Logan Family Center

What a great, free resource to the community! The Logan Family Center (formerly Logan Family Information and Resource Center) have a free toy, book, and educational movie library, so you can take the items home or just play and read while you're there. I felt like I didn't have to go out and buy every developmental toy because Miss V and Mr C could play with them there. They also have parenting books, English classes, Love and Logic classes, and many other resources for adults and families.

Last year we attended a few song and story times at the Logan Family Center down in the "Island" and some of the summer activities, but this last fall they started doing Storybook Preschool. A free preschool for 3+ year-olds, where I can bring my younger children and they're allowed to participate?! Yes, please! I loved how fun Miss Coral made each class, and parents were given opportunities in each section of the 75-minute class to participate and learn how to teach their children. The units were based around classic kids books, which we enjoyed even more as we got to play and do activities along with each book. We had sections for crafts, large motor activities, and language skills.

I loved that my kids also got to practice being in a classroom setting, where they learned to listen to the teacher, follow instructions, and how to act around other kids in that environment. Miss V enjoyed the rotating opportunities to bring a book from home that I would read, and the times we had our turns bringing snacks. (My fail was bringing blue pierogis on the blue-themed day. Should have stuck with the berries.) Miss V learned the days of the week to the tune of "Clementine," The months of the year to "Ten Little Indians," and of course reinforcement with the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes.

One of the hardest things about moving out of the valley is not having this incredible resource anymore. Thanks for all you've done, Miss Coral, and the rest of the Logan Family Center staff and volunteers. For anyone who spends time with children in Cache Valley, I highly recommend checking out the Family Center for yourself.

Christmas activity

Each child knew where to set, where to put his or her bag, 

and where to gather any projects with a personal animal. 

Miss V's was the pink lamb, and Mr C's was the gray horse.

One mom went above and beyond one day.

Jumping on the "bed" (after reading The Napping House)

Pretending to be the night watchman from the Corduroy book

Moving to SLC

Grandpa Hooper with sleepy Mr C

Last year a former co-worker of Zak's contacted him several times to recruit him to work at a new company. They made an initial offer earlier in the year, but it didn't work for our family, so Zak continued at his current job. Later, they gave another offer, which they had managed by rearranging some responsibilities and roles. This time it seemed like a welcome change for Zak that would allow our family to stay where we were.

His second day at the new job shortly after New Year's, I returned home from play group with the kids and found out the main owner and investor at the company had not approved the hire, and so they laid him off. Day two. At least we hadn't relocated for this job. His previous employers had told him he would be welcomed back if he ever wanted to return to Aquamira, but Zak thought he should look at other opportunities.

He spent some time on his personal portfolio website, zporter.com, and applied for several positions. Because he has about ten years of experience in his field, as well as being amazing, many of the jobs around Cache Valley were for lower level positions that wouldn't pay what he deserves. We decided he should apply for jobs around Salt Lake and Provo. After a few phone, video, and in-person interviews two companies seemed interested, and one ended up making an offer. We discussed it and prayed about the decision, and decided to accept the offer. He had a start date at Master Control for March 5 in Cottonwood Heights.

Last morning in our old house. The kids were good sports and slept on foam pads because we'd packed up their beds.

During the two months between paychecks blessings poured on us. We had our 3-6 month emergency savings mostly funded, and Zak had some freelance work already started, so he could focus on that instead of worrying.

It took several trips down to Salt Lake before we found an apartment we liked at a reasonable price that had a decent school, since Miss V will be starting kindergarten in the fall. And then that apartment went to someone else. So...another trip later we found one at a slightly better price and quickly applied for the basement apartment of a home in an established neighborhood. During these trips, the kids were very good sports, and we had some fun together at restaurants and the mall.

Because of the housing delay, we didn't end up signing for the apartment until the Saturday night before Zak started, and my parents watched the kids while we signed papers and went on a date. Zak pulled one load of stuff in our little trailer Sunday evening, and the kids and I were left to finish packing and cleaning until he returned Friday after work. Besides scout camps and girls' camps, we haven't been apart much in our marriage. Fortunately, I could still call him and send videos, but he left the wifi with us, so he didn't have much internet, and I had limited myself on phone minutes.

I did feel overwhelmed after writing a to-do list and realizing how much I had left to do. So many of our friends, family, and neighbors offered to help with the kids, cleaning, packing, and moving. My young women gave me a farewell card and orchid! Even though we had to give our goodbyes to friends from church, play group, and preschool, we felt so loved. Our financial needs were met, and I got the emotional and physical help I needed throughout the process. Saturday morning and afternoon we had people in pretty much every room of our house scrubbing walls, windows, and vacuuming.

