Sick

Friday was a frantic afternoon as we gave Ammon a haircut, scrubbed down the two boys, dressed them in adorable matching shirts, got ourselves ready and raced off to an extended family picture at Murry Park. We hit horrible traffic trying to get onto the freeway and Peter just started to cry and cry in the back seat. We were waiting for the light to turn green, so I took off my seat belt to look back at Peter - he was just crying so relentlessly. I saw him covered in spitup. Poor boy! And as I looked I realized it was down his shirt, covering his pants, and pooling up on the carseat next to him. So much for our nice, clean look for the picture!

It was so much in quantity that I told Andy I thought it was more than spit up - I think poor little Peter had thrown up. Sure enough, a few minutes later, we heard him back there throwing up even more. We had finally gotten onto the freeway, but we pulled back off as soon as we could to try to comfort him and clean him up.

Luckily he seemed to feel better after that. Poor kid stunk like crazy, but fortunately the smell doesn't show up in the picture, and I think they came out well!

Primary Program

Yesterday was Ammon's first Primary Program. I was really worried that I hadn't worked with him enough to get him properly prepared for his part. He had to miss the practice because it conflicted with out extended family pictures. But he did a fantastic job! I am so impressed with him. We had many compliments from ward members at how well he did. His part was:

"One night when I was afraid, I said a prayer to Heavenly Father. My faith in Jesus helped me to not be scared anymore."

Ammon is growing so big. He is a wonderful brother to Peter. They love to play together. I am so happy to be the mommy to such wonderful children.

Every new beginning...

... comes from some other beginnings end.

It finally came. On November 5, 2007 Andy received his job offer from the Department of Homeland Security. We have been waiting for this moment for over 10 months, so obviously it is a time to celebrate. It is, we hope, a long over-due to beginning to our adults lives. A chance at financial stability; an opportunity for Andy to provide for the family.

But I have long known that this would be a bitter-sweet time for me. There is the heartache of separation during the academy. The very night he received his job, I found myself lying in bed devestated. For the most part I have done ok, but then, the other day I was driving alone, and found myself suddenly sobbing. The sadness I feel sneaks in and surprises me more often, already, than I would have expected.

We have a whirlwind of events the next 3 weeks before he leaves. They are designed to give us great memories and fun times to get us through the separation both as a couple and as a family. And then, it is off to Yuma.

I have already been in corespondance with a woman from Yuma who just moved from here a few months ago. She is about my age, and, like me, has two small children. I am so excited at the potential of a friend there.

Some days I am eager to get away from everyone and just lives our own lives. But for the most part, I just wish we had ever been able to "live our own lives" (ie buy a house and establish ourselves) locally. Andy's family seems less effected by the move - of his two siblings, one is already out of state, and the other seems likely to move around the same time as us. But my family of six siblings are all here within 15 minutes of each other. We don't interrupt each other, but have the convenience of being able to help each other and also of being able to hang out with each other when we want to.

It is said (by some) that the Church is so wonderful outside of Utah because the ward becomes like your family. But that is just it - it is wonderful to have a ward family, but it is just a substitution for the real thing! I am happy to know that I won't be completely alone, and grateful for the organization of the Church on that front. But if I had my choice, I would pick my actual family.

The Football Game

With Tim and Jen in town from Arizona, we had the rare opportunity to let Ammon, Michael and Will play together. Peter is still a bit small to join in the fun, but the three older boys had a wonderful time playing football.

Actually, the game was an incredibly cute diversion for Andy who didn't know that family and friends were secretly gathering inside the house for a surprise party in honor of his accomplishments in becoming a Border Patrol agent.

The sad thing is, that since the camera was outside with Andy, I didn't get any pictures of the actual party. Oh well, it was wonderful, but I am sure the boys make cuter pictures anyway.

6 months old

Peter turned 6 months on my sister's birthday. It was also the day we left on our trip. Maybe it was being stuck in the car for several hours that motivated him, but that was also the day Peter became mobile. He is now a little scooting demon. He loves to get out and explore the world and find new things to grab onto. It is fun to watch him. It has also created a new dimension in the family relationships as he can scoot his way into Ammon's territory. Ammon has been really good about it, though. I taught him that if Peter takes one if his toys, Ammon can find Peter somthing new and trade it back. He seems to work well.

At his 6 month doctor appointment, which we did a few days early, we learned that Peter is 28 inches. Yes, you heard right, 28. That boy is tall! He is also 18 1/2 lbs. The doctor said that he is bigger than half of the 9 month old babies and that he is projecting an adult height of 6'2".

The other landmark at 6 months that we've gotten to is that Peter cut his first tooth this past Sunday. It was an abnormally fussy day although not unrelenting or terrible. Peter just wasn't his normal happy self. At the end of the day I wised up and checked his mouth. Sure enough, I could feel the point of a new tooth. Teething must be such a miserable process! I do not envy any child for that.

In the last month to month and a half, Peter has become alive with personality. He is such a happy boy and I just love seeing him smile. He is VERY tickleish. He loves to laugh, especially when someone is playing with him. In the more recent week, he has become quite the explorer. I just adore this beautiful boy!

Disney Land

We had a blast going to Disney Land this past week. We spent 3 days there and it wasn't enough! Ammon's favorite rides were Splash Mountain and Buzz Lightyear. He did not like the Matterhorn. We did not take him on Space Mountain (which was always my favorite ride as a child) or to the Haunted Mansion.

Andy drove us into a concrete barrier in the Virgin River Gorge on the way home. We were going about 40 MPH. I was so relieved that no one was hurt. We were shocked and amazed to find that even the car was fine. Just the tire was scuffed up a little bit.

Our trip also included some great visits with my Grandparents, as well as Aunt Pam and her entire family. It was great!

Un-Birthday party

Tomorrow (or today, since it is past midnight) we are having an Un-Birthday party for Ammon. Poor boy, his birthday falls the day after Christmas. By that time, people are sick of sweets so cake and icecream are a drag, people are tired in general and tired of all the group festivities, so a party is a hassel, and he has more than enough presents, so gifts are just redundant. Last year we ended up not even giving him half of the things we had bought for him, just because he already had so much stuff. So we decided that this year we would do a half birthday. Of course, half birthday time came and went and no party happened, but the other day Andy and I were at the store and we found a bike for him. It has been our plan for some time to buy Ammon a bike, but the right one hadn't come along yet. But, lo and behold, ever doting Daddy couldn't leave the store without the bike in tow. And he has already tried to break down once or twice to give it to Ammon, so it is essential that we have a party right away to give him his gift! (Not to mention the fact that my mom is about to go out of town for several weeks, and we don't want to wait all the way until she gets home again.) Cute little Ammon is so excited for his un-birthday since his birthday is usually shuffled in with everything else. I asked him what he wanted to do at his party. He just said he wanted cake, icecream, and of course, presents!

Peter has been adorable lately too. He is at such a fun age where he loves eye contact and attention of any kind. His little face lights up and he grins from ear to ear. I especially love it when he laughs, which he does fairly often. He can be a stoic little boy, but he also can display a lot of joy.

I love my boys so much. As Ammon would say, they "make my heart happy".

Getting started...

I thought I would start a blog for the random family events or family related thoughts that come to mind. For instance, I hope that Peter never gets teeth because he is already biting with his gums and it hurts! Here he is eating his first "real" food! Yay!

Anyway, this may be a weak start, but at least it is a start. We'll see if we like it.