March Madness...beginning in January :)

Well, these last few months have really flown by and it´s incredible just how much can happen such a short time.
We had the amazing opportunity of attending an Indian Wedding in Jaipur. It was one of the most royal events we´ve ever witnessed. I have yet to sift through literally thousands of pictures of not only the wedding events, but of the sites throughout the "Golden Triangle"---including the Taj. That will be a HUGE project, but pictures WILL come. :) From India, Corey and I connected in Paris where I continued on to Salt Lake (awesome direct flight via Delta) and Corey on to Venzuela for work.
During the two weeks Corey was in Venezuela, I spent the first week out sleeping as often as I could trying to rid myself of Mr. Jetlag and a "Delhi Belly." It found both Corey and me the last meal we ate---at the airport. :( I spent the second week getting together boxes and suitcases while also delineating between various international moving companies. We figured out tbe best solution the day before we flew out. Thank goodness.
Because the plan was to meet Corey in the UK, my mom graciously flew with Elsie and me to the UK with one stop in JFK. Elsie did really well on the first leg, but was quite awake during the second to England. Naturally she fell asleep an hour before we landed--just as everyone is waking up and the flight attendants come through with breakfast and drinks. Both my mom and I took turns walking up and down the isles, reading book after book, and playing any game we could think of. Ohh Elsie....the little darlin´. She really did quite well, though--at least she wasn´t screaming.

We landed in the London-Heathrow Airport where Corey picked us up along with our 6 pieces of luggage (including some clubs and a Pack-and-Play). We then drove for and hour and half to Melton-Woodbridge where our lovely home was waiting for us. We really lucked out in stumbling upon this charming little place. There are a couple of smaller parks just for children 3 years old and under. It is absolutely delightful. It´s also next door to a couple of golf courses (for all you golf lovers). The town of Woodbridge is very English with some unique little shops. The new library in the center of town is calling for Elsie that is for sure. We can´t wait to get settled in.
For all those who dislike fish & chips, we may have found a little shack that might change your mind. Woodbridge is near the ocean so the cod is fresh and the batter is not nearly as thick as something you might buy in London. Order the fish with vinegar and salt--it makes a difference.
Our stay in Woodbridge was short--one night to be exact for we were off to Cadiz, Spain to attend a friend´s wedding. They were married civilly in the government center and then it was up to Madrid (6 hours away) where our friends were to be sealed in the Madrid Temple. Thanks to Mom DeYoung, we both were able to attend the sealing.
A couple of days later, we sent Mom DeYoung off to Utah and then we flew on to England. After a stop at IKEA (which of course lasted at least 2-3 hours) for kitchen/bed/bath needs and a bite to eat, we headed for "home." We found a fridge and were very excited to fill it. Our first homemade meal tasted like it was sent from heaven. Actually, our first bowl of cereal with milk tasted like the best thing we´d eaten in a long time. :)
So now we are visiting some friends in Cadiz, Spain for a couple of weeks while Corey works on a company project. Needless to say, Elsie barks at every dog we see (meaning multiple in one minute) and loves to eat napolitanas (yummy chocolate pastries) and magdalenas (mini muffins). Elsie loves playing games with our friends´kids--especially peek-a-boo. We felt at home with a nice homemade puchero (tasty soup), rice with meat, and lentejas (lentils). Of course you can´t leave out the fried fish nor the jamon serrano (cured ham). I was quite disappointed--that´s an understatement--then my friend told me I couldn´t eat the jamon serrano because I´m pregnant (3 1/2 months to be exact--and I consider myself lucky with it being March and all, that I went almost my entire first trimester without knowing I was really pregnant)! The weather is perfect--sunny skies with an ocean breeze. Oh how we love Cadiz. There you have it--all madness. :)

This March Madness has surely included some incredible star players:

My husband--who has planned almost every detail you can think of--flights, hotels, car rentals, apartment rentals, places to eat and stay--you name it. He´s a perfect travel agent. He has the MOST patience out of anyone I´ve seen. Not once did he lose his temper--even after we got a 50 pound ticket after going to a Riverdance show on St. Patrick´s Day (a surprise from Corey), backed into a square pillar with our rental car, watched a rock ding the windshield of the same car, broke the only screw to our fridge while changing the hinges from the right to the left side, bonked his head pretty hard on the door frame after picking up a tool, and....well, I know I´m forgetting something. He never got after Elsie--especially as she was a great helper while fixing the fridge. I thought I had patience. I was GREATLY humbled to say the least.

Miss Elsie Jayne--who has hopped back and forth from country to country, flight to flight, new place to new place without much complaining. A couple of times she´s wanted to sleep with us at night insteadof her crib, but she´s dones really well overall. I was worried about her adapting to all of this change. Truthfully, I think she´s adapted to it all much quicker than I have.

Our family and friends--who have give much time to help us get boxes and luggage prepared for shipment. Many helped with laundry, cooked meals, and watched Elsie while I prepared to move. Corey´s parents prepared the nicest meal for Elsie and me just before we left. It was so nice to be with them. Family is everything and we are filled with gratitude.

Through all of this March Madness I feel like the only glue that has held us together is the gospel. It is constant. It is an anchor during waves of dramatic change. Eventhough we´ve gone from place to place, the gospel remains the same. The routine of personal and family prayer has made all the difference. Granted we had a share of missed prayers and they were definitely noted. Attending church has also been such a spiritual boost. Corey found a meeting house every Sunday and boy did it feel like going home every time we walked into a meeting house. The gospel is real. We are so grateful.

It´s been a really "lucky" month! Everything has fallen into place as needed. I feel like Corey is always lucky--it´s a good thing I´m married to him. :) We hope the luck keeps coming for everyone!