Six Month iPhone & Apple Watch Update

Last November we mentioned that I upgraded my cell phone to the new iPhone 13 mini and that I was reasonably happy about it. I thought that it would be interesting to do a six month update on how that transition has been going. People in the future might read this and not understand - but for documentation purposes, switching from a google/android phone to an Apple phone is VERY difficult. I completely understand why people pick one and then stay forever because even though they look the same, the operating systems function just differently enough to make it a tricky transition. 

Even though we have imacs, macbooks, and ipads (and have our entire marriage) I have been resistant to getting an iphone because I just haven't liked them as well. I prefer the capabilities and options of my Google Pixel (like, being able to schedule a text that I am writing at 11:59 pm and having it automatically send at 8 am like a normal person). But the APPLE WATCH. I wanted one so bad. I like watches in general and wear one every day. I have gone through a series of smartwatches like Garmin and Fitbit and none of them were really functional for the things I really cared about. I wanted the Apple Watch mainly so I could leave my phone in a different room while I was homeschooling without missing calls or without being able to ask Google a question, or things like that. Apple Watch is just the best smart watch on the market and I really wanted one. 

But here is the thing. You have to have an iPhone to have an apple watch. Ugh. I tried to find different ways around it (use my ipad, etc..) but no. It's a thing. Finally, I was ready to jump ship and give the iPhone a try. 

Immediately I LOVED the watch. It was great. I could receive text messages, set all the timers/stopwatches the kids wanted, see phone calls, etc... All the things. I loved the functionality, especially things that I hadn't been planning on, like how much I love using it when listening to audiobooks and being able to pause the book right from my wrist, and how when using map directions in the car the directions pop on on my wrist and it buzzes when I need to make a turn. Oh, and how I can set my phone leaning against something and take a group picture with my watch so I don't have to use the timer! I just love it. 

The transition to the iphone was a little harder. I had to relearn how to text (I'm still not great at it on the iphone) and I had to figure out the new system. I've had to deal with not being able to schedule my texts. Everything was just different enough to make the transition a little hard. The first time I went to the temple, I stood there in the entry staring at my phone because I could not figure out how to power it off. It was ridiculous. 

However, the iphone users of the (my) world rejoiced. It was hilarious how many text conversations were immediately abandoned in lieu of asking if I got an iphone (cue celebration) when my "bubble" turned from green to blue. (This is a "thing" for apple, all iphone users pop up as a blue bubble and you have different texting capabilities with them.) I was the last hold-out in my family group and they were all incredibly excited when the group chat got a blue bubble and could be named. Ha. 

Hilariously, one of the silliest hard things is that the power button and the volume switched sides, so whenever I try to change the volume, I push the power button but then remember it's on the other side and push the volume button. This happens to be a shortcut for taking a screenshot and I have a massive amount of screenshots of my lock screen because I accidentally take a screenshot multiple times a week. (Even now, six months later, this is a thing.) But I'm including some for future posterity who may not know what a "cell phone" is. Ha.) 

Overall, the change has been positive and as much as I didn't love the iphone when I started (I would respond that I loved my apple watch to anyone who asked about the iphone), I have gotten used to it and I still love love love the apple watch. It's been a fine transition and I'm grateful for the means and ability to have something so nice that is such a benefit to me in my life. I realize that it is a privilege to have something so expensive and un-necessary, and I am grateful for it. 

Here are some shots of my apple watch/iphone in the wild: 

and that's the update! 

Peaden Thanksgiving

We had a great time at the Peaden house for Thanksgiving. Bruce drove over from Colorado, so we had Wendy and Sam, Bruce, Amy, (our family), and Kevin all there with my parents. 

Lydia and Austin working on some little Thanksiving turkey shaped treats. Plus the table set up with some good Thanksgiving football in the background. 

This year we were in charge of the Turkey, stuffing and rolls. We have done the turkey before (in 2020 when we had Thanksgiving at our house with a smaller group), but not when we had to do it for the whole family. Fortunately, I think it turned out pretty well.

We spent the evening hanging out, playing games and eating pie. 

Also- random side note- Wendy, Daniel, Shantel and I all had the same shade/color shirts so we took a picture together. 

We woke up early (5:30 am) on Black Friday to go shopping. We still love that so much. We did not have any big things on our list, but I think all of us found something that we wanted to buy for someone on our list. After shopping we stopped by Kneaders for some hot chocolate. 

Later that day we put up the Christmas tree and did Christmas decorations. 

Then we went outside to rake leaves and let the kids play in the giant leaf pile. 

One thing that has been on our list is for Shantel to get an iphone and apple watch. In truth, Shantel really just wanted the apple watch, and in order to get the apple watch she needs an iphone. She wants to be able to use her watch more so that she can leave her phone away from her while she homeschools the kids, (but can still when she has important calls or texts that can't wait until later.) We found a good Black Friday deal and ordered her the iphone 13 mini and an apple watch. We went and picked up the phone that night and the watch came in the mail a few days later. 

So far, Shantel has been really happy with her new phone and watch. 

We stayed there on Friday night and then played for a while on Saturday before going home. 

Here are Lydia and Aubrey working on an art project and Caleb playing upstairs.