Because They're Cute....

My helpful Ethan

This is Ethan's idea of helping his Aunt set the table.... Maybe the plates are really hot??

Mr. Potato Head??

My two-year-old hard at work....

Need: One baby monitor, two Mr. Potato Head arms, and one Mr. Potato Head nose...

Result: Art

Can't Get Enough of Him!

Sweet Logie Bear turned 6-months old last Wednesday. He's such a happy fellow and quite the flirt. He will smile and smile at anyone, whether they're looking at him or not. He's a bit on the small side-- at least compared to Ethan at this age. He was 19 lbs 9 oz (only 80th percentile!) and 28 inches long (90th percentile) at his check-up, and quite the healthy little boy. He loves to suck on his toes and chew on paper. It's only a bit scary when he actually ingests some of the paper and it happens to be RED. Then, I about have a heart attack when I change his dirty diapers.... Ethan's doing quite well with him, and he loves his "Baby Hogan," as he calls him. We're back in Phoenix, living with my parents, for the time being. We're not sure if the job's going through up in Idaho or not, so Joe's looking for work here again. Fun times.... All will be well, eventually. At least we're all together.

Chip 'N Dale Baby

This is my 5-month-old son Logan. This is how we have recently discovered he prefers to be-- free of clothing and all those other distractions. This is the only time he will roll around the floor freely. When fully clothed, he stays on his back and gets frustrated. Too bad we now live in IDAHO where clothing seems to be a mandatory thing most months of the year.... At least I kept his socks on to keep him warm.....

Bye Bye to My Penguins....

Here's my genius Ethan. He loves counting. He knows every letter of the alphabet by sight (and will repeat the alphabet, but not sing it:). He knows his colors, too. Counting's the newest of them all, but he's doing pretty good. I have the right to brag every once in a while.... I love this little boy.

We've been in Idaho a few weeks now. Can't say I love it yet, but it's alright. I really need to get my own house, though.... Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Moving

So.... We are moving. I never really thought it would happen, but apparently it is (I think it kind of hit me after I realized that 3/4 of our stuff is now in boxes). Our destination is Idaho-- Boise area, to be specific. We leave in a week. Joe is happy. He's wanted to live there since before we got married. After getting laid off and not being able to find a job here in Phoenix, he found one there quite quickly. Maybe it's where we are supposed to be? He thinks so. I always thought my boys would be Arizona boys.... not potato farm boys.... I am sad. I'm leaving my family and everything I've ever known behind. I'm leaving my beloved heat, which Joe refers to as Hell (just as I refer to Idaho as "Hell frozen over"). I can no longer wear flip-flops year-round. I can't call Mom up at a few hours notice to watch my kids for an hour or two. I won't be around when my sister starts Junior High and High School and starts dating boys that I won't meet to be able to approve of. I'm leaving behind a nephew and a niece, as well, who've I've watched grow and mature since their births. We'll be totally on our own, without my parents to help us (not financially, but in many other ways), and without the comfort of knowing they're right there when we need them. My kids will rarely see their grandparents. I'm sad.

BUT... maybe this is the Lord's plan for me and my family. I must put aside my sadness and feelings of negativity. My husband does have the right to receive inspiration for our family. Heavenly Father HAS blessed him with a job to support us. As much as I want to, I cannot know ahead of time what will happen there and why it is good for us. Maybe I will grow as a person, and my kids might be safer. Maybe we should be there to help someone else. I don't know the reason, but I must hold onto something, and thinking about these things makes me feel better about it all. I must sound like the hugest Daddy's Girl, as I know many, MANY people live far from their families, but I guess I never considered I might be one of them. To all of you who do live far from your families, you are strong, strong people. May I one day be like you.....