Provo Update

We did it! The Bodine family officially arrived to Provo, UT. on Wed. July 23rd. There is so much to talk about I don't even know where to begin.

Provo...

We love it! The weather is beautiful, we have the most awesome neighbors and we love our house and yard. The first night we were here, the neighbor across the street (Ashley)brought us cheesecake. Then, the next day our neighbor across the street and to the right (Dawn) asked us if she could bring dinner to us that weekend. She brought us the most wonderful dinner. She made ham (gave us the whole thing), cheesy potato's, the most beautiful salad, and rolls from the Golden Corral. It was awesome. Then, the next day after that, my neighbor Marcy to the the left of us brought me a bath kit to relax after having the baby and also invited Vincent to her son Thomas' birthday party. WOW! What a welcome.

As far as the house goes, we have been non-stop working. We have done work in the yard, replaced a vanity down stairs, got a new roof, replaced vents and added new outlets to some rooms. Big "Thank You" to Uncle Doug for his electrical help. I don't know how these people lived in a house without outlets in their bathrooms. Also, I have been doing a lot of cleaning.

Our house is 1600 square feet plus about 400 or more square feet in the attic. We are very excited to finish the attic. Josh and Ismail are working on that as I sit here (they are using Labor Day to labor). They are adding insulation and dry wall. After that, we are going to add carpet (the stuff we have is really old) and paint. Then we will make it a play room for all the friends and family that come to visit.

There are 4 bedrooms. The guest bedroom is also Josh's office. We have already had family come to visit. We had 5 extra people in this little house and is was fun and crazy all at the same time. We look forward to more visitors!

Family...

The first piece of important family news is... we had a baby. Her name is Lillian Bodine. She was born by c-section on Thurs. June 12th. She was 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 20 1\2 inches long. I know I am her mother but I have to say, she is beautiful!

Vincent loves being a big brother to his new sister. He is my biggest helper.



These are pictures taken from a day when I had to take a shower and grandma wasn't there to help with Lillian. I turned on some cartoons and put her and Vincent on the bed. I told Vinny to keep his sister happy and I would be right out. Well, I heard her crying and started to hurry even more. Then, all of a sudden, silence. I got out of the shower and walked in the room and to my horror and delight, Vincent SOMEHOW picked her up and she was sound asleep. It was so sweet, I just didn't want to know HOW she got there! I told Vincent that he wasn't supposed to pick her up but he said "I know this is what she wanted Mom." As you can see, he looked exhausted :)

Vincent loves to feed her too...

Lillian was blessed on July 20th at 11:15 a.m. It was a beautiful blessing. I want to thank all of you who came and most of all I want to send a big "THANK YOU" to my Aunt Karen for making the most beautiful blessing dress ever! Here are some pictures to show it off. That's my Aunt.



Lillian is now two months and has FINALLY gotten fun. She is almost 13 pounds. She is getting very chunky. Some of her mile stones are smiling (at 5 weeks), cooing, laughing (first laugh Aug.31st) and she is starting to discover her hands. Here are some pictures of her at 2 months (also in her blessing dress) and a video of her laughing.

My mother used to tell me, "You will never know how much I love you..."

Now I understand what she meant.

Vincent...

Let's just say that Vincent has waisted no time getting adjusted here in Provo! He has made many friends. Thomas and Eric are the two he plays with most.

Vincent has been outside everyday since we moved here. He is becoming quite the little boy. He is climbing trees, beating things with sticks, playing "Kung Foo", riding his bike and razor, jumping on his tramp etc. There are all boys on this street which is great for Vincent but sad for Lily. There are so many kids and they are outside every day. He also plays with Jacob, Jayden, Hayden, Julian, and Lulu (yes that's a boy). As I said before, he went to a birthday party within 2 days of being here. They went to the nickel arcade. He had a blast.

Vincent loves to play in his room with his friends.

The first time I walked in with all of them in there was horrendous! They were playing with the door shut. When I walked in, they smelled like dirty, sweaty, stinky boys (translation: wet dog)! I think I went through a whole can of Lysol. Well I gave up on that because Lysol is expensive
and I would go through hundreds of cans.

One of the very cool things about this neighborhood is that the ice cream truck comes everyday. That was a first for Vincent. We went to take a walk one day and to our delight we hear the ice cream truck. I tell Vincent "Run! Run home and tell dad that you need money for ice cream". Vincent didn't know whether to drop his scooter and run or take it with him. So he bolts down the street on foot and then face plants it into the concrete. I felt so bad! Then he gets back up and I hear him say, "Daddy, I need money." So Josh comes running out and gave him a dollar. Luckily he came back out to give him more money. The ice cream man is very expensive now! It was a fun experience though. Vincent got the ghost popsicle with gumball eyes for a $1.75.

Vincent has had much fun exploring. He has seen a lot of cool little bugs like praying mantis, a really big cricket, and his favorite, the dead dragon fly. Note: The only reason he is holding it is because it is dead!

Vincent says funny things everyday! The boys that he plays with are older than him and he holds his own pretty well. There a moments here and there where his age shows. For example...

The other day Vinny was jumping on the tramp with a boy named Jacob. Jacob was jumping from the tramp to the slide that was semi close by and then would jump back on the tramp. Well of course Vinny wanted to try. I was sitting there watching the whole thing and wasn't going to stop him from trying because I knew he would chicken out! Anyway, he gets close to the edge to make the jump and then backs away. Jacob said, "What? Are you scared?" Vincent shrugs his shoulders, laughs and says "Yea."

This post is already very long so to break things up, look for a post of the " Top ten things Vincent has said since he's been here." This you don't want to miss!

As far as Josh and I, we are doing well. Josh starts school on Sept. 2nd. He is very excited. He is also working from home. I also want to send out a big "Thank you" to Ray, Karen, and Tony for allowing Josh this opportunity! We don't know what we would have done!

One of my favorite things to do is sit on my porch. You can see why...

I have posted an add on Craig's list for lessons. I officially have 4 students all 18 or older. I am really surprised that there are not more kids. I hope to build my studio quickly. I have some people in the ward asking but we will see. Our ward is very small and there are only 4 teenagers total in the ward. I was shocked!

Vincent went to his first primary party. He had a blast and I am proud to say, he sat with the boys :)

Lillian went too...

As you can see, we have been having a good time. However, we still think of our family and friends often! We miss you and hope you will continue to keep up with us on our blog. Also, all of our numbers are still the same, so you can reach us anytime. Thank you for visiting

Bodine-Town