Hello!

Hello!

• 10.16.2014

Remember when I talked about how wonderful our slow mornings have been?  Ha!  Well, life has suddenly decided to jump into warp speed.  It's been busy, but busy in the best ways.  Let me fill you in:

Past:

::  Last week Bron went on one of his monthly trips to Montana.  He was gone a full three days and arrived back home at 1:30AM Thursday morning.  I have a love/hate thing for those trips.  I love that I get to have so much time to myself in the evenings after the boys go to bed to paint my nails, edit pictures, and essentially do whatever else I want completely guilt-free because I have no husband present.  But those three days can get very loooong.  And I also have a terrible time getting myself into bed.  Sleep?  Who needs that?  Exhausting week for the both of us!

::  My mom stopped by on her way back through from Rexburg on Thursday evening.  She stayed for dinner and helped Jed build a boat with his Legos.  Jed was in heaven!  It's always so good to have my mom around, even for just a couple of hours.

::  My cousin, Necia, also stopped in that night.  She and her family spent the night and on Friday we got to squeeze in some rare cousin time together over breakfast and a quick touristy trip to Shoshone Falls.  By the way Necia, I'm still smiling over Alana's fat squishy cheeks and thighs.  Thanks for visiting!

::  Friday night was girls' night out!  This particular girls' night was a big deal.  It was twelve weeks in the making.  My neighbor, Dani, and I started a weight loss competition way back in July: first one to their goal was the winner and loser had to pay for our date.  Well, I won!  But barely.  I think the whole competition was skewed in my favor, to tell you the truth.  It took me twelve weeks to lose six pounds, but I am proud of those six pounds lost!  I carry most of my extra weight in my stomach and arms, so six pounds equals an entire dress size for me.  I am so grateful to have a friend like Dani who kept me accountable while simultaneously cheering me on.  She is an amazing woman in so many ways and I admire her grit for being consistent, especially when it comes to weight loss.  Go us!

::  Over the weekend we took the boys up to the South Hills to enjoy the colorful leaves and some time together as a family.  We let the little boys lead the way on our hike.  They loved being in charge and stopping to pick up every stick or rock that interested them.  It felt wonderful just to be up there in the crisp fresh air!

Present:

::  I'm teaching four students violin lessons every Wednesday and my photography business seems to have taken flight.  Fall is known as a photographer's "busy season".  Between all my sessions and editing, I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water.  I'm thankful for a supportive husband whom is actually quite business savvy and helps push me along because I am head-over-heels in love with photography right now.  Okay, I'm borderline obsessed.  (I even dream about it.)  Photography has become a part time job this season and I can say I truly enjoy what I'm doing.  I just wish I had more time to dedicate to it!  But my family will always come first.

::  Bron bought me a full suspension bike!  We bought it used, of course.  It has niiice components, is just a couple of years old, and has been ridden lightly.  Plus, it's a pretty shade of red.  I'm in love.  The little boys and I have been spending our evenings riding up and down the cul-de-sac on our bikes.  I can't wait to take her out for a real ride!

::  Do you know what makes me more upset than the fact that same sex marriage was made legal in Idaho yesterday? The fact that the federal government thinks that it's okay to overturn a law that the majority of our state's citizens agreed with. The federal government is essentially taking away the voice of the people.

::  Excuse me while I brag on my main man for a minute.  Big changes at work mean more responsibility and a pay raise for Bron.  I am so proud of him!  Bron has always exhibited an excellent work ethic; it is something I've loved about him since we first started dating.  Who knew we'd be in this situation just three short years after graduation?  We are definitely blessed.

Future:

::  I'm a little nervous.  Our friends are going on a cruise vacation and Bron volunteered us to watch their children for seven of the eleven days they will be gone.  In other words, I will become a temporary mom of five.  I'm not expecting to get anything done.  (I'm keeping my expectations low.)  Hopefully we will actually leave the house to do something fun.

::  I'm excited about going to the pumpkin patch with Jed's preschool class this afternoon!  I have a babysitter lined up for Levi, so it will just be me and my little man.  I'm looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with Jed.  Maybe we'll pick up another pumpkin.

Over and out!