Saturday, June 19, 2010

Sticker Shock

So here are some price comparisons that have made my jaw drop.

(these are estimates from my memory, so I may be a little off)

Regular whole wheat bread:
Utah- $2.99
California- sometimes over $4

Aerobics classes (not a gym membership):
Utah (through BYU)- $48 for 12 weeks
California- $175 a month

Pre-School through the school district:
Utah (Orem)- Free
California- $1,200 a year

Pre-School privately run in a neighbors home
Utah- $75 a month
California- $250 a month

Rent for a small 2 bedroom condo:
Utah: $675 a month
California: almost $2,000 a month!

Yeowza! After all these disconcerting numbers, it's things like this that make me smile and feel a little better.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Big Events Part 2

We have moved our big family into a teeny tiny apartment. Here are some of the things I have been grateful for the last few weeks while trying to move.

1- Adam got a job. A construction related job at that. I am so proud of him and so grateful for this incredible tender mercy. He works for a small construction scheduling company in Laguna Hills in Southern California.

2- Cabo San Lucas. My first time to Mexico was amazing mainly because I was there with Adam and with my sweet baby sister and her darling friends. I have never felt the ocean so warm. It was a graduation present from my parents. And as luck would have it, we lost our camera so, no pictures. Just imagine paradise and pretend that I have of picture of that here because that's what it was... paradise.

3-My family. I can't imagine trying to move far away with nobody there to help pack, clean, and babysit. I am so blessed.

4- Our clean apartment. We have felt extremely blessed and guided to find this place to live.

5-Our new ward and other friends that showed up in numbers to help us move in, most of them having never even seen us before. I have gained a new appreciation for the role of the Elder's Quorum has in helping people move. Their help was indispensable.

5- Laundry on the balcony. Our washer and dryer are in a closet off of the balcony which means I get to do laundry outside surrounded by palm trees, lemon and orange trees, other foliage and wonderful so-cal weather. It makes me smile every time I'm out there.

6- Purple trees. Right now a certain tree is in bloom here that has this deep lavender blossom, so strikingly beautiful. I love it.

I could go on. We have been so richly blessed.