does a warm-up and finds a random prompt to respond to. He posted his latest writing "warm-up" exercise on Reddit and got many positive reviews. You can read it HERE. Andrew is pleased with his job at Hivewire. 

Jenna:

Is starting Physical Therapy. I'm sick of knee pain while I workout, and now even while walking/sitting. The doc gave me a cortisone shot which helped. I look forward to the day I'm able to sweat hard and push myself again, instead of having to modify and end my workouts early. I've given audiobooks another whirl recently and am dusting more than ever to get to listen to more books.

James:

Is doing gymnastics with his friend, Harrison. It's very low-key (and cheap), but it gets the job done. James has a designated time each week (for the next month) to run around wildly, Isabelle enjoys snacking on the sidelines, and I savor in the adult conversation with McCall. If you've been around James lately, you've probably heard him say this phrase: "I don't like it, I LOVE it!" He says the sweetest prayers that melt my heart.

Isabelle:

Is adorable. People constantly stare at her and comment on her beauty when we're in public. Her curly hair is a conversation starter and I've been asked too many times to count, "where does she get her curly hair?" Meet my mom and sisters and you'll know. Isabelle likes to be out and about and doesn't like it when we leave the store. She likes the scream, "I don't want to go home." I think quarantine is still too fresh. 

House Update:

We've been talking to a builder since January about a lot. I've kept it fairly quiet because I didn't know if it would workout. It has been an emotional rollercoaster and I'll admit, the anticipation and excitement has kept me up tossing and turning at night.  The lot is a third of an acre, walking distance from my parent's house, and in a cul-de-sac. We told the builder it was a go if it fit in our price-range. I've driven by the lot almost every week. I've seen the architects floor-plans for the exterior and interior. I've decluttered my house, ready to list at a moment's notice. (Although, let's be real, houses take months to build.) I even post-poned signing James up for preschool for next year because I thought a move was inevitable. The biggest hold-up has been the price. Lumber has skyrocketed and is estimated to be 3x the normal cost. That being said, we still thought this house was a possibility and so did the builder. This week I finally heard the price of the build. It was sky-high and we can't afford it. My dreams are shattered. The build was too good to be true. What's next? Excellent question.

The week before Easter.

Easter

The good news is that I get to flee reality early tomorrow morning. Boston couldn't have come at a better time. An escape from this news is just what I need. In all seriousness though, clearly the lot wasn't meant to be. Maybe we're supposed to stay in PG or maybe something even better is coming (like a rambler). 

I'll do my best to have a mind-blowing experience while in Boston to blog about.

Back-To-Back Birthdays

We live for birthdays around here. Clearly, the food is the most important part of the day. We have back-to-back birthdays which keeps me on my toes, but I like it.

ANDREW'S BIRTHDAY

February 20th

Meals:

Breakfast: McDonald's McGriddle

Lunch: Chubby's Burgers. This was our fist time dining-in a restaurant in ages. It was amazing to go on a date.

Snack on the way home: Purple Turtle Shakes because obviously we were starving.

Dessert/Cake: Pumpkin Bars

Presents:

A Google Pixel Phone. Andrew got this in January. I felt bad not giving Andrew anything on his bday, so I gave him a small present relating to each of the 5 senses.

                    Smell: Cascade Springs Drinks

                    Taste: Cool Ranch Doritos

                    Touch: Orange Tie

                    Hear: Audible Credit for his commute

                    Sight: Redbox movie, "Tenet." Not for me, but I gave it a try for a solid 45 minutes before pulling out my book.

JENNA'S BIRTHDAY

February 25

Meals:

Breakfast: Kolaches

Dinner: La Hacienda. We got to go out again thanks to my parents. It was glorious!

Dessert: Kazookies at "The Chocolate." The gooey cookie with ice cream did not disappoint and I definitely want to head back pronto.

Don't forget all the free stuff I got throughout my birthday week: A Crumbl cookie, a small 1 topping pizza from Marco's, and $5 off my Cafe Rio meal.