We gave away several pieces of furniture (most were items given to us for free), and sold a few pieces online. Because our housing dimensions were going from 1700 square feet to about 950 square feet, seeing the furniture go to their new homes brought waves of relief. I'd admired tiny house living for a while, and we wanted to be responsible with money and save for a house downpayment, so I think we've picked a good place. It took another load in our little utility trailer, Grandpa's large utility trailer, Dad Porter's truck, Dad Hooper's Tahoe, my minivan, and the 4Runner, but we managed to fit everything. I still have a dishwasher, my washer and dryer, and room for some food storage.

Our new basement apartment

Three weeks in we've unpacked and found places for most items. Because of some family events, we've only made it to our new church congregation one time, but we're looking forward to getting to know our neighbors.

I unpacked and cleaned the kitchen. The rest of the family room still has boxes.

Flat Tire in the Parking Lot

We became mini-vanners last year, and have had very few problems with our 2006 go-to vehicle. We did replace some parts earlier this week on it, and then after our date walking around IKEA today, some of the pedestrians in the parking lot waved us down to say one of our tires had flattened.

Heavenly Father blessed us in many ways today. Firstly, my amazing husband was with me in the van I often drive with the kids. Secondly, the snow which fell earlier and later in the day had taken a break. Thirdly, the kids were on a trip with Grandma and Grandpa. Fourthly, we had the vehicle manual to explain how to access the spare tire. Fifthly, we did actually have a spare tire and a jack. Sixthly, it happened in the parking lot after we'd finished our errands, rather than on the freeway or during a drive we plan to take on Sunday. Seventhly, we had an extra black jacket and some sneakers for kneeling. I'm very blessed.

Embarrassingly, the first time I had a flat tire, I didn't even stop. I tried to give a friend a ride home, only to feel something wobbly as I drove. I turned around to go back to our friend's house, when my tire popped off of my silvery blue 1986 Chevy Cavalier .We walked the rest of the way to the friend's house, and I called for a ride. I didn't even think to replace the tire, which as a teenager who owned the car, I should have thought to do. During the winter we're not supposed to park on the road, in case the roads need to be cleared by a plow, so in the middle of the night, the police called my parents' house to ask why my car was on the side of the road, and that it needed to be moved. Around 1:00 A.M. my dad and I drove there to put on the spare and take it to a shop. Apparently, driving on a flat and turning isn't the best idea, and I had ruined the rim already. It all worked out in the end, but I do feel bad for inconveniencing my dad when I should have tried to do it myself in the first place. Thanks for your help, Dad. I still remember many of the inconvenient ways you've helped throughout my troublesome life (although I'm sure I don't remember the majority of the times you've helped me in abundance). I love you, Dad.

Thanks, Zak, for helping me again so I didn't ruin our van. You are knowledgable beyond measure.

Winter Family Photos

After asking a couple of times, Zak agreed it was time for more family pictures. He even let me pick our outfits, which Miss V helped me coordinate. We went to Lundstrom Park, which is very beautiful, but apparently taking kids to a park and not letting them play on the playground is cruel. After a few minutes, Mr C made his escape to the playground, and we ended our photo shoot. We promised the kids some frozen yogurt (with some coupons we'd been given) once we finished. I hope next time we get a few more shots taken, where everyone is looking up and smiling, but I think we got some good ones of everyone. Oh, my adorable family.

 

Frozen yogurt treats after taking family pictures

Hooper Christmas Festivities 2017

Left to right: Cousin Angie, Cassie, Mom, and Mr C looking ravashing in red. Michele (background) hosted the ever-growing group with much grace.

We picked up my brother, Ammon, from the bowling alley where he works and drove to Uncle Dennis' and Aunt Michele's house for this year's Hooper Family Christmas Party. Aunt Mary's family lives further south than the rest of us, so they can't always come to the get-togethers. Because of that, it's always a special treat when they come. This year because the others from Mary's family were sick, it was Mary, Angie, and Angie's husband, Tony. The hot soups really hit the spot.

One of the highlights of the night came when Mom pulled out the musical pipes she'd just purchased with numbers strewn across a poster board to allow us to play "Frosty the Snowman." For banging on a metal pipe with (in my case) a spoon, it sounded quite impressive.

Oh, to Fly

Miss V wishes she could fly. We've explained that people can fly in planes and go parachuting and gliding, but we can't fly without extra tools. She explained, "We just need wings, like this."