Four Years

Today is our 4th Wedding Anniversary! I can hardly believe that it has been four wonderful years. So much has happened and I feel like our marriage is getting better all the time. I love the man I married so much and he really is my best friend. One thing I love about our marriage is that we are able to talk to each other. Last night on our way to Salt Lake we talked the whole way while the boys slept. I love that we are able to do that...just ramble on for 3 1/2 hours and not tire of it!


One miscarriage, two boys, two degrees, three apartments, and four years later he is still the man of my dreams and I am so thankful we are together forever.

What we are doing

Monday everything finally started to fall into place for us. Jeff talked to Jacobsens and the told him they wanted him to go to SLC to work on the Primary Children's Hospital. That same day he was told there might be a possibility that he could get on with Signature D (another construction company). Tuesday morning we heard back from Signature D and they wanted Jeff to go work in Jackson Hole. That meant driving 2 hours each way, everyday to get to work. So with two job options opened to us we discussed it and prayed about it. We finally decided to take the transfer to Salt Lake. After talking with his dad, Jeff decided that he didn't want 4 hours of commuting each day, especially in the winter. So we left last night to come to Salt Lake...today is Jeff's first day on the new job. We are staying with Jeff's sisters until the end of the week and then we'll be coming back to Rexburg. The boys and I will be staying there until the end of August while Jeff is in SLC. I am hoping to be able to get everything packed and our contract sold by then. It is so nice to know that the Lord was watching out for us and gave us two job opportunities. In the end it came down to what we wanted to do and we decided that we'd rather be together in Salt Lake than live in Rexburg and not have much time together during the day and the long commute always looming over our heads. I am hoping things work out this time since we are already down here and Jeff is working. I'll be spending my week looking for housing and we are even going to get to hang out with the Snedakers on Thursday!

Doctor's Visit

Yesterday I took the boys to the doctor for check-ups and shots. Jonas is now 11 lbs 13 oz and 24 1/4 inches. My how he has grown! He had his immunizations and has done really well!! He has barely had a fever and hasn't even screamed that much. Carson had his 3 year check up and is doing well. Several of the nurses commented on how well behaved he was and how amazing my child is. Carson is now 33 lbs and 37 inches. Everyone is always telling me how tall Carson is, but he is only in the 39th percentile. Carson has been complaining about a pain by his groin for the past few months. The doctor checked him for a hernia, but didn't find anything. So he wants me to go up to the hospital and have a urinalysis done. Unfortunately I was so busy yesterday I didn't get it done. We left to go to Salt Lake yesterday so it'll have to wait until we get back on Saturday. If they can't find anything on the urinalysis they are going to refer us to a Urologist to see if we can figure out what is wrong. Overall my boys are healthy, strong, and right on target!

One Word Tag

So I guess I was tagged to do this...

1. Where is your cell phone? table
2. Your significant other? Working
3. Your hair color? Highlighted
4. Your Mother? Giving
5. Your Father? Stubborn
6. Your favorite thing? my "boys"
7. Your dream last night? Wedding (anniversary this week!)
8. Your favorite drink? Jamba Juice
9. Your dream/goal? VACATION!
10. The room you're in? Bedroom
11. Your hobby? Scrapbooking
12. Your fear? Death
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Not Rexburg
14.Where were you last night? Visiting
15. What you're not? Tired
16. Muffins? lemon poppy seed
17. One of your wish list items? HOUSE!!!!
18. Where you grew up? Firth
19. The last thing you did? cook
20.What are you wearing? Jeans
21. Your T.V.? off
22. Your pets? fish
23. Your computer? on (how original)
24.Your Life? Wonderful
25. Your mood? Chill
26. Missing someone? Grandparents
27. Your car? Camry
28. Something you're not wearing? socks
29. Favorite store? Target
30. Your summer? Relaxed
31. Like someone? Jeff
32. Favorite color? depends...
33. When was the last time you laughed? Morning
34. Last time you cried? Sunday
35. Who will do this? Megan, Alisha, Maria

Memory Tag

Here's the rules:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Carson's 3rd Birthday

Carson turned 3 on Wednesday. I have had a lot of problems trying to get pictures and video to upload so I finally just decided to do a slide show. Last Sunday we celebrated Carson's birthday with the Birch Family here in Rexburg. I made a Lightning McQueen cake at Carson's request. Carson got to open one present and he got Woody from Toy Story. On Wednesday, his actual birthday, we celebrated by going to Blast Off with Grandpa Butler. Then we went to Grandma's house and he got a special surprise....his Gator. Yes, its an actual little Gator that he can drive around and he LOVES it. He has been asking for one since March. Then he had more cake and opened his other present...Buzz. So now he has Buzz and Woody and plays with them all of the time. I can't believe that my baby is already 3. Seriously, time goes so fast! See Carson's blog for a look back over the years...

