First Impressions

We've been in Utah for just over two weeks now and have attended our new Ward twice. The demographics of this area are mostly middle-aged people with very few young families. We have been so impressed by everyone we meet. People are genuinely excited to have us join the neighborhood. The teenagers are asking to babysit our kids. The primary and nursery leaders are ecstatic to have two more additions to their classes. Over a dozen people have stopped by now to give us a treat and introduce themselves. And, we got swarmed by even more people wanting to meet us during our Ward Chili Cook-Off last night. We felt like the "bell of the ball."
One couple in their late 70's invited us to their home last Monday night. I was worried about how the kids would do, assuming they would trash their nice house. However, the place was completely kid-friendly and we had a blast. They had an indoor basketball court, a stage for putting on plays, a game room full of ping-pong tables, Foosball and pool tables, and a kid-size train that the kids rode around on. All their grandchildren live far away, so they are excited to share with any children who want to come over. They fed us a yummy dessert and gave both the kids flashlights as a little gift. Every night since, they have fallen asleep reading books with their new lights.
Last Sunday, Neil and I spent most of our Church meetings taking turns with Kade in the hall. All the change caught up to him and he came down with a cold, and after about 15 minutes of coughing on all the kids, the nursery leader brought him to me. Every time we tried to go back into our Sunday School class, he would yell, "HI MOM!"or "HI DAD!" as we walked into the quiet room. People are just so excited to have a little boy around that they think he is so cute.
This Sunday, we had quite the doozey with both kids. I was asked to substitute in the Nursery, and with just a few minutes left, Kade filled his diaper. Right after I cleaned him up, Neil came in holding Grace who had just thrown up in her class. (That girl just has the MOST sensitive gag reflex!) Sacrament meeting consisted of us taking turns with Kade in the hall again. He was so tired that he was too loopy to be reverent. Once it was over, we all returned to our seats to gather our coats. Since Grace and Kade hadn't really seen each other for the last three hours as we tag-teamed them, they gave each other a big hug and Grace said, "Kade, did you have fun at Church?" An hour after our meetings ended, we walked back to the Church to have a meeting with the Bishop. While we were there, Kade sliced his finger on a little candy dispenser in his office, and our meeting ended in tears.
Thus, after two Sundays of germy colds, loud interruptions, poopy diapers, vomiting in class, and blood in the Bishop's office, I think we are making QUITE the first impression!