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Having a house is a big deal. There are so many things that simply living in an autonomous house rather than a complex or condo or apartment or even a basement apartment will make easier and better. Take, for example, Naptime. Caleb sleeps a lot. And it takes a bit for him to wake up. Neighbors screaming in excitement or a tantrum does it though. Every time. We like to keep our window open because of the lovely airflow that allows. Not that having the window closed makes much of a difference in the nose level we hear up here. Our bedroom just happens to be located directly above our front door and the neighbors'. So even with the window closed, we get the pleasure of hearing every conversation, every door opening and closing, every visitor ringing either doorbell or knocking on either door. Of course, every once in a while you hear hilarious things like, awww man, why'd you poop your pants...but those are few and far between.
Another perk of a separate house is that I'll be able to give birth in my home, rather than once again driving twenty minutes to the location at which I'd like my baby to be born. Still have to figure out what's going to happen with the Taylors when my next little one is born. Oh well.
Other advantages-my own backyard, the possibility of a garden as big as I can make it, the capability of my children to pay safely and have fun without leaving my sight, even if I'm inside and they're out, etc.

Ok. I think I'm done with my little rant. I'm incredibly grateful to be living in such a comfortable house, just every once in a while thin walls and no privacy gets the better of me

Landlords

So, I think the most interesting thing about renting is that you always have to make a good impression on your landlords. If they don't like you out you don't clean to their satisfaction, they can kick you out. So, in spite of the fact that we are two families, with two babies living in one house with white walls, floors, and carpets, we are expected to keep the house basically spotless. Of course I'm the one who set the precedent in the current house. Living with the landlord in Hawaii for about a week,  I was able to keep my stuff organized and her stuff clean very well. I was single, leaving most of my stuff in Hawaii over the break so I only had a suitcase and a half, and had a lot of time to burn since many of my friends were already gone for the summer. But, I set the precedent, and therefore caused the expectation. In the last house, the landlords liked me well enough that the mess didn't bother them too much. The house before that, we had a lot more room, no baby, and more time because we were a ten minute walk from school, so keeping things clean was easier. We better get into a house of our own soon, where we can make all the mess we want without negative repercussions from some higher power and clean when we want. Gotta happen before we have many more kids-they are so good at making messes! Anyways. We spent the day cleaning like mad, because the property manager is coming over tomorrow morning. Looks pretty good, except the dishes aren't done...and I will probably end up having to finish them. Lame. Whatever though. But the carpets were getting to the point they were scary.  Cleaned. Stinky stuff? All out of the house. Rabbit, snake, frog, and lizard cages are clean, and the floor in there swept. Julie even did the kitchen floor-looks awesome. Too bad we don't have the motivation to clean like this more. But it definitely takes a toll on the babies-both were exhausted and ready for bed around 7.  So...its a tradeoff, for sure. But I so love having a clean house. My room is the worst thing now. So much laundry to do!

Todays news

Binkies are definitely one of caleb's favorite toys, close behind my phone and the toy piano. The problem is,  he only likes toys when he's in a good mood. Oh well. In other news, black beans score a high rating on the tasty scale, but very low on digestibility. Haha
I've also decided that although school sucks, I have very little reason to complain. My husband could be in the military. He could, like so many others, get deployed to go fight and maybe die in a war that we as a country have no business participating in. These next 9 or so months that we need to finish school ink are nothing compared to the 9 or more months that wives, mothers, and children have to near while their fathers or husbands or sons are off fighting.so I'm grateful to not have that trial at least

School

It's the third day of school. My husband is no longer my husband, first and foremost. He is now a student, bowing to the whims of the bloodthirsty vampire that is the American education system. They suck away all our money through exorbitant prices for books and tuition, not to mention the mandatory health insurance. Then, they suck away all the time we might have had together through working (as much as possible still doesn't cover rent) and homework! I can't even talk to him because I don't want to break his focus and lose his place. And what is it all for? A little piece of paper, and a permanent record that says he took all kinds of classes, spent all his money, and learned what he could have learned better (probably more efficiently too!) Outside of the classroom, inside of a classroom. Not even for a job. He's got one, one that wouldn't require him to finish this craphole they call school. But if he wants to do more, he's gotta do it. It's retarded. This stupid world we live in requires that people, instead of having real experience, go to school and learn in classrooms from people who also generally don't have much real experience. That degree is all important. Ridiculous.

