What a month...

I have so much that I need to write and express and journal but I have been avoiding it. Why? If I document this month all the stuff will be locked into memory, not to be forgotten. Is it as bad as it seems? No, absolutely not. But living through this month has proven to be a bit of a challenge. I figured it would be a challenge but this is ridiculous.

Prior to leaving on this "adventure" Brian and I prayed, and we prayed hard to be guided. After many nights in prayer we were encouraged to go forth and head to Virginia. It would be for the good of our marriage, our quickly growing family and for our finances. So with faith we prepared as best we could to leave our home, our family, Brian's job, everything.

Our arrangements to come out here were just the beginning of everything seeming ideal but really being as difficult as possible. Brian's new employer was going to pay to fly us to Virginia, pay to put us in temporary housing for 30 days, pay for a rental car, hire a moving company to pack/unpack our belongings and transport everything from Utah to Virginia, and then help us get a place to live by giving us a $4000.00 moving allowance.

Everything seemed ideal and manageable. But let the drama begin. Brian's first day was scheduled on April 25, the day after Easter. He was given a month's notice on his start date. He was then told to be in contact with a "moving specialist." Excuse me but moving specialist, that is a joke! If I ever have a chance to meet "Joe" he and I will go the rounds, with me probably punching him in the face.

Brian's start date was set and then he received his offer letter. Inside this offer it was supposed to state all of the information listed above as well as his wages, benefits etc. Later that week he received an offer letter, a partial offer letter. Nothing concerning his travel arrangements were listed. So we had to start all over. Fast forward ten days. Leaving us with 21 days to arrange our lives. After the real offer letter was signed we were put in contact with a travel specialist. She was so much better than Joe. Within one 20 minute phone call we had an idea of when our flight would leave, where we would be staying, information about the movers, etc. What a relief!

We booked our flight to leave on April 23rd, early AM for Aidan. Linda, the travel specialist, was very understanding about our unique situation and worked with us on housing as best she could. We wanted a bottom floor apartment because I have a hard time with stairs and we have a rambuticous three year old. She looked for the better part of a week to find us something like that. Finally we settled on a four floor apartment with no stairs.

As for the movers, they would be moving our stuff two weeks after we got to Virginia. Our car would be transported differently than our stuff. We were told not to touch anything, that was their job. Then we were told we needed to pack everything. Then we settled on them just packing what we hadn't got too.

Our flight was relatively uneventful, and that was wonderful.

Once we landed we found out we had to walk what was the equivalent of probably 1 mile if not closer to 1.5 miles. This was because our gate was a distance away from baggage claim and then the car rental shuttle stop. This was difficult because we had all our luggage, a wandering three year old and my feet and legs were swollen more than twice their original size. Painful!

When we arrived at the designated car rental spot I sent Brian to go forth and get me a car. As he approached the desk and began getting the car it was mentioned about how much would be charged to his card... what? After panicking and then correctly explaining that his employer would be paying everything seemed fine. Until they saw me and told Brian that they would have to charge him personally for additional drivers to the car and that price was $150.00. After some more talking and promising that if I was to cost that much to add, I didn't need to drive for two weeks so I would not be driving, she finally believed us. We find the car and move all of our luggage and the car seat to the car only to realize that this small Toyota Corolla is going to barely fit all of our luggage and child in it. Great!

We then go and try and find our apartment. We found it without too much problem except we can't find an entrance into a lobby. After 30 minutes we found it. We quickly got checked in and we went and found our apartment. This apartment is a pretty posh set up. We took video of it and plan on posting it soon. When they said it was fully furnished they were partially telling the truth. Fully furnished for a single bachelor living within it walls, not necessarily for a family of three.

Our first weekend seemed to go pretty smoothly. We went to the grocery store on Saturday and got some essentials. We went to church on Sunday and got some good information.

Through the beginning of the next week everything seemed fine. Brian was enjoying his job and his co-workers. Aidan seemed pretty relaxed and enjoying himself. About Tuesday I started calling around about finding a doctor. We were told Brian's insurance would immediately be activated. Drama surrounding this will be posted later. Drama about finding a doctor and dealing with the insurance is a battle in itself.

