forever swaner family: Now We Know ReNo

Monday, March 23, 2009

Now We Know ReNo

Derrick and I spent the weekend in Reno. And I must say, it was kind of a cool town. Here's what I liked...
1. The downtown was really very cool. I expected it to be like Vegas. Not at all.
2. The river running down town with the kayakers...AWESOME!
3. Scheeles. I wish we'd spent more time there.
4. Nice people. Very friendly.
5. The surrounding area...Tahoe, California, etc....
6. Nevada...no state tax. It's always nice to get to take home a little more paycheck.

And I wasn't so fond of....
1. Casinos and what comes with them. Yuck.
2. The drive home. So long, and SO blaaahhh.
3. The unemployment rate at a whopping 15%. It made me very sad.
4. The drive home (counts as two dislikes). It really was that bad. And I like home.

So that's it for Reno! I was expecting not great things and was quite pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the input in my previous post. And thanks mom, Shawn & Yuri, and Tyson and Mandi for taking the kiddos. I'm sure glad we didn't have them with us since the drive really was that bad!

11 comments:

Nicky said...: Wish my name could have been part of that thank you list. My kids cried when I told them there was a change of plans. But it was the right decision - I feel like crap today! Glad you liked Reno...now it's a waiting game hu?; March 23, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Huffstuff said...: The only time I have ever been there, the thing I remember was the drive, long, boring, long and not much to see. Glad you had a good time. But hope you get to stay here!; March 23, 2009 at 8:54 AM
FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY said...: Nicky-he did get the offer there, but we've already decided against it. It's a leap of faith, but I think it's the right thing.; March 23, 2009 at 12:26 PM
FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY said...: And Nicky-your name should have been on the thank you. Thanks for being so willing to help us out!; March 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Leslie said...: So-what's the verdict? Where are you heading?; March 23, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Maria said...: So, how was the drive? ;) Can you see why we aren't too excited to do that again? :); March 23, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Mark and Adrian said...: Is it warmer than Pocatello. I also bet there is less snow. But I don't know I have only drove through. We have friends from Iowa that spend 1/2 year in Tahoe and love it. Good Luck with your decision!!!; March 24, 2009 at 7:13 AM
Unknown said...: The city actually does look prettier than I imagined. did you take that photo?; March 25, 2009 at 6:01 AM
farmgirl said...: On pins and needles here...what are you doing?
If nothing else you got some traveling out of all this decision making, right?
Can't wait to here the verdict.; March 26, 2009 at 10:25 AM
The Pili Aiga said...: Hey Kell :) I know....I dropped off the face of the earth this year...lol! I have been WAY crazy going back to work and pretty much quit the computer world. Spring football is in full force and we have something every single night of the week. I'm taking six classes to renew my teaching license, young women's (which I love) and sports for five. Sorry for not keeping in touch better. I just caught up with your blog today after about five months. Desmond is just SO cute. And you're moving somewhere? I was born and raised in Carson City so I know Reno very well. I think I read you decided against the Reno job. I liked growing up in the area because it's a small town with all four seasons, but the church is MUCH strong down here in Vegas. Reno is better than Carson for sure though. So where are you going? I'm putting in my vote for back to Vegas. We miss you guys!!! Hopefully I'll update my blog in the next few days. Anyway, we are awesome and it sounds like you are too (even though you're in the midst of a major life change) Talk to you soon!
Beck; March 30, 2009 at 9:48 PM
The Pili Aiga said...: Wow....sorry for that super long post :); March 30, 2009 at 9:48 PM

Crazy Things Our Kids Say

'Mom, Desmond needs to be changed. He smells like a waffle'. -myah- I've heard all sorts of descriptions, but never a WAFFLE!
'Mommy, How come all of our prophets names start with "President"?' Myah
'Mom, baby boys are special too'. Myah's words of encouragement shortly following the boy ultrasound. Thanks Myah!
When talking about what to grow in our garden this summer, Skyler said, 'Oh, I know...let's grow more zuccini so we can have more pickles!' Pretty funny coming from a really smart kid!
'Mommy, I want my armpits to look like yours, with all the black pokey things in them!' Yep, that's Myah!
'...Thank you for Santa Clause...and thank you for his reindeer.' Myah's prayers last night
'Daddy...You smell like Grandpa!' (Myah) Derrick has picked up a new second job, working with my dad doing sheet metal construction...aka 'manual labor', and apparently, he's starting to smell like hard work!
'When I grow up, I want to be....A MOMMY!' Myah
"But sleeping makes me tired!" Never heard this excuse for a later bedtime before!
'How does my water turn into pee?' Myah
'My eyeballs are melting!' Myah...We built a fire for fhe and made smores...apparently it was pretty hot!
'Can I pet the baby?' I was babysitting for a friend the other day, and Myah was so happy to have a baby around!

