I'm so glad when Daddy comes home

So, after reading Megan's blog post about my dad, whose birthday it is today, I thought of all the stories that I have about my dad that need to be told. The struggle I'm having, though, is that I have been saving some of these stories for his funeral. Since there's a good chance that I will forget them, however, I guess I might share a few here.

I, like Megan, still have a letter that Dad wrote when I was around 11 years old for a scouting activity. Some of those things he wrote always echoed in my ear. Foremost among those, he states that he has always appreciated my love for animals and how I have never wanted to hurt even the smallest creature (I used to catch cockroaches and take them outside rather than kill them). Because of that comment, I was able to resist the peer pressure that plagued so many to become a professional bowhunter later in life. To this day, I still won't watch hunting shows or eat at restaurants where the meat has been hunted rather than mass-processed. All kidding aside, though, that comment personally defined part of my character and is still something I am proud of.

Another instance took place while we were on vacation in Salt Lake City. While walking outside of temple square, a homeless man approached and asked for some money to satisfy his hunger, claiming he had been trapped in a mine for almost 3 days. My dad didn't buy his story, but he gave money to the man anyway. Ever since then, I have determined that I will not let my cynical side win out and have tried to give whenever asked. Note, per the Church requests, please do not give money to those requesting it outside of temple square--they have established more appropriate areas to assist the needy. also note, I have found old pioneer mines in the hills just north of temple square and now believe that guy could have been telling the truth.

Many have commented how much I look like my dad. I should point out, however, that there are key differences. In fact, when I was about 16 and feeling proud of my weightlifting progress, I recall my dad clarifying the matter for me when he stated "I was much bigger than you are when I was your age". I didn't see his strategy then, but my dad was looking out for me. He was well aware how difficult it would be for me to stay humble, given my seemingly super-human attributes. So, thanks, Dad. I am humble, thanks to you pointing out that I am not very big.

When I was a teenager, I helped keep score for the mens church basketball games. We had a nickname for every man that played on the team from the Kingwood wards (Pepto, Shoes, Bleeder, etc). Dad's name was Ref-boy. Originally, all games were self-offciated. Dad bought the official NBA officiating guide and studied it into the wee hours of the night. Sadly, Dad would call himself for the most obscure fouls and the other men got tired of the constant stops in the action, so they moved to having designated referees for each game. What did Dad do then? He bought his own referee shirt and whistle and was the best ref they'd ever had! I loved those games and watching my dad LAY DOWN THE LAW!!! On a side note, this may have some connection to Dad's well-documented requirement to read the entire set of instructions before beginning play with any board game, Christmas toy or puzzle.

Again, there are so many things to say and no pictures to make them exciting. In short, I am so grateful for all the time we spent together: the hundreds of hours collecting bugs, the cycling class we took at the Alkek velodrome, that when the Houston Rockets playoff games were only available on pay-per-view, we got them (my friends still talk about those nights cheering on the 1994 World Champs) and many, many others.

Above all, and not adequately mentioned, I am so glad that Dad married Mom! She is the perfect counterbalance to Dad's idiosyncracies. I am proud to be an ARNTSEN!


I love you so much, padre. I could go on and on. But I have a life to live. Thanks for everything you have given me (and hopefully will continue to give me).

SOLD

We had our house on the market three days and sold it! The way things have fallen into place for us regarding Spencer going back to school, more than confirms that this is what the Lord would have us do. We feel so blessed and although we are sad to leave our friends, family and home here we are excited about the new adventures that await us in Utah.

It has been an eventful month

Grandma Ryan came out to help after the baby was born. We are so grateful for her, she is an awesome Grandma and Mom. I don't know what we would have done with out her, not only was I super hormonal, I had also just had a c-section, was on drugs and we had to get our house ready for pictures so we could put it on the market.

We love you Grandma!




Adeline wore her first dress and went to church.