About Wednesday we got our first complaint about Aidan being too loud at 930PM. Was he loud? Yes. But we were trying to get him to go to bed but he hadn't all the way adjusted to Virginia time so we were putting him to bed at 730PM, and Aidan has never gone to bed that early, ever.

We were told that the relocation money was on its way. So we casually looked online for a place to stay nothing to fervent though.

Beginning of the second week. With knowledge that additional relocation money was on its way Brian paid some bills. The check didn't come. We had the money to pay the bills so no drama, yet. However, food became a problem as did gas. I promise we aren't living large out here but not having our food storage or stability is beginning to take its toll on us. After some prayers and charity we were able to go to the store. At the end of the second week we had additional drama. Though we cancelled most of our automatic with drawl bills from home, some still went through. We got dinged in our checking account. Enter more prayers and charity. Lucky for us Brian got paid. Things were looking good and back to normal. His check was good, he paid some bills and hung on to some just in case. That "case" showed up. Comcast from Utah took out nearly $200 dollars from our account. What? Never has Comcast been that much. Brian scheduled payments, with an operator, for our student loans. Instead of the $200 he thought he scheduled, some how two different transactions were processed two days apart. One for $200 the other for $426. Um...more dinging. Our emergency fund was just depleted and we are back to negative.

Still no relocation money. Brian then contacts Linda. She does some research to find out that it has been processed and we should get money in two days, literally its in the mail.

Two days later no money. And we are out of gas. Thankfully I still have coins in my purse and very little on one of my cards. We get gas.

Enter complaint number 2 about Aidan walking around loudly. Grrrr.

Beginning of our fourth week. No money, broke again. We are stressing out about everything. Aidan starts to act up, more so than normally. I am hurting because these babies are growing big. Constant headaches (all stress related), and I can't control Aidan. It's hard to discipline and entertain a child while on bed rest in temporary housing.

We begin looking fervently for a house. We contact a realtor that is willing to help us. On Wednesday we go and look at three properties and fall in love with property number 3. 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, large backyard, living room, family room, den and it is being redone. The realtor is the owner of the home and is just as excited to find a renter as we are to find this house. She tells us she and her husband will be renting it for $2000 a month and only require first and last months down. We can do that we have a relocation check coming.

Early the next morning we receive an email from the realtor stating that for the price of first and last months rent ($4000) and an additional $2100, grand total $6100 due on May 31st the house is our to RENT! Excuse me! Brian is concerned and I get pissed off. I tell Brian we can't afford that nor was that the discussion yesterday, if this realtor wants to play we will play and walk away. Brian sends her an email saying $6100 ain't happening. She responds, Oops! $4100 on May 31st is what it was supposed to say. She then begins redo-ing the application process. Only down side to this house is it wont be ready until May 31st and we need to be out of temporary housing on May 22nd. So now we need to find a motel for 9 days.

Yesterday we finally got our "$4000" check. It was printed for $2544.00. Brian immediately calls and says what is this. Juniper taxes all checks such as this as a "bonus check and it is taxed at 25%". And the surprises (hits) just keep on coming. To add to the drama we get online and try and find the nearest Chase bank so that we can deposit this check only to find that the nearest bank is 150 miles away. All the banks that used to be here, went away. Double grrr.

Enter more prayers and more tears and more everything. We were blessed again by charity and love. Is everything better, No...hell no. But we may be able to try and survive.

Why is it that any good decision that I make, and I make them with the consent and blessing of the Lord, I have to be faced with unimaginable challenges? Why can't the opposition just leave me the heck alone? After all the drama this month I can honestly say yesterday was the only day I had a melt down. I got mad, I got snappy and I got ready to fight. Luckily, we didn't need to fight anyone, at least not yet. We will see what this weekend brings.