Presents:

Andrew had the 26th off of work, so we did most of our celebrating then. My biggest request was alone time. (Welcome to motherhood!) I went to Piyo at the gym with friends (for the first time since last summer), read lots, and went shopping solo. Andrew got me heated socks and a Swiffer mop. These gifts truly age me because I was thrilled.

JAMES' BIRTHDAY

March 16

In care you're wondering, we did make a paper chain countdown for James' birthday again this year. He was jealous we got to celebrate Dad's birthday and Mom's birthday, but not his.

Schedule:

The night before his special day, James anxiously told me to go pick-up balloons while he was asleep. He also gave me strict instructions to be sure to wake him up in the morning. He didn't want to miss out. James was pretty amped up all day.

Breakfast: Pancakes 

James: "Dad, I wanna tell ya something. You make the best pancakes ever!"

PRESCHOOL: James got to bring a birthday snack and a birthday spotlight. To top it all off, they celebrated St. Patrick's day and apparently some Leprechaun's visited the classroom and made a big mess and left treats. James has not stopped talking about it since.

Lunch: Chick-Fil-A at Andrew's new office. James has been asking about touring Andrew's work since before Andrew even started. I think James was expecting another office party and was a bit disappointed that everyone wasn't wearing costumes and passing out treats.

SURPRISE: I thought I had done a good job keeping this a surprise, but apparently not. After lunch I told James we had another adventure ahead. He said, "Are we going to the Dinosaur Museum now?" I invited a few of James' friends to join us at the Dinosaur Museum. James has never been (Covid) and I've been eager to take him. Harrison Hendricks, Philip Alling, and Maeve Hollis came. 

Our time at the museum was wild. Corralling both kids was not easy. James sprinted throughout the exhibits and was hard to keep up with. At one point, he even tried to go through an emergency exit and yes, the alarm started blaring. Isabelle wanted nothing to do with the stroller and definitely made her opinion known by kicking and screaming when she didn't want to move on to the next display. The kids had a blast though and were definitely worn out by the end. They were especially fond of playing in the sand and I was content too because it meant they stayed put.

To end the little celebration, we had doughnuts from the Lehi Bakery. I enjoyed putting together party favors and am proud of how they turned out.

Dinner: Stroganoff (James' pick). James treasured hearing all the things we love about him at the dinner table. He directed the convo to ensure everyone got a turn.

Presents:

We got James a scooter, bubbles, new pajamas, and shorts. (He was spoiled by many others too!)

James: "This is fantastic! Izzy, let me show you how to ride my scooter. Just be careful not to break it."  

Bio:

James is tender-hearted and caring. He brings up Grandpa Ken who has passed away often. He cherishes Isabelle and is always thinking of her. He adores books. We've recently started reading him chapter books. He's a big fan of "June B. Jones" and "The Boxcar Children." He listens to stories on Alexa everyday during Quiet Time. James is bright! He knows a lot about the gospel and looks forward to family scriptures and church. He also knows the first few articles of faith. We've been playing games as a family, and "Go Fish" is his favorite. He doesn't like to be skipped in "Uno." James is extremely friendly. We were getting in the car the other day and James dashed outside to tell our neighbors, "hi." He then explained: "Mom, I just had to go say hello to the Hortons." He proceeded to ask me to roll down his window in the car, so he could talk to them some more. We love our sweet, energetic boy.

There's nothing quite like a birthday, especially towards the end of a long winter. The thoughtful texts, phone calls, and messages are always a highlight. I am blessed with caring friends and family who helped make our birthdays special. My mom even did  separate birthday dinners for Andrew and I, so we didn't have to share the spotlight (or pick the same meal). I have plenty of time to gear up for Isabelle's 2nd birthday in July! In the meantime, what am I going to plan next!? Obviously, the food will be the focal point.

Mrs. Ditto Returns

Recollect going to sleep the night before your first day of school. How were you feeling? Anxious? Excited? Were you dreading your alarm clock or looking forward to it? The night before my first job as a substitute brought back all those memories and emotions. I woke up wide-eyed and ready to go at 5:00AM. I wasn't sure if I felt more nervous or eager. Would the kids be mean to me? Would I remember everything-- a lunch, a cell-phone charger, my book, etc.? My mom was even there to see me off, just like old times.