At three weeks Adeline saw the Cure.
Don't call CPS just yet, we were in a suite so it wasn't quite as crazy as it could have been.




Zoe is doing great at potty training-we are so excited to only have one kid in diapers.




I have had many people ask how Zoe is doing now that we have a new baby. I have been really surprised as she seems to be adjusting really well, she is just a little agressive at times. This is a picture of her being a loving big sister.

More baby!

Showing off

So, here's a short recap. We had everything nicely planned out for a Tuesday delivery, with the intention of finishing all of our projects around the house this weekend before having the baby. Of course, that plan is shot and I am now accepting applications for any volunteering. Anyway, Kari and baby are doing great and may even come home tonight.

Adeline is such a sweet baby and we are so glad to have her. She has totally different features from Zoe and definitely has a lot in common with Bella as a baby (super long toes and fingers and even facial expressions). Thanks to everyone for their support and thanks most of all to Kari for being so amazing. She is the best woman in the world and I love her more than anything.

Here are a few photos from the hospital.



Baby loves her mommy.



Bella is going to be such a great helper and is very excited to be the older, wiser sister.




She isn't nearly as hyper as Zoe (who is and thank goodness), though she came out without any fear of making noise.



Both times we had ultrasounds, Adeline looked like she was sucking her fingers, and when she came out, there was no doubt that she was already a pro. After barely two hours, the nurse interrupted her normal transition process so that baby could eat.



Isn't she incredible?!

Welcome to the world!

Adeline Mae Arntsen. 7lbs 1 oz. born at 10:58 am this morning. Kari and baby doing great. More to follow soon...

True blue, through and through

We have been working very hard, so we are way behind on the blog. We will play a little catch up. There have been so many projects going on around here, and we are all pitching in to get things ready for the baby to come (9 days) and to enter the next phase of our lives... Zoe is really pretty helpful when building a fence.



We have spent a lot of money and energy getting our house up to date. We are finally free of being the shame of the neighborhood as far as landscaping goes. I swear, some of our neighbors have nothing else to do, so we finally got some professional help. We will have to post before and after pictures of all the improvements we have made.

I turned 32 on cinco de mayo. That is the same age my dad was when I was born, so it is a little weird to think about that as we are getting ready for our baby girl. Kari is doing well, by the way, and has been awesome. Working way too hard and deserving of the rest she will get (temporarily) soon. My brother wasn't helping me blow out the candles because I have asthma - his birthday is May 7th and he turned 39. Happy B-day, Jeremy!

The girls are awesome and ready for summer. They are going to be the best older sisters ever!

Zoe had a first last week - her first ponytail. She loved it and wouldn't let us take it out before bed. Actually, Kari had to get up at 4:45 am because Zoe was crying. When she checked on her, Zoe was upset about her ponytail falling out in her sleep, and Kari had to put it back in to get her to go to sleep.

Here she is "brushing the bugs" out of her mouth. The only way to get her to participate is to ask what kind of bugs we are brushing--the most popular of which are worms, tinkybugs (stinkbugs), deedybugs (ladybugs) and frogs. So much fun.

So, the other reason we are working so hard.....

I have officially been accepted into the Marriott School MBA program for this fall. We really didn't anticipate doing this and only made our decision around Christmas. So I had to scramble to study for the GMAT and then get my application in (barely) before the May 1st deadline. Anyway, I made it and the reality of me returning and becoming a bonafide Zubie is starting to hit me. I NEVER would have guessed that I would go back - not to mention that I would be getting an MBA.

So, we have a lot to take care of. Anyone know someone that wants to buy a house? Anyone know someone that wants to sell a house in Provo (it has to be big, stylish, up-to-date and supercheap)? And if you know a couple that is leaving to go on a mission and wants us to just watch their house while they are gone, we might be willing to oblige. Spread the word.

Spencer



PS--Josh, Melissa and Amelia came down from Austin this weekend and we went and saw Radiohead last night. It was so good. Almost made me feel cool again. Almost.