Long Night

This is why it's now 10 am and I am barely getting moving! This is after Mom and Dad got out of bed.

Splash Park Fun

Yesterday we actually got Carson to run through the Splash Park. As anticipated, he loved it and just needed to get over his initial fear. Jeff was really patient and helped ease him into it. Once in the water he had a blast.

FRUSTRATION & HUMILITY

FYI: All plans for us to move or do anything with our lives is on hold until further notice.

Jacobsens keeps moving back the date of our transfer...the people who were going to buy our contract backed out...we are at a total loss of what to do next. Seems like we are being humbled and put to the test right now. Perhaps our destiny lies here in the little town of Rexburg and not out in the great unknown. Everytime we try to leave Rexburg something happens so we don't. Remember St. George?? Yeah, we were supposed to transfer there last February. So right now we have NO plans, except to humble ourselves even more and seek the guidance of the Lord. I feel like the proverbial George Bailey (Its a Wonderful Life), stuck in my own little Bedford Falls, while everyone else gets to travel the world. But, perhaps like George Bailey, there are lives here that only we can touch. So any further postings on what we are going to do will only come after plans are finalized and we have a clear direction as to what we are going to do. Perhaps Jeff won't be working for such a fickle company for much longer.

Sold

Today we sold our apartment contract! We will be moving out on August 7th. It really is a bittersweet day for me. I've grown attached to my apartment because it really feels like home to me, but it is going to a sweet little family. Jeff actually graduated from HS with the guy. They have 3 little kids, 2 boys and a little girl that was born May 28, just 2 days after Jonas. I am hoping we'll have an apartment in Utah by then, but I am doubtful. With Jeff not working for 3 weeks, it has depleted our savings, so I might have to live with my mom for a few weeks while he works so we can save $$$ for the move :(. Not that it would be bad to live with my parents, I just feel like I need to be in my own home and not be a burden on anyone. We will definitely be sad to leave the ward, especially right before we move to the new Stake Center, but I suppose it is time for us to move on with our lives.

[ Home Sweet Home]

Family Home Evening

Now that Jeff has been home we have gotten into a better routine of more planned out Family Home Evenings. When it was just Carson and I at home I did really well at first, but as the weeks dragged on FHE became more of scripture study or me just giving Carson a quick lesson with no activity or treat. Now we are getting back into the swing of things and it has been great.

Last week I gave a lesson on the Word of Wisdom and we talked about eating healthy things. I had a bunch of food set out on the table for us to sort through and decide what was healthy to eat. For those things banned in the WofW I just printed out pictures. For the activity, Jeff had us go on a walk to get some exercise. This week we had a lesson on accepting others. There is a Brother in our ward in a wheelchair and Carson has been asking questions about him. So we took the opportunity to talk about how people are different. Jeff gave a lesson on the Good Samaritan and how we should love everyone. Then I planned a scavenger hunt to find all of the pictures of handicapped accessible places on the Village grounds. I gave Carson a picture of the handicapped symbol so he knew what to look for. We talked about parking spaces, ramps, and the "big" stall in the bathrooms at the clubhouse. It was a great evening.

Obsession Turned Hobby

Today I signed up to be a Scentsy Consultant. I NEVER thought that I would be the type of person that would sell a product, but I kept feeling prompted to do it. So after humbling myself (you know, someone with a Bachelor's Degree shouldn't sell stuff, or so I proudly thought), I decided that I should go for it. It has been 7 months since I finished my student teaching and I am starting to ache for something to do. Since we just don't have the resources for me to get my Masters Degree right now, this will be a great way for me to have something to do and make a little money too. While I LOVE being at home with the boys, its nice to have something to keep me growing and learning.

I absolutely love the Scentsy products and have become quite obsessed with them. Scentsy sells wickless candles, that means you buy wax bars and melt them in a warmer. Their scents are amazing. If you are interested, you can check out my website http://scentsy.com/sbirch . The website is an awesome tool because you can order directly off of it and it will be shipped to your door. So here I go, starting on a new adventure! If any of you are interested let me know

Story Time

Since Jeff has been home all week, he has had the opportunity to spend some quality time with the boys. He decided to start reading Harry Potter to Carson. I am not sure if Carson will understand most of the book, but we love reading in our home and this is a great way for Jeff to show his son his love of literature. Plus I know it will introduce Carson to a wider vocabulary. Carson is getting tired of "small" books. He will sit and listen to longer stories. We've even checked out some beginner chapter books at the library--The Golly Sister Go West. It was 60 pages, granted there were lots of pictures, but he sat and listened to me read the whole thing.

