Blog Funk

Hello, You (pl.).

I frequently find myself thinking that I need to update this here blog. Not that we lead particularly interesting lives, and not that many people read it, but still--it's time for an update. Therefore, I'll try my best to be concise.

When we last posted, we had just finished Christmas. Phebe had her first birthday on Groundhog Day. She loved her cupcakes.

She continues to grow by leaps and bounds, while also leaping (off furniture) and bounding (anywhere she can). It is amazing to see her develop. She loves dancing, playing with her dolls and animals, emptying cupboards and drawers, and climbing on everything. She is also a chatterbox. And a flirt. She makes friends everywhere she goes. We love, love, love her.

After many, many months of searching and interviewing, Ben received a full-time job at a company in Springville, Utah. He started work there at the end of March, and really enjoyed what he got to do. At the end of April, we moved from Orem to Spanish Fork. At the beginning of May, Ben was laid off. This was very unexpected, but Ben is, simply put, a trouper. It didn't take him long at all to feel at peace with what happened, and to see that this change in our life will yield many blessings for our little family.

Once Ben started his job in Springville, I stopped working at the elementary school. Helping out there was so much fun--enjoyable, rewarding--but I was really happy for the opportunity to be at home with Phebe full-time. I still am. That little girl cracks me up. She and I had the chance to go visit my sister Katie and her family in Hawaii. Now before you start in with giving me a hard time ("Oh, tough break, Brenner. You had to go visit your sister in Hawaii. Your life is hard!"), remember that I was flying with a toddler later described by a fellow traveler as a "[insert Southern drawl here] a live wire." The traveling was less than enjoyable, but the time with Katie, Marvin, John and baby Maya, along with being there the same time as my mom and sister Emma, more than made up for it.

So, that's pretty much the latest on us. We are truly excited to see what happens next in our life as we navigate the waters of employment yet again. One last note: You, plural, our dear friends and family, have been indescribably supportive these past months. I was working on a metaphor where you were the umbrella in the rainstorms of life, keeping us warm and dry. It was sappy. But I think you know what I mean when I say thanks. Thank you so very much for your efforts, thoughts, prayers, calls, smiles--everything.

Love,

The Tolmanators