Back to life, Back to reality

I am now learning how hard it is to get back in the swing of things...meaning, blogging. After some extensive blog stalking (you know you do it too), I decided it's time I update the Whitmore blog and fill everyone in on what Josh and I have been up too.

Right now, Josh and I are back in Happy Valley. We won't be going anywhere for a while. It's nice to finally have our own drawers and walk-in closet. I love my condo and am going to be so sad when I have to leave for good. Last night, after dinner, Josh and I just sat and watched TV...alone. It was so quiet and maybe a bit uneventful haha. But it's nice to just be together-the two of us- and be back to our old lives.

We had a great experience in California this summer. Living with my parents was great and much better than we anticipated. You never know what to expect in situations like that, and ours was wonderful. They moved five houses down, which gave us our own bedroom with attached bathroom downstairs. I mainly focused on the twins, taking them to class and our frequent (more like daily) trips to Mission Mall and Irvine Spectrum to see the puppies and play in the water fountains. I would occasionally take Gracee and Gregory to the pool and of course everyone went to get ice cream (I'm not even going to mention how often we did that).


It was a very emotional good-bye for me and the babies. I couldn't stop crying. I miss them so much, I can't even stand it. But I honestly think I can only do two or three (at the most) kids. I just don't have the energy like my mother does. I was falling asleep at like 7:00 every night this summer.


Josh and I ended up going to Disneyland every Saturday (if not, more throughout the week). It was so fun to be at our favorite place with each other. We usually walked on to every ride, whether we used a Fast Pass or did Single Rider. Josh was lucky enough to go to Club 33. I have been wanting to go forever, and he just waltzes in Orange County and is given a free ticket. What the heck? The real reason he got to go? Josh got an offer to work full-time out of the KPMG office!!! Woohoo!!!! I am so proud of him. He has until the beginning of September to accept. Thank you Josh, for working really hard this summer. He would not start until August or October of 2012. The later date would allow more time for the CPA exam.

One last thing I got to do in California before leaving, was have lunch with Josh's cousin, Amy, who is serving a mission. She is actually in Mission Viejo! That was fun reminiscing on my mission days, giving what little advice I have, and encouraging her and her companion that a mission is the best thing I have ever done (besides marry my best friend).


We were also fortunate enough to spend a week with Josh's family at the Lake Canandaigua lake house. It was so fun to have the whole family together. We were out on the boat everyday and me and Meg would try to lay out before the daily rain storms. We were also able to visit the church sites. Josh has seen them all a million times, but was a trooper when I wanted to go see them. We went to Palmyra, saw the temple, where they printed the Book of Mormon, Hill Cumorah, the Smith Family farm, and the Sacred Grove (which was my favorite).

(Not the most flattering picture of me, but you get the point)

Later on in the week, we went and saw the Whitmer (not Whitmore) farm in Fayette. We took the little tour and then walked through the farm house.

(The lady had her finger covering a majority of the lens, hence the cropped farm house picture.)

It was so neat to be able to actually visualize where the beginning of the church happened. I have read about it and taught it numerous times, but there is a wonderful spirit at each of these sites. One night while we were there, Josh's grandma and some other relatives-who live in the area-were able to come over and spend some time with us. I enjoyed getting to know everyone and seeing everyone again. The last time I saw any of them was at our wedding and you know how much time you get to sit and socialize at your own wedding!! I was able to talk to Yvonne (Grandma Whitmore) for some time. She was very pleasant to talk too and get to know better. And we found out that she is taking everyone on an Alaskan cruise next summer. Which puts our cruising at two for 2012! Thank you Yvonne! We can't wait. We also were able to play with our nephews and look forward to our first niece in December! We went on a treasure hunt on Squaw Island and celebrated both their birthdays! They were so fun!


Overall it has been a great summer and we are looking forward to our LAST school year!!! Seven more classes and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I returned to work yesterday and Josh is still figuring out his job situation. We have been very blessed and none of it goes unnoticed. I am going to make a special effort to stay on top of my blogging now that I am back in my normal routine and have a lot of time :)