Sweet

Tonight Matt did an adorable thing. He came up with me when I came to or Caleb To bed, we read our scriptures, and he stayed in bed and took his glasses off. I asked him if he wad staying all night, excited of course to actually be able to fall asleep with my husband next to me and he said he wanted to cuddle with me for a little bit. At that, he did. Loved it. And after a couple of minutes he was completely asleep. Which is how he still is. Silly man, thinking he can do everything on no sleep. I'm glad his body takes care of him.

Caleb and some other thoughts

Caleb is a very contemplative little one, I think. I bet he grows up to be a lot like his dad...thoughtful, especially before speaking and even more where offense is possible. Unable to start a new task until he comes to a good breaking point or finishes what he's working on :). Right now he's 7 months old and totally capable of rolling over, pulling himself up, etc. but he never does. I think he's not going to roll over until he's got a reason to-like knowing how to crawl. And until that happens, he's content with laying on his back or sitting up. He's so cute. Every morning, he wakes up, looks up at me and smiles when I greet him. He's got the cutest little smile. It fills up his whole face with his dimples and big grin. And lately, he's been doing a funny chuckle thing when he thinks something is funny. His first laugh was just an intake of air, so he sounded a little bit like a frog. Then, about a month ago he started giggling, but only when Matt would tickle him or something. But then, a couple weeks ago, he just started busting out this guffaw. I wish I could post it up here, but I don't think I have any recordings of it-it always happens very unexpectedly. But I love it, to no end :) what an adorable kid. I don't know how I got so lucky, to have the handsomest, most loyal and incredible husband and the cutest kid, but somehow it happened, and my life is phenomenal. And I guess that's all for now :)

A day at the beach

So, we are currently on Caleb's first trip out of Utah. He has done incredibly well; slept for at least 2/3 of the ride down, didn't cry when everyone's ears popped from the altitude change, and has been happy as usual. Unfortunately, yesterday, our first full day here in San Diego, he had a bit of a rough afternoon. We went to the beach. I suck his little feet I'm the water, but that was cold, so didn't make him very happy. But he was fine. And then I went to play and angie watched him for a bit. She's so cute with the little ones. But while I was playing he got hungry. And then he screamed.
So...I guess I never finished this one...but anyways, that's life.

Baby...

well, baby parties are going to happen. In just a couple of months. Pretty exciting, right? haha. My baby's supposed to come in a month. Laura's in 4 months, Cherry's in 6, Michelle's in maybe 7 or 8... not sure about that one... I should check. And Rachel's baby came last week :) Plus, Nikki's will be here in a few months, Logan's here, and... lots and lots of Babies.
My little man's been pretty active this morning. I think he misses his daddy... :) Matt's gone all weekend, to California for the reptile expo in LA. I'm kinda sad, but really, it's not a big deal. mostly means I can sleep whenever I want... and on whatever side of the bed I want... :) But I do miss him. That fellow's my favorite. but thank goodness it was now instead of in a couple of weeks-I wouldn't have let him go if it were any later. I will not have him be gone when I have this baby. He'll be with me, whether he likes it or not!
In other news, I still have 3 jobs, but now I'm cutting down my hours so my total will be closer to 15 hours a week instead of 40. which means much smaller paychecks, so that sucks. But... not working all the time will be nice. maybe I'll finally be able to shake this cold. And so far, my classes are fabulous. and my teachers are great. so, I can handle this whole thing.