Why am I subbing? 

I want to keep my teaching license active. In order to do so, I have to have 100 hours of approved teaching credits/classes/experience. I learned that subbing can count for some of my hours. Almost immediately, I applied to be a substitute teacher. Having a current teaching license moved me through the process quickly. Before I knew it, I passed my background check and was ready to roll. 

Where am I subbing? 

Jordan School District. I have been a substitute for them previously and grew up going to school in the Jordan School District. The pay for a substitute teacher is DOUBLE what substitute teachers make in Alpine School District (the district I live in) which is crazy to me. My parent's AKA, the babysitters, also live in Jordan School District, so it was a no-brainer for me. Yes, it's a bit of a drive, but I'll happily make it.

My only hesitation in working as a substitute teacher was the pandemic. I was worried about exposing myself to germs being around so many kids. As a Jordan School District employee, I was eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine. I feel blessed and have so much hope for the future. I'm grateful for a vaccine to help end this pandemic and to stop more people from dying. 

My first day back in the classroom as a substitute brought me so much joy. I guess I had forgotten how much I enjoy teaching. I was giddy explaining advanced math (I mean, how advanced can it really be in 5th grade?) and proud of myself for knowing how to do it. During the read-aloud, I used enthusiasm and a whole new set of voices that I didn't know existed. During my 3 breaks (music time, lunch, and recess) I was too antsy to even read my book! I spent my time getting the next materials ready for the students. To top it all off, after loading my kids in the car afterwards, I noticed that they were extra cute. Some time away from them will do me good. I'm proud Mrs. Ditto is no longer a name of the past. 

Hello Hivewire!

Andrew started working for Henry Schein One in June of 2020. Since then, he has been working remotely in the basement which is a huge bonus. I get to see him every day for lunch! I can simply text Andrew when I arrive home with a trunk full of groceries and POOF, he graciously helps me unload them. I have also been known to leave sleeping Izzy home with Andrew (too bad she's no longer into the whole napping thing). I think Andrew sees the perks of being in the basement as well. He's enjoyed hot bread, muffins, cookies, smoothies, and more, all hand-delivered to his desk. Sadly, this working from home thing is coming to an end.

Andrew is starting a new job on March 1! This isn't something I thought would happen so soon. I've known that Andrew's job hasn't been his dream job from the get-go. He planned on staying for a couple of years though. Recently, Andrew's friend mentioned that his company was hiring a Quality Assurance Engineer. Andrew decided to interview. He has missed doing QA. He's done some QA work at his current job, but lately he spends most of his time doing other tasks which isn't his favorite. The initial interview lead to another interview and a job offer.

I'll be honest. Knowing that this new company, Hivewire is a startup worries me. Andrew has worked for a startup before and did end up getting laid off (along with 90 other employees). He had 3.5 good years at Canopy though and thrived. This new start-up, Hivewire is small. Andrew is only the 11th employee! He has worked with 3 of the other employees previously and jives well with their work pace and style. I'm sure that you, like me are wondering what Hivewire does. Here is Andrew's description: "Hivewire allows for customized workflows for businesses. Have you heard of Trello and JIRA? It does some of the same things."

Andrew was so excited the day he got the job offer that he couldn't sleep. I've decided to trust him on this one (and the Lord) and know he'll be happier doing what he loves. Andrew will now be working in an office in Lehi. I was feeling peaceful and calm about moving forward with Hivewire until Andrew gave 2 weeks notice at his current job. His boss was surprised and mentioned what a good worker Andrew is. He even brought up compensating Andrew more to see if that would get Andrew to stay. Reality set in for me. Andrew is leaving a solid job with a company that likes him. Why am I surprised? I shouldn't be. I'm married to a hard-working man. His "lunch breaks" typically last 10 minutes. On a good day 15. Andrew also gets to work at least 15 minutes early each day. (He said he learned that from me--a true Denning.) I'm sure Hivewire will see what an asset Andrew is to their company too.