Gratitude. Love. Beauty.

These are the words that describe the range of emotions I have felt today. Although this week has been a trial of our faith, today has been a lesson in looking for the positive in life. Tonight we went up to the temple grounds to walk around. I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have a temple so close to us! I also felt so thankful that Jeff had the opportunity to help build such a magnificent structure. I felt thankful for the beauty of the temple inside and out. Being on the temple grounds with my wonderful husband and my two precious boys made me so thankful for the love of my Heavenly Father in providing us the sealing power so we can be together forever.

[My boys on the temple grounds]

After the temple, we headed to the BYU-I gardens to walk around for about an hour. They are absolutely gorgeous right now with everything in bloom. With a beautiful evening, it felt like a slice of paradise. Again I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the beauty of the Earth.
I also have felt a profound sense of love for Jeff. He is so patient with the boys and so wonderful to me! I am so thankful for all the Lord has provided me with: a magnificent temple, the beauty of summer, and most importantly the love of my precious family.

[Carrying Jonas in the sling]

[Consider the lilies] [Contemplating life...]

Blessing Day

What a wonderful day! We were able to bless Jonas today and have our family and friends there to support us. It is amazing to have such a precious new life in our home and I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father that has allowed me the sacred opportunity to be a mother to these two beautiful boys.

[He was not happy I put him down to take a picture!]
[My Boys!]

Mr. Smiles

Jonas has been smiling a lot the past few days. I've tried so hard to capture a smile on camera. This is the closest I could get!

{4th of July}

We had an amazing Independence Day and hope you did too! We started off the day by going to the parade here in Rexburg with Kris, Braydon, and Alex. The boys loved running out to get candy. One of Carson's favorite parts of the parade was the firetruck and the Army truck that squirted water.

[Attempt at a family picture]
[Waiting for the Parade to start]
[Snoozing in the stroller]
[Watching the old cars and trucks]

After the parade we went and walked through Porter Park. They had a lot of different booths set up and vendors selling food parked on the south side of the park. Then we came back to our apartment with Kris and the boys and had lunch. By then it was nap time for everyone! Tonight we went over to Grandpa Birchs' house for dinner, playtime, and fireworks. We also celebrated TyLee's birthday, which is on the 7th. I can't believe she and Carson are going to be 3 this month. I swear it seems like just yesterday that both Maria and I were pregnant with them!

We decided to go buy some fireworks for the kids instead of attempting to take them to the fireworks in IF. Although I absolutely love going to the fireworks, this was a much better alternative for a bunch of active little children. We are so thankful for the country that we live in and the freedoms we enjoy each day!

[Playing with sparklers]

[Watching the Roman Candles]

{And the Decision is...}

Well, we've finally decided what we are going to do...WE ARE MOVING TO UTAH.

To make a long story short, Jeff went up to Yellowstone on Monday morning, just to be told that they didn't need him. So he turned around and drove back, a lovely 5 hour drive in total. He was pretty upset so he called and talked to the main office. They finally realized that he has a Bachelors degree and immediately gave him a generous pay raise. Then they asked him to get a resume together because they want to interview him to be a Project Engineer, which is a very nice job with a very nice salary. We'll have to see what happens with that. For now, they want him to work in Park City on a project. The company is going to pay him per diem on top of the pay raise, so it made it a no-brainer decision on if we were going to take it. The only hang up is that we are in our apartment contract here until November. I've put our contract up for sale and am praying someone will call on it. I can't handle being apart until November, so PLEASE if you know of anyone looking for a contract send them our way. Jeff will be going down to Utah next Monday and I will be here in Rexburg trying to sell this contract.

It is going to be a big change for our family, but it'll help us to grow and become stronger. We will desperately miss Rexburg...Grandpa Birch, Ryan & Maria, Anthony & Alisha--all of our friends, the Carousel at Porter Park, BYU-Idaho...the list could go on and on. I am somewhat comforted by the fact that because we have family and 8 acres of land here, we will eventually return, but for now we are setting off on a new adventure--if we can ever get out of this stupid contract!!