some iowa tidbits

*I started work on Monday. I never realized how destitute the Utah education system was ... it will be hard to leave my job when Cody graduates (is it pathetic that I already love my job enough to think about leaving? I have had a lot of time to think lately!). To my speech friends across the nation, do any of you work for AEAs? And what do you think about it? Maybe my rosy colored glasses will come off soon, but for now I will keep them. You can see where I work by clicking these words. We live in the magenta area (Iowa City) and I work in the blue area (Southwest Region), specifically HLV, Lone Tree, and Williamsburg. I am planning on quite the commute!

*Some of the biggest shocks for me have been sounds. Thunder 'rolls' here instead of echoing off the mountains -- it is really wild. It is so deep and lasts for several consecutive minutes. Consequently, the thunder keeps me up at night. There have been thunderstorms four of the eight nights we have been here. I have slept through ONE :(

There are also these crazy loud bugs that come out in the evenings. You can hear them through the walls of your house! We first encountered them when we stopped at Winter Quarters. The sound was so loud that I didn't believe Cody when he told me they were bugs . . .

*We have fab neighbors! He is doing a residency for opthamology & she plays the violin in Orchestra Iowa. AND, they have an adorable 10 month old boy who will hopefully relieve the pain of missing these two:

our house!

here are a couple videos of our new house. the password is 'house'. creative!

to council bluffs

this was my view all day

at the winter quarters cemetery.

this statue is kinda hard to see, but it is a couple burying their child. heartbreaking.

so glad we are driving across the country instead of walking/pushing/burying our babies.

cody at the spot where we think (95% sure) his great-great-great grandma was buried.


beautiful temple. worn out girl.

we plan to come back soon winter quarters :)

p.s. this exhibit was at the visitors center and it was amazing!