Greetings from Puerto Rico

Hola from the island of Puerto Rico. I thought I was going to have to start a new blog, for some reason it changed my email, and wouldn't accept my password. Glad it let me on today.

Just wanted to let ya'll know we arrived, and are settling into a new normal. I took a picture of Marlow on his first day working for a new company. It felt like the first day of school, new clothes, new book, blah blah, hence the "school picture"

We landed in San Juan on a Friday afternoon, and then drove cross island to Aguadilla. We were able to get the keys to our new home on Saturday morning, and quickly un-packed, and started settling in. I was totally amazed how much "stuff" we brought with us, and am now nervous to receive our household shipment. I am mentally going over what I shipped and trying to figure out where I will be able to put it. The house is adequate, but small with little room to stash stuff. I will have to be creative and utilize every hiding place I can think of. But, I am getting ahead of myself since who knows when we will see our "stuff"' again.

The picture above was taken Monday, as we awaited the arrival of hurricane Earl. We lost power Monday afternoon, and it didn't come back on til Wednesday night as we layed on our bed dreading the thought of another hot night tossing and turning in the heat. So grateful for air conditioners.

When Jennie and I came down to look for housing, I was concerned that this building across from our house had a banner announcing to the world that it was a Sports Bar. I specifically asked about it, not wanting the noise of all night parties. I was assured it hadn't been an active establishment for years, stupid me, I believed him. Well, I digress, I was tickled to see these dogs walking ON the roof. They bark at the cars going by, it is rather hilarious.

The natives have welcomed us, and I didn't mind the gecko on the outside of my screen, but have since seen a few scurring around inside my house. Not sure I like that, but they eat bugs, and generally stay hidden, soooooo

We have had a couple of days to do some exploring. This train tunnel was built for the railroad, and is right smack dab on the ocean. It is a nice walk along the beach, and spectacular scenery

The power of waves astonishes me. I am amazed how long the rocks hold up to the constant barrage of wave after wave bashing into them.

I was waiting for a wave to crash behind him and spray up and over him, never happened, darn!

It is amazing how many words you can understand in spanish.

We visited this lighthouse on labor day. I had envisioned a much bigger lighthouse, kinda like the still small voice, small, but gets the job done. There was a nice beach next to this lighthouse filled with surfers. It was fun to watch them catch waves. I was amazed that they didn't run into each other. When I think of surfers, I envision the HUGE waves in Hawaii, so these waves look puny. But after watching the surfers, I could tell that the waves were challenging, and fun.

Hyrum and house update

It's hard to believe that Hyrum is already a week old. Amazing how such a little thing can totally enfold so many people. As you all know, there is an adjustment period when baby makes three.
Hyrum has not been cooperating in the eating department.
I loved this picture of my "babies", feeding Hyrum.

I don't have too many pictures with Hyrum's eyes open,

he is definitely a good sleeper, and Grandpa loves to hold his grandbaby.

Update on the house.

I don't know if I mentioned that we did some work on the bathroom. We stripped the wallpaper, and updated the fixtures. Josh pulled off the first round of paper, didn't even have to use the steamer, years of moisture had already softened the glue. Jennie came over on her days off, and cleaned up the wall, plastered, and got the walls ready to paint. She even took out the old medicine cabinent and light fixture. That sure impressed me, GO JENNIE.

We put in a new door, and painted the closet door, we couldn't find a new door the size

of the closet.

Jennie and I had fun shopping for lights, we were both amazed that we found a light fixture we could both agree on. Our tastes are often on opposite ends of the spectrum.

We put in a curved shower curtain rod. I was afraid it would come out into the bathroom too much and make the already small room feel smaller, but it seems to be okay. We found this valance at Target last night. This teal color is randomly found in the floor tile, so we thought it would be a nice highlight on the window. The only thing left is to hang mini blinds.

Kitchen Update

I have bought fabric to make a valance for the kitchen, but this will do for the time being.

The fabric I bought for the valance has this color in it,

so it will go nicely with the wall hanging I will do for the kitchen.

This isn't a very good picture, but I LOVE the backsplash. It gives a rich hue to the too white cabinents. I also like how it reflects the color of the counter top.

I had bought stuff to cover the electrical outlets. We ended up only having to do this one, Walmart sold ones that matched already done.

I absolutely LOVE the light over the table. We were going to put a fluorescent one,

like we did in the kitchen area. But this gives a little pazazz.

The floor model was the last one they had, it was being discontinued.

We had the most awesome employee get it down,

and spend a good half hour trying to find a part that was missing.

I was so impressed with his patience and helpful attitude.

I love that there is a large choice of shades for the light fixture.

Introducing Hyrum Dean Moser

This picture was taken of Kyle and Jennifer August 1.

Jennifer never looked like she was ready to pop!!!

We were all surprised that Hyrum weighs 7 lbs 15 ounces.

We got our first glimpse of Hyrum while they were still in labor/delivery.

Proud daddy and grandpa. Uncle Josh is wondering where the controller is?

I think he has a cool birth day 8/9/10.