Quotable Quotes

'Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a Gift. That's why it's called the Present' -kung fu panda...master uguay
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." William James (borrowed from Katie)
"As long as it stays outside" -my grandpa joe- let me explain this one, he was a farmer and was referring to the problems and trials we have. I interpret this to mean that as long as we don't let them into our homes and our families, it's all good!
"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude." Jeffrey R. Holland

Hmmmm....

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today!'

So she did, and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today!'

So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.'

YEA!' she exclaimed, 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Derrick

Derrick goes by many names around here, including Honey, Big Fatty (only when Zac is really mad or really tired), Babe, Appocolypse (his wrestling alias), Abomination (another wrestling foe),...but my definite favorite...Daddy (or Dad as the big kids say). I also think that to everyone in our home, Derrick is considered a great friend. He has a talent for turning those tense moments into funny and lighthearted memory makers. I guess that he is the perfect balance for me, since I have a hard time letting go of my 'schedule' and just having fun!
The man of our house stays very busy with work, play, more work, and a little more play! He still works as part of a management team of an imaging center, where he also does nuclear medicine, ct, x-ray, and lab work. When he's home, he acts as teacher, barbeque king, friend, companion, tutor, priesthood holder, elders quorum president, bedtime tucker-inner, and daddy!
So yes, Derrick wears many hats, and I have to say, I love every one of them!

Kelli

I am a middle aged stay at home mommy to five kids. I rarely get out, and I don't always manage to get a shower in every day. I cook, I clean, I sew (well, not really, but I wish I could sew!), I tutor, I clean some more...and I love my life! I am a wife, a new mommy, and an old mommy, a wannabe runner, a friend, a neighbor, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a food network junkie, a inventor (of recipes, since I can't stand to follow a recipe as given), a hiker, a taxi driver, a librarian (my new calling in church...are you jealous???), and a really great sports spectator!
My goal over the next year is to try and be 'happier' on the outside while I'm with my kids. I'm always happy inside, but don't tend to show it as often as I should. Also, I hope to be able to give in service to those around me as much as they have done for me! I am so thankful to know that I am a daughter of God, and that he not only loves me but is totally aware of my trials and my weaknesses. I truly believe that he has surrounded me with special people to help me through those trials and to help me become better! How cool is that???

Skyler

Skyler has a whole variety of hats, and it's hard to know from day to day which ones he'll pull out! I guess that's all part of being a teenager! Skyler is a big brother, a babysitter, a son, a priesthood holder, a scout, a basketball player, a friend, a football player, an excellent student, a reader, an artist, a musician, a help (when he wants to be), a tease, and a future (and current) missionary! I appreciate Skyler's committment to the gospel and to living the gospel standards. I know that sometimes, we butt heads, but I have never ever been worried about him not honoring his gospel standards and covenants! What a great example to the younger brothers and sister!

Zacary

Zac is so often my life preserver! On days when I feel like I'm drowning, he is able sense that and jumps right in to save me! I often refer to him as our 'resident chef', since he absolutely LOVES to cook! He can follow a recipe pretty well, but he can also 'taste cook' (a boy after my own heart). Zac also wears many hats...soccer player (almost any position), student, resident chef, babysitter, big brother, cousin, scout, maid (really, the kid can clean...when he wants to!), missionary in training, manual laborer (loves to work on house and yard projects), and friend! I love Zac and so much appreciate his awareness in knowing when to jump in and help out!

Tannon

Tannon may be a skinny little thing, but his heart is HUGE! Tannon is a big brother (a fact of which he's very very proud), a son, a friend, a soccer player, a tease, a wrestler (just as home with Derrick), a student, a reader, a cub scout, a future missionary, an example, a food critic (since he doesn't like much of anything!), and a very tender hearted little boy! I love Tannon, and I think that his quiet, peaceful nature brings a smile to my face and makes his Heavenly Father very happy! I really and truly hope that we can instill in Tannon, exactly how special and amazing he is!

Myah

Myah is the cream on top of the Swaner family sundae! We are all just crazy about the only girl in the family! Myah's hats...big sister, little sister, daughter, friend, social butterfly, artist, student (preschool!), dancer, singer, comedian, peacemaker, and helper! If I can teach her one thing that she will never ever forget, it is that she is a daughter of God, and that alone makes her so incredibly special! She often says, 'I am a princess, because my Father in Heaven is a king!' I hope that she remembers that always!

Desmond

Little Des, is a true blessing in our family! He is the cherry on top of our Swaner family sundae. I never knew I wanted a cherry on top, but once he joined our family, I can no longer picture it any other way! Just when I thought we were moving along to the next 'stage' in life, there was a quick little u-turn along our path, and just about 10 months later...here we are with a new sweet spirit in our family.
So Des's hats...a little brother, a son, a sweet little spirit, a peacemaker (and he doesn't even know it), and a HUGE blessing!
Desmond joined us on August 18th, 2008 in Blackfoot, Idaho. He was born via planned c-section, and the whole process was an answer to many prayers! We are very thankful for our newest addition!