On Utah

Oh blogging. It's always so much fun reading blogs, not so much fun writing your own. With that being said (that's a phrase my husband says he uses at work to sound smart. I about died), let's blog! Shall we?

If you know me even merely, you know I have moved from San Diego to.... Payson, Utah! Oh the change. I did not anticipate so. much. change.  To be honest, I did not entirely know what to anticipate. Let's start from the beginning. Rafal has always wanted to leave California. He didn't grow up in the sun and the sand like I did so he has no loyalty. For real. He hates Cali. So when his job cut his overtime hours, he basically said I'm outie. Then he found his dream job in a small town in Utah running the manufacturing side of a gun company. Good for Rafal. I'm so proud that he has a trade that is tangible and he is actually pretty successful when it comes down to it. So being the good wife I am, I said go forth dear man. I will follow.

Follow I did. We rented a home that we picked out on the internet. Fingers crossed, I opened the doors to a suburban track home located right across from the glorious Payson LDS Temple. If you know anything about LDS people, we love our temples. But this is Utah, so here they really love their temples (that's a different subject). The thing about track homes, is it's a track home. Basic but clean. Big but simple. Simple. That's how I would describe anything here. Definitely not derogatory but there is a definite lack of substance and flare. When I tell people my whole name, I get that look. So clinging to my eccentric little family, we ran with it and kept true to ourselves.

Utah is also cheap. I took Ava into a museum, stopped at the front desk and asked to pay. The lady replied a word I haven't heard in my adult life... FREE! What? Yesss Utah. Rafal is super happy because we have a actual savings account. His definition of success. The weather is uhmaazzing. I hate hate hot weather. I would rather freeze then be too hot. The temperature is moderate and it cools down at night. People love to warn me about the winters being from SoCal and I say bring it.

Basically, I'm kind of happy we left our my comfort zone. I feel free (and also land locked which does drive me crazy. A lake IS NOT a beach... helllur) but free to figure out what I really love and why. I love beautiful parks I can walk to with Ava. I love mountain tops that are higher than I've ever seen. I love to see my husband smiling because his work fulfills him. And I really love no lines at the Costco gas station.

Happenings

 

 

The last weeks of December/ first week of January probably were the best all year for our family. Rafal enjoyed a much needed vacation from work and surprise! He was so happy and even more pleasant than he usually is. I really enjoyed having him home even though I still had to work. We did a lot around San Diego (but seriously I always am doing something) and being a vacation, we didn't care about the time we would be home. 

One Saturday evening, we went to Coronado and saw the Del in all it's Christmas glory. We walked down a little further, sat on a bench in the dark and listened to the ocean. So nice and peaceful. I would recommend anyone to take a walk on a dark beach and relax. 

Then we went to Seaport Village which is also a regular spot for us. Ava always wants to hold a huge bird that requires a 'donation'.  We ate delicious chili cheese fries and strolled through the shops. Ava practiced her scooter abilities which was so entertaining. She would constantly veer off into the grass and have to redirect herself. She has come such a long way and can really ride the thing. The scooter we bought was such a good investment. I definitely recommend it!

 

Then it snowed New Years Eve! I went to my mom's home in Pine Valley and walked through some of the most beautiful winter wonderland snow. Rafal is always talking about moving to a colder state and while I say that I will follow my husband anywhere, I don't know if I can do snow. It's so cold. Ava had a fun time making snow angels and eating a ton of snow.

New Years Day. Rafal suggested that we go to the mountains and enjoy the snow as a family to which I quickly proclaimed, "You are nuts if you think I'm going up there. All the city slickers are up there playing in gutter snow." By the way, my statement albeit a little harsh is 100 percent accurate. So, instead we went the opposite direction and back to Coronado (one of our favorite family spots). You guys, I had the best day. We spontaneously rented bikes and a little wagon thing for Ava. Ava's seat had peddles too so she would help peddle and constantly yell, "We are faster than Mommy!". She waved to people as we passed and they would wave back. We biked around the whole island and had yummy bbq on the bay side. And then sat on the beach while Ava played. It was seriously a perfect day.

We walked around a park and Ava fed the ducks. Once again, the scooter came in handy and Ava wheeled herself everywhere. Usually, she pretends she can't walk any more and asks her dad to carry her.

Then on the 4th of January, my baby turned 4! We had a small dinner with family and Ava got to blow out candles. My grandpa whose lap Ava is sitting on is almost 95 and he just loves her. She climbs all over him and he eats it up. I love seeing them together. Rafal and I are trying to teach Ava more about her responsibilities now that she's 4. I think that with a only child, they can get very spoiled in that one parent will always cater to them. So now, this is me, trying to correct bad habits I've made. I am diligently working on raising a self sufficient child and the struggle is real.  

Disclaimer: I think I sat down 3 times in attempt to finish this post and failed. Not a good sign that this will be a continuous en devour but a when time permits type of thing!