Andrew will return to having unlimited PTO! (Apparently most tech companies offer this benefit.) This might be the perk I'm looking forward to most. We've been spoiled in the past and got used to Andrew having more time off. I'm proud of Andrew for excelling so well in his career. The kids are already talking about going to visit him at work. (Everything is an adventure to them!) I'll miss running downstairs to ask Andrew something and his ten second commute, but hopefully it will be worth a more satisfied husband. Oh and I doubt Andrew will miss working in the unfinished portion of the glacial basement. With time he's learned to adapt. He wears slippers, a coat, and constantly has a heater running. His unfinished basement background will no longer be a hot topic in video meetings either. 

Bedroom Makeover

When I think back to being a newlywed, it feels like a lifetime ago. After Andrew and I got married (over 8 years ago!) and moved into our first unfurnished apartment, we purchased some furniture. It wasn't hard to decide where to begin our search in small Rexburg, so we headed for the one furniture store we knew of. Pretty quickly, we found 2 matching black dressers and were happily on our way. Those black dressers have followed us over the years through multiple moves.

Andrew was quite proud of our new furniture, especially since we got a deal. For a while, it felt like Andrew told almost everyone who came over about the killer deal we got on the dressers. Eventually, I had to tell Andrew that I actually didn't love the style of the black furniture, so he would stop bringing it up and showing every guest that entered our house our bargain find.

Recently, I've been more bugged than ever by our cheap, poor-college-students purchase. These dressers didn't hold up super well over the years and some pieces have broken off. Andrew was completely on board with the new dresser idea and the hunt began. After consulting my sister and sending her some of the options I was considering, I felt confident with my choice.

But, like any project, you change one thing and then suddenly, -BOOM- you have to update everything else in the room immediately. What started out as a quest to find a replacement for our ugly, black dressers, turned into a bedroom makeover.

Suddenly, our $20 mismatched nightstands didn't seem so classy. (They weren't even picture worthy.) I purchased 2 nightstands that matched the new, sleek dresser. They even have drawers which is a luxury I'm unfamiliar with. Our room looks clutter-free because our remote and books have hiding places. We knew when ordering the nightstands that they might be too short next to our massive bed. We were right. This meant we got to spend more money! We bought a new bedframe/headboard that allowed us to get rid of our oversized box spring. You can't get a modern new bed and skip fresh bedding. Next purchase: a new white bedspread.

(From Wayfair)

(Also Wayfair, but was cheaper on Amazon. I promise the color matches. It's called Caramel.)

Target

We learned a hard lesson during this process. I wanted our dresser up STAT and Andrew went with it to please me. He put together most of the dresser while keeping track of 2 kids in the room since I was teaching piano. As a result, our kids made the mess of a century with Styrofoam. It was EVERYWHERE! I'm not exaggerating when I say it took longer to clean up the Styrofoam mess than to put the dresser together. After 2 full of hours of cleaning and vacuuming, the mess was mostly gone. (Just yesterday I found more Styrofoam!) Needless to say, when the nightstands arrived, our kids were eager to jump into the Styrofoam and we firmly put a stop to that before another disaster struck. Andrew says someday I'll laugh about this. That day has not come.

The new vibe in our bedroom was definitely worth it though! The space was transformed and feels chic and tranquil. Just when you think there isn't anything else we could possibly need in our bedroom, I'll prove you wrong. We may get another dresser because we don't have quite as much space as we used to. (We went from 10 drawers to 6.) Also, wouldn't cute throw pillows add something? Jess, my go-to interior designer, suggested adding a plant in the corner. Whew! I think we'll take a break for now.

Andrew keeps bringing up my birthday and asking what I want. My response is typically, "I got a new bedroom, I don't need anything else!" Aka-- don't spend a cent more! I'm thinking that our new furniture may last more than 8 years, so I'm glad we invested in something I love. And I actually kind of secretly hope that Andrew does show off our room to guests.