Kyle helped give Hyrum his first bath. Hyrum was NOT impressed.

Proud papa

I know I am totally biased, but isn't he beautiful.

Kyle thought that the name card was very appropriate,

he said the car looks like a Moser car, smoke coming out of it!!!!

three generations

Jennifer's dad holding his grand baby.

I might mention that Hyrum is the first grandbaby for both the Moser's and the Sedgwick's,

and is the first great grandbaby for the Moser's.

Who knows what number he takes with the Bingham's????

Pictures for my sisters

Here are some pictures for you Nancy. I need to get some color in all the white!!!! I'll have to have Jennie work on that. I don't have time to comment on the pictures, but thought you might like to see what we have been up to. We still have the back splash to do. See you on Tuesday.

house hunt...

jennie hacking into mom's blog :)

so we made it to puerto rico (my suitcase took a longer route, but finally made it today. yay!) perhaps a bit battered from our long day of traveling, but we made it. of course the visit is really business oriented: find mom and dad a place they can comfortably live for (at least) the next year.

mission accomplished!

yesterday we spent what felt like the whole day looking at possibilities, and we narrowed it down to two choices, but as mom talked them over with dad and evaluated her responses to both she decided to go with a house that was fully furnished (which will take a great deal of stress out of the preparation process) and in (or at least very very near) the town of isabela where dad's company is based.

it really is a lovely place, and completely ready for them to simply move in!

the front of the house was ok. not great, but the second you walk in... air conditioning!!! there is always a breeze blowing here, but it is rather warm. electricity bills can get high here, and the locals are accustomed to the temperatures, so a/c units are not common.


the living room is bright and airy, and very nicely furnished (this was taken while standing in the kitchen).



















the kitchen isn't large, but there is an island which gives lots more counter and storage space. plus, the open floor plan opens everything up nicely.

it's extremely unusual for private residences to have dishwashers. extra bonus!

nice big master bedroom, with a king size bed and still lots of room. (picture taken from master bath doorway)




master bathroom. (anyone know how to use the second toilet/foot wash?)

We're off to see the.....

The company that Marlow will be working for in PR, pays for a house hunting trip. Since Marlow is otherwise occupied til the middle of August, and we need to be down there the end of August, it was causing great stress.

One day I was wondering if Marlow had to go????? He consulted the company and he does not, so Jennie was able to get a few days off from work, and so Jennie and I are off to Puerto Rico.

It is a horrible flight schedule, but we wanted to fly into Aguadilla, not San Juan. We leave from Huntsville about 1, fly to Charlotte, NC. Then we go on to Newark, and then fly to Aguadilla arriving at 12:30 am. Yuck yuck!!!!! At least doing that I can go with Jen. There is NO way I would try driving from San Juan.

I have been working with a real estate agent in Isabela, and hopefully we can find what we need in the price range we would like to keep it. We have talked to several church members there, and I will give them a call for their suggestions. I think we might be shown the high end stuff, and I would like to know options. The branch members have been SO wonderful and helpful. That is one aspect of moving that is awesome, a ready made family. Brother Luis even offered to come pick us up at the airport if the rental car place was closed that late. Very touching. I talked to the RS pres, and she has a spare room she wanted us to stay in.

Jennie hopes that we find something the first day so we can veg on the beach the rest of the week. I put her in charge of where to eat, and what to do. She has been combing the internet for listings in that area. It will be fun to spend time with her. I tasked her with keeping me focused as we see the differant places.

I'll let ya'll know what we find.

Quilt update

I wanted to document the differant steps in making this particular quilt. It is put together in a very differant way because of all the differant elements in the quilt. It has taken a LONG time to piece all the differant elements, but now that is done, it will go together very quickly.

I wanted to show some of the individual details in the quilt. There is a total of 16 of these stars. They are extremely difficult to put together. Stopping at the 1/4" spot so you can turn and inset the next piece. It is a pain in the sewing sitter.

The middle star works up rather quickly although it is very complicated. This quilt takes a long time to cut out because of the differant angles and sizes of stuff. It is definitely a labor of love for my Jennie bug. I know that she is looking forward to having this on her bed.

This one of the inside borders where the fan block first makes its appearance. I love the colors that Jennie chose. She does not like organized, she loves a state of caous in art. I on the other hand love things to be matchy matchy, so we had to work together to make sure both parties involved liked the finished product.

Her dominate colors are blue and yellow, but we have a lot of peach, pink, a little purple, green for the accents. I absolutely love this 30's reproduction fabric. I find myself very drawn to quilts out of this era fabric. I'm excited to figure out a project for the scraps.

I am excited to have Jennie's Grandma Moser hand quilt this one. It will truly make it an heirloom.

It is hard to see the design on the white fabric, but it has a nice pattern on it. The white really sets off the pieced blocks.

I love the yellow sawtooth blocks around the second star. Jennie wanted a mish mash of yellows, where I wanted one yellow. So we compromised, and it is a very organized use of multiple yellows.

I love the polka dot yellow. Every diamond cut from that fabric is differant, adds great interest to the quilt.