This is my brain on chaos

I am certain that if there were a viewing window to my thoughts they'd be referenced by this photo, or something similar.

Our house went on the market today. I need to start sorting and packing (and everything else that goes along with that). I have heaps of school work. Plus my regularly scheduled life of kids(homework, activities), home and such. SIGH...

The kids are sad-turning-excited, but understanding. Friends, about the same. One ex is irate and telling me what I am doing is wrong and unfair to the child. Somehow, I don't think providing for my family is either of those. But I guess the world looks different when you wear the financial glasses of a retired, Microsoft-made, multi-millionaire. Common sense and reason are not part of the address on Easy Street. I have to work for a living and I need to live where there is work. Plain logic.

Our decision was, by no means, a simple one. But it is a necessary one.

Thanks to all of you that have offered support in packing, loading and even driving with us on our trip to WY. I'm sure I'll be cashing in offers and favors over the next weeks!

Hey! The candles are baaaaaaaaaack!

Ah, yes, here we are again at another birthday. Number 38, to be exact! The years they go by faster and faster..

38 Things about Traci

1. I have 3 tattoos
2. I'd like one more
3. I love that I am nearly 40 and still go to college
4. I consider myself to be pretty fearless
5. My favorite color is green
6. My favorite number 13
7. I have 3 kids
8. I've been married 3 times
9. I love chocolate
10. I have a fear of weed eaters
11. I'm a rollercoaster fanatic
12. I miss my Mom every day
13. I LOVE shoes
14. Scrabble is my drug
15. I'm thankful Kim is nearly done with treatment, she's my best Scrabble buddy
16. I'm glad my kids are outgoing
17. I have been to every state but Hawaii and Alaska
18. I am friends with my exhusbands and I still like them
19. I miss having a mini-van
20. I border on obsessive compulsive
21. I like to laugh
22. I don't like to waste time on sleep
23. I drive fast
24. I love riding on the Motorcycle with Todd
25. Traveling is a passion
26. Landscaping is a hobby
27. I'm not overly fond of snow
28. I haven't really watched TV in 3 years
29. I like to snuggle
30. I enjoy helping people
31. I think scraping teeth is FUN!
32. Salmon flies are disgusting
33. I wish I had more time for recreational reading
34. I'd like to improve my Trap scores
35. I'd give my left arm if I could meet Gary Allan
36. I don't floss EVERY day (shhhhh!)
37. I drink too much Diet Pepsi
38. Bananas are my favorite fruit

New chapter, new look, new blog

Welcome! I'm glad you found our new webhome!! After much thought, I decided it was time to retire my first blog and begin anew. This is a reflection of our new family structure and our upcoming move to Wyoming.

That was a lot of information. Your minds are spinning. Stick with me here.

First off, the blog's name: Experience SaintHoggMann. Funny... the kids came up with SaintHoggMann one afternoon when we were talking about our expanded family dynamics. It is a representation of us all: Todd & Traci St. Aubin, Rebecca & Alex Hogg and Michaela Mann.

After seeing one of my former HS member's blog, I decided mine was just too boring and I needed to hit the next level! She's been a great inspiration and tutor. Thanks, Rach! (Happy Birthday to us tomorrow!)

WYOMING...or maybe WHY-OMING to some of you. After months and months of fruitless searching for a dental hygiene position here in the central region, which is FLOODED with hygienists, the decision has come to move to the jobs. The financial strain of having one income is becoming more of a front-burner concern and I didn't just drop 2 very stressful years and $30K on hygiene school for nothing. Plus the added $ I am spending completing my bachelor of hygiene online. I actually looked at this job for months on indeed (one very cool employment website). Decided to apply, interviewed and was made an amazingly impossible offer to refuse. I will start at what most hygienists here take 2 or 3 years to reach. Plus, I will be just 3 hours south of where I grew up and of course, my father and nephew. In the end, we hoped something would crop up near Marshall, or at least in MN, but it hasn't. So after much discussion - I've accepted the offer and now the rush is on to get moved before the snow flies. We're down to "we gotta do what we gotta do". And for now, this is the best decision.

We realize that this will make a great many people unhappy and upset. Others will be elated. We love you all, but we have to look out for our family first and foremost. After the shock settles, we know you'll understand.

So follow along with us on these new adventures. In the end, they say, it's the journey that matters.