Through out the third week

Three days of goodbyes

Today I wish to bid adieu to Time for Families, Meghan Dixon, Dr. Winn, Dr. Hughes and LuAnn And Ivan Lincoln.

Today we went and picked up Brian's cousin Meghan from Time for Families day care (where I used to be a substitute) and went to lunch with her and the McFadden's. While picking her up, I said good bye to the director and got momentarily choked up knowing that my last job for a while was truly over and I wouldn't be around to see it anymore. I also felt a bit of gratitude for Lorraine and helping me get such a trivial job because, I believe, due to that trivial job I have an aura of confidence surrounding these triplets. The day care truly helped me understand the importance of putting children on a schedule and learning how different children react to different things and most importantly, how not to stress out, remain calm and everything will be fine.

I will also miss visiting with Brian's cousin Meghan. She is one of those truly easy people for me to talk to and get to know. Maybe it was because we already had Brian and his family as a topic of conversation. I have especially enjoyed getting to know her and learn more about the Larson side of the family.

Today was also Aidan's last doctor's appointment with Dr. Darin Winn of the Herefordshire IHC Clinic in Roy. I must say I was apprehensive about leaving Dr. Wallin at Tanner Clinic when we changed insurances but he has been wonderful. Aidan loves going to the doctor and enjoys joking with the doctor. I enjoy being able to say that I am older than my family doctor. :) Today was a blessing because he helped us out in so many ways concerning allergy samples, prescriptions and Aidan's immunization records.

Then I headed to Dr. Hughes' office to pick up mine and the babies records. I actually cried as I talked with the staff about leaving. Apparently being the one pregnant with natural triplets makes you some kind of celebrity in an OB's office. They all knew who I was and that I was leaving. They all came to virtually say goodbye, even ones I have never met. They all requested some kind of birth announcement for Dr. Hughes, because he too, is sad that we are leaving him. That mad me sad. Dr. Hughes is the most amazing doctor. He ranks up there as high as Dr. Walling. I will miss him and his demeanor.


And then tonight we stopped by to visit my Aunt and Uncle. Their amazing daughters, we will see on Friday so I haven't felt to sad about leaving them yet. But after driving away from their home this evening I got a little choked up. I have been doing that a lot this week. It makes me sad that this is the first serious family goodbye we have had to do. I have enjoyed spending time with them and visiting. I will miss being able to stop by and visit and have Aidan play with their amazing neighbor kids.

So tonight I say adieu to these people and places. My heart is slowing breaking. Friday and Saturday will be horrible.

Four days of goodbyes

Today I bid farewell to Dr. Silver. He was our fetal maternal specialist, AKA perinatologist for the babies. We have only seen him three times and incredibly briefly but it was all for the sake of the babies and we always received good news. Today we saw him and he announced that everything on all the babies looked fantastic and all three boys were doing well. He confirmed the genders on Babies C and B. Baby A is still unknown though he feels that he is 85% sure Baby A is a boy. We were unable to ascertain a gender because Baby A is lying breech and Baby B is basically laying his head constantly in Baby A's lap, therefore concelling the gender.

I also wish to bid farewell to Mandrin Palace and their version of Tiny Spicy Chicken. Aidan LOVES their tiny spicy chicken. He is always eager give our order to the waitress/waiter. We go their often enough and don't change our order that today we ordered and had our food our as Aidan was saying tiny spicy chicken. We ordered, ate and paid in under 30 minutes. I must add that we don't really go out to eat that much, we just happen to be creatures of habit and that habit brings regularity and familiarity with this local businesses.

So goodbye for now Dr. Silver and Mandrin Palace.

Five days of Goodbyes

Today we were called at noon by my grandparents and asked to meet them for lunch at the Star Cafe. Let's be honest. The Star doesn't serve the world's best food or anything like that. But do you remember the television show "Cheers"? Do you remember their theme song? The part where it talks about "where you wanna go where everyone knows your name." That is how it is at the Star for me, Aidan and my grandparents. Do I think I go there that often? No. But the grandparents do and they talk about us and the waitresses know them and so they know us. All the waitresses love on Aidan and tease him and know to get him his little coke. He loves the attention. All the waitresses know about the babies and our moving and are so sweet.

So today I want to bid a farewell to two different things. One the Star Cafe. Where the food is adequate but the friendliness of the staff is awesome. And to my grandparents because I will miss visits with them. I will miss their phone calls where they say "let's go" or "come over and visit" or "bring me my Aidan" or my all time favorite phone call "did I wake you up?" followed by "I just wanted to see what you were doing and if you were awake."

Six days of goodbyes

I have thought about this blog topic and have debated doing it. I don't want to come across sounding dismal and depressed because I am not. I don't want people to be concerned about us, but I also want to remember some of these sentiments I feel as I am experiencing them and as our time in Utah comes to an end. We don't know much about the future. Virginia could turn out to be a temporary move (2 years), a stepping block (continually moving to help further Brian in his career) or a permanent move (we could love it out there and not want to leave). But unlike death or the mission field (being essentially cut off from everything for two years) this move will allow us many freedoms thanks to technology. So in the mean time I want to take the next six days to say "goodbye" as it were to things that come up during our last week in Utah.

With today being Sunday, I want to say good bye to the Clearfield 5th ward and surrounding neighborhood. We have lived in this ward nearly two years, and even though I didn't realize it until recently, part of my heart will always reside here.

It was here that I got discouraged with the "lack of friendliness in the neighborhood and ward." It was also here that I realized that the above statement was a load of crap and I was the problem. I am my father's daughter and as such I am generally shy until I feel comfortable and have a hard time with chit chat. And to top that off I am a tall, fat girl that no matter how hard I tries to smile most people believe me to be incredibly self confident and/or intimidating. I have been told in the past that only the bravest of people dare approach me and then, and only then, do they realize I am a large teddy bear of sorts. I think this was the problem with my ward and neighborhood. In the first years time in this ward I had spoken to my neighbors across the street about five times, my one next door neighbor twice (she talked with my mother more times than me), my other next door neighbor about a handful of times and only a hello.

Our neighborhood is comprised of many different apartment complexes and widows/widowers (the neighborhood as a whole is older). I recently learned that the older members of the ward have become leary of the newer members moving into the ward because they generally are apartment folk and don't last long.

During our first year here we had never seen a visiting teacher, and two different sets of gentlemen came to our home for visits. I thought them to be home teachers but they ended up being just members of the Elder's Quorum doing their routine visits. This discouraged me further. At church we were asked to introduce ourselves. This happened nearly every time we attended church for a year. What?

Last October, I was contacted by a fervent visiting teacher who wanted to visit us. She was fervent! She called my phone, Brian's phone, left messages and even stopped by the house. I was never avoiding her and her companion, but schedules didn't work out well. Then one Saturday someone was snow blowing our driveway. I went out to say thank you and this wonderful woman mentioned she was my visiting teacher and wanted to meet. We chatted as best I could and explained our crazy schedule. I then mentioned that if she wanted to count this chat as visit it would be fine with me. She said no, this couldn't count because she had a companion that wanted to meet me. My heart changed a little bit that day. She and her companion have come regularly since then. A couple of months they stopped by twice in a month just cause. I don't know if you could say we are good friends, but these sisters have helped me so much the last couple of months. I think that it was through there association that the ward realized we weren't apartment dwellers. Aidan loves these ladies. He refers to them as his "buddies." He gets excited when he sees them at church and gives them hugs. They have truly been a blessing in our lives.

One sister was called to be the Relief Society President the same week that I told her about the triplets and Brian interviewing for a job in Virginia. The other sister was put into Primary. The next week I was called as a Primary CTR-7 teacher. See association helps get you involved Armga!

It has been a while since I was a Primary teacher and I must say I love this class. I was told they are rowdy, rambuntcious, full of questions and generally crazy. They were all of that and I loved them. I will miss each and every face in that class. I was sad today when I got released. I was sad that I didn't prepare a lesson. Funny how being a teacher for a few weeks can change your heart about a group of people or a ward. Just as I started to change my heart and attitude and people started talking to us and learning our names we must leave. That makes me sad. This has been a quick time in this ward. Far quicker than we ever imagined. But everyone, adults and children will remain in my heart. Thankfully we may be leaving this ward but the church is everywhere especially in Virginia and I am anxious to meet these other members.

Goodbye Clearfield 5th ward. You will be missed. We love you all!

Now the adventure is ready to begin...

Finally Brian and I have some information about this job and move.

He was contacted late last night saying that early this morning he was to call the moving specialist. He did so. We were told that we flights would be scheduled for all three of us to leave Utah Saturday April 23rd in the morning. Brian's new employer, Juniper Systems will be contacting a moving company and they would come out early next week to survey our belongings and prepare for a moving truck to come later next week.

Upon arrival in Virginia, Juniper will pay for a rental car for two weeks and temporary housing for one month. The temporary housing will be in an "executive suite." Apparently an executive suite is a fully furnished "apartment" inside or by a hotel. We will have one month to find a rental home. I am mostly excited for the idea of a fully furnished hotel/apartment. I was trying to figure out how to feed Aidan and myself while Brian was at work. Now we will have a full size kitchen to help us out. Sweet!

I wish I could describe my emotions as being scared, frightened, anxious or something that sounded distraught, but I can't. I periodically cry, though I blame all the pregnancy hormones. But overall I am ready for this adventure. I keep comparing it to the mission field. And I tell myself if I could survive that experience, this will be nothing. And I LOVED the MISSION FIELD. Moving to Virginia will not be as tragic as some have suggested. Thanks to technology and Brian's nice paychecks we have Skype, cell phones, television, transportation, Facebook, airplanes and NICU! I feel as though my time in Chile called for a greater amount of sacrifice than this adventure. I won't be alone. I will be surrounded by my all time favorite boys. So I wont be alone, I will be surrounded by my husband and son and my faith. That makes this adventure EASY SMEESHY. (sic)

Officially moving

So last Thursday and early Friday were very exciting and dramatic for the Larson clan. We FINALLY got an offer letter concerning Brian's new job in Virginia. The problem was that it stated all the information we already knew and didn't have any other information. It stated his starting wage, his bonus information, his stock options, etc. But nothing concerning a start date, a moving date, a relocation stipend, etc. It actually said at that bottom of the letter "let us know what Monday you would like to start." WTHeck??? Weird. I, that's right me, had Brian call his contact back and say "Ummm WTheck?" To that the guy responded "Oopps. Let me call you tomorrow morning."

Thursday night Brian was so excited, he started packing and doing last minute yard work. I was so excited I packed one box. That's right, one box. Being fat and pregnant and limited in most everything makes everything interesting. One box and my back hurt and I was getting tight spasms in my stomach area. Call me paranoid, go ahead, but I don't want anything to bring about preterm labor or early labor. I DO NOT WANT BED REST, HOSPITAL BED REST, LIMITED BED REST, OR PREMATURE BABIES!!! If it happens, it happens. But I want to be able to say I didn't ignore anything and I did everything in my power to keep my babies inside. Luckily, Brian understands.

Friday morning we got an early morning phone call, 8AM. His contact had some more information for us. Because he forgot to add some numbers and dates into the original offer letter, he had to redo it and submit it AGAIN for approval. At this time we learned that this gentleman was new to this position (so I am trying to cut him so slack). He found out that they want Brian to start working on April 25th. Good a date to look forward too. He said that he would put us in contact with the relocation specialist on Monday. He will fast track the newer version of the offer letter and hopefully have it to Brian by Tuesday.

So at least we have a starting date! April 25th seems so soon and yet so far away. Lucky for us we wanted a quick start date. My pregnancy clock is ticking and we need to move while the doctors still tell me I can, move early enough to get established with a new OBGYN and fetal specialist, figure out our hospital situation, and especially get out there early enough so that there is no drama with transferring insurance companies. So April 25th is good.

Virginia or